- Picture © Peter Mallett

Classic Dream Garage

Five cars, five decades 1950 to 1999 - Only Restriction? British

2y ago
1.1K

Ok so we've all seen this before and I'm not certain this hasn't been done here recently so apologies if I'm boring you but it occurs to me that we are inundated with dream garages full of Ferraris, Maseratis etc. but not of those good old British cars. So, if you could pick one British built car from each decade and plug it into your vast garage which ones and why?

Starting with the 1950s there were many fantastic sports cars but not too many were that affordable even then. It led to Lotus building the Seven but the mainstream manufacturers were doing quite well. In this case I think I'd go for a Triumph TR3. Solid engineering and a robust engine. Not too expensive now.

Triumph TR3

Triumph TR3

Moving to 1960 we had the era of the Mini, MGB, Jaguar E Type, Triumphs in TR4 and 5 versions, Aston Martin's DB5 and 6 and all the specials that grew from them. I think overall I'd want the Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato (as in the main photo) but being sensible, because only Clarkson can afford one of those, I'd have to stick with the MGB. Again good solid engineering, anyone can look after it and whilst not the fastest, 100MPH in an open top 1960's car is fast enough thank you.

© Hagerty Insurance

© Hagerty Insurance

Ok, so we are now into the 70's flares and Mullets, the time of the Capri and the Austin Maxi, the Marina, Chrysler's Avenger Tiger and of course the Rover SD1 in 3500 trim. We also had the TR6, and Reliant Scimitar, not forgetting the Morgan in Plus 8 guise. All of which were actually great fun cars (well except the Maxi) and so I'd go for the car I always promised myself. The Capri 3.0S.

La Source Spa Francorchamps

La Source Spa Francorchamps

Now to the 1980's and things started to get more technical. We had Ford's Sierra Cosworth, Vauxhall's Cavelier SRI and Astra GTE, Rover's SD1 was uprated to fuel injection and thus gained a few BHP and a great deep front spoiler. The Mini was still going strong and the 1275 GT was a great track weapon. But for me the one British car I'd love to own from that era has to be the Cossie, power and sheer fun.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/classic/meet-worlds-most-expensive-sierra-cosworth

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/classic/meet-worlds-most-expensive-sierra-cosworth

Aaaand finally. 1990 and what's on the menu? The Ford Escort Cosworth comes to mind but it was accompanied by the Probe of which "somebody" once suggested could snap knicker elastic at twenty paces. Frankly the 1990s were pretty dire for most British classic enthusiasts so it's a pretty short list. I'd plump for the very quick and fun handling Fiesta RS Mk 3.

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/01/rare-rides-1991-ford-fiesta-rs-turbo-better-festiva/

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/01/rare-rides-1991-ford-fiesta-rs-turbo-better-festiva/

So what about you?

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Comments (9)

  • Jaguar E-Type

    Austin-Healey 3000

    TVR Cerbera

    McLaren F1

    Aston Martin DB4 GT

      2 years ago
  • Realistically...

    1. Triumph Dolomite Sprint

    2. Reliant Robin

    3. Rover 3500

    4. Austin Morris Mini

    5. Austin Seven

      2 years ago
    • I like the Dolly Sprint, not too keen on the Robin. Austin Seven was 1930s. I take your point re money and trees and like the idea of the DB6 shooting brake.

        2 years ago
  • If money grew on trees I would have...

    1. Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato in Black

    2. TVR Speed 12

    3. Aston Martin DB6 Shooting Brake

    4. Bentley Azure

    5. McLaren F1

      2 years ago
  • Jaguar D-Type

    MG MGB

    Lotus Esprit V8

    Aston Martin DB6

    TVR 3000M

    Bristol 405

    This'll make me live in the garage instead of the house.

      2 years ago
  • 1950 Land Rover series 1

    Land Rover series 3 stage 1 v8

    Land Rover defender 90 300tdi

    Austin healey 3000

    Jaguar mk2

      2 years ago
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