It’s never too early to start talking about plans for the new year especially when it involves a party!
Just as 2019 was a special year for the much-loved Mini, Ford Capri and Triumph Herald to name a few, 2020 brings a whole new wave of special anniversaries worth celebrating. So, what are the top ten car anniversaries of 2020 to prepare to party for?
Here’s our top picks to look out for!
Aston Martin DB2 – celebrating 70th anniversary
Officially the first Aston Martin model to wear the DB (David Brown) name, the DB2 is an iconic sports car that was launched in spring 1950. The DB2 was a marriage of Aston Martin’s chassis and a Bentley-designed engine, production ran until April 1953 after 410 models were produced.
Jensen Interceptor (the first Interceptor) – celebrating 70th anniversary
The original Jensen Interceptor, built by Jensen Motors in West Bromwich, made its debut in 1950 as a modern lightweight coupe. Based on Austin running components and a Jensen built body, production ran until 1957 after 88 models were built. Jensen later reused the Interceptor name for their second-generation model which debuted in 1966.
Jowett Jupiter MKI – celebrating 70th anniversary
Despite the vehicle’s chassis being displayed at motor shows in 1949, production actually began in 1950 by Bradford based Jowett Cars Ltd eventually ceasing in 1954 after 825 models were built. Jowett’s first and only sports car achieved competition success with a record-breaking class win at the 1950 Le Mans 24 hour race.
VW Type 2 – celebrating 70th anniversary
Following the success of the VW Beetle (Type 1), in 1950 VW began production of their first Transporter model, the VW Type 2. On 8th March production began at the rate of 10 vehicles per day. For the next four decades roughly 5 million buses were produced, the basic design remained the same but numerous different body combinations were made.
Saab 96 – celebrating 60th anniversary
An update to the previous 92 model, the Saab 96 was a popular choice for rally drivers of the 60’s, with it’s competition successes helped put this emerging automaker firmly on the map. Originally produced with a two-stroke engine, which was eventually replaced by a four-stroke V4 in 1966, production ran from 1960 until 1980 with over half a million models made. A 1966 Saab 96 even set a land speed record in the stock body car class at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2011.
Chevrolet Corvair – 60th anniversary
The popular Corvair is the only American-designed, mass-produced passenger car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine – the spare tire and fuel tank were in the front and the six-cylinder engine in the rear! The concept was inspired by the success the VW Beetle but offering a lot more carrying capacity than the Volkswagen. Produced from 1960 to 1969, the Corvair was made famous by iconic custom car builder, Gene Winfield, who built two custom models in the mid-1960s.
Bond Bug – celebrating 50th anniversary
Famous for its wedge shape, lift up canopy and tangerine paint, this small British two-seater car was designed by Tom Karen for Reliant. Karen also famously oversaw the design and production of the 1977 Star Wars Landspeeder. The Bond Bug was based on Reliant’s newly designed chassis and Reliant Regal running gear. Production ran from 1970 until 1974 with 2,268 vehicles made.
Hillman Avenger – celebrating 50th anniversary
As the first Rootes Group car to be developed under the leadership of Chrysler Europe, the Hillman Avenger was produced from 1970 until 1981. Also rebadged as a Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth and a Talbot Avenger for world-wide markets, the Avenger was certainly in-tune with its time featuring semi-fast back rear and plastic one-piece front grille. 1973 saw the arrival of the facelift Avenger, the Avenger Tiger. Its twin-carburettor engine was easily tuned and with upgrades available off the shelf, it was intended for club level competition
Triumph Stag – celebrating 50th anniversary
The British made Triumph Stag was produced between 1970 and 1977 by the Triumph Motor Company and was styled by the Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. The Triumph Stag was technically advanced at its launch with independent suspension all round, servo-assisted disc/drum brakes and power steering, and electric windows as standard. All models featured the distinctive overhead roll bar too. 25,939 cars were produced between 1970 and 1977, with over 6,000 sent for export. The Triumph Stag is still a popular classic car today with an estimated 35% of original production cars surviving.
Range Rover Classic (first generation) – 50th anniversary
Launched in 1970 as ‘A Car For All Reasons’, the Range Rover Classic was produced initially by the Rover division of British Leyland (later Land Rover), and then latterly the Rover Group, from 1970 to 1996. Original models were powered by Rover’s ubiquitous 3.5 litre V8 engine making this this first-generation model popular with wealthier members of the farming community and those in towns too. The MKII model was introduced in 1994 but the original-shape models, now badged Classic, continued on for a year or so.
If your classic car is celebrating a special anniversary in 2020 we would love to hear from you.
You may also be interested in reading:
The Futures bright. The Futures Classic – Review of the 2019 NEC Classic Motor Show
2019: A year of Anniversaries
Specialist classic car insurance
