There is no doubt that owning a great classic car is a statement of true luxury. Not only are these cars famous in name and heritage, but they may also be considered pioneers of automobile class, style and quality. With so many notable classic cars, finding the right one to buy can be difficult.
Not only must you consider the value, maintenance and reputation of the car, among other things, but you should also appraise which models may actually turn your purchase into a long term investment, after all, a top tier classic car can hold, if not increase, its value over time. When perusing your choices before sealing the deal, we recommend you spend some time researching to make sure you are aware of the key considerations for buying a classic car, and to get yourself a suitable car insurance quote. Classic cars are of course more than just your average vehicle – they are a hobby, a passion, a treasure, which is why they often need specialised classic car insurance policies to protect them against damage and the increased risk of theft.
For a little inspiration, we have identified the top 4 must have luxury cars that should be on your list.
Aston Martin DB5
As Mr Bond’s car of choice in the 1964 film Goldfinger, the DB5 model helped define the Aston Martin brand and has since become one of the best known classic cars in the world. Designed by Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera and released in 1963, this British luxury grand tourer houses a 4.0 litre six cylinder engine, five speed transmission, and three S.U. carburettors.
The interior and exterior features include reclining seats, wool pile carpets, electric windows, full leather trim in the cabin, chrome wire wheels, oil cooler, and a Superleggera magnesium alloy body. If it’s good enough for 007, it’s good enough for you.
Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB
The Ferrari 250 series was a range of sports cars and grand tourers produced between 1952 and 1964, known for their distinct use of a 3.0 L Colombo V12 engine designed by Giaoccino Co lombo. With only 176 models built, the 1959 Berlinetta SWB was one of the most renowned GT racers of its time, but equally served as a superb on the road vehicle with the option to order either street (Lusso) or competition (competizione) trims on both aluminium and steel bodies.
The car features a wheelbase shortened 200 millimetres from the long running 2,600 millimetre wheelbase, a lightened chassis, tubular Miletto or Koni shock absorbers at the front corners, and, for the first time, Dunlop disk brakes on all for wheels. After its unveiling at the Paris Motor Show, the car went on to win Ferrari the GT class of the 1961 Constructor’s Championship, and also the 1960, 1961 and 1962 Tour de France Automobile. The 250 GT Berlinetta SWB has found its way to seventh place on Sports Car International’s list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s and fifth place on Motor Trend Classic’s list of the ten Greatest Ferraris of all time.
Lamborghini Miura P400SV
Considered Lamborghini’s flagship car, the Miura is an Italian 2 door coupé sports car that was produced between 1966 and 1973. It was the first supercar produced by the Italian automobile company, Lamborghini, and the first supercar to possess an engine mounted in the rear mid region of the car, giving it its iconic, sleek lines.
The most famous model of the Miura collection is the P400SV, first presented in 1971. With larger rear bodywork housing a revised suspension to previous Miura models, the P400SV boasts a sharper, more aggressive look whilst also dismissing the front end lightness that proved to be a detrimental quality of previous models. Larger carburettors and an alternative cam timing gave the engine more tractability at lower rpms with an acceleration speed of 0-60mph in just 5.8 seconds.
Jaguar E Type Series 3
Completely and utterly British, the Jaguar E Type was manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd between 1961 and 1975 and has a reputation unlike any other. Enzo Ferrari dubbed the car “the most beautiful car ever made” upon its release in March 1961, Sports Car International placed the car at number one on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s back in 2004, and the car also made it to the number one spot on The Daily Telegraph’s online list of the world’s 100 most beautiful cars of all time.
Based on Jaguars D Type racing car, the E Type offered a slightly more sophisticated, luxury-cruising quality, the E Type Series 3 in particular boasted a new 5.3 L twelve cylinder Jaguar V12 engine with four Zenith carburettors, updated brakes and standard power steering. Style and performance are beautifully married in this iconic classic car.
Image credit at the very top of the article: Kamira/Bigstock.com
