Cruisin’ on through to 1996

As we navigate the winding roads of mind-blowing nostalgia in our year-long celebration of the 1990s as a “classic decade,” we’ve made our way to 1996.

With 2024 marking the momentous occasion where the 1990s officially achieve classic status (comfortably 25 years in the rearview mirror), let’s take a look back at the milestones that made 1996 a cornerstone in the automotive and cultural timeline.

• The American automobile celebrates its 100th birthday. We don’t think it looks a day over 96.
• The first flip phone cell phone goes on sale. Ah, those were the simple days.
• Hotmail launches. And for anyone still rockin’ the hotmail.com email address, bravo!- that’s truly living the classic lifestyle.
• If you wanna be a 90s fan, you gotta get with the Spice Girls, who released their hit single Wannabe in 1996.
• George R.R. Martin publishes A Game of Thrones, the first in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. Fans are still waiting for the book series to be completed.
• After entering the U.S. market in 1973 and purchasing the New York Post in 1976, Rupert Murdoch embarks upon his most well-known media endeavor with the launch of Fox News.
• Kobe Bryant joins the LA Lakers and becomes the youngest person to join the NBA at 18 years, 2 months, 11 days old.
• The 26th Olympic Games are held in Atlanta, Georgia. Not to brag, but USA takes home the most medals, including 44 golds.
• MotorTrend car of the year is the Dodge Caravan. And we heard it was parked down by the river.
• Ask Jeeves launches. Never heard of it? Google it.

1990s cars are classics? Yes way!

It's time to recognize, appreciate, and properly protect those rad rides from the 1990s with a collector car policy through Hagerty. Our specialty coverage is designed for enthusiasts who love and care for these iconic vehicles.

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