>10
Nov
Perhaps it’s not the first nation you think of when it comes to cars, but Britain has a long history of manufacturing iconic vehicles. Whilst German cars are known for their precision engineering and Italian cars are known for their beauty and speed, British vehicles are applauded for their opulence and style. But what are the most iconic British cars? Read on to find out.
Range Rover Mk1
The Range Rover Mk1, also known as the Range Rover Classic, was launched in 1970. It injected a boost of interest into the Rover brand, which had, by some accounts, become a little stagnant during the 1960s. The Range Rover was praised for its functionality – it was as good cross-country as it was commuting on the road. It was manufactured up until 1996 and is now seen as a true British classic.
Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender was first launched in 1983 as the Land Rover 110, due to the 110-inch wheelbase. Like the Range Rover, it was marketed as a multi-functional vehicle, used just as much in the countryside as it was in urban areas. It was praised for its simple but effective design and the early models are now seen as collector’s items.
McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 was launched in 1992 to critical acclaim. It holds the record for the fastest production car in the world – a record it has held for over 24 years. It has won various awards and topped numerous ‘best car lists’ and for good reason. The combination of light streamlined sports car and high-power engine has made this a British icon for the ages.
Jaguar E-type
The Jaguar E-Type was manufactured between 1961 and 1974, with a design based on the Jaguar D-Type, a racing car that won the 24 Hours Le Mans three years in a row from 1955. The E-type was lauded for its combination of beauty and performance. It has featured in media from Austin Powers to Mad Men, an instantly recognisable icon of the era.
Aston Martin DB5
Only around 1,000 Aston Martin DB5s were manufactured over the two-year production period between 1963 and 1965. Its all-aluminium engine could reach a top speed of 145mph with 282 horsepower. The Aston Martin DB5 is perhaps best known as James Bond’s car, first appearing in the 1968 film ‘Goldfinger’ and going on to feature in seven more Bond films.
Mini
The Mini might be the most affordable car on this list of British icons but it might also be the most recognisable. It was produced between 1959 and 2000 and was a favourite amongst families and car lovers for decades. 5.3 million Minis were produced before the model was discontinued. As well as recreational and commuter use, it was also a competitive rally car, winning multiple races during the 60s.
Rolls Royce Phantom
Rolls Royce is an iconic British car brand and the Phantom is perhaps their most recognisable model. Since 1925, the Phantom has had 8 different iterations, plus two Coupe derivative models. The most recent version is the Phantom VII, first launched in 2017. The Phantom has helped to seal Rolls Royce’s reputation as a master of luxury cars, acting as the flagship of the company.
If you’re looking to buy one of these British motoring icons, get your car finance from Get Car Finance Here. Our friendly team will look through all the deals available to you to find the best finance option. Apply online today to find out how much you can borrow.