Anyone who loves classic cars – or indeed cars in general – will have had the thought before: what would be in my garage if money was no object? We can all dream of being Jay Leno, but we can’t all earn his salary! I sat down and had a long think about what I would put in my garage, and why, so read on, and then let us know what you would include in yours.
My first choice, without a moment’s hesitation, is a car that first entranced me when I was just a kid, and one that is almost mythical. The Alfa Romeo T33 Stradale is, quite simply, the most beautiful car ever made, and one that boasts a racing pedigree of great merit.
It was a technological masterpiece with its stunning 2.0liter V8 engine taken from the successful T33 series of endurance racing cars, and was the most expensive production car in the world when introduced in 1968. Now, you would need around $800,000 to buy one, and that’s assuming you can find one for sale.
Another car that took me in completely on first sight is the McLaren F1; being a lifelong Formula One – and McLaren – fan this was much anticipated by me, and didn’t disappoint. Many claim it to be the finest driver’s car of all time, for it eschewed the electronic gizmo’s favoured by many other supercar makers at the time.
Its 240mph top speed has only been surpassed by an exclusive few later cars, and it remains an icon that will cost you $1.5million at least.
The USA has to get a look in when we talk about dream garages, and for me it would be a purple-hued Plymouth Hemi Cuda, with its 425bhp V8 and stunning straight line speed. This car is an icon of the age – the ultimate muscle car – and one that is today highly sort after in original form.
I would also include another US icon, the Duesenberg Model J, a car that, when introduced in 1927, laid fine claim to being the best automobile in the world. Popular with A-list film stars of the day, it remains spectacularly impressive in any company today.
I guess I shall stop – for now at least – at five, so what would be the fifth addition to my dream garage? A Bugatti Veyron, perhaps? Surely a Ferrari of some sort? Perhaps a Rolls Royce or Bentley?
In fact, no, it would be something more humble, but no less important. Perhaps the most influential car design of the 20th century, the Mini redefined packaging for simple cars, and remains something of a template for small cars the world over today.
Mine would be an early 60’s Cooper, the tuned and vibrant versions built for rallying and – even now – hard to beat for thrills on the road. Iconic doesn’t do the Mini justice – there is no greater British icon in the history of motor cars. So, what’s in your garage? Let us know!
Photo: Barrett Jackson, Hemmings Daily