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Rule Britannia – Most Accomplished British Machines

Vukasin Herbez December 22, 2024

Even though the Germans invented the automobile back in 1886, British engineers and brands gave it a unique perspective and helped create the car industry as we know it today. It is very unusual that such an influential car industry has lost almost all of its specific brands, and very few British brands are actually owned by UK owners. However, remember how this small island created automotive history and presented cars enthusiasts still lust after.

Jensen Interceptor FF

One of the best British Gran Turismo cars ever built was the Jensen Interceptor. With its Italian styling by Vignale, massive size, superb comfort, and powerful Chrysler 383 or 440 V8 engine in the front, this four-seater coupe was one of the fastest and most comfortable cars for crossing continents in the late ’60s and early ’70s. The latter part of the name comes from Ferguson Formula, which means that this model is equipped with all-wheel drive and an early form of ABS brakes. In 1966, this was space-age technology.

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McLaren F1

The F1 was introduced in 1992 and stayed in production until 1998. During that period, McLaren produced 106 cars, including the GT-R versions, which were highly successful racing models. The F1 featured a bespoke 6.1-liter V12 engine made by BMW Motorsport, which delivered 627 hp and used a 6-speed manual transmission. The initial response, racing success, and overall excellence of the package declared the F1 one of the best, if not the best, supercar of all time.

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Aston Martin DB5

The DB5 was released in 1963, and the famed Italian Carozzeria Touring designed it. The heart of the car was a 4.0-liter straight-six engine with 282 to 315 HP, depending on the trim and model. The DB5 was produced as a coupe or gorgeous convertible. But this car is most famous for being James Bond’s car of choice and appearing in quite a few Bond movies. Some say this is an early case of product placement, but we say it is a match made in heaven.

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Jaguar E-Type

On Cx282 Etype M 20190311124711 — Photo Credit: AutoWp

Introduced in 1961, the Jaguar E-Type was a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite Jaguar’s long-lasting tradition of building fine sports cars, the E-Type was years ahead with a superb design, four-wheel disk brakes, independent rear suspension, and powerful straight-six engines. It stayed in production for 15 years until 1976 and sold over 74,000 copies, most of them here in the USA.

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Morgan Plus 8

Morgan Roadster — Photo Credit: RM Sotherby

Everybody knows Morgan, the legendary British company with models that hadn’t changed in appearance and technology since the ’30. In 1968, Morgan introduced the Plus 8 model, which featured a signature design and thumping V8 engine, which brought some real performance to Morgan’s range. The model proved popular and remained in production until 2004. Since the new Morgan Plus 8 was introduced, it has had unchanged looks but modern safety features and brakes.

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Jaguar XK120

Lunaz Xk120 3s 1 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Called XK 120, this was one of Jaguar’s quintessential sports cars and one of the fastest models of the decade. It was introduced in 1948 with a powerful straight-six engine, a sleek, streamlined body, and a top speed of 120 mph, which it was named after. The rest is history, and Jaguar not only sold well but also inspired the production of the E Type.

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Caterham/Lotus Super 7

Caterham Super Seven 1600 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Lotus started as a kit car company operating from a shed. But everything started with the legendary Lotus 7. First presented in 1957, Lotus 7 was a bare-bones sports car with a small four-cylinder engine in the front, two seats, and nothing more. It was the purest form of legally possible driving. Over the years, technology has advanced, and cars have become faster and more powerful, but the basic idea has remained the same.

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Lotus Espirit

2004 Lotus Esprit - 2002 Lotus Esprit — Photo Credit: AutoWp

As one of James Bond’s favorite cars, Lotus Esprits has a special spot in enthusiasts’ hearts. Introduced in the early ’70s and sold until the mid-90s, the Lotus Esprit was a competent sports car, although it had a smaller engine but less weight than the rest of the field. With Giugiaro styling, a wedge shape, and compact dimensions, the Esprit was a fast and nimble car.

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AC Ace

You have probably heard about Shelby Cobra 289, but you have never heard about AC Ace. Well, if it weren’t for this cool-looking British roadster, the Shelby Cobra would have never existed in the first place. Even though MG and Triumph dominated the roadster market in the ’50s, AC Ace was arguably a better and more powerful car, which helped establish the legend of Shelby Cobra.

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Ford Escort RS Cosworth

Built from 1992 to 1996, the Ford Escort RS Cosworth was one of the best British muscle cars of the ’90s. Built using Sierra RS Cosworth bits, this Escort was smaller but featured the improved 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 227 hp. One of the main features was the rally-proven all-wheel-drive system, which proved necessary since the car developed over 230 lb-ft of torque. The Escort RS Cosworth was fast for the day, with 5.8 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.

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Jaguar XJ6

Jaguar has always occupied the same place in the market as a brand that produces unique, elegant, powerful, and fast cars. The XJ6 was a low, sleek, elegant sedan with powerful straight-six engines and a 5.3-liter V12 for the most demanding customers. This was the first car that perfectly blended luxury with sport appeal and a signature shape that lasted all the way up to 2009 through eight different generations.

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Rolls Royce Silver Ghost

Introduced in 1906, the Rolls Royce 40/50HP was the first model of this legendary factory. The car was painted silver and eerily quiet, fast, and powerful, earning it the nickname Silver Ghost. It was powered by an enormous 7-liter straight-eight engine with 48 HP and loads of torque. The model was in production for 20 years, made the company famous, and created the legendary saying – “60 mph and the loudest noise you hear is the clock ticking,” since its max speed was 60 mph.

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Land Rover Defender

Many car enthusiasts write off British cars as quirky, rusty, prone, and problematic, and to be honest, some of them are like that. Several examples of British cars are durable, dependable, and legendary in their ruggedness. One of those machines is the epic Land Rover Defender. Over time, this model changed the design and the names, but it never changed the original concept and character, and you will be amazed to find out that over 70% of all Land Rovers built are still on the roads all over the planet.

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Range Rover

Most car historians agree that Range Rover started the modern SUV class with a unique blend of off-road capabilities, elegant design, and luxury appointments. After this model, more and more manufacturers decided to try to sell comfortable off-road vehicles, and that is how we got the SUV craze sweeping through the industry. During the ’80s and early ’90s, the original Range Rover was becoming the bestselling vehicle in its class and a legend of the industry.

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Austin Mini

To be perfectly clear, the original Mini, introduced in 1959 and sold until 2000, is the most important British car and one of the most important cars of the 20th century. When it was first introduced in the late ’50s, Mini featured the unusual concept of the transversely mounted engine with front wheel drive. Something nobody had in those days. Fast forward 60 years, and all front-wheel drive compact cars in the world have the same layout as the Mini. On the other hand, Mini was the champion of usability since it was tiny from the outside but could seat five people on the inside.

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