The Classic Car Encyclopedia Quiz

By: Dave Davis
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
The Classic Car Encyclopedia Quiz
Image: Pixabay by smarko

About This Quiz

Automobiles have a long, rich history — long enough to fill several history books or a good encyclopedia set.* For this quiz, we'll be coming up with questions by thumbing through "The Complete Automotive Encyclopedia, Tenth Edition" (don't worry about finding it; we have the only copy at our office). 

Depending on your age, you might remember driving (or wanting to drive) some of these cars on this list. Others would have been the apple of your parents' or grandparents' eyes. They're all important, though — like any other science, automotive technology and styles built off of what has come before. How much do you know about your automotive history? We'll find out by looking at some classic cars, with a bit of industrial technology thrown in for good measure.

Automobiles have become such a part of our everyday lives that it's too easy to take them for granted. It's time to take a new look at our old friends by opening the book to random places and see how much you know about the cars of yesterday and how they shaped the present and the future of driving for us all!

Ready? Set? Let's go!

*For the kids, "encyclopedias" were a set of books with information about everything under the sun. It's what older people used to find information before "google" became a verb. They were hard to use and often became outdated as soon as they were printed. You truly live in a golden age!

Q1-Lamborghini Miura
The Classic Car Encyclopedia Quiz
Although the automaker would have more famous cars, which of these is considered the first "supercar?"
Nissan 480ZX
Acura NSX
Bugatti Veyron
Lamborghini Miura
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Lamborghini Miura, considered the first "supercar" by many, hit the streets with a vengeance in 1966 with a mid-engine V12 and a futuristic look all its own. Built between 1966 and 1973, the Miura would go on to be replaced by the Countach, but it was the car that put the automaker on the map for many car enthusiasts.

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Q2-Carmen Ghia
Wiki Commons by Martin Pettitt
Using the same chassis as its famous cousin, which of these vehicles put Volkswagen in a sportier light in the '60s?
Golf Mk7
Karmann Ghia
Tiguan
Jetta A2
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in 1955, the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia was a sports car developed by mixing the chassis and some parts used in the famous Beetle with styling from the Italian firm Carrozzeria Ghia and bodywork by the coachbuilding house Karmann. Just more than 445,000 cars were built from 1955 through 1974.

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Q3-Triumph Spitfire
Wiki Commons by Bull-Doser
Named after a WWII fighter, which vehicle wasn't the powerhouse its name implied, but was still fun to drive?
Dodge Hellcat
Curtiss Warhawk
Ford Mustang
Triumph Spitfire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Triumph Spitfire was made in five generations between 1962 and 1980. While it wouldn't strike fear into hearts as much as the World War II fighter it was named after did, it was a lot of fun to drive. It only had an inline-four engine, but its small frame made the most of it.

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Q4-Ford Maverick
Wiki Commons by dave_7
Designed as an "import fighter," which of these vehicles was also named after an animal when it was released in 1970?
Ford Mustang
Chevrolet Impala
Mercury Lynx
Ford Maverick
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Maverick was a compact car that first hit the streets in the 1970 model year and was designed to take on the VW Beetle, as well as compact cars coming in from Japan. It took the place of the Falcon in Ford's lineup, whose sales had been negatively impacted by the Mustang. The Maverick was made until 1977 in North America, and 1979 in Brazil.

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Q5-1989 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z
Wiki Commons by crudmucosa
Which car had an "International Race of Champions" edition that teens in the mid- to late-1980s drooled over?
Porsche 911
Dodge Challenger
Ford Mustang
Chevy Camaro
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The IROC-Z variant of the third-generation Chevy Camaro was called by some "the Camaro that thinks it's a Corvette." Produced from 1985 through 1990, The IROC trim package of the Z/28 offered cosmetic changes to the body and a 305-cubic-inch 215-horsepower V8 engine.

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Q6-Chevy Corvette
Wiki Commons by GM Chevrolet
Which of these cars changed the game, both for its maker and for the industry as a whole, when introduced in 1953?
Chevrolet Corvette
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
Ford Escort
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the 'Vette hit showroom floors in 1953, the car-buying public had never seen anything like it. The streamlined vehicle came to be regarded by most as "America's Sports Car," and has been in production ever since, with its eighth generation debuting for the 2020 model year.

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Q7-Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Wiki Commons by nakhon100
The iconic Trans Am of the 1970s was actually a trim level of which vehicle?
Pontiac Firebird
Ford Mustang
Chevy Camaro
Dodge Charger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am, with its most iconic second-generation made between 1970 and 1981, captured the attention of a huge number of car enthusiasts during its time on the roads, appearing in multiple film and television programs. With its firebird decal on the hood, it was hard to miss a finely tuned Trans-Am.

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Q8-Ferrari Testarossa
Wiki Commons by Janderk1968
One of the "hero" cars in "Miami Vice," which company made the Testarossa sports car starting in 1984?
Chevrolet
Lamborghini
Ferrari
Alfa Romeo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The stylish television show "Miami Vice" first brought the attention of many viewers to the Ferrari Testarossa, and the car had the looks and performance to keep their attention long after the show ended. With its mid-engine flat-12-engine and beautiful lines, the Testarossa remained in production from 1984 through 1996.

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Q9-1970 Ford Mustang Boss
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
Which of these cars has a "boss" variant that kicked the pony car wars up a notch?
Charger
Camaro
Mustang
GTO
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Boss 302 variant of the Ford Mustang put the car back in the driver's seat in 1969 after the Camaro arrived two years earlier to pose a challenge in the pony car wars. Made from 1969 to 1970, the Boss had a powerful 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) engine and a trunk full of attitude.

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Q10-1951 Hudson Hornet
Wiki Commons by Christopher Ziemnowicz
Which of these "bathtub" car manufacturers played a big role in the development of NASCAR?
DeSoto
Packard
Continental
Hudson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hudson was the first automaker to become a part of stock car racing and dominated the field early on. Cars such as the Hudson Hornet, with their low center of gravity and sleek design, performed well on the track.

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Q11-1936 Auto Union Type C
Wiki Commons by Brian Snelson
Predating World War II, which race car was able to hit speeds that would still be impressive today?
Auto Union Type C
Porsche Cayman
Aston Martin DB1
Mitsubishi PX33
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Germany's Auto Union (which would eventually go on to become Audi) developed four racing cars between 1934 and 1939 — the A, B, C and D models. The Type C had a 16-cylinder engine capable of producing 520 bhp, could hit 200 mph and dominated the racing world.

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Q12-1970 Lincoln Continental Mark III-Edit
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
First hitting the streets in 1939, which of these cars helped define the phrase "land yacht" in its, um, bigger years?
Mercedes-Benz 600
Mercury Grand Marquis
Imperial LeBaron
Lincoln Continental
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Now in its 10th generation, the Lincoln Continental has, for the vast majority of its life, made an impression on motorists thanks to its sheer size, particularly in the 1970s when it stretched out to nearly 20 feet long. The current model isn't quite that big, but it's still a full-size luxury vehicle.

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Q13-1951 Jaguar XK120
Wiki Commons by Steve Glover
The company's first postwar car, which of these vehicles also set a speed record?
Ford Thunderbird
Lotus Esprit
Bugatti Type 57
Jaguar XK120
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Produced from 1948 to 1954, the Jaguar XK120 marked the company's return to automaking, picking up where the SS 100 left off in 1940. Jaguar was eager to get a sporty model in the postwar field; the XK120 set a production car speed record of 124.6 mph in 1949.

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Q14-Volvo P1800
Wiki Commons by Kotasik
Not really known for their sportier models, which of these automakers produced the very sporty P1800?
Volvo
Toyota
Peugeot
Renault
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Volvo P1800 was manufactured from 1961 through 1973 and was considered a touring car, rather than a sports car, although it certainly had the looks to fit that bill. The P1800 was also well built; Irv Gordon set a record for putting the highest mileage on a single car after he drove his P1800 more than three million miles.

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Q15-Camry
Wiki Commons by IFCAR
Which of these Japanese cars changed the fortune of its maker when it first came to America in 1983?
Toyota Camry
Honda Prelude
Scion XB
Mazda Cosmo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Toyota brought the Camry to the American marketplace in 1983, it quickly found a following and, by 1987, was the company's best-selling car. It eventually went on to be the top-selling passenger car in the U.S.

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Q16-Lotus Elite
Wiki Commons by Kevin Decherf
This car only had a 1.2-liter engine, but since it only weighed about a half-ton, it made do. Can you name it?
Aston Martin Vantage
Lotus Elite
Ford Fiesta
Packard 300
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A true lightweight in the field (about 1,100 pounds, to be exact), the Lotus Elite was a two-seat coupe introduced in 1958 and cut a striking figure with its sleek looks and long hood. The Elite was discontinued in 1963 but almost made a comeback in 2014; Lotus scrapped those plans, however, before the car went into production.

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Q17-F40 Ferrari
Wiki Commons by Will ainsworth
The first production car to ever break the 200-mph threshold, which of these Ferraris hit the streets in 1987?
275 GTB
F40
Berlinetta Boxer
Dino 246 GT
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The last of the line to be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari, the F40 holds a special place in the hearts of fans. The car was developed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the company and was Ferrari's fastest, most powerful and most expensive model at the time.

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Q18-Thunderbird
Wiki Commons by Usien
Which of these cars was developed as an answer to the Chevy Corvette and found a following all its own?
Nash Rambler
Ford Mustang
Ford Thunderbird
Plymouth Duster
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hitting the streets during the 1955 model year, the Ford Thunderbird was a head-turner built for two for its first generation; rear seats were added in the second generation starting in 1958. Production stopped in 1997, with a brief resurgence from 2001 to 2005. While it didn't have the longevity of the Corvette, the T-bird has a place in the heart of many drivers.

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Q19-Datsun
Wiki Commons by Nick Ares
Which Japanese car put the world on notice in 1969 that its homeland could make sports cars with the best of them?
Acura NSX
Nissan Fairlady Z
Toyota Supra
Mazda MX-5
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also known as the Datsun 240Z, its export name, the Fairlady Z was Nissan's statement to the world that it was here to play — and stay. The model became popular and changed the image many car buyers had of Japanese vehicles. The descendants of the Fairlady sports cars are still being made today in Nissan's Z series.

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Q20-Electric car
Wiki Commons by William James
In what year was the first electric automobile developed in the United States?
1890
1939
1965
1982
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It didn't go very fast (about 14 mph), and it wasn't available in showrooms (it predates showrooms, actually), but the first electric car made in the U.S. was thought to be developed by William Morrison in Iowa in 1890 and 91. It was a wagon that could seat six.

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Q21-Aston Martin DB5-Edit
Wiki Commons by DeFacto
Named for the company's president, which automaker has a line of popular cars that has lasted for 11 generations?
Aston Martin
Alfa Romeo
Mercedes-Benz
Ford
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Aston Martin DB series — named for Sir David Brown, who bought the company in 1947 — has been the company's most recognizable nameplate since the first of the line, the DB2, rolled out in 1950. The company launched the DB11 in 2018.

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Q22-Porsche 356
Wiki Commons by Nan Palmero
Which of these cars predated the Porsche 911, tearing around the Austrian countryside in 1948?
356
Cayenne
996
Type 110
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 356, also known as the "Gmünd Roadster," was the first vehicle to bear the Porsche name. Built by Porsche Konstruktionen GesmbH, which would later Porsche AG, the 356 went through different iterations and body styles before production stopped in 1965.

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Q23-Mazda Rx-7
Wiki Commons by dave_7
Which company developed the "Wankel" engine, which delivers a high power-to-weight ratio?
Mazda
Toyota
Nissan
Volkswagen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Wankel rotary combustion engine, developed in the 1960s and put to use in Mazda vehicles, has a lot of advantages. It's small and powerful (especially when turbocharged), but it's also fuel inefficient and puts out a lot of pollution.

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Q24-HondaNsx
Wiki Commons by GerdeeX
Which of these sports cars was designed to take on Ferrari at a fraction of the cost in the 1990s?
Honda NSX
Mazda Cosmo
Toyota Prius
Nissan 280 ZX
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Honda NSX (also known as the Acura NSX) was developed in 1990 to provide an alternative for those who wanted the performance of a Ferrari-class vehicle but had a lower price range. "NSX" stands for "New," "Sportscar" and "Unknown world" (using "X" as an unknown variable). It was made until 2006, with a new generation hitting the streets in 2016.

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Q25-TOYOTA 2000GT
Wiki Commons by Gnsin
This vehicle, debuted in 1967, shook up the world's view of the Japanese company that produced it?
Mitsubishi Outlander
Honda Clarity
Toyota 2000GT
Datsun B-210
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the most collectible cars on the market today, the Toyota 2000GT was the automaker's effort to be seen as something other than the maker of sturdy, practical, boring vehicles. The 200GT, built between 1967 and 1970, was compared favorably to the Porsche 911 and made people think twice about Toyota.

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Q26-1967-Alfa-Romeo
Wiki Commons by John Filiss
Which of these vehicles was used in "The Graduate" as a symbol of youthful spirit?
Jaguar XJ
Renault Pulse
Alfa Romeo Spider
Aston Martin DB Mark III
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Produced between 1966 and 1969, the Alfa Romeo Spider roadster was featured prominently in the 1967 film "The Graduate" — to the point that a "Graduate" trim level was offered in the U.S. in the '80s. The car was produced through the 1994 model year.

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Q27-1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica
Wiki Commons by ravas51
What was the name of the top-of-the-line Ferrari vehicles built between 1950 and 1967?
Panamera
Cayman
America
SP275 RW Competizione
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ferrari America line was first introduced with the 340 America, released in 1950. Only 23 of this model were built, but they were the first in a series of limited-production vehicles that would include the Superamerica, the Superfast and the California.

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Q28-Ford GT40-Edit
Wiki Commons by Airwolfhound
Which vehicle was designed and built by Ford when Ferrari refused to sell to the American automaker?
Mustang
GT40
Focus
Probe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The GT40, one of Ford's most iconic vehicles, was designed and constructed in 1964 to beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race after Enzo Ferrari offered to sell to Ford but changed his mind at the last moment. The GT40 went on to win the race in 1966, 67, 68 and 69.

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Q29-Stout Scarab
Wiki Commons by i_am_jim
Although they weren't stylish, they got the job done before SUVs were developed. When was the first minivan made?
1924
1936
1958
1979
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Stout Scarab (and yes, it looked very bug-like) was developed in 1936 and is considered by most to be the world's first minivan. Developed in Detroit by the Stout Motor Car Company, the seats could be reconfigured and the passengers used a centrally mounted door to enter and leave the vehicle.

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Q30-2001-2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Wiki Commons by IFCAR
Which car, released in 2000, was a throwback design to a bygone day?
Lexus LS
Volvo V50
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Cadillac CTS
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Debuting in 2000, the design of the Chrysler PT Cruiser was all-retro, and now that it's 20 years old, it's a classic in its own right. Available in hatchback and convertible styles, the PT had various models in the line, including Classic, Touring and "Street Cruiser" editions.

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Q31-Maserati 3500 GT
Wiki Commons by Abehn
Released in 1957, which of these vehicles was the luxury maker's first attempt at making a production vehicle?
Lamborghini Aventador
Bugatti Veyron
Maserati 3500 GT
McLaren 650S
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Maserati 3500 GT, built between 1957 and 1964, provided a number of firsts for the luxury carmaker. The 3500 was the first successful Gran Turismo vehicle Maserati had produced, and it was also the first "mass produced" vehicle the company, known for hand-built cars, had attempted. In all 2,226 3500 GTs were created.

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Q32-Duesenberg Model J
Wiki Commons by Tiriac Collection
Made between 1928 and 1937, which of these vehicles had the most powerful engine of its day?
Renault Alliance
Nash Rambler
McLaren 12C
Duesenberg Model J
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Duesenberg Model J had the most powerful engine ever used in an automobile at the time of its production, which ran between 1928 and 1937. The 6.9-liter inline-eight engine was available in a supercharged configuration, which produced a staggering-for-the-time 400 horsepower output.

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Q33-63 Chevrolet Impala
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
One of GM's longest-running nameplates, which familiar car lost its place in the Chevrolet line in 2021?
Camaro
Silverado
Impala
Corvette
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

First introduced in 1957, the Chevrolet Impala has been one of the automaker's best-selling vehicles over the years and, except for hiatuses between 1985 to 1994 and 1996 to 1999, has been a constant presence in the Chevy lineup. The line will be shut down for the 2021 model year, but history shows it could reappear down the road.

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Q34-1996 McLaren F1
Wiki Commons by Craig James
Which sports car, powered by a V12 and coming from a company known for racing, was pricey but perfect for some?
Lamborghini Huracán
Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
Porsche 718 Spyder
McLaren F1
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a 6.1-liter V12 that was capable of producing 618 horsepower, the McLaren F1 was a sports car that checked all the boxes of drivers who wanted the best — and could afford it. There were only 106 F1s produced during its run between 1992 and 1998.

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Q35-Shelby Cobra
Wiki Commons by crudmucosa
A "mutt" brought into being by legendary designer Carroll Shelby, which of these small cars has a huge heart?
Chevelle Laguna
AC Cobra
Honda N-Box+
Dodge Coronet WO23
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Built between 1961 and 1967, the AC Cobra line came into being when auto legend Carroll Shelby had the idea of putting a Ford V8 engine into the small AC Ace roadster frame. The result was an overpowered vehicle that became a legend in its own right.

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Pixabay by smarko