The Most Popular British Cars of All Time
Written by
In the early eighties, company cars made up a large share of British car sales, with middle managers and salesmen traveling in Austin Princesses and Cortinas. Maxis, meanwhile, were weird and uncomfortable. Then Vauxhall introduced the attractive Cavalier, which offered class-leading economy and performance. The same year, Ford launched the radical Sierra. The two manufacturers have been competing for dominance in the market ever since.
The 1960s were also the era of the sporty, low-cost, and highly desirable luxury cars. The Rover P6 was a notable exception, with its edgy styling. In the early seventies, the company produced the SD1, which was similar to a Ferrari Daytona with a hatchback. This car was the first to win the European Car of the Year award. Unfortunately, British Leyland strikes destroyed many of its early models, and many dealers had to rebuild them. But the cars remained popular and the SD1 has grown into a respected executive.
The era of the sports car in Britain has ended, but its brands live on. Mini Cooper, based in Leicester, is one of the most famous British cars. There are 8 models of the car in continuous production. Its reinvention as a compact electric vehicle, the Mini Cooper S, is now the most popular mini Cooper. Aston Martin, based in Britain, is synonymous with high-end luxury cars. It is now owned by the BMW Group, while the Rolls-Royce is owned by Tata Motors of India.
Although the British car market isn’t particularly known for its luxury cars, the Vauxhall Astra is one of the most popular and affordable hatchbacks in the country. At just over a thousand euros, it’s inexpensive to lease and fun to drive. The Vauxhall Stag is not an example of a high-end luxury car, though it is produced in Sunderland. And while it’s not really a British car, it’s surprisingly nice.
Jaguar has been one of the best known British car brands for decades. The F-Type coupe has long been the most popular Jaguar model, and was a popular choice among British customers. It has a low center of gravity and an attractive design. The XF, launched a year after, is one of the most modern and well-made Jaguars ever. The facelifted XK is another great example of a British car.
Another classic British car is the original Mini. This car was produced from 1959 to 1967 and became synonymous with British cars. Despite being small, the original Mini has an international cult following. It’s a small car, a cute one, and fast enough to make you feel like a king in a speedboat. And its iconic design, including detachable steering wheels, make it a classic.