100 Cars That Changed the World

100 Cars That Changed the World follows the progress of the automobile from the early horseless carriages to the blindingly fast supercars and eco-friendly electric cars of today. The competitive automotive world has always been driven by change. Innovations such as the 1912 Cadillac's electric self-starter that eliminated hand cranking; the 1919 Duesenberg's hydraulic four-wheel breaks that reduced stopping distances; the 1932 Ford's low-cost V-8 engine that brought performance to the people; 1959 BMC Mini's space-efficient front-wheel drive and transverse-engine layout, and the 2000 Toyota Prius's low-emissions hybrid drive train were adopted by other makes and changed the industry.

Styling had many sharp changes of direction. The 1938 Buick Y-Job not only pointed the way for future Buick styling, but was perhaps the first concept car—a trend that took off in the Fifties with futuristic "dream cars". The 1947 Studebaker helped point styling in a new direction after World War II. Cadillac introduced tail fins in 1948 and set in motion a trend that would dominate the Fifties. The 1983 Thunderbird ushered in a rounded "aero look" that would be ubiquitous in the late Eighties and Nineties.

Some cars made a splash in the automotive world and then became part of popular culture through film. The gorgeous Ferrari California made Ferris Bueller's Day Off possible. The gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5 is an inseparable part of James Bond lore thanks to its role in Goldfinger. Burt Reynolds wouldn't have gone far in Smokey and the Bandit without a fast 1977 Pontiac Trans Am.

You'll find these stories and more in 100 Cars That Changed the World/

The auto industry has a rich history and no list of influential vehicles will ever be complete or definitive. We hope the reader will find familiar favorites and new discoveries in 100 Cars That Changed the World.