Life’s too short for boring commutes. As you grow closer to 50, you must tick some iconic drives off your bucket list. Here are 10 classic sports cars that you should get behind before you turn 50.
Citroën SM
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If you’re a Citroën lover or a fan of any unusual antique sports vehicles, you’ll know about the SM and its fantastic engine. Citroën and Maserati collaborated to produce a unique car that combines French and Italian engineering. It had all the typical qualities you’d want from a luxury ’70s Citroën:
An avant-garde design.
Plenty of mechanical eccentricities that made it seriously ahead of its time.
That fantastic hydropneumatic suspension.
The Maserati V6 engine provided superior performance compared to other Citroën models of the time.
Mitsubishi 3000GT
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The Mitsubishi 3000GT may be less well-known of all the Japanese sports cars from the 1990s. However, it was one of its day’s most technologically advanced vehicles! The VR4 version of the 3000GT included all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, active suspension, and active aerodynamics. These are all bits of technology that only emerged on a few other production automobiles for ten, fifteen, or even twenty years after this car’s release in the early 1990s! Unfortunately, the plethora of technology contributed to the 3000GT’s downfall. It was all so new at the time that many individuals struggled to understand or work with it.
Lotus Esprit (S4)
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Lotus has developed some classic cars. The Esprit is arguably one of the most iconic. This wedge-shaped sports car was a cornerstone of Lotus’ model portfolio from the 1970s to the early 2000s, and it gained popularity after featuring in two James Bond films. It was also upgraded several times over its career. The final S4 generation may have been the Esprit’s pinnacle. This Esprit has a more rounded appearance while retaining its characteristic wedge shape. The best aspect of the Lotus Esprit S4 was that it came with a V8 engine!
Porsche 911 (993)
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It almost feels wrong to compose a list of timeless vintage sports cars without including at least one of the classic generations of the Porsche 911. After all, the 911 is one of the most recognizable sports cars ever. While there are several classic variations of the 911, the 993 is the best of those vintage cars. This was the final model of the 911 to be air-cooled. As a result, many fans consider it to be the last ‘genuine’ 911, or at least the last manufactured by the car’s original design concept.
Austin-Healey 3000
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Regarding historic British sports cars, the Austin-Healey 3000 is among the most popular and identifiable. This automobile has had a loyal following for decades thanks to its attractive appearance and powerful straight-6 engine. Many people may recognize this car from its appearance in the music video for the classic Tears For Fears song Everybody Wants To Rule The World, where it was driven across small-town America. It also played a role in motorsport, competing in both circuit races and rallying during that time – but it was phased out of rallying after 1965, as the Mini became BMC’s rallying star by default.
Triumph TR6
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As a car manufacturer, Triumph produced several outstanding and distinctively British sports cars. The TR6 is arguably one of the best of these vehicles. Karmann designed the TR6, which had a classic 1960s style and a 2.5-liter straight-six engine that was adequately powerful for the day. It was also exceptionally light, weighing only 1,130 kg (2,491 pounds). This resulted in a car that has everything a classic British sports car should have!
Lotus Elise (S1)
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Lotus is known for its compact, simple, lightweight sports cars. Colin Chapman’s idea of “simplify and add lightness” was so significant that larger manufacturers adopted it for specific models. This resulted in some very successful cars, such as the Mazda MX-5. The first-generation Elise is the most current example of Lotus’ classic version of Colin Chapman’s concept. The S1 Elise only featured a 1.8 liter Rover K-Series engine, but it was enough for it to be enjoyable to drive because it weighed only 725 kg (1,598.4 lbs).
Aston Martin DB5
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When people think of a classic Aston Martin, the DB5 is usually the first car that comes to mind. This iconic British sports automobile rose to prominence due to its numerous appearances in the James Bond film franchise. It’s easy to see why people believed this was a fitting car for James Bond, as it exudes a British aristocracy. It was reasonably powerful for its time, thanks to its 4.0-liter straight-6 engine, and its interior was also among the most luxurious of its day.
Mercedes-Benz SL (R107)
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The Mercedes-Benz SL has long been regarded as a superb sports car. While it may be more on the grand touring side than outright sportiness, that hasn’t stopped folks from having a fantastic time with them! The R107 is one of the SL’s most renowned generations. It originated from an age when Mercedes-Benz was still massively over-engineering their vehicles, resulting in a car that was not only exceptionally plush and comfortable for its time but also quite solidly made and highly reliable!
Ferrari 250 GTO
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This one is a legend. Built between 1962 and 1964, only 36 were ever made, making them incredibly rare and valuable. If you manage to get a chance to sit behind the wheel of one, you should know you are very privileged. Its timeless design, with a curvy body and innovative rear spoiler, is instantly recognizable. It regularly makes appearances in movies as the car to beat. Under the hood, a powerful V12 engine roared, dominating races and capturing three consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans victories. More than a car, the 250 GTO is a rolling piece of motorsport history.
12 Reasons Why Hybrid Vehicles Might Not Be Your Best Choice
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Hybrid vehicles have been credited for combining electric motors and combustion engines, which have become increasingly popular. They have bridged the gap between traditional gas-powered and fully electric vehicles, offering potential buyers an option to explore these technologies without giving up familiarity with the other. It is essential to look at the larger picture as these vehicles come with their own set of drawbacks which cannot be overlooked. Below are 12 reasons why Hybrid Vehicles may not be your best choice.
12 Reasons Why Hybrid Vehicles Might Not Be Your Best Choice
