There's a lot to celebrate in 2022. We have traveled a little through time and compiled some of the upcoming anniversaries.
Youngtimers at last
If you set the age limit at 20 years, then a huge number of models will naturally reach the youngtimer age in 2022.
One example is the Mazda RX-8, the last mass-produced car with a Wankel engine and, in principle, a forerunner of other four-door coupés. The RX-8 was actually introduced at the end of 2001 and only produced from 2003 onwards, but 2002 is a nice middle ground.
The Ferrari Enzo was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2002 and is already one of the most expensive classic cars with the rearing horse.
In 2002, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) also saw the light of day.
Incidentally, if the age limit for youngtimers were set at 15 years, as some countries do, the Audi R8 or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (204) would also belong on this list.
Ready for H license plates and veteran registration
The list of cars turning 30 years old is also long, which is why only a few examples can be mentioned here.
These include the BMW M3 (E36), the TVR Chimaera and the Jaguar XJ220. The McLaren F1 will also be celebrating its 30th birthday in 2022, as will the Hummer H1 and the Renault Twingo.
Even this small selection shows that 1992 was a very diverse year for car premieres. This includesAlfa Romeo 155, Alpine-Renault A610, Audi Avant (B4), BMW 850 CSi, Cadillac Fleetwood (front-wheel drive), Chrysler Viper RT/10 (series production), Ferrari 456 GT, Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Maserati Ghibli (biturbo-based), Mercedes-Benz 600 SL (R129), Opel Calibra Turbo 4x4, Peugeot 405 T16, Porsche 968 CS, Saab 9000 Aero, Toyota Paseo and VW Golf VR6 are just a small proportion of the models that will be eligible for an H license plate (Germany) or veteran registration (Switzerland) from 2022.registration (Switzerland).
There are also many well-known models among the 40-year-olds, and just because "40" is not a special anniversary doesn't mean that some of them don't need to be mentioned. These include the BMW 3-series E30, the Mercedes-Benz 190E, the Porsche 944 and the Lancia 037 Rally.
Golden 50 years
The selection of car models that can look back on 50 years in 2022 is also considerable.
Perhaps the best-known car to make an appearance here is the first Audi 80, which, with its front-wheel drive and four-cylinder engines, was the basis for the massive development of the brand with four rings.
But the Renault 5 will also be 50 years old in 2022, as it was formally launched on January 28, 1972, although initial details had been known since December 10, 1971.
It was also in 1972 that Volkswagen produced the 15,007,034th VW Beetle, replacing the Ford Model T as the most produced car. It was a 1302 S. And in the same year, an improved version was also presented in the form of the 1303 model.
In 1972, new models were launched in all segments, including the Alfa Romeo Alfetta, the Opel Rekord D and Opel Commodore B, the Triumph Dolomite, the Jensen-Healey, the Dino 246 GTS, the Lancia Stratos (although series production was much later), the Ford Granada, the BMW 5-series (E12), the Honda Civic and the Nissan Skyline (C110).
Incidentally, the MGB, the Prince Gloria, the Ford Cortina, the Triumph Spitfire, the Studebaker Avanti and the first Opel Kadett of modern times are all 60 years old.
Escaping the war
75 years ago, people had just begun to deal with the consequences of the Second World War.
Nevertheless, completely newly developed cars saw the light of day in 1947.
Examples include the Peugeot 203, the Studebaker Champion, the Ford F-1 and the Jowett Javelin, a truly unorthodox vehicle.
A century old
There are not too many cars that can look back over 100 years and are still known and even seen today. The Austin Seven, however, was extremely important because it embodied the European version of the Ford Model T, so to speak.
It was significantly smaller, which made more sense for local roads. And it was created as a secret project in a billiard room, so to speak, because nobody really wanted to believe in the future of this little car.
After all, 290,000 vehicles were built by 1939 and many years later the chassis served as the basis for many a special, including the first Lotus and the beginnings of Bruce McLaren.
And many more anniversaries
The 110th anniversary of Carrozzeria Bertone and the 120th anniversary of Cadillac should be added to the (incomplete) list of anniversaries.
You are welcome to add other important anniversaries as comments to this article ...
