To drivers in the greater Fort Collins area, it may seem as though Subaru and its symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) are still new kids on the block when compared to other automakers. While that may be somewhat true, can you believe that Subaru and AWD have been around for 40 years? The first all-wheel drive vehicle from the Japanese automaker hit the market all the way back in 1972. To celebrate the achievement, Dellenbach Motors wants to take the time to go over some of most iconic models featured in the Subaru lineup.

In 1972, Subaru found sales lagging in export regions that are typically hit hard by winter weather. From there, the decision to turn the front-wheel drive Subaru Leone to an all-wheel drive coupe was made, and the effects were almost immediate. The 1972 Leone all-wheel drive boosted sales, Subaru found its place on the market, and hasn't looked back since.

As the versatile automaker moved forward towards its current lineup, the first of that grouping was the Subaru Legacy. Bursting on to the scene in 1989, the Legacy was an answer to the growing mid-size car market in North America. In an auto environment often dominated by other Japanese carmakers, Subaru designed the Legacy to appeal to the conventional car buyer, and a little less to the off-road crowd, who were, and still are loyal Subaru drivers.

To find the perfect balance between the conventional and off-road drivers, Subaru introduced the Legacy Outback in 1999, which of course soon became its own model, the Subaru Outback a year later. Based on the same platform as the Legacy, but embodying the spirit of the Leone, Subaru had its first vehicle that found the best of both worlds.

Not only is all-wheel drive about safety, it can perform with the best as well. That's evident in the Subaru Impreza WRX. Introduced in 1992, the Impreza WRX is a three-time WRC Championship manufacturer winner from 1995 to 1997, and has snagged driver titles for rally icons like Collin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg, as well as X-Games Gold for action-sports sensation Travis Pastrana.

On the road, or off it, there's a Subaru for everyone. Dellenbach Motors invites you to find yours. Conveniently located at 3111 S. College Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80525, we're more than happy to answer questions, compare Subaru models and arrange a test drive.