Automakers commonly bring historic models from their own collection to media events in an attempt to create a link between the past and the present. Sometimes the connection between the two cars on display is evident, sometimes it’s a little more heavy-handed.
A photographer generally shoots the old car next to the new one but the shots are often sent straight to the archives department without officially being published. We’ve rummaged through the archives department of numerous car companies and dug out the following pictures that, for the most part, show older models and their relatively modern counterpart.
Which car do you think has aged the best? Which model lineup has the best genes?
Alfa Romeo Berlina, Alfa Romeo 159
Audi A6 family tree
BMW M3 (E30), BMW 1-Series M
BMW 8-Series family tree
Datsun 510, Nissan Sentra SE-R
Fiat 500 Trasformabile, Fiat 500C
Fiat 600, Fiat Seicento
Fiat-Abarth 595 SS, Abarth 595 50° Anniversario
Lancia Aurelia, Lancia Thesis
Land Rover Series I, Land Rover Defender
Lotus Elan, Lotus Exige Sprint
Mercedes-Benz 190 (w201), Mercedes-Benz C-Class (w204)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class family tree
MG 18/80, MG ZT
Mini family tree
Mitsubishi Lancer, Mitsubishi Outlander
Opel Kadett, Opel Corsa
Peugeot 402L Cabriolet, Peugeot 206CC
Porsche 911, Porsche 911 (991-Series)
Renault Floride, Renault Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet
Saab 9-3 Convertible family tree
SEAT 600, SEAT Mii
Škoda 130 RS, Škoda Fabia Super 2000
Toyota 2000GT, Toyota GT86
Volkswagen 1303 S GSR, Volkswagen Beetle GSR
Volkswagen Golf Cabrio family tree
159 looks better than its forebearer, which may be a first.
What?
No citroen?