Cars Your Dad Loved More Than Mum

The cars you see today are the ones that will shape the way you think about cars in the future. Just think, what you love now is what you'll be telling your kids about a decade from now; that beastly BMW M5 or the McLaren P1 super-computer are good examples.

Rewind two decades, however - when your dad was your age - and these are the cars he'd have been shouting about...

Jaguar E-Type (1961-74)

This list primarily features cars your dad might have been able to afford, but the E-Type is unarguably the most beautiful car ever created. Your dad would have wanted one, and probably still does. As do you. Everyone wants one. Women want to be with the man who owns one and there really isn’t anything more to be said. This car is as close to perfection as the car industry will ever achieve.

Austin Healey Sprite (1958 - 71)

Everyone knows and loves the Sprite, just look at its happy face! It’s like a Labrador seeing its owner come through the door after a long day at work. And your dad would’ve been totally into this. After all, it was intended to be a cheap as chips motor that “a chap could keep in his bike shed”. It was yours for a measly £669.

Volvo P1800 (1961-73)

If you’ve grown up with boxy estates from Sweden’s finest you may be shocked to learn that they actually have a history of making beautiful cars, and this is one of them. Building on the epic fail that was the P1900 (Volvo only sold 68), the P1800 was a success, but it came close to dying before it was even born. Thankfully it overcame production issues to live a long life, even transforming into a shooting-brake in ’72.

Ford Mustang (1964 - present)

Much sought after especially after an appearance in Goldfinger, the original Mustang was a kind of parts-bin muscle car for the people. This helped keep costs down and saw first year projected sales of 100,000 hit in just three months. More than a million were built in the first 18 months. Those Yanks were lapping it up, and they still are. It's one of those ever present icons of the motoring world. Even your kids’ kids will probably tell their grandchildren about the Mustang they loved. And it’ll probably still be on ancient suspension.

Ford Escort mk1 (1968 - 2002)

The original Escort is a mainstay of the British motoring history. It first hit the streets in ’68 and its lightweight, rear wheel drive combination made it the local rude boys’ wheels of choice. My dad’s had a V6 that spun the wheels through 3rd gear. And graphics almost as offensive as his highlights. But it’s the performance models, such as the RS1600 and the Mexico, that lit the public’s imagination. Decent examples go for thousands today, and usually end up rallying.

BMW 2002 (1968-76)

The 2002 was the 3-series’ predecessor, and cemented BMW’s place as a dominant force in the sporty saloon segment. In its standard form, the performance was pretty good for the era, but its simple, elegant beauty stands up even today. If performance is what you need, though, it's the 2002 Turbo that is perhaps the most famous model; 170bhp and epic turbo lag.

Datsun 240z (1969-78)

The name Datsun evokes images of jokey little runarounds that would probably fall apart at the first glimpse of a pothole. But the 240Z is a stunning little sports car that was like nothing that had come out of Japan before. Again riding on James Bond’s success, it had an engine tuned by Yamaha and, well, just look at it. Want.

Triumph TR 6 (1969-76)

Triumph’s TR 6 was a kind of ultimate British sports car at the time. It had the appeal of a traditional British sports car but was faster and more furious than its rivals. They’re incredibly popular today as a quintessential British motor car for posh twerps to pootle about in while wearing tweed. And yet they are still cool.

Lotus Esprit (1976 - 2004)

Another one that is perhaps a little questionable as a working class hero, but this is one of those cars your dad would’ve lusted after. Even ignoring more Bond references, the Esprit is an awesome British supercar with its retro wedge design and epic grip levels. Arguably a little underpowered, this all changed in 1980 when Lotus strapped a turbo in and boosted power to 210hp.

Mercedes 190 E 2.3-16 (1984-90)

As with many of the coolest sleeper cars, the Cosworth-fettled 190 E was born from Mercedes’ urge to go racing. Merc took their monster to the DTM series, which required cars to be based on a production model. The Benz boyz plonked a detuned Cossie engine under the bonnet and sold the catchily named 190 E 2.3-16 to some very lucky punters. Who needs an M3?

Ford Sierra Cosworth (1986-82)

The Sierra Cosworth was another result of the need for racing homologation, as Ford entered it into rallying and touring car championships. It became the ultimate 2-in-1 pinup for a generation that could get near supercar performance in a car they could take to the shops. It also featured a hint of the soon-to-be iconic ‘whale tail’ that would go on to grace the Escort Cosworth, as well as many, many chav-driven 1.6 litre shitboxes.

Lancia Delta Integrale (1987-92)

Ask the average person what they think when they hear Lancia, and chances are they’ll say ‘rust’. Ask a petrolhead and they’ll just smile. The Delta Integrale is proof that squares can be sexy, and is one of the ultimate hot hatches. Perfectly practical, driveable and blisteringly quick, the Integrale would dominate WRC in the late 80s, and win the hearts of pre-pubescent petrolheads the world over.

This list is by far complete. I had to ignore about six or seven more cars that my dad recommended. So let's hear your suggestions. Audi Quattro, anyone?