Car: Jaguar XKE Series III OTS Convertible

Year: 1974

What makes it special: The XK-E for the North American market, is a British sports car that was manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd between 1961 and 1975. Its combination of beauty, high performance, and competitive pricing established the model as an icon of the motoring world. It employed what was, for the early 1960’s, a novel racing design principle, with a front subframe carrying the engine, front suspension and front bodywork bolted directly to the body tub. No ladder fame chassis, as was common at the time, was needed and as such the first cars weighed only 2900lbs.

What made it famous: The E-Type Series 3 was introduced in 1971, with a new 5.3 L twelve cylinder Jaguar V12 engine, uprated brakes and standard power steering. Optionally an automatic transmission, wire wheels and air conditioning were available. The brand new V12 engine was originally developed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was equipped with four Zenith carburetors. The final engine was claimed to produce 272 hp, more torque, and a 0-60 mph acceleration of less than 7 seconds, but this bhp figure was reduced in later production. The short wheelbase FHC body style was discontinued, with the Series 3 available only as a convertible and 2+2 coupé.

Why I would want one: It’s one of the most famous sports car designs in automotive history. Love the long, rear-tilting hood.

Fun fact: Outside automotive circles, the E-type received prominent placement in Diabolik comic series, Austin Powers films and the television series Mad Men.

Car: Ford GT

Year: 2005

What makes it special: The Ford GT is an American mid-engine two-seater sports car manufactured and marketed for model year 2005 in conjunction with the company’s 2003 centenary. The Ford GT began production again from the 2017 model year. The GT recalls Ford’s historically significant GT40, a consecutive four-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966–1969, including a 1-2-3 finish in 1966.

What made it famous: The GT is similar in outward appearance to the original GT40, but is bigger, wider, and most importantly 3 in taller than the original’s 40 in overall height. The Ford GT features many technologies unique at its time including a superplastic-formed frame, aluminum body panels, roll-bonded floor panels, a friction stir welded center tunnel, covered by a magnesium center console, a “ship-in-a-bottle” gas tank, a capless fuel filler system, one-piece door panels, and an aluminum engine cover with a one-piece carbon fiber inner panel. Brakes are four-piston aluminum Brembo calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and engine are visible. The longitudinal rear mounted Modular 5.4 L V8 engine is all-aluminum alloy engine with an Eaton 2300 Lysholm screw-type supercharger. It features a forged rotating assembly housed in an aluminum block designed specifically for the car. A dry sump oiling system is employed, allowing the engine to sit low in the car’s frame. The DOHC 4 valves per cylinder heads are a revision of the 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R cylinder heads with slightly increased wall casting thickness in the exhaust port. The camshafts have unique specifications, with more lift and duration than those found in the Shelby GT500. Power output is 550 hp at 6,500 rpm and 500 lb⋅ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. A Ricardo 6-speed manual transmission is fitted featuring a helical limited-slip differential. 

Why I would want one: It’s Ford’s supercar, and not many were produced, making it an instant collectible.

Fun fact: During the GT’s production run, the car was featured on the cover of the video game Gran Turismo 4, and was also featured in Need for Speed: ProStreet, as well as being made into physical form in the Transformers: Alternators toy line, which featured realistic cars turning into Cybertronians; the Ford GT mold was used for the characters Mirage and Rodimus.