Just like a book, you can’t judge a car by the outside. You have to look under the hood to really get a feel for what kind of power it brings to the table. So, if we were to look at some American cars, you would think that, at the very least, the word “American” in the name would mean that it was manufactured in the U.S.
Apparently that’s not the case with these cars. Maybe for them the concept of an “American” car is one that that has the feel of the culture? Let’s explore 7 cars that use the word in the their name, but aren’t necessarily made in the U.S.
8 “American” Cars: Made in the U.S.A?
Today we’re putting aside the technicalities that make up a car that’s American, and look at seven that use the word in their name. Were they made here, or are they foreign cars with the name slapped onto them?
1. Rambler American
The name “Rambler” Was used by the Thomas B. Jeffery Company in the early 1900’s, and was subsequently used by the successor, Nash Motors, and the American Motors Corporation after that. In the late 1950’s, the Rambler American came out from this American car company.
In a time where standard Detroit cars were massive and bulky, this was a compact that carved out its own slice of the market. The car was originally a two-door sedan, but also came out in a four-door, wagon, and convertible version.
2. The Plymouth Horizon America/Dodge Omni America
In 1978, Chrysler brought out the VW Rabbit fighters, which were competitive at first, but fell behind. In 1987, the successors came in the form of the Plymouth Sundance and Dodge Shadow. While these cars should have been the nail in the coffin, Chrysler decided to keep them around as a low priced entry-level vehicle.
To refresh the image, they slapped the name “America” on them. This carried them for several more years.
3. The Plymouth Reliant America/Dodge Aries America
In a similar strategy, the Dodge Aries and the Plymouth Reliant soon hit the end of their usefulness in 1989. The Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim were ready to go, but the company decided to keep the Reliant and the Aries around for a little longer at a lower price and with that iconic “America” attached to the name.
4. Plymouth Sundance America/Dodge Shadow America
The trend continued once more with the Dodge Shadow and the Plymouth Sundance. Once more, they dropped a number of options and the price before placing “America” on the end. Even with this attempt, these models only stayed relevant for two model years between 1991 and 1992.
5. Dodge Grand Caravan American Value Package
Just when you thought they were finished, Dodge brings on a modern usage of this trend in their 2015 caravan model. Keeping with past traditions, the package removes all of the fancy bells and whistles in order to save you $2,450 off of the listing price for a Grand Caravan SE. So far, so American apparently.
6. Ferrari 410 Superamerica
Uh oh, it looks like we have a non-American car maker throwing down the name in their title! In 1950 the Italian car brand Ferrari released the 340 America which was quote “created specifically to meet the demands of the new breed of owner,” according to Ferrari themselves.
The name was included in U.S. market versions of the 342 and the 375 as well. The 410 Superamerica was made from 1956 to 1959 and was the most powerful of the Ferrari models at the time. It had a v-12 engine that produced between 340 and 400 horsepower. Today you can find them selling for up to $3 million.
A 400 Superamerica was sold from 1960 to 1964 and was only made 54 times. These sell for up to $4 million today.
7. Austin America
This car was made from 1968 to 1971 and was an expansion of the Austin 1100 which was in turn an expansion of the BMC Mini. It had a transverse-engine, front-drive, two-doors, and was meant to give the VW Beetle a run for its money.
It did a great job in the home country of its origins, but it did not sell as well in America.
8. The Porsche 911 RS America
Yet another country decides to use the name in their vehicle title. German car brand Porsche joins the ranks with a resurrection of the 911 RS. The original model never came to America, but on the 20th anniversary of the company, they brought out a new RS model that came to the U.S. as the RS America.
Designed as a minimalist, lightweight, track-focused vehicle, it was described by Porsche as “pure protein.”
So, what do you think of these so called American cars? Do you find it odd that they are billed as American when in some cases they are not? There are various reasons to do so, it’s just interesting that so many manufacturers have done it.
All Images Via Car and Driver
