Murilee Martin, good job! But is AMC Eagle or Subaru Outback truck??? No. Niva was first modern unibody (or frameless) SUV in the world, Eagle second. All mass-production predecessors (GAZ 61 from 1938, GAZ M-72 "Pobeda" 1955, Moskvich-410 1957) stays on frame of half-frames. Niva is off-road capable (better from most "true" offroaders :D) passenger car.
Others things: GAZ 24/3102 with derivates (3113 with V8 and so) are the same cars! Production started 1970.
Fiat 124 to Lada 2107 all the same cars! Fiat starts 1966, Lada 1970.
Trust me, i have owned by myself or for car selling/repairing business most of the list. Few "exotics" for Estonia: London Cab and NY "Taxi", for all the world Tatra, Hillman Hunter, Morris Oxford, Minor and Falcon. Traction Avant is friends car for restauration, Porsches, MG's etc not "regular" but i saw them, drive few laps on track for testing and made TLC.
I agree with Drachen, "Longest running exotics" list is necessary and "Survivals in same assembly line" too. It almost same thing :D
Sorry, but world's "oldest" car made in same factory and assembly line is VAZ 2121 Niva. First car came 1977 and still in production. 32 years, no other car can't beat that record. IF, it can be M-B G-Wagen.
Wikipedia:
The Niva (2121) was Lada's (VAZ/AvtoVAZ) first non-Fiat based model. Much of its mechanicals are carried over from the Fiat based Lada models, though the body, four-wheel drive system, and front suspension were designed by Lada. Production began in 1977 and continues today (as of 2008) with only minor changes to the engine, rear hatch design, and interior trim levels.
