1996 was 25 years ago

Thought exercise....

When vehicles are 25 years old, in Ohio, you can get Historic Plates which allow for "car show, parade use".  My '90 Miata wears these plates.  I really only take it out on sunny days and I have vowed to wave to anyone I see making every outing a car show and parade.  The cost for these plates is $30.  For that $30 you even get a new metal plate and that is it...these plates NEVER have to be renewed and there is no more annual fee.  For comparison, annual, regular license plates in Ohio cost about $50 per year.  

So, starting this week, vehicles from model year 1996 qualify. 

What was interesting from 1996?  

LAst year of the C4 ZR1. 

1996 Hyundai Accent 

I miss those amazing hyundai ads 

I would have bought a 95 cobra.

So OBDII is now antique. Wild.

Ford Escort GT

Saab 9000 Aero

Miata M Edition

Any manual dual cam Saturn

Cadillac Deville and Eldorado

STM317 said:

So OBDII is now antique. Wild.

Right? I was in my 2nd year at college....

Wait one year and the Acura Integra Type R qualifies - that would be a good one for historical significance.

Some cars that seemed everywhere that year where I'd be absolutely shocked to see a pristine example on the road today:

• Turbo DSMs (extra points for all wheel drive)
• Chrysler LH platform cars (Intrepid, Concorde, etc)
• Dodge / Plymouth Neon
• Toyota Paseo

But for a car that would be a beautiful relic of another age that inspires people to say "They don't make them like that anymore," my vote would go to the BMW 850 - it was still in production.

STM317 said:

So OBDII is now antique. Wild.

Oh, yeah.  1996 was the first year for OBD2.

I am also reminded that 1996 was the last year for the Gen2 MR2 and the last year for the Nissan 300z twin turbo.  The dollar to yen ratio had driven these cars to really high prices, quickly.  It would remain a dark period for cool Japanese stuff.  Nissan still has the S14, 240sx coupe but it was a great chassis neutered by the addition of a truck motor.  It wouldn't be until '00 that Toyota would launch the MR-S and 2003 for Nissan's 350z.  

Last of the B-body GM full size cars.

MadScientistMatt said:

Wait one year and the Acura Integra Type R qualifies - that would be a good one for historical significance.

Some cars that seemed everywhere that year where I'd be absolutely shocked to see a pristine example on the road today:

• Turbo DSMs (extra points for all wheel drive)
• Chrysler LH platform cars (Intrepid, Concorde, etc)
• Dodge / Plymouth Neon
• Toyota Paseo

But for a car that would be a beautiful relic of another age that inspires people to say "They don't make them like that anymore," my vote would go to the BMW 850 - it was still in production.

So I dislike being "That guy," and I agree it's a beautiful car overall, but what's going on with the hood/bumper gap here?    Is the hood just bent?

Last year for the Subaru SVX (although the earlier cars were better)

So THIS is now an antique???

oh dear...

SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:

So THIS is now an antique???

 

oh dear...

well, if there were any left on the road they would be

Impala SS last year of the B-body. 

In reply to bobzilla :

Last year for the Jaguar XJS. Yes it had OBD2 and as a result the most reliable of All Fuel injected Jaguars. 

'96 was a good year- started with a special event at the NAIAS, met some people who would be important up until '99.  And a buddy of mine got to go to the Australian GP to support the same project.  

On the car front, I honestly can not think of a single memorable car from that year.  It would not be for another year until I decided to replace my DD.  

bobzilla said:

Impala SS last year of the B-body. 

Oh man. How'd I forget this? Likely my favorite car of the year.

Also, the first year of the XK8 coupe--- one of the nicest designs of the past 25 years.

My 97 Miata M edition is a year away.

frenchyd said:

In reply to bobzilla :

Last year for the Jaguar XJS. Yes it had OBD2 and as a result the most reliable of All Fuel injected Jaguars. 

I mean that's like being the least smelly poop though.

I had a 1996 GS-R integra in college.  It was an awesome car!  

I think 1995 was the last year they made second generation MR2's

I graduated high school in 1996, ughhh hard to believe that was 25 years ago...

John Welsh said:

Thought exercise....

When vehicles are 25 years old, in Ohio, you can get Historic Plates which allow for "car show, parade use".  My '90 Miata wears these plates.  I really only take it out on sunny days and I have vowed to wave to anyone I see making every outing a car show and parade.  The cost for these plates is $30.  For that $30 you even get a new metal plate and that is it...these plates NEVER have to be renewed and there is no more annual fee.  For comparison, annual, regular license plates in Ohio cost about $50 per year.  

So, starting this week, vehicles from model year 1996 qualify. 

What was interesting from 1996?  

1971 cars no longer needed to be e-tested?

That's what was interesting to me in 1996, anyway.

Last year of one of the best looking F150s

One year past the last of the first gen Lightnings.  Just look at that awesome turn-in camber! That body roll!  Such a performer!