These Are the Coolest Cars to Buy in the Years We Were All Born
We all know our zodiac signs and birthstones, but have you ever wondered about what was ruling the roads the year you were born? We have, so we've created this list of the coolest cars from each year, spanning four iconic decades of automotive history. Keep scrolling to find yours!
1960 - Chevrolet Corvette
If there's one iconic car we will always be happy to see, it's the Chevrolet Corvette! This vintage classic has been a symbol of American freedom and patriotism since the ‘60s, with a timeless, sporty design and roaring original top speed of over 100mph!
1961 - Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type was a car that got everyone talking back in 1961, with celebrities from Brigitte Bardot to Steve McQueen cruising around in one. It was a sculpted beauty that influenced many car designs from that decade, and its 150mph top speed was double the norm for the time!
1962 - Shelby Cobra
Speaking of ‘60s beauties, the Shelby Cobra really put British automobiles on the map. It combined an American Ford V8 engine with a British AC chassis, resulting in a distinctive sports car with enough muscle to hold its own against track cars of the time.
1963 - Porsche 911
Good news, 1963 babies! The Porsche 911 is one of the most famous and instantly recognizable cars on our list, for good reason. Everything about it was bigger, bolder, and better, including its roaring boxer engine that turned heads before its gorgeous build had even rounded the corner.
1964 - Ford Mustang
You knew it was coming, and 1964 was the year that the Ford Mustang changed automotive history forever. It remains the coolest, most famous pony car ever, with a muscular build, long hood, and sumptuous interior that has aged like fine wine.
1965 - Ford Mustang
If the previous year wasn't enough of a success, the Mustang’s icon status was fully cemented in 1965. Pony cars were well and truly ruling the roads, but the Mustang was still in the lead, now with its new, refined bodywork, V8 engine, and powerful performance upgrades.
1966 - Lamborghini Miura
If you love all things speed, you'll have loved to be alive when the Lamborghini Miura was first released. It was the first-ever high-performance road car, with an unbeatable V12 engine and a top speed of 171mph. And if that wasn't cool enough, it also foreshadowed modern supercars.
1967 - Chevrolet Camaro
In 1967, the Chevy Camaro took the roads by storm, and it remains a beloved classic car 58 years later. It borrowed from different automotive styles, combining a sporty engine with muscular bodywork to create a vehicle aggressive enough to rival the Mustang.
1968 - Dodge Charger
One year later, another beloved classic drove for the first time. The Dodge Charger was long, compact, and packed full of raw power. Nothing felt cooler than roaring down streets in the NASCAR-inspired Charger, powered by a Hemi V8 engine that never got tired.
1969 - Nissan Fairlady Z
You might know it as the Datsun 240Z, but the Nissan Fairlady Z is iconic under any moniker. It was a game-changer for sports car fans who wanted something fast and durable, but also affordable. Its Japanese craftsmanship set it apart from its American and European competitors.
1970 - Plymouth Barracuda
When the first of the ‘70s babies were born, the E-body Plymouth Barracuda was hot new property. It was a highly aggressive pony car that was designed to stand out, and it gave the Mustang a good run for its money. Even today, they drive and look better than ever.
1971 - De Tomaso Pantera
You might not recognize this gorgeous Italian car, but you should. It was, hands-down, the coolest car of 1971, for that beautiful bodywork alone. To date, it is De Tomaso's most popular car, thanks to its vigorous engine, sleek lines, and timeless design.
1972 - BMW 3.0 CSL
It would be over a decade before Michael Keaton took over as Batman, but back in 1972, people could get themselves a real-life Batmobile. This was the BMW 3.0 CSL, a special coupé version of the first BMW M, which expertly combined a lightweight build with superhero power.
1973 - Porsche 911 Carrera RS
The Porsche 911 was an instant icon, but in 1973, it got a very cool upgrade. This was the brand’s famous ‘ducktail’ spoiler, which was a game-changer for the Carrera RS model. It was rev-happy and extremely durable, proving that Porsches weren’t just pretty cruiser-type cars.
1974 - Lamborghini Countach LP400
You might have heard some people describe the Lamborghini Countach as “ugly”, but back in 1974, people called it radical. Its wedge-shaped design and scissor doors were new and exciting, and the sharp angles, low-set body, and V12 engine made it a daredevil’s dream ride.
1975 - Ferrari 308 GTB
Speaking of cool but controversial designs, the Ferrari 308 GTB delivered a similar shock in 1975. Its Pininfarina design was a real headturner, with a wedge-shaped body, pop-up headlights, and sharp angles that turned sharp corners like nothing. It helped establish Ferrari as a top speedster brand.
1976 - Lotus Esprit
The ‘70s were clearly the decade of wedge-shaped cars because the Lotus Esprit shot to fame in 1976. Its design was harsh and angular, but people loved it, especially because it was so engaging and responsive to drive. And what’s cooler than appearing in a Bond movie?
1977 - Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
If you were born in 1977, you grew up alongside an enduring icon: the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. This was the American car, with a high-performance V8 engine and an aggressively muscular build that quickly became synonymous with nationwide strength and power. Its decal hood is still a classic.
1978 - Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Hailed as Britain’s first supercar in 1978, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage certainly didn’t disappoint. Under its bulky hood was an engine that could outrun a Ferrari, and inside, it was all buttery-soft leather. James Bond also took it for a ride in 1987 and 2020.
1979 - Porsche 930 Turbo
The ‘79 Porsche 930 Turbo was another 911 variant, but it stood up perfectly fine on its own. With a distinctive ‘whale tail’ spoiler, a racecar-inspired bumper, and well-sculpted rear wings. As its name suggests, it was also fast and noisy, with exciting new technology for the time.
1980 - Audi Quattro
Let’s forget those sleek modern Audis and go back to 1980, when the sharp, angular Quattro was on top. Everything about it was revolutionary, from its aerodynamic lines to its four-wheel-drive system to its rally-style engine. It was something cool and different that car enthusiasts loved.
1981 - DeLorean DMC-12
We don’t believe that anybody wouldn’t recognize this car. It’s the definition of iconic, with its futuristic build (which made it a realistic time machine in Back to the Future!) and famous gull-wing doors. It was a little underpowered, but people adored it then, and still do now.
1982 - Lamborghini Jalpa
You don’t have to be an ‘80s baby to know that Lamborghinis are pricey, but the Jalpa was a surprisingly affordable model. It was also fun to drive and great to look at, with cool pop-up headlights and a nostalgic wedge-shaped build. It was also decently powerful to drive.
1983 - Ferrari 288 GTO
The Ferrari 308 GTB was known for its unique style and speed, and the brand capitalized on that in 1983 with the 288 GTO. It was designed more for the track than the road, with a turbocharged V8 engine capable of reaching a top speed of 179mph and a striking design.
1984 - Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2
The decision to upgrade the Porsche 911 Carrera to a 3.2-liter engine was simple, but effective. It was able to cover more miles and handle a more aggressive driving style, with a highly responsive engine and top-tier fuel injection system. It was also incredible to look at.
1985 - Toyota MR2
The fact that the Toyota MR2 is still such an icon is a testament to how cool it truly was. Its mid-engine build was unique at the time, but most people were more interested in how fast it could go! It could reach 124mph and rev to over 7000rpm.
1986 - Ford RS200
Any rallying fan will remember the ‘golden age’ of Group B rally cars, and the Ford RS200 was one of its frontrunners. It was fast, agile, and designed to accelerate, brake, and corner with ease. Its distinctive fibreglass bodywork also looked great and had many people obsessed with the RS200.
1987 - Ferrari F40
Towards the end of the ‘80s, Ferrari was making huge strides towards supercar designs. The F40 is one of its coolest cars, being the last model approved by Enzo Ferrari and the first ever production car to exceed 200mph. We’re not surprised; just look at that racing build!
1988 - BMW M3
It might seem impossible to make a high-performance car that’s also good for daily driving, but BMW managed it in 1988. The M3 was designed as a Group A racer with a roaring engine, but it was actually very easy to balance this power and use it as a practical vehicle.
1989 - Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata design has changed since 1989, but the original was an absolute classic. Its roadster build instantly upped its cool factor, but instead of a convoluted design, the MX-5 focused on providing a raw driving experience that could be enjoyed on any road.
1990 - Lexus LS400
The Lexus LS400 may look like a pretty face, but it actually revolutionized the engineering of luxury cars. It could reach high speeds without making hardly any noise, and had racecar potential while still maintaining an opulent design. It was a ‘90s trendsetter.
1991 - Acura NSX
It's rare to come across a supercar that also doubles as a practical daily driver, but the Acura NSX succeeded on both fronts. This ‘91 icon was powerful but comfortable, striking but durable, and an all-round technologically advanced marvel of a car.
1992 - Dodge Viper RT/10
It’s no wonder ‘90s babies are such daredevils; they were born in the decade of high-performance sports cars. The 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 was designed for fans of the original who loved the design but wanted to go further, faster, and in even more style.
1993 - Toyota Supra A80
The Toyota Supra is one of the coolest grand tourers ever made, yet the ‘93 A80 variant still managed to refine it further. It featured an insanely powerful 3-liter, twin-turbo engine, which later earned it a starring role in the Fast & Furious franchise. It also looked like a superstar.
1994 - Ferrari F355
Many believe this to be one of the last hand-built Ferraris, and that’s enough to earn the F35 some serious cool points. But it also had a seriously fun flat-plane-crank V8 engine to complement its angular, aerodynamic design. It foreshadowed exciting new times for Ferrari.
1995 - McLaren F1 LM
We all know the McLaren F1, but if you were born in 1995, it was the LM variant that was ruling the roads. It was a street-legal version of the race car that won Le Mans that same year, with similar supercar styling and a V12 engine with 680HP!
1996 - Porsche 911 GT1
If there's one thing we're sure of, it's that the Porsche 911 ruled every decade! But the ‘96 GTI was one of the coolest, with its racecar build, which saw many victories on the track, and its extreme performance that had even experienced speedsters shaking in their boots.
1997 - TVR Cerbera
Despite being a ridiculously cool car, the TVR Cerbera is underrated. It had a sophisticated silhouette, but this small car packed plenty of power, courtesy of its V8 engine and extended throttle travel. Sharp bends and long roads were a piece of cake for this aggressive car.
1998 - Subaru Impreza 22B STi
Even towards the end of the ‘90s, cars were still innovative and speed-focused. The 22B STi was a high-performance Impreza variant that was built to celebrate Subaru's rally successes. It was limited-edition, so it also had massive collector appeal and remains a sought-after collectible today.
1999 - Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
It's nearly 30 years old now, but the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 remains ahead of its time. It incorporated Super-HICAS technology to create an advanced, futuristic vehicle. But it didn't neglect speed, either, and its exquisite Japanese engineering made it a racing force to be reckoned with.
2000 - Pagani Zonda C12
The new century brought with it exciting new things for cars, but the trailblazer that year was the Pagani Zonda C12. It looked effortlessly cool, and its V12 engine could clear 60mph in just four seconds! It's a truly underrated supercar.
