For every legendary British sports car, there's plenty that missed the mark. From terrible handling to just being plain boring to drive, every marque from Lotus to TVR has released a lemon at some point in their history. Some cars get an unfair reputation though and are actually a lot better to drive and own than most people might think.
These cars usually have an image that forms over time among car fans and is based on assumptions that aren't true. Some are considered too unreliable or slow, or they flout some unwritten rule that purists swear by. But that doesn't mean they don't offer an experience that's great in its own right. With that in mind, let's take a look at British sports cars that are better than everyone gives them credit for.
10 Morgan 3 Wheeler
If there was ever a sports car that looked nothing like a sports car, this is it. The Morgan 3 Wheeler looks more like a motorcycle sidecar that someone stuck an engine to the front of, and for that many car fans dismissed it as nothing but a novelty. It's certainly one of the weirdest looking vehicles you can buy today, but it is more fun to drive than its reputation suggests.
While its motor only produces 115hp, the whole car only weighs 550kg (1,212 lb) so it's surprisingly fast. The 3 Wheeler's single rear wheel also makes it easy to get the car sideways, adding a new layer of hilarity to an already outrageous car.
9 Caterham 7 160
Caterhams in general are well respected by the track-day community. They're bare-bones and minimalist, but that translates to a very raw, engaging experience when racing or driving them. When the 160 was released, though, some Caterham fans were worried. The car had a tiny 0.66L engine, sourced from Suzuki and producing just 80hp.
This led many racing fans to dismiss it. They were wrong to do that, as the 160 allows for a new type of experience: pushing a bare-bones track car through high revs on public roads but not needing to break any speed limits. That's a unique experience and definitely underappreciated by a lot of track-day racers.
8 Lotus Elan M100
When Lotus debuted the new Elan in 1989, purists were dismayed. The British brand famous for its rear wheel drive cars had released a front wheel drive car that was also one of the heaviest cars Lotus had made. It didn't sell well and production was discontinued in 1992, only briefly resuming again in 1995 when then-owner Bugatti wanted to use up some spare Elan parts.
The Elan largely didn't deserve its bad reputation though as owners report that the car was actually sharper to drive than its better-received sister, the Elise. Over time the value of the Elan has dropped massively too, meaning this is one of the best choices for cheap sports cars today.
7 Rover SD1 V8
Rover were never known for their build quality or their luxury, so when they launched a new executive model with a V8 stuffed in the hood no-one was that impressed. True to form, that V8 developed a reputation for overheating and internal corrosion.
However, if an owner can keep their Rover going, they're in for a much better driving experience than most people would expect. The car makes 190hp, which was very healthy for the time. Their handling was also surprisingly fun, leading some owners to turn their vehicles into track-only race cars to get the most out of the SD1.
6 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII
Announced in 1964, the 3000 MkIII was a relative sales success for Austin-Healey, with the car proving especially popular with the American market. As quaint and vintage as they may look, there aren't many car fans who would associate the 3000 with being fast.
However, as well as just looking pretty it was a formidable race car in its heyday. Raced in various rallies across Europe, the 3000 claimed many class wins and is still popular with enthusiasts to this day.
5 Aston Martin DB7
The Aston Martin DB7 has neither the iconic 007 reputation of the DB5, nor the cutting-edge prowess of the DB11. It's one of the more forgettable DB models, but that doesn't mean it's not a great car to have around now.
Second hand values for the DB7 have fallen low enough that it's possible to get one for not much more than the price of a basic new car. For that price you get 435hp and a big slice of retro British luxury. It's not expensive enough that drivers will mind if it gets a few scratches, but they can still get that unmistakable Aston Martin experience.
4 Noble M12 GTO
Noble cars are generally well recognized for their no-nonsense, highly capable machines. The M12 GTO is one model that seems to slip under the radar, though, as it's considerably less powerful than its newer siblings and doesn't sport the same good looks either.
Despite this it's still an incredible machine, and its price tag is low enough to justify missing out on a newer model's performance bump. For a much cheaper and less flashy alternative to the Noble M600, buyers can't go wrong with an M12 GTO.
3 MG MGB
MG MGBs have a bit of an image problem. They're one of the all-time most popular classic cars in their home country, but they're also regarded as cars driven exclusively by OAPs and grandads. While that in itself isn't an issue, it means younger buyers might be missing out on one of the best affordable sports classics on the market.
The relative popularity of the MGBs mean parts are considerably easier to find than many other classics of a similar age. Being vintage British engineering, MGBs are also pretty simple to work on for novice wrenchers. It may be a great starter classic car then, were it to get the credit it deserves.
2 Morgan 4/4
Morgan's 4/4 has been made in almost exactly the same way since 1954, and it certainly looks like it too. There's no truer definition of "new old car" on the market today. Despite its endearing popularity with a niche crowd, the 4/4 is largely ignored by the wider car community.
That's a shame, as the Morgan gives drivers a view back into history without the scarcity and price tag of many vintage cars. Lacking any electronic safety features, crumple zones or even windows, it's a whole different experience driving one of these cars than anything else that can be bought new today.
1 TVR T350
Most people who have driven TVRs will say that they are one of the most intense driving experiences they have had. The brand's ethos of taking a hugely powerful engine and shoving it under a fibreglass hood with minimal electronic aids certainly delivers results. But, a lot of drivers wouldn't buy a TVR because of their bad reputation.
While it's true that the T350's build quality is inconsistent, there are plenty of examples out there that have been reliable by supercar standards. It's never going to be cheap to maintain something this insane, but TVRs are actually not as bad as many people think to keep running. It's certainly a car that demands to be treated with respect, but it can be a hugely rewarding beast to drive despite its quirks.