In the world of luxury, true value often lies in the timeless - a fine watch, a vintage wine, a well-kept estate. But perhaps no possession embodies lasting allure quite like a classic car. These machines are not just built, but sculpted; designed not just to move, but to move you. Decades after their debut, classic automobiles continue to captivate collectors, connoisseurs, and those with an appreciation for engineering elevated to art.

Here, we present ten of the finest classic cars ever created: machines that have defined eras, broken records, and earned their place in the pantheon of automotive greatness.

1. Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

1955

A car so rare that it exists in legend more than in garages. Only two were built, and one sold in 2022 for €135 million; making it the most expensive car ever sold. Derived from the dominant W196 Formula 1 car, the 300 SLR is a fusion of racing ferocity and aesthetic restraint. Its long bonnet, gullwing doors, and raw mechanical performance represent the pinnacle of post-war German engineering. The SLR defines what it means to be priceless.

2. Ferrari 250 GTO

1962–1964

If any car can match the 300 SLR in mystique, it’s the Ferrari 250 GTO. Built for GT racing, but styled with grace, the GTO is considered by many to be the most beautiful Ferrari ever made. Just 36 were produced, each with its own subtle differences. Beneath the svelte Pininfarina-designed body lies a 3.0-litre V12 that sings at every rev. Values have comfortably exceeded $70 million at private sales - the ultimate status symbol, and for many, the ultimate car.

3. Aston Martin DBR1

1956–1959

The car that delivered Aston Martin its first and only outright win at Le Mans in 1959. The DBR1 isn’t just beautiful, it’s victorious. Driven by legends like Stirling Moss and Carroll Shelby, it stands among the rarest and most celebrated competition cars of the 20th century, with only five ever built. Its flowing curves evoke a sculpture in motion, and its performance helped define Aston Martin’s golden era. The DBR1 is British motorsport royalty - graceful, historic, and undeniably iconic.

4. Ferrari 275 GTB/4

1966–1968

A grand tourer of extraordinary poise and presence, the 275 GTB/4 represents the perfect marriage of design and dynamics. Sleek, muscular, and V12-powered, it marked Ferrari’s transition from the 250 series to the modern GT era. The four-cam engine added depth to the performance, while Scaglietti’s bodywork captured Italian craftsmanship at its peak. Prices now range from £2.5 to £4 million - for many, a relative bargain compared to its rarer siblings.

5. Rolls-Royce 10 HP

1904–1906

Where it all began. The 10 HP was the first model jointly developed by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, a motor car of elegance and engineering precision. Only 16 were built, of which just a few survive today. One example sold at auction for over £3 million. It may not be described as fast or flashy, but its significance is immeasurable. For serious collectors, the 10 HP is not just a car but the genesis of a legend.

6. Jaguar E-Type Series I

1961–1967

No list of classic cars would be complete without the Jaguar E-Type. Revealed at Geneva in 1961, it stunned the automotive world. With a top speed over 150 mph and styling to rival Italian exotica, it was both a technical marvel and a cultural phenomenon. Available in coupé and convertible form, it remains one of the few icons you can still buy today - with pristine examples ranging from £100,000 to £250,000. An icon that endures, not just in memory, but on the open road.

7. Porsche 356 Speedster

1954–1958

Favoured by the likes of James Dean and Steve McQueen, the 356 Speedster is pure, purposeful driving. Lightweight, minimalist, and imbued with Porsche’s early racing DNA, it’s as rewarding to look at as it is to drive. The low windshield, bucket seats, and stripped-out interior give it a raw charm. Collectors prize the original Pre-A and Carrera versions, often fetching over $500,000 at auction.

8. Lamborghini Miura P400 SV

1971–1973

Sensual, audacious, and utterly revolutionary - the Miura redefined the sports car as we know it. With its mid-mounted V12 and impossibly low stance, it shocked the establishment in 1966 and matured into the sublime SV by 1971. The SV variant delivered 385 hp and sculpted rear haunches that bordered on erotic. Values have soared in recent years, with mint examples crossing the $3 million mark. Still, there is no price too high for automotive perfection.

Unveiled at the Carrozzeria Bertone stand at the 1968 Brussels Motor Show, the Miura Roadster (pictured) remained a one-off and is considered one of the most beautiful show cars ever produced. The color combination itself was designed to dazzle: Lamè Sky Blu for the paintwork, with white leather interior and red carpeting.

The Miura Roadster has no side windows or roof closure system, which allowed the Bertone stylists to maintain a unique purity of line. Many aesthetic changes were made compared to the Miura sedan, with the rear part completely redesigned to leave the engine fully exposed, and the secondary control switches in the cabin interior, usually mounted on the ceiling, moved to a different position.

9. Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

1954–1957

Part spacecraft, part sculpture, the 300SL Gullwing was the world’s fastest production car when it launched. With its distinctive upward-opening doors and advanced fuel injection, it was a technological tour de force. Even today, few cars attract as much admiration. Values remain strong, typically between $1.5 and $2.5 million - and every penny is justified by its engineering brilliance and undeniable glamour.

10. BMW E30 M3

1986–1991

Proof that modern classics now command just as much reverence as vintage grand tourers. The E30 M3 was BMW’s special - a DTM-bred saloon with sharp handling, boxy aggression, and a howling 2.3-litre four-cylinder. This is the definitive driver’s car of the 1980s. Once obtainable for £10,000, exceptional examples now command six figures. It’s not just nostalgia, it’s a legend reborn.

These ten cars are more than mechanical marvels, they are stories on wheels, investments in artistry, and testaments to human ambition. Whether admiring the uncompromising purity of a Ferrari 250 GTO or the heritage embodied by a Rolls-Royce 10 HP, each invites reflection. Some remain parked in private collections, others occasionally appear at prestigious auction houses, but all represent a standard of design and craftsmanship that modern machines, for all their speed, rarely match.

Rolls Royce

Phantom Platino

You can’t talk about luxury cars without mentioning Rolls Royce and the Phantom is certainly an aspirational vehicle. In fact, Rolls Royce believe it is the best car in the world!

Now well into its eighth generation, the Phantom is a car that is always evolving, adapting to meet the demands of a modern market. The latest iteration, Phantom Series II, is a result of client requests and feedback, with finely tuned aesthetics and engineering. This car even has its own app, accessible to members only, which is integrated throughout the technological system.

The Phantom was first created in 2017. It has been so successful, exuding that timeless elegance that is still the brand’s pinnacle product. The design is so revered, in fact, that most of the client’s requests have been that there should be no changes to the vehicle! So, you’ll find tweaks here and there, but they do nothing but enhance the Rolls Royce experience.

The side profile is a signature characteristic of Rolls Royce, with its short front, long rear overhang, long wheelbase and broad c-pillar. The wheels are new - 3D, milled, stainless steel with triangular facets, they can be fully or part-polished, depending on your preference. Or, if you prefer the 1920s style, you might choose the disc wheel in stainless steel or black lacquer.

You know you’ve made it when you own a Rolls Royce, and the Phantom Platino is the ultimate expression of success.

Ferrari

Purosangue

Can you believe Ferrari have never made a car for more than two people? Until now! Imagine being able to enjoy that supercar design with more spectators. With its naturally aspirated V12 engine pushing out 725CV, Ferrari looks set to take over a whole new market with this luxury design.

But this is not like other 4x4s. Rather than having an engine pushed far forward in the car, the Purosangue has its engine mid-front mounted, with the gearbox at the back. This helps to achieve the kind of driving dynamics you’d expect from Ferrari, while the aerodynamic shape looks incredible and helps this car to fly down the road. 

There’s four-wheel steering, an active suspension system and a carbon fibre roof, making this an incredibly lightweight design. Of course, the seats are heated and the driver enjoys a position close to the ground. The size of the boot is something you might not expect though, with the back seats folding down to maximise storage even more. On a more decadent note, there are massagers in the front seats and an air quality sensor on the inside and the outside of the car. There are even rearward opening “welcome doors” that add a nice touch.

When you think luxury, you automatically think of Ferrari, but this is more practical than your average offering from the prancing horse brand. It straddles the line between road car and race car perfectly.

For more information, contact your local dealer

120 Highlands Rd, Shirley, Solihull B90 4NU

ferrari.birmingham@sytner.co.uk

0121 701 2458

Bugatti

Tourbillion

Representing a new era for BUGATTI, TOURBILLION is the first hybrid model from the brand, intending to push the boundaries of possibility for the hyper sports car.

The design is inspired by BUGATTI greats of the past, bringing a timeless elegance and sophistication to the look. It is powered by a 1000HP naturally aspirated V16 engine, complemented by three electric motors providing an additional 800hp, which makes it - together with an aerodynamic shape - a joy to drive.

The look is sharp, angular, enhanced by LED lighting and the iconic ‘eight-eye’ identity. A single taillight protrudes from below, sending out hot air in a super stylish way. And every single component has been designed with aesthetics in mind, from the obvious parts, to things like the frame, engine and structure – it’s a real work of art.

Its performance can be attributed in part to its lightweight structure, created using 3D printed materials and structures. And when you take your seat in the driver’s position, you’ll get instant racecar vibes, with your legs stretched out in front of you low to the ground.

Revealed in Molsheim in June, the launch was the most-viewed in history, with car enthusiasts desperate to see what BUGATTI was about to unveil. Turns out, BUGATTI’s most powerful car ever created was worth the watch!/

Lamborghini

Revuelto

It’s rare to find a Lamborghini that falls below our discerning luxury tastes, but the Revuelto exceeds our greatest expectations. It’s not the newest model in the range, but as their high-performance electrified car flagship model, it is a design that will continue to impress for many years to come.

With its naturally-aspirated V12 engine combined with eight-speed, double-clutch transverse gearbox and three electric motors, this will whizz right off your driveway, while 13 drive modes mean you’ll never get bored while driving this monster.

Crafted from carbon fibre and other lightweight materials, this car will feel as though its floating above the road, while its top speed is more than 217m/h. Meanwhile the iconic y-shape of the car brings something extra to your driving experience – forget feeling like a racing driver, you’ll feel like a pilot!

There are endless possibilities for personalisation in this car, so that every model is almost completely unique to the driver. And at the same time, the company is working to improve their sustainability measures, reducing waste and executing hand-made sections with excellence.

And to cement this design in the modern era, there’s an incredible infotainment system and technological elements throughout your drive. Amazon Alexa will keep you company on longer drives and you can monitor your car’s status from your smart device even when you’re not inside it, checking things like fuel level, battery charge, electric range and even where it is parked.

Could a Lamborghini be your next car?

‍

Jaguar

Type 00

The latest Jaguar model was introduced to the world in a flurry of fearless pink advertising. The brand is taking its identity back to its roots, claiming to “copy nothing”, while making a statement with incredible design that is certainly unique!

With a sweeping bonnet and roofline, a fastback profile and 23-inch alloy wheels, this car has a silhouette you’ll recognise a mile off. Details include a glassless rear tailgate and a panoramic roof for luxury touches that matter.

And you won’t have seen a more modern interior anywhere else. With butterfly doors and ‘pantograph’ tailgate, you’ll find bold brass accents, travertine stone finishes and floating seats and instrument panels that offer a futuristic feeling. This is beautifully complemented by woolen textiles and a neutral colour palette, giving the interior a very expensive aesthetic.

And they’ve integrated technology in a very clever way too. Technology is included to enhance the experience, rather than rule it. Screens glide silently in and out of place and you’ll never have to look around for your rearview mirror – the Clearsight display gives you better visibility from all angles.

Expect ambient lighting, bespoke scents and textured design for a car that delights all your senses.

This car was released at Miami Art Week, making it a fashion statement, as much as a functional vehicle. But it’s not all about looks. This is an electric vehicle that lasts longer than the latest trends, with a maximum range of 770km. It is set to be released in 2026 – will your name be on the waiting list?

‍

Porsche

911 Turbo 50 Years

Can you believe it’s been 50 years since the world’s most iconic car was first released? Despite its age, the Porsche 911 is still one of the most sought-after cars on the road, renowned for its timeless elegance and outstanding performance. If the Jaguar is too flashy for you, then the 911 is the perfect antidote – there’s never been a cooler car!

The 911 was always a desirable car, thanks to its turbo technology, previously an exclusive component of racecars, rather than road cars. Of course, this most recent evolution of the 911 has been updated to ensure it remains at the forefront of today’s automobile market, but there are some heritage touches that may prove far too irresistible to anyone who knows their stuff about cars.

The first Porsche 911 was released in 1974, so the 50 Years anniversary model has been produced in a batch of just 1,974 cars, making this a limited-edition vehicle everyone will want to get their hands on. The design is based on the latest version of the 911 but with a livery that will evoke nostalgia, as the one present on the original 911 when it was first displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1973.

There are fun touches, like an LED projector on the door that projects the image of a turbocharger onto the ground next to the car when opened. Of course, you’ll find McKenzie tartan accents inside the car, contrasted with heritage Turbonite on the seat belts, controls and decorative stitching. And then there’s the important stuff, like a 3.7 litre box engine with variable turbine geometry (VTG) twin turbocharging and eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Everything about this car has been expertly engineered to be a joy to drive.