Cars That Defined Their Decades

9. 1970s: VW Beetle

In the 1970s, production of the VW Beetle beat a record of 15 million cars set by Ford with their Model T. By the late 1970s, sales were dropping, and the era of the original Beetle had passed with millions of them still in the hands of everyday Americans. In a society where a car was a necessity for many, the simple Beetle made transportation possible. Its rounded body, rear air-cooled engine, and basic interior had advantages and disadvantages: it was simple and cheap to repair and run but had a weak heater and a limited front storage space shared with the spare tire.