Andrew Hoffman | August 2, 2016
Almost everyone has a fantasy that involves driving at the wheel of a sleek, beautiful car, but the make, model, and year of that fantastical car always vary. If you’ve ever daydreamed about the coolest classic cars ever created, read on to discover the top five classic cars you should drive in real life before you kick the bucket.
CHEVROLET CORVETTE
The powerful, iconic Chevy Corvette is at the top of this list, as this car is among the most collected classics in America. With the exceptionally rare RPO L88 427 engine, vaunted horsepower, and aggressive style, this car is well worth taking for a drive. Rated at 430 horsepower, the engine actually thrusts this beauty well over 500 horsepower. This car is famous for its outstanding performance and style, as detail and refinement were the hallmarks of the head of Corvette’s engine and chassis group, Zora Arkus-Duntov.
JAGUAR E-TYPE
Produced throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, the Jaguar E-Type is a car based on the British automaker’s D-Type racing car, which had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three years in a row, from 1955-1957. Reaching up to 150 miles per hour and with the best braking power of its time, this British classic combines grace, performance, and power as an iconic classic car. Its allure even won the acclaim of Enzo Ferrari, of the competing Ferrari auto company, who called it “The most beautiful car ever made.”
LAMBORGHINI MIURA
The Lamborghini Miura debuted in 1966 and is still considered one of the sexiest cars ever built. A sleek, mid-engine car that was designed to challenge Ferrari, this speedster has six carburetors feeding the V-12 right behind your head. In 1966 this car was the fastest one on the road, with a factory declared top speed of 174 miles per hour. This car got two upgrades during its production the S and the SV.
PORSCHE 911
The Porsche 911 was first produced in 1963 and represents the best of vintage driving—especially before the car’s redesign in 1974. A rear mounted, six-cylinder boxer engine and an independent suspension make this car truly special. Even today, the classic Porsche 911 is a respected vehicle that can hold its own on the modern road.
ROLLS-ROYCE DAWN DROPHEAD
The original Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead launched in 1949 and was retired by 1955. With a mere 760 vehicles produced during this time, This Rolls-Royce model reached a top speed of 94 miles per hour with acceleration from 0-60 in 15.2 seconds. Slightly smaller than pre-war cars, the Dawn reintroduced Rolls-Royce to the modern age with motoring craftsmanship and finesse. After a 60-year hiatus, the Dawn will once again grace the roads, as Rolls-Royce has released a successor in 2016.
Find Your Drive
Few can afford the luxury of purchasing one of these stunning vehicles, but everyone should have the pleasure of sampling their charms. Check out car shows, expos, and events to discover the beauty of these icons. In the meantime, protect your current car with easy-to-install aftermarket modifications, such as a lip kit. Many companies, like All-Fit Automotive, specialize in style and performance upgrades that can turn elegant classic cars into modern engineering marvels.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Hoffman is a freelance writer and journalist from Los Angeles, CA, who has written on behalf of a range of clients including the Livestrong Network and Demand Media. In addition to writing about a range of topics, he enjoys surfing in Santa Monica and going out for long rides in his car with his better-half.