The Most Beautiful Car in the World
The most beautiful car in the world is…well that’s a bit ambiguous isn’t it? Every classic, vintage and antique car magazine has taken a run at this subject over the last 20 years. Generally the world has agreed around the Jaguar E-Type, also called the XKE, as one of the most beautiful, but who says this needs to be the definitive word? While this wonderfully designed Malcolm Sayer car has found its way into the Museum of Modern Art in New York,that surely doesn’t make it so? But I don’t think we should write off this issue so simply. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Hence my request of you; please let us know what car you believe to be the most beautiful. Of course your argument as to why this is your choice would be most enlightening. Also in your response please provide your country of birth, your sex, and your approximate age. Upon receiving this information we will categorize the most beautiful car choices by these parameters and discover once and for all whether beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, and whether women have a different opinion from men. In addition, we might learn if the moderns see things differently from the classics and vintagers and if your country of origin really does provide a base for prejudice!
When you respond to this question please provide a picture of your choice so that everyone can appreciate your opinion of the most beautiful car in the world.
Here are some cars you might consider: The Ten Most Beautiful Cars
Photo of a 1968 Jaguar E-Type taken by Michele Hamer
Comments
What about the 1940 Lincoln continental convertible? For that matter, the 1963 Lincoln was also quite beautiful!
So many beautiful cars. Each has their own panache. But for me, it has always been the Talbot Lago. I don’t remember who it was that did a photo spread on it a few years ago but, from every angle it was just beautiful.
I have to say that a late 1930’s Bugatti 57C would usually be my choice until I saw Rita Hayworths Cadillac at the Peterson Museum last week. Drop dead gorgeous car!
http://classiccars.about.com/od/classiccarphotogallery/ig/Petersen/1953cadillac.htm
Michele
I have two favorites, first, the PIERCE ARROW SILVER ARROW of 1933, and two, the DUESENBERG DUEL-COWL PHAETON by MURPHEY
I don’t remember who the automotive writer was, but he described the XKE as “the world’s greatest strumpet catcher.”
I was thrilled to see the Aston in the list, as that car is my particular all time favorite.
You might want to consider the Ferrari 275 NART Spider.
Shelby Cobra
First, this is a poor example of your subject car, It is a 1968 E type, there is no such car as an XKE,it is a misnomer used only here in the USA. My business is locating beautiful and unusual cars for advertising, movies etc.etc. In our database we have almost three thousand cars most of which are in show condition, how could anyone pick just one? We have a 66 E type coupe in silver blue which we love but I enclose a picture of our 1950 Jag XK120 that is just georgeous. Can any other car match this, I think so BUT it would have to be on a different day!!! Hmm, where do we send a photo?
My top pick: The ‘64 Ferrari Lusso, even beats the beloved E-Type in my mind (and I own a Jag E). Forget the Aston, if James Bond were Italian (think “the name is Bonini, James Bondini”) he would surely have driven a Lusso.
Also, re #4’s comment, the auto writer noted the E-Type was the “world’s greatest crumpet catcher.”
I don’t think he was talking about pastries….
Mike, 50, USA
Hello Lemlem,
Thank you for your comments. Actually the subject car pictured is our 1968 E-Type and we took this picture while touring in France. It’s all original with 30K miles on it. We love beautifully restored cars, but we also have a great appreciation for the untouched, like this one. Maybe we are a little prejudiced, but we think it’s a beautiful example.
By the way, we have Jan and Dean’s song “Dead Man’s Curve” to thank for so many people calling the E-Type an XKE.
You can send pictures to classiccars.guide@about.com
Cheers,
Tony & Michele Hamer
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I think the older cars designs are really really classic. I guess the designers back then had more freedom with their work. The Jaguar you posted reminds me of the swinging 60’s design. Very nice and classic.
For me, the most beautiful car right now is the Audi R8. Simple and beautiful with very clean lines.
Instead of catagorizing beauty by type of car, another way of doing it is by age - different ages (decades, generations, whatever) see beauty somewhat differently - that is obvious. Still true beauty does indeed endure. Yet, although someone born in the fifties might like the look of a new Ferrari - or, a 1940 Ford coupe, he or she will often retain a bias towards cars he or she grew up driving. I know that this is the case for myself. Still, I think that categorizing by decade might perhaps be the most effective way break it up. In that case, I’d probably choose the Bugatti T35 of the 20s; The Alfa Romeo P3 8C of the 30s, the 34 Ford coupe runner up; the 1952 Ferrari Barchetta of the 50s, the Austin Healey 100/50 Ford coupe/55-57 Chevy coupes runners up; the 67 Mustang fastback of the 60s, the Ferrari 250 GTO/68 Jaguar E-type/69 Plymouth Roadrunner, all runners up; the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda or the 70s, the 70 Mustang fastback runner up; 80s - tough going there … I will leave it out as there are slim pickings at best; the porsche 911/Ferrari 550 Maranello for the 90s - a tie; the new Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione for the 1st decade of the 21st century; the Ford Mustang GT runner up.