Want to see a list of mouth-watering antique and classic cars you should drive before you die? Not everyone is a car connoisseur and not everyone can appreciate the beauty of antique and classic cars. If you are a car enthusiast, you must be familiar with Ford’s Mustang, Pontiac Firebird, Chevrolet Camaro, and many more. Classic, vintage cars are the ones that are at least 20 years older while antiques are at least 45 years older.
For the avid collector deep inside you, life would be incomplete without driving some of the most exceptional pieces of machinery ever conceived. Unfortunately, for most of us, there’s little chance of ever driving an original Ferrari 250 GTO, Shelby Cobra Daytona, or Formula One car.
However, there may be rides that you do stand a chance of maneuvering, or at least seeing for yourself, and the 18 that follow should absolutely be essential for your bucket list.
We all have some kind of fantasy about driving an impressive car. Let us show you 18 of the coolest antique and classic cars – driving them will be worth it!
Jaguar E-Type:
This car has the prestige of being known as the most beautiful car ever made. Jaguar E-Type is a classical sports car from the 1960s. This model was a gift from British motoring history and can perform up to 150 mph to date. Its brakes are still better than most of the cars of the present era. Anyone who has a flair for antique cars would love to visit the Jaguar Heritage Driving Experience Program in Kenilworth, UK.
1963 Split Window Corvette
One of the most collected cars in the United States of America. Even today, it is immensely elegant, and one of America’s most celebrated sports cars. Its uniqueness is the body that the corvette possesses.
Have there been faster Corvettes than the 1963 Split Window Corvette? Yes, but the second-generation Corvette starting in 1963 was what first made this level of performance available to the general public. It also features a beautiful split rear window that was never to be replicated after the 1964 version.
Rolls-Royce Dawn Drop-head
It was launched in 1949 and then retired in 1954. The RR Dawn drop-head has a slightly smaller body than the prewar cars. To date, only three from the original 28 drop-heads can be found in the United States, all of these are owned by private collectors.
Ferrari Testarossa
12 cylinders, two seats, and just enough comfort to make a jaunt up the coast something more than an endurance test is what makes the Testarossa so great.
Volkswagen Bus
It doesn’t have to be a gorgeous 23-window example from 1961. Find a split-window one like your high school sweetheart had for a couple of grand that has a little life left in it, and hit the road, Jack.
Aston Martin DB4
Like James Bond’s getaway car, the Aston Martin has always been one of the most iconic car models. “The DB4 is a thoroughbred that never gets flustered,” 007 Hagerty says. For anyone who wants to drive an Aston Martin, they best be in good relations with a car collector.
BMW 3.0 CSL
And then there are the people who want to live the ultimate race-track fantasy, for you this car is a must to pilot. BMW came into the United States in the 1970s and with it, brought many treasures, and the 3.0 CSL is definitely one of them. A car that is one of a kind when it comes to performance and engineering designs.
Reliant Robin
Just one wheel in front? This doesn’t seem to give the Robin much support to go around corners, which is a large part of why it’s often been mocked. Could be dangerous if you’re not careful, but just once, forever teen.
Jaguar XK-E Roadster
Not only was the XK-E referred to as “the most beautiful car in the world” by none other than Enzo Ferrari, but the blisteringly fast (by 1961 standards) E-Type also remains the gold standard for top-down motoring.
Shelby Mustang GT350
The GT350’s is the track-ready Mustang that sparked the original pony car as a viable performance vehicle and is as essential to the Carroll Shelby legend as the Cobra or GT40.
BMW E30 M3
When BMW’s M division took a hopped-up and lightweight four-cylinder and stuffed it into the second generation 3-Series, it created a monster that could out-corner cars costing several times more.
The Amphicar
Does it look weird driving down the road? Yep. Does it scare the crap out of unknowing passengers when you scream “the brakes don’t work!” while driving straight into a lake? Yep. Just ask President Johnson. You’ve gotta try this one to believe it!
Shelby GT350
Another name for Shelby GT350 is the Cobra. This is actually an honorable descendant of the Ford Mustang and was unveiled during the late 1960s. This car provides the epic noise when you turn its keys – just like any car enthusiast would like. If you wish to drive this Cobra, you will have to visit a high-end classic car auction event, dealer, broker or auction house.
The Volkswagen Beetle
Simple and fun – the two words that can easily define the Volkswagen Beetle. This is an easily drivable cute car experience with friendly exteriors that will attract anyone with working peepers, and then some. This car is for those who are so very confident in what they do. Pro Tip: You can drive a beetle by perusing eBay or Craigslist Ads.
Dodge Viper GTS
Introduced in the 1990s, such a model cannot even be built today. It has a horsepower of 450 and has the Shelby Cobra as its predecessor. Driving it is one hell of an enthralling experience and should definitely be on your bucket list.
Porsche 356
This was Porsche’s first produced car, and it survived four generations! With four cylinders, most vintage car experts will always classify it as fun to drive. The fleet production of this car consists of 76000 cars in total.
McLaren MP4-12C
If you’ve never driven one, or even seen one, it goes without saying that you have to drive a McLaren F1 or P1 to really, live. More than likely you won’t actually get the chance to, but that’s ok because you still get a pretty nice shot of adrenaline just starting an MP4-12C. Hint Hint.
Hummer H1
The cool person on the block in my hometown always had one, the rich ones blocks that is. The term “military spec” gets tossed around frequently, but it’s wholly appropriate for the Hummer, which started as the go-to vehicle for U.S. troops.
Citroen DS
Chances are, you haven’t given French car culture too much thought outside of cartoons, video games, or spy movies, but a Citroen DS was an absolute technological marvel in the 1950s.
How many from this enigmatic list have you even just dreamed of getting your hands on? Feel free to browse for some of Rosner Motorsports‘ more affordable luxury cars, used Mercedes, or used Porche. Feel free to contact us, or stop by when you’re in Vero Beach, Florida.
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