National Retro Day: The best cars of the decades
As automotive technology continues to evolve, Australians still have a strong connection to the cars of the pastTo mark National Retro Day, carsales surveyed over 1,300 people to reveal the most iconic cars from each decade – starting from the 1960s to today.
With everything from muscle cars to performance icons making the list, the survey results highlight just how automotive tastes have changed over time.
The best of the decades:
1960s
A tie between the Ford Mustang and Morris Mini (23% each), two icons that defined the decade.
1970s
The Ford Falcon (42%) dominated, followed by the Holden Monaro (22%).
1980s
A close race saw the Porsche 911 (36%) narrowly edge out the Lamborghini Countach by only 6 votes.
1990s
The Holden Commodore was the clear favourite (67%), with the Hyundai Excel (11%) in second place.
2000s
The BMW M3 (38%) and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO (34%) led the way in performance.
2010s
The Mercedes-AMG C63 (39%) stood out, while the Ford Ranger (24%) gained traction.
2020s (so far)
The Tesla Model Y (38%) is the standout, followed by the Toyota RAV4 (28%).
The 1970s was voted as the decade that produced the best cars (23%) and when asked which car they’d most like to bring back, the 1970s Ford Falcon (19%) topped the list, ahead of the 1980s Lamborghini Countach (13%) and the Porsche 911 (11%).
“The cars that resonate most with Australians tell a story beyond just design and performance – they represent moments in time,” said Ben Tyers, Head of Content at carsales. “At carsales, we see this passion reflected in the content and editorial stories that engage our audience. Nostalgia plays a huge role in the way people connect with cars, and it’s always fascinating to see which models continue to capture the imagination of Aussie drivers.”
While the 70s and 80s were defined by powerful rear-wheel drives, the 90s saw a shift towards homegrown sedans like the Commodore. More recently, SUVs and electric vehicles have reshaped the industry, a trend reflected in the Tesla Model Y leading the 2020s category.
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