Top 20 American Cars & Trucks With the Longest-Running Nameplates

Some of them are still around, inching closer and closer to their 100th anniversary. Others went out of production after a half-century on the market. And needless to say, all of them left a mark on America's rich automotive history. Here are 20 of the longest-running nameplates in the US.

1. Chevrolet Suburban - 89 years (1935-present)

In continuous production since the 1935 model year, the Chevrolet Suburban is not only the longest-running nameplate in the US, it holds the same record globally. And unlike most automobiles and trucks of the era, the Suburban wasn't discontinued between 1943 and 1945. Sure, it wasn't available to the general public, but Chevrolet built a military version for the war effort.

A whopping 89 years old as of 2024, the Suburban spawned 12 different generations. And it has quite a few things to brag about. For starters, it was one of the first metal-bodied station wagons. Second, because it combined a wagon body with the chassis and drivetrain of a pickup truck, the Suburban is the forefather of the modern SUV. Highly popular throughout its entire life, the Suburban is one of the most profitable nameplates in history.

Built in several factories across the United States and Canada, the Suburban was officially sold on nearly every continent throughout the years. GMC has been using the name for a badge-engineered version since the 1930s. Holden also sold Suburbans in Australia.

As an interesting fact, the Suburban designation was used by several automakers, including Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Nash, and Studebaker. And it was all because Suburban was a trademark of US Body and Forging Co. of Tell City, Indiana, which built wooden station wagon bodies for these companies.

The Plymouth Suburban was the longest-running model. Introduced in 1949, it became a separate series in 1956 and soldiered on through 1961. The Plymouth Suburban returned as part of the Fury range from 1968 to 1978. Since then, Chevrolet and GMC have been the only companies selling Suburban models.

2. Ford F-Series - 77 years (1947-present)

Introduced for the 1948 model year, the Ford F-Series is the longest-running and most popular truck nameplate in the US. The pickup is in its 14th generation as of 2024, and it's been America's best-selling truck line since 1977. Moreover, it has been the best-selling vehicle regardless of body style and class since 1981.

The series expanded to include various heavier-duty models and even spawned a few high-performance trucks, including the SVT Lightning and Raptor. Starting in 2022, Ford added an all-electric F-150 Lightning version to the lineup.

The F-Series is by far the longest-running truck nameplate in the US because Dodge and Chevrolet often introduced new badges with major redesigns. The Dodge Ram pickup is 44 years old as of 2024, while the Chevrolet Silverado dates back only to 1998.

3. Chevrolet Corvette - 70 years (1953-1982, 1983-present)

Although it wasn't the first-ever sports car built in the US, the Corvette was the most successful American vehicle of this type. Following a slow debut in the mid-1950s, the Corvette became an iconic figure of the high-performance market and endured for more than seven decades.

But unlike the Suburban and the F-Series, the Corvette wasn't in continuous production all this time. Due to repeated delays in the C4's development, there's no such thing as a 1983-model-year Corvette. Chevrolet built only pilot cars and prototypes until the spring of 1983 when the C4 debuted as a 1984 model. The previous generation went into the history books in 1982.

As of 2024, the Corvette is in its eighth generation. And the latest iteration of the series is a notable departure from its predecessor, as Chevrolet finally decided to fulfill Zora Duntov's vision and turn the Corvette into a mid-engined vehicle.

Chevrolet has sold more than 1.7 million Corvettes since 1953. That's a tiny figure compared to most mainstream nameplates but a respectable figure for a high-performance car.

4. Ford E-Series - 63 years (1961-present)

Ford introduced its E-Series line of vans for the 1961 model year. More commonly known as the Econoline, the E-Series was designed to replace the F-Series panel delivery model as a more suitable competitor to the Volkswagen Transporter (Bus). It arrived around the same time as the Chevrolet Greenbrier and the Dodge A100.

Ford introduced a much-improved and larger second-generation model in 1968, followed by a redesigned third-gen version in 1975. The latter was replaced in 1992 by a fourth-generation van that's still around. Sure, the latter got numerous improvements over the years, but it's still based on the VN platform, which dates back to the 1970s.

But there's a reason we don't hear much about the E-Series nowadays. Ford discontinued the passenger version in 2014 when it began offering the Transit in the United States. Since then, the E-Series has only been available as a cutaway cab model and stripped chassis.

5. Ford Mustang - 60 years (1964-present)

Shown to the world on April 17, 1964, the Ford Mustang missed on becoming America's first pony car by only two weeks. Plymouth introduced the Barracuda earlier that month. However, while the latter went into the history books only 10 years after it hit showrooms, the Mustang has remained in continuous production ever since.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024, the Mustang spawned seven generations, and it's one of America's most iconic nameplates. In addition to being a desirable modern muscle car, the Mustang is also among the most sought-after classics.

Unlike the Corvette, the 'Stang retained its traditional front-engined layout, but the latest iteration is a massive departure from its ancestors tech-wise. In 2019, Ford also began offering an all-electric crossover wearing the Mustang badge, the Mach-E.

6. Oldsmobile 98 - 52 years (1940-1942, 1946-1996)

America's sixth longest-running nameplate is the first that's not a Ford or a Chevy model. It's also the first coming from an orphan brand. Launched in 1940, the Oldsmobile 98, a full-size car with premium features, was discontinued when the US entered WW2 in 1942. But the nameplate returned in 1946 and remained in showrooms until 1996.

The brand's flagship model this entire time, the 98 introduced many innovative technologies, including the hydramatic automatic transmission, the Autronic Eye, and the Twilight Sentinel. The latter automatically turned the headlamps on and off using a light sensor and a delay timer.

7. Chrysler New Yorker - 52 years (1940-1942, 1946-1996)

The 98 is actually tied with the Chrysler New Yorker for sixth position. Not only that but both models were produced during the same model years. The New Yorker spent two years in showrooms before WW2 and another five decades starting in 1946.

The New Yorker badge can be traced back to 1938, but it was initially offered as a version of the Chrysler Imperial. It became a stand-alone nameplate in 1940.

The New Yorker was Chrysler's flagship model for several decades, though it also served as a junior version to the Imperial for a few years. It's also one of Chrysler's most prestigious models and the nameplate that helped define the brand as a luxury manufacturer. Although the New Yorker wasn't as luxurious as its contemporary Cadillacs and Lincolns, it was pitted against range-topping versions of Buick, Oldsmobile, and Mercury vehicles.

Alongside the Olds 98, the Chrysler New Yorker was America's longest-running car nameplate until its discontinuation in 1996. It was surpassed by the Chevrolet Corvette in 2006.

8. Chevrolet Impala - 50 years (1958-1985, 1994-1996, 2000-2020)

One of only nine nameplates that survived for at least 50 years, the Chevrolet Impala had three different stints in dealerships. Launched for the 1958 model year, it was discontinued in 1985 after six generations and was one of Chevrolet's best-selling vehicles.

The Impala returned in 1994, but the name was retired again in late 1996. Four years later, the Impala made another comeback, this time to replace the Lumina. Chevrolet kept the modern Impala in production through 2020, adding three more generations to its legacy. The 2000 revival saw the Impala switch to a front-wheel-drive architecture.

9. Oldsmobile 88 - 50 years (1949-1999)

The final 50-year-old nameplate on this list, the Oldsmobile 88 outlived its bigger brother, the 98, for three years. However, while the latter debuted before the US joined WW2, the 88 did not arrive until 1949.

The 88 was born after Oldsmobile decided to drop the "Rocket" V8 engine from the flagship 98 into the entry-level 78 model. This created a slightly smaller full-size car that was as potent as the range-topping model. Oldsmobile basically made the first muscle car.

The 88 was an instant hit and went on to dominate stock car racing in the early 1950s. It was the first real "King of NASCAR" until the sleek Hudson Hornet arrived in 1951.

10. Cadillac Eldorado - 49 years (1953-2002)

We made it halfway to the first vehicle right under the 50-year line. It's also the first Cadillac on our list, the iconic Eldorado. This nameplate first appeared on a two-door personal luxury car for the 1953 model year. Initially restricted to the convertible body style, the Eldorado gained a hardtop version the following year.

Starting with the third generation, introduced in 1957, the Eldorado gained a four-door version. In 1961, Cadillac reverted the nameplate to a two-door convertible. The coupe returned in 1967, but the four-door sedan body style was never revived.

One of Cadillac's most prestigious models, which was favored by musicians and Hollywood actors, the Eldorado was almost exclusively sold with powerful V8 engines. The tenth-generation model of 1979-1985 is the only exception. At the time, Cadillac also offered a V6 and a V8 diesel.

11. Chevrolet Camaro - 49 years (1967-2002, 2010-2024)

Unleashed some two and a half years after the Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro should have been 57 years old as of 2024. However, Chevrolet decided to send the nameplate into the history books in 2002. GM revived the nameplate eight years later and discontinued it for the second time in 2024.

It's unclear if the Camaro will be revived again in the future, but it is now America's second-longest-running muscle car. The Camaro soldiered on for over five generations and was the Mustang's main competitor since the late 1960s.

12. Lincoln Continental - 48 years (1940-1942, 1946-1948, 1956-1980, 1982-2002, 2017-2020)

Arguably the most iconic vehicle wearing the Lincoln badge, the Continental was produced in five different stints. But even though it was discontinued several times, it still managed to round up a whopping 48 years in showrooms.

Launched in 1940 and discontinued during WW2, the nameplate returned from 1946 to 1948. The flagship model returned in 1956 as part of the Continental division. However, the cars were still serviced through the Lincoln dealership network.

The Continental division disappeared in 1958, but the nameplate continued. Moreover, Lincoln diversified the lineup by introducing a four-door sedan and offering a limousine variant.

The Continental was discontinued again in 1980, only to return two years later. This time around, however, Lincoln placed its iconic emblem on a midsize car. This lasted until 2002, when Ford dropped the marque once again.

The Continental's final stint on the market happened from 2017 to 2020. The company's final attempt to compete with Cadillac and the German brands was a failure. The MKZ-based sedan sold fewer than 30,000 units until it got the axe again.

13. Pontiac Bonneville - 47 years (1958-2005)

The second orphan brand on my list, Pontiac produced the iconic Bonneville for no fewer than 47 years. The nameplate can be traced back to 1954 when it appeared on a GM Motorama concept car. Pontiac also offered a very expensive Bonneville version of the Star Chief in 1957. However, the Bonneville's debut as a stand-alone nameplate happened in 1958.

Originally penned as a high-performance two-door model, the Bonneville quickly gained a diverse lineup that also included a four-door sedan and a station wagon. After 23 years and six generations on the full-size market, the Bonneville was re-assigned to the midsize segment from 1982 to 1986.

The nameplate regained its full-size privileges in 1987 and became the brand's flagship model until it was discontinued in 2005. The Bonneville was Pontiac's last US-built full-size. Its successor, the G8, was a rebadged Holden Commodore produced in Australia.

14. Chevrolet Malibu - 46 years (1964-1983, 1997-present)

Born as a top-of-the-line sub-series of the Chevelle in 1964, the Chevrolet Malibu was successful enough for the company to keep it in continuous production until 1983. Replaced by the somewhat anonymous Celebrity, the Malibu returned in 1997.

Unlike its predecessor, the revived Malibu was no longer available in coupe and station wagon body styles. However, the four-door sedan was joined by a grocery-getter during the sixth generation, introduced in 2004. The wagon disappeared a few years later, and the Malibu was offered only as a sedan ever since.

A global car produced in four plants across Asia, the Malibu is still in production as of April 2024.

15. Pontiac Grand Prix - 46 years (1962-2008)

Right behind the Bonneville is another Pontiac, the Grand Prix. The company's entry into the personal luxury car market, the Grand Prix started as a full-size rig based on the Catalina coupe platform. And it was Pontiac's most expensive offering until the 1970s.

Pontiac downsized the Grand Prix in 1969, moving it into the midsize market. But the nameplate remained a premium grand tourer into the Malaise Era. In 1978, the Grand Prix was downsized for the second time, now utilizing the A-body platform.

After 30 years as a two-door coupe, the Grand Prix gained a four-door sedan version during its redesign for the 1988 model year. The dual body style layout continued into the seventh generation (1997-2003). For the final iteration, Pontiac dropped the two-door version, turning the Grand Prix into a four-door sedan on the W-body platform. The nameplate was discontinued in 2008, three years after the Bonneville went into the history books.

16. Ford Thunderbird - 46 years (1955-1997, 2002-2005)

The final FoMoCo vehicle on the list, the Thunderbird was also around for 46 years. However, this nameplate needed two different stints. Launched in 1955 as a personal luxury car, the Thunderbird remained in continuous production through 1997.

Ford made numerous changes to the car, starting with a four-seat layout in 1958. A four-door version was added in 1967 to prevent overlapping with the then-new Mercury Cougar. By the time the Thunderbird was discontinued, Ford had produced 10 generations.

The nameplate returned in 2002, during the retro-styling trend that gave us the Chevrolet SSR, HHR, and Plymouth Prowler. Heavily inspired by the first-gen model design-wise, the eleventh-gen Thunderbird marked the return of the two-seat two-door body style. The revival was unsuccessful sales-wise, and Ford dropped the name in 2005.

17. Cadillac DeVille - 46 years (1959-2005)

The second Cadillac on the list, the DeVille nameplate was used to designate a trim level of the Series 62 as early as 1949. It became a stand-alone nameplate for the 1959 model year, and Cadillac kept it in production for eight generations.

The DeVille was available in both two- and four-door versions until 1994 when Cadillac dropped the former for the seventh generation. The last DeVille, produced from 2000 to 2005, was also restricted to the four-door body style. The DeVille was one of Cadillac's best-selling nameplates.

18. Buick LeSabre - 46 years (1959-2005)

The DeVille wasn't Cadillac's longest-running nameplate but debuted the same year as Buick's longest-surviving automobile, the LeSabre. Designed to replace the Special, the LeSabre was Buick's mid-level full-size car right below the Electra. From 1990, when the Electra was discontinued, the LeSabre slotted under the Park Avenue.

A rear-wheel-driven vehicle for five generations, the LeSabre became an FWD car in 1986 when it adopted the H-body platform. The final generation was produced from 2000 to 2005 on the G-platform, shared with the Riviera.

19. Chrysler Town & Country Wagon - 44 years (1941-1942, 1946-1988)

When talking about the Town & Country, we usually think about the minivan Chrysler sold from 1990 to 2016. But this badge spent significantly more years on a station wagon. And to keep things fair, I'm not counting the minivan years on this blurb.

The Town & Country debuted in 1941, and like most nameplates of the era, its production was halted during WW2. Chrysler revived the car in 1946 and kept it in production until 1988.

Although it's mostly remembered as a wagon, the Town & Country spawned sedan, coupe, and convertible versions, too. This happened during the first (1946-1950) and fourth (1965-1968) generations. The last iteration of the nameplate included a convertible based on the LeBaron alongside the grocery-getter.

20. Chevrolet C/K - 42 years (1960-2002) / Jeep CJ - 42 years (1944-1986)

I'm ending the list with a tie that includes a pair of iconic utility vehicles, starting with the Chevrolet C/K. The predecessor to the Silverado, the C/K series debuted in 1960 and was redesigned in 1967. Launched in 1973, the third-gen truck soldiered on until 1991. However, Chevy had already introduced the fourth-gen hauler in 1988. The latter survived through 2002 and overlapped with the Silverado for three model years.

Born as the civilian version of the Willys MB military jeep, the CJ became available to customers in 1944. Jeep produced numerous iterations of the hauler, dubbed CJ2 to CJ-8. Interestingly enough, the CJ was built by four different companies, including Willys-Overland, Willy Motors, Kaiser Jeep, and American Motors Corporation (AMC). Its successor, the Wrangler, is 38 years old as of 2024.

To conclude, here's the simplified top 20 list:

1. Chevrolet Suburban - 89 years
2. Ford F-Series - 77 years
3. Chevrolet Corvette - 70 years
4. Ford E-Series - 63 years
5. Ford Mustang - 60 years
6. Oldsmobile 98 - 52 years
7. Chrysler New Yorker - 52 years
8. Chevrolet Impala - 50 years
9. Oldsmobile 88 - 50 years
10. Cadillac Eldorado - 49 years
11. Chevrolet Camaro - 49 years
12. Lincoln Continental - 48 years
13. Pontiac Bonneville - 47 years
14. Chevrolet Malibu - 46 years
15. Pontiac Grand Prix - 46 years
16. Ford Thunderbird - 46 years
17. Cadillac DeVille - 46 years
18. Buick LeSabre - 46 years
19. Chrysler Town & Country Wagon - 44 years
20. Chevrolet C/K / Jeep CJ - 42 years

Other nameplates produced for over 40 years

Ford Country Squire - 41 years (1950-1991)
Mercury Marauder - 41 years (1963-2004)
Buick Regal - 40 years (1973-2004, 2011-2020)
Buick Century - 40 years (1936-1942, 1954-1958, 1973-2005)

The Town & Country / Imperial issue

Remember when I said I'm not combining the station wagon and minivan production years for the Chrysler Town & Country? Well, if I were to do that, this nameplate would amass no less than 70 years. This number would put it on par with the Corvette in third place.

The Imperial name has a similar issue. The Chrysler Imperial automobile was produced for 32 years (1926-1954, 1989-1993), while the Imperial brand was around for 23 years (1955-1975, 1981-1983). The name was around for a total of 55 years, which would place it sixth in my top 20.

Statistics you may find interesting

- Only six of the 20 nameplates are still in production as of 2024: Chevrolet Suburban, Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford E-Series, Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Malibu.
- The five longest-running American nameplates are still in production as of 2024.
- Eleven of the 21 nameplates were discontinued over 20 years ago.
- Chevrolet has the most nameplates on the top 20 list: six.
- General Motors is the American giant with the most nameplates on the top 20 list: 13.
- Mercury, Plymouth, and Dodge are three iconic brands without a nameplate on the list.