When one thinks about classic sports cars, it is usually the muscle cars from the 70s and 80s that come to the mind. These powerful speedsters, however, were not the only flagbearer for the sports car rage that sprawled its wings in the US, during the early 90s – a few classic British sports cars played an equally eminent role in engrossing the masses, which subsequently fuelled the production of more powerful engines in the later years of the decade. Amazingly, the charisma of sports cars continues to this day and the passion has countless patrons around the globe. No wonder hundreds of US citizens visit classic wrecked cars auctions hunting for their dream machines, hopefully in a repairable condition.
That explains why we decided to prepare a list of four classic British sports cars that are easy on the wallet, but exude unmatchable panache. Keep an eye out for these beauties the next classic car auctions you attend. Let’s take a look.
1. Lotus Elan
Apart from the Lotus 7, revered for its performance due to low weight and simplistic design, and the Lotus S2, owned by the prominent British actor and comedian, Peter Sellers, we decided to include the Lotus Elan in this list. The reason, it was the first Lotus car to offer a chassis made of steel and fiberglass, which made it extremely lightweight. Don’t forget that the Lotus Elan was still pretty heavy given that it packed a number of developments, such as four-wheel disc brakes, independent suspension system, and double overhead cam engine, among others.
2. Healey Sprite
Marketed under the name ‘Frogeye’ in England, the Sprite has numerous striking features, but its headlights caught the attention of most car enthusiasts, after its launch in 1958. Interestingly, few people knew around the time that the headlights designer intended them to work like those of Porsche 928 models: retract into the hood when switched off. It’s the same feature that make the Sprite unique to this day. In fact, it’s one of the most coveted machines at classic and wrecked car auctions.
3. Jaguar E-Type
At first glance, the Jaguar E-Type reminds you of the golden era of British sports-car-manufacturing era. One of the in-demand cars during the 1960s, it is a perfect classic salvage car to add to your collection of timeless, exotic cars. The initial model was powered by a 3.8-litre engine producing 265 horsepower, and 240 ft-lbs of torque. Its top speed of 150 miles per hour is an offering that still makes many car lovers add it to their collection.
4. Triumph Spitfire
It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that the Triumph Spitfire’s existence is largely attributable to the success of the Austin Healey Sprite. After all, the increased demand for Sprite motivated the manufacturing team of the Spitfire to produce a car that was more refined on the look and power. The result, the Triumph Spitfire was launched with a single front end and wind-up windows. The man behind the designing was none other than Giovanni Michelotti, the same person who had designed numerous Ferrari, Lancia, and Maserati models.
Conclusion
These cars might not be the “latest”, they certainly are among the most admired classic British cars of all time. They have an enduring place in the hearts of classic car enthusiasts that appreciate their value. Owning one or two means taking your collection of classic cars one more step closer to being the “ultimate”. To find out how we can help you in this direction, check out our classic car inventory. Or feel free to speak with one of our representatives.
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