Jul 26, 2016 10:42 PM EDT
Top 5 Most Popular Vintage Cars Every Collector Wants

Vintage cars, which are referred to as classics or antiques are cars that are over 30 years old, have etched a special place in the hearts of people, car collectors, hobbyist, restorers and the like all over the world. Their patrons have identified themselves with these vintage cars, and for various reasons that they became passionate about certain makes, models, and styles.

Here are top 5 vintage or classic car models every collector and enthusiast would ever want:

5. Mercedes 300SL Gullwing (1957)

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W198) was the first iteration of the SL-Class grand tourer and was introduced in 1954 as a two-seat coupé with its distinct gull-wing doors.

W198 was built by Daimler-Benz AG, its direct fuel injected production model was based on the 1952 racer W194 which somewhat less powerful carburetted yet highly successful. The W198 was built around a welded aluminum tube spaceframe chassis in order offset its relatively underpowered carbureted engine. The metal skeleton saved weight while maintaining a high level of strength. Its distinct gull-wing arrangement stemmed from the impossibility of traditional doors due to its passenger compartment which the model had enveloped.

Bosch mechanical direct fuel injection was installed, which boosted the car's power by up to 25% over other Gran Prix cars. 300 SL used on high powered Messerchmitt Bf 109E World War II fighters from which DB 601 V12 was derived. Its output rose from 175 horsepower to 215 horsepower, with the top speed of 161 mph (260 kph) as a result. This made 300 SL to gain the reputation of being the fastest production car of its time.

4. Aston Martin DB5 (1964)

Aston Martin DB5 is a British luxury grand-tourer made by Aston Martin and designed by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. It was released in 1963 as an evolution of the final series of DB4, with the initial DB which was made to honor Sir David Brown (the head of Aston Martin from 1947 to 1972). The DB5 is famous for being the one of the most recognized James Bond car, which appeared first in Goldfinger.

It is powered by a 2995 cc Inline-6 engine with 5,500 rpm (210) rated at 282 bhp. Weighing 1,502 kg, its top speed can reach up to a maximum of 143 mph (230km/hr)

3. Maserati Ghibli 4.7 (1969)

Maserati Ghibli (Tipo AM115) is a two-door, V8-engined sports car which was released by Maserati in 1967. This car debuted, when its prototype was unveiled at the 1966 Turin Motor Show. It was also named in Sports Car International magazine's Top Sports cars of the 1960s placing ninth on its list.

Giorgetto Giugario designed its steel body, characterized by a low, shark-shaped nose. The 1966 Ghia prototype was a two-seater; however on the car's production, two emergency rear seats were added, thus Ghibli was marketed as a 2+2.

The car was powered by a 4.7L, 310 PS (228 kW; 306bhp) front placed quad-cam 4.7 L, 310 PS dry sump V8 engine which is combined to a five-speed manual or to a three-speed automatic transmission. It had a rating of 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds, a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

2. Jaguar E-Type (1961)

"The Most Beautiful Car ever made" according to Enzo Ferrari, the Jaguar E-Type is a North American British sports car which was manufactured by Jaguar Car Ltd from 1961 to 1975. In March of 2008, the Jaguar E-Type ranked first in the online list of "100 most beautiful cars of all time" by The Daily Telegraph. And in 2004, this beauty has made its way to top Sports Car International magazine in its Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.

Series 1 of Jaguar-E was introduced in March 1961 used triple SU carburetted 3.8 litre six-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150S, boasting 150 mph and a sub-7 second 0-60 time. Earlier models utilized external bonnet latches which required a tool to open and had a flat floor design, with latter models with floors dished to provide more leg room and the twin bonnet latches were moved to the car's interior.

1. Shelby 427 Cobra (1962)

Topping the list is the Shelby 427 Cobra or AC Cobra, an Anglo-American sports car powered by a Ford V8 engine which was first produced both in the US and the UK since 1962. This competition car traces its history back in 1959 when it was used to race for Aston Martin, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

This two-seater "super snake" car was built with a Ford 260 cubic inches HiPo (4.2L) engine powered by small block V8 tuned for high performance, hand-built body with steel tube frame and aluminum body panels which were made using English wheeling machines. 

And in January 1965 Shelby has produced limited edition 50th anniversary 427 Cobra which is priced at $50,000 for a 400 horsepower set-up and $70,000 for a 70 horsepower model.

To car collectors and enthusiasts, these vintage cars may mean the world to them. These relics of human innovation also have undeniably become part of history, and each vehicle have come along with a story of struggle, defeat and victory of man.  

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