1998 Volkswagen Beetle

The Beetle first appeared in the U.S. in 1949, just four years after the end of World War II, and was considered an anomaly at best. Two were sold here that year. But, as people discovered the low-priced German cars were not only economical to buy, but very well built, the groundswell of acceptance grew quickly, making the simple "people's car" one of the best-selling vehicles of all time.

I still have a special affection for the tiny VW. In the early '60s, my dad drove a '60 Beetle over 100,000 miles as his commuter car, a high-option model (that meant it had an AM radio) complete with big sliding canvas sunroof that I'd stick my head through on neighborhood streets, standing on the passenger seat totally unaware of the dangers of riding in a car without a child seat, padded dashboard, airbag, or even seatbelts. Today, most of the older Beetles have faded away, but you can still occasionally find one huffing its way up an on-ramp or jinxing through city traffic. And its driver will probably love it to death.-C. Van Tune