American Summer Classics, Revisited

It's a part of the American personality to saddle up and hit the open road in the sunnier months. Classic images of cruising down the highway abound in our stories and movies. Some cars have been particular stars in the national imagination. Driving enthusiasts will be glad to know that many of the all-time great summer classic cars have modern versions that combine today's technology with classic looks. Here are five of the best.

Volkswagen Beetle

This pint-sized car was an iconic car in its heyday. It surprised American drivers by having the trunk up front and the engine in the rear. The Beetle had a reputation for durability packed into a small frame and was much beloved by drivers looking for a solid car with a reasonable price.

Today's version keeps all the fun design hallmarks while maintaining its affordability. It makes a great car for summer day trips and still draws attention and smiles wherever its drivers go.

Jeep Wrangler

What's more American than a Jeep? These rugged vehicles served the United States well in World War II and never stopped improving over time. The modern version can climb a mountain as well as ever without sacrificing present-day features. It's easy to remove the top so you can feel the wind and get in touch with the outdoors.

If your idea of a road trip frequently omits the road, then a Jeep may be the vehicle for you.

Dodge Charger

The Charger is a classic American muscle car and a Hollywood favorite. Action stars drove them on movies and on television shows when the hero just had to have the coolest car around. The General Lee, from the Dukes of Hazzard, may be the most famous example.

The 2012 model can sport a 370-horsepower engine, giving it muscle car power in a four-door car. You probably won't jump any ravines in it but you'll have all the power you'd ever want on your road trips.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1

Another American classic muscle car, the Camaro, deserves a spot on the list. It's so recognizable as an icon of pure, undiluted coolness that IMCDB.org has over fifty pages of imagery showing it in movies and TV shows.

The 2012 version is a low-slung street monster that looks ready to take off like a rocket.  With 580 horsepower and a top speed of 184 mph all that's missing are the tail fins and nosecone. The design brings back style elements from the best golden age muscle cars and stands out proudly from other cars on the road.

Chevrolet Corvette

What can you say about the Corvette? It may well be the ultimate domestic high-performance car. Generations of teenagers have dreamed of them. Collectors fawn over them. They're as American as a four-wheeled apple pie with Old Glory painted on the pie tin.

The ultimate incarnation of it is the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition available this summer. The best appearance ideas from decades of Corvette designs have inspired its look, and it's absolutely one for the books.

If you have the means and can restrain yourself from driving it at speeds that might make a fighter pilot cringe with fear then this car is the ultimate summer classic.