The 5 Most Influential Cars Built Here In Michigan

Michigan is the birthplace of the automobile. When Henry Ford revolutionized transportation with the creation of the Model-T and manufacturing with the invention of the assembly line, it cemented Detroit as Motor City, USA. With the "Big 3" of automobile production (Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler) all based here at one point, loads of incredible cars have been created in Michigan over the years.

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We've gone through their many cars, as well as other cars built across the state, to find 5 of the most iconic cars built here in Michigan that have stood the test of time.

Note: There have been more than 5 influential vehicles built in Michigan; we're just highlighting these vehicles.

The Ford Model T

The first mass-produced automobile, the Ford Model T, is arguably the most recognizable car in history. It was simple, needed to be cranked to start, and had a top speed of 40 mph, but it was also incredibly affordable at just $850 in 1909.

By 1924, that price had dropped to $260, and by the time it ceased production in 1927, it had produced over 15 million. Cars have evolved substantially since the 1908-1927 production run, but as the first affordable car, this was the template.

The Ford Mustang

When Ford announced the Mustang in 1964, it was an immediate success. It was something completely new, a design unlike anything seen before. With its iconic grille, long hood, chrome bumpers, and three-element taillights, the Mustang went on to sell 418,000 units in its first year at a price of just $2,500.

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The Ford Motor Company donated Mustang #00001 to the Henry Ford Museum, where it resides today. Since '64, there have been numerous generations of this car.

Chevy Bel Air

If any car represented the 1950s, it's the Chevy Bel Air. This car was all about design: a large grille, round headlights, a distinctive chrome streak along the sides, and unique "jet-inspired" tail fins. They were also full of gadgets and modern accessories like AC, while still being an affordable $2510.

These models were nicknamed the "Tri-Five", with the 50s models being the most sought after, despite the production of the Bel Airs going until 1981. Today, the "Tri-Five" models are still highly sought after by car enthusiasts. Check out an in-depth video of all the cool features these cars had for their time.

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Checker's Cabs

Despite its affiliation with NYC, the Checker cab was popular in many major American cities at the time, including Chicago. But they weren't made in any of them; instead, they were manufactured in a plant in Kalamazoo at Checkers Motors Corporation. Read a full history of the car here.

These Checker cabs, nicknamed by both the company that made them and by the checkboard stripe on the side of each cab, were made in the 1950s but saw their popularity soar in the 1960s with the A8 and A12 models. By the time production ceased in the 1980s, 250,000 cabs had been made, and the final one is on display at the Gilmore Car Museum.

Chrysler Minivan

As someone who grew up in a family of 6, I can say we would have been really struggling if Chrysler hadn't perfected the Minivan back in 1983. The Minivan had finally figured out how to comfortably fit a whole family without compromising gas mileage.

According to Gizmodo, this minivan introduced a high roof, sliding side doors, and Front Wheel Drive that have remained core features of minivans to this day.

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The Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravans were so successful that they created a whole new type of car that was quickly copied by competitors and remains popular today. But Chrysler did it first, and it saved their company.

The cars featured below were influential in their own way, too.