Most cars are just built to take you from one place to another. Some automakers, however, make their vehicles so stunning that each iteration is a masterpiece in itself.
Some of the most beautiful cars are decades or even a century old. But only so many cars are as gorgeous and rare as in this list.
The 15 classic cars on this list display incredible craftsmanship, head-turning designs, and the timeless beauty that represented the peak of the auto industry.
1. Mini 1000 (Mr. Bean’s Car)
Many of us remember seeing Mr. Bean brushing his teeth inside his car or driving downtown, sitting on a sofa on the car’s roof. The classic car in question is the iconic Mini 1000 Mark IV in Austin Citron Green color, which entered the scene and left its mark on TV comedy in 1977.
It featured all the iconic elements: the signature padlock, the steering wheel from his old Mini, and the black hood.
2. Lamborghini Miura
Lamborghini got its foot in the door with the release of the Miura, the world’s first supercar, in 1966. It came with a rear-engine two-seater arrangement. Powered by a V-12 engine, the Miura was the fastest production car at its debut.
The Miura’s classic, exotic Italian design was evident enough from its low riding mechanics. Its sleek design was groundbreaking, and only 475 units of the original Miura were made.
3. Porsche 911
The 911 is responsible for putting Porshce on every auto enthusiast’s radar. Even though Porsche still sells the 911 today internally, the company has called it the 964 since its 25th anniversary in 1988.
The 911’s bodywork and overall aesthetic made it so special. They contributed to its being one of the most road- and track-worthy cars. Chances are, if you don’t own a Porsche 911 built more than three decades ago, you aren’t driving the classic marvel that put Porsche on the map.
4. DeLorean DMC-12
While the Delorean isn’t remembered for its underwhelming performance, it had a unique presence on the road. This classic beauty was famous for its appearance in the Back To The Future movies.
Also, the design cues were nothing less than unique. This was the first coupe that featured the Lamborghini-esque gull-wing doors. Unfortunately, its reign lasted less than two years when DeLorean filed for bankruptcy.
5. Ferrari 308 GTS
The Ferrari 308 GTS is one of the few cars as wild as it looks. Fueled by a powerful V-8 engine, you could hear this vintage automobile coming from a mile away. The design integrated an entire fiberglass body, which made it lighter and easier to repair than the steel-bodied competition.
The car could go as fast as 180 miles per hour. The production of this vintage sports car stopped in 1985, and a total of 3,219 units were rolled out of the factories.
6. De Tomaso Pantera
The De Tomaso Pantera paired a robust V-8 engine with sleek Italian craftsmanship. It was first introduced in the ’70s, competing with the Ferraris and the Lamborghinis of the day.
This was a love child of Italian craftsmanship and American originality, giving the Pantera an edge over the competition in handling. De Tomaso put a pin in the Pantera’s production in 1992. It sold over 7,000 units in its 20-year run.
7. Toyota MR2
The MR2, meaning “Midship Runabout 2-seater,” was one of Toyota’s most beloved cars. Along with the Celica and the Supra, the MR2 helped Toyota establish its reputation as an affordable yet powerful car. Something else that made the MR2 such a hit was the driving experience. It handled like a much more expensive vehicle.
The MR2’s most fantastic design feature was its pop-up headlights, which almost made the car look like it had eyes. Production of the fan-favorite MR2 ended in 2007, but it lasted three generations.
8. Late ’60s Mercury Cougar
At a glance, the Mercury Cougar of the late ’60s looks like a slightly bigger Ford Mustang. Unlike other muscle cars of the day, the Cougar was targeted towards an older, more mature audience. Under the hood, the standard version had a 302 horsepower V-8 engine. In contrast, the coupe and GT models had more freedom with powertrains.
The Cougar incorporated Ford’s long-hood, short-deck design. As it entered its final and eighth generation, the Cougar looked nothing like the original design.
9. Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
The Type 57 Atlantic is one of the most beautiful Bugattis ever made. This gorgeous classic car is what you would call automotive royalty, as only three exist today. Apart from its unique, curvy teardrop shape and curved fenders, it has a supercharged engine capable of producing just about 200 horsepower.
The price is the most exciting factor in this car, apart from its design and heritage. That’s because this might be the most expensive car on earth. The latest 57SC Atlantic sold for about $30 million.
10. Aston Martin DB5
Listing the most gorgeous classic cars without mentioning the “James Bond” car wouldn’t make sense. While the standard models don’t come with mounted machine guns, artificial intelligence, or spyware, they do come with an improved zf5 speed engine that contributes to a speed of 145 miles per hour.
The car is beautiful both inside and out. You can almost hear the James Bond music as you see the doors of this silver-laden cabin open and close.
11. Alfa Romeo “Spider” Duetto
The Alfa Romeo Duetto is one of the few classic cars that remained in production for almost three decades with minor changes. It’s safe to say the Spider has gathered its own fanbase, and it’s no secret why.
This is Benjamin Braddock’s car from the movie The Graduate. Its small, sleek frame and smooth, balanced chassis are some of the reasons it sold over 100,000 units during its run.
12. Ferrari 250 GTE
You might have seen this car with or without police lights in Europe in the ’60s. This car was widely used by both the police and civilians, making it one of the most beloved Ferraris ever to see the light of day.
To top things off, the Ferrari 250 GTE came with a V-12 engine capable of a top speed of 120 miles per hour. The interior was adorned with vinyl, providing a roomy and comfy interior despite the car’s small and compact frame.
13. Datsun 240z
Known as the “Z car,” the Datsun 240z laid the groundwork for fellow Japanese car manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan to get their foot in the door. With a starting price of $3,600, it was definitely one of the more affordable options then.
Sometimes, looks are everything. In the case of the Datsun 240z, a sleek exterior and comfy interior make it one of the better classic cars on the streets.
14. Ford Thunderbird
There aren’t many cars that sound as wild as they look. The Thunderbird was the appropriate response to Chevy’s Corvette. Built on the same platform as the Jaguar XK120, the Thunderbird housed a beefy V-8 engine under the hood.
The Ford Thunderbird was built more like a luxury coupe than a sports car, but driving it on the track was as swift and thrilling as on the road. After being in production for more than five decades, production of the T-Bird ended in 2005, just after its 50th anniversary.
15. Cadillac El Dorado
In its competition with Mercedes, BMW, and Rolls Royce, the El Dorado was the best and most expensive Cadillac four decades ago. This gigantic car was powered by an 8.2-liter V-8 engine that could produce 180 powerful horses.
Although it looked like a fake Ferrari, the El Dorado had personality. Was it the safest car on the roads? No. Was it one of the most beautiful? Yes indeed.
