Collector car model histories
One rich, honest page per model — production numbers, specs, what to look for, common problems, and market context. Every non-obvious fact is cross-checked and cited, with uncertainty called out rather than glossed over.
Compare two models head to headNSX (NA1/NA2)
1990–2005 · 18,734 built
The Honda NSX — sold as the Acura NSX in North America from late 1990 — is the car that proved a mid-engine supercar didn't have to be temperamental. Honda…
770 (1961–1968)
1961–1968 · 3,878 built
The Amphicar 770 is the world's first — and by far the most successful — mass-produced civilian amphibious car: a car that drives straight into a lake and …
2002 (02 Series)
1968–1976
The BMW 2002 (1968-1976) is the compact two-door that established BMW's modern sport-sedan identity. Part of the wider '02 Series derived from the Neue Kla…
Isetta (1955–1962)
1955–1962 · 161,728 built
The BMW Isetta is one of motoring's great charm machines: a tiny egg-shaped 'bubble car' whose entire front end — door, windscreen, steering wheel and dash…
M3 (E30)
1986–1991 · 17,970 built
The BMW M3 (E30) is the car that founded the M3 name, and it was born for one reason: to go racing. BMW needed a homologation special to qualify a 3 Series…
Corvette (C2 Sting Ray)
1963–1967 · 117,964 built
The second-generation Corvette (C2), sold 1963-1967 and named 'Sting Ray,' is one of the most revered American sports cars. Styled under Bill Mitchell and …
DS (1955–1975)
1955–1975 · 1,455,746 built
The Citroën DS, unveiled at the 1955 Paris Salon, was a technological thunderbolt that looked and behaved like nothing else on the road. Styled by sculptor…
240Z (S30)
1969–1973 · 164,616 built
The Datsun 240Z is the car that put Japan on the sports-car map. Launched for 1970 (built from late 1969), it paired a smooth 2.4-liter overhead-cam inline…
DMC-12 (1981–1983)
1981–1983 · 8,975 built
The DeLorean DMC-12 is one of the most instantly recognizable cars ever built: a wedge-shaped, Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed coupe wrapped in unpainted brush…
308 GTB/GTS
1975–1985 · 12,112 built
The Ferrari 308 is the car that put a mid-engined V8 Ferrari within reach of a generation — and, thanks to Magnum, P.I., into millions of living rooms. Lau…
Testarossa (1984–1991)
1984–1991 · 7,177 built
The Ferrari Testarossa, launched at the 1984 Paris Motor Show, is a mid-engine two-seat berlinetta and the successor to the 512 BB. Its 4.9-litre Tipo F113…
Bronco (1966–1977 (First Generation))
1966–1977 · 225,861 built
The first-generation Ford Bronco (1966–1977) was Ford's original compact 4x4, conceived under Donald Frey and approved by Lee Iacocca to challenge the Jeep…
Mustang (1965–1968 (First Generation))
1965–1968 · 1,956,544 built
The first-generation Ford Mustang, unveiled April 17, 1964, created the 'pony car' segment and remains the defining affordable American classic. Built on h…
E-Type (Series 1)
1961–1968
The Jaguar E-Type Series 1, launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, is among the most celebrated sports cars ever built. It paired a monocoque bod…
Countach (1974–1990)
1974–1990 · 1,983 built
The Lamborghini Countach is the definitive wedge-shaped supercar and one of the most culturally significant cars ever built. Penned by Marcello Gandini at …
RX-7 (FD (FD3S))
1992–2002 · 68,589 built
The third-generation Mazda RX-7 (FD3S, 1992-2002) is widely regarded as the high-water mark of the rotary sports car and one of the finest Japanese designs…
SL (W113 'Pagoda')
1963–1971 · 48,912 built
The Mercedes-Benz W113 SL (1963-1971) replaced both the 300 SL and 190 SL with a single, elegant grand-touring roadster. Styled under Paul Bracq's hand at …
Skyline GT-R (R34 (BNR34))
1999–2002 · 11,578 built
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 (chassis code BNR34), built from January 1999 to August 2002, is the final and most revered of the Skyline-based GT-Rs before t…
356 (1948–1965)
1948–1965 · 76,000 built
The Porsche 356 was Porsche's first production car and the foundation of the marque. Introduced in 1948—beginning with roughly 50–60 hand-built aluminum co…
911 (964)
1989–1994 · 63,762 built
The Porsche 964 is the 911 that dragged Stuttgart's icon into the modern era without losing its soul. Sold from 1989 to 1994, it was pitched by Porsche as …
911 (993)
1994–1998 · 68,881 built
The Porsche 993 is, for many enthusiasts, the definitive 911: the last of the air-cooled cars, sold from 1994 to 1998. Penned by English designer Tony Hatt…
911 Turbo (930)
1975–1989 · 21,589 built
The Porsche 911 Turbo (Type 930) was the fastest production Porsche of its era and the car that made the turbocharged road-going 911 a fixture. Launched fo…
Cobra (1962–1967)
1962–1967 · 998 built
The Shelby Cobra is the definitive Anglo-American sports car: Texan racer Carroll Shelby dropped a lightweight Ford V8 into the aluminium-bodied AC Ace roa…
Land Cruiser (FJ40 (40 Series))
1960–1984
The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 is the archetypal Japanese off-roader: a rugged, body-on-frame 4x4 built around a stout inline-six and a reputation for going …
Supra (A80 (Mk4))
1993–2002
The fourth-generation Toyota Supra — chassis code A80, known to enthusiasts as the Mk4 — is the car that turned a competent Japanese grand tourer into a gl…