20 of the World’s Most Beautiful Cars
Cars have always been a subject of debate and controversy, particularly when it comes to beauty. While some would consider Mercedes SLR or Porsche 911 Carrera GT3 to be stunning vehicles, others would say they don’t look right.
To determine which cars are truly the world’s most beautiful, Total Car Score calculated each vehicle’s Golden Ratio and ranked them from highest to lowest.
1961 Jaguar e-Type Series 1 Coupé
The 1961 Jaguar e-Type Series 1 Coupe was an exquisite work of automotive art that captured the hearts of many drivers. It offered the perfect balance of beauty and performance, capable of reaching 150 mph straight out of the dealership.
The E-Type was one of the world’s most iconic cars, beloved by celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Roy Orbison and Brigitte Bardot.
The Jaguar e-Type was one of the first sports cars to use lightweight aluminium and perspex glass, helping it shed weight. Additionally, its low drag roof and rear panels enhanced aerodynamic efficiency further.
1970 Lamborghini Miura
The Lamborghini Miura is a mid-engined coupe that has been dubbed the world’s most beautiful car. It stands out due to its lack of rear doors, instead featuring two front doors shaped like the horns of an angry bull.
Carrozzeria Bertone SpA in Italy created the Miura model after consulting Nuccio Bertone, Giorgetto Guigiario and Marcello Gandini on its design. The Miura is sporty in appearance without being overpowering; additionally, it marks the first model within Lamborghini’s family to use its V12 engine.
The chassis of the Miura is composed of coil springs and double wishbones, providing superior road holding, handling characteristics, as well as ride comfort.
1959 Ferrari 250 GTO SWB
The 1959 Ferrari 250 GTO SWB is an exquisite car that must be owned by any classic car enthusiast. Powered by a 3 litre V12 engine and designed by Pininfarina, its body boasts stunning visuals.
The Ferrari 250 GT was one of the most beloved vehicles ever produced and remains an excellent investment today. Produced between 1952 and 1964, you can find this iconic model in various variants such as road, racing and convertible varieties.
A total of 166 examples were produced, most featuring Pinin Farina or Bertone bodies. Each car featured a 3.0 L V12 engine producing up to 240 horsepower.
1984 Ferrari 288 GTO
The Ferrari 288 GTO was designed specifically to compete in Group B rally series races. With input from Formula 1, its design featured a high-tensile steel spaceframe reinforced with Kevlar and fibreglass components, as well as an impressive 2.8L 32v V8 engine.
Atop-mounted dual Behr intercooler system and twin IHI turbochargers running at 0.8 bar were added for increased power. The 288’s engine boasted Nikasil-lined heads, 32 valves, a Weber-Marelli fuel injection system, and lightweight connecting rods.
Ferrari intended to build 200 examples for homologation, but due to overwhelming demand they produced 72 more examples – making a total of 272.
1963 Porsche 911
Porsche has been crafting sports cars for over 50 years, all featuring the same great features: a flyline, elegant roof lines and an unmistakably unique shape. That same spirit and character has been at the core of every Porsche 911 since 1963 – making it beloved among drivers around the globe.
Modern sports cars boast remarkable performance, but few can compare to the joy of driving a Porsche 911. With its rear-mounted engine and majority of weight concentrated over its rear axle, the 911 offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo alike.
In 1972, Porsche enhanced the handling of their 911 by moving the oil tank from behind the right rear wheel to in front. This was designed to create a better balance throughout the wheelbase and reduce oversteer at higher speeds.
1935 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900
Italians have always been renowned for their passion and skill when designing beautiful vehicles – and the 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 proved no exception.
Vittorio Jano’s twin-supercharged straight eight engine was instrumental in Alfa Romeo’s early Grand Prix racing successes. From 1932 on, it powered the Monoposto Tipo B – the first true single-seat Grand Prix racing car – and later served as powerplant for Scuderia Ferrari racers.
The 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B was one of the most coveted cars in history due to its competitive spirit and daring looks. Its 2.9 litre engine produced 225bhp, assisted by two superchargers.
1962 AC Cobra 289
Conceived by Carroll Shelby in 1962, the leaf-sprung Cobra quickly gained dominance in American road race series. It also became a formidable contender across Europe.
AC Cars, located on the high street of Thames Ditton Surrey, was the first British manufacturer to produce the Cobra car. Their production of rolling chassis was limited to only five hundred cars.
1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
Many consider the DB4 series to be Aston Martin’s finest creation, rivalling even Ferrari 250 GT for performance and luxury.
The competition between Aston Martin and Jaguar was fierce, especially after Aston Martin won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. The DB4GT, designed as a lighter and shorter version of the standard DB4, proved particularly fierce during this period.
Aston Martin had designed this car with racing in mind, so to achieve its aerodynamic and lightweight advantage over competitors it turned to Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Zagato for assistance.
2001 Aston Martin Vanquish
In 2001, Aston Martin unveiled their V12 Vanquish concept car based on the 1998 Project Vantage concept car. Boasting an aluminium chassis combined with many pieces of traditional craftsmanship, this was an important step in their rebirth as one of the world’s most beautiful automobiles.
The V12 Vanquish featured a 460 horsepower 5.9-litre V12 engine and could reach top speeds of 190 mph. It made an appearance in James Bond’s ‘Die Another Day’ movie and quickly gained recognition as an iconic Aston Martin model.
1954 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
The 300SL Gullwing is one of the iconic Mercedes models, and every serious collection should own at least one. Not only did its signature gullwing doors add to its visual appeal, but they were also cleverly used to conceal its one-of-a-kind space frame chassis beneath.
The body of the car was mostly constructed out of steel, though aluminum was utilized for its bonnet, boot lid and doors. While not particularly lightweight by modern standards, its tubular frame and dry sump lubrication system allowed it to shed almost 80 kilograms.
The 300 SL was an enormous success for Mercedes, taking home a 1-2 finish in both 24 Hours of Le Mans and Carrera Panamericana. Additionally, it was the first road car to use fuel injection technology – which would later become standard on Mercedes coupes.
1964 Ferrari 275 GTB
The 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB marked a watershed moment for the Italian manufacturer. It featured several firsts for Ferrari, such as an independent rear suspension and rear-mounted transaxle.
Pininfarina’s 275 GTB was the ideal combination of track performance and everyday comfort. Powered by a 3.3-liter Colombo two-cam V-12 engine, this supercar produced 280 horsepower.
The chassis was made up of steel tubular chassis, available with either steel or aluminium bodywork. At the top was an engine crowned by three or six Weber twin-choke carburetors for optimal fuel economy.
1938 Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic
Ettore Bugatti’s son Jean designed the 1938 Type 57 Atlantic in tribute to his concept car Aerolithe. It remains one of the most elegant Bugattis ever built and epitomizes all that made Bugatti cars so special.
The Atlantic was equipped with a powerful 3.3-litre straight-eight engine, enabling it to reach speeds in excess of 200km/h (124mph) at a time when horse-drawn carts were still commonly seen on roads.
The Atlantic is one of the world’s most stunning cars and must-have in any collection. Its riveted body and sweeping roof with aviation-inspired fins provide a visual feast for the eyes.
1962 Ferrari GTO
The Prancing Horse has produced some stunning cars, but none quite compare to the 1962 Ferrari GTO. This road and track machine can sell for millions of dollars at prestigious auction events.
Ferrari created the 1962 250 GTO to take their marque back to its roots and create a car capable of winning races and being competitive on the road. Equipped with recirculating ball steering, six Weber carburetors, and 300 horsepower, this front-engine car was one of the most powerful available today.
Only 36 GTOs were produced, making them a rare find in vintage racing and one of the most sought-after cars among car collectors today. To own one of these stunning Ferraris, you’ll have to shell out millions of dollars and hope someone is willing to part with your vehicle.
1955 Citroën DS19
At the 1955 Paris Motor Show, Citroen unveiled their groundbreaking DS19 model – designed by Flaminio Bertoni and engineered by Andre Lefebvre after working together for over ten years to perfect its signature lines.
The DS 19 revolutionized suspension and brake technology, making it one of the world’s most technologically advanced cars. Specifically, its hydropneumatic suspension – an air cushion replacing traditional metal springs in each cushion linked to a hydraulic sphere – allowed it to ride higher and lower than other cars while offering better handling than most.
The DS was also the first car to introduce power disc brakes and an automatic levelling system, making it safer than many rivals of its time. Furthermore, this pioneered future technology such as headlights that turned with the steering wheel for added visibility.
1966 Ford GT40
When Enzo Ferrari turned down Henry Ford II’s offer to form a joint venture with him, Ford was understandably furious. They decided to strike back at Ferrari where it hurt most–on the race track.
Roy Lunn designed the Ford GT40 as a racing machine to combat Ford’s rivalry with Ferrari. It made its debut at Le Mans in 1964 and quickly established itself as one of sports car racing’s serious contenders.
The original Ford GT40s were powered by 4.2-liter and 4.7-liter small block engines, offering speed but limited reliability. Despite these shortcomings, buyers continued to flock to these vehicles.
1969 Ferrari Dino 246 GT
The 1969 Ferrari Dino 246 GT marked the beginning of Ferrari’s long line of V6 mid-engined sports cars. Additionally, this was one of the first Ferraris produced in large volumes.
The Dino was intended to re-establish Ferrari as a road-going car manufacturer, rather than just racing one. Enzo Ferrari initially balked at the concept of a mid-engined car due to its unpredictable dynamics, but ultimately agreed upon it in exchange for being able to rename the new model after his son Alfredo ‘Dino’ Ferrari who designed the original V6 engine used in Formula 2.
Ultimately, Dino 246s proved to be an enduringly popular model that enjoyed a long production run. In total, more than 3,569 Dino 246s were built – becoming the company’s best-selling model ever.
2004 Aston Martin DB9 – NEW ENTRY
The 2004 Aston Martin DB9 is an impressive supercar with its stunning design, powerful engine, and luxurious interior. It’s the first car to be hand-built at a brand-new facility in Gaydon, England.
It’s the first Aston Martin to use a VH (Vertical Horizontal) aluminium body frame, making it lighter and more structurally efficient than previous models.
The DB9 is available in both coupe and Volante convertible forms, a true sports car. Powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 engine producing 450 horsepower, it can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. You have your choice of either six-speed manual gearbox or Touchtronic automatic operation with buttons on the steering wheel for hassle-free shifting.
2004 Porsche 911 997 – NEW ENTRY
The 997 was a breath of fresh air for Porsche. It was an upgraded version of the 996 with subtle tweaks that would please purists as well as more thrilling models to boot.
The most notable changes were found in the engine range which now featured a direct injection system and seven-speed PDK dual clutch transmission. Furthermore, there were numerous styling tweaks such as larger 18 inch wheels.
The car has become much simpler to drive and more forgiving on track, although it still has some rough spots. It’s also highly sought-after and should increase in value over time.
1957 Ferrari TR250
The 1957 Ferrari TR250 is one of the most stunning automobiles ever created. Designed by Scaglietti & Co., its unconventional body adds to its beauty.
Due to a reduction in sports car capacity by the Commissione Sportiva Internazionale, Scuderia Ferrari created the 250 Testa Rossa as an answer. Utilizing its single overhead camshaft V-12 engine that had already proven its dependability during consecutive Tour de France victories, this endurance racing machine was intended for both competition and endurance racing applications.
In 1957, the first prototype of the 250 Testa Rossa was constructed. Powered by the same Colombo Tipo 125 engine as its larger sibling, this time featuring more aggressive camshaft and timing design.
1956 BMW 507
The 1956 BMW 507 was an edgy, beautiful and rare convertible sports car designed by Albrecht Goertz. Still iconic today, its sleek profile continues to serve as inspiration for modern BMW designs.
This 3.2-liter V8 engine produced 150 horsepower and was mated to a four-speed manual transmission. It had an impressive amount of torque, as well as the potential to reach top speeds of 130 miles per hour.
Max Hoffman, a US luxury and sports car importer, had the vision for the 507: an open-top BMW sports car with American appeal that could compete with lower-end British sports cars (MG or Triumph) as well as Mercedes 300 SLs. With this in mind, Hoffman believed that such a vehicle would sell well between lower-end British sports cars (such as MG and Triumph) and top-tier European models like the 300 SL.