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