I think a lot of the popular classics are often because they were unique, not necessarily beautiful, and often the most popular tend to be some of the most ubiquitous models that were designed for the everyman, e.g. the 2CV, VW Beetle, VW Camper etc. I suspect they become stylish by association with the periods in which they were popular and the people who owned them, rather than because their own styling is great.

I always thought the Citroen vans of the era were very cool, I'd love to see a modern van design based on the H, for example.

▲

RugnirViking 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

this is absolutely it. the only recipe to make a car that becomes iconic is make it different/recognisable then sell a lot of it, for cheap (really cheap. No, cheaper. Cheaper than that) to students/artists. nostalgia will do the rest

▲

bluGill 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

These days cars are more reliable and so students/artists are much more likely to buy a used car.

In the 1970s getting 100,000 miles on a car gave you bragging rights - you would invite your friends to see it turn over, driving away in a cloud of blue smoke (engine oil burns blue), and carefully avoid puddles since they would splash water through the holes in the floor.

These days cars go a lot longer before they fail and so people with limited money buy used cars.

▲

SoftTalker 3 hours ago | parent [-]

People with enough money to afford new also buy used cars. Why take the depreciation hit when someone else can do it, and you can still get 10+ years out of the car.

	▲	bluGill 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Just because you could afford new doesn't mean you will of course.

▲

pasc1878 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

There are iconic expensive cars e.g. Jaguar E-type, Aston Martin DB5 and very expensive e.g. Rolls Royce Shadow.

▲

beefandcheese 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

you might like the morris JE vans - based on the old Morris J vans from the 40's https://morris-commercial.com/