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?
Audi Quattro, Audi S5
BMW 3.0 CSL, BMW M3 CSL
BMW 6-Series family tree
Datsun 240Z, Nissan 370Z
Jaguar D-Type, Jaguar Project 7
Jeep Willys, Jeep Wrangler
Lancia Ardea, Lancia Y
Land Rover Series I, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Mazda Cosmo, Mazda RX-8
Mercedes-Benz C-Class family tree
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class family tree
Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Opel Caravan, Opel Astra station wagon
Peugeot 307CC family tree
Porsche 911 family tree
Renault 4CV, Renault 5
Rover P5, Rover 75
SEAT 1400, SEAT Leon
Škoda 200RS, Škoda Octavia RS
Suzuki Jimny family tree
Toyota Corolla (mk1), Toyota Corolla (mk11, Euro-spec)
Volkswagen Scirocco (mk1), Volkswagen Scirocco (mk3)
Volkswagen T1, Volkswagen T6
Ran When Parked 
911 has the family look.
It’s Mazda Cosmo, not Cosmos
Thanks.
911 for maintaining the look across the years. It still remains an all time favourite of mine.
Suzuki Jimny/SJ also remains largely unchanged from the original in both looks, build and performance. It is still an agile, nimble and impressive little off roader that has not been compromised for road and crash safety unlike the Land Rover and Jeep where the current models (such as the Evoque) bare no resemblance to the original in either off road prowess or longevity.
I think Suzuki can’t really grow the Jimny because it’s considered a kei car in Japan.
Whenever I see the original next to its modern incarnation (within the last couple of years), all I think is “my you’ve put on some weight.” It’s especially true for the 911 and Jeep photos, although they were clever to use perspective in the 911 ones to minimize how huge the current 911 is compared to the original 901.