Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB, 2019, 5k, £299,950
Any pitch battle between the Golf and Civic is one for the ages. Volkswagen has been building the Golf since 1974; the Civic has been in continuous production since 1972. Half a century on the assembly line makes them venerable in anyone’s book - but there are a few nameplates that enjoy legendary status for their staying power. First among them, surely, is the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Not just because its maker has been building some variant of it since 1925, but because the car itself - no matter which generation you choose - extols such an uncanny sense of permanence. It's like buying Windsor Castle. Of the many flavours to choose from, we’d be inclined to go all-in on the sumptuous, stately home theme with this EWB example in English White. There is no finer way to enjoy a rear seat.
Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series, 2009, 8k, POA
Whereas very early iterations of the coach-built Phantom require an expert eye to now appraise (or even recognise), the original SL, with its gullwing doors, is one of the most famous ‘classic’ cars and readily identified by people probably unaware that 70 years have passed since its launch. The car's origin story, partly credited to a far-sighted New York dealer, is well-known too, and ushered in a seven-generation Sport-Leicht dynasty. Several of them are among Mercedes’ finest cars ever - although somewhat inevitably we couldn’t resist the charms of this UK-supplied SL65 Black Series with just 8k on the clock. Sure, there are prettier, sweeter examples of the SL, but nothing speaks to the knee-trembling good old days quite like a 670hp bi-turbo V12.
Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 GT, 2016, 9k, £28,980
If that all seems a bit too much like one-percenter nonsense, then how about America’s idea of a seven-generation two-door coupe? The Mustang enjoys an exalted place not just in muscle car history, but in the very fabric of a continent's consciousness. It is quite possible that no car, with the possible exception of the Golf GTI, can claim to have done a better job of democratising performance for more people than Ford’s souped-up fastback. Accordingly, while it is possible to blow mega-bucks on a unicorn variant on the ’60s-era original, the Mustang is best enjoyed when getting maximum bang for your buck. Like spending less than £30k on a V8 GT. Here’s a seldom-used example in Magnetic Grey for hatchback money. Tasty.
Porsche 930 Turbo, 1981, 66k, £130,000
Oft forgotten fun fact: like the Mustang, the Porsche 911’s first year of production was 1964. The so-called ‘classic’ generation was in production till 1989 and enjoys a large and devoted following. But if you’re inclined to dip a paw into old-school, air-cooled ownership, then there’s a lot to be said for the 930, the turbocharged version that Porsche initially introduced in 1975 for homologation purposes. On track it would spawn the magnificent 935; on road, it was sufficiently demanding to drive to foster the 911’s widow-maker reputation. Today, it looks (and in 3.3-litre format, sounds) like nothing else, especially in Moss Green. Expect around 300hp from its larger flat-six and a suitably modern amount of performance. Care and TLC required, obviously - but a lovely way to celebrate 60 years of 911.
Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray, 2023, 4k, £94,500
The Corvette predates the 911 by a decade, and of all the cars on this list, it is the one that has succumbed to the most identity changes in over 70 years of slightly stop-start production. Back in 1953, the Corvette was a svelte, front-engined fibreglass creation meant to make you look good. Now it’s a mid-engined V8-powered supercar that can even be bought as an all-wheel-drive hybrid. The really exciting thing about the current C8, though, is its availability as a right-hand-drive model - and that’s what you get here in 6.2-litre Stingray format. This UK-supplied Iconic Torch Red car, which has only covered 4k at the hands of a single owner, is available immediately. A potentially fabulous way to scratch an eight-generation itch.
Range Rover V8 Vogue (L322), 2011, 80k, £16,950
We were going to round things off with a Land Cruiser, the redoubtable workhorse Toyota has been building since 1951. But the off-roader has always been something of a bit player in the UK, so instead we thought we’d pay tribute to the Range Rover - a car which not only transformed the fortunes of its manufacturer, but also contributed to the changing perception of SUVs globally. Which of its five generations has delivered the best version is debatable, although we’re happy to spread the love that is increasingly heaped on later versions of the L322. The shape, we’d venture, is now timeless and effectively qualifies you as landed gentry. Here’s a lovely looking car from 2011 with Ford’s lusty 4.4-litre diesel V8 and below-average miles - all for the appealing low price of £17k. That might end up being the first instalment of a larger outlay, but at least you’ll feel like a million bucks when all is well.
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