13 Iconic Cars You’ll Regret Selling
Certain cars make us go “wow,” icons of the motoring world that we wish we could own. Some of us are lucky enough to own these icons, and they will undoubtedly become the prized possessions of those who do.
Whether it is a classic sports car like the Honda S2000 or a modern Ferrari such as the SF90 Stradale, they are iconic in their own way. Sadly, sometimes we have to sell these cars, but we might regret doing so.
This list contains 13 iconic cars we will likely regret selling. We've based our selections on their desirability over the years, worth, and popularity as a classic or used car.
Toyota 2000GT
One of Japan's most iconic cars is the gorgeous Toyota 2000GT. It rivaled the British Jaguar E-Type and showed that Japan was not content with producing competent but unremarkable daily drivers.
The stylish and fast 2000GT was an epic sports car with a 2.3-liter inline-six engine under the hood producing 148 horsepower (hp). The car was an instant hit, with the styling and power widely praised, as was its handling. It even compared favorably to the Porsche 911 of the time, such was the level of performance it had on offer.
Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type is an icon viewed as the prettiest British car ever made. Rumors continue that say Enzo Ferrari himself dubbed the E-Type “the most beautiful car ever made,” and if true, it is easy to see why.
The E-Type boasts a timeless design with a long, slender hood, beautifully sculpted curves, and chrome trim that makes it pop. The E-Type is best known for the XK inline-six engines under the hood, but the final Series 3 took advantage of Jaguar's exceptional V12 powertrain.
McLaren F1
Anyone fortunate enough to own a McLaren F1 and then sell it some years ago is probably kicking themselves. So few of us will ever be able to afford one, with the value of an F1 now skyrocketing to $20 million, depending on the color and trim.
Gordon Murray convinced McLaren boss Ronn Dennis in the 1990s to build the ultimate supercar. Murray designed the F1, producing a stunning supercar with a central driving position and a massive BMW V12. The 6.1-liter engine produced 618 hp, powering it to a top speed of 240 mph. It is still the fastest naturally-aspirated production car in the world.
Aston Martin DB5
For many, the Aston Martin DB5 is THE James Bond car — the car most associated with the legendary, fictional British secret agent. But the DB5 was an epic Grand Tourer in its own right. It was produced for just two years, from 1963 to 1965, and Aston Martin made just 1,059 in total.
Each DB5 had a DOHC straight-six engine under the hood, producing 282-325 hp and 280-288 lb-ft of torque. The DB5 was the perfect Grand Tourer, offering a smooth and comfortable driving experience and boasting the power of a contemporary sports car.
First-Generation Ford Mustang
Even though there are other muscle cars, old and new, on the market, few capture the same allure as the first-generation Ford Mustang. Ford's iconic muscle car debuted in 1964 for the 1965 model year, and it was an instant hit. The extended deck and short hood created a stylish, sleek, and muscular machine.
The base price for the Mustang in 1964 was $2,369. This means that Americans now have access to a car with the style of a European Grand Tourer but with the practicality of a Ford Falcon.
Lamborghini Countach
While not the most practical performance car to live with, the Lamborghini Countach has a unique appeal. It is one of the defining cars of the late 1970s and 1980s, and adding the wild but impractical rear wing made it even more recognizable.
Lamborghini V12 power sat under the hood, from the 3.9-liter powertrain in the LP400 and LP400 S to the 5.2-liter V12 in the 5000 QV and 25th Anniversary. The Countach is so popular that Lamborghini revived the model in 2021, modernizing the supercar but with hints of its past in the design.
Ferrari F40
The Ferrari F40 holds a special place in the hearts of supercar fans and gearheads. It was the last car personally overseen and approved by Mr Enzo Ferrari before he died in 1988. Nearly 40 years after its debut, many view it as the greatest Ferrari that Maranello has ever produced.
Power came from the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged Tipoa F120A V8, one of the finest ever seen in a Ferrari. In Europe, the F120A produced 471 hp, but US-spec F40s got a slight power increase to 477 hp. The F40 still has one of the most striking designs of any supercar, with its big rear wing, long, pointy nose, and pop-up headlights.
Ferrari F50
The Ferrari F50 never achieved the same following or popularity as the F40, but in many ways, the F50 was the better car. It had a more powerful 4.7-liter F130B V12 engine, derived from Ferrari's 1990 641 F1 car.
The engine produced 512 hp, more than the F40, and its F1 origins meant it was much more advanced. Despite the F40's popularity, the F50 is a rarer supercar, with Ferrari producing only 349 compared to the 1,311 F40s. Despite this, enthusiasts didn't resonate as strongly with the F50 as they did with the F40.
Chevrolet C1 Corvette
Ironically, despite making this list, the Chevrolet C1 Corvette was almost a complete disaster. After Chevrolet rushed the car into production, the C1 didn't meet public expectations for performance. Thankfully, some hasty fixes turned things around and saved the Corvette project.
The 265 ci 4.3-litre small-block V8, producing 195 hp, saved the C1 Corvette. This was a vast improvement over the six-cylinder engine in earlier models, and the V8 debuted in 1955. The V8 saved the Corvette project, with popularity slowly rising, and it would ensure Chevrolet pushed on with its sports car before the C2 emerged in 1963.
Bugatti Veyron
Supercars and hypercars going at speeds over 250 mph might be boring to some people in 2024. But in the mid-2000s, it was still a rarity until Bugatti blew the gates wide open and introduced the sensational Veyron.
The Veyron was the first model from the revived Bugatti, which is now under Volkswagen ownership. The ridiculous quad-turbocharged WR16 8.0-litre engine was critical to its success, which produced 1,000 hp and propelled the Veyron to a top speed of 253 mph. It was a groundbreaking achievement. Cars have gone faster since the Veyron remains a performance icon.
Lotus Elise S1
If it wasn't for the small and agile Lotus Elise S1, the modern Lotus as we know it today might not exist. After many years in the doldrums, the Elise S1 revived the company's fortunes and saved it from extinction. A crucial part of the car's success was the all-aluminum Rover K-Series engine under the hood.
The small 1.8-liter 16-valve engine may have only produced 118 hp, but that was more than enough for a car weighing just 1,488 lbs. The Rover engine was the perfect match for the Elise S1, ensuring it was fast and agile in the corners and had some of the best handling of any sports car of the time.
DeLorean DMC-12
Placing the DeLorean DMC-12 on this list might surprise some. As a sports car, the DMC-12 was terrible. Build quality was severely lacking, and the 2.95-liter Peugeot-Renault-Volvo (PRV) V6 engine was underpowered, producing just 130 hp and 153 lb-ft of torque.
The DMC-12 was also involved in the scandal surrounding company founder John DeLorean. However, it earned a starring role in the Back to the Future franchise, cementing its status as a cult icon of the 1980s. The DMC-12 is one of the most iconic sports cars ever produced, and mint-condition examples can sell for serious money.
BMW M1
The BMW M1 was the first bespoke vehicle produced by BMW's M division. Yet it almost didn't happen after the partnership between BMW and Lamborghini hit some turbulence. Lamborghini pulled out thanks to its crippling financial situation. But, BMW was determined not to let the project fall on its feet.
After secretly acquiring the car's designs from the Italian manufacturer, BMW pushed on with the M1, and the results were spectacular. The M1 had a 3.5-liter M88 inline-six under the hood, producing 273 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. The German manufacturer made the M1 from 1978 to 1981. The car would even race in its own one-make racing series supporting some Formula 1 races.
