Top 10 Legendary Cars | Articles on WatchMojo.com (2024)

#10: Aston Martin DB5

Yes, it's that Aston Martin. Designed by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, 1059 DB5s were built between 1963-65, with the overwhelming majority of those being 2+2 coupes. 123 were convertibles, but rarest of all was the shooting brake or wagon model, which was made for Aston boss David Brown himself. Regardless of body shape, the DB5 was powered by a 4 litre, triple carbureted straight-6 with a top speed of 143 mph or 230 km/h and a 0-60 mph time of 8 seconds. Base models could boast 282 horsepower and 280 lb/ft of torque, but the less common Vantage variant had a full serving of 315 horsepower pulling on the reins.

#9: BMW M1

The most unique beast in the BWM family, the M1 is also among the rarest. Birthed from a brief union between BMW and Lamborghini, the M1 was intended to be BMW's ticket to on track success, and a race car for the streets. Like a Lambo, the M1 was mid-engined, but that engine was a 3.5 litre twin-cam, fuel-injected straight-6 rather than Lamborghini’s pride, the V12. It may have half the cylinder count, but it with 273 horsepower and a top speed of 162 mph or 260 km/h, it was no slouch. Turbocharged, full racing versions, meanwhile, could hit a stately 850 horsepower.

#8: Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7

In striving to create a racing car, Porsche managed to create one of their most iconic and desirable cars of all time. Using the 911 as its base, every inch of the car was dedicated to racing, from the beefier brakes, wider rear end and rear wheels, stiff suspension, to the hate it or love it ducktail spoiler. It was also lightweight, at just 2370 pounds or 1075 kg. The Sport Lightweight version, meanwhile, was – naturally – lighter still, at 2150 pounds or 975 kg. This, combined with a fuel injected 210 horsepower, 2.7 litre six-cylinder engine made the Carrera RS a rocket. And at just shy of 1600 units, it's a rare, and legendary, rocket at that.

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#7: Lamborghini Countach

Made from 1974 to 1990, the Countach kick started the entire wedge-shape revolution. Powered initially by the same 4 litre engine as the Miura, Lamborghini continued improving the power-plant until it be came a fuel-injected 5.2 litre, 414 horsepower fire breather. This final take on the Countach – the 25th Anniversary model – had a still respectable 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph or 295 km/h. With its sharp lines, scissor doors, and optional massive rear wing it looked fast, even when parked, and was instant pin up material.

#6: Ferrari F40

By the mid '80's Ferrari had pretty much perfected their mid-engine, rear-drive go fast recipe – and that perfection came in the form of the F40. Powered by a twin-turbo 3 litre 471 horsepower V8, the car was the last one personally approved by founder Enzo Ferrari. Made of a mix of Kevlar, carbon fibre, and aluminum, the F40 was a stripped down, low-weight high-power machine built with the goal of breaking the 200 mph barrier. Coated with just enough paint to hide the carbon fibre weave, the F40's body was shaped not only for style, but for aerodynamics, and to channel cool air to its vital organs. In the end, Enzo’s legacy has been cemented in this supercar masterpiece.

#5: McLaren F1

With its unusual centre-forward driving position and an ultra sleek design, the McLaren F1 was always going to be an attention-getter, and it had the goods to be more than just a head-turner. Using expensive and unlikely materials for weight relief – including gold, magnesium, Kevlar, carbon fibre, and titanium – the F1 was not only light weight, it was near perfectly balanced. It was also seriously fast. Using a 6.1 litre BMW V12, the standard F1 recorded a top speed of 231 mph or 371 km/h, a record speed that held until the arrival of the Bugatti Veyron in 2005. Even today, long after it entered production in 1992 and left it in 1998, very few cars can keep up with, let alone pass the F1.

#4: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

Most road versions of race cars are tamed down lookalikes with a few intimidating badges and a lot less power. The 300 SL did things differently – it actually had a slightly more powerful engine than the racer it was based. Where the carburetted racing version got 175 horsepower, the street-legal fuel-injected 300 SL got 215 horsepower, and at 160 mph or 258 km/h, it was the fastest production car in the world in 1954. Plus, with its old world classy curves and its trademark gull-wing doors, the 300 SL was simply gorgeous, whether it was creeping up in your mirror, passing you, or parked in your driveway.

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#3: Ford GT40

Based in equal measures on the Lola Mk6 and Henry Ford II's desire to beat Ferrari, the Ford GT40 was a legend from the first green flag. Using a blend of British engineering and American horsepower, the GT40 not only won Le Mans in 1966, it claimed 2nd and 3rd as well for a full podium sweep, and it would carry on winning the annual race until 1970. Due to its limited numbers – with just seven road-ready Mk III's being built – GT40's can command an outstanding price on the collectors market, such as the $11,000,000 paid for a 1968 model formally owned by Steve McQueen.

#2: Lamborghini Miura

Prior to the Miura, Lamborghini was known for making quick cruisers and grand tourers. After the Miura, they were known for sleek, bold designs and ridiculous amounts of speed. The exact type of car Ferruccio Lamborghini never wanted to make, the Miura was designed by his engineers when he wasn't looking. It would be last time a Miura failed to catch a look. Using Lambo's trusty 3.9 liter 345 horsepower V12, and a then revolutionary mid-engine layout, the Miura could achieve a 171 mph (276 km/m) top speed. With this, the Miura became the world's first true supercar. And in true supercar fashion, it was as pricey as it was fast – costing $20,000 in an era of $2,000 cars.Before we unveil our top pick here are a few honourable mentions.-1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale-AC Shelby Cobra 427-Audi Quattro

#1: Ferrari 250 GTO

While the 250 California was made for winding roads and warm, Pacific days, the 250 GTO was made to savagely beat Cobras, Jaguar E-Types, and Aston Martins on the track. Based upon the short wheel base 250 GT, this 250 got an ultra-aerodynamic body and a Le Mans proven 3 litre V12 loaded with 6 Weber carburetors. Less than 50 GTOs were built, and they were sold only to buyers personally selected by Enzo Ferrari himself. The $18,000 required to take Enzo up on his invitation proved to be an excellent investment. Today GTOs can command millions – like the $38 million paid for Stirling Moss's former GTO.