20 iconic cars from history

Classic cars become iconic for several reasons. They can symbolise bygone eras or represent strides forward for the car industry of their day. Meanwhile, they can achieve fame for their performances on the big screen or the world’s toughest racetracks.

With so many amazing classic vehicles out there, which are the most iconic? We have picked out 20 that are particularly great to us. Find out which ones we chose below, as well as how to protect them with insurance for vintage vehicles.

Car 1 – Aston Martin DB5

Is this the world’s most famous car? The Aston Martin DB5 has been a true icon ever since it first rolled off the production line in 1964. The same year, it would appear in the James Bond movie Goldfinger alongside Sean Connery and has appeared in the series several times since, including Skyfall in 2012 with Daniel Craig. The original car from the 1964 film is now on display at the Louwman Museum in The Hague, Netherlands. If you’re the lucky owner of an Aston it’s essential that you have insurance protection from the specialists. Give the team at Lancaster a call today.

Car 2 – Mercedes-Benz 300SLR

This sleek and uber-cool two-seater instantly takes you back to a very specific time, the year 1955. In racing’s golden era, the Mercedes-Benz 300SLR would be part of some of motorsport’s most iconic moments and become synonymous with the legend of Sir Stirling Moss. Moss, at the wheel of a 300SLR, became the first British driver to win the British Grand Prix. The same year, he would complete what is still widely regarded as the greatest driving performance in history, winning the gruelling Mille Miglia at an average speed of nearly 100mph and over half an hour ahead of the second-placed driver Juan Manuel Fangio.

Car 3 – Jaguar E-Type

Sixty years ago, Jaguar would launch a car that even today is seen as one of the world’s most beautiful cars. At the time, Enzo Ferrari described it as the most beautiful car in the world, and the Jaguar E-Type would become synonymous with the glamour of the era. It was desired by one and all and boasted a series of mega-famous owners, including Steve McQueen and Brigitte Bardot. Meanwhile, lucky spectators would have seen it rack up racing victories at Silverstone, Goodwood, and Brands Hatch – arguably Britain’s three most iconic tracks.

Car 4 – Ford Mustang

One of the quintessential 20th Century US cars, the Ford Mustang was an icon as soon as it was released in 1964. After the official unveiling by Henry Ford II in New York, and at Ford Showrooms across the USA, demand was fierce. History says nearly 22,000 were ordered on the first day, with 400,000 sold in its first year. Since then, it has been a Hollywood regular. It was the car being chased by the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger and was famously driven by Steve McQueen in Bullitt.

Car 5 – Mini Cooper

Designed by Sir Alec Issigonis for the British Motor Corporation (BMC), the Mini Cooper was initially created in response to a fuel shortage caused by the Suez crisis in 1956. BMC probably didn’t expect their efficient offering to become such a cultural icon – or cinematic star, thanks to its role in The Italian Job.

It was a prized possession for stars of the day, including Twiggy and all four members of the Beatles. In 1999, it was voted the second-most influential car of the 20th Century in an international vote.

Today, original Minis are getting few and far between, pushing prices up and up. Make sure yours is covered with the right classic car insurance.

Car 6 – Ford Model T

Beating the Mini Cooper to first place in that vote was the Ford Model T, built by Ford and first launched by Henry Ford in 1908. Other motorcars existed by this point, but Henry’s idea – a practical mode of transport that was affordable to the average person – truly revolutionised the motor industry.

He had opened up the prospect of car ownership to the masses. Most Americans would end up owning one of these self-start vehicles, giving them the ability to zip around the country and driving demand for the USA’s modern highway system.

Car 7 – VW Beetle

Still one of the world’s most instantly recognisable cars, the Volkswagen Beetle is truly one of history’s most iconic vehicles. Starting life as ‘the people’s car’, commissioned by Hitler in the 1930s, it would come to be called the ‘beetle’ affectionately and that would eventually become its official name after the war.

The Beetle was first imported to the UK in 1952, but by 1964 100,000 were being driven on our shores. It would become the first car to sell over 20 million units, staying in production longer than any other car (it was still being made in 2003!). Along the way, it would even steal hearts in Hollywood, as Herbie in The Love Bug movie series.

Car 8 – Citroen DS

Another car that made the 20th Century’s ‘most influential cars’ list was the Citroen DS, sitting in third place. Released in 1955, it wasn’t just the vehicle’s sleek beauty and clever name (DS is a play on the French word déesse, meaning goddess) that won people over. The car also introduced many new innovations, such as the lighter fibreglass roof and self-levelling suspension. This legendary vehicle was voted by Auto Express as the ‘coolest car of all time’. Do you agree?

Car 9 – Morris Minor

Sir Alec Issigonis has already made this list for his design of the Mini Cooper. But such was his genius in car design that he has made it again with the Morris Minor.

Released in 1948, the Morris Minor became one of the symbols of the UK’s economic recovery after World War II. Throughout its production lifespan, which came to an end in 1971, millions were sold, and various editions were released. These included a Morris Minor van that became popular with Royal Mail. For more on the history of Morris, read our article here.

Did you know that the Morris Minor is one of the top 10 vehicles for which we provide classic motor insurance here at Lancaster?

Car 10 – Subaru Impreza

Rally fans will need no introduction to the mighty Subaru Impreza. However, with its distinctive blue and yellow design, it is possibly one of the few rally cars that even non-fans could name. Launched in 1992, it shot to fame as the car driven by Colin McRae, the world’s most famous rally driver, as he won the Rally World Championship in 1995.

Car 11 – Porsche 911

Produced since 1963 in Porsche’s factory in Stuttgart, Germany, the 911 is still one of the world’s most desired cars. With the innovative design featuring the engine in the rear, and the effortless sleekness of the body, it has remained a key figure in Porsche’s arsenal, with five updates over the years including a turbo version that reaches speeds of 205mph.

Car 12 – The Land Rover

According to Land Rover folklore, the Wilks Brothers came up with the famous design by drawing an outline in the sand on a bay in Anglesey, Wales. It has been the choice agricultural vehicle since its launch of the Land Rover Series 1 in 1948, with the novel design of the steering wheel in the middle. Famous owners would include Winston Churchill, who received one for his 80th birthday. The car paved the way for the Series II and, down the line, the Range Rover. Remember, Lancaster can provide cover for a range of 4x4s as well as classic military vehicles.

Car 13 – Ferrari F40

Built to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ferrari in 1987, the F40 would be the final car launched in the lifetime of Enzo Ferrari who would pass away a year later. Now more than 30 years old itself, it would become one of the true symbols of 1980s sports cars. Meanwhile, the F40 is still often described as the greatest ever Ferrari – not bad given the competition.

Car 14 – Lamborghini Miura

The world’s first introduction to supercars back in the 1960s, Top Speed argues that this is the most iconic Lamborghini ever. And given its starring role in The Italian Job, it’s tough to disagree. Fans of the film will fondly remember those iconic opening scenes as the orange Lamborghini Miura winds around the mountainous Italian road, inspiring cool celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis to buy one.

Car 15 – Vauxhall Corsa

Since its launch in 1993, the Vauxhall Corsa has been a popular car among people of all ages in the UK. The first edition took new innovations such as car alarms, anti-lock brakes and power steering, and made them affordable to the mass consumer. Through its various iterations, the car has maintained its popularity and in 2021, Vauxhall revealed the Corsa was the best-selling new UK vehicle.

Car 16 – Mazda MX5

Mazda wanted to tap into the roadster market with a car that was affordable but offered a rewarding driving experience. Launched in 1989, they hit the brief so well with the MX-5 that, in 2000, it was certified as the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car by Guinness World Records.

Are you a member of the MX5 owners club? Find out about our partnership and what it could mean for your classic car insurance policy.

Car 17 – BMW 3-Series

Since the launch of the first-generation BMW 3-Series in 1975, the car has been a recurring success that is now found in seventh-generation form. A new feature of the 1975 car, a dashboard that angled toward the driver, has become a standard feature of all BMW models ever since.

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, says that even today many customers see the Series-3 as the ‘ultimate’ BMW.

Car 18 – Chevrolet Corvette

An American icon rivalled only by the Ford Mustang for levels of fame, the Chevrolet Corvette has been in high demand ever since its launch 1953. In an era where Britain dominated the sports car market, Chevrolet launched the Corvette as its response to both this and its own poor sales figures.

However, the Corvette was so popular that modern versions remain in production to this day. The millionth Corvette sold in 1992, and it’s known now as ‘America’s Sports Car’, even appearing in some huge Hollywood movies including Con Air and The Big Lebowski.

Car 19 – DeLorean

It may not have been the runaway commercial success that John DeLorean had hoped for, but the DeLorean has still managed to become a longstanding part of our memories. This is partly through the iconic look, with the winged doors and stainless-steel frame that sported no paint job.

Mainly however, we know it as the car from the Back to The Future series starring Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox, which has helped the vehicles live on despite DeLorean’s Northern Ireland plant shutting down in 1982, three years before the release of the first film.

For more in-depth facts about the DeLorean, read our article here.

Car 20 – Benz Patent Motor Car

Finally, where better to end the list than with the first ever motor car?

All the way back in 1886, Carl Benz’s three-wheel vehicle, powered by a gas engine that was mounted in the rear, appeared in the press. The first invention in the gleaming history of what is now Mercedes-Benz, it would revolutionise the concept of transport. For the first time, there was a practical alternative to horses in terms of personal travel.

His invention is now known as the birth of automobiles as we know them today and without it, the rest of this list may not have been possible.

Protecting your own iconic vintage vehicle

Whether you have one of the cars on this list or other iconic classics like the MGB or the Volkswagen Golf, make sure it's protected with classic car insurance.

Lancaster Insurance uses more than 35 years of experience to provide bespoke classic car insurance solutions for virtually any vintage vehicle on the market.

We carefully choose all underwriters we work with to help make sure your classic car insurance works for your individual needs.

To find out more and arrange a quote, contact us today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.