Asking a motoring scribe which cars he likes is like asking a foodie what his favourite dishes are. The answer you’re likely to get is, “there are too many to mention”. But if someone were to ask me which cars are my all-time favourites, then the list is actually very short. The five cars I absolutely adore are also the five sexiest in the world, in my opinion. The fact that I’ll probably never own any of them in my lifetime is painful, but it also adds to their allure.
Aston Martin DB5
Forget about the modern Astons that fictional super-spy James Bond ever drove – the DB5 is the only one that matters. Outfitted with machine guns, a smoke dispenser and a bulletproof shield, it became one of my dream cars the moment it appeared in Goldfinger. Proof that it still has presence: when it appeared on-screen in Skyfall, my fellow moviegoers oohed.
Ferrari 250 GTO
Those sensuous lines. That long bonnet. It almost looks too good to be a racecar. But every one of these models (of which fewer than 40 were built) was engineered to dominate on a racetrack. The 250 GTO is so rare that collectors have to fork out millions to be able to own one.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Known as the “Gullwing” because of the unique way its doors opened, the 300SL remains highly desirable to this day. In its time, it was known for its handling and advanced features, such as fuel injection. Those wide door sills make getting in and out tricky, but it’s worth the trouble for any driver keen to get behind its wheel.
Jaguar E-Type
Before Jaguar launched the E-Type, the British carmaker was not seen as capable of creating a sports car that could match the rivals of its era. But when the E-Type was unleashed in 1961, its stunning looks made a certain Enzo Ferrari proclaim it to be the “most beautiful car in the world”. Indeed, it is sex-on-wheels.
Mercedes-Benz 230SL
Affectionately referred to as the “Pagoda” due to the shape of its roof, the 230SL never fails to make my heart skip a beat. Although not as shapely as the first-gen SL (especially the 300SL roadster), the 230SL’s clean lines give it a classy and timeless appearance that, in my opinion, remain unmatched to this day.
