Car lovers, get ready!
What leaves all car lovers breathless is the old classic car. Specific engine sound and smell of the leather are the key features of these cars.
Every vintage car is specific and unique, and its charm will touch everyone, not only lovers of this type of vehicle.
Old classic cars tell a story before you even sit in them or drive them.
These automotive legends have weathered the decades, but you can still get behind the wheel of most of them.
So, today we will present to you our list of the top 13 best classic cars in history, but also a difference between classic cars, vintage cars, and antique cars.
Let’s start.
When does a car become a classic car?
Classic cars are not like everyday cars, similarly to the way in which vintage car owners are not like other drivers.
These cars are very popular and loved by people all over the world.
In general, a classic car is an older automobile. There’s no definitive answer for what makes a car a classic, but mostly if a car has 20 years or more we can call it classic.
According to HMRC, a classic car is defined as a car that is older than 15 years with a value of £15,000 or more.
There is more to achieving classic status than just age.
There are many schools of thought about defining classic cars, and much of it is naturally subjective. Common influencing factors are design, cultural impact, and the thrill of the ride.
In addition, not every old car is a classic. There is a difference between classic cars, vintage cars, and antique cars.
Difference between classic cars, vintage cars, and antique cars
Often you can hear that people call every older automobile a classic car. But, not every car can be a classic.
When it comes to older automobiles, there are classic, vintage, and antique cars.
Of course, not everyone can agree on a single definition. But, the main difference is the age when they are built.
Usually, the classic car moniker applies to vehicles over 20 years old. Antique cars are older, i.e. these cars are over 45 years old, and the vintage cars are usually built between 1919 and 1930.
Sometimes, classifications overlap between classics and antiques.
Top 13 best classic cars of all time
Today, there are many great old cars around the world, but we made our list of the top 13 classic cars of all time.
- Ferrari 250 GTO
- Aston Martin DB5
- Jaguar E-Type
- Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
- Chevrolet Corvette L88
- Dodge Charger Daytona
- Mercedes 300SL Alloy Gullwing
- Lamborghini Miura SVJ
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
- Volkswagen Beetle
- Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn
- Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupé
- Ford Model T
Ferrari 250 GTO (1962-1964)
This is one of the most famous classic cars in the world.
Ferrari 250 GTO is a unique model that sits worlds apart from the rest, both in its modernized design and expensive price tag.
This classic car was known as “II Monstro” (The monster) because of its unconventional design and it appeared for the first time in 1962.
Only 36 Ferrari 250 GTOs were made, making it extremely rare, and with that comes a price tag.
This model is a high value that even most millionaires wouldn’t be able to justify. The current sale value of this model is upwards of $48 million.
Aston Martin DB5 (1963-1965)
Aston Martin DB5 is one of the most impressive classic cars, but it’s also one of the rarest and the most iconic.
The first thing many people think of when they see this car is agent 007. This is because Aston Martin DB5 became famous worldwide for its starring role in the James Bond movie Goldfinger.
Its sky-high price has grown an estimated 790 times since it first arrived on the market and the current sale value is about $990,000.
Of course, the few original DB5 Bond movie cars have the highest price. One was sold in 2019 for an incredible figure of 6.4 million dollars.
This cool classic car was always designed to make an entrance. The more time passes, the bigger the entrance promises to be.
Fewer than 1,100 units of the Aston Martin DB5 were built, making it a sought-after model among collectors.
Jaguar E-Type Series 1 (1961-1968)
Jaguar E-Type is the Platonic ideal of a British sports car and one of the most beautiful oldtimers of all time.
It was in production from 1961 to 1974. This car is divided into three series and those designated as ‘Series 1’, produced between 1961 and 1968, tend to hold the most value for collectors.
Although over 33,000 were made, this car holds a special place among classic car fans and everyone wants to own one.
The average market price of a Jaguar E-Type Series 1 is around $152,000, and depends on condition, year of production and performance.
This iconic car has a history of its own that would still break some records nowadays, with impressive top speeds of 150 mph (241 kmh) and a sleek design to match.
Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (1972-1973)
According to many automotive experts, the Porsche 911 is the perfect sports car, and the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 is all that and more.
This impressive classic car takes many awards when it comes to its design and features.
The original design of this luxury oldtimer actually stemmed from the Volkswagen Beetle, as both were designed by Ferdinand Porsche.
There are 4 variants of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 and each of them is made in different numbers:
- 911 Carrera RSH – Homologation – 17 units
- 911 Carrera RS Lightweight – 200 units
- 911 Carrera RS Touring – 1308 units
- 911 Carrera RSR – 55 units
This car has a high value among collectors. Depending on the variant and the general condition of the car, the price is formed, so the RSH and RSR versions can reach over 1.5 million dollars.
But the crucial thing about the Porsche 911 is that you can still drive it. Porsche doesn’t want any of their cars to be museum pieces, and the 911 proves it.
Chevrolet Corvette L88 (1967-1969)
The Chevrolet Corvette L88 was a rare car even when it was first released, which means that you are very lucky if you managed to find it.
This is a famous American muscle car known for its amazing engine, beautiful design and fantastic performance on the race track.
It was considered to be one of the most powerful cars of its time, with a strong 7.0-litre engine capable of producing 430hp at 4600 rpm. Some say it was even capable of producing more than 500 horsepower.
The Chevrolet Corvette L88 was produced from 1967 to 1969 and only 216 were made. The rarest is definitely the Corvette from 1967 because only 20 L88s were made that year.
Only 10 of them survived, and only 3 have the original L88 V8 engine under the hood. The average price of these unicorns of the American auto industry is between $2,400,000 and $3,300,000.
Dodge Charger Daytona (1969)
This classic car has both muscle car cred and iconic style.
Dodge Charger Daytona was made only in 1969. This Winged Warrior is recognizable by its large rear spoiler and elongated front end.
A Charger Daytona was the first car to break the 200 mph (322 kmh) barrier on a NASCAR track.
It may not be as recognizable as the Mustang it competed against in its best days, but the Charger helped cement MOPAR’s performance as a force to be reckoned with.
Although 500 of these cars were made in total, only 70 were built with the popular 7.0 L Hemi V8 under the hood.
Of course, they are the most sought-after among collectors, so their starting price at auctions is around 1.1 million dollars.
Mercedes 300SL Alloy Gullwing (1955-1956)
The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is a special automobile for every classic car lover.
One of the most stylish and iconic classic cars in the world, the Mercedes 300SL took its place as a premium offering as soon as it launched.
It was designed for races and the “SL” in its name means “super light”. Capable of reaching a top speed of up to 163 mph (262 kmh), it was the fastest production car in the world at the time.
In addition, the Mercedes 300SL has a gorgeous retro-futuristic look that is completed by the gullwing doors for which it is named.
Mercedes built a total of 3258 of these cars. Of these, 1400 units were coupes made between 1954 and 1957. The other 1858 were roadsters and were made between 1957 and 1963.
However, the rarest is the 1955-1956 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing whose body is made of alloy. Only 29 of them were made and sold to the general population. Twenty-four were made in 1955 and additional 5 in 1956.
As a result, their price is several times higher than that of a regular 300SL Gullwing. It is estimated that it would easily reach the figure of 9 million dollars at the auction.
Lamborghini Miura SVJ (1971-1975)
The automobile that set a high standard for supercars around the world, is definitely Lamborghini.
The Lamborghini Miura was the first racing car with the same configuration seen in all racing cars nowadays and remained in production until 1973.
And when it comes to high-performance and high-profile cars, it is simply one of the best.
Its name comes from that of a particularly ferocious Spanish fighting bull, thought to represent the car’s tenacity and speed.
In addition, this classic car with its wonderful design was truly ahead of the competition.
Lamborghini made 764 of these cars, but it is the limited series called Lamborghini Miura SVJ that attracts the most attention of collectors.
It is believed that only 3 of these were made. This makes them extremely rare.
The last one that the public had the chance to see was sold at auction in 2015 for $1.9 million. There is no doubt that if any of the remaining 3 Miura SVJs were to come up for auction today, they be sold for 2-3 times more.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R (1965-1966)
The first thing that catches your eye when you see this classic car is its incredible design.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 is created to look good and drive fast.
Its name came from the former race car driver Carroll Shelby, a high-performance vehicle manufacturer, of course in cooperation with Ford Motor Company.
In addition, it was given a nickname too, so you will notice the cobra symbol on many of these vehicles.
This stylish, high-performance classic car came in plenty of different variations, with edits made over the years to encourage faster speeds, cooler designs, etc.
These cars were built during 1965 and 1966. Of the 2,940 that were built during that period, only 562 were built in 1965. Of those, only 34 were made with the GT350R designation, making them very rare.
That is why the price for this model is higher, so it cost more than 3.85 million dollars.
Volkswagen Beetle – The Bug (1938-2003)
The most iconic car that Volkswagen ever produced is definitely the Beetle.
First, this amazing classic car was designed in 1925 by a Hungarian student which made a great impression for its lightweight design.
In a time when cars are losing their individual flavors, the Volkswagen Beetle stands out with its iconoclastically adorable design.
It is significantly different from the cars of its time. While most competing cars were heavy and difficult to drive, the Beetle was lightweight and free.
Thousands and thousands of Beetles have been built, but what makes this car a classic is not rarity, but cultural influence.
Volkswagen Beetle the first car to achieve twenty million units sold worldwide, and the whole world knows about this car.
Most of the people wanted to own The Bug at least once in their life, and for around $20,000, it’s possible considering that preserved examples can be found at that price.
Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn (1949-1955)
The Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn is a full-size luxury car that was produced by Rolls-Royce at their Crewe works between 1949 and 1955.
What makes this car special is its elegant and luxurious design, but also it was noted for a few peculiar features including a lack of seatbelts and an engine that doesn’t actually fire.
These vintage cars could be customized from conception and were initially brought out as affordable luxury limousines.
When it comes to performance, Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn was tested in 1954 and had a top speed of 94.0 mph (151.3 kmh) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 kmh) in 15.2 seconds.
The Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn was produced from 1949 to 1955 and only 761 of them were built in that period.
A convertible version was also made and only 28 convertible Silver Dawns were built between 1950 and 1954, making it one of the rarest classic cars in the world.
The sale value of Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn is about $400,000.
Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupé (1936-1938)
According to many people, this is one of the most beautiful and best classic cars in history.
Buggati Type 57 SC Atlantic is a design manifesto of Ettore Bugatti’s son Jean Bugatti. The breathtaking proportions of this masterpiece are simply unparalleled to the present day.
The amazing design and high performance contribute to this vintage car never going out of fashion.
What makes this car so special is the fact that only 4 were made and all 4 are unique. Only 3 of these cars were made for customers. Jean Bugatti kept one for himself and to this day its whereabouts are unknown.
Three Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic are still around and functioning today, more than 80 years after they first came to life.
If the car that Jean kept for himself somehow appears, Bugatti estimates it could be worth as much as $114 million.
Ford Model T (1908-1927)
If we are going to make a list of all-time best classic cars, then we really should not miss a true classic – the Ford Model T.
Although automobiles had been produced from the 1880s, until the Model T was introduced in 1908, they were mostly rare, expensive, and often unreliable.
Positioned as reliable, easily maintained, mass-market transportation, the Model T was a great success.
Ford’s Model T was also successful because the car signified innovation for the rising middle class and became a powerful symbol of the United States age of modernization.
Of course, when it comes to the color of the car there is Henry Ford’s famous sentence: “you can have a car painted any color that he wants, so long as it is black.”
With 15 million sold, it was the most sold car in history before being surpassed by the Volkswagen Beetle.
So, this amazing car could be called the best classic car in history.
Wrapping up
In this article, we presented to you our top 13 best classic cars in history. There are many more models that could be included in the list, but then our list would have to be twice as long.
We hope you enjoyed reviewing these old, but charming automobiles. There are grand, elegant, and sporty models, but all of them have something in common – They are an eternal class.
But, if you are fans of new luxury limousines, then you can take a look at our fleet and choose an unforgettable ride with a personal chauffeur.
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