10 Once-Beloved Cars That Have Been Lost To Time

While the average driver might be more interested in finding ways to save money on car insurance than in keeping tabs on how many vehicles are discontinued each year, car enthusiasts are much more particular about what these discontinued vehicles had to offer.

The truth is, not every discontinued vehicle is missed. Others, on the other hand, are missed dearly. And considering the bold stylings, affordability, and exhilarating driving experiences they offered in their time, it's easy to understand why.

Here are 10 discontinued vehicles that captured the hearts of drivers all across America when they were on the road and still cast a spell over car enthusiasts — even though they are long gone.

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The AMC Eagle bowed in 1980 and featured a revolutionary full-time four-wheel-drive system and extra ground clearance that separated it from its contemporaries. Around 200,000 units of this groundbreaking off-road sedan rolled off the assembly line between 1980 and 1988.

Long before the crossover SUV craze had taken the automotive industry by storm, this daily driver married the practicality of a compact sedan with the off-road bona fides of a Jeep.

Unfortunately, when Chrysler took over AMC in 1987, the Eagle had reached the end of its road, with the final ones hitting dealership lots in 1988.

Bring up the Mazda RX-7 around any gearhead, and they'll likely rail off an impassioned, detailed dissertation on this stylish sports car's legendary rotary engine.

This sleek speed demon, known for its zesty handling, set Japanese car enthusiasts' hearts aflutter from 1978 until 2002, thanks in part to its surprising fuel economy and dazzling driving experience.

Unfortunately, the Japanese automaker ceased RX-7 production due to unfavorable economic winds, dwindling market demand, and rising production costs. Around 503,000 RX-7 units were sold during the vehicle's lifetime.

The Lotus Esprit had a splashy appearance in the 1977 James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me," as well as a memorable turn in the 1980s Julia Roberts hit, "Pretty Woman."

It's as sensuous as any wedge-shaped sports car could ever hope to be. Interestingly, this singular status symbol of the 1970s and 80s was in production as late as 2004.

Lotus produced 24 different models of the Espirit during its 28 years in production, with 10,675 units rolling off the assembly line during its lifetime.

Prepare to turn up the 1980s hair metal and pour out a cold one for the Pontiac Fiero, the defunct American automaker's exotic (non-pony car) venture during a bold, colorful sports car era.

Meaning "fierce" in Italian, the Fiero never failed to attract attention during its run from 1983 to 1988. But if fiery stylings were all this coupe had going for it, we wouldn't have included it on this list.

The Fiero also represented a few impressive firsts for an American automobile: it featured plastic body panels and a mid-engine design.

During its production, GM produced over 300,000 Pontiac Fiero units until this bold vehicle succumbed to a litany of issues, from safety concerns to its lack of practicality as a daily driver.

Fans of the "Fast and Furious" franchise and millennials who grew up playing Gran Turismo likely have fond memories of this JDM classic.

A nimble track toy, the Honda S2000 is a high-revving two-seater with the driving feel and roar of a roller coaster. From 1999 to 2009, this iconic roadster was an affordable, wildly popular entry-level sports car whose demise came on the heels of the 2008 auto industry crisis.

During its decade on the road, Honda produced around 111,000 S2000 units.

A slick monster of a vehicle that was as beautiful as it was dangerous, in its time, the Dodge Viper was a "kind of automotive Everest," according to Car and Driver.

Fiat-Chrysler produced the Viper from 1992 to 2017, selling around 31,850 units. It was the Shelby Cobra of its day and had a window-shaking roar that no enthusiast could ever forget.

But alas, this venomous roadster's run came to an end because it could not fit mandatory side curtain airbags in its cabin, not to mention its dwindling sales numbers.

A popular, tiny yet mighty American pony car, the Chevy Nova was a fixture on American roadways in the late '60s and '70s.

Car enthusiasts and film buffs alike will likely recognize it as the villainous Stuntman Mike's weapon of choice in Quentin Tarantino's aptly named "Death Proof."

Chevy produced these diminutive muscle cars from 1962 to 1979, with several different body styles and engine configurations available during that 17-year stretch.

The automaker reintroduced the Nova from 1985 to 1988 as part of a partnership with Toyota. Although these vehicles were impeccably manufactured, they failed to capture the interest of car enthusiasts.

Initially envisioned as a "true Ford sports car" for the blue oval's 1955 lineup, the Ford Thunderbird is fondly remembered by car enthusiasts for its speed, agility, luxury, and comfort. The T-Bird also had memorable runs on the NASCAR circuit, including multiple wins at the Daytona 500.

Ford produced 16 different generations of the T-Bird between 1955 in 2005 with a variety of convertible body styles ranging from the spider/spyder and cabrio/cabriolet to the drop/open/soft top. During its run, Ford produced roughly 4.4 million Thunderbird units.

The automaker hoped to keep the Thunderbird's run going strong with a 2001 model that combined a retro design aesthetic and modern features. However, Ford ended this coupe's storied run in 2005.

Before fun and affordable sports cars such as the Mazda Miata, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota GR86 dominated their segment of the market, there was the Datsun 510.

Offering all the pleasures of sporty driving for an affordable price, this Sports Car Club of America icon managed to sell around 360,000 units. It was in production from 1968 to 1973.

Although its production ended in the early 70s, the Datsun 510's impact can still be felt today. It paved the way for stylish, fuel-efficient sedans with a sporty edge available for mainstream prices, like the Nissan Maxima and Altima.

American automaker Chevy produced seven generations of its iconic Bel Air from 1950 to 1975. A favorite amongst car enthusiasts, Chevy manufactured numerous variations of this classic vehicle, from full-size sedans and muscle cars to station wagons.

The most iconic Bel Air models, which enthusiasts affectionately refer to as the Tri Five Chevys, routinely eclipsed 1 million units produced annually at the height of its popularity.

Unfortunately for the Bel Air, the mid-seventies signaled a shift in market demands, which, combined with new government regulations, led to this large sedan's demise in the U.S.

From eye-catching stylings and innovations to offering practical yet exciting drives at affordable prices, these vehicles may have long vanished from American roadways, but they still hold a special place in car lovers' hearts and minds.

But beyond simply being pieces of automotive history, some of these vehicles, such as mint-condition 1955 to 1957 Chevy Bel Air models, are also very valuable. One of them sold for as high as $440,000, while another recently sold for over $182,000.

With those sales prices, getting a hold of rare, well-kept classic cars like these can be a smart money move for car owners.