Here is a list of top ten classic cars to widen your knowledge and assist you in choosing the right one –

Ford Model T 1927

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The original model of Ford was primarily produced in the year 1907, but it literally struggled with various up-gradations until 1927, when it was launched as Model T. This was the first ever luxury car and amazingly met the standards of classic vintage cars. It must be mentioned that the car was awarded with the title “Car of the year” in 1999, and till date, it is one of the most sought cars.

Chevrolet Corvette 1953

Chevrolet Corvette was the first ever two seater convertible sports car unveiled in the year 1953 by General Motors. With the perfect combination of affordability and raw power, the company had rolled out 300 cars featuring white exteriors, red interiors and black canvas roof top, out of which 200 models are still known to exist. You will be pleased to know that each model was hand built and came with 6 cylinder engine and automatic two speed gearbox.

Bentley Continental R 1952

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Launched in the year 1952, Bentley Continental R debuted in the Motor Show at London as a luxury car. For those individuals who could afford the vehicle with its expensive price tag, Bentley Continental R was a must possession. Features such as 4.5 liter engine, leaf spring and independent suspension made the drive smooth and luxurious.

Jaguar E type

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Jaguar E type literally made everyone go heads over heels when it was launched in the year 1961. Though it has been several decades since the launch, the vehicle is still regarded as an icon. The long flowing body, smooth upper curves, and sophisticated headlamps, are few features of E type, which are till date hard to beat.

1952 Chrysler D Elegance

Featuring exotic looks and amazing performance, this car is simply beyond the term “excellent”. Engineering division of the company was behind the exotic styling of the vehicle; whereas a custom builder from Turin had hand crafted the metal body with the help of plastic models and drawings.

Chrysler ThunderBolt 1941

Chrysler Thunder Bolt is unquestionably one of the most unique cars, as only 6 models of the car were manufactured in the year 1941. All the models featured distinct color schemes and trims. The most exclusive feature of the car which separates it from the crowd is its push button feature. Simply pressing a button opened up the windows, doors and the deck lid without any deliberate effort. You will be pleased that 4 models out of the 6 are still known to exist.

Corvette Sting Ray 1969

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This car is actually the true definition of a classic stylish car. Though we are several decades ahead of time, the vehicle still rules over hearts of many. Various features such as big block engine, disc brakes, split suspension, innovative style split rear window and exhaust pipe at the side contribute massively in making the car as one of the best classic cars of the era.

1954 Pontiac Bonnevilla special

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Unveiled at the General Motors Monorama in the year 1954, the two seater sports car simply gathered a lot of votes at its launching. The famous designer – Harley J Earl had designed the car, whereas Paul Gilland and Hommer LaGassey had hand built the vehicle. Sunken headlights covered with glass, twin louver rows on the fenders, and two dashing silver streaks on the hood, were the most significant features of the vehicle.

Porsche 911 1964

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Needless to be mentioned but Porsche was and is considered to be one of the best auto brands. This model is a bigger and better form of Porsche 365. The company claimed this model as a 4 seater car, but it could comfortably accommodate only two adults, and was used in this manner only. It must be mentioned that till date, this car is one of the most sought cars among the classic car lovers.

Camaro SS 1969

Camaro SS was launched by the Chevrolet Company in the year 1969. The vehicle was given a sporty appearance along with aggressive looks. A new metal sheet body, completely redesigned grill, deep set headlights and various significant design changes made the car quite popular and flooded the company with orders.

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As there is a wide range of classic cars in the market, the fact cannot be denied that choosing to buy a classic car is not an easy task. One must gather complete knowledge about the history of these cars, as well as few useful tips on purchasing and maintaining them.

Today, we are going to review one of the best classic cars, which stand completely out from the crowd in all aspects – Jaguar E type 1965. You will be delighted to know that car has been addressed as one of the beautiful cars manufactured ever by “Enzo Ferrari”.

Jaguar E type

The very first sports car – Jaguar E type, when was driven to Switzerland for the Geneva Motor Show in the year 1961, the response it received was simply out of imagination.  The company was instantly flooded with orders as nothing else was available that could match the looks, styling, performance and pace at the price of a price tag of $3400 only. As expected, few upgrades followed and Jaguar E type was revealed in the year 1965. Let us now look at the detailed specifications of the vehicle –

Jaguar E type Body Work

Jaguar E type 1965 followed almost identical styling and body work of that of the original E type Jaguar which was launched in the year 1961. Its flowing long voluptuous envelope body was accentuated with upper flowy upper edges, and graceful swelled head lamps. Unlike the first 300 cars produced in the year 1961 which featured flat floors, and external latches on the bonnet, E type 1965 featured the twin latches provisioned inside the car cabin, improved seats, taller roof line, and dished out floors providing more leg space.

Jaguar E type Engine and Performance

Jaguar E type 1965 was given a 4.2 liter engine in place of 3.8 liter found in E type 1961 to achieve better torque and performance. However, the horsepower remained the same. The horsepower which the vehicle could achieve was a force of 256bhp at the rate of 5500 rpm. And as mentioned earlier, the torque of the vehicle was enhanced and it increased from 230 feet – pounds to 283 feet- pounds.

The vehicle was imparted 2+2 coupe, upgraded wheel base which were nine inches longer than the ones used previously, and optional automatic transmission. You will be pleased to know that the performance of the vehicle was simply amazing though quick acceleration and high top speed were not among the list of top priorities.

The company claimed that the vehicle could easily blast out from 0 miles per hour to 60 miles per hour within as little as 7.3 seconds. The fuel economy of the car was also quite efficient as it stood at 14.5 mpg. Other significant features of the vehicle which must be mentioned are completely synchronized four speed manual gear box and four wheel disc brakes.

Jaguar E type Price

Though the upgraded version of the two door medium sedan featured quite innovated features including enhance engine and performance, not a much of difference was reflected  in the price of the car. Jaguar E type 1965 was priced only $66 more than the 3.8 version which was priced at $3400.

The Myth of The Classics

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Coming over to the account of classic cars from 80’s, it will be pertinent to refresh our memory that everything about 80’s was hip-hop, funky and unorthodox. For instance, jazz and pops transformed into Disco, hotdogs into Big Mac, soda into cola and stripes into polka dots. The cars were no exception. When Toyota Corolla’s domestic models hit Asian markets; keeping a private car was no more a statesmen’s privilege. These were reliable, practical in dense traffic environments, yet economical to buy, keep and maintain. However, the best classic cars of this era were still a distant dream. By becoming a fictional character of “Knight Rider”, Trans American (aka Trans Am) and its driver David Hasselhoff emerged to be the most desired idols by early 80’s,

Then came the Lamborghini syndrome, which mesmerized the car lovers to new levels. This space-ship looking luxurious machine may have only been in the reach of Saudi Princes, but their replicas and stickers were popularly displayed on the school notebooks of teenagers. Toyota and Mazda once again set the tradition and introduced station wagons which brought a new dimension of practicality to comfort. Honda bounced back with hutch back / lift back models of ‘Integra’ and ‘prelude’ to miniaturize the sizes to fit-in the compressed road space requirements of Europe.

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On the other hand, US market continued to be dominated by biggies like Caprice classics and Chevrolets, though Corvette, Mustang and Trans Am successfully created a class of their own. The Brit-hits Land Rovers and Renaults also customized their models as per the emerging trends.

German market also hailed to emerge as the STATUS automobiles throughout the world. The Mercedes Benz C-180, BMW 5 series and ‘less ancient looking’ Rolls Royce Classics provided a much needed respite to German automobile industry amid growing competition between Japan and USA. Towards the turn of the calendars, Mazda RX-7, Porsche 929, Nissan Bluebird, GMC Safaris and Crown state cars joined the race of being qualified as the Classic cars from the 80s.

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Though some might not agree with the status ‘Best Classic Cars’ with otherwise ordinary-sounding cars mentioned above; nonetheless it was their direct or indirect contribution in the evolution of the 21st century cars that they stand qualified to join the prestigious club.

Not concerned about making it to the Classics cars from 80s or otherwise, Suzuki with its 800 and 600 cc models grabbed the major Asian markets also known as the emerging economies by not only exporting its cars all around the Pacific Ocean region but had also set the trend of outsourcing its automobile plants by installing the industry in the targeted countries of the South-Asian Subcontinent region. Thus broke the myth established by US biggies who primarily gauged the class of a vehicle by the number of its cylinders and the power it could generate; notwithstanding the environmental hazards and cost effectiveness factors.

Some of The Best Classic Cars

To revive the memory of some of the Classic cars from 80s, below is a list that mentions few of them:

• Rolls Royce Silver Spirit
• Audi Quattro
• Buick Grand National
• Cadillac Fleetwood
• Chevy Chevette
• Chevy Monte Carlo
• Dodge Aspen
• Chrysler New Yorker
• Ferrari Mondial
• Fiat Spider
• Trans Am
• Ford Mustang
• GMC Astro Van
• Honda CRX
• VW Golf
• Jeep Wagoneer
• Lamborghini Countach
• Lotus
• Mercury Topaz
• Nissan Datsun
• Plymouth Colt Vista
• Pontiac Fiero
• Porsche 944
• Renault Espace
• Suzuki Samurai

The 1980s had seen the birth of these best classic cars; out of these many had descended into the next century however there were a few which had been lost along the way.

The Forgotten Classic Cars

As is visible, the 1980s was indeed a momentous decade with regards to putting forward some of the best classic cars. But there were few machines which could not keep up with the race and hence our collective consciousness fails to recall them as one of the Classic cars from 80s. However since this article is paying tribute to the beautiful cars from that era, it is only befitting to at least mention the names of a few forgotten classic cars:

• Chevrolet Corvetter (C4)
• Ford Thunderbird
• Mercedes-Benz 190E
• Mazda RX-7

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

Photo by Biscuit in Pursuit

This was one of the best classic cars of the times and was launched in 1958. The car had an 88.6in wheelbase with a tubular frame. The car was designed for both private entrants and for Scuderia Ferrari.

Ferrari 410 Super America

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This car was an amazing blend of speed and luxury.  The car had a Lampredi long block engine and a 280 mm wheelbase. The car was introduced in 1955 at the Paris Auto Show. The sober and elegant body of the car made this a favorite of many people in those times and made it one of the best classic super cars of the times.

Jaguar D Type

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The factory built race car had a straight 6 XK engine and had a monocoque chassis. The car was excellent for races and competitions but after Jaguar stopped racing some changes and modifications were made to the car to suit the needs of the drivers.

Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa

Photo by by Gone-Walkabout

This was one of the best designed classic super cars of the times but only 19 models of the car were built in its one year of production. The car won many races and competitions in the times and its win at the Monte Pellegrino was its best and the classiest.

Aston Martin DB3-S

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The Aston Martin DB3-S was a great sports car that was made by Aston martin. Around 31 cars of this model were made out of which 20 were sold for use by customers and 11 were used as work cars. Initially only the fixed head coupe was made and this was done to make the car more aerodynamic. Later the car was built as an open bodied car and this was more successful than the previous model.

Ferrari 250 GT

Ferrari has made some of the best racing cars in the world and the Ferrari 250 GT is just one of the best ones that they made in the 1950s. it had a tubular frame, live real axle, double wishbone front suspensions. The car and the machine were very well designed and they ensured excellent power, and smoothness which made it easy to race and also win most of the competitions it participated in. the car won many races in the 1950s and this was due to the excellent machine and design of the car.

Porsche RSK Spider

The Porsche RSK Spider had one of the best machines in the toimes and none of the classic cars could beat this one. Only 33 cars were built between 1958 and 1959. The car had some dramatic proportions and with its streamliner body was one of the classiest and most good looking cars which caught the attention of many. The authentic Porsche equipment, the LEXAN windshield and a floor lifter were only some of the features which made it one of the leading classic super cars of the 1950s.

Jaguar XK-SS

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This was the car that Jaguar introduced after they stopped taking part in competitions. The racing car was changed and a door, seat, folding top and a full width windshield were added to make the car more comfortable for the driver. Few models of the great classic car were made but the ones made were very popular and are still seen with a lot of admiration.

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

The car was launched with plans of producing only 25 cars though the production was stopped after the 20th unit. The car was one of the best racing cars of its times and one of the best classic cars also. The car till date is very popular at auctions and stull gets more than £1 million.

Jaguar XK 150 Zagato

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This was one of the classiest looking cars of the times with the 2 door coupe body type. It had a manual 5 speed gearbox and a rear wheel drive. The car had a great design and this made it absolutely perfect for racing. It had 05 mm disc brakes and there was no option of power steering. The production of the car was stopped in 1960. The car could accelerate from a speed of 0 to 60kmph in 7.8 seconds and the mileage was about 2 miles per imperial gallon.

The classic super cars of the 1950s changed the way cars were made and new brands came in the scene. Some of these cars are popular today also and they fetch come high amounts at auctions also.

What collectors look for in a collector car is its rarity, uniqueness, desirability, affordability and most importantly, the psychological value it carries in the form of status symbol. Owners of collector car auctions claim that while profit can never be guaranteed for any investment, collector car prices are constantly increasing by 5 to 15 percent annually.

Collector Cars

In spite of rising prices, you need not get discouraged every time you dream of owning a certain Rolls Royce or those beautiful vintage cars you see in royal weddings. Just read further and you will be delighted to know that there are some very affordable classic cars beginning from prices as low as $30,000.

1967-72 Camaros and Firebirds

These models, just like the Mustang range of cars, were produced in huge numbers. The Camaros has high performance models like those powered with 396 cubic-inches V8, or the race bred 1967-68 Z-28, or the Firebird 400 and the 1969 Trans Am (which is very rare).

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You can also take a look at the Firebirds’ Formula models of 1970-72, with overhead camshaft six cylinder engines with the same V8 power as compared to the costlier Trans Am of around the same years.

1967-70 Mustang Coupes and Fastbacks

These cars brought about a “generation launch”. Out of the millions of cars made about a hundred thousand can still be found. High value Mustang models are out of the reach of beginners in the collecting cars fashion, especially the 1965-66 convertibles loaded with the GT package, the 271-HP V8, the 428 cubic-inches Cobra Jet engine models of the 1968-70’s time and the Boss 302 and 429 Mustang varieties.

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For prices below $30,000, you can go for hardtop range of Mustang cars. Convertibles lovers can enjoy their favorites with the six cylinder engine Mustangs of 1965-66 for a reasonable price. A 1967 V8 convertible model of the car would be the best buy, bearing a price tag of $15,000, for pristine models.

1964-69 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

The Impala range of models is not as great as compared to the high priced models like the Chevrolet Bel Air of 1957 and 1958. However, it can be found to be packed with powerful V8, bucket seat and trimmed model designs. Models with high V8s of 409 and 427 cubic inches are priced above $30,000, so go for models with lower V8s which will be pocket-friendly.

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1968-71 Pontiac Tempest

The Pontiac Tempest does not rank as high as the prestigious GTO but a V8 powered ragtop variety of the Tempest would still be a good performance car, considering you can settle for something lower than the GTO if you want to go by the budget. The Pontiac Tempest has a Chevy 350cid engine, TH350 box, and 12b rear axle and was built for legal street racing.

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1968-71 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible

It is a great muscle car with a 350 rocket engine and 350 Turbo Automatic transmissions. It boasts of 342 gears and 442 badging which sets it apart from many others of similar category. You can definitely try out this car for an entertaining experience.

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1966-71 Dodge Charger

Iconic cars in their initial days, they are equipped with 426 cubic inches Hemi V8 which makes them stands out as the “gold standard” car. However, if you are low on your budget, you can go for smaller V8 cars. The 1966-67 model is a great bargain in the family of the Charger cars as it has a huge fastback style. And do not make the mistake of taking them for outdated cars; they look good even after so many years.

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1964-71 Chevrolet Chevell SS

In response to its competitors like the great GTO and the Oldsmobile 442, Chevrolet churned out from its factory huge numbers of this category of cars. You can look for cars with hardtops and lower V8s.

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Big block V8 models of the cars are auctioned at above $50,000. However, convertible models manufactured in the years 1964-67 are within the budget of entry-level collectors. Hence, low V8 cars are expected to be priced from $30,000 onwards.

1969-71 Pontiac Grand Prix

This marked Pontiac’s first venture into distinctive luxury personal sports vehicles. The big and powerful V8 cars are stylish in design and are meant for those whose primary psychological need is “style”.

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The rare S/J models can make for cheaper buys if their designs (which is not as good as the high priced models) are able to impress you.

1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

This was similar to the Pontiac Grand Prix in that it popularized as a major style statement when it had just been introduced in the market. Not only this, it marked an important engineering fashion as it was the first vehicle with GM front wheel drive.

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Also, since the Oldsmobile brand is dying away, you can purchase their cars and add them to the collection of collector cars. However, not all models in the range are collector cars.

1967-70 Mercury Cougar

This car was introduced as the “sister car” of the Mustang models. Unfortunately, it did not hit off too well as its sister counterpart. The high-end Cougar variety, XR-7 convertibles, is well within the $30,000 border. The rising fame of Mustang may indicate rise in the price of the Cougar variety also.

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So you see, there are a wide range of cars at your disposition. But in spite of being collector car- crazy, you might be confused regarding your choice of cars. The above listed cars are priced within $30,000. For more lavish expenditures you can consider buying Ferrari GTO (priced at $7 million) or the Rolls Royce, which will empty more than $1 million from your pockets.

Among the recent cars that are future contenders to become collectors cars are the Audi S5, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR, Honda S2000 CR, Cadillac XLR-V Roadster, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Pontiac Solstice/ Saturn Sky, Lotus Exige S, to name a few.

Photo by Martien@Arnhem

We’ve heard it time and again – “Classic cars are just so expensive to buy and to maintain!” Many people consider them overpriced, not worth it – call it what you may, but you would be surprised to know that there are many affordable classic cars out there in the market. Yes, the economy is changing, so if you are a collector of classic cars or if you just like them – now is the time for you to skim through the online auctions and the classified sections in the newspapers to find some of your choice. This article too will give you some valuable information, in case you want to buy a classic car that’s not just affordable, but also easy to maintain.

Firstly, let’s define affordable classic cars – they should cost 10,000 dollars or less – they should be easy to maintain. You need a car that not only looks swanky, but also fits into your budget. The next time you see a Rolls Royce or a Pierce Arrow, you needn’t feel jealous and think, “When will I get one of those?” Like we said, if your hobby is classic car collecting, or if you simply want to pick up a classic car for no reason at all – this is the time to do so.

You would be pleased to know that there are many affordable classics out there – don’t go by the rarity restriction, instead, we suggest you look at the volume produced cars, those with unique features. We list the top 5 affordable classic cars for your benefit:

1. De Tomaso Pantera Road Racer – this car has a high 822 BHP and a 220 MPH, it’s highly powers, and a great investment to make. The speed is wonderful, and it’s a racing car as well. The acceleration is decent.

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2. 1973 Aston Martin DBS Vantage – this is an incredible car that gives you the feel of the vintage 70’s, and what’s more, the coordination of the engine is just awesome. It’s definitely a special car, one that deserves to be bought!

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3. 1957 Bentley S1 Saloon – this car is absolutely affordable, and on top of that – it’s easy to maintain! The design is really quite original, and with this Bentley, you’re tempted to just jump in and drive off into the sunset. The chrome color is unique, and the body is quite solid.

Photo by willemsknol

4. Ford Mustang – one of the classic cars of all time – it’s still a huge favorite today, you must check out the 4.0L VL6 engine, and the red hot body isn’t bad either! It has great features which you’re bound to love, and even though there are many Ford models available in the market today, this one still remains in the hearts of classic car lovers.

Photo by dafreaky73

5. 1962 Pre-Proteus Jaguar C-type – this has the 1962 Proteus look, and it’s an attractive car that has a 4-speed manual gearbox, plus there’s even an overdrive one.

Photo by nicksoft

So go ahead, pick up one, two or even three classic cars today – because they’re so affordable!