1962 Lotus Elite = 4th
The beautiful and small Elite was the result of Colin Chapman's (founder of Lotus) obsession with low weights of cars. Not only was the body constructed from fiberglass, but so was the chassis in a similar method to modern day carbon fibre hypercars.
There were problems, fibreglass not being as strong as carbon fibre, quiet a few were horribly damaged. Yet the small 75bhp engine, low weight and efficient aerodynamics made this a great little car and is joint 4th in the top 10.
1972 Lotus Elan = 4th
1972 Lotus Elan = 4th
1972 Lotus Elan = 4th
The Elan followed on from the (above) Elite, again it was made from fibreglass, yet this time had a steel backbone to add strength and rigidity. Annoying some purist designers saying it wasn't in the Elite style. Yet the Elan was far more popular and safer.
The minimalist design, sweeping curves and 'before it's time' pop up head lights make this a stunning little British sports car. 20 years later Mazda based their MX5 on the Elan, which has since gone on to be one of the most popular sports cars.
1968 Lamborghini Miura = 4th
1968 Lamborghini Miura = 4th
1968 Lamborghini Miura = 4th
A simply stunning car. It was British motoring journalist LJK Setright that referred to this car as a "supercar" which is where it all started. This is the FIRST supercar! Marcello Gandini who was on the judging panel for this list was also the chief designer of the Muira.
Designed by Lamborghini to prove a point to Ferrari who at the time said all sports cars should be front engined-rear wheel drive, the Muira was a mid engined V12 monster. According to many, non have come close to replicating this car's striking lines.
1971 Jaguar E-Type = 4th
1971 Jaguar E-Type = 4th
1971 Jaguar E-Type = 4th
For such a fast and powerful car, the Jaguar E Type is seen as many as a feminine design, with its sleek lines and beautiful stance. Some even refer to it as feline.
Styled around the aerodynamic of the D Type racers of the time, the E Type was a road friendly race car. It was technologically advanced for its time, yet the classic lines have remained as beautiful as ever.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB = 4th
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB = 4th
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB = 4th
When you think of beautiful cars, you can't forget the Ferrari's! This is the first of 3, and one of 2 from the 250 model. The GT SWB (Short Wheel Base) was described by Jaguar's Ian Cullen as “a blend of beauty and aggression. I just drool over them and can draw them with my eyes closed.”(obviously a fan)
Ferrari only ever made 165 of the GT SWB, and as a result the price is huge! Perfect examples will sell for upwards of $4mil when they come up for auction, which is not that often. The California Spyder version of the GT SWB became the most expensive car ever in May 2008 when it sold for a whopping $10.9 million to British Radio DJ Chris Evans.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso = 4th
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso = 4th
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso = 4th
The Lusso was the final version of the 250 model. It kept some of the aggressive racing lines of the SWB racer (above) yet some of the lines were smoothed out to give a more relaxing look. It was more of a Grand Tourer car, so was less aggressive in the driving too.
Pininfarina helped design this car leaving in the racing pedigree of Ferrari, yet the softer lines added some character to this stunning car. The Lusso pictured above was once owned by car nut Steve McQueen before his death.
1937 Cord 810/812 = 4th
1937 Cord 810/812 = 4th
1937 Cord 810/812 = 4th
The less well known Cord 810/812 series from the 1930's. It was way ahead of it's time with it's futuristic lines, Miura designer Marcello Gandini saying “it was an impressive design for the 1930s with solutions that would be seen on cars 20 years later.”
Using a V8 in front wheel drive was unheard of in the 30's, as well as hand cranked pop up head lights and a retractable roof. Sadly only 3000 of the 810 and supercharged 812's were ever produced.
1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4 Berlinetta = 2nd
1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4 Berlinetta = 2nd
1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4 Berlinetta = 2nd
Like the 250 GT Lusso, the 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta was a Grand Tourer. Designed to be comfy over long distances, but with serious power and speed if you needed it derived from Ferrari race cars.
Taking it's most basic lines from the classic 250 GTO, it was obviously aggressive, yet beautiful in it. A technological masterpiece, in a beautiful skin. "It was a fast as it was beautiful."
1952 Jaguar XK120 = 2nd
1952 Jaguar XK120 = 2nd
1952 Jaguar XK120 = 2nd
It seems an age away from it's 10 year younger E Type brother, but the XK120 is simply stunning. Jaguar's first post war sports car, this captured the hearts of many after many years of depressing war. It had a simply look, yet the lines made for a fun drive.
It was, like all the cars in the list, technogically marvelous, he straight six became a solid engine for Jaguar for years to come. The style of the long bonnet and short rear end also did well for Jaguar (see E Type) and this car set them up nicely for 50 years of amazing cars.
1968 Citroen DS 1st
1968 Citroen DS 1st
1958 Citroen DS 1st
Are you a little surprised that a Citroen would be number 1? To those who know cars, it won't have been as the French makers 50's classic is regarded as one of the finest cars ever made.
“Impossible to imitate,” Giorgetto Giugiaro
“A few people may have thought of all of these beautiful ideas but it was real bravery to implement them in one car,” Marcello Gandini
“I have always considered the fact this car was first drawn in 1955 to be extraordinary.” Peter Stevens
What more do you need to say? These are some of the most regarded car designers of the last 50 years, and they love the Citroen DS. It seems so do Citroen, as in early 2009, they announced the name DS will be revived for a new range. Let's hope there as beautiful as the original.
