JAKARTA - Cars come and go, but there are some that continue to exist with some of them being the models of production with the longest lifespan in the world.
Many car models seem timeless, but rarely the car has changed at all by its manufacturers for more than a decade. Generally, manufacturers redesign or refresh platforms with the latest technological advances, advanced safety features, and offer something fresh.
However, this story is about models that fight trends, and last a long time. Volkswagen halted the reborn production of Beeple in 2019, which reminds everyone that Beeple is a very long-lived car.
Volkswagen Beeple (1938-2003) 65 Years
And the car with the longest production period is... Volkswagen Beeple! Its popularity goes beyond the realm of classic cars. It is a true icon around the world, at least as well as the Coca-Cola logo.
Its popularity was unexpected; Volkswagen initially only wanted to build cars for the German people. Designed to become a people's vehicle in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s, its birth was halted due to the Second World War. This car was almost produced by Britain or America after the war, but no British automaker wanted it, neither did Ford. "This vehicle does not meet the basic technical requirements of a car," wrote a British official. "This is not at all attractive to the average buyer. Manufacturing this car commercially will be a non-economic attempt."
But Beeple continued to thrive as Europe rose and desperately needed cars. Hitler's "Strength-through-Joy Wagen" Hitler (Vehicle of Happiness Through Power) actually became the cornerstone of flower-power culture in the 60s, which was most likely not what he wanted. Tighter emission regulations eventually stopped Beeple production. Production ended in Mexico in 2003 with a limited retro-themed edition model called wayltima Ediciber. More than 21 million Beetle units were produced in no less than 15 countries.
Morgan 4/4 (1955-2018) 63 Years
The basic automotive evolution rules state that Morgan should have stopped production 4/4 at some point in the 1960s and introduced a replacement. However, the British manufacturer bravely fought the trend of the auto industry when it decided to continue producing this roadster. Although it often made minor changes over time to improve driving and use capabilities, its classic design looks frozen in the 1950s.
Morgan 4/4 has been using Ford engines since this model restarted in 1955, but Morgan had offered it with a four-cylinder engine made by Fiat during the 1980s. The emission regulations surrounding the Ford Sigma engine used by this car eventually stopped production.
Hindustan Ambassador (1958-2007) 49 Years
Hindustan Motors introduced Ambassador after buying rights to Morris Oxford Series III from the British Motor Corporation (BMC). We doubt anyone involved in the deal envisions Oxford's basic design will last for half a century. Ambassadors changed slightly during its production period, except for Avigo models introduced in 2004 with a more modern look.
Peugeot in 2017 bought the brand Ambassador for nearly 10 million in a bid to help him return to the Indian market after a 23-year absence.
Other Legendary Cars that also have a long life:
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