The evolution of NASCAR Cup Series cars

Take a look back at the vast changes NASCAR's race cars have seen over the years. Starting from 1948 -- Generation 1 -- all the way to the 2022 NextGen car.

Pictured here is a pre-Generation 1 model, featuring pre-World War II styles.

1939 Ford Coupe

-NASCAR's earliest races featured pre-World War II models due to a post-World War II shortage.

Generation 1: 1948-1966

-Strictly stock frame and body.
-Doors strapped shut, seat belts required.
-Heavy-duty rear axle required to keep cars from flipping during the race.

(Pictured)

1955 Hudson Hornet

-Hudson was the first manufacturer to provide factory support to NASCAR racing teams.

1965 Ford Galaxie

-This is the last year Ford raced with a stock chassis before the introduction of the unibody Fairlane and Torino.

Generation 2: 1967-1980

-Stock body with a modified frame.
-Modified chassis became part of the spot with Holman-Moody, Banjo Matthews and Hutchenson-Pagan building chassis for teams.

(Pictured)

1967 Ford Fairlane

-Due to unibody construction on the stock vehicle, NASCAR allowed purpose built race chassis for safety.

1973 Dodge Charger

-'The King' Richard Petty won his fourth Daytona 500 with Hemi power under the hood of this classic ride.

1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

-American muscle hit the track in full force as aerodynamics became more advanced.

Generation 3: 1981-1991

-Wheel base reduced to 110 inches.
-NASCAR downsizes cars to better resemble cars on the showroom floor.
-Body panels still purchased through manufacturers.

(Pictured)

1981 Buick Regal

-This is the first 110-inch wheelbase model driven to a championship in NASCAR's premier series.

1985 Ford Thunderbird

-Bill Elliott set several qualifying speed records well over 200 mph with this sleek hot rod.

1987 Pontiac Grand Prix

-GM extended the rear windshield and shortened the deck lid of its Aero Coupe model.

1991 Chevrolet Lumina

-'The Intimidator' became a legend in the third-generation Chevrolet.

Generation 4: 1992-2006

-Highly-modified body.
-Teams spent hours in wind tunnel to gain aero edge.
-Bumpers/nose and tail composed of molded fiberglass based off of production counterparts.

(Pictured)

1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

-Chevrolet switched from the Lumina to the Monte Carlo and Jeff Gordon drove it to four championships.

1998 Ford Taurus

-This was the first four-door stock car car model approved for NASCAR competition in the modern era.

2001 Dodge Intrepid

-Dodge made its return to NASCAR with this Bill Elliott-driven Intrepid owned by Ray Evernham.

2006 Ford Fusion

-Matt Kenseth drove this Ford during the first full season of Generation 4 cars.

Generation 5: 2007-2012

-Introduced new era of safety.
-Common body and chassis for all manufacturers reduced need for track-specific race cars.
-Front splitter, rear wing offer teams aero adjustment options.

(Pictured)

2008 Chevrolet Impala SS

-Jimmie Johnson's championship car featured a front splitter, rear wing and a whole lot of dominance.

2010 Toyota Camry

-Competitors and fans missed the look of the spoiler, so it returned at Martinsville on March 27, 2010.

2012 Dodge Charger

-Brad Keselowski's Blue Deuce featured a new front splitter that more resembled production models.

2012 Chevrolet Impala SS

-The end of Generation 5 also matched the end of the model in NASCAR.

Generation 6: 2013-Present

-Manufacturer-unique body panels placed on existing chassis.
-Enhanced body designs better resemble the cars found in showrooms across the United States.
-Design puts the 'stock' back into stock car racing.

(Pictured)

2013 Ford

-Brad Keselowksi's Blue Deuce.

NextGen: Set for 2022 debut

-The body is designed to be symmetrical.
-Wheels are going from 15 inches to 18 inches and will be aluminum and feature a single lug nut.
-Other new features include a sequential shifter and independent rear suspension.

(Pictured)

2022 Chevrolet, Toyota and Ford models

-May 5, 2021 at the worldwide unveil.