Toyota MR2
The Toyota MR2 is a line of two-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports cars, manufactured in Japan and marketed globally by Toyota from 1984 until 2007 over three generations: W10 (1984–1989), W20 (1989–1999) and W30 (1999–2007). It is Japan’s first rear mid-engined production car.
Vauxhall 20/60 R Type Princeton Tourer
The Vauxhall 20-60 is a four or five-seater saloon, limousine, tourer or coupé-cabriolet manufactured by Vauxhall of Luton. It was announced on 28 September 1927 with a six-cylinder engine and a four-speed gearbox.[1] A cautious move downmarket. “The first time any six-cylinder Vauxhall has been sold under £1000!”[6] “British & Vauxhall”. The initial 2.7-litre engine was enlarged to 3-litres after twelve months.[2]
MGF VVC
The MG F and MG TF are mid-engined, rear wheel drive roadster cars that were sold under the MG marque by three manufacturers between 1995 and 2011. The MG F was the first new model designed as an MG since the MGB that was produced from 1962 to 1980, the marque spent the 1980s being used to denote performance models from then parent Austin Rover Group, and was briefly seen on the MG RV8, a limited edition relaunch of the MG MGB which was sold between 1993 and 1995.
MG B Roadster LE
The MG B Roadster was the first of the MGB range to be produced. The body was a pure two-seater; a small rear seat was a rare option at one point. The MGB offered better space utilisation to passengers and luggage than the preceeding MG A, despite being both 3 in (7.6 cm) shorter in wheelbase and overall length, and 2 in (5.1 cm) lower. Growing in width by the same, gave the MGB a distinctly lower and more squat stance than its forebear.
Mercedes E55
The 2001 model year E 55 was a rare version of the W210 E 55 AMG, of which only 653 units were produced in 2001. It has a 5.5-liter V8 that produces 354 hp (359 PS; 264 kW) and 391 lb⋅ft (530 N⋅m) of torque. Various road tests revealed ranges of 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) times in 4.8-5.3 seconds and quarter-mile times in 13.3–13.5 seconds at around 105–107 mph (169–172 km/h).
Mercedes-Benz 230E (W124) Saloon
The W124 was a mid-sized vehicle platform, which entered planning in the autumn of 1976 under development Hans Scherenberg. In July 1977, the W124 program officially began, with R&D commencing work under newly appointed Werner Breitschwerdt. In April 1978, decisions were made to base it on the Mercedes-Benz W201 model program.
Mercedes SL350 R230
The R230, introduced in 2001, continues the evolution of R129 with smoother body design and new peanut-shaped headlamp design. The fifth-generation SL-Class featured a ‘Vario Roof’ retractable hardtop, as introduced on the 1996 SLK Class: Active Body Control (ABC) active suspension system, Keyless Go keyless entry and smart key, and Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) electro-hydraulic power brake system.
MG D Type
The MG D-type “Midget” is a sports car that was produced by MG in 1931 and 1932. It used the engine from the MG M-type in the chassis from the MG C-type and was only available as a four-seater. Of the 250 cars produced, 208 were open tourers, 37 were salonettes and five went to external coachbuilders.
Mercedes E class W213
The W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the fifth-generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Sold from 2016 (as a 2017 model), it is the successor to the W212/S212 E-Class models. The coupe/convertible models share the same platform as the sedan/wagon, in contrast to the previous generation. The high-performance Mercedes-AMG E 63 and E 63 S versions of the W213 have been available as well from 2016 (as a 2017 model), and these are the only versions with V8 engines.
Honda NSX
The origins of the NSX trace back to 1984, with the HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) concept,[2] for a 3.0 L (180 cu in) V6 rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car. Honda committed to the project, with the intention of meeting or exceeding the performance of the then V8 engine Ferrari range, while offering reliability and a lower price point. The concept thus evolved and had its name changed to NS-X, which stood for “New”, “Sportscar” “eXperimental”,[3] although the production model was launched as the NSX.
Austin 8 CWT Pickup
The Austin 6cwt/8cwt was re-badged Morris Minor in 1953–1971. Initially available as a two-door saloon and tourer (convertible), the range was expanded to include a four-door saloon from September 1950. An estate car with a wooden frame (the Traveller) was produced from October 1953 and panel van and pick-up truck variants from May 1953
Morris 8 Sports Saloon
The Morris Eight is a small family car produced by Morris Motors from 1935 to 1948. It was inspired by the sales popularity of the Ford Model Y, styling of which the Eight closely followed.[1] The success of the car enabled Morris to regain its position as Britain’s largest motor manufacturer.
Volkswagen Scirocco Scala
A heavily redesigned “Type 2” variant (internally designated Typ 53B) went on sale in 1981, although it remained on the A1 platform. The second generation Scirocco, still assembled on behalf of Volkswagen by Karmann of Osnabrück (in the same factory as the first generation Scirocco), was first shown at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show in March that year.
Mercedes-Benz SL320
Designed in 1984, the R129 was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124[2] and featured many innovative details for the time, for instance electronically controlled damping (Adaptive Damping System ADS, optional) and a hidden, automatically extending roll-over bar. The R107’s somewhat dated rear suspension with semi-trailing arms gave way to a modern multi-link axle. The number of standard features was high, with electric action for the windows, mirrors, seats and hydraulic convertible top.
Rover SD1 Vitesse Twin Plenum
The Rover SD1 is both the code name and eventual production name given to a series of executive cars built by the Specialist Division (later the Jaguar-Rover-Triumph division), and finally the Austin Rover division of British Leyland from 1976 until 1986, when it was replaced by the Rover 800. The SD1 was marketed under various names. In 1977 it won the European Car of the Year title.[2]
In “SD1”, the “SD” refers to “Specialist Division” and “1” is the first car to come from the in-house design team.
Triumph TR7 V8
The Triumph TR7 is a sports car that was manufactured in the United Kingdom from September 1974 to October 1981 by British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC), which changed its name to British Leyland (BL) in 1975. The car was launched in the United States in January 1975, with its UK home market debut in May 1976. The UK launch was delayed at least twice because of high demand for the vehicle in the US, with final sales of new TR7s continuing into 1982
Morris Oxford (Bullnose)
The “bullnose” Morris Oxford is a series of motor car models produced by Morris of the United Kingdom, from 1913 to 1926. It was named by W R Morris after the city in which he grew up and which his cars were to industrialise. William Morris’s first car was called Oxford in recognition of its home city. It was announced in The Autocar magazine in October 1912 and production began in March 1913.
Ford Capri
The Ford Capri is a fastback coupé built by Ford of Europe, designed by Philip T. Clark, who was also involved in the design of the Ford Mustang.[1] It used the mechanical components from the Mk2 Ford Cortina and was intended as the European equivalent of the Ford Mustang.
Nissan Skyline
The Nissan Skyline is a brand of automobile originally produced by the Prince Motor Company starting in 1957, and then by Nissan after the two companies merged in 1967. After the merger, the Skyline and its larger counterpart, the Nissan Gloria, were sold in Japan at dealership sales channels called Nissan Prince Shop.
Jaguar Mark 2
The Jaguar Mark 2 is a mid-sized luxury sports saloon built from late 1959[3] to 1967 by Jaguar in Coventry, England. The previous Jaguar 2.4 Litre and 3.4 Litre models made between 1955 and 1959 are identified as Mark 1 Jaguars.
Dodge Polara
The Dodge Polara is an automobile introduced in the United States for the 1960 model year as Dodge‘s top-of-the-line full-size car. After the introduction of the Dodge Custom 880 in 1962, the Polara nameplate designated a step below the full-sized best-trimmed Dodge model; the Polara that year had been downsized to what was in effect intermediate, or mid-size status.-
Triumph Spitfire 1500
The Triumph Spitfire is a British sports car and manufactured over five production iterations between 1962 and 1980. Styled for Standard–Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti, the Spitfire was introduced at the London Motor Show in 1962.[5] It was manufactured at the Standard-Triumph Canley works, with approximately 315,000 produced over 18 years.
Austin Allegro 1300 SDL
The Austin Allegro is a small family car that was manufactured by the Austin-Morris division of British Leyland (BL) from 1973 until 1982. The same vehicle was built in Italy by Innocenti between 1974 and 1975 and sold as the Innocenti Regent. The Allegro[2] was designed as a replacement for the Austin 1100 and 1300 models.
Mercedes Benz – 130
At the beginning of the 1930s, inspired by modern streamlined shapes, there were attempts to move car engines from the forward compartment to the rear of the car. Such a move allows a reduction in the volume of the front compartment. At the same time, the voluminous rear provides a lot of space above and behind the rear axle. Moreover, when engines are rear mounted, the drive shaft is eliminated. The most famous such development was with the 1930s Tatra cars under the leadership of Hans Ledwinka.
Rover P6B 3500 Auto
The P6 was announced on 9 October 1963,[4] just before the Earls Court Motor Show. The vehicle was marketed first as the Rover 2000 and was a complete “clean sheet” design intended to appeal to a larger number of buyers than earlier models such as the P4 it replaced. Rover had identified a developing market between the standard ‘1.5-litre’ saloon car class (such as the Ford Consul and the Singer Gazelle) and the accepted ‘three-litre’ large saloon cars (typified by the Wolseley 6/99 and the Vauxhall Cresta).
Lancia Beta 2000 Coupe
The Lancia Beta (Type 828) was an entry-level luxury car produced by Italian car manufacturer Lancia from 1972 to 1984. It was the first new model introduced by Lancia after it had been taken over by Fiat in 1969.
The Beta was made in several body styles, namely 4-door fastback saloon (Beta berlina), 4-door three-box, notchback saloon (Beta Trevi), 2-door coupé (Beta Coupé), 2-door targa (Beta Spider), 3-door estate (Beta HPE); a mid-engined sports car was also sold under the Beta name, the Lancia Beta Montecarlo.
Ford Granada Mk 2
The European Ford Granada is an executive car manufactured by Ford Europe from 1972 until 1994.
The first-generation model was produced from 1972 to 1976 at Ford’s German factory in Cologne and at its British factory in Dagenham. In 1976, production switched entirely to Germany. The original version was replaced in 1977 by a second-generation model which was produced until 1985. From 1985 to 1994, the Granada name was used, in the United Kingdom and Ireland only, for a third-generation model which was sold in other European markets as the Ford Scorpio and in North America as the Merkur Scorpio.
Austin Mini City E
The Mini is a small, two-door, four-seat car, developed as ADO15, and produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors, from 1959 until 2000. Minus a brief hiatus, original Minis were built for four decades and sold during five, from the last year of the 1950s into the last year of the 20th century, over a single generation, as fastbacks, estates, and convertibles.
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW‘s in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.
Jensen Interceptor III series 4
The Jensen Interceptor is a grand touring car which was hand-built at the Kelvin Way Factory in West Bromwich, near Birmingham in England, by Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1976. The Interceptor name had been used previously by Jensen for the Jensen Interceptor made between 1950 and 1957 at the Carters Green factory. Jensen had extensively used glass-reinforced plastic for the fabrication of body panels in the preceding two decades, but the new Interceptor was a return to a steel body-shell. The body was designed by an outside firm, Carrozzeria Touring of Italy, rather than the in-house staff. The early bodies were built in Italy by Vignale, before Jensen took production in house, making some subtle body modifications.
Austin 10/4 Cambridge
The Austin Ten is a small car that was produced by Austin. It was launched on 19 April 1932[1] and was Austin’s best-selling car in the 1930s and continued in production, with upgrades, until 1947. It fitted in between their “baby” Austin Seven which had been introduced in 1922 and their various Austin Twelves which had been updated in January 1931.
Jaguar ‘E’ Type V12 Roadster
The Jaguar E-Type, or the Jaguar XK-E for the North American market, is a British front mid-engined sports car that was manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd from 1961 to 1974. Its combination of exceptional aesthetics, advanced technologies, high performance, and competitive pricing established the model as an icon of the motoring world. The E-Type’s claimed 150 miles per hour (240 km/h) top speed,[4] sub-7-second 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration, largely unitary body construction, front and rear independent suspension with disc brakes, mounted inboard at the rear, and rack-and-pinion steering, distinguished the car and spurred industry-wide changes.[5]
Vauxhall Viva
The Vauxhall Viva is a small family car that was produced by Vauxhall in a succession of three versions between 1963 and 1979. These were designated the HA, HB and HC series.
The Viva was introduced a year after Vauxhall’s fellow GM company Opel launched the Opel Kadett A. Both cars were a result of the same General Motors project and share the same floorpan and engine constructions, but with one main difference being the use of metric measurements for the Opel and imperial ones for the Vauxhall.
Porsche 911 SC Targa
The Porsche 911 (pronounced Nine Eleven or in German: Neunelf) is a two-door 2+2 high performance rear-engined sports car introduced in September 1964 by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a rear-mounted flat-six engine and originally a torsion bar suspension. The car has been continuously enhanced through the years but the basic concept has remained unchanged.[1] The engines were air-cooled until the introduction of the 996 series in 1998.[2][3]
Triumph Stag
Envisioned as a luxury sports car, the Stag was designed to compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz SL class models. All Stags were four-seater convertible coupés, but for structural rigidity – and to meet proposed American rollover standards of the time – the Stag required a B-pillar “roll bar” hoop connected to the windscreen frame by a T-bar. A body-colour removable hard top with defrost wires on the rear window, full headliner and lever operated quarter windows was a popular factory option.
Stu Smith 1969 Wildcat stockcar
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing run on oval tracks and road courses measuring approximately 0.25 to 2.66 miles (0.4 to 4.3 km). It originally used production-model cars, hence the name “stock car”, but is now run using cars specifically built for racing.
Ford Cortina Mk1
The Ford Cortina is a medium-sized family car manufactured and marketed initially by Ford of Britain, and then Ford of Europe in various body styles from 1962 to 1982 over five generations — and was the United Kingdom’s best-selling car of the 1970s.
The Cortina was produced in five generations (Mark I through to Mark V, although officially the last one was only the Cortina 80 facelift of the Mk IV) from 1962 until 1982.
Austin Cambridge A60
The Austin Cambridge (sold as A40, A50, A55, and A60) is a medium-sized motor car range produced by the Austin Motor Company, in several generations, from September 1954 through to 1971 as cars and to 1973 as light commercials. It replaced the A40 Somerset and was entirely new, with modern unibody construction. The range had two basic body styles with the A40, A50, and early A55 using a traditional rounded shape and later A55 Mark IIs and A60s using Pininfarina styling.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is a series of American automobiles manufactured by Ford. In continuous production since 1964, the Mustang is currently the longest-produced Ford car nameplate. Currently in its seventh generation, it is the fifth-best selling Ford car nameplate. The namesake of the “pony car” automobile segment, the Mustang was developed as a highly styled line of sporty coupes and convertibles derived from existing model lines, initially distinguished by “long hood, short deck” proportions.[3]
Saab 93 SE convertible
The Saab 9-3 (pronounced nine-three) is a compact executive car initially developed and manufactured by the Swedish automaker Saab.
The first generation 9-3 (1998–2003) is based on the GM2900 platform, changing to the GM Epsilon platform with the introduction of the second-generation car (2003–2012). Other vehicles using this platform include the Opel Vectra, Chevrolet Malibu, and Cadillac BLS.
Saab’s parent company during 2013 and 2014, National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), briefly assembled a few 9-3 sedans.
TVR Tuscan Convertible
The Tuscan Speed Six was introduced in 1999 and was available for media demonstration in 2000. The reason being then owner Peter Wheeler imposing a ban on press reviews of the car. Initially, the Tuscan Speed Six was fitted with the 4.0 litre version of the TVR Speed Six engine rated at 360 hp (268 kW) at 7,000 rpm and 420 N⋅m (310 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,250 rpm.
Chevrolet Corvette C3
The Chevrolet Corvette (C3) is the third generation of the Corvette sports car that was produced from 1967 until 1982 by Chevrolet for the 1968 to 1982 model years. Engines and chassis components were mostly carried over from the previous generation, but the body and interior were new. It set new sales records with 53,807 produced for the 1979 model year.[7]
Wolseley 6/80
The Wolseley 4/50 and similar 6/80 were Wolseley Motors‘ first post-war automobiles. They were put into production in 1948 and were based on the Morris Oxford MO and the Morris Six MS respectively. The 4-cylinder 4/50 used a 1476 cc 50 hp (37 kW; 51 PS) version of the 6/80 engine, while the 6/80 used a 2215 cc 72 hp (54 kW; 73 PS) straight-6 single overhead cam.
Hyundai Tuscani Elisa
The Tuscani Elisa (known as the Tiburon or Coupe outside of South Korea) is one of few cars in its class to have as an option a V6, and the Tuscani uses this torquey motor to its fullest. The twist at the Tuscani’s disposal helps the coupe power out of turns and also sounds fantastic, providing a great contrast to less sonorous four-cylinder opponents.
Ford cougar
The Ford Cougar is a D-segment coupé that was produced and sold in the European market between 1998 and 2002, and sold in Canada and the United States from 1999 until 2002 as the Mercury Cougar.
The car was originally intended to be the third generation Probe, but after rationalization of the three coupés available in the United States, the Probe name was dropped in favor of the Cougar. It is an example of a sports coupé/liftback.