Classic Cars
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 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster is among classic cars profiled in these articles. See more pictures of classic cars. |
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.
Begin your ride into the world of classic cars on the next page.
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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. The 1932-1935 Bugatti Type 55 was fast and pretty, and is a classic car standout. See more pictures of classic cars. |
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:
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Classic Cars C-D
Classic cars C-D features a rich collection of all-time great automobiles.
The 1961 Chrysler 300G was big and powerful, and is now a
magnet for collectors. See more pictures of classic cars.
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.
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Classic Cars E-H
Classic
cars E-H, like any true classics, must be judged though the lens of
time. The magic comes when some shunned when they were new emerge later
as objects of desire. Discover some of that magic by exploring the
links in the chart below.
 The 1931-1938 Hispano-Suiza J12 vied for title of the world's best car in the 1930s. See more pictures of classic cars. |
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-1930s 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 1930s. 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.
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Classic Cars I-L
Classic cars I-L is an alphabetically arranged collection of some of the world's most coveted autos.
The 1954 Kaiser Special is collectible partly because fewer
than 5,000 were built. See more pictures of classic cars.
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.
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Classic Cars M-O
Classic cars M-O is a standout collection of classics from Maserati to Opel.
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.
 The 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire was a classy convertible and an American classic. See more pictures of classic cars. |
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 collectible cars. Check out such Mercury classics as the 1941-1942 Mercury and the 1966 Mercury S-55.
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.
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:
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Classic Cars P-R
Classic cars P-R encompasses great autos built over seven decades and two continents. The 1930 Packard DeLuxe Eight phaeton is among the great American classics. See more pictures of classic cars. |
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:
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Classic Cars S-W
Classic cars S-W includes a cavalcade of collectibles, as you'll learn by exploring links in the chart below.
 The 1932 Stutz DV32 Super Bearcat convertible is among the classics cars S-W. See more pictures of classic cars. |
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:
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Classic Cars of the 1930s
Classic
cars of the 1930s helped define what a classic car should be, as you'll
discover by linking to the cars in the chart below.
 The 1931-1935 Buick Eight is among the elegant classic cars of the 1930s. See more pictures of classic cars. |
Even during the Great Depression, some in society thrived, and an army of talented engineers, artisans, and custom coachbuilders stood ready to serve them.
The opulent automobiles they created were dream cars to the millions who could never afford them, and dreams come true for the privileged few that could.
It was an era of such certified classics as the 1930-1937 Cadillac Twelve, the 1930-1932 Packard Eight, and the 1930-35 Rolls-Royce Phantom II. Check them out.
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Classic Cars of the 1940s
Classic cars of the 1940s took a backseat to the business of fighting World War II.
However, linking to the cars below makes clear that before and after
mobilizing to preserve democracy, American automakers did indeed
produce some of the most important cars of the 20th Century.
 The 1948-1949 Hudson Commodore Eight was among the first great postwar cars. See more pictures of classic cars. |
Learn more about the 1942-1948 Buick Roadmaster, the 1946-1948 Chrysler Crown Imperial, the 1949 Ford Custom V-8, and other great classic cars of the 1940s.
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Classic Cars of the 1950s
Classic cars of the 1950s could be anything from opulent to odd, as you'll see by linking to the cars in the chart below.
 The 1958-1959 Edsel Corsair is among the classic cars of the 1950s.| See more pictures of classic cars. |
The most-remembered classic cars of the 1950s, such as the 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, symbolized America's boisterous optimism as it emerged victorious from World War II and raced into a new age of consumerism and international influence.
Others, like the 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Coronado, brought glitz and horsepower to the masses. And some, like the 1958 Edsel Ranger, came to symbolize 1950s styling gone wrong.
Classic cars of the 1950s were not limited to the U.S., of course. Learn about England's 1952-1955 Bentley R-Type, Italy's 1953 Fiat 1100TV, Sweden's 1958 Saab and other great 1950s automobiles from around the world.
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Classic Cars of the 1960s
Classic
cars of the 1960s reflected a new generation of automotive excitement,
as you'll learn by linking to the cars in the chart below.
 The 1963 Ford Galaxie 500XL convertible is a big, handsome 1960s classic. See more pictures of classic cars. |
Learn about the fresh breath of simple elegance that was the 1961-1963 Lincoln Continental. Explore the dawn of the muscle car age with the 11964-1965 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass 4-4-2. Find out what made the 1969 Mercury Cougar a high-class pony car.
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Classic Cars of the 1970s
Classic
cars of the 1970s had to struggle with performance-robbing emissions
regulations and fuel-economy restrictions, but as you'll see by linking
to those in the chart below, that didn't mean the decade suffered a
shortage of great automobiles.
 The 1979 Pontiac 10th Anniversary Trans Am has emerged as a 1970s classic. See more pictures of classic cars. |
The 1970-1974 Plymouth Barracuda Coupes brought down the curtain on the muscle-car age in style. The 1971 Opel Manta Coupe showed you didn't need a big engine to have big fun. And the 1976 Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition Trans Am proved high performance wasn't really dead, after all.
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Classic Cars of the 1980s
Classic
cars of the 1980s have yet to be identified in full, but explore links
to the cars in the chart below to discover that some 1980s autos are
already considered collectible.
 The 1987 BMW M3 is a light, agile, high-performance classic car of the 1980s. See more pictures of classic cars. |
Check out the exotic midengine 1982-1989 Lamborghini Jalpa. See what personal luxury looked like, Lincoln-style, with the 1984 Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC. And find out why people said the letters in the 1987 Shelby Charger GLH-S stood for "Goes Like Hell."
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