Celebrating the best British classics ever built
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The British motor industry took its first tentative steps way back in the 1895 when engineer Frederick Simms befriended Gottlieb Daimler and acquired the rights to build Daimler’s engine in Britain.
While the exact date of the first all-British automobile remains a source of contention, Richard Stephens is generally credited as building the first cars with solely local componentry in 1897. From there the British motor industry went from strength to strength, peaking in the 1960s as the world’s second largest automobile manufacturer.
The face of the motor industry may have changed drastically since those heady days but we are blessed with a number of timeless classics that emerged over the past 120 years.
As a tribute to our inspired designers and manufacturers we take a look at some of the very best cars from the early days right up to the turn of the 21st century.
With so many worthy classics out there we couldn’t possibly list them all so let us know your favourites too.
Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1906-1926
At a time when the average automobile was no more than a quivering, smoky, motorised wooden carriage the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost wafted in and showed the world the future of motoring.
Continuously developed and improved over its long 20-year production cycle the Silver Ghost was also extremely reliable, ably demonstrated by a widely publicised 15000-mile reliability trial which it completed faultlessly in 1907.
Without a doubt the best car in the world then and utterly priceless today.
Bentley 4 ½ Litre 1927-1931
Commercially the Bentley 4 ½ litre was not particularly successful. It did however make a name for itself as a supremely competent racer, winning the 24-hours of Le Mans in 1928.
The supercharged ‘Blower Bentleys’ were even more powerful with up to 240bhp and while they set some speed records their patchy reliability made them less suitable for track events.
These cars incorporated some inspired engineering and have become inextricably linked with British motoring folklore.
Land Rover Series I-III 1948-1985
Few would have thought that the rough and ready post-war Land Rover Series models would become anything more than footnotes in motoring history.
Built to help Rover get back on its feet, bodies were constructed of Aluminium and painted predominantly in green thanks to an army surplus of both items.
Thanks to their extreme durability and go-anywhere capability they have become sought after classics with some being restored to as-new condition.
Buy a Land Rover Series I on AutoTrader
Jaguar XK 1948-1961
The Jaguar XK was one of the first aspirational sports cars to be introduced after the austere war years so their popularity was far from guaranteed.
The XK120 (the 120 reflected its top speed) arrived in 1948 and was very well received. It was soon followed by the even more potent XK140 and XK150 variants.
Prices are now stratospheric for good ones and while their performance may have been eclipsed the XK models still look like automotive works of art.
Buy a Jaguar XK on AutoTrader
Jaguar Mk2 1959-1967
Fast two-door convertibles and coupes were arriving in ever-increasing numbers during the 1950s but the family man was not quite so well catered for.
Then the Jaguar MKII arrived and offered sports car performance in a four-door body shell. 3.8-litre versions could reach 60mph in under 9-seconds and were well liked by the police and criminals alike.
Buy a Jaguar MK2 on AutoTrader
Jaguar E-Type 1961-1975
Jaguar was on a roll in the 50s and 60s and with the arrival of the E-Type they raised the game even further.
Capable of 150mph (well almost) the early 6-cylinder versions were true Ferrari rivals at a fraction of the cost. The later V12 automatics lost some of the originals charm but were still consummate cruisers.
The stunning E-Type was a true high-point in British motoring history.
Buy a Jaguar E-Type on AutoTrader
Aston Martin DB5 1963-1965
The Aston Martin DB5 was the sweet spot in the early DB range, developing on the earlier DB4s strengths without suffering from the slightly ungainly looks of the DB6.
Its use in three James Bond films has also helped its enduring popularity with enthusiasts of all ages. Values of some of the rarer examples built are now close to the £1,000,000 mark.
Jensen Interceptor 1966-1976
With a name as emotive as Interceptor, Jensen’s sports car offering introduced in 1966 was off to a good start.
Using large capacity Chevrolet sourced V8s performance was strong and whether a coupe, convertible or hatchback the shape has only got better with age.
The ultra-rare FF was one ofthe world’s first production four-wheel drive sports cars too.
Buy a Jensen Interceptor on AutoTrader
Aston Martin V8 1969-1989
The late 60s saw Aston Martin introduce their brutish V8 model, a stark departure from its earlier DB cars they focused on providing ultimate long-distance capability.
Produced in a variety of configurations the latter Vantage V8 models were truly fearsome, capable of 170mph and more than a match for contemporary Ferraris.
Production lasted two decades with the final version producing a staggering 450bhp.
Ultra-rare shooting brake models are even more sought after.
Buy an Aston Martin V8 on AutoTrader
Mini 1275GT 1969-1980
The original Austin Mini had been around for 10 years before the giant-slaying 1275GT variant was introduced.
The more powerful engine combined with the revolutionary Alec Issigonis designed chassis made for a fantastic little car that also performed beyond all expectations on the world’s racing circuits.
Becoming in the process perhaps the most iconic British car of them all.
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Lotus Esprit 1976-2004
Designed by the lightness adding guru, Colin Chapman, the Lotus Esprit was a revolutionary design in the world of overweight and cumbersome 70s sportscars.
Produced for 28 years and gaining turbochargers and a 3.5-litre V8 engine along the way, the core appeal of every Esprit was its superlative handling and wedge-shaped Giugiaro penned body.
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Bentley Turbo R 1985-1997
Powered by the ubiquitous 6.75-Litre V8 the Turbo R was a daring mix of new and old at a time when Bentley was still a conservative marque.
RT versions produced up to 400bhp but even the ‘standard’ versions could top 140mph.
The classically styled body and sumptuous interior set it apart from almost anything else in its day.
Buy a Bentley Turbo R on AutoTrader
Mclaren F1 1992-1998
The 627bhp McLaren F1 has reached an almost mythical status in recent years, thanks in part to the slow demise of the pure analogue super its unique single-mindedness has become a highly sought after attribute.
Values have long since passed beyond comprehensible levels for the 106 (both road and race) examples that were built.
Its towering performance may have been eclipsed but the design philosophy that it represents may possibly never be challenged.
TVR Sagaris 2005-2006
TVR has had a turbulent history in recent years and has not produced a car in over a decade.
Its new owners promise some interesting things in the future but until then we can enjoy the last and possibly best car they ever built.
Namely the 380bhp Sagaris. Offering build quality and reliability usually alien to the brand, the TVR Sagaris is a raw modern classic.
Its aggressive looks are still crowd-stopping and it is already becoming an appreciating collectors’ car.
Buy a TVR Sagaris on AutoTrader