Jaguar is one of the best British car brands. Over the years, Jaguar has released some of the sportiest and luxurious vehicles. Even though Jaguar has multiple iconic cars in its past and present portfolio, one definitely stands out. The Jaguar E-Type is by far the most popular and sought Jaguar vehicles to date.
Other car manufacturers have released sports cars that are just as gorgeous and classy as the E-Type. Whether it be Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Mercedes-Benz, some sports cars released by competing manufacturers are equally beautiful to Jaguar's E-Type. Classic cars do not have to be at least fifty years old, but it is fair to say that oldies are some of the most mouth-watering classics out there.
10 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe
The Franco-Italian carmaker Bugatti is among the pioneers of the luxury car industry in Europe. Thanks to its long-lasting reputation and innovative engines, Bugatti was able to release some of the most outstanding cars and charge a dizzying amount of money for them. The most recent Veyron, Chiron, and Divo are the perfect examples of a combination of excellence and speed.
The Type 51 is one of those Bugatti cars that was also ahead of its time thanks to its 2.3L V8 producing a decent 180hp. The Dubos Coupe is not the original design of the Type 51. The first Type 51 was more fitted to the racetrack, whereas the Dubos Coupe was more of a Sunday afternoon car perfect for drives along the French Riviera's coastal cities.
9 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Mercedes-Benz is one of the most popular and successful German carmaker currently on the market. Thanks in part to mind-blowing sports cars and ever-improving engineering, The AMG Series has provided people with a serious need for speed with their fix. Mercedes-Benz has conquered the hearts of several car fans out there and is very likely to release more classics in the future.
The 300SL Gullwing is one of a kind. Despite the 1400 units produced between 1954 and 1957, the iconic Mercedes car is quite hard to find in mint condition. Equipped with a 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine, the two-seater produces a respectable 215hp which is very impressive for a car that light and old. Owning a luxurious classic has its price: the record price for this one is $4.62 million.
8 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
Ferrari. The only car brand in the world that even people that do not care much for cars know and even dream of. Very active in racing, the Scuderia Ferrari has been around since the early 1950s. Its numerous victories have granted Ferrari with the reputation of producing some of the best race cars ever.
Compared to the Pontiac GTO in the US press, the resemblance merely ends at the name. The Ferrari GTO, with only 39 units produced, is one of the rarest classic Ferraris. Its 3.0L V12 generating almost 300hp was Ferrari's most incredible engine at the time. A 250 GTo was sold at auction a couple years ago for $48.4 million.
7 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400
When people think of Italian cars, they think of Ferrari and Lamborghini. Most people seem to suffer car amnesia as they believe the Countach was among the first Lamborghini cars ever. That is far from the truth. Lamborghini has been around long enough to perfect the art of car-making and produce some of the most beautiful supercars ever.
The Lamborghini Miura P400 is an example of what Lamborghini does best: roaring engines, sleek design, and luxurious yet sporty interiors. Equipped with a 4.0L V12 cranking out 385hp, the Miura P400 is far from being a subpar supercar. With a current price tag of about $500,000, the Miura can still be purchased by high-earning individuals.
6 1968 Alpine A110
French cars are not known for being sporty or beautifully designed. In fact, if there is one thing the French do not know how to make, it is certainly automobiles. However, companies like Alpine have produced some decent sports cars. With Alpine now belonging to Renault, who produced impressive cars such as the Clio V6, it is possible that the brand will emerge from the darkness.
The 1968 A110 is French by definition: lightweight, equipped with a small engine, and ready for some mountain climbing. The 1.3L 4-cylinder produces a solid 118hp. However, since the car only weighs 1700lbs, it is understandable why this French lady became very popular at race events throughout Europe.
5 1970 Maserati Ghibli SS
Maserati is another long-standing Italian carmaker. Owned by Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles since 1993, Maserati has been through some rough times they, unfortunately, did not forecast. Now back its feet, the car manufacturer is on track to release some of the most avant-garde cars in the US market.
The 1970 Ghibli had the same features as the 2020 Ghibli when it was first released. The car was stylish, contains all the bells and whistles one would want, and it was fast. Equipped with a 4.9L V8 producing 330hp, the Ghibli was available in both the coupe and spyder versions. A 1970 Ghibli in great condition can be obtained for about $170,000.
4 1970 Mercedes-Benz C111
Mercedes created several prototypes since its inception. From the Maybach 6 Electric Cabriolet to the Vision Avatar, Mercedes has left its fans in awe year after year. Though most prototypes never got the chance to be mass-produced, they still inspired Mercedes' engineers when coming up with new vehicles.
The Mercedes C111 is one of those prototypes that unfortunately never got the chance to be mass-produced. The experimental coupe was originally equipped with a 2.4L four-rotor Wankel engine developing 345hp. As only 16 examples of this futuristic-looking car were produced, getting your hands on one in perfect condition will cost an outrageous amount of money.
3 1979 BMW M1 Procar
BMW has created some the sickest fast European cars. With the most popular being the M3 and M5, BMW also created a couple of monsters during the 1970s and 1980s. The vast majority of high-end BMWs produced in the last 50 years are still being actively sought out by classic car fans worldwide. A 2020 Bentley is nice, a 1979 BMW M1 Procar is far better.
The BMW M1 has aged perfectly. It was certainly a head-turner back then and still is today. The Canepa Procar add-ons give it an even cooler look. With only 460 handmade M1s ever produced, getting a hold of one must be a daunting and costly task. This particular M1 and its inline 6-cylinder engine producing 414hp is a unique piece.
2 1985 Porsche 911 Turbo - RUF 930
Porsche's most iconic model: the 911. Over the years, the 911 received several facelifts and mechanic upgrades, yet it kept its very peculiar Porsche appearance. The expensive but mass-produced sport coupe has always been looked upon as a sign of economic success. However, some editions of the 911 convey a sense of both economic success and extensive knowledge of the automotive industry.
The 911 Turbo is the German that landed in the US market to compete against the supercars produced by Ferrari and Lamborghini at the time. The turbocharged 3.4L flat 6-cylinder engine producing 326hp was a monster when it first emerged from Porsche's factory. The same model can be bought today for around $210,000.
1 1987 Aston Martin Vantage
Aston Martin is a British carmaker specialized in manufacturing the fastest and most luxurious cars in the UK. Made famous thanks to several James Bond movies, Aston Martin cars were displayed to a broader audience and charmed most people wanting to be the coolest MI-6 agent ever.
The Vantage has that British touch that makes it very peculiar. Though the car cannot be mistaken for anything else than sports car, it still contains that class and elegance that is very particular to the British aristocracy. Despite being elegant, the Vantage also has a 6.3L V8 developing 403hp. It can be said that the Vantage is a very British muscle car.