Top 20 Most Legendary Cars

The first generation of the Toyota Supra dates all the way back to the late 1970s. It could be argued, however, that the Mk. IV model that arrived in 1993 broke the proverbial mold. There was an increased focus on performance this time around, more than ever before, in fact. The Mk. IV was lighter and shorter, with a design that was perfect for road racing. Elsewhere, this Supra was also powerful and efficient on the road, a masterful meeting of planning, engineering and execution. This was indeed the real deal.

There were a number of Jaguar models that were considered for this list. The C-Type certainly comes to mind, but it’s the Jaguar E-Type that ultimately makes our cut. These models were produced between 1961 and 1974, and are remembered today as a perfect storm of sorts. These cars looked great, handled wonderfully, were well-constructed and were even priced right for their day. The Jaguar E-Type possesses a legacy of excellence that’s difficult to deny, while their beautiful lines and sleek design lend them the reputation as one of the most gorgeous cars to ever roll off an assembly line.

The Chevy Corvette is a name that’s virtually synonymous with “cool.” The second generation Stingray Coupe that was produced from 1963 to ‘67 are particularly outstanding, however, thanks to an increased focus on handling to coincide with horsepower. The 1967 Stingray in particular arrived lightweight and with all of the various upgrades that Chevy tinkered with over the course of four years. The end results were an iconic American sports car that could seriously move, while also embodying power and great looks. They say that a classic never goes out of style, and that old adage definitely applies with the Chevy Stingray.

It’s a clashing name, sure, but the Ferrari Daytona was something of a rock star within the car world. That’s because variations of this car have appeared on everything from television shows like “Miami Vice” to movies like “A Star is Born” and album covers from artists like The Carpenters. Here was a car that virtually defined the Ferrari brand during the 1970s, a speedy and efficient sportster with tons of get-up-and-go with a look that never skimped on style. There’s a reason, after all, why the name “Ferrari” is a legend, and it’s in part to cars like the Daytona.

Italy’s Alfa Romeo brand is another brand with a number of iconic cars to its name. The 8C Competizione was totally killer, but it’s the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale that just might be one of the best examples of the company’s excellence. The 33 Stradale was “fast” with a capital “F,” with the very word itself, “stradale,” translating from Italian into the phrase, “road-going.” This car wasn’t cheap, but those that could afford the 33 Stradale from Alfa Romeo received a car with dangerous curves that could go, go, go.

The Firebird brand from Pontiac produced four different generational models of the Trans-Am over the course of over three decades. Today, the car is remembered as perhaps the definitive American muscle car. The Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am was a loud, fast and powerful car that fed into American drivers’ hunger for performance and speed. KITT from T.V.’s “Knight Rider” was one of the coolest Trans-Ams to ever hit the road, further solidifying the brand’s iconic status. Alas, nothing lasts forever, and the Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am faded off into the sunset in 2002, although diehard fans will always have their memories.

It’s perhaps the easiest softball entry on this list: a car whose easily-distinguishable look and design forever cemented it within the 1980s cultural zeitgeist. Let’s forget for a moment that the DMC DeLorean was never known for its performance or quality craftsmanship. Let’s also ignore the chaotic history behind former General Motors man John DeLorean, and the company that bore his name. Instead, the DMC DeLorean lives on forever thanks to its inclusion in one of cinema’s most beloved films, “Back to the Future.” The vehicle’s gull-wing doors frankly made it seem more futuristic than it actually was, but you know what? We wouldn’t want it any other way.

A number of specific models come to mind when consideringo the enviable legacy of the Shelby Mustang. This collaboration between Shelby American and the Ford Motor Company hit particular paydirt with their GT500 and GT350 models from 2007 and 2015, respectively. The GT500 received the distinction of portraying the new KITT for NBC’s brief reboot of “Knight Rider.” Meanwhile, its third gen model from 2020 and beyond showcased even more speed, power and torque. The GT350, for its part, was tailor made for the track, featuring ace handling and sleek design concepts that looked great as they whizzed by you at blinding speeds.

Shelby American returns once again with the AC Cobra 427, from 1965. This classic muscle car tried (and succeeded) in combining the American desire for power and speed with a European look and precision handling. The end results were tailor made for this swinging decade of change, and the AC Shelby Cobra 427 delivered the goods when it came to harmonizing style and substance. There was over four-hundred horsepower under the hood of the 427, yet this Cobra hugged the roads like an old friend, burning rubber ahead of the competition. Said quite simply? The AC Shelby Cobra 427 was badass. Maybe one of the most badass cars to ever be produced, full stop.

Rally racing is the name of the game when it comes to the Stratos, from Lancia. What else might one expect from the Italian race car market, one of the most famous in the entire world? The Lancia Stratos was a dominant force on the race track, hugging corners and winning awards with speed and precision. It doesn’t really matter that this wasn’t a car you’d see on everyday roads: the Lancia Stratos meant business, and demanded that you get out of the way, or risk eating their (literal) dust.

Yes, it's that Aston Martin. Designed by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, 1059 DB5s were built between 1963-65, with the overwhelming majority of those being 2+2 coupes. 123 were convertibles, but rarest of all was the shooting brake or wagon model, which was made for Aston boss David Brown himself. Regardless of body shape, the DB5 was powered by a 4 liter, triple carbureted straight-6 with a top speed of 143 mph or 230 km/h and a 0-60 mph time of 8 seconds. Base models could boast 282 horsepower and 280 lb/ft of torque, but the less common Vantage variant had a full serving of 315 horsepower pulling on the reins.

This unique beast of the BMW family, the M1 is also among the rarest. Birthed from a brief union between BMW and Lamborghini, the M1 was intended to be BMW's ticket to on track success, and a race car for the streets. Like a Lambo, the M1 was mid-engined, but that engine was a 3.5 liter twin-cam, fuel-injected straight-6 rather than Lamborghini’s pride, the V12. It may have half the cylinder count, but with 273 horsepower and a top speed of 162 mph or 260 km/h, it was no slouch. Turbocharged, full racing versions, meanwhile, could hit a stately 850 horsepower.

In striving to create a racing car, Porsche managed to create one of their most iconic and desirable cars of all time. Using the 911 as its base, every inch of the car was dedicated to racing, from the beefier brakes, wider rear end and rear wheels, and stiff suspension, to the hate it or love it ducktail spoiler. It was also lightweight, at just 2370 pounds or 1075 kg. The Sport Lightweight version, meanwhile, was – naturally – lighter still, at 2150 pounds or 975 kg. This, combined with a fuel injected 210 horsepower, 2.7 liter six-cylinder engine made the Carrera RS a rocket. And at just shy of 1600 units, it's a rare, and legendary, rocket at that.

Made from 1974 to 1990, the Countach kick started the entire wedge-shape revolution. Powered initially by the same 4 liter engine as the Miura, Lamborghini continued improving the power-plant until it became a fuel-injected 5.2 liter, 414 horsepower fire breather. This final take on the Countach – the 25th Anniversary model – had a still respectable 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph or 295 km/h. With its sharp lines, scissor doors, and optional massive rear wing it looked fast, even when parked, and was instant pin up material.

By the mid '80's Ferrari had pretty much perfected their mid-engine, rear-drive go fast recipe – and that perfection came in the form of the F40. Powered by a twin-turbo 3 liter 471 horsepower V8, the car was the last one personally approved by founder Enzo Ferrari. Made of a mix of Kevlar, carbon fiber, and aluminum, the F40 was a stripped down, low-weight high-power machine built with the goal of breaking the 200 mph barrier. Coated with just enough paint to hide the carbon fiber weave, the F40's body was shaped not only for style, but for aerodynamics, and to channel cool air to its vital organs. In the end, Enzo’s legacy has been cemented in this supercar masterpiece.

With its unusual center-forward driving position and an ultra sleek design, the McLaren F1 was always going to be an attention-getter, and it had the goods to be more than just a headturner. Using expensive and unlikely materials for weight relief – including gold, magnesium, Kevlar, carbon fiber, and titanium – the F1 was not only light weight, it was near perfectly balanced. It was also seriously fast. Using a 6.1 liter BMW V12, the standard F1 recorded a top speed of 231 mph or 371 km/h, a record speed that held until the arrival of the Bugatti Veyron in 2005. Even today, long after it entered production in 1992 and left it in 1998, very few cars can keep up with, let alone pass the F1.

Most road versions of race cars are tamed down lookalikes with a few intimidating badges and a lot less power. The 300 SL did things differently – it actually had a slightly more powerful engine than the racer it was based on. Where the carburetted racing version got 175 horsepower, the street-legal fuel-injected 300 SL got 215 horsepower, and at 160 mph or 258 km/h, it was the fastest production car in the world in 1954. Plus, with its old world classy curves and its trademark gull-wing doors, the 300 SL was simply gorgeous, whether it was creeping up in your mirror, passing you, or parked in your driveway.

Based in equal measure on the Lola Mk6 and Henry Ford II's desire to beat Ferrari, the Ford GT40 was a legend from the first green flag. Using a blend of British engineering and American horsepower, the GT40 not only won Le Mans in 1966, it claimed 2nd and 3rd as well for a full podium sweep, and it would carry on winning the annual race until 1970. Due to its limited numbers – with just seven road-ready Mk III's being built – GT40's can command an outstanding price on the collectors market, such as the $11,000,000 paid for a 1968 model formerly owned by Steve McQueen.

Prior to the Miura, Lamborghini was known for making quick cruisers and grand tourers. After the Miura, they were known for sleek, bold designs and ridiculous amounts of speed. The exact type of car Ferruccio Lamborghini never wanted to make, the Miura was designed by his engineers when he wasn't looking. It would be the last time a Miura failed to catch a look. Using Lambo's trusty 3.9 liter 345 horsepower V12, and a then revolutionary mid-engine layout, the Miura could achieve a 171 mph (276 km/m) top speed. With this, the Miura became the world's first true supercar. And in true supercar fashion, it was as pricey as it was fast – costing $20,000 in an era of $2,000 cars.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
A Rare & OG Supercar

Duesenberg Model J
Luxury Personified

Audi Quattro
Rally Car Excellence

Mercedes Benz SSK
A Pioneer of Speed & Performance from the Golden Age

While the 250 California was made for winding roads and warm Pacific days, the 250 GTO was made to savagely beat Cobras, Jaguar E-Types, and Aston Martins on the track. Based upon the short wheel base 250 GT, this 250 got an ultra-aerodynamic body and a Le Mans proven 3 liter V12 loaded with 6 Weber carburetors. Less than 50 GTOs were built, and they were sold only to buyers personally selected by Enzo Ferrari himself. The $18,000 required to take Enzo up on his invitation proved to be an excellent investment. Today GTOs can command millions – like the $38 million paid for Stirling Moss's former GTO.


What’s your dream car? Let us know in the comments!