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American History and the Automobile Industry From 1973 to 2000

The following is a timeline of the history of the American automobile industry's people and vehicles, along with a sample of noteworthy events to put it into perspective. We used a wide variety of resources that were often in conflict so the results are approximations and should not be relied upon!

1973            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Buick Apollo - (1973-1975)
  • Buick Century - (1973-2005)
  • Buick Regal - (1973-2004)
  • Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna - (1973-1976)
  • GMC motor home - (1973-1978)
  • Chrysler and other U.S. car makers closed plants, affecting 100,000 workers
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Gordon Johncock - Average speed: 159.036 mph
  • The Alaskan Oil Pipeline was approved
  • Time magazine person of the year: John Sirica
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  • The Paris Peace Accords ended U.S. involvement in Vietnam
  • The space station Skylab was launched
  • Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned in disgrace and was placed by Gerald Ford
  • Major oil crisis occurred
  • Roe versus Wade made abortion a constitutional right
  • The New York World Trade Center became the world's tallest building
  • The Watergate hearings began
  • Billy Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in tennis
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Oakland Athletics
  • Superbowl VII was won by the Miami Dolphins
  • Secretariat won the Triple Crown in horse racing
  • The Endangered Species Act became law
  • Skylab, the first U.S. space station, was launched
  • The Concorde jet crossed the Atlantic Ocean at 954 mph
  • The barcode and optical fiber were invented
  • Popular films: The Exorcist and Live and Let Die
  • Popular musicians: ABBA, Stevie Wonder and The Eagles
1974            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Dodge Truck Ramcharger - (1974-1993, and 1974-1996 for Mexico)
  • Ford Elite - (1974-1976)
  • Mercury Bobcat - (1974-1980 for Canada)
  • Jeep Cherokee - (Full-size SUV) (1974-1983)
  • A national 55 mph speed limit was imposed to save gasoline
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Johnny Rutherford - Average speed: 158.589 mph
  • Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record
  • Time magazine person of the year: King Faisal
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Ford Mustang II
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Oakland Athletics
  • Superbowl VIII was won by the Miami Dolphins
  • Richard Nixon resigned over Watergate, Gerald Ford became the 38th President
  • 1973 oil crisis ended
  • The Sears Tower in Chicago became the world's tallest building
  • Patricia Hearst was kidnapped in California
  • The U.S. energy crisis began
  • Daylight saving times were moved up four hours to save energy
  • The MRI scanner was developed
  • Pocket calculators went on sale
  • Offices started to replace typewriters with word processors
  • The first bar code scanner was used in Troy, OH
  • Popular films: The Sting and Blazing Saddles
  • Popular musicians: the Beach Boys, Carpenters and Joni Mitchell
  • Popular TV inclueded The Waltons, Kojak and The Price is Right
1975            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Am-Motors-Corp Pacer - (1975-1980)
  • Buick Skyhawk - (1975-1980)
  • Buick Skylark - (1975-1998)
  • Cadillac Seville - (1975-2004)
  • Chevrolet Cosworth Vega - (1975-1976)
  • Chevrolet Monza - (1975-1980)
  • Chrysler Cordoba - (1975-1983)
  • Ford Granada - (1975-1982)
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Bobby Unser - Average speed: 149.213 mph
  • Gasoline dropped to 44 cents/gallon
  • The construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System began
  • Time magazine person of the year: American Women
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chevrolet Monza 2+2
  • Bill Gates founded Microsoft
  • President Ford survived an assassination attempt
  • The Wheel of Fortune and Saturday Night Live premiered on NBC
  • The Sony Betamax home video recording system went on sale
  • South Vietnam surrendered, ending the Vietnam War
  • U.S. unemployment reached 9.2 percent
  • U.S. doctors went on strike for the first time
  • Jimmy Hoffa, ex union boss, disappeared
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Cincinnati Reds
  • Superbowl IX was won by the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Bill Gates and Paul Allen developed BASIC computer language for Altari
  • Altari introduced the 8800 microcomputer
  • NASA launched Viking I toward Mars
  • BIC introduced the first disposable razor
  • Sony introduced the Betamax videotape
  • Seymour Cray invented the Cray-1 supercomuter
  • Microsoft was started
  • Kodak introduced the first digital camera
  • Laser printers were developed
  • Popular movies: Jaws, Benji and The Towering Inferno
  • Popular musicians: Aerosmith, Black Sabbath and Chicago
1976            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Johnny Rutherford - Average speed: 148.725 mph
  • Gasoline jumped to 59 cents/gallon
  • Time magazine person of the year: Jimmy Carter
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Dodge Aspen & Plymouth Volare
  • Average cost of a new house was $43,400
  • The U.S. celebrated the Bicentennial anniversary of independence
  • The first episode of Legionnaires Disease affected 4,000 people in Pennsylvania
  • The "Son of Sam" serial killer was at large in New York City
  • The U.S. issued the two dollar bill for the first time
  • The reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes died
  • The XXI Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Canada
  • The XII Winter Olympics were held in Denver, CO, and Innsbruck, Austria
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Cincinnati Reds
  • Superbowl X was won by the Dallas Cowboys
  • The Concorde airplane went into service
  • Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak formed the Apple Computer Company
  • Matsushita introduced the VHS video tape system
  • The Viking spacecraft landed a vehicle on Mars
  • The ink jet printer was invented
  • Popular movies: The Omen and All The President's Men
  • Popular musicians: Barry Manilow and Diana Ross
1977            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: A.J. Foyt - Average speed: 161.331 mph
  • Gasoline rose to 65 cents/gallon
  • Time magazine person of the year: Anwar Sadat
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chevrolet Caprice
  • The U.S. population was 218 million
  • Jimmy Carter became the 39th President
  • Jimmy Carter gave Vietnam War draft dodgers pardons
  • The first home computer, the Commodore PET, went on the market
  • Elvis Presley died from an overdose
  • The video game console Atari 2600 went into production
  • 25 hour blackout in New York City resulted in widespread looting
  • The Beverly Hills Supper Club fire killed 165 people
  • Apple launched the Apple II computer
  • The Trans-Alaskan oil pipeline was opened
  • Seattle Slew won the Triple Crown in horse racing
  • The New York World Trade Center was completed
  • France ended the use of the Guillotine for executions
  • The first space shuttle flight occurred
  • NASA launched Voyager I and II to explore outer space
  • Baseball World Series was won by the New York Yankees
  • Superbowl XI was won by the oakland Raiders
  • Popular movies: Star Wars, King Kong and Rocky
  • Popular musicians: Rod Stewart, Barbara Streisand and Fleetwood Mac
1978            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Gasoline prices fell to 48 cents/gallon
  • Volkswagen opened a plant in the U.S.
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Al Unser - Average speed: 161.363 mph
  • Time magazine person of the year: Deng Xiaoping
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Dodge Omni & Plymouth Horizon
  • 98 percent of homes had a TV
  • The first Susan B. Anthony silver dollar was minted
  • 900 followers of cult leader Jim Jones committed suicide
  • The "Double Eagle II" was the first manned balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean
  • Baseball World Series was won by the New York Yankees
  • Superbowl XII was won by the Dallas Cowboys
  • The first cellular mobile phone was introduces
  • The first test tube baby was born in England
  • Popular movies: Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Jaws 2
  • Popular TV include Happy Days, Little House on the Prairie and Saturday Night Live
1979            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Am-Motors-Corp Spirit - (1979-1983)
  • AMC Spirit AMX - (1979-1980)
  • Amectran Exar-1 Electric Car - (1979)
  • Dodge Truck D50 Pickup- (1979-1980)
  • Dodge Omni 024 - (1979-1980)
  • Dodge St. Regis - (1979-1981)
  • Plymouth Horizon TC3 - (1979-1980)
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Rick Mears - Average speed: 158.899 mph
  • Gasoline jumped to 86 cents/gallon
  • A nuclear accident took place at Three Mile Island
  • Time magazine person of the year: Ayatollah Khomeini
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Buick Riviera S
  • Iran hostage crisis: The crisis began
  • American Airlines Flight 191: A flight crashed after takeoff from O'Hare International Airport, killing all 271 aboard and two on the ground
  • Facing bankruptcy, Chrysler received government loan guarantees on the request of CEO Lee Iacocca to help revive the company
  • The Three Mile Island nuclear reactor accident occurred in Pennsylvania
  • American Airlines Flight 191 crashed and exploded near O'Hare airport in Chicago
  • Sony introduced the "Walkman" portable cassette player
  • Voyager I sent back photos of Mars
  • Daniel Chadwick invented the snowboard
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Superbowl XIII was won by the Pittsburg Steelers
  • Trivial Pursuit was launched
  • The first bungee jump was performed
  • Popular movies: Superman, Moonraker and Every Which Way But Loose
  • Popular musicians: Michael Jackson, Donna Summer and the Village People
  • Popular TV: All My Children, Happy Days and The Love Boat
1980            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Johnny Rutherford - Average speed: 142.862 mph
  • Gasoline jumped to $1.19/gallon
  • 30 percent of U.S. car sales were imports
  • Time magazine person of the year: Ronald Reagan
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chevrolet Citation
  • The average house cost $68,700
  • Mount St. Helens erupted Washington
  • The U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics
  • John Lennon was assassinated
  • The war in Iran started
  • Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington State
  • Severe heat wave killer over 1,000 in 20 states
  • Beatle John Lennon was killed
  • Fire destroyed the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas
  • The XXII Summer Olympics were held in Moscow, Soviet Union
  • The XIII Winter Olympics were held in Lake Placid, U.S.
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Philadelphia Phillies
  • Superbowl XIV was won by the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • The FAX machine was introduced
  • Voyager 1 sent the first high resolution images of Saturn
  • The pac-Man arcade game was introduced
  • The CNN news network was launched
  • 3M introduced "Post-It Notes"
  • Popular musicians: AC/DC, black Sabbath and Eric Clapton
1981            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Dodge 024 - (1981-1982)
  • Dodge Aries - (1981-1989)
  • Dodge Dart & Magnum - (Mexico) (1981-1988)
  • Dodge Truck Ram - (1981-2009)
  • Dodge Ram 50 Truck - (1981-1993)
  • Dodge Ram Van - (1981-2003)
  • Dodge Ram Wagon Van - (1981-2003)
  • Chrysler Imperial - (1981-1983)
  • Plymouth TC3 - (1981-1982)
  • Gasoline sold for $1.25/gallon
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Bobby Unser - Average speed: 139.084 mph
  • Time magazine person of the year: Lech Walesa
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chrysler K Cars
  • Ronald Reagan became the 40th President
  • John Hinckley attempted to assassinate Reagan
  • The Space Shuttle Columbia was launched
  • The RMS Titanic was found in the north Atlantic
  • Sandra Day O'Connor became the first female on the Supreme Court
  • Frequent Flyer Miles were introduced
  • The space shuttle Columbia took its first flight
  • IBM introduced its first PC using Microsoft DOS
  • Insulin was produced artificially for the first time
  • Popular movies: Raiders of the Lost Ark and Arthur
  • Popular musicians: Dolly Parton, Sheena Easton and Diana Ross
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Superbowl XV was won by the Oakland Raiders
1982            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Buick Skyhawk - (1982-1989)
  • Cadillac Cimarron - (1982-1988)
  • Chevrolet Cavalier - (1982-2005)
  • Chevrolet Celebrity - (1982-1990)
  • Chevrolet S-10 Pickup - (1982-2004)
  • Dodge 400 - (1982-1983)
  • Dodge Rampage - (1982-1984)
  • Ford EXP - (1982-1988)
  • Mercury LN7 - (1982-1988)
  • GMC Jimmy S-15 - (1982-1990)
  • Gasoline dropped to 91 cents/gallon
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Gordon Johncock - Average speed: 162.029 mph
  • The first issue of USA Today was published
  • Time magazine machine of the year: The Computer
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award:Chevrolet Camaro Z28
  • Disney's EPCOT park opened
  • Tylenol capsules were found laced with potassium cyanide
  • The first successful artificial heart was transplanted
  • A significant recession started in the U.S.
  • The world's largest oil rig sank in the north Atlantic
  • The Vietnam Memorial was dedicated in Washington DC
  • The CD player was introduced
  • Scott Fahlman introduced the "Smiley" face: :-)
  • Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, was opened to the public
  • Princess Grace of Monaco (Grace Kelly) died in a car crash
  • Baseball World Series was won by the St. Louis Cardinals
  • Superbowl XVI was won by the San Francisco 49ers
  • Popular movies: E.T., On Golden Pond and Poltergeist
  • Popular musicians: Olivia Newton-John, Lionel Richie and Chicago
  • Popular TV: Magnum, P.I., Dynasty and Hill Street Blues
1983            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Chrysler introduced the "minivan"
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Tom Sneva - Average speed: 162.117 mph
  • Land speed record set in U.S. - turbojet engine - 633.47 mph
  • Time magazine persons of the year: Ronald Reagan & Yuri Andropov
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: AMC
  • Richard Noble set a land speed record of 633.468 mph in "Thrust 2"
  • Gasoline returned to $1.25/gallon
  • The United States invaded Grenada
  • The recession continues and unemployment rises
  • Motorola introduced the first mobile phones
  • Sally Ride became the first women in space
  • The Internet was created
  • The space shuttle Challenger was launched
  • the final episode of M*A*S*H was shown
  • Cabbage Patch dolls went on sale
  • Popular films: Tootsie, Flashdance and Octopussy
  • Popular musicians: Phil Collins, Jonny Cash and Elton John
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Baltimore Orioles
  • Superbowl XVII was won by the Washington Redskins
1984            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Chevrolet Citation II - (1984-1985)
  • Chevrolet Corvette - (1984-present)
  • Chrysler Fifth Avenue - (1984-1993)
  • Chrysler Laser - (1984-1986)
  • Dodge Caravan - (1984-2007)
  • Dodge Colt Vista - (1984-1991)
  • Dodge Conquest - (1984-1986)
  • Dodge Daytona - (1984-1993)
  • Dodge Mini Ram Van - (1984-1988)
  • Ford Bronco II - (1984-1990)
  • Ford Tempo - (1984-1994)
  • Jeep Cherokee - (Compact SUV) (1984-2001)
  • Jeep Grand Wagoneer - (1984-1991)
  • Mercury Topaz - (1984-1994)
  • Plymouth Colt Vista - (1984-1991)
  • Pontiac Fiero - (1984-1988)
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Rick Mears - Average speed: 163.612 mph
  • Ronald Reagan was reelected President
  • Time magazine person of the year: Peter Ueberroth
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chevrolet Corvette
  • Crack cocaine was first introduced into the Los Angeles area
  • The XIII Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles, CA
  • The XIV Winter Olympics wee held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Detroit Tigers
  • Superbowl XVIII was won by the Los Angeles Raiders
  • 70 U.S. banks failed as the recession continued
  • AT&T was broken up
  • The first CD players were introduced
  • The space shuttle Discovery made its maiden voyage
  • DNA profiling was developed
  • The first 3.5 inch computer disc was made
  • Popular movies: Ghostbusters, The Karate Kid and Splash
  • Popular musicians: billy Joel, Tina Turner and Bruce Springsteen
1985            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Buick Somerset - (1985-1987)
  • Cadillac Fleetwood - (1985-1996)
  • Cadillac Series 70 - (1985-1987)
  • Chevrolet Astro - (1985-2005)
  • Chevrolet Nova - (1985-1988)
  • Chevrolet Spectrum - (1985-1988)
  • Chevrolet Sprint - (1985-1988)
  • Dodge Lancer - (1985-1989)
  • GMC Safari - (1985-2005)
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Danny Sullivan - Average speed: 152.982 mph
  • The Nintendo Entertainment System went on sale
  • Time magazine person of the year: Deng Xiaoping
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Volkswagen GTI (built in the U.S.)
  • The "Unibomber" killed his first victim
  • The first blood test for AIDS was approved
  • The Internet was opened to the public
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Kansas City Royals
  • Superbowl XIX was won by the San Francisco 49ers
  • Microsoft released the first version of Windows software
  • The space shuttle Atlantis was launched
  • Popular musicians: cyndi Lauper, Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers
  • Popular movies: Back to the Future, Out of Africa and Cocoon
1986            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Ford Aerostar - (1986-1997)
  • Ford Taurus - (1986-present)
  • Jeep Comanche - (1986-1992)
  • Ford Shelby GLHS - (1986-1987)
  • Gasoline dropped to 89 cents/gallon
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Bobby Rahal - Average speed: 170.722 mph
  • Time magazine person of the year: Corazon C. Aquino
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Ford Taurus LX
  • The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded
  • The Marshall Islands became independent
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company was launched
  • Seven million Americans joined hands in "Hands across America"
  • Mike Tyson became the youngest Heavyweight Champion of the World in history
  • The first ban on smoking, on public transportation, occurred
  • The space shuttle Challenger exploded on take off
  • IBM introduced the first laptop computer
  • Emailing on the Internet began
  • Baseball World Series was won by the New York Mets
  • Superbowl XX was won by the Chicago Bears
  • The nicotine patch was invented
  • The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame was started
  • Popular movies: Top Gun, Crocodile Dundee and Platoon
  • Popular musicians: Robert Palmer, Van Halen and Whitney Houston
  • Popular TV: Cheers, Family /ties and The Twilight Zone
1987            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Buick GNX - (1987)
  • Cadillac Allante & Sixty Special - (1987-1993)
  • Cadillac Brougham - (1987-1992)
  • Chevrolet Beretta & Corsica - (1987-1996)
  • Chrysler Daytona - (1986-1993)
  • Chrysler Conquest - (1987-1989)
  • Dodge Dakota - (1987-2008)
  • Dodge Grand Caravan - (1987-present)
  • Dodge Shadow - (1987-1994)
  • Jeep Wrangler - (1987-present)
  • Ford Shelby Charger - (1987)
  • Shelby Lancer - (1987-1989)
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Al Unser - Average speed: 162.175 mph
  • "Black Monday", the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 23%
  • Average cost of a new house was $92,000
  • Time magazine person of the year: Mikhail Gorbachev
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
  • The U.S. won the America's Cup sailboat race
  • U.S. population was about 244.6 million
  • Fox Broadcasting Company started on TV
  • Disposable contact lenses were first sold
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Minnesota Twins
  • Superbowl XXI was won by the New York Giants
  • Prozac was first used
  • The Simpsons debuted on TV
  • Popular movies: Fatal Attraction, Lethal Weapon and Dirty Dancing
1988            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Buick Reatta - (1988-1991)
  • Chrysler Dynasty - (1988-1993)
  • Dodge Dynasty - (1988-1993)
  • Am-Motors-Corp Eagle Medallion - (1988-1989)
  • AMC Eagle Premier - (1988-1992)
  • AMC Eagle Vista - (1988-1992)
  • AMC Eagle Wagon - (1988)
  • Ford Festiva - (1988-1993)
  • GMC Sierra - (1988-present)
  • Ford Merkur Scorpio - (1988-1989)
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Rick Mears - Average speed: 144809 mph
  • The Space Shuttle Discovery was launched
  • Time magazine item of the year: The Endangered Earth
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Pontiac Grand Prix
  • The Iran War ended
  • Crack cocaine was becoming common
  • One third of Yellowstone National Park burnt
  • The first transatlantic firer optic cable was laid
  • The first major computer virus occurred on the Internet
  • Laser eye surgery was introduced
  • The XXIV Summer Olympics were held in Seoul, South Korea
  • The XV Winter Olympics were held in Calgary, Canada
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Superbowl XXII was won by the Washington Redskins
  • Popular Movies: Rain Man, Die Hard and Big
  • Popular musicians: Enya, U2 and Gloria Estefan
1989            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Gasoline sold for 97 cents/gallon
  • Ford bought Jaguar
  • Yugo car manufacturer went bankrupt
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Emerson Fittipaldi - Average speed: 167.581 mph
  • Time magazine person of the year: Mikhail Gorbachev
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Ford Thunderbird SC
  • George W. Bush became the 41st President
  • Exxon Valdez oil spill Prince William Sound
  • Hurricane Hugo struck the East Coast causing $7 billion in damage
  • Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco Bay Area
  • Bush declared a "War on Drugs"
  • The Supreme Court condoned the right to burn the American flag
  • The Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of oil in the Alaska
  • government provided 150 billion dollars to bail out saving and loan associations
  • The first GPS satellites were put in orbit
  • Nintendo introduced "Game Boy"
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Oakland Athletics
  • Superbowl XXIII was won by the San Francisco 49ers
  • It was the warmest year on record
  • Microsoft Office was released
  • Popular movies: Batman, Driving Miss Daisy and When Harry Met Sally
  • Popular musicians: Prince, Madonna and Duran Duran
1990            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Chevrolet 454 SS - (1990-1993)
  • Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 - (1990-1995)
  • Chevrolet Lumina - (1990-2001)
  • Chevrolet Lumina APV - (1990-1996)
  • Chrysler Imperial - (1990-1993)
  • Chrysler Town & Country - (1990-present)
  • Dodge Monaco - (1990-1992)
  • Gasoline cost $134/gallon
  • GM launched the Saturn line of cars
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Arie Luyendyk - Average speed: 185.081 mph
  • Time magazine person of the year: George H.W. Bush
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Lincoln Town Car
  • The Hubble Space Telescope was launched from the Space Shuttle Discovery
  • The Gulf War started when Iraq invaded Kuwait
  • The Simpsons first appeared on FOX TV
  • The U.S. economy was officially in a recession
  • The first Internet web page was written
  • Depletion of the Ozone Layer was discovered at the North Pole
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Cincinnati Reds
  • Superbowl XXIV was won by the San Francisco 49ers
  • Popular movies: Ghost, Home Alone and Pretty Woman
  • Popular musicians: Janet Jackson, Jon Bon Jovi and Garth Brooks
1991            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • The airbag was invented
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Rick Mears - Average speed: 176.457 mph
  • The U.S. joined the Gulf War
  • Time magazine person of the year: Ted Turner
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chevrolet Caprice
  • The Soviet Union was dissolved, ending the Cold War
  • The 911 emergency phone system was first test
  • The Internet was opened up to the public
  • The Internet browser was created
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Minnesota Twins
  • Superbowl XXV was won by the New York Giants
  • Popular movies: Silence of the Lambs, Robin Hood and Hook
  • Popular musicians: Pearl Jam, Queen and Amy Grant
1992            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Chevrolet Silverado - (SUV) (1992-1994)
  • Dodge Viper - (1992-2006)
  • Ford Crown Victoria - (1992-2011)
  • GMC Jimmy - (1992-2001)
  • GMC Typhoon - (1992-1993)
  • GMC Yukon - (1992-present)
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Al Unser, Jr. - Average speed: 134.477 mph
  • The Los Angeles race riots
  • The Twenty-seventh Amendment, prohibiting changes to Congressmen's salaries until after the following election, was passed
  • Time magazine person of the year: Bill Clinton
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Cadillac Seville
  • Hurricane Andrew caused 26 billion in damage to the Gulf Coast
  • Ross Perot ran for President
  • TWA declared bankruptcy
  • Minnesota's Mall of America became the largest mall in the U.S.
  • AT&T introduced the video phone
  • Space shuttle Endeavor was launched
  • The XXV Summer Olympics were held in Barcelona, Spaine
  • The XVI Winter Olympics were held in Albertville, France
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Toronto Blue Jaya
  • Superbowl XXVI was won by the Washington Redskins
  • Popular movies: Aladdin, The Bodyguard and A Few Good Men
  • Popular musicians: Nirvana, R.E.M. and Kiss
  • Popular TV: Law & Order, Home Improvement and L.A. Law
1993            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Chrysler Concorde & Intrepid - (1993-2004)
  • Chrysler TEVan - (1993-1995)
  • Dodge Intrepid - (1993-2004)
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee - (1993-present)
  • Jeep Grand Wagoneer - (1993)
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Emerson Fittipaldi - Average speed: 157.207 mph
  • Bill Clinton became the 42nd President
  • Time magazine persons of the year: The Peacemakers
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Ford Probe GT
  • FBI standoff fire in Waco, Texas
  • The "Storm of the Century" caused 6 billion in damages to the East Coast
  • The "Great Flood of 1993" caused 15 billion in damages along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers
  • President Clinton signed the "Don't ask, don't tell"" policy into law
  • Ty Warner launched the first Beanie Babies
  • Intel introduced the Pentium microprocessor
  • Dyson introduced the first cyclonic vacuum cleaner
  • Michael Jackson was investigated for child abuse
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Toronto Blue Jays
  • Superbowl XXVII was won by the Dallas Cowboys
  • Popular movies: Jurassic Park, Mrs. Doubtfire and Sleepless in Seattle
  • Popular musicians: Aerosmith, Meat Loaf and Snoop Doggy Dogg
1994            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Chevrolet Chevy - (1994-2012)
  • Chevrolet Corsa - (1994-2008 for Mexico)
  • Chevrolet Impala - (1994-1996)
  • Chrysler LHS - (1994-2001)
  • Ford Aspire - (1994-1997
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Al Unser, Jr. - Average speed: 134.477 mph
  • Gasoline cost $1.09/gallon
  • The Northridge earthquake caused 20 billion in damages
  • Time magazine person of the year: Pope John Paul II
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Ford Mustang
  • The first genetically engineered tomatoes were introduced
  • O.J. Simpson was accused of a double homicide
  • Digital satellite TV was first launched
  • Netscape Navigator Internet browser was launched
  • The Java programing language was introduced
  • Lisa Presley married Michael Jackson
  • The "Whitewater" scandal investigation started
  • The XVII Winter Olympics were held in Lillehammer, Norway
  • Nancy Kerrigan instigated an attack on Tonya Harding at the Olympics
  • Baseball strike resulted in the season being cancelled
  • Superbowl XXVIII was won by the Dallas Cowboys
  • Popular movies: Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump and The Lion King
  • Popular musicians: Bryan Adams, Sting and Sheryl Crow
  • Popular TV: NYPD Blue, Jerry Springer and Frasier
1995            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Buick Riviera - (1995-1999)
  • Chevrolet Truck Blazer - (1995-2005)
  • Chevrolet Monte Carlo - (1995-2007)
  • Chevrolet Tahoe - (1995-present)
  • Chrysler Cirrus - (1995-2000)
  • Chrysler Sebring - (1995-2010)
  • Dodge Avenger - (1995-2000)
  • Dodge Neon - (1995-2005)
  • Dodge Stratus - (1995-2006)
  • FordContour - (1995-2000)
  • Ford Windstar - (1995-2003)
  • The 1973 55 mph national speed limit was resinded
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Jacques Villeneuve - Average speed: 153.616 mph
  • Time magazine person of the year: Newt Gingrich
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chrysler Cirrus
  • Oklahoma City truck bomb killed 168 at the federal building
  • O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murder
  • Steve Fossett was the first to cross the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon
  • Chicago heat wave killed 750
  • JavaScript software was introduced
  • The Galileo spacecraft arrived at jupiter
  • The rock bank Grateful Dead broke up
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Atlanta Braves
  • Superbowl XXIX was won by the San Francisco 49ers
  • Popular movies: Toy Story, Apollo 13 and Braveheart
  • Popular TV: Van Halen, Mariah Carey and Supergrass
1996            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Gasoline cost $1.22/gallon
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Buddy Lazier - Average speed: 147.956 mph
  • Time magazine person of the year: David Ho
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Dodge Caravan
  • North American blizzard cause 3 billion in damages on the East Coast
  • TWA Flight 800 exploded off Long Island killing all 230 aboard
  • Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta, GA
  • The number of Internet users jumped from one to ten million
  • Ebay was launched on the Internet
  • Dolly the sheep was the first cloned mammal
  • The Internet Explorer browser was released
  • The Pathfinder spacecraft was sent to Mars
  • Baseball World Series was won by the New York Yankees
  • Superbowl XXX was won by the Dallas Cowboys
  • Popular movies: Twister, Independence Day and Mission Impossible
  • Popular musicians: Eric Clapton, Spice Girls and Red Hot Chili Peppers
1997            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Cadillac Catera - (1997-2001)
  • Chevrolet Malibu - (1997-present)
  • Chevrolet S-10 Electric - (1997-1998)
  • Chevrolet Venture - (1997-2005)
  • Dodge Atos - (1997-present)
  • Ford Expedition - (1997-present)
  • General Motors EV1 Electric - (1997-2003)
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Arie Luyendyk - Average speed: 145.827 mph
  • Land speed record set in U.S. - turbojet engine - 763.035 mph
  • Clinton barred federal funding for any research on human cloning
  • Time magazine person of the year: Andrew Grove
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chevrolet Malibu
  • Microsoft became the most valuable company in the world
  • Mike Tyson bit off Evander Holyfield's ear during a boxing match
  • Woolworths went out of business
  • Tiger Woods won the Masters tournament at 21 years old
  • Steve Jobs returned to run Apple Computers
  • The Pathfinder landed on Mars
  • J.K. Rowling published the first Harry Potter book
  • Baseball World Series was won by the Florida Marlins
  • Superbowl XXXI was won by the Green Bay Packers
  • Popular movies: Titanic, Men in black and Air Force One
  • Popular musicians: Lenny Kravitz, Céline Dion and Smashing Pumpkins
1998            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Eddy Cheever, Jr. - Average speed: 145.155 mph
  • Exxon merged with Mobile to create world's largest petroleum company
  • Monica Lewinsky scandal lead to impeachment of President Clinton
  • Time magazine persons of the year: Bill Clinton & Kenneth Starr
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chevrolet Corvette
  • The U.S. tobacco companies accepted largest settlement in U.S. history over cause of cancer and nicotine addiction
  • New U.S. $20.00 bill was introduced
  • Microsoft released Windows 98
  • The Internet browser Google was founded
  • The FDA approved Viagra for male impotence
  • Apple computer introduced the iMac computer
  • The XVIII Winter Olympics were held in Nagano, Japan
  • Baseball World Series was won by the New York Yankees
  • Superbowl XXXII was won by the Green Bay Packaers
  • Popular movies: Armageddon, Titanic and Saving Private Ryan
  • Popular musicians: All Saints, Jennifer Paige and Metallica
  • Popular TV: JAG, ER and Friends
1999            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Ford bought Volvo
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Kenny Brack - Average speed: 153.176 mph
  • Time magazine person of the year: Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Chrysler 300M
  • Columbine High School massacre
  • The West Nile Virus first appeared in the U.S.
  • U.S. prepared for possible "Y2K" bug in computers
  • My Space was launched on the Internet
  • Bluetooth technology was released
  • Baseball World Series was won by the New York Yankees
  • Superbowl XXXIII was won by the Denver Broncos
  • Popular movies: Star Wars, The Matrix and Tarzan
  • Popular musicians: Sarah McLachlan, Britney Spears and Kid Rock
  • Popular TV: Beverly Hills 90210, Chicago Hope and Everybody Loves Raymond
2000            The People                                            The Vehicles                                              Historical Events
  • Gasoline cost $1.26/gallon
  • Indianapolis 500 winner: Juan Pablo Montoya - Average speed: 167.607 mph
  • Time magazine person of the year: George W. Bush
  • Motor Trend magazine American Car of the Year award: Lincoln LS
  • USS Cole was bombed near Yemeni, killing 16 sailors
  • American Online merged with Time Warner
  • Tiger Woods was the youngest player to win the Grand Slam in golf
  • Microsoft released Windows 2000
  • The Odyssey spacecraft was launched towards Mars
  • Baseball World Series was won by the New York Yankees
  • Superbowl XXXIV was won by the St. Louis Rams
  • Popular movies: Cast Away, The Perfect Storm and Erin Brockovich
  • Popular musicians: N Sync, Faith Hill and Santana
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