When the word vintage is applied to cars, the car was built between 1925 and 1948. However, most of the vintage cars we’ll be looking at in this post are from the 60s and 70s, with some even made in the late 50s. These can be loosely defined as classic cars. However, with time, more cars are considered classic and vintage in automotive history. You will unlikely find a car over a century old, so look at some of the coolest cars in the post-war era.
25 Cool Classic Cars to Drive
1964 Pontiac GTO
The Pontiac GTO hit the scene as one of the first American muscle car models on the car market, inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO. To this day, the Pontiac GTO remains one of the fastest classic cars from Pontiac’s catalog.
1966 Subaru 360
It’s also known as the Japanese Beetle due to its resemblance to the Volkswagen Bug. The Subaru 360 was affectionately called the ladybug in Japan. The 1966 Subaru 360 model was especially popular with international car markets. It’s an Asian spin on European auto engineering.
1984 Mercedes-Benz W123
The Mercedes-Benz W123 is still reliably used in parts of Africa and Middle Eastern countries. Mercedes-Benz is known for its high-performance vehicles that feel like driving a cloud. The Mercedes-Benz W123 car body, metallic finishes, and interior define luxury.
1989 Jaguar XJS
In 1989, Jaguar updated the car design of their Jaguar XJS with a V12 engine. Since then, the Jaguar XJS has remained the most popular car that Jaguar has to offer, and newer models have been updated with electric vehicle technology. The 1989 Jaguar XJS remains a landmark model for car design.
1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500
Ford introduced the Ford Mustang in 1965, and since then, the Ford Mustang has been synonymous with sports and showroom cars. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 introduced the iconic grille, more prominent nose, more tail lamps, and a V-8 engine. Mustangs get more powerful each model year, but the original is a true classic for automotive enthusiasts.
1976 Triumph TR6
Triumph is a British automaker, and its Triumph TR6 has been far more successful in the United States than in the United Kingdom. Stats show that thousands of Triumph TR6 went unsold when it was introduced. Despite this, people still think of the Union Jack when they see this classic car.
1967 Chevy Impala
Supernatural fans will know this one as Dean’s car. The Chevy Impala has also grown into one of the most commonly purchased cars on the car market, but it had its roots as a classic car. Everyone remembers how the Chevy Impala began as a retro Coca-Cola-style automobile with a V8 engine.
1962 Oldsmobile Starfire
No classic cars showroom is complete without a vintage General Motors Oldsmobile with a convertible roof. Oldsmobile Starfire was also the first car to incorporate a turbocharged engine with the Rocket V8. This rich history is traced back to 1962’s Oldsmobile Starfire, which introduced the Oldsmobile to consumers.
1963 Corvette Sting Ray
The Transformer Crosshairs would not have his modern vehicle form if it weren’t for Corvette’s Sting Ray. The Corvette Sting Ray original model was released in 1963 and is one of the most valuable classic cars. The Corvette Sting Ray also helped Corvette jump into more sleek and easy-to-handle car designs.
1969 Nissan Datsun 240Z
The Nissan Datsun 240Z, or N30, was Nissan’s first and successful attempt at designing a two-seated Z GT inspired by American cars built for speed. It’s yet another Eastern spin on a Western car design that is still treasured.
1975 Volkswagen GTI MK1
The old Volkswagen GTI commercials often featured cars jumping over dunes and ramps, highlighting how compact and lightweight it is. The best part was that the Volkswagen GTI was affordable and great for families. MK1 and MK2 models were particularly favored.
1961 Jaguar E-Type
Glass-covered headlights are just one of many unique details that make the Jaguar E-Type so known in the luxury automobile world. This European automaker integrated into the American car market as it took off worldwide.
1971 Ford Thunderbird
Another car from classic TV and movies is the Thunderbird from Ford. The 1971 Ford Thunderbird model was known for its more angular appearance with a beak-like grill. The Ford Thunderbird wasn’t advertised as a sports car but rather a personal one that prioritizes comfort and utility.
1969 Volkswagen Beetle
When Germany was defeated in WWII, their family car concept was too good for the British not to build on. Postwar West Germany began regularly producing Volkswagen Beetle in the 50s until they swept the American car market in the following decade. There’s a certain charm to driving around a classic bug, as they are called.
1970 Chevrolet El Camino
Put together a muscle car and pickup truck, and you have the Chevrolet El Camino. This car-truck hybrid was the most owned for nearly 40 years. The 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS model was known for its 450 horsepower engine and a torque of 500 pound-feet.
1957 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
In the 50s, gull-wing doors that opened vertically were relatively new. So was fuel injection, which made the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing one of the fastest cars on Mercedes' line at the time. This Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is often considered the starting point for several vehicle features we have today.
1969 Dodge Charger
Thanks to The Dukes of Hazzard, the Dodge Charger holds a special place in in every classic car enthusiasts hearts, with some regarding it as the foremost American sports car. The 1969 Dodge Charger model was known for a 383 engine with two or four-barrel options.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro’s design and interior were inspired by race cars and came in convertible models. The Chevrolet Camaro saw massive popularity in the 70s and a modern resurgence as the Transformer Bumblebee. The rivalry with the Ford Mustang is seen in the Transformer movie as he fights the Decepticon Barricade, which turns into one.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTE
Not all Ferrari cars are pricey supercars. They produced some modest but luxurious cars for commuting to and from work. The Ferrari 250 GTE was one such car with four doors and plenty of backseat space while still maintaining the style of a sports car.
1976 Porsche 914
Volkswagen and Porsche came together to create the Porsche 914, which would become the car of the year in 1970. The targa-top fashion became synonymous with the car and rear mid-engine layout. The Porsche 914 is a testament to what happens when two automakers put their heads together.
1957 Chevrolet Nomad
Chevrolet combined the designs of a station wagon and sedan in this Chevrolet Nomad. The Chevrolet Nomad’s body resembles a sedan, but the car has all the functionality of a station wagon. Despite the potentially lucrative product, the Chevrolet Nomad was discontinued after three years, making it a great collector’s classic car.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette
Another vintage car showroom that is essential is Chevrolet’s Corvette. The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette model is a landmark in the automotive industry and a marvel of engineering with its high-powered engine.
1983 DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean is famous for being Doc Brown’s time machine. Movie and car aficionados spend hours looking at the DeLorean DMC-12. You can only imagine the hours they’d spend driving one. DeLorean DMC-12s are rare, with less than 10,000 estimated to exist today. Those lucky enough to have a DeLorean DMC-12 often dress it to look like a time machine.
1966 Shelby 427 Cobra
A museum-quality classic car is the Shelby 437 Cobra, selling for millions of dollars -the most valuable car on the American old car market. Shelby 427 Cobra was a record-breaking sports car with 800 horsepower and designed by racer Carroll Shelby. Take pictures of this one if you see it at a classic auto show.
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle
Chevrolet produced the Chevrolet Chevelle from 1964 to 1978. Chevrolet Chevelle came in several bodies, including coupes, convertibles, and station wagons. The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle model was known for introducing the Chevrolet Monte Carlo body. Its history makes the Chevrolet Chevelle a collectible car no longer in production.
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