The Best British Cars of the Past Decade
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British cars have a long history of manufacturing some of the finest motors in the world. It’s a legacy that is still very much alive and well today. In fact, over the past decade, many of the country’s auto makers have been experiencing a renaissance in car production and quality.
The UK is home to a number of internationally famous brands that have been building cars for more than a century, such as Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Bentley and McLaren. It also has a large number of smaller independent and small-scale carmakers that are making great cars for the UK market.
Some of these brands have also been around for decades, others are just getting started. It’s a tricky task picking out the best of the lot, but we’ve tried our best to get an idea of some of the top british cars that are still being built right now.
Mini, Hillman Imp and Fiat 500
The Mini, designed by Alec Issigonis and launched by BMC in 1959, revolutionised the small car sector of the British market. It remained among the nation’s favourites for almost 20 years, finally rolling off the production line in 2000.
Another well-received small car during the 1960s was the Rootes Group’s Hillman Imp, a replacement for the long-running Mini. It stayed in production for four years before being replaced by the Chrysler Sunbeam hatchback.
It was a similar story with the Fiat 500, which enjoyed some decent sales in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s, competing well with Ford, Vauxhall and Peugeot-Talbot. Zastava’s Yugo-badged cars also sold well during this period, though they were halted in 1992 due to sanctions imposed on Yugoslavia as a result of the civil war there.
Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type is a muscular sports car that has stood the test of time, and continues to produce some of the most exciting motors in the world. It offers a wide range of engine options, from the frugal 2.0-litre petrol powerplant to the ferocious V6 and V8 models.
Aston Martin
If you want to take your driving seriously, it pays to invest in a proper classic. Aston is a luxury car maker that produces cars that epitomise the British automotive industry and are incredibly well made.
Morgan
If you’re looking for something a little quirky, then you should definitely consider buying a Morgan. They’re handbuilt in Malvern, Worcestershire, and offer a bespoke service with a waiting list that can be up to 10 years.
They’re also incredibly fast – some have gone on to win multiple championships in racing.
Jaguar is another brand that has built some of the most iconic cars in the world, such as the E-Type and XK. Its latest model, the F-Type, is a fantastic two-seater sports car that offers a variety of engine choices and bodystyles.
The F-Type is a fantastic car to have on your driveway, and you can enjoy it with a family of five in comfort.