There are many, many classic cars around that hold our interest and make us want to add one to our garage. Some are the greatest and consequentially much in demand while the rarity of other classic cars makes them way out of the reach of ordinary mortals.
Then there are those classic cars that are good but made in such great numbers that acquiring one is no great feat, financially or otherwise. But for all of us who love the cars of our fathers’ past, and would love to cruise down in one of these hulking metal beauties, there are always some cars that stand out from others.
Every classic car collector has their own special reason for collecting cars, and no two collections are alike. However, a few classics are so universally cherished and considered cool that no true car collector would ever pass up the opportunity to own any one of them. Here are 10 examples.
10 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray: That Split Window
Strange things are done in the world in the name of beauty. And one of these was the split window in the rear of the Chevy Corvette Sting Ray, which was entering its second generation in 1963. It was also the first time the ‘Vette came as a coupe.
Never mind the fact the visibility was low, but the beauty of this car makes it a highly-prized classic today and one we’d love to have in our garage. The 5.3-liter V8 made 360 horses but in the face of such beauty, who needs more power?
9 Volkswagen Beetle: The Love Bug
The Volkswagen Beetle has been such an iconic car, staying almost the same in its looks in its 17-million-strong sales run, that we’d love to have one any given day. Even if it does not transform into Bumblebee and turn into a Chevy Camaro later.
With a huge production run, the Beetle has plenty of aftermarket support in terms of parts and DIY advice communities to make it a viable classic. Plus, it remains an affordable buy as well, adding even more charm to its appeal.
8 Dodge Challenger: The Demon Predecessor
The Challenger may still be up and about and still selling but the classic, 1970 version of the car is so charming, we’d take the classic over the new, anytime, all time. The 1970 Dodge Challenger was offered with almost all engines in Chrysler’s line-up back then and went on to make some legendary models.
The 7.2-liter V8 that made 390 horses is one, or the 6.28-liter Magnum V8 that made 335 horses is another. And then there is the Dodge Challenger R/T. Basically, this is the devil that spawned the Demon.
7 Jaguar E-Type: So Beautiful, One Can Cry
The Jaguar E-Type was such a beautiful car that even Enzo Ferrari, the maker of Ferrari cars exclaimed it to be so. It was based on the Jaguar D-Type, the three-times Le Mans winner, and looked absolutely chic along with being faster than a Ferrari. Plus, it came cheaper than a ‘Rari too.
It stayed in production till the mid-70s mostly because all the changes that were made to it happened on the inside, but not on the outside so it looked its very best till the end. Who would not want to gaze upon such beauty in their garage?
6 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet: Detroit Muscle Flex
First, this was a Ford Mustang. Then, they got in Shelby to tinker with it. He, in turn, decided to put in the Cobra Jet V8, and let the Mustang Mach 1 fly 0-60 MPH in under six seconds, back in 1969. The 7.0-liter V8 roared out, and we do not use this term lightly, 335 horses and officially, 440 lb-ft of torque. In reality, these numbers were higher.
This is the best of the Detroit muscle with an engine note that could make you go weak in the knees. Prices of this usually remain high, sometimes touching six figures but it's such a powerhouse, we lust after it earnestly.
5 Porsche 911 First-Gen: Haloed Nameplate
When the Porsche 911 was launched in 1963 as the successor of the 356, it actually bore the name 901. But Peugeot held the rights to car names with three-digits with the middle being zero and informed Porsche of impending lawsuits.
Porsche wisely withdrew and decided on the 911, and the rest is continuing history with the 911 remaining a popular nameplate. The first car made just 130 horses but was powerful for its time, as are all Porsche 911s now.
4 Dodge Charger R/T: Smiting The Bullitt
In 1968, more than 96,000 Chargers were sold, and more than 17,000 of them were Charger R/T models. Launched in 1966, by 1968 the Dodge Charger had been completely redesigned for a beautiful but unmistakably muscle car appeal.
And then Bullitt happened, with the Mustang GT being the hero car, but the zippy fast villain car being the Dodge Charger which added another layer of cool to the already awesome Charger. All the ‘60s and ‘70s Chargers are cool but the ’68 Charger R/T is special.
3 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV: The Perfect Italian Job
This was the last of the Miuras and one that Ferruccio Lamborghini did into want made. Envisage by Marcello Gandini, the 1971 Miura with its clean lines (and minus those eye caps) is the most beautiful of them all, with a 3.9-liter V12 engine that made 385 horses.
For a small two-seater car, this was enough power to go to the moon and back and what made the perfect start to the original Italian Job. Only 199 were made and prices reach a whopping $2 million. Still, a classic car fan can dream.
2 Triple Economy Ford F-100
After the Bonus Builds, came the Triple Economy Ford F-series, lasting from 1953 to 1956. Frankly, any Ford F-series makes for a great classic but this is the generation when the nomenclature changed from the single digits to the three that are still in use today.
The beautiful bumpers and rounded classic lines of this truck are enough to make anyone fall in love with them. They make for great classics as is, or even supercool resto-mods. Plus, this is also the F-100 with all-new creature comforts like inside lights, armrests, and automatic transmission.
1 Citroën DS: The French Ooh-La-La
This upturned bathtub of a car looked so different from the competition in 1955, it turned into an overnight success. Rather avantgarde in its design, the clean aerodynamics of this car and doors that came minus window frames set it apart. And, a remarkable single-spoke steering wheel that no car had used before.
It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show and within hours of its opening, thousands of people and booked their French goddess. Along with the looks, the independent hydraulic suspension made for a smooth, smooth ride and plush comfort like none other.
Sources: TopSpeed, Hemmings