The Best British Cars of All Time
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From the first Mini to the latest McLaren, Britain is famous for its love of luxury and speed. Its cars also tend to be built to last, with many surviving decades after production ceased. And, while the UK hasn’t always dominated the world of car manufacturing, some of its marques have punched well above their weight in terms of performance and design.
Designed by Alec Issigonis, the Morris Minor was a hugely successful model in its day. With low running costs and a practical size, it was perfect for family use. It was so popular, in fact, that when it reached a million units in production in 1961, a special one-million-model was made to celebrate.
In the 1970s, BLMC struggled to maintain its lead in the family market against new models from Ford and Peugeot-Talbot. Its new Morris Marina and Austin Allegro were not highly regarded by the motoring press and a loss of sales on export markets jeopardised its plans to modernise. Labour disputes, quality issues and supplier problems added to the company’s woes. The Viva HA of 1963 was a more conventional-looking, easier-to-drive version which proved a hit with new drivers and women and enjoyed fleet deals with British Telecom and Royal Mail.
Another of BLMC’s most memorable models was the Triumph Dolomite Sprint – an impressively quick, nimble roadster dubbed a “sprite killer” due to its small dimensions and spirited engine performance. It was also the first British car to be designed and engineered around a four-wheel drive layout.
Aston Martin’s DB5 isn’t just a Bond villain’s ride; it’s a gorgeous, classic sports car with plenty of power and show-stopping looks. It was built for speed and made to last, making it a true icon of the era.
Founded by maverick engineer Colin Chapman, Lotus has produced some of the most beautiful – if not always reliable – sports cars ever to be made. His mantra of “simplify and add lightness” has persisted with the current Elise and the upcoming Evija electric vehicle.