July 7, 2023 | Kaddy Gibson

Five Of The Best Classic Cars


Vintage cars are full of character and ageless beauty, but they often get overlooked by many contemporary auto enthusiasts. In a world that is obsessed with the latest supercars and electric vehicles, it’s time to pay homage to the great cars of the past. Here are five of history’s most iconic classic cars.


1961 Jaguar E-Type

Any list of the best classic cars is incomplete without mention of the Jaguar E-Type. Enzo Ferrari once called this the most beautiful car in the world, and it is easy to see why. Beneath a sleek, glossy exterior, the E-Type was equipped with a triple carbureted I6 engine that gave it a top speed of 241 kph (150 mph). Such speed was unheard of at the time and, when combined with the look of the car, secured the E-Type’s legacy as one of the world’s greatest classic cars.

1961 Jaguar E-TypeChris Devers | Flickr

1971 Ford Thunderbird

Ford has made many iconic cars throughout its long history, but the Thunderbird is certainly among the manufacturer’s most recognizable vehicles. With its oversized body and upscale interior, the Thunderbird was an instant hit with drivers. Throughout its production years, it outsold other popular vehicles of the time like the Oldsmobile Tornado and Buick Riviera. With its undeniable charm and stellar vintage looks, the Thunderbird continues to be a favorite among classic car collectors.

Ford ThunderbirdWikimedia Commons

Advertisement

1949 Rolls-Royce Dawn Drophead

The Dawn Drophead is the quintessential Rolls-Royce. After the devastation of WWII, the Dawn Drophead was designed to remind people of what it felt like to ride in a luxurious and comfortable vehicle. It achieved its goal, to a point. The Dawn Drophead looked good, but it was not the best performer on the road. The car’s I6 engine only produced 128 horsepower, so it wasn’t as fast as many other cars of the time. It also lacked seat belts and the subtle labeling on the buttons was not very user-friendly. Yet, despite its quirks, the Dawn Drophead was a popular status symbol in its day and was crucial to Rolls-Royce’s survival in the early postwar era.

Rolls-Royce Silver DawnWikimedia Commons

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO

Few vintage cars are as globally renowned as the Ferrari 250 GTO. When this car was unveiled in the early 1960s, it was in a unique league of its own due to a sleek, futuristic design and big price tag. Ferrari engineers nicknamed the 250 GTO “Il Mostro”, meaning “The Monster”.  It lived up to that name with its bold looks and V12 engine that generated 296 horsepower. With only 36 models produced, the 250 GTO is one of the rarest Ferraris and highly prized by vintage collectors. It is also one of the most expensive classic cars in the world.

Ferrari 250 GTDave Adams | Flickr

1938 Volkswagen Beetle

Is there any car more recognizable than a VW Bug? Probably not. When it was first released to the public in 1938, drivers found the Beetle’s lightweight frame hard to resist. It offered an easier and more enjoyable ride than most other cars at the time, though its air cooled flat-four engine only generated 25 horsepower and a top speed of 100 kph (62 mph). That made the car perfect for cruising the newly constructed Autobahn, and engines were upgraded after it hit global markets in the 1950s. You can still catch classic Beetles cruising the roadways, often in near perfect condition. With millions of Beetles sold worldwide throughout its 65-year production run, and a style that has lasted through the ages, the VW Beetle is undoubtedly one of the most iconic classic cars to ever hit the streets.

Volkswagen BeetlePxHere

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

 


READ MORE

Lincoln Motor Company

The Lincoln Motor Company secured a $10 million government contract in 1917 and started a journey that transformed automobile manufacturing forever.

Edsel Ford once said, "Father made the most popular cars; I want to make the best," and that's precisely what The Lincoln Motor Company did. So, here's how the company began and continues to craft its cars.
January 16, 2025 Peter Kinney
Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Williams-Honda FW11B, Grand Prix of Austria, Osterreichring, 16 August 1987. Nelson Piquet leads Williams-Honda teammate Nigel Mansell in a shower of sparks

The Weirdest F1 Race Finishes

When Nigel Mansell’s gearbox failed just before the end of a race, the desperate driver tried to push his car across the finish line—but the consequences were devastating.
February 9, 2025 Samantha Henman
Cadillac_Deville_convertible

The Timeless Evolution Of Cadillac

Trivia time: what do Adam Sandler, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Clint Eastwood, and Rita Hayworth have in common? They all loved their Cadillacs. What made them fall in love with the brand that rewrote the standards of the industry?
January 5, 2025 Peter Kinney
Fbin

Timeless American Luxury Cars That Will Be Cool Forever

They don’t make them like they used to—or do they? From classic icons to modern marvels, American luxury cars keep proving that class is timeless.
November 8, 2024 Marlon Wright

Remember The Legendary 1963 Buick Riviera? Here's A Look Back At Why Everyone Loved It.

The 20th century witnessed the launch of various magnificent cars that are a definition of luxury even today. One such icon was the Buick Riviera. Launched in 1963, it dazzled the world with its elegant design. Let’s explore Riviera’s epic journey in frames.
January 20, 2025 Jane O'Shea

In 1976, Racing Legends Niki Lauda And James Hunt Fought An Epic Formula One Battle That Changed Racing Forever

In the decades-long history of Formula One, one season was so intense it ended up on a Hollywood script.
December 19, 2024 Miles Brucker