Originally Posted by
Cobrajet
This has been going on for decades. From 1950 to 1957, the Bel Air was the top Chevy model. Then the Impala came out in '58. It was the top model until it was knocked off by the Caprice in '66. By the 1960s the Bel Air was the bottom-rung, low-rent, cheapest fullsize car in Chevy's lineup. By the '80s the Impala and Caprice were also both mostly relegated to fleet sales.
Same with the Ford Fairlane. Top-of-the-line in 1955, but by 1970 it was one of the cheapest Fords you could get.