The 1935 Auburn 851 Speedsteris among classic cars profiled in these articles.
Classic cars captivate us with their beauty, rarity and engineering, with the memories they evoke, the history they capture. The articles collected here present concise, authoritative profiles of more than 400 American and import classic cars built from 1930 to 2000.
The grandest Imperials, Lincolns, and Packards are just some of the unquestioned American classics represented.
Bentley, Bugatti, and Rolls Royce are among the many import-brand immortals featured.
These articles also embrace great cars that hover just outside the most-exalted circles. So you'll read about the 1954 Kaiser-Darrin DKF161, 1955 Chrysler C300, 1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk, and other bona fide collectibles.
Classic cars can be modern favorites, too, and can even be cars celebrated for their quirky individuality.
That's why we've included articles on such recent gems as the 1990-2000 Acura NSX, 1987-1990 BMW M3, and 1992-1995 Ford Taurus SHO. It's also why we acknowledge such delightful eccentrics as the 1958 Edsel Pacer, 1951 Henry J DeLuxe, and 1954 -1956 Nash Metropolitan.
Each article places the subject car in its historical context, and outlines the qualities that make it a classic. Attributes such as its performance or styling are included in a list of "Pluses." Deficits like build quality or propensity to rust are counted among its "Minuses."
A vital key to classic and collectible status -- the number of each car built -- is listed in a "Production" roundup, while handy charts list vehicle dimensions, weights, and price when new.
Details about engines, their horsepower, and the years in which they were available are provided, as well.
To make your journey easier, we've divided these classic cars alphabetically by manufacturer, and separately by decade.
Classic Cars A-B
Classic cars A-B includes those very special automobiles that altered their entire model category. That defines the Acura NSX. Learn about how this midengine two-seater bolted from Honda's premium brand in 1990 as Japanese engineers drew on racing experience to build an everyday supercar.
Alfa Romeo harnessed Italian passion to create the prewar performance benchmark Alfa Romeo 6C2300 and the charming Alfa Romeo Alfetta family of postwar sporting coupes.
Bentley spanned much of the 20th Century with aristocratic British classics for those who'd rather drive than be driven. The 1952-1955 Bentley R-Type Continental was such a classic.
And Bugatti set the standard for jewel-like European craftsmanship and unwavering devotion to engineering excellence. Check out the 1934-1940 Bugatti Type 57/57C to see what we mean.
For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:
Classic Cars C-D
No roster of classic cars would be complete without the Cadillac Sixteen of the 1930s. Learn about that magnificent V-16 Cadillac, elegant postwar beauties like the 1948 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two convertible, and the Camelot cool of the razor-finned 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz.
Chrysler had its day in the classic sun with such luminaries as the enchanting wood-trimmed 1950 Chrysler Town & Country Newport and the handsome Virgil Exner-styled 1955 Chrysler New Yorker. Check out these and other milestone Chryslers, including the granddaddy of American muscle cars, the hemi-powered 1955 Chrysler C-300.
Surprise, surprise -- collector interest is growing for the 1981-1982 DeLorean "DMC12". That's the unpainted-aluminum sports car famous as the "Back To The Future" time machine. Learn about this one-of-a-kind car and its controversial creator, John Z. DeLorean.
Also the product of a single vision -- that of auto-transport contractor Eugene Casaroll -- but a far better car than the DeLorean, was the glorious 1956-1958 Dual-Ghia. Find out why Frank Sinatra wanted one of these fast, expensive, and doomed American cars.
For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:
Classic Cars E-H
Find out why cars like the 1958 Edsel Ranger, that poster child of automotive ugliness, is today a collectible.
The list of sought-after Fords is long, and you're invited to explore 17 of the best, including the 1949 Ford Custom V-8 models that revived the marque and the flashy 1957-1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner with its clear roof panel.
Find out why the late-1930's cars from Graham are among the most underrated classic cars of the era. The radical 1938-1940 Graham Supercharger is included here as ample evidence of this low-volume American automaker's unusual approach.
It's the mid 1930's. What is the best car in the world? Learn why some would pick the 1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J12. This grand automobile drew on international talent to create a bona fide classic.
For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:
Classic Cars I-L
Collectors of classic cars know a real Imperial wasn't merely a gilded Chrysler. The true Imperials came from a spin-off Chrysler marque that brought to the fore everything a great American company could muster. Check out the 1957-1959 Imperial LeBaron for evidence.
The greatest Jaguars embody the British firm's time-honored slogan, "Grace, space, and pace." Learn about a herd of hot cats, from the 1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II sporting saloon to the supercharged 2000 Jaguar XKR.
For an American automaker founded just after World War II, Kaiser boasts a substantial list of high-interest cars. Find out why such models as the 1951 Kaiser DeLuxe were considered daring styling departures and, more importantly, were successful in the marketplace.
Lincoln aspires to high-volume profitability, but Ford's premium house also is responsible for a good number of low-volume classics. Check out such important American cars as the 1932-1934 Lincoln V-12, the 1940-1941 Lincoln Continental, and the 1968-1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III.
For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:
Classic Cars M-O
All classic cars can be said to begin with Mercedes-Benz, which is credited with the creating first automobile, the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886.
Explore the rich tradition of Mercedes-Benz classics, which encompasses some of the most desirable automobiles ever made. These include the 1938-1940 Mercedes-Benz Type 770 Grosserr, the 1967-1972 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3, and the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG.
For an upscale offshoot of Ford, Mercury fashioned a solid roster of collections.
Independent automaker Nash waged a valiant battle against the giants of Detroit for much of the 20th Century, and created some collector cars along the way. Learn about the 1939-1942 Nash Ambassador Eight, the 1954-1956 Nash Metropolitan Series 54, and other neat Nashes.
Classic Cars P-R
No compilation of classic cars is complete without Packard. Check out some of the timeless designs from this great American marque, including the 1933-1936 Packard Super Eight and the 1955 Packard Clipper Custom Constellation.
As General Motors' "Excitement Division," Pontiac is home to a host of classic cars. Learn about such Motown immortals as the 1949 Pontiac Chieftain DeLuxe and the 1976 Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition Trans Am.
Rambler started life in 1950 as a compact car from the American automaker Nash. Take a journey into its world though collectibles like the jaunty tri-colored 1956 Rambler hardtop and the quirky 1965 Rambler Marlin fastback.
Classic and classy, Rolls-Royce defines automotive aristocracy. Find out about such ageless examples of fine British motoring as the 1938-39 Rolls-Royce Wraith and the 1949-55 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn.
For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:
Oldsmobile was the only American carmaker to be founded in the 19th Century and continue into the 21st. Find out about the classics Olds produced, including the 1954-1956 Oldsmobile 98 & Super 88 and 1983-1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass/Hurst & 442.
For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:
Classic Cars S-W
Among the notables is Studebaker. Before it made classic cars, Studebaker made classic covered wagons that helped settle the American West. It began building automobiles in 1902. Learn about such collectibles as the 1947-49 Studebaker Commander Coupe & Convertible and the 1959-61 Studebaker Silver Hawk & Hawk.
Sunbeam automobiles always had a sporting bent. Check out classics from this British company, including the graceful 1948 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 sport sedan and the rally-winning 1958-67 Sunbeam Rapier.
Not all classic cars are rare and ultra expensive. Some are ubiquitous and eminently affordable. That describes the little rear-engine cars from Volkswagen. Find out why this holds especially true for the 1953-79 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible.
Willys is best known as a manufacturer of the original World War II Jeep. But it also created a number of classic cars. Learn about such wonders as the 1941-42 Willys Americar and the 1955 Willys Bermuda.
For profiles, pictures, specs and more on these and other great classic cars, check out:
