50+ cars named after occupations
A vehicle’s name can have a lot to do with how it’s received in the marketplace. Some cars make their own identity out of made-up names, while others rely on the prestige of a racetrack or the connotation of agility or speed that comes from an animal. When we brainstormed what type of name is used most often, we came up with quite a few that had to do with work. Here are 50+ vehicles named after occupations.
If you’re an Ambassador (AMC), you may send a Diplomat (Dodge), an Envoy (GMC), a Consul (Ford) or even a Courier (Ford) with an important message. Perhaps you’ve got info about a Dictator (Studebaker) that needs to get to a Senator (Holden).
The fastest way to send a sensitive document is via air, so you’ll need some kind of Aviator (Lincoln), typically a Pilot (Honda). Of course, you’ll need to plot the course to your destination. That’s where the Navigator (Lincoln) comes in handy. A Navigator is also useful on the sea, because Mariners (Mercury) have plenty of hazards to avoid. Like pirates.
Oldsmobile was forthright when it flat out offered a car called the Pirate in 1902. Since then, automakers have been a bit more nuanced with their naming. Dodge and Mitsubishi had models called Raider, Mercury offered a high-performance Panther platform sedan called the Marauder, and Lincoln’s midsize SUV is now called Corsair. Call it whatever you like, you’re not sugarcoating it, the scurvy dogs are not to be trusted. Best to alert the Navy.
The President (Studebaker)—elected every four years because we don’t have a Monarch (Mercury)—holds the highest office in the Executive (Pontiac) branch. That also makes them the Commander (Studebaker/Jeep) of all the military, not just the Navy, above any General (GMC), Commodore (Holden), Brigadier (GMC), Kapitan (Opel), Yeoman (Chevrolet), or Kadett (Opel).
That includes everything from a special operations Commando (Jeep) to obsolete units such as Lancer (Dodge/Mitsubishi), Cavalier (Chevrolet), Knight (Willys), and the knight’s assistant, his Squire (Ford). We’re not sure where a Samurai (Suzuki) would fit in, other than it would be situated somewhere below the President.
But it’s not just political and military jobs that lent their names to vehicles. There are plenty that were named after jobs that take place in the great outdoors. Consider purchasing a claim and having a go at being a Prospector (Dodge). You might call on some help seeking your fortune from someone well-versed with the local topography, an Explorer (Ford), a Mountaineer (Mercury), or Ranger (Ford), perhaps? A local Hunter (Hillman) or Tracker (Geo) that’s familiar with the land, could be useful—someone that’s been a Trailblazer (Chevrolet) in the area. Any one of them could help Scout (International Harvester) nearby terrain.
Other careers to consider for lovers of the outdoors can be found on a dude ranch. You could help a Ranchero (Ford) by rounding up some stray cattle as a Wrangler (Jeep) or Caballero (GMC). And who’s gonna keep everyone fed if there’s no Wagoneer (Jeep) manning the chuckwagon?
Perhaps you’re searching for fortune and fame. Being a Starlet (Toyota) is more of an end result rather than an occupation in and of itself, although some have managed to become a Celebrity (Chevrolet) for no real reason.
We’ve got plenty of other occupations to mention that we couldn’t just string into our stream of consciousness, including Ram Tradesman, VW Transporter, AMC Matador, Dodge Sprinter, Ford Prefect, and Hillman Wizard. (There are professional wizards, right? Send us an owl to confirm.)
Did we forget a few? Probably, so let us know about it in the Hagerty Forums below.
And, just so we can get right out in front of these before the comments kick off… Ford Escort.
