Classic cars and vintage vehicles often get lumped together, though their definitions differ. While these terms have distinct meanings, there is one shared characteristic: older vehicles with enough historical interest to warrant preservation instead of disposal.
If you have an interest in classic cars, it’s essential to comprehend what makes them collectible and what characteristics are associated with them.
Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic
The Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic was an iconic super sports car designed by Jean Bugatti, son of Ettore Bugatti. This model remains one of the most beloved models in Bugatti history to this day.
The Atlantic concept car, inspired by the 1935 Aerolithe concept car, featured flowing coupe lines with a distinctive dorsal seam running from front to rear. This distinctive feature remains iconic today.
The Type 57 was the foundation for many handcrafted sedans, coupes, sports cars and racers. It also served as a platform to introduce the Galibier (four-door sedan), Stelvio (convertible) and Ventoux (two-door). The Atlantic was produced between 1934 and 1940 with 800 examples produced.
Rolls-Royce Dawn Drophead
The Dawn is a truly modern four-seat drophead designed with rear passengers in mind. It boasts acres of real wood trim, massaging front seats and thick lambswool floor mats for added comfort.
The Dawn is the epitome of luxury, boasting all the hallmarks of Rolls-Royce. From its V12 engine to its silky smooth drive, you’ll experience all that comes with driving a Rolls-Royce.
The 6.6-litre V12 produces 563bhp and 780Nm, giving the Dawn an exhilarating drive on smooth roads. Furthermore, its handling is superior to what one might expect for such a powerful car.
Aston Martin DB5
The Aston Martin DB5 is one of the world’s most beloved classic cars, made famous in 1964 when it served as James Bond’s chauffeur in Goldfinger.
In 1963, the DB5 was introduced as a successor to the DB4. This model featured an expanded four-litre straight-six engine producing 282 horsepower in standard form; however, buyers could opt for more potent Vantage-spec engines with 325 horsepower output.
Lamborghini Miura
The Lamborghini Miura set the benchmark for contemporary sports cars with its sleek body, which combined aesthetics and performance perfectly.
In 1966, the Miura made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and quickly earned itself a place of honor in automobile history. With its distinctive shark nose front end and circular fiat-derived headlights that rose when illuminated and lay flat when not activated, this car quickly gained notoriety throughout the world of automotives.
The iconic Bizzarrini-designed 4.0-liter V12 from 400 GT was retained, but mounted transversely for improved weight distribution. This allowed it to fit beneath the Miura’s sleek body design.
Shelby Mustang
The Shelby Mustang is one of the world’s most beloved classic cars. It was Carroll Shelby’s first design for Ford and it boasts many high-performance features that remain unchanged to this day.
In 1964, Ford introduced the original Mustang and it quickly gained notoriety for its power and speed. To add even more performance to his car, Lee Iacocca sought help from racing legend Carroll Shelby – an idea which proved successful.
The Shelby GT500 is a track-ready vehicle featuring a supercharged 5.2 liter V8 engine producing 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, it has TREMEC seven-speed dual clutch transmission for quick acceleration and easy driving.
Dodge Viper
In 1988, Chrysler president Bob Lutz had an idea. He wanted to create a sports car similar to the Shelby Cobra but with modern features.
He reached out to Tom Gale, then the company’s chief of design. The two began working together on a prototype together.
The original Viper was an impressive vehicle, boasting a 6.0-liter V10 engine producing 450 horsepower. Plus, it had the unique system which enabled drivers to adjust all three pedals independently.
It’s easy to see why Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca loved the Viper so much. It provided them with the power and performance they needed to compete with Europe’s supercars.
