[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/cars-verging-becoming-religions\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/cars-verging-becoming-religions\/","headline":"Cars verging on becoming religions","name":"Cars verging on becoming religions","description":"If you\u2019re on Motor-Vision, it\u2019s highly likely you\u2019re quite fond of cars. We\u2019re not afraid to say that we love cars, but with any model that instills any degree of passion, there are uber fans who take their love to a whole other plain. Here, we\u2019re focussing on those very cult cars, which are not far from evolving into religions. Volkswagen Beetle This cutesy two-door, five-seat car is the ultimate example of a cult car. More than 21 million have […]","datePublished":"2018-01-25","dateModified":"2018-01-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Mini-Coopers-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Mini-Coopers-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/cars-verging-becoming-religions\/","about":["BLOG","CLASSIC CARS"],"wordCount":498,"keywords":["Cult cars","Fiat 500","Mazda MX-5","mini cooper","tesla","volkswagen beetle"],"articleBody":"If you\u2019re on Motor-Vision, it\u2019s highly likely you\u2019re quite fond of cars. We\u2019re not afraid to say that we love cars, but with any model that instills any degree of passion, there are uber fans who take their love to a whole other plain.Here, we\u2019re focussing on those very cult cars, which are not far from evolving into religions.Volkswagen BeetleThis cutesy two-door, five-seat car is the ultimate example of a cult car. More than 21 million have been built since the late 1930s – no other car has been produced for a longer stretch of time.Festivals dedicated to the humble bug are held around the world, with modders showcasing their most extravagant additions and restorers investing months, sometimes years, and vast piles of cash into reviving wrecked shells into gleaming gems that far surpass their original glory.They\u2019re used for various forms of motorsport, from drag racing and rally to Formula Vee and the Baja 1000 off-road race.Mini CooperThe Mini residing in showrooms today is a very different animal to the original, which is arguably the most recognisable icon of 1960s British popular culture.Designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, it was voted the second most influential car of the 20th century behind the Ford Model T and is perhaps the biggest on-screen movie talent, thanks to The Italian Job.Fiat 500You could view the Fiat 500 as \u2018the Italian Mini\u2019 but this dinky city car predates the Mini by two years. Initially powered by a 479cc two-cylinder engine, it was dreamt up as one of the first purpose-designed city cars.The goal was a cheap, practical town car, which is what it was, but Fiat couldn\u2019t have imagined they\u2019d have such a resounding cult hit on their hands.Mazda MX-5Everything so far has been around since at least the 1950s, which makes this sturdy roadster one of the youngest entries on this list, but even so it\u2019s been around for the best part of three decades.The MX-5 doesn\u2019t leave much middle ground, either you want\/have one or you can\u2019t stand them and seize every opportunity to hurl abuse and mockery at them.Aside from their rust-prone sills, the MX-5 is a prime example of Japanese reliability, with their near-indestructible engines capable of taking you well into six figures.This kind of resilience makes them ideal for modders and you\u2019ll find regular MX-5 gatherings in every major city around the world.Any TeslaElectric car fanatics are as passionate as they come. Maybe it\u2019s the novel combination of boundary-pushing technology and super fast cars but Tesla fans are a different breed of car lover.With a 2.5-second 0-60mph time, the Model S is officially the quickest production car in the world, while few cars have the balls to brandish gullwing doors like the Model X does.Which car are you most passionate about? Tell us down there in the comments. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Cars verging on becoming religions","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/cars-verging-becoming-religions\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]