Lamborghini Miura - '60s
It’s tough to imagine what Lamborghini would look like if it weren’t for the Miura, a seminal vehicle that pretty much single-handedly invented the category of supercars. Besides its stunning good looks, it also had plenty to offer under the hood and was the mark of consummate luxury in the decade it was released.
Porsche 911 - '60s
The Porsche 911 has gone through many iterations over the years, but they all hew closely to the foundations laid by the original 911. Fun fact: Porsche was told by Peugeot that they weren’t allowed to name their car the 901, so the company upped the number. And with how many generations of the 911 they’ve gone through, they haven’t stopped upping.
Lotus Elan - '60s
The humble Elan was thought to be nothing more than a Miura with an uglier design, but in many ways, it was actually better than that seminal vehicle. It didn’t hurt that it had a much more attainable price tag and a certain “homegrown” appeal, given its Norfolk roots.
AC Cobra - '60s
In terms of pure aesthetic value, it doesn’t get much richer than the AC Cobra. The car has a rather convoluted story behind it, but the gist of it is that it was the result of fitting a monstrous American V-8 engine to an AC Ace.
BMW 2002 - '60s
With how many cars are named with what appears to be a year in their title, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the BMW 2002’s placement in our '60s section is mistaken. In fact, the vehicle was built from 1968 to 1975, and as its name suggests, in retrospect, it was ahead of its time.
Ferrari 250 GTO - '60s
Although the Ferrari 250 GTO didn’t dominate the roads in terms of quantity, it had an undeniable presence, perhaps due to the prestige surrounding it. Only 36 models were produced, leading to the GTO becoming one of the world’s most sought-after vehicles even now, sixty years later.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - '60s
The Stingray remains a defining vehicle in American automotive history, a true blend of luxury and performance that came at a relatively affordable price tag. These days, the Stingray lives on in legend, and its classic stylings continue to influence other cars to this day.
Volkswagen Beetle - '60s
There is perhaps no other car more emblematic of the 60s than the VW Beetle. Although it had been in production for well over two decades before that, it saw a boom in the 60s due to its associations with counterculture movements. These days, Beetles are still highly sought after.
Ford Mustang - '60s
The Ford Mustang single-handedly created the pony car category, and is still used as a measuring stick for other cars to compare themselves against. Its debut was met with immediate praise and success, and heralded American car culture and the automotive industry as a whole into the muscle car era.
Ford Cortina - '60s
The Ford Cortina was a best-seller during its debut year, 1962. The boom it made when it arrived pretty much invented the market for fleet cars. Everybody and their mom had one (or knew someone who did), and they are a treasured and revered part of American car history.
Jaguar XJS - '70s
The 70s only really kicked off when the Jaguar XJS was released, and it was by far the coolest car to come out of that decade when it debuted. It sported stunning good looks and a monstrous V-12 engine - unfortunately, it was rather short on reliability, which greatly depreciated its value. These days, though, many car enthusiasts would pay a handsome price for one of these bad boys.
Triumph TR7 - '70s
Although the 70s saw a great deal of good-looking, sporty cars, the Triumph TR7 delivered on stylish good looks and incredible performance in a much less intimidating package. (Convertible models were also available, adding to its appeal.) These days, it’s emblematic of the '70s vehicle aesthetic.
Aston Martin Vantage - '70s
With muscle car mania in full swing during the 70s, Aston Martin wisely capitalized on the frenzy with the release of the Vantage. With a roaring V-8 engine under the hood and rugged good looks, it was the type of car all red-blooded patriots dreamed of - even if it wasn’t an American brand!
Dodge Challenger - '70s
Speaking of classic American muscle, it doesn’t get much more iconic than the original Challenger. Debuting at the turn of the decade in 1970, it had a roaring V-8 engine encased in what is still the quintessential muscle car design.
BMW 2002tii - '70s
That’s right - the BMW 2002 makes another appearance on our list! This model, the 2002tii, was released in 1971, and although it had a quaint, homely aesthetic, its fuel-injected engine allowed it to reach 130 horsepower, which was serious going for the time it was released.
Toyota Celica - '70s
Although muscle cars were a uniquely American obsession, their popularity sent waves throughout the automotive industry, resulting in many manufacturers adopting similar design principles. The Celica is one such example of this, a small car that had the look and feel of a larger muscle car.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class - '70s
G-Wagons are incredibly popular still today, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that they’ve been around for as long as the automobile industry. In fact, they got their start in the 70s with the first G-Class from Mercedes-Benz, whose design was so singular and unique that G-Wagons haven’t changed much since then.
Chevrolet Camaro - '70s
The second generation of the Chevy Camaro was in production from 1970 through to 1981, which should give you some indication of the vehicle’s immense popularity and staying power. It’s a highly sought-after vehicle to this day.
Ford Mustang Mach 1 - '70s
Although the Mustang Mach 1 was offered as an alternative to the original Mustang since 1969, it wasn’t until the 70s that it truly hit its stride. With a bad-to-the-bone design and performance to match, it secured its place as one of the coolest muscle cars to ever hit the tarmac.
Lancia Stratos - '70s
Honestly, there were several 70s vehicles that could have taken the last spot in this section, but we feel inclined to give it to the Lancia Stratos for its pop-up headlights alone. These were a uniquely 70s feature that gave the Lancia Stratos and similar cars a cutting-edge aesthetic that people still love to this day.
Acura Integra - '80s
Kicking the 80s off in style, this bad boy looks like it jumped straight out of a synth pop music video, making it an iconic symbol of this colourful decade. Not only does this car look hip but it also provided excellent performance combined with astonishing affordability for its time.
Buick Grand National GNX 1987 - '80s
A perfect combination of class and muscle, this car could dress up for a dinner party and bulk up for a late-night drag race the same night. While its price definitely indicated its stylish design, it's no secret that you were also paying for power.
DeLorean DMC 12 - '80s
Possibly the most iconic car of the 80s! We can already hear the Back To The Future theme just by looking at it. After all, without the film trilogy, this car would not have gained the notoriety it deserved. But come on, how can you not feel cool in a car with a gull-wing door?
Ferrari F40 - '80s
A groundbreaking design brought a breath of new life into the world of Ferrari’s sports cars. There was no such car before it, and every Ferrari after has paid homage to this classic car. Its internal and external design made this the dream car.
Lamborghini Countach - '80s
Following the line of sports cars, the Lamborghini Countach was probably the most luxurious of its time. With its high speed, horsepower, and futuristic design, you'd think you were the main character in a sci-fi flick just by standing next to one of these.
Ford Mustang GT 5.0 - '80s
Now this was a car with variety. Taking on the form of a hatchback, notchback coupe, and a convertible, this car is one of the most stylish and versatile of its time, being used for breezy car rides to police patrols.
Jeep Cherokee - '80s
Yet another statement piece that would pave the way for many future designs from many different automobile brands, the Jeep Cherokee was a lightweight off-roader that could even double as a family car, making it a popular addition to any household.
AMC Eagle - '80s
Now, it wouldn’t be a list of the most popular ’80s cars if we didn’t include a station wagon somewhere along the line. However, this wasn't any old station wagon. Its lifted suspension made this car ideal for family events as well as a little 4x4 trip.
Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z - '80s
Yet another icon rich in 80s stylist choice. With its angular lines and sleek design, one can't help but feel like the lead in a music video. This sports coupe held the hearts of all who came across it, making it one of the most desirable cars of the time.
Honda CRX-Si - '80s
Honda has become known for its variety of car types, but one thing has remained stable across the decades: it's all fun, affordable, and fashionable in its own right. The Honda CRX-Si is no exception to this rule.
Ford Sierra - '80s
The Ford Sierra was perhaps the reminder the public needed that Ford was at their best when they were innovating. Although people were reluctant to embrace its different style, it went on to become the fourth best-selling car of the decade.
Lancia Delta Integrale - '80s
To this day, rally races are still immensely popular, and in the 80s, no other car dominated the rally scene quite like the Lancia Delta Integrale. Although its stylings were humble and conservative, it packed an enormous punch under the hood.
Mercedes-Benz 190 - '80s
Although an argument can be made for the appearance of other Mercedes-Benz models released in the 80s, it was the 190 that gave the company real footing within the compact executive market.
Volkswagen Golf GTI - '80s
No list of cars released in the 80s would be complete without the GTI. Although the first model was released in the 70s, the 80s saw its return with a more rounded shape that further defined its hatchback appearance and led to it becoming one of the most recognisable vehicles in the world.
Volvo 240 - '80s
MPVs and SUVs were nowhere near as popular today as they were in the 80s, but there was still a need for family vehicles. The Volvo 240 was the solution, an iconic station wagon with enough space to pack a baby elephant into.
