The Golden Girls of Australian motoring

Here are the cars with designs that date back past 10 years but are still available in showrooms today.

In amongst all the shiny new metal that manufacturers release into the world, there are examples that continue to trundle along without receiving flashy updates.

Their old age becomes more noticeable when compared to the newer competition which in some cases is lightyears ahead.

Mitsubishi Lancer (2007-present)

You either die the hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

When the current generation Lancer hit the scene in 2007, it was a sharp looking vehicle, much better than the previous model.

The highlights of the car were the Ralliart and Evo models that fought with Subaru's Impreza WRX and STi.

However, fast-forward to today and you'll find that all of the Lancer's closest rivals - the Golf, Focus, and Mazda3 - are some of the best cars you can buy. They're lightyears ahead. Combine this with the premature death of the Evo X, and all reason to sway towards the lancer are gone. In order to stay competitive, Mitsubishi’s sedan/hatch had to settle for a minor mid-life facelift due to Mitsubishi's pressing financial issues.

Nissan now owns 34% of the company, but Mitsubishi is still facing down the barrel of uncertainty.

Mercedes G-Class (1979-present)

Remember when people took their G-Class off-road? Pepperidge farm remembers.

A purpose built off-roader , the Mercedes G-Class dates back to 1972 when the company began developing the car.

Seven years later and the G-Class eventually went on sale in '79, but hasn't left showrooms since. Interestingly. While it's sometimes used by military forces around the world, its primary function in the 21-st Century is to transport cashed-up Valley Girls to-and-from their botique shopping outlets in LA.

While Mercedes-Benz has crammed this tractor full of every conceivable toy in the world, the G-Class is in desperate need of replacement. The interior is cramped, the boot is tiny, and the steering on AMG variants is woeful. Yet despite all of these uncomfortable setbacks, it continues to scare the ultra-modern Porsche Cayenne and iconic Range Rover Sport.

Toyota 70 series (1984-present)

The Toyota 70 series, more Australian than the next generation Commodore.

The tough as nails LandCruiser 70 series, is a busher-basher's best friend that has been around since 1984.

In those 33 years of production the big off-roader hasn't changed too dramatically and is a salute to yester-year with the 70 series coming with the bare essentials (air-conditioning is an optional extra) and an old-school diesel V8 that's great for towing. 

Unlike Land Rover's Defender, Toyota has sunk a lot of money into the 70 series in order for it to meet the current Euro 6 emission standards and to keep it on the market. Looking at it you wouldn't think so, but there is, in actual fact, a high demand for this type of vehicle; low stress, runs forever, and can be fixed with some duct tape and a brick

Caterham Seven (1957-present)

Practicality level: zero.

This lightweight, open cockpit sports car began life as the Lotus Seven in 1957 before production ended in 1972 and Caterham brought the rights to build the car.

While there has been an endless list of the Caterham Sevens, all models look almost identical to the original '57 car.

The cars are still without any major safety equipment, meaning in a crash, the the only thing standing between the driver and death is a few sheets of metal.

Morgan 4/4 (1939-present)

Morgan. Causing deforestation since 1910.

Older than time itself, it’s hard to believe Morgan still make the 4/4 which sticks so closely to the original design.

Yes, the car is still built in a shed and yes, these blokes still use wood for the frame of the car.

The most 'up-to-date' feature used in the current model is a 1.6-litre, Ford sourced four cylinder and a Mazda five speed manual but even these units are getting a bit long in the tooth.

What car is out-of-date but still on sale? Let us know in the comments.