American as Apple Pie - 5 Vehicles for Independence Day

With the 4th of July fast approaching, it’s time to pause and consider the state of the American auto industry. With so much negative press covering the talk of bankruptcies, deep incentives to sell cars and environmental issues, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that there are still some great cars being built by the Big Three.

This article takes a look at 5 of the cars, trucks and SUVs that best define and celebrate the American spirit in the automotive industry.

2009 Ford F-150

The 2009 Ford F-150 is a living legend amongst pickup truck fans. Not only has it been the best selling pickup in the United States for 31 years – selling 32,000,000 editions – but for 23 consecutive years it was also the best selling vehicle in the country, period. That is an impressive achievement for a truck that started out as a rough and tumble, rural warrior and gradually evolved into the versatile animal it is today.

It may be hard to believe, but there was once a time when trucks were utilitarian, purpose-built vehicles largely devoid of creature comforts. Starting in the 1990’s, the F-150 helped to move pickups away from their rural image and expand them into plus-sized chariots for urban dwellers. While the trucks may have become loaded up with leather seats, navigation systems and air conditioning, they have never lost touch with the rugged usefulness that made them indispensable tools for anyone who had to haul, tow or drive somewhere inaccessible to lesser vehicles.

The 2009 Ford F-150 continues this trend of walking the line between highway manners and dirt road roots. There are over 35 different configurations for the truck, ranging from simple, short box single cabs to four-door people movers. A range of V8 engines providing between 248 and 320 horsepower provide the kind of motivation needed to tow 7,200 lbs and haul a full load of whatever will fit in the cargo bed – and of course, four-wheel drive is available across the board.

With an extensive history and a never-say-die philosophy when it comes to approaching a solid day’s work, the 2009 Ford F-150 remains strongly tied to America’s automotive image around the world.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette

When it was first introduced in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette was built for battle against the small European sports cars that were making inroads into the American car market. In a short space of time, however, the Corvette transformed from reactionary roadster into fire-breathing beast. Along the way, it became emblematic of the country’s originality and commitment to doing things its own way.

No matter how the market changed around it, some things about the Corvette have always remained the same. Chevrolet always made sure that the car stayed as light as technology would allow it to, thanks in large part to the use of a fiberglass body, and that it put down as much power as it could while still meeting federal emissions and environmental laws. Finally, the Corvette has always stood apart as the sharpest point GM’s styling spear, a thrust into the heart of sports car brands around the world.

The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most poignant editions of the vehicle to have ever hit the streets. Thanks to an incredible program of investment and research, the Corvette is much more capable than ever before when it comes to handling, refinement and design. The Corvette offers a minimum of 430 horsepower in the base version, 505 horsepower in the Z06 and an incredible 638 horsepower in the ZR1. Still fiercely independent, the Corvette manages to package all of that tire-smoking motivation without resorting to high-tech innovations like overhead camshafts or all-wheel drive. Sticking with push-rod V8 engines and a traditional rear-wheel drive layout have kept the Corvette far more affordable than the other vehicles which match its prodigious performance – most of which cost a multiple of its MSRP.

Challenged to match up with the best the world has to offer, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette proudly carries its checkered flag logo into battle, underneath the overarching banner of the Stars and Stripes, as America’s most enduring sports car.

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan

Switching from the world of high horsepower comes an unlikely American standard, a vehicle most people probably don’t consider to be significant in the history of the country’s automotive exploits. While its role might not have been nearly as showy or glamorous as that of the Corvette, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan is the latest in a long line of vehicles which saved Chrysler from insolvency in the 1980’s. While the minivan had been around for a few decades in one form or another, it ended up being the engineers at Chrysler who were able to put together the right combination of driving characteristics, interior room and practicality that transformed the concept of the family car forever.

The Grand Caravan has come a long way from the boxy shape that defined its early years. Now sleek-looking, and sporting powerful engines that make it one of the better performing vans on the market, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan continues its tradition of innovation. Universally copied features such as Stow ‘n Go seating, which allows rear seats to effortlessly fold into the floor and provide a flat loading space, and Swivel ‘n Go which turns the back of a van into an impromptu picnic / tailgate party have kept the Grand Caravan relevant in a world of tough competitors.

It is only fitting that the American take on the minivan idea replaced another truly red, white and blue vehicle, the full-sized station wagon, as the number one choice for families on the go. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan once again has a lot of weight on its shoulders as Chrysler re-organizes, but the vehicle has been there before and will undoubtedly pull through the company’s current financial storm.

2009 Chevrolet Suburban

The full-size sport-utility vehicle had always been lingering at the edges of the American auto market, but it wasn’t until the 1990’s that it exploded into the force of nature that it ended up becoming. One of the vehicles which helped to revolutionize industry buying habits – for better or for worse – is the Chevrolet Suburban. This trailer-towing, 9-passenger goliath was no secret to government agencies or country drivers needing extra space and toughness during their daily commute, but it wasn’t until Chevrolet began to load it up with interior features that the whole family could enjoy that it really came into its own. In short time it became the minivan-replacement for those who occasionally needed to go where roads just couldn’t take them.

It’s hard to imagine a better camping vehicle than the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban. Not only does its combination of powerful V8 engines and available four-wheel drive make it the go-anywhere SUV of choice, but it’s big enough to haul as many tents, kayaks, mountain bikes and supplies as needed. As an extra bonus, if it ends up raining all weekend, there is enough room to just unroll the sleeping bags inside and call it a night. The Suburban is also notorious as an excellent tow vehicle. Its near 10,000 lb capacity makes it ideal, whether it be for those who prefer to bring a few more of the comforts of home along with them in the form of a camping trailer, those who wrangle a boat into the water each summer, or someone looking to haul their horses from corral to corral.

The 2009 Chevrolet Suburban is custom-made for realizing the American dream vacation, whether it be sleeping under the stars, blasting down the lake in a speed boat or riding trail on your favorite filly. It’s also the vehicle of choice for anyone who needs to haul a load of local supporters to the game, pick up an entire soccer team or handle a load of lumber home from Home Depot. In short, it’s an SUV that was designed with the rigors of the American lifestyle in mind, and one that is perennially found parked in driveways across the country.

2009 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is such a part of the fabric of American life that it’s hard to conceive of a time when it wasn’t the inexpensive hot rod of choice for millions of drivers. Interestingly, when it first came out in 1964, the intention wasn’t to spark a performance revolution but actually to provide a low-cost commuter car suitable for almost anyone. In short time, the availability of a straight 6 or V8 engine had everyone from secretaries to teenage boys lined up to put down a deposit on one of the hottest designs to ever leave the Ford assembly line. The car would go on to create an entire class of automobiles – the pony car – and define the performance dreams of anyone who loved the sound of a dual exhaust.

The 2009 Ford Mustang is a visual throwback to that original wannabe muscle car, although modern design standards have increase its width and girth considerably. Underneath the hood, it’s still possible to find a stout 8-cylinder mill, making the Mustang a vehicle that remains a tough competitor in the stoplight grand prix. Those with higher speed aspirations can fork out the cash for the supercharged Shelby GT500 edition of the Mustang which can hang with a large number of so-called supercars when it comes to acceleration and braking.

The Mustang has remained in the Ford lineup thanks to its ability to be everything to everyone – a reliable daily driver, a fun weekend convertible, or even a pedal-to-the-floor racer. The 2009 model represents the attainable domestic dream, a car to be proud of that won’t break the bank but will lay 10 feet of rubber leaving the dealership parking lot – and look good to boot.