What was the first defined model "series"?

[Ecurie Ecosse]

I was just thinking that up until the late 60s there didn't seem to be any defined continual model ranges of cars e.g. like the BMW 3 series.

Up until the late 60s manufacturers seemed adventurous with their model ranges, and not really tied down to convention. Every model seemed to be new and exciting, and different from the previous model.

I'm thinking the Jaguar XJ is the first continual model, with the successive generations being called XJ and looking broadly similar.

The W116 S Class followed shortly after, and the BMW series cars after that.

Just an idle musing of mine.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Morris Minor..ran for about 600 years until 72

[Riley Blue]

The pre-war Riley Nine series had a wide range of body styles (about 18) between 1926 and 1938.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Morris Minor..ran for about 600 years until 72

Good call, but that was really the same model.

I'm thinking of the model series as a "brand", like the Range Rover, 3 series etc.

The Range Rover is a good example. The original was totally fresh and new. Subsequent models have followed the same design.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Morris Minor..ran for about 600 years until 72

Good call, but that was really the same model.

I'm thinking of the model series as a "brand", like the Range Rover, 3 series etc.

The Range Rover is a good example. The original was totally fresh and new. Subsequent models have followed the same design.

I'd say from 1948 to 1972 was. That's a fair innings!

[RDMcG]

I seem to recall that Lancias came in series before the war.....

[Johnnytheboy]

Posting so a mate who may know may post...

[davepoth]

MG T series too.

[Ozzie Osmond]

I imagine it would be something like the Ford Escort Mk II. Or maybe Cortina. Or Capri. Ford were almost certainly first in.

[Noesph]

peugeot 200 series as a guess (at 83 years, it must be one of the longest running). 201 came out in 1929.

[LuS1fer]

Jaguars Mk I to X.
Cortinas Mk 1 - 5
Viva HA/HB and HC
Corolla multi-generations and Civic
More arguably Austin had the A35/A40/A50/A55/A60 though not all at the same time.

Or am I missing the point here?

[LuS1fer]

Corvette was 1953 and has passed through six consecutive generations and will be 60 next year.
Mustang came in 64 and will be 50 in 2014.

[Riley Blue]

I think the OP may need to define what he means by 'model series'.

[Zwolf]

Skyline - 1955 to present...

[Strawman]

Ford Model A, which was equipped with the more powerful C series engine and sold as the AC in 1904, possibly?

[LuS1fer]

Riley Blue said:

I think the OP may need to define what he means by 'model series'.

Thinking about it, I think he means the same model ie 316/318/320/325/328/330 etc.

I imagine that has been round for a long while.
Mini 850/1000, Anglia 997/1200. Herald 1200 13/50, Coupe, 2.0 Vitesse etc. and the later obvious Fords.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Riley Blue said:

I think the OP may need to define what he means by 'model series'.

Cheers - some good posts.

By model series I mean the model being called the same name, and being the same size and carrying over design cues.

So, for examples, BMW 3 series would fall into my definition as each subsequent model is broadly the same size etc - and they are all called 3 series.

The Jaguar Mk cars don't fall into the definition, as some of them are very different - Mk2 compared to Mk 10, for example.

It probably leads on to a broader theme as the majority of cars now are part of a defined model range - Audis, BMWs and Mercedes being the obvious contenders.

Jaguar too, calling the latest big car XJ, as it is a defined brand. I was disappointed about that.

It would be good of car makers were a bit more creative these days, rather than trying to follow convention and tread the same path time after time. But that's where the money is, I suppose.

[Zwolf]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

So, for examples, BMW 3 series would fall into my definition as each subsequent model is broadly the same size etc - and they are all called 3 series.

They all grow quite a bit. Park an E21 next to an F30 to see just how much. Anyway, some pics of what I think you mean:

[LuS1fer]

Yes, the 3 series is hardly a good example as it bloated up with every generation.


The Cortina was more true to the concept of a 5 door family saloon through its nigh on 20 years and the Mustang has remained true to its original format down to the live axle.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Is more the "true to the original format" bit I'm getting at.

I wish manufacturers would mix things up a bit, rather than rolling out variations on the same themes.