Survivors: The world's longest-living cars

The article celebrates cars that endure beyond fashion, tracing models that stayed largely unchanged for long stretches. It begins with the Peugeot 205, designed in 1978 and launched in 1983 as a lightweight, modular hatch. The 205 expanded with variants such as GTi and Rallye, keeping showroom interest high until production ended in 1998. The Mercedes-Benz R107 SL ranks among luxury icons, with an interior fit for royalty and a four-seat fixed-roof coupé niche. The Ford Model T is credited as the first mass-produced car, selling 15 million units across 12 countries; early pricing started at US$500 in 1917, about US$9,600 today, and power ranged from 65 to 86 bhp. These survivors underscore how heritage can coexist with practical, lasting design.