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Many automakers have named their vehicles after animals over the years, which has become a popular trend in the automotive industry. For example, the Ford Mustang is named after the wild horse found in the American West. The Volkswagen Beetle, on the other hand, is named after the insect of the same name due to its small and rounded shape. Then you have the mighty Dodge Viper, named after the venomous snake known for its speed and aggression.

Automakers often name their vehicles after animals to evoke certain qualities associated with them, such as speed, agility, power, or grace. Not to mention, animal names can be memorable and catchy. So, speaking of animals, let’s look at three popular cars named after deer and antelope.

1. The Chevrolet Impala

The Impala is a full-size car produced by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors. It was introduced in 1958 as a top-of-the-line Bel Air model and became a separate model in 1959. According to the website Way, “Chevrolet produced over 17 million Impalas over the next six decades, making it Chevy’s best-selling car of all time.”

The name “Impala” was inspired by the graceful and fast-running African antelope of the same name. The Chevy Impala has been produced in various body styles, including sedan, coupe, convertible, and station wagon. It has also been offered with a range of engines and features over the years. The nameplate has since been retired after the 2020 model year.

2. The Singer Gazelle

A red 1962 Singer Gazelle 1600 LIIC convertible
1962 Singer Gazelle 1600 convertible | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images via Getty Images

The Singer Gazelle is a car produced by the Singer Motor Company, a British manufacturer. The Gazelle was introduced in 1956 and was produced until 1967. It was part of a series of cars that included other models, such as the Gazelle Special and Gazelle Super. Under the hood, the Gazelle was powered by a 1.5-liter engine that produced around 50 horsepower. The car’s engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, which provided smooth and precise gear changes.

The car was named after the gazelle, a small and graceful antelope found in Africa and Asia. The Gazelle was a mid-size car available as a sedan or convertible and was known for its stylish design and smooth ride.

3. The Triumph Stag

The Triumph Stag is a sports tourer produced by the Triumph Motor Company, another British manufacturer active from 1885 to 1984. It was introduced in 1970 as a four-seat convertible and was produced until 1977. GetJerry states, “The model’s Michelotti styling made for a unique design that caught many car buyers eyes.” The Stag was designed to be a high-performance grand tourer and was powered by a V8 engine. It was available with a range of features, including power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning.

The car was named after the stag, a large and majestic deer with antlers found in Europe and Asia. 

The Chevrolet Impala, Singer Gazelle, and Triumph Stag are all cars named after deer and antelope. The Impala is a full-size car produced by Chevrolet, the Gazelle is a mid-size car produced by Singer, and the Stag is a sports tourer produced by Triumph. These cars were named after the graceful and majestic animals they were inspired by and have become iconic models in the automotive industry.

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