Jez Spinks for examples explains that choosing a car of the decade can depend on different perspectives. If you were a bean counter, you might opt for the world's most profitable small car, the BMW Mini. A marketing man might pick the Toyota Prius; a racing driver, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
As he states, it's in the eye of the beholder as to what specific interest the person has in relation to their choice of best car.
smh.drive.com.au/motor-feature/rated-best-cars-of-the-decade-20002010-20101216-18z0w.html
These seven writers not only gave their best cars of decade, they also list, what they refer to as their 'Dud's of the decade. In my view, it was just as interesting to read their Duds as it is was their best cars of the decade.
I'd dare say they may have received some terse correspondence from both satisfied customers of their 'dud' listings as well as from those vehicle manufacturers.
All this about 'best cars of the decade' got me thinking about my own personal selection of the most outstanding motor vehicles, cars that were image making, in my life time, motor vehicles from 1951.
As Jez Spinks pointed out, choosing a car can depend on different perspectives, and the perspectives I bring are specifically mine and come from my experience. These motor vehicles meant something to me or in some way influenced me in my child hood, adolescence, teens, youth years, young adult and on into my years of maturity.
Moreover I genuinely concur with Spinks, that another person would come up with an entirely different list, coming from their experiences and influences. This selection of mine may not even reflect the 'best' motor vehicles since 1951, rather those cars that were of impact from my perspective.
My selection - top 10 cars from 1951
Morris Minor
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Minor
The Morris Minor in my growing up years was the quintessential motor vehicle for young people. Today it has a cult status. I never owned one nor was I terribly impressed by its shape, but this car goes beyond my likes and dislikes.
Vanguard
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Motor_Company
My father owned a 1954 Vanguard and I owned a 1960 Vanguard – two different body designs. The 1950's movietone news at the cinema often showed the Vanguard in road rallies. My Vanguard had overdrive gears on both 2nd and 3rd gear.
VW Beetle
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Beetle
Who at some time or other didn't have a VW Beetle or didn't ride in one. My wife Delma had one, it was a semi-automatic, there was no clutch and the gears were changed by first pressing down the gear stick.
DS Citroen
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_DS
This was my favourite motor vehicle of all time. Its design was unique with its wide front and narrow rear, its suspension was its calling card. This was the 'hero vehicle' of the inaugural London to Sydney motor race in 1968.
Pontiac Parisienne
The 1960's Australian Pontiac's were given various badges, such as the Parisienne, the Bel-Air and the Impala. The Parisienne was my favourite with its full across rear tail lights, beautiful soft upholstery and its American 1960's magnificence.
Land Rover
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover
Whatever African movie we saw as kids, the Land Rover was the vehicle of choice, especially the short wheel base model. My brother and I would visit our auntie's farm at Tewantin (Noosa) as kids where a long wheeled base version reigned supreme.
VW Kombi
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Type_2
The VW Kombi is perhaps the most recognisable 'people mover' in Australia. They were also used as surfing wagons, trademen's work vehicles and as a social status. Their engine was in the rear. My son owned one.
Mini
The Mini got its 'super status' when the Queen was filmed on movietone news driving one. It was tiny yet surprisingly spacious inside. I purchased a new Mini K in 1971 and that trusted motor vehicle did me well.
Fairlane
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fairlane_%28Australian%29
In the 50's-70's the Ford Fairlane was Australia's 'large common prestige' motor vehicle. They were priced so that many ordinary people with a little higher income could purchase one, and were fitted out like a limousine. I still drive a Fairlane.
FC Holden
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_FJ
The FJ Holden was Australia's first mass produced motor vehicle from 1948 and as the years rolled on so new models came out. The next Holden was the FC. The FJ Holden impacted the nation with its own robust "town and touring" car.
You may well come up with a different ten vehicles from your birth date but for mine, since 1951, these are the vehicles that in my view impacted me.
As I was looking through this list, I could not help but note that apart from the more modern Fairlane, my selection highlights vehicles from the past, like "favourite things". It reminded me of my old Thompson's reference King James Bible that I love and read with those 'special' verses I've highlighted.