Hagerty Declares The Model S As The Car Of The Decade - Care To Set Them Straight?

If you are a collector of classic cars, you are probably familiar with Hagerty. Started in 1984, this industry leader protects over one million vehicles — insuring some of the world’s finest collector cars. With real-world expertise valuing the classics, Hagerty decided to put together a comprehensive list which includes: “the greatest vehicle of each decade, from the earliest days of the automobile to the present.”

Hagerty notes that their “final list, which spans everything from pre-War luxury to hot rods… highlights some of the brightest moments in automotive history.” What unites most cars on this list? Hagerty’s Andrew Newton explains, “cars still work pretty much the same way they always have, powered by a piston engine that’s fueled by the black goop that we pump out of the ground. Only one car of the 2010s has lit a different path.”

HAGERTY’S PICKS FOR ‘GREATEST CAR’ OF EACH DECADE

1890 – 1910: Ford Model T

1910s: Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

1920s: Duesenberg Model J

1930s: ’32 Ford

1940s: Jeep CJ

1950s: Mercedes-Benz 300SL

1960s: Ford Mustang

1970s: Lamborghini Countach

1980s: Dodge Caravan

1990s: Mazda Miata

2000s: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

2010s: Tesla Model S

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MDarringer - 7/19/2018 1:51:16 PM

+6 Boost

In a sense it is. That doesn't mean much. Arguably the VW Beetle was the car of the decade in the 1960s.

Truthy - 7/19/2018 2:22:04 PM

+1 Boost

The model S changed the view of EVs. Previous attempts always focused on economy and maximizing efficiency. The Tesla S was a luxury car that competes very well in mainstream fashion with ICE cars. If it was not so well executed we would not have the surge in EV competition that is coming.

MDarringer - 7/19/2018 2:26:19 PM

0 Boost

I think the notion is a car that is a defining moment. It may or may not become the standard bearer. Porsche and Audi will scorch Tesla.

valhallakey - 7/19/2018 2:45:20 PM

+1 Boost

Agreed with both Matt and Truthy on this. Tesla did good enough that the EV became viable. Once Porsche, Audi and others fully commit their resources to creating a great EV Tesla had better watch out.

EVisNow - 7/19/2018 4:04:31 PM

0 Boost

"Once Porsche, Audi and others fully commit their resources to creating a great EV" - would that be the next decade 2020s ? we are still talking about THIS DECADE.

EVisNow - 7/19/2018 5:38:26 PM

0 Boost

Regarding the Taycan (Mission E), I submit a request for deposit information and got a response from a local Porsche dealer that their allocation of 50 has already been filled - good news for Porsche but at the same time a bummer for the consumers because it shows that Porsche still does not believe in how popular the car can be. The Bay Area has only 3-4 Porsche dealers serving more than 2 million people, a lot of them can easily afford the car and are willing to try.

MSRP is still not announced at this time. Ordering will start in Q1 or Q2, and delivery date is Q4 of 2019 according to the sign up form from Porsche. No info on the deposit amount or conditions.

The Model S status as the iconic car of the 2010s is safe.

MDarringer - 7/19/2018 2:53:29 PM

-1 Boost

@Truthy You're as loved as I am. You were voted down to a -2 and I write this. LOL

Truthy - 7/19/2018 3:13:36 PM

+1 Boost

MD, your comment is spot on. Porsche and Audi may make Tesla irrelevant in a few years. I am especially interested in the Porsche. The new Jaguar EV shows what is ahead.
And valhallakey agreed with both of us. At least there is one topic we agree on.
Have a nice day. I appreciate your car commentary.

MDarringer - 7/19/2018 4:27:29 PM

0 Boost

The Porsche Taycan is going to be the one I pay attention to as well. I think it will make the Panamera irrelevant. My money is on Audi though for volume in the premium segment.

Imagine the Cayenne--which is experiencing a cooling trend over the last two years--reinvented as an EV. That would make it stand out against the Macan which is more "Porsche" than the Cayenne.

GermanNut - 7/19/2018 4:56:21 PM

+5 Boost

By the end of 2018, the Audi eTron all-EV SUV will be on sale. Tesla had better get its production problems solved soon because once Audi and Porsche show up to the competition, it's going to be tough for Tesla.

The massive economies of scale across the VAG to keep production costs manageable, massive global dealership network, numerous production facilities globally, and millions of cars sold per year will be strong competition without any doubt.

SanJoseDriver - 7/20/2018 1:11:02 PM

+2 Boost

The eTron will not compete with the Model 3, so production isn't a factor. 2k Model S/X are made each week like clockwork. What the S/X could use asap is an interior refresh for the dash.

GermanNut - 7/19/2018 4:56:21 PM

+5 Boost

MDarringer - 7/19/2018 5:23:59 PM

+2 Boost

@GermanNut As you well know I despise Audi, but they are about to score really big.

Tesla's opening of a factory in China is probably a precursor to selling to Geely or SAIC-Nanjing or GAC.

SanJoseDriver - 7/21/2018 3:42:34 AM

+2 Boost

They're the fastest growing car company and have a solid customer base. If they are profitable this year then there is a lot for other companies to desire. However, I don't think they will ever sell in the next 5+ years.

mre30 - 7/19/2018 7:34:48 PM

+3 Boost

As shocked as I am by the longevity of the Tesla so far, in light of its complete lack of profitability - you have to hand it to them for rolling out the Model S which really is a landmark product and a pretty good product at that, and then actually getting the Model 3 launched.

I agree with Hagerty, though I still think Tesla is living on borrowed time.

TomM - 7/19/2018 8:10:28 PM

+2 Boost

It will be decades or longer before the Model S becomes a collectors item - there are just TOO many of them for that to happen soon. Otherwise - THat list is really suspect - it leaves off cars from which MAJOR innovations in technology happened - until this decade.

Frankly - I really do not believe you can break down the list of the greatest cars of the last decades and come up with ONLY the cars listed ABove- the list of GREAT cars is far larger than that - and the car listed are suspect to begin with.

MDarringer - 7/19/2018 9:16:13 PM

-1 Boost

Once again TomM speaks without knowing what he's talking about.

The number of vehicles made does not make or break a car from being collectible.

The Model S MOST DECIDEDLY will be collectible.

TomM - 7/19/2018 10:48:10 PM

+2 Boost

Once again - Matt's Alzheimer's is showing - as his being Incoherent.

I did not say the car would NOT be collectible - it is simply NOT in MY post and again I do not know where MATT is getting this stuff from

What I said was that it will be decades before the Model S will be collectible - there are too many for that to HAPPEN soon.

Cars sold in Volume rarely become collectible as quickly as Cars sold in Limited Quantities - that is HOW the collectible market works. THe fewer the cars available - the more collectible the cars are - and surely everyone here except MATT knows that.