Luxury cars are the crème de la crème of automobiles. These cars lead the way when it comes to offering their occupants the highest levels of comfort, refinement and technology, sometimes associated with sporty performance. However, even though we want these cars in our garages, they often come at a steep price that only the big guys in society would dare to spend money on. This is why they are often seen as a status symbol on four wheels.
Like many things, luxury cars have evolved as the bar continues to be raised over the years to further refine these plush performers. But still, few current offerings have captured the charm and prestige to redefine the term “luxury” leaving their mark in automotive history quite like these. classic cars on our list.
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Ferrari 250 GTO
Classic car collectors strive to own important pieces of automotive history. And if it involves one of the most important Ferrari cars, there’s a good chance they’re willing to spend a ton of money – around $ 48 million to be exact. After all, Ferrari is arguably one of the biggest sports car manufacturers in the world,
There were only 36 Ferrari 250 GTOs ever designed to race in the FIA Group 3 Grand Touring category, making it a rare commodity on auction sites. In addition, with its remarkable design and glorious V12 engine, the 250 GTO perfectly embodies the characteristics that have made Ferrari an automotive icon.
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Jaguar E-Type
There is nothing like the Jaguar E-Type. Sleek and breathtaking from the inside, this car would have been described by Enzo Ferrari himself as “the most beautiful car ever built”.
The E-Type is one of those cars worthy of being called a thoroughbred with the combination of performance and grand touring luxury, making it perfect for driving in style at high speed and long distances.
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Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Many people consider the Mercedes-Benz 300SL to be “the world’s first supercar”. It held the record for the fastest production car of its time, reaching 161 mph in 1955.
Not only that, but the car was also an absolute marvel in terms of design and technology. With its butterfly doors, it was also the first car to have a mechanical direct fuel injection system.
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Aston Martin DB5
Shaken not moved. The Aston Martin DB5 is a luxury grand tourer with racing pedigree and a few special features, but without a doubt, the car is best known for being the quintessential Bond car.
From Sean Connery to the Daniel Craig era of the Bond films, the car’s timeless design and appeal go hand in hand with the playboy chic image of the British super spy.
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Toyota 2000GT
The Toyota 2000GT gave us a glimpse of what the Japanese could do when they made luxury grand touring cars. Like the DB5, the 2000GT also had its turn as a Bond car.
It was just as exquisite as the other cars on this list, but according to an article in the June 2014 issue of Classic & Sports Car Magazine, the 2000GT was the only car “that looks like a sports car”. To put it in context, it was from a direct comparison to the Jaguar E-Type and a Corvette C3.
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Lotus spirit
Just for your eyes. This lightweight wedge-shaped sports car was one of the last cars driven by Lotus car founder and Formula 1 genius Colin Chapman.
More importantly, the Esprit was the car that saved the Lotus company in the 1980s due to its popularity as another Bond car, and also for its performance. According to Motorsport Magazine, the car could easily smoke a Ferrari 308 GTB.
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Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
The Rolls-Royce Phantom IV was manufactured from 1950 to 1956. And during those years, only 18 were built. Not only that, but the car was also reserved for royalties, as at the time it was only sold to Heads of State and the British Royal Family.
It was the very first Rolls-Royce to serve as Queen Elizabeth II’s official limousine and lasted over 50 years in the Royal Mews. Today, the Phantom IV is also still selected for ceremonial use by the Spanish Royal Family, as the Spanish Army still owns three copies of this royal car.
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Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser
The towering presence of the Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser is almost “made for the efforts of extremely bad people”, according to GQ Magazine UK, as the car had notable owners who made history like mad.
During its production from 1963 to 1981, a total of 2,677 Grossers were manufactured, and 41 of them came out of the factory fitted with bulletproof panels.
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Bentley mulsanne
Here’s a luxury car that’s basically Buckingham Palace on wheels. The Bentley Mulsanne may have been designed to exude elegance, but it also packs a punch thanks to its massive turbocharged engine.
It features a 6.7-liter turbocharged V8 engine that produces 280 horsepower and boasts unusual speed and handling that you wouldn’t expect from a car that looks like a royal barge.
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Chevrolet Corvette
It’s always nice to look back and see the Corvette that started it all: the C1 convertible. Produced from 1953 to 1962, the car settled into the muscle car wars of the 1960s with its 327 injection V8 engine producing 360 hp.
Moreover, its timeless design combined with the striking red and white paintwork would always turn heads in the modern world and even demand huge dollars in the automotive market.
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