What's the longest running model name?

[Floatylight]

On the motorway this morning the thought occured - What's the longest running model name?

Initial thoughts

Astra - 1980

But trumped by Passat - 1973, got anything earlier?

[sierraman]

Fiesta? 1976

Mini? 1959?

[Crackers]

Viva? 

[Wilko220]

Ford Transit and VW Transporter must both be up there.

[Schaefft]

Chevrolet suburban (since 1933) possibly, and that without a gap in production.

[straightSix]

Jaguar XJ: 1968-2019

[MiniMinorMk3]

Toyota Corolla since 1966

Honda Super Cub since 1958 for the two-wheeled record.

[MorrisItalSLX]

Volkswagen Beetle?

I guess it depends when it was first called the beetle by VW.

[yes oui si]

500?

Topolino, Nuova, modern ones... 

[horriblemercedes]

Mercedes SL has been going for a while. 1953, I think? So that's 70 years

[warch]

Landcruiser (since 1951) 

Unimog (since 1948)

 

 

[mk2_craig]

Is this in relation to the UK market? Some of the above are non-continuous or not offered here officially, though Passat and Transit are good shouts. 
 

I would add as other long runners, BMW 3 and 5 series. Is the 7 series still offered? If so then these must all have been on sale for well over 40 years each. 

[MiniMinorMk3]

Pork 911 since 1964.

 

 

[MiniMinorMk3]

  On 30/10/2023 at 12:55, mk2_craig said:

Is this in relation to the UK market? Some of the above are non-continuous or not offered here officially, though Passat and Transit are good shouts. 
 

I would add as other long runners, BMW 3 and 5 series. Is the 7 series still offered? If so then these must all have been on sale for well over 40 years each. 

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5-Series has been going for 51 years and they've just announced a new generation.

[Spiny Norman]

  On 30/10/2023 at 12:58, MiniMinorMk3 said:

5-Series has been going for 50 years and they've just announced a new generation.

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The individual model names don't always follow from one generation to another but you've been able to buy a BMW 520  every day since early 1972.
 

[mk2_craig]

320 must have been a constant pretty much since original launch too? Not that the badge has always meant 2.0 engine though. 

[lesapandre]

Not quite the same - but the use by Rolls Royce of Silver [whatever]  - dates from about 1908.

[inconsistant]

The Horsey Horseless has been in continuous production since 1899.

[MiniMinorMk3]

Ford Mustang since 1964

[barefoot]

And the AC model 70 since Noah took two of the fuckers with him on the Ark Royal. 

[JakeT]

I was going to be true to my BMW licking self and say 3/5/7 series. Think the 5 was ‘72, and 3 ‘74/5. 7 series was later.

VW Golf in with a good shout at ‘74, and Polo.

 

Ford Transit too? Were they launched in the ‘60s?

[hairnet]

impala

corolla

wasnt beetle not called beetle till the 70s? usa called it bug everyone else called it kafer or type 1 

kadett

dolomite?

[hairnet]

  On 30/10/2023 at 11:46, MiniMinorMk3 said:

Toyota Corolla since 1966

Honda Super Cub since 1958 for the two-wheeled record.

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super cub before that like velosolex bicycle with engine at least from 1953

[bunglebus]

  On 30/10/2023 at 12:16, MorrisItalSLX said:

Volkswagen Beetle?

I guess it depends when it was first called the beetle by VW.

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Early 70s, GT Beetle I think. Before that it was just Volkswagen, and an engine size designation after they introduced the 1300 in the 60s

[Asimo]

  On 30/10/2023 at 16:19, JakeT said:

Ford Transit too? Were they launched in the ‘60s?

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Ford first used the Transit name on their German made, Taunus derived, van in 1953. The name was reused on it’s replacement, the Transit we call Mk1, in 1965.

[MiniMinorMk3]

  On 30/10/2023 at 11:21, sierraman said:

Fiesta? 1976

Mini? 1959?

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Mini was the model name on Morris versions from 1959, which wee the Morris Mini Minor. Initially the Austins were called Seven. The Mini model then became the Mini brand in 1969 when the Austin and Morris names were dropped from the Mini range when BLMC became BL.

  On 30/10/2023 at 12:55, warch said:

Landcruiser (since 1951) 

Unimog (since 1948)

 

 

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Unimog is a manufacturer, started independently of Daimler Benz.

  On 30/10/2023 at 17:16, hairnet said:

super cub before that like velosolex bicycle with engine at least from 1953

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Velosolex is the manufacturer, not the model.

[MiniMinorMk3]

  On 30/10/2023 at 17:35, bunglebus said:

Early 70s, GT Beetle I think. Before that it was just Volkswagen, and an engine size designation after they introduced the 1300 in the 60s

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The 1302 was reffered to as the Super Beetle from 1971.

The GT Beetle was a 1972 model.

VW started using the name in 1968.

[timolloyd]

Invacare?

[warch]

  On 30/10/2023 at 18:03, MiniMinorMk3 said:

Unimog is a manufacturer, started independently of Daimler Benz.

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Its a tricky one that, because they weren't originally they were a model of vehicle produced by Boehringer and then Daimler Benz. Its a bit like Land Rover which was also originally a model not the brand, it was originally the Rover Land-Rover right up until the car and 4x4 sections parted in the late 70s.

[Dyslexic Viking]

Chevrolet Corvette