Chevy turns 100 | 1911-2011
Greatest hits: Chevrolet's 10 best define American automobiles

Some of the most important and iconic Chevrolets from the last 100 years include (clockwise from top left): The 1967 Camaro, The 1914 Royal Mail, the 2011 Volt, the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, the 1955 Bel Air and the 1948 3100 pickup.

Chevrolet doesn't just build cars and trucks. It creates archetypes.

Close your eyes and think of a type of car or truck. It's amazing how often the vehicle in your mind's eye will be a Chevrolet.

Picture a pastel-colored 1950s family sedan, wagon or convertible. What else but the 1955-57 Chevy? American sports cars? Gotta be the Corvette. Prefer SUVs? The Chevy Suburban was on the road before Willys built its first Jeep, and it's still going strong.

As the automaker turns 100 on Nov. 3, it's time to look back at some of the best and most significant cars and trucks in Chevrolet's history.

1914 Royal Mail: The brand was born in 1911, but 1914 was the first year it built significant numbers of cars. The two-seat Royal Mail and the four-seat 1914 Grand were the first cars engineered from the ground up to be Chevrolets. Well-equipped for their time, standard equipment included a horn and a speedometer.

1932 Roadster: The first Chevrolet to combine luxury-car looks with an affordable price, the 1932 Roadster began Chevrolet's decades-long run as a leader in worldwide automotive design. Sometimes called the "baby Cadillac," the '32 was among the first Chevrolets shaped by design chief Harley Earl.

1935 Suburban: The Suburban is the longest-lived automotive nameplate in continual use. Chevy nailed the formula for a big vehicle to carry plenty of people and haul heavy trailers. You can see the roots of today's luxurious and advanced 2011 Suburban in the '35. It's the granddaddy of modern SUVs.

1948 3100 pickup: This roomy truck was Chevrolet's first really new model after WWII's hiatus in civilian vehicle production. It redefined Chevy's workhorse pickups with niceties like colorful interiors, locking doors and a radio. The 3100's design influenced recent Chevrolets such as the 2003 SSR convertible sport truck and the 2006 HHR compact wagon.

1955-57 Bel Air: This three-model-year run was the pinnacle of 1950s automaking. The Bel Air had something for everyone. Its model line stretched from basic transportation to fast and stylish V-8 convertibles to the two-door Nomad station wagon. The '57 Chevy became the symbol of 1950s America.

Clockwise from top left: The 1932 Roadster, the 1935 Suburban, the 2008 Malibu and the 1999 Silverado.

1963 Corvette Sting Ray: The glorious little Sting Ray was a breakthrough in style and substance. Designed by Larry Shinoda and one of the triumphs of Bill Mitchell's reign as GM styling boss, it was the first 'Vette with Chevy's small-block V-8 and an independent rear suspension.

1967 Camaro:Chevy's answer to the Ford Mustang, the Camaro ignited a passionate competition that's still burning. The first generation offered everything the Camaro family provides to this day, with a model range that included six-cylinder and V-8 engines, coupe and convertible bodies. The looks of the original '67 Camaro inspired today's hit model.

1999 Chevrolet Silverado pickup: The Silverado introduced the GMT800, one of the most capable vehicle platforms in the auto industry's history. The GMT800 spun off a dizzying variety of vehicles, from humble work trucks to Cadillac SUVs fit to carry a head of state. Annual sales of GMT800-based vehicles topped the gross domestic product of many countries.

2008 Malibu: With style and value, the Malibu returned the brand to relevance in the family car segment. It was the first mainstream GM sedan in decades that matched or surpassed top Japanese models.

2011 Volt: The Volt solved the problems that short-circuited electric cars for a century: range and charging time. Its innovative drivetrain can cover around 40 miles on batteries and longer distances, thanks to a small engine that produces more electricity.

Also read, Part 2: Chevy's history is a mix of economy, luxury and power. Part 3: Iconic brand leaves pop culture imprint. Part 4: Celebrating Chevrolet in song.