These Are Your Favorite British Cars of the Last 70 Years

“I love British Cars, and I have so many favorites that it’s almost impossible to pick just one. Many on my short list have been mentioned - the e-type, Aston Martins, the Mini, Lotuses, etc. But one I haven’t seen mentioned yet is Morgan – and specifically the Plus 4.

“A gorgeously designed car – that’s clearly a vintage look – but also somehow modern, and I hear a thrill to drive. I love that the company itself has found a business case to keep making these and that there are enough craftsmen and engineers willing to work at a small manufacturer like this when I’m sure the bigger companies would pay them more for their services.”

We’re starting things strong with the Morgan here, which is something distinctly British and quite old fashioned. A bit like the monarchy, really.

Suggested by: z2221344

“Hard to choose just one but the first that came to mind was the Ford RS200. Designed by British-born Tony Southgate, powered by a Cosworth engine, and was built in Boreham.”

Sure, it was made by an American company. But, if the designer’s British, the engine is British and it was built in Essex, then I guess it counts.

Suggested by: Obin Robinson (Facebook)

“The Scootacar, naturally.

“It was built by Hunslet Engines, a locomotive manufacturer, because the director of the company’s wife wanted something easier to park in London than her Jag. So they decided to enter the microcar market and came up with this.

“By 1957, when they were introduced, microcar enthusiasm had seriously started to wane, but that didn’t stop them and actually the car was somewhat successful. It was designed by having someone sit in a chair in front of a blackboard and someone else drew this shape around them in an effort to come up with the shortest car possible. The body was fiberglass and only had one door.

“According to legend, when journalists were testing the car on a track, one of them got a little too frisky and drove off the tarmac into a ditch. The Scootacar proceeded to somersault, rolling forward onto its roof and kept rotating, eventually landing on its wheels and kept going.”

Did microcars make it to America? Or, on the whole, are they just a weird European thing to you?

Suggested by: Jonee

“The McLaren P1. Not the best British automobile, the best ever. God save the Queen.”

I just love its big mischievous grin. It looks like it knows all your darkest secrets, or something.

Suggested by: Kenneth Gray (Facebook)

“The Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake.”

Shooting brake all of the Aston Martins, please.

Suggested by: @FurMinoUwU (Twitter)

“I’ve also always been fond of the AC Cobra and the AC 289.”

Based on the AC Ace but modified to fit a beefy American V8, the AC Cobra is a masterpiece.

Suggested by: Christopher Shinn (Facebook)

“The absence of the Jensen Interceptor among the responses so far is baffling.”

Built for 10 years from 1966, the Jensen Interceptor featured bodywork assembled by the same Italian company that helped build the Aston Martin DB4, the Alfa Romeo 2600 and the Maserati 3500.

Suggested by: arthurknguyen

“The Jaguar XK-E still remains one of the most beautiful and timeless designs ever followed closely by Aston Martin.”

It’s just lovely, isn’t it?

Suggested by: Terry Jenkins (Facebook)

“The British Viper ACR, before the Viper ACR.”

Developed as a high-performance road car and a race-winning endurance car, the TVR Cerbera Speed 12 was a bit bonkers. Just three were ever built.

Suggested by: @iCarSearch (Twitter)

“It’s going to have to be a Lotus and probably the new Emira. But for prior cars, the Lotus 3-Eleven 430. But that’s not an attainable car.”

In this case, the Lotus slogan of “simplify, then add lightness” means chop off the roof, lose a seat and add more power.

Suggested by: Aaron Otstott (Facebook)

“The Mini Cooper, without a doubt, and that is since I was a kid. I even had that car to use with my Scalextric track.”

The original and the best.

Suggested by: minardi

“The AM Victor is pretty much my idea of a perfect car.”

I just love this with all my heart. It might be made of One-77 offcuts, but the Aston Martin Victor is perfect in my eyes.

Suggested by: Danny Smith (Facebook)

“The Jaguar XJ220 and there will be no further arguments.”

We used to be a real country, making wonderful cars like this.

Suggested by: @mgalo24 (Twitter)

“Tiny British sports car + Ford 289 V8 and a 4-speed manual. Yes please.

“And the Rootes Group (including Sunbeam) was bought by Chrysler, and the last few Tigers had a pentastar logo with a Ford engine.”

V8 power in a tiny British sports car, it’s a winning formula.

Suggested by: hangovergrenade

“The Triumph TR4. Loved my 1964 I had in NY back in the late 90s.”

Built between 1961 and 1965, the Triumph TR4 could hit 110 mph thanks to its 100hp engine.

Suggested by: Matt Danilchick (Facebook)

“No two ways about it. Completely broke everyone’s concept of supercar. Took 10 years for Porsche and Ferrari to come up with something remotely competitive.”

A gold-lined engine bay, Formula 1 engineering and a unique seating layout all add to the mystique of the McLaren F1.

Suggested by: mosko13

“Land Rover IIA 109 Station Wagon.

“Unmistakable looks, incredible off road performance, designed for low-tech low-skill maintenance. Seats 10-12.”

We had a lot of suggestions for the Land Rover Series II, thanks to its classic utilitarian styling and go-anywhere mentality. A lovely car.

Suggested by: Fred Heald (Facebook)

“There is no other choice: Aston Martin DB5

“Easily one of the most recognizable British cars. Plus look how beautiful this car still looks at 59 years old.”

You guys might actually stop reading Jalopnik if we missed out this one.

Suggested by: tgggd86