There is something innately romantic about roadsters: wind through your hair, the roar of an engine beneath a sleek hood, and designs that command attention. Some roadsters have managed to transcend time, remaining the icons of car history. Let’s look at 24 roadsters from the bygone era, which look as stylish and exhilarating as they were upon their inception.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
This 300 SL Roadster, penned by Friedrich Geiger in 1955, was the ultimate expression of German engineering. Under that long hood was a 3.0L inline-6 with such thrilling performance that it launched from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The interior was the epitome of elegance in the 1950s: leather upholstery, polished aluminum trims, and a minimalist dash layout with elegant gauges. This roadster was described as “a car for both the road and the runway.”
1961 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
Jaguar E-Type Roadster 1961: Many consider this car one of the most beautiful ever built. Malcolm Sayer designed it and has a 3.8L inline-6 engine that can shoot the car from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. Like its exterior, the interior has fine, soft leather seats, a wooden steering wheel, and toggle switches on the dashboard, with a cockpit feel. Enzo Ferrari once described it as “the most beautiful car ever made.”
1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1
The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 was a game-changer for American sports cars. This car embodied the optimism of the 1950s, handcrafted by Harley Earl’s design genius. With the small-block 283-cubic-inch V8 engine under its hood, it could go from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 6 seconds, a lightning pace for then. Inside the C1 was a place for bucket seats, the stylish dual-cockpit design, and an incredible array of chrome accents screaming Americana.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider
Ferrari’s 275 GTS/4 NART Spider, launched in 1967, is a rare beauty. Designed by Pininfarina, its 3.3L V12 engine delivered exceptional performance, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.7 seconds. The interior exuded Italian craftsmanship, with hand-stitched leather seats, a gated shifter, and a simple yet elegant dashboard. Only 10 were made, and it is one of the most exclusive Ferraris ever built.
1964 Porsche 356 Speedster
The minimalist’s dream was the Porsche 356 Speedster by Erwin Komenda, which came in 1964. A lightweight 1.6L flat-4 engine took it from 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds. Inside, it was kept simple and elegant with bucket seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a no-frills dash. Its low-slung windshield and classic styling make it a favorite among purists, and its legacy continues to live on in today’s Porsche designs.
1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster
The 1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster was the Japanese version of the European roadster designed by Yoshihiko Matsuo. It was powered by a 2.0L inline-4 engine that propelled it from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. Inside, sporty bucket seats, a woodgrain dash, and clear gauges offered simplicity and functionality. The Datsun 2000 showed that Japan can compete with Europe in this roadster market, which is why it is highly regarded as a classic today.
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe
Aston Martin’s 1954 DB2/4 Drophead Coupe is a drop-top beauty with a heart full of performance. It would have a Frank Feeley-designed 2.9-liter inline-6 that could hit 0 to 60mph in 11.5 seconds. Inside this open roadster, the quintessence of Britain would come: Connolly leather seats and wood veneer adorn the otherwise plain dashboard.
1962 Shelby Cobra 289
Launched in 1962, the Shelby Cobra 289 was Carroll Shelby’s dream of American muscle combined with British chassis expertise. A 4.7L Ford V8 powered it and could blast from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The interior was Spartan but purposeful: basic bucket seats, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and a set of Smiths gauges. Aggressive styling and raw power make the Cobra a legend among roadsters.
1953 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider was a product of 1953 with Pininfarina designing it. It was available with a 1.3L inline-4 engine and could speed from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 14 seconds. It was far from the fastest car out there, but the stunning lines and sporty handling were a treat to drive in. It boasted an interior that had Italian flair in it. The leather seats, three-spoke steering wheel, and stylish instrumentation make this a vintage Italian charm roadster.
1970 Triumph TR6
In 1970, the Karmann-designed Triumph TR6 rolled out of the dealerships and became one of Britain’s best-selling roadsters. Under the hood, it brought 2.5L inline-6 power from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. Its no-nonsense design and solid performance are why it finds itself in the hearts of many enthusiasts. Its cozy interior with woodgrain trim, supportive bucket seats, and a simple layout also make it popular.
1968 BMW 2002 Cabriolet
The BMW 2002 Cabriolet was by Michelotti and introduced in 1968. The vehicle was an instant classic for its sporty outlook and practical design. Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 engine, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph within 10.2 seconds. The interior of this beauty constituted high-quality materials, such as supportive seats with a driver-oriented dashboard. A large steering wheel was one subtle hint at the sportiness of this car. This roadster helped to establish BMW as a maker of “the ultimate driving machine” and is still a collector’s favorite.
1973 Mazda RX-3 Roadster
In 1973, Mazda introduced the RX-3. One of its innovative features was its rotary engine, designed by Seichi Yamamoto. Its 1.1L twin-rotor engine produced a thrilling 0 to 60 mph time of 9.5 seconds. Inside, comfort and sportiness were mixed with vinyl bucket seats, a wood-paneled dashboard, and rotary-specific gauges. This roadster’s peculiar engine and sharp design would help Mazda carve out its niche in the world of classic roadsters.
1949 MG TC Midget
The MG TC Midget, introduced in 1949, was a classic British roadster. It had a 1.3L inline-4 engine that could do a leisurely 0 to 60 mph in 23.5 seconds, but charm was more important than speed. The interior was Spartan but practical, with leather seats, a wooden dash, and a steering wheel that brought an aircraft’s air to mind. The MG TC was crucial in making sports cars fashionable in America and will be considered an icon of that period.
1959 Austin-Healey 3000
Designed by Gerry Coker and released in 1959, the Austin-Healey 3000 offered a 3.0L inline-6 with enough power to move the car from 0 to 60 mph in 11 seconds. Classic British in interior trim, with leather seats, wood-trimmed dashboards, and large steering wheels, the 3000 was the winning combination of form, performance, and economy that made it a massive success in the 1960s.
1964 Sunbeam Tiger
This British-American venture by Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles stashed a 4.3L V8 under its thin frame. The Tiger can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and is pretty much a muscle car dressed as a roadster. The interior was simple yet sporty, with leather bucket seats, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and Smiths gauges. Its compact size and raw power make for an unusual classic.
1958 Fiat 1200 Spider
Launched in 1958, Fiat’s 1200 Spider, the work of Pininfarina, came with a 1.2L inline-4. This was not exactly a sprinter, taking 19 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph; this was an elegant grand tourer with a comfortable ride. The inside boasted soft leather seats, a basic dash layout, and that three-spoke steering wheel, so endearingly mid-century Italy.
1975 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce
Another Pininfarina gem, the Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce, was unveiled in 1975. The 2.0L inline-4 engine churned out 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds. Its interior was stunning and driver-centric, with bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and toggle switches that gave it a touch of old-school charm. This roadster became an iconic design for Italian automobiles after being featured in The Graduate.
1950 Jaguar XK120
Jaguar XK120 1950, by William Lyons, was the first production car with an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 10 seconds with the 3.4L inline-6 engine. Its interior was as rich as its performance: leather seats, walnut dashboard, and chrome trimmings were fitted into it. This roadster’s breathtaking design and world-beating speed would earn Jaguar a reputation for making the finest sports cars the world had ever known.
1965 Lotus Elan
The Lotus Elan, on display as early as 1965, was a Colin Chapman lightweight wonder powered by an inline-4, 1.6-liter inline-4 engine. That feather-light body permitted acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. The inside offered functional comfort with its fabric-trimmed seats and minimalist dash, paired with a small, accurate steering wheel. Its light handling and simple design have influenced sports cars to this day.
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda
A design icon unlike any of its contemporaries, the 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL is known as the Pagoda. Designed by Paul Bracq with the 2.8L inline-6, it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds. Leather seats, a Becker radio, and wood trim complete the interior of this classic, adding a touch of sophistication.
1967 Honda S800 Roadster
Honda introduced its small roadster, the S800 Roadster, in 1967 with a 0.8L inline-4 engine. It went from 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds. The interior was simple and functional, featuring vinyl seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, and sparse gauges. Despite its compact size, the S800 offered a lively and engaging driving experience. Its high-revving engine and lightweight design made it an engineering marvel of its time.
1951 Nash-Healey Roadster
The Nash-Healey Roadster was Donald Healey’s first American-European hybrid, launched in 1951. It was powered by a 3.8L inline-6 engine, which took it from 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds. The interior boasted British elegance and American comfort: leather seats, chrome accents, and a sophisticated dash layout. It is a rare gem representing international collaboration in the world of automobiles.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
A famous roadster from America, the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray features a 5.4 L V8 engine. This performance car par excellence could move from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The interior features bucket seats, a dual cockpit, and several instruments that underline speed and style. The split rear window and aggressive styling made it a classic that never seemed out of style.
1957 BMW 507 Roadster
The 1957 BMW 507 was an Albrecht von Goertz brainchild, which in itself is a masterwork of hand-assembled magic; the 3.2-liter V8 spewed out the 8.8-second 0 to 60 mph dash in an absolute firecracker pace. On the inside, it made both luxury and simplicity with leather upholstery, chrome touches, and a minimalist dashboard. While one of the most significant commercial flops for the 507 because it was so expensive, this 507 is now considered one of the most precious roadsters of all time.
18 Budget-Friendly Electric Cars That Last Longer Than Their Loans — Economical Electrics
Electric vehicles are no longer a luxury for the elite—they’re a smart investment for the everyday driver. With manufacturers stepping up to the plate, affordable EVs now deliver on reliability, range, and modern comforts. Here’s a look at 18 economical electric cars engineered to outlast their payment plans.
18 Budget-Friendly Electric Cars That Last Longer Than Their Loans — Economical Electrics
