21 most iconic American cars

These are the American cars that really stand for something.

1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda

most iconic american cars
  • Icon for: Muscle

Watch: Cars that scream America

You'll often hear cars called "iconic"just because they're easily recognizable. But to be truly iconic, a car has to stand for something. It has to be the sort of car that, if you were a cartoonist, you draw to indicate a certain type of person, a certain era or an idea.

This car, the 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda, is iconic because it functions as a perfect stand-in for every high-powered muscle car that ever shredded a set of back tires. When someone says "muscle car" this is probably the car you picture inside your head.

Watch: 'Plum crazy' Hemi Cuda

Now, being "iconic" does not mean a car is necessarily good or desirable. There are cars that stand for things like "uncool," "utter flop," or "selfish boor." For me, these are the cars that came to mind when I try to think of the most genuinely iconic American cars ever made. Feel free to play along. I'm always open to suggestions.

Not all these cars have model years associated with them. In some cases, any year will do.

- Last updated July 03 2014 06:02 PM ET
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