There’s a small club of classics that never quite hit headline fame but still capture the hearts of people who know their metal. These are not the usual Ferrari 250s or E-Types everyone hears about. They’re the cars enthusiasts quietly champion because they deliver personality, style, or performance without the stratospheric prices or tire-kicking hordes. Each of these ten deserves a place in your conversation about overlooked sports car gems.
Volvo P1800 (1961–1973)
When you think of Swedish steel, SUVs might come to mind long before anything sleek. Yet the Volvo P1800 married Scandinavian build quality with graceful Italian-styled lines. Roger Moore famously drove one as Simon Templar in the old TV days, and those cars still show up at rallies with astonishing longevity. The straight-six version has a nice throat and grows on you with each press of the accelerator. They were never as sexy as an Italian coupe of the era, but they aged well, both in looks and mechanical resilience.
Datsun 240Z (1970–1973)
The 240Z isn’t exactly unknown, but in classic circles it’s still underappreciated next to European icons. When it launched it changed what affordable sports cars could be, with a smooth inline-six, composed chassis, and a price that opened performance to a broader audience. Early cars are appreciating steadily, but they remain far more attainable than their contemporaries from Germany or England. They’re light, communicative machines that feel honest and direct in a way few cars at the time could match.
Lancia Fulvia Coupe (1965–1976)
Lancia built cars with character, and the Fulvia coupe is one of their most intriguing. Its narrow V4 engine isn’t about brute power, yet the chassis balance and front-wheel drive make it engaging in its own subtle way. The fiberglass-like feel through the steering and gearbox gives you a connection many modern drivers miss. In Canada and the northern US, unmolested examples are rare enough that seeing one at a meet will turn heads, but they still sit outside the usual collector radar.
Toyota 2000GT (1967–1970)
This one technically isn’t under the radar among hardcore collectors, but for a long time it was overshadowed by European exotica. The 2000GT is Toyota’s first serious foray into sports car territory and it proved the Japanese marque could mix precision engineering with breathtaking design. With its long hood, pop-ups, and bespoke build numbers in the low hundreds, it’s become the unicorn of Japanese classics. Owning one is a bit like having a secret handshake with serious enthusiasts.
Jensen Interceptor (1966–1976)
The Interceptor is one of those cars that looks like it should have been a star but somehow stayed just outside the limelight. Big, bold lines and a Chrysler V8 made it a proper grand tourer, capable of eating miles in comfort and with a soundtrack that matched the era’s swagger. Interiors were plush, and the pace was surprising given its heft. It never developed the cult of some British rivals, but it remains a charismatic choice for someone who wants something out of the ordinary.
Peugeot 504 Coupe/Convertible (1969–1983)
Peugeot’s 504 range is better known for workaday sedans and wagons, but the coupe and convertible versions are pure European flair with an easygoing nature. Smooth inline-four and six engines, simple mechanics, and a platform built to endure made the 504 family reliable on rough roads and long tours alike. The coupe’s elegant lines haven’t dated, and the convertible adds a laid-back charm that’s perfect for sunny backroads. It won awards in its day but never quite entered the enthusiast canon.
Iso Grifo (1965–1974)
Iso knew how to pluck the best bits from other marques. The Grifo married Italian design and handling with American V8 grunt, creating a muscle-injected exotic before that became a trend. It was always expensive and low in production numbers, which kept it out of broad public awareness while giving it genuine rarity today. Driving a Grifo feels like an event; the stereo of engine noise, weight, and balance lets you know you’re in something that didn’t happen by accident.
BMW M Coupe (1998–2002)
The modern classic part of this list starts with the BMW M Coupe, affectionately known as the “Clown Shoe.” Its polarising shape kept mainstream buyers at bay when new, but enthusiasts appreciate the underused chassis and the rev-happy straight-six. It’s compact, absurdly balanced, and feels special in a way few late-90s cars do. Prices have been creeping up, but there are still examples that don’t break the bank considering the driving thrill they deliver.
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 (1991–1999)
In an era when Japanese marques chased tech, the 3000GT VR-4 packed active aerodynamics, all-wheel drive, and four-wheel steering into a surprisingly competent package. It was overshadowed by the Supra and RX-7 in its home market and rarely gets the love it deserves today. At high speed it’s composed and confident, and the V6 with twin turbos still delivers satisfying thrust. It’s a time capsule of ambitious engineering that didn’t quite stick the landing commercially but remains fascinating to drive.
TVR Griffith (1990–2002)
TVRs have always appealed to the brave. The Griffith is raw in every sense: light weight, enormous naturally aspirated power, and minimal driver aids mean you’re part of every decision the car makes. It ignores the notion of refinement in favour of immediacy. There’s no traction control choreography or nannying systems to intervene; you and the car figure it out together. They never sold in huge numbers, and that’s part of the charm. Owners speak of a bond with their Griffith that few other classics can replicate.
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