Categories: American Classic Cars
Since the introduction of the automobile, a select few cars have made their mark in automotive history as timeless classics. Definitive of a genre or era, these models gained notoriety through popular culture or became mainstays in automakers’ lineups. Whether owned and maintained by a very lucky few or mass-produced models kept alive by a cult following, the cars listed below are the top 15 classic cars today.
1. Aston Martin DB5
Founded in 1913, Aston Martin is a British manufacturer of sport and grand touring cars. Every Aston Martin is built by hand in Warwickshire, England, maintaining a tradition carried on by fellow UK-based brands like Morgan, Bentley, and Rolls Royce. While limited-production vehicles have seldom proved profitable for Aston Martin, the brand maintains an incredibly high level of cultural cache thanks to a fictional secret agent named Bond… James Bond, who first drove an Aston Martin DB5 in the 1964 film “Goldfinger.” Aston Martin models have been a staple in the second-longest-running film franchise in history.
The Aston Martin DB5 was produced from 1963-1965. It was powered by a new-at-the-time alloy 4.0 Liter inline-6 which made between 282-325 horsepower. Top speed was rated at 145 mph, and the DB5 had a 0-60 time of eight seconds. While the Aston Martin DB5’s performance was quick for its era, its comfort and styling are what made it stand out from other GT cars of its day. Milan-based coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera designed its iconic body and produced 1,059 units.
The Aston Martin DB cars are the most emblematic of the brand, owing their existence to businessman David Brown, who took ownership of the financially beleaguered company in 1947, adding his initials to the models produced under his ownership, starting with the 24 hours of Spa winning DB1 and ending with the DBS of 1967. The “DB” moniker was later revived in 1994 with the DB7 and has continued with the DB9 and DB11. The DB11 is still in production today. See Aston Martin DB5 models for sale
2. BMW 2002
Built from 1966-1977, the BMW 2002 is considered the precursor to the modern BMW 3-Series. Showcasing a new design language called “Neue Klasse” (New Class), the BMW 2002 featured a distinct beltline with a curvature throughout, with iconic round head and taillights, earning themselves the nickname “roundies” amongst its fans.
Available as a 2-door “sedan,” with a limited number of convertibles built by coachbuilder Karosserie Baur, BMW made many improvements to the 2002 during its production run. Fuel injection replaced the carburetor set up, and in 1973, a turbocharged model was introduced, becoming the first turbocharged model from BMW. While BMW 2002 production was high, approaching 400,000 models, the turbocharged units are rare, with just 1,672 made. With many models still on the road, and some even used for period racing, it is a desirable and accessible classic car today. See BMW 2002 models for sale
3. Chevrolet Camaro
Competition is stiff amongst American automakers, and what one Big Three automaker has is not without a response by another, and the Chevrolet Camaro is no exception. The Chevrolet Camaro debuted as an entry-level sports car in 1966 for the 1967 model year in direct competition with Ford’s Mustang, creating a fierce rivalry that exists to this day. Combining a light chassis with increasingly brute automotive muscle, the Camaro and Mustang rivalry created the Pony car genre.
Briefly leaving production from 2003-2009 and revived in a retro-modern take on the first generation, the original Camaro is an automotive icon Chevy built from 1967-1969. From the factory, the Chevrolet Camaro was heavily customizable with ten different engines available ranging from a 3.8L 230 cubic inch inline-6 to a massive 7.0L 427 cubic inch V8, an engine we know today as the ZL1.
In addition to multiple engines, desirable packages with performance and visual upgrades were available for the Chevrolet Camaro. These appearance and performance upgrades came in the form of RS, SS, SCCA-ready Z/28 packages, solidifying a branding scheme that continues today. See Chevrolet Camaro models for sale
4. Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray
The 1950s were the heyday of the 2-seater sports car. British brands like Austin Healey, MG, and Jaguar were dominant on the race track and popular on American roads. Wanting a piece of the action, Chevrolet took the 2-seater roadster and gave it distinctive American flair, creating what is considered to be America’s (first) sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette.
First available in 1953, just 300 fiberglass-bodied cars were produced in its first year, with over 1/3rd of the models left unsold on dealer lots. Only painted white and powered by the Blue Flame inline-6, the earliest Corvette produced 150 horsepower. Two years later, Chevrolet upped the ante by upping the output to a 265 cubic inch V8 producing 195 hp. Two more years later, power increased to 283 hp. It wasn’t until the second generation, dubbed the “Stingray,” that the Corvette started to produce remarkable performance.
While the first Corvette generation was loaded with 1950s design attributes, the second generation car evolved into the Corvette we know today. Debuted in 1963 and designed by Larry Shinoda, the Corvette (C2) Stingray used a wind tunnel in its creation, drawing inspiration from the aerodynamic 1959 Sting Ray race car and the 1961 Mako Shark concept car, which teased the C2 Corvette’s restyled front end. Built from 1963-1967, the C2 offered a 327 cubic inch V8 producing 250 hp as standard, with an optional 396 cubic inch V8, and big block 427 V8 producing 390 and 425 hp, respectively. See Chevrolet Corvette models for sale
5. Datsun 240Z
Built from 1969 to 1978, the Datsun 240Z is one of Nissan’s most significant models. Seeking to compete with British and European sports cars of the time, the Datsun 240Z focused on build quality and handling over outright power seen in American muscle cars. It was first powered by a 2.4L inline 6-cylinder engine, with a 2.6L and 2.8L power plants later on the Datsun 260Z and 280Z. The Datsun 240Z set a benchmark for Japanese sports cars and created a highly competitive genre amongst Japanese automakers that has been popular since. See Datsun 240Z models for sale
6. Dodge Charger
While pony cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro dominated the small and sporty segment, the ’60s and ’70s were also home to mid-size performance cars such as Chevrolet’s Chevelle, Pontiac’s GTO, and the Dodge Charger. Available to the public in 1966 and bearing a taillight design mimicked on its contemporary, the Charger was intended as a roomier competitor to the pony cars, which had rapidly risen into favor at the time. Sales were mediocre in its first two years of production. Outsold by muscular stablemate the Plymouth Satellite, the Charger didn’t fully gain traction until a 1968 refresh when over 96,000 models were sold. Powered by a range of available V8 engines, notable power plants were the 440 cubic inch Magnum and the 7.0L Hemi V8. Dodge sold only 500 Hemi-equipped models in 1968. See Dodge Charger models for sale
7. Ferrari Testarossa
The Ferrari Testarossa is widely recognized as one of the most iconic cars of the 1980s. Screen credits from “Miami Vice” and celebrity ownership, from Sir Elton John to Michael Jordan to Mike Tyson, helped bring Ferrari into the mainstream. The popularity of the Ferrari Testarossa led it to become one of Ferrari’s most-produced models, with just under 10,000 models built. While that number may seem low for a mainstream automaker, until that point, Ferrari produced cars in much lower numbers, such as the Ferrari Dino 206/246 with just under 4,000 models, or 308 GT4 with 2,828 models made. See Ferrari Testarossa models for sale
8. Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Fiat is Italy’s largest automaker, known for building affordable mass-market vehicles in a country famous for exotic cars and stylish design houses. The Fiat’s 124 started life as a utilitarian workhorse. When Fiat handed it over to Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina, American-born car designer Tom Tjaarda transformed the everyday sedan into a handsome convertible called the Fiat 124 Sport Spider.
Starting production in 1966, the Fiat 124 Sport Spider reached the United States in 1968 and continued production until 1985, making it one of Fiat’s longest-produced cars, long outliving the conventional 124 it was based on. When Fiat acquired the Abarth tuning house in 1971, they teamed up to create the Fiat Abarth 124 Rally, which dominated the European Rally Championship, winning the cup in 1972 and 1975, solidifying the 124’s status in motorsport history with iconic Abarth iterations with a heritage black-painted hood appearing on the recent Miata-based modern iteration of the Abarth Fiat 124 today. See Fiat 124 Sport Spider models for sale
9. Ford Model T
The Ford Model T is the most important car of the 20th century. First produced in 1908, the Ford Model T was the first widely available and affordable car. Until that time, cars were built in limited quantities and priced beyond the average person’s means, but Henry Ford sought to change that with the Model T.
Ford revolutionized how cars were built by implementing a production line system to the automobile. By the end of its production run in 1927, Ford could produce between 9,000-10,000 Model T cars and trucks in a single day. A total of over 15 Million Model T examples were produced, making it one of the most popular cars in history and responsible for creating the affordable automobile. See Ford Model T models for sale
10. Ford Mustang
Muscle cars wouldn’t exist without the Ford Mustang. First on the scene in 1965 and still in production today, it is one of Ford’s most significant models and their only car sold in the US today. Designed as a compact sports coupe slotted under the Ford Falcon, it became a runaway success with over 680,000 Mustang models sold in its first year alone.
Initially offered with an economical 2.8L inline-6 from the Falcon, a 4.3 L (260 cu in) V8, and the top-of-the-line 289 cu in V8 producing 210 hp were also available at an additional cost. By 1967, the Mustang became closer to the car we know today with greater power, including a big block 6.4L V8 and a monstrous 7.0 L V8 known as the Cobra Jet, making an appearance on the Carroll Shelby tuned GT500.
Today, the retro-inspired Ford Mustang shares a striking resemblance to the original built from 1965-1969, with new models referencing historic Mustangs such as the Cobra GT350, GT500, and Mach 1 models. See Ford Mustang models for sale