While people can argue about what constitutes a truly American car, these twelve are the models from recent times that actually have “America” or “American” in their name. Surprisingly, perhaps, many of them come from foreign automakers. Read on for our list of “America” cars—only one of which comes from American Motors.
Rambler American
When Rambler trotted out its American for Americans in the late 1950s, it was a rehash of a Nash from earlier in the decade. In the interim, standard Detroit cars had grown to mastodon size, and the compact Rambler American found its footing. Initially sold only as a two-door sedan, the lineup would grow to include four-doors, wagons, and a convertible, like this ’65.
Rambler American
The American underwent several design changes during its run and had its best year in 1964. This ’65 sedan is largely identical.
Plymouth Horizon America / Dodge Omni America
Chrysler’s VW Rabbit fighters were fairly competitive when they debuted for 1978, but they grew stale while the company had one of its periodic brushes with bankruptcy. They were still hanging around in the latter half of the ’80s. The arrival in 1987 of their successors, the Plymouth Sundance and Dodge Shadow, should have brought their demise, but instead Chrysler decided to keep the twins around as a low-priced entry with few options. At that point, they both received the “America” designation. Because nothing is more American than buying a cut-rate product at a discount. (1988 Plymouth Horizon America pictured)
Plymouth Horizon America / Dodge Omni America
The Omni and Horizon America stuck around through 1989; the cars lived on one more year, sans "America" badge. (1989 Dodge Omni America pictured)
Plymouth Reliant America / Dodge Aries America
As was the case with the Omni and Horizon, the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant—Chrysler’s vaunted K-cars—were long past their sell-by date in 1989. In fact, their successors, the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim, were in hand, but the company kept the Reliant and the Aries around for one more season, to peddle to the irredeemably cheap. (1988 Plymouth Reliant America pictured)
Plymouth Reliant America / Dodge Aries America
Naturally, the cars got an “America” badge. Because nothing is more American than a sequel. (1988 Dodge Aries America pictured)
Plymouth Sundance America / Dodge Shadow America
With the overdue departure of the Omni and Horizon, and the Aries and Reliant, Chrysler was feeling lost without a price leader. So the company created stripper “America” editions of the Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance. Because—well, you get the idea. (1992 Plymouth Sundance America pictured)
Plymouth Sundance America / Dodge Shadow America
The Shadow and Sundance America would hang around for just two model years, 1991 and 1992. But it wouldn't be the last time Chrysler used the "America" designation for a stripper model. (1991 Dodge Shadow America pictured)
Dodge Grand Caravan American Value Package
Using a dollop of patriotism to sell stripper base models is not a practice that is confined to Chrysler’s past. It’s still going on today. Particularly parsimonious minivan shoppers are invited to check out the Dodge Grand Caravan American Value Package (AVP). For $22,790 ($2450 less than a Grand Caravan SE) they can drive away in our nation’s least expensive standard-size minivan, provided they don’t require a whole lot of fancy equipment. (2015 Dodge Grand Caravan American Value Package pictured)
Ferrari 410 Superamerica
It's not just domestic automakers that dub their cars "America." Ferrari has a particular fondness for it. In 1950, the nascent Italian automaker introduced its first, the 340 America, which was "created specifically to meet the demands of the new breed of owner," according to Ferrari. The America suffix was also included in U.S.-market versions of the 342 and the 375.
Taking the theme to an even higher level, Ferrari launched the 410 Superamerica (pictured), built from 1956 until 1959. It was the most powerful Ferrari of the day, with its 303-cubic-inch V-12 producing between 340 and 400 horsepower. Nowadays, these cars trade for up to $3 million. Super indeed.
A 400 Superamerica followed, from 1960 to ’64. It had a smaller, 242-cubic-inch V-12 but was still rated for 400 horsepower. The 54 that were built can today command more than $4 million.
Austin America
The Austin America—offered from 1968 to 1971—was an outgrowth of the Austin 1100, itself a larger outgrowth of the BMC Mini. The transverse-engine, front-drive two-door was supposed to give the company's U.S. dealers a rival to the all-conquering VW Beetle. Alas, although it was a bestseller in its home country, it never gained much traction in its namesake America.
Porsche 911 RS America
The U.S. market never got the 911 RS when it was released in 1973, but on the occasion of that extrasporty 911’s twentieth anniversary, Porsche brought out a new RS model, which was exported to the States as the RS America. This was a minimalist, lightweight, track-focused 911—Porsche billed it as “pure protein.” The car featured a firmer suspension and a fixed rear wing, and some equipment was removed—including air-conditioning (which was optional). This was the era before Porsche figured out that it could charge more for less, and the RS America was some $10,000 cheaper than a standard Carrera C2. Today, however, it’s worth more. (1993 Porsche 911 RS America pictured)
Ferrari Superamerica
Ferrari resurrected the Superamerica moniker for a special version of its 575 Maranello grand tourer. Whereas the 575 Maranello came exclusively as a hardtop coupe, the Superamerica offered al fresco driving—but with a twist. Rather than a convertible top or a folding-into-the-trunk retractable hardtop, it had a one-piece glass roof and rear window. The whole thing pivoted at the top of the B-pillars to lay flat along the rear deck. When closed, the darkness of the glass tinting also could be altered. A flashy show of power—how American.
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