10) Land Rover Defender
Specifically the Series I, bereft of the Defender name. Born from the ashes of the second World War, these jeeps were the original SUV.
9) Rolls-Royce Phantom
Massive yet imposing, elegant yet cathedral-like, and that’s before BMW came along and added ostentatiousness to it and with it, arguably, some vulgarity and chintz
8) Jaguar XJ6
A bruising six cylinder saloon with marshmallows for suspension and the whiff of nicotine surrounding them. These were the cars of cads. We all wanted one.
7) MGB
Not my cup of tea if I’m honest, but to deny its place here is to pretend that British roadsters were never A Thing. But they were. They just were.
6) Original Mini Cooper
Now this, this I had. A plucky 1100 in British Racing Green no less. Mind you, it might have been avocado. This, Sir Alec Issigonis masterpiece, is the egenesis of the front wheel drive hatchback. Bow accordingly.
5) Jaguar XJ220
The Jaguar XJ220 was the first unobtanium we can remember. It was the quickest car in the world despite being diluted when going into production. From a 4WD V12 in the concept to the twin-turbo 3.5l V6 that made it to the road. Magic.
4) Lotus Elise
Colin Chapman said add lightness, and his boys and girls at LOTUS promptly did just. The Elise proved that LOTUS did not stand for Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious, and instead began to be associated with incredibly nimble machinery that could punch far above their weight.
3) Aston Martin DB5
Well, its James Bond’s most famous car isn’t it? Yours with a 4l straight six and 3 speed auto box or 5 speed manual. We’re still in love with that classic Aston profile.
2) Jaguar E-Type
A slippery tear drop, that like many listed on this page, claimed the title of fastest car in the world, for a short time. Also the natural rival of the aforementioned Aston but you know, quicker and cheaper.
1) McLaren F1
This is it, a true 90s pin-up worthy of any formative petrolhead’s wall. Fastest car? Check. Bonkers looks? Check. Crazy seating for three? Triple Check. The first road car of many from the South African brain of Gordon Murray.
But wait, there’s more. I mean, how could we ignore this pair of honourable mentions. Look them up.
11) Bentley Blower
With looks like a steam train for the road, what’s not to love?
12) Lotus Espirit
James Bond’s other ride. Also, submarine!
