These 10 American Cars May Turn Into Icons

When you think of iconic American cars, a few come to mind right away. Let’s take a departure from the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro models and look at others.

There are several factors in determining whether or not a vehicle will rise in value, but just because a car doesn’t increase in value doesn’t mean it can’t be an iconic vehicle. Let’s look at a few American cars that might reach icon status. Some of these you might agree with, others you might wonder what makes them special.

Chevrolet Impala SS

The Chevrolet Impala isn’t usually a car you think of as being powerful, fun to drive, or dynamic. This car finished its lifetime as a full-size sedan with lots of room and comfort in the cabin. What you might not realize is the 1996 version of the Impala SS was one of the most impressive muscle sedans of that decade. This version was powered by a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 engine that offered 260 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. This power was impressive for the time and gave the Impala SS a place on this list.

2006 Pontiac GTO

The original Pontiac GTO was one of the most iconic American cars ever made, but what about the resurgent model? The 2006 version of the GTO came with a strong 6.0-liter LS2 V8 engine, a sporty body style, and incredible speed. This car delivered 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. This car was a sales flop at the time, but that doesn’t keep it from becoming a valuable and sought-after car in the near future. If you happen to have one of these Pontiac GTO’s, hang onto it.

2009 Cadillac XLR-V

While offered, the Cadillac XLR-V was a failure. Very few people wanted to buy this sporty luxury coupe. This might have been because Cadillac has never truly developed its name as one associated with sporty driving dynamics or convertible cars. The XLR-V might become a desirable car because of some items it brings to the table. This impressive car has a 4.4-liter supercharged Northstar V8 engine that delivers 443 horsepower and 414 lb-ft of torque. This classic will become a car that collectors look for in a few years.

1992 Dodge Stealth R/T

The Dodge Stealth might be a car you don’t remember, but it could easily become one of the American cars that reach icon status. The Stealth was sold alongside the Viper as the affordable sports car that many drivers could own. The R/T model of this impressive car came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that offered 320 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, those numbers didn’t translate to positive sales of this car, but now, this Dodge might be one of the most iconic models we see.

2003 Mercury Marauder

Another one of the most impressive muscle cars of previous years was the 2003 Mercury Marauder. This car had the same body as the Ford Crown Victoria used by most police forces, but this Mercury had a bit more going for it. The power for the Marauder came from a 4.6-liter V8 engine delivering 302 horsepower and 318 lb-ft of torque. This car was a muscular sedan and one that would certainly be more desirable going forward.

2008 Saturn Sky Redline

Saturn is a brand that spent very little time in the auto market, leaving behind some vehicles that we will look for and desire for many years. The Sky Redline is a sports car that offered a cool look and amazing build to make it one of the most fun sports coupes in the market. The Sky could be had as a convertible and will be one of the American cars that reach iconic status. The power for this sporty machine came from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

1987 Buick Grand National

The 1980s was a decade most American automakers would rather forget, but the Buick Grand National was one of the few gems of this decade. This car has a retro boxy style that made it look more like a family sedan, even though most were coupes. This car came powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced 245 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque. Not only is the Grand National an iconic vehicle, but it’s also a bit of a sleeper with its unique style.

2001 Oldsmobile Aurora V8

For decades the Oldsmobile name was one of success, popularity, and glory. The name took a tumble for a couple of decades and eventually disappeared, leaving behind some impressive American cars. The Aurora V8 is the last impressive car from the brand, giving us a 4.0-liter V8 engine that made 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. These power numbers don’t translate to much today, but twenty years ago, they were respectable. This car should become a collectible model in the next few years.

2008 Dodge Magnum SRT-8

At first, it seemed weird that Dodge would put so much power into a wagon, but when the Magnum SRT-8 arrived, it gave us something special to admire and enjoy. This station wagon was one of the most powerful and useful cars of the decade. The Magnum SRT-8 used a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine making 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. This car didn’t sell well when new, but it is one of the most iconic cars of the decade and will be a regular participant at classic car shows in the future.

2010 Ford Taurus SHO

For several years, the Ford Taurus was one of the most useful family sedans in the market. That said, the SHO model gave us something a little more exciting than the regular Taurus. In 2010, this car used a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine to offer 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Among American cars, the Taurus SHO already has a respectable place, but it will eventually become an icon in the industry.

Are there some American cars that you can think of that should eventually achieve icon status? Do you own one and hope to hold onto it to see it become a desirable classic?