1. AMC (American Motors Corporation)
American Motors Corporation, or AMC, had some wild ideas in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Their best-known model was probably the Gremlin, which was as unique as its name. The brand also tried its hand at muscle cars with the Javelin, but after battling it out with the Big Three (Ford, GM, and Chrysler), AMC eventually ran out of steam in the ‘80s and was bought by Chrysler.
2. Studebaker
By the 1960s, Studebaker had been around for over a century, initially building horse-drawn wagons before moving into cars. But financial struggles and tough competition meant that Studebaker’s cars, like the Avanti and Lark, just couldn’t keep up. Production finally stopped in 1966, and with it, one of America’s oldest car brands faded into history.
3. De Tomaso
De Tomaso was a small Italian automaker founded by an Argentine, Alejandro de Tomaso. The brand’s most famous car, the Pantera, combined Italian styling with American power (courtesy of Ford’s V8 engines). While the Pantera gained a cult following, De Tomaso never quite reached the heights of Ferrari or Lamborghini and slowly disappeared.
4. Sunbeam
You may not have heard of Sunbeam, but if you know the Tiger, then you know its most iconic model. This British brand teamed up with American legend Carroll Shelby to create a car that packed a V8 into a small roadster. Despite its success, Sunbeam couldn’t survive the turbulent ‘70s, especially after Chrysler took over and phased out the brand.
5. Borgward
Borgward was a German brand that had a lot of potential before its downfall in the early 1960s. Known for models like the Isabella, Borgward cars were stylish and technically advanced for their time. Financial troubles led to bankruptcy in 1961, but there’s a twist: the brand was revived in 2015, though it’s now focused on electric and SUVs.
6. Triumph
Triumph was a British brand best known for sporty cars like the TR6 and Spitfire. These small, stylish roadsters had a strong following, especially in the U.S. Despite that, financial problems hit in the late ‘70s, and by 1984, Triumph was absorbed into Rover. The name’s been dormant ever since—unless you’re talking about the Triumph motorcycle company, which still exists.
7. Mercury
Mercury was a brand under Ford’s wing that aimed to be more luxurious than Ford but not quite as premium as Lincoln. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, cars like the Cougar and the Marquis were some of Mercury’s best sellers. But as car preferences changed, Mercury struggled to find its identity and was discontinued by Ford in 2010.
8. Datsun
Before Nissan was a household name, there was Datsun. The brand, especially in the ‘70s, was known for its affordable and sporty cars like the 240Z, which helped popularize Japanese imports in the U.S. market. Nissan eventually rebranded its cars under its own name in the early ‘80s, and Datsun faded away—though it made a brief comeback as an entry-level brand in some countries.
9. Simca
Simca was a French brand that made its way into the U.S. market through Chrysler, which owned a stake in the company. Known for compact, affordable cars like the Simca 1000, the brand never gained much traction in America. By the late ‘70s, Chrysler sold its stake, and Simca was eventually absorbed into the Peugeot-Citroën conglomerate.
10. Nash
Though Nash had merged with Hudson to create AMC in 1954, cars under the Nash name were still around into the early ‘60s. Known for the Rambler, Nash was innovative with its compact cars and fuel efficiency. Eventually, the Nash nameplate was phased out as AMC consolidated its brands, leaving only memories of this American pioneer.
11. Hillman
Hillman was a British brand, and if you’re thinking of the Imp, you’re spot-on. This little rear-engine car was Hillman’s answer to the Mini, but it wasn’t quite as successful. The brand eventually became part of Chrysler Europe and was later absorbed into Peugeot in the late ‘70s, marking the end of the Hillman name.
12. Kaiser
Kaiser made a name in post-World War II America with stylish cars like the Manhattan. But the brand struggled in the face of intense competition and eventually merged with Willys-Overland. While the Jeep brand from that merger survived, Kaiser couldn’t keep up and ceased car production by the mid-’50s, though its influence lingered into the early ‘60s.
13. Iso
An Italian brand with a passion for innovation, Iso started by making scooters and microcars, but in the ‘60s, it turned to sports cars. The Iso Grifo, a powerful and stylish GT, was the brand’s standout model, with American engines and Italian craftsmanship. Iso stopped making cars in 1974, but the Grifo remains a classic.
14. Panhard
One of the oldest car manufacturers in the world, Panhard was a French brand known for quirky, forward-thinking designs and small, efficient engines. Although they stopped producing passenger cars in 1967, the Panhard name continued in military vehicle manufacturing. Today, it’s mostly remembered by car enthusiasts who appreciate its pioneering spirit.
15. Matra
Matra was a French company that made everything from airplanes to race cars, and in the ‘60s and ‘70s, they dabbled in passenger cars too. The Matra-Simca Bagheera, with its unique three-abreast seating, was a standout. Though its car operations were short-lived, Matra’s vehicles were fun, quirky, and ahead of their time. The brand eventually stopped making cars in the ‘80s but remains a fascinating chapter in automotive history.
