Car design has evolved over the years, but many automobile enthusiasts long for the old days of vehicle production. In their opinion, the classics are the best, and current designers cannot match the vintage manufacturers from the past.
Some vintage cars are unforgettable. Their sleek features and iconic looks put them among the most desirable vehicles ever.
People have strong opinions about every car on this list. Some may love their design, while others are less enthusiastic. However, every vintage car on this list is memorable.
1. DMC DeLorean
Even if the DMC DeLorean hadn’t appeared in the Back to the Future film series, it would still be unforgettable. The silver exterior and those gull-wing doors are the main reasons this stunning design is still beloved.
Owner John DeLorean and his company had a checkered career, but there’s no denying this sleek sportscar bearing his name is the work of genius.
2. Ferrari 250 GTO
When the first Ferrari 250 GTO rolled off the production line in 1962, it was named Il Monstro. The “monster” was known for its unconventional design, but it’s one of the most visually appealing cars ever made.
Only 36 GTOs rolled off the like, but their stunning looks and rarity value mean that any model going up for sale will set you back several million dollars.
3. Ford Mustang
The modern Ford Mustang resembles a muscle car, and there’s little to separate it from similar vehicles, but it wasn’t always like that. The first-generation Mustangs were more stylish, and this pony car cemented its place as one of America’s most loved classic vehicles.
The first Mustang was relatively small but had a powerful engine. However, it was the long hood that helped the Ford Mustang stand out on America’s roads in the 1960s and 1970s.
4. Jaguar E-Type
In contrast to the Ferrari GTO, thousands of Jaguar E-Types were made, but the incredible design makes this another standout vehicle. The front headlights and grill resemble a frog, but that’s not the best recommendation for this unforgettable car.
The curves at the sides and back make the E-Type one of the most memorable English cars, and most UK car enthusiasts would love to own one.
5. Austin Mini
The Mini, designed by Alec Issigonis and first produced in 1959, was touted as the answer to a growing global fuel crisis. The average motorist needed economy from their vehicles, and this smaller design laid a path for hundreds of imitators.
The Mini is unkindly called a “box on wheels,” but that description doesn’t do the car justice. Its straight lines have helped it become an unforgettable classic.
6. Dodge Charger
Some cars become famous after making appearances in films or on TV. The Austin Mini was featured in The Italian Job (2003), while the Dodge Charger earned global recognition thanks to the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985).
The original Charger came out in 1966, but changes to the design make the 1969 version the better option, with its extended hood and distinctive grill.
7. Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle’s design has changed little over the years. In the 1960s and 1970s, when every vehicle was square, the Beetle’s distinctive round features made it stand out.
When the car returned to production in the 1990s, the design was similar, but the Beetle appeared “squashed.” The original, classic design, loved by the hippie generation of the 1960s, is the best version of this iconic car.
8. Oldsmobile Cutlass
Car nuts obsessed with America loved the Oldsmobile Cutlass outside the United States. Part of its attraction was its unusual name, but there was plenty of style to back it up.
With its plush bench seat, the Cutlass was a more luxurious car than many American imports. Sales were steady in the U.S., and an impressive, high-performance V8 engine helped them along.
9. Triumph TR6
Any of the Triumph TR series could have made this list, but the TR6 gets my final vote. It was a longer-running version than its successor, the 7, and its classic design makes it the standout Triumph car.
The TR6 was a versatile car capable of high speeds but also offering comfort for touring. It’s a classic and one of the best examples of British sports vehicles.
10. Ford F-100 Pick Up
The Ford F-100 is the longest-running series of pickup trucks in motoring history, with its combination of reliability and striking looks. It isn’t the most beautiful vehicle ever designed, but its unmistakable look makes these trucks highly collectible.
Ford F-100s appear in classic car shows worldwide, often as highly sought-after restoration projects.
11. MGB GT
The sleek, curved roof of the MGB GT made this car stand out from stablemates such as the Midget. Along with its striking appearance, the 1965 release proved popular as it was cheaper to insure than most sports cars because it was classed as a sedan, not a sportscar.
Very few cars make a solid first impression, but the MGB GT was an instant hit when it was introduced at the 1965 London Motor Show.
12. Porsche 911
There is some debate over which Porsche deserves to be on this list, but most agree that the original 911 deserves the spot. The rear engine layout was unusual for many sports car enthusiasts, but the external design makes this car unique.
Of all the releases from this manufacturer, the 911 defines Porsche as the car every car enthusiast wants to own.
13. Fiat 8-V Turbina
Most of the classic cars on this list offer sleek curves, and that’s part of their appeal. The Fiat Turbina is different from the others, due to its strange bubble effect. It won’t attract all classic car lovers, but it makes the model stand out.
The Turbina was short-lived. Introduced in 1954 as a concept car, it ceased production due to its high gas consumption, and the only example is now on display at the Automobile Museum of Turin.
14. Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
There is something about a car with gull-wing doors. Whose head wouldn’t turn when you see this pull up on the street and the doors open vertically? The DeLorean achieved this look, but the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL arguably did better.
Produced in 1957, this car pioneered gull-wing doors. It’s far more elegant than the Delorean, with slender curves and the iconic Mercedes-Benz badge at the front of the grill.
15. Jensen Interceptor
This list includes some incredible cars, and while the final entry is slightly self-indulgent, it belongs here. The Jensen Interceptor is my dream car, and its design with the extended, curved rear end makes it stand out among many of its rivals.
The Mark 3 is the best of the designs, and sales were strong on both sides of the Atlantic. Sadly, rising oil prices and a miles per gallon return in single figures saw production of the Interceptor cease in 1976.
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