From American and European exotics to Japanese beauties, the auto world offers exceptional models that auto enthusiasts yearn for. However, there are some cars that fanatics lack the bucks and guts to buy but still drool over and fantasize about in their dream collection. So, let’s dive into such 15 iconic cars that Anoraks wish they owned.
Ferrari F40
It was the last car personally approved by the great Enzo Ferrari. The F40 was quite a 40th-anniversary celebration for the brand. Crafted with elegance in the heart of Italy, the F40 is tattooed on every enthusiast’s heart. Its 2.9L twin-turbocharged V8 produces over 470 horsepower, making the F40 the first street-legal car to break the 200 mph barrier in 1987.
Lexus LFA
Every gearhead will prefer the LFA’s harmonic engine roars over ambient music. To ensure that happens, Lexus reached out to Yamaha and asked them to co-develop the LFA’s exhaust system. Yamaha, already an expert in creating heart-pumping music for car enthusiasts, made the 4.8L V10 sound so good that the LFA became one of the best-sounding cars of all time.
McLaren F1
You are not a true car fanatic if you have no clue about McLaren. Formula1-inspired center seat, a BMW V12 sat in an engine bay made out of gold with a 6-speed manual transmission and capable of taking you to 240 mph, designed by Gordon Murray, and what more could we ask for? If we keep going, the F1s will sound cooler and cooler. Being owned by notable figures such as Rowan Atkinson, Elon Musk, and Lewis Hamilton, every petrolhead dreams of being one of the 106 lucky F1 owners.
Ferrari LaFerrari
An Italian stallion that is part of the Holy Trinity of Hypercars, the Ferrari LaFerrari combines speed with cutting-edge technology. Its 6.3L V12 engine with a KERS hybrid system assist produces around 950 horsepower, enabling it to go over 220 mph. With the vehicle’s striking appearance, as the translation of La Ferrari suggests, it is really “The Ferrari.”
Koenigsegg Agera RS
The more aggressive version of an already fierce Agera R. People under Christian Von Koenigsegg broke engineering limits to prepare a monster that ended Bugatti Chiron’s top-speed dominance back in 2017. With the 5.0L twin-turbo engine now making more than 1000 horsepower and taking you upto 278 MPH, this Swedish masterpiece is on every car nerd’s “if I ever get rich” list.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
A track-ready car that is road-legal? Almost all of us have pictured driving a 911 GT3 RS around The Green Hell. With its 4.0L flat-six that redlines upto 9000 RPM and clever aerodynamics, this track beast eats lap records for breakfast. Surprisingly, it still offers a manual transmission in 2024, which makes it even more attractive to enthusiasts.
Lamborghini Miura
The Miura is a supercar that started it all. The Countach, Diablo, Murcielago, and Aventador all continued the Miura’s legacy. After the successful launch of the 350GT, Lamborghini introduced its first supercar, the Miura, in 1966. This stunning car was the first to offer a rear mid-engine layout.
Aston Martin DB5
Legend from the James Bond films, the DB5 offered a 4-liter six-cylinder engine, generating 282 hp, which was impressive in 1963. The elegant design, outstanding craftsmanship, and features such as electric windows and fire extinguishers made it stand out from its competitors. To this day, the DB5 remains a symbol of British luxury and performance and can never be disapproved of by an enthusiast.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Resulting from one last hurrah before the Mercedes-McLaren collaboration ended, the SLR was everyone’s favorite poster car back in the early 2000s. The design was inspired by the 1955 300 SLR, featuring a long bonnet and sleek aerodynamics. Under the hood lies a 5.4L supercharged V8 mated with a 5-speed gearbox with Touchshift control. For the SLR, reaching over 200 MPH is nothing. The car has gained so much love that car collectors like Manny Khoshbin own 8 of them.
Shelby Cobra 427
Who doesn’t want a car designed by Carrol Shelby? Known for its raw performance and iconic design, the Cobra 427 is a legendary American sports classic. An open-top, lightweight body fitted with a massive 7.0L V8 provides Cobra an incredible acceleration. With limited production (only 260 ever made) and a high price tag, many automobile enthusiasts can only dream of owning a 427.
BMW M1
It is said to be one of the best classic BMWs ever to exist, and that’s hard to deny. Initially planned as a race car, under the collaboration with Lamborghini, the delays in production resulted in the M1’s birth. Hand-built timeless Italian design featuring a 3.5L straight-six made it a worthy addition to our list.
Honda NSX
The Honda NSX holds significance in the car world, as Formula1 legend Ayrton Senna was behind its development. Its aerodynamics were inspired by an F-16 jet, and a 3.0L V6 was behind the driver’s seat. The NSX was so capable at its time that even Gordon Murray was a fan. So, how can we motorheads overlook such beauty?
Toyota Supra MK4
Supra MK4, also known as the A80, the most special thing about this car lies under its hood, the 2JZ-GTE, which is limited to just 276 horsepower due to the Gentleman’s Agreement. The motor is robust and open to a variety of upgrades, enabling many fanatics to push over 500 horsepower easily. With a desire to make insane power, every car nerd dreams of owning a Supra as a project car.
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
Another JDM legend that got a lot of exposure, such as being starred in the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious and PlayStation’s classic Gran Turismo, is Skyline. It came out in 1999 and earned an exceptional reputation from the fans due to its RB26DETT inline-six engine and rear-wheel steering. Just like the Supra, it was also tuned down to respect the Gentleman’s Agreement and remains a symbol of the peak Japanese automotive engineering era.
Ford GT40
Concluding this list with a legend, the GT40 changed the way people look at American cars. The reason for its birth was the 1960s Ford LeMans rivalry with Ferrari. With the combined efforts of Mr. Carrol Shelby and Ken Miles, the GT40 made Ferrari taste dust at Le Mans in 1966. A car that gave a tough time to such a dominant motorsport figure in history, the GT40 stands as the ultimate jaw-dropping vehicle for speed freaks.
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Zainab Noor is a motoring journalist. Childhood rides in Nissan Almera fueled her love for cars. After graduating from AIOU in 2021, she steered her passion into freelance writing. You can find Zainab on LinkedIn.
