BackWe live in the age of the supercar, where new models are being rolled out year after year with the highest specifications and a range of high-tech features that would make even James Bond envious. However, there is no denying the charm and the sheer cool factor of a classic car. Whether you consider yourself a die-hard gearhead or are just a lover of vintage design, these are some of the best classic cars in the world for your viewing pleasure.
Jaguar E-Type
When someone like Enzo Ferrari describes a car as ‘the most beautiful car ever made’, you can be sure there will be no two opinions about it. The Jaguar E-Type was modeled after its predecessor and three-time Le Mans winner, the D-type, taking its design to a whole new level. It was faster than a Ferrari at only a fraction of the price, and was in production from 1961 to 1975. The car is divided into three series and those designated as ‘Series 1’, produced between 1961 and 1968, tend to hold the most value for collectors.
Maserati Ghibli 4.7
First produced in 1966, the Ghibli became instantly iconic because of its sleek, almost sharklike design. It was available as both a coupe and a convertible (known as the Spyder), though the former is by far the more popular version. The Ghibli is still in production today as a saloon, with a design that is vastly different and, for many, perhaps not as eye-catching.
Aston Martin DB5
How could one possibly compile a list of classic cars without including this one? Made famous the world over for its starring role in the James Bond film franchise, the Aston Martin is the rare car that you might describe as suave. Sadly, the real-world version doesn’t come packed with any special gadgetry, though its leather trim, wool carpeting and ultra stylish design are enough to turn heads as you cruise the streets in your best tux.
Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
The Mercedes Gullwing might just be responsible for coining the term supercar. It was the fastest car of its time and is a bona fide racing champion. It has a gorgeous retro-futuristic look that is completed by the gullwing doors for which it is named. The ‘SL’ stands for ‘super light’ (Mercedes previously called it ‘sport light’), referring to the lightweight and streamlined chassis. While we have seen fancier looking gullwings on newer car models, sometimes it’s hard to beat an original.
Chevrolet Camaro
One of the quintessential American carmakers, Chevrolet had been butting heads with fellow automotive giant Ford for a long time. That rivalry reached its zenith in the 60’s, with the release of the Ford Mustang. Chevrolet began work on a car that was even more powerful, codenamed ‘Panther’. This was revealed to be the Camaro, which quickly took charge as a supercar to be reckoned with. While the Camaro has gone through several iterations over the years, the classic model with its twin racing stripes is still hard to beat.
Ford Boss Mustang
When a car model has ‘boss’ right in the name, you know it means business. The Boss 302 was born out of a long-running rivalry with Chevrolet, in which Ford aimed to unseat the Camaro as the king of the road. The result is one of the true icons of the automotive world with a slick aesthetic and a performance that really puts the ‘muscle’ in muscle car. If you want an even more powerful option, there is the Boss 429, which had to be modified from the original just to accommodate the engine.
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Lamborghini Miura
Lamborghini set the standard for supercars across the world, quite literally. The Miura was the first racing car to have a rear mid-engine layout, which is the same configuration seen in all racing cars nowadays. It was the flagship of the Lamborghini brand and remained in production until 1973. And when it comes to high-performance and high-profile cars, it is simply one of the best.
Corvette Stingray
The Stingray was the second generation of Corvettes and took the popularity of the brand to dizzying new heights. While the original Corvette was a fine car in its own right, the Stingray blew it out of the water on all fronts. It was smaller, more maneuverable and faster than the previous models, and was the first American car in the DeSoto in 1942 to have ‘hidden’ headlights that pop up when the engine’s turned on.
Ferrari 250 GTO
The GTO is the blueprint for all subsequent Ferrari models and helped to inspire competing car brands to up their game. With its popping red colour and beautifully streamlined body, it’s hard not to see why. The GTO is widely considered to be one of the best racing cars in the world, and is certainly the most expensive, selling for a staggering $48.4 million at auction in 2014. It is even rumoured that a private sale of the original model may have taken place for a jaw-dropping $70 million.
Ford Model T
Of course, if we are going to make a list of all-time classic cars, then we really should doff our hats to a true classic - the Ford Model T, legendarily available in any colour as long as it’s black. This is one that really is reserved for the most hardcore fans of automotive history, with a design that most would consider incredibly archaic. There is no denying, however, that Henry Ford laid down a path that would lead to the United States becoming a major player in the global automotive market. And where would our Mustangs be without the Ford T to pave the way?