Motor Junkie

Open-top driving is one of the finest motoring pleasures. Just imagine yourself driving along the coastal roads on warm summer evenings, enjoying the views and sitting behind the wheel of a sporty, two-seater convertible that drips with style and presence. Even though true roadsters are rare nowadays, they are still relevant since their driving dynamics are unique. Let’s see what cars created this class, what the most desirable examples are, what roadsters you should invest in, and their place in the automotive landscape. 

MG B

One of the most popular and typical British roadsters from the ’60s is the MG B. Introduced in 1962, MG B was a fairly modern car with unibody construction, a roomy interior, and decent suspension and steering. Some contemporary tests call MG B underpowered, and 95 hp from a 1.8-liter engine certainly isn’t much, but since the car weighs only 2200 lbs, it can keep up with modern traffic. MG produced over 400,000 of all variants, so finding one won’t be a problem.

Austin Healey Sprite Mk1

The little, bug-eyed Sprite Mk1 is a tiny roadster with two seats, a cramped interior, and a small trunk. It weighs 1500 lbs and is powered by a 943 ccm engine with 45 hp. Yes, we know it sounds like a joke. But, the Sprite Mk1 was an immensely popular roadster back in its day, and people here loved it for its compact size, peppy engine, nice driving dynamics, and pure driving feel. 

BMW Z3

Roadsters became pretty popular in the ’90s, with Mazda Miata showing the way, and all relevant car companies wanted a piece of the action. Using the E36 Compact 3 Series platform and rear suspension out of the old E30 model and covering it with a sexy new open-top body, BMW created the first Z3 model. The result was a stylish convertible with two seats, a lineup of potent four and six-cylinder engines, lightweight, and excellent driving dynamics. The car was significantly more expensive than the Miata but also faster and more luxurious. 

Honda Beat

The spiritual successor of the classic Honda S600 roadster is the ’90s Honda Beat. Introduced in 1991 and sold until 1996, the Beat was a small, elegant roadster with a displacement of just 660 cm and 63 hp. At just 1,656 pounds, it was immensely fun to drive, and over 33,000 were made in the five-year production run. 

Triumph Spitfire

This legendary roadster was introduced in 1962 and powered by a pretty diminutive 1.1-liter four-cylinder engine with 63 hp. Over the years, the power grew to the 1.5-liter engine with 71 hp and more torque, which improved the driving dynamics. Like all other British roadsters, the biggest market was the US, and from 314,000 made, most ended up here. This means the Spitfire is easy to come by and inexpensive to purchase. 

Mercedes SL R129

What do you get when looking for a luxurious and powerful roadster? The mid-’90s SL 600 with V12 engine. Today, those cars are significantly cheaper, but not for long, since more and more people have realized how good the SL 600 is. If you want a bit lower price and maintenance costs, look for a V8-powered SL 500, which is almost as good to drive. 

Mazda Miata

One of the most successful stories in the car industry must be the tale about Mazda’s Miata roadster and how this little car changed the world and became a best-selling open-top model in history, passing the 1 million mark in 2013. The Miata’s secret was simplicity, lightweight, and balance. Mazda didn’t try to invent something new; they just copied the basic concept of a classic British roadster, added modern materials and design, and made the whole thing dependable and agile. With 116 hp from a twin-cam 1.6-liter engine, it may not sound as much, but in a 2,200 lb car, it’s more than enough.

Triumph TR6

If the Spitfire was Triumph’s roadster for the masses, the TR6 was a car for a serious lover of open-air driving and speed. The Spitfire could be considered underpowered despite weighing only 1500 lbs, but the TR6 had decent power and convincing performance straight out of the box. Production ended in 1976 after more than 90,000 were made, and today, TR6 is a popular choice for classic roadster fans who want old-school looks and feel but with decent performance and speed. 

Datsun Fairlady Roadster

One of the most interesting Japanese copies of European cars was a cute and compact Datsun Fairlady Roadster built from 1959 to 1970, also known as Datsun Sports. However, Datsun did more than just copy the British. It gave the little roadster some significant power with the 2.0-liter engine, better handling, and driving dynamics. Most importantly, it guaranteed the quality of the cars, which is something that British examples had difficulties with. 

Alfa Romeo Spider

Introduced in 1966, the Alfa Romeo Spider was an Italian answer to the popularity of British roadsters. Eventually, it became globally popular and became an Alfa Romeo model with the longest production run. While the rest of the roadsters vanished from the American market, Alfa managed to sell Spiders in 1994, which shows how popular this car was here. The engine choices ranged from 1.3 to 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 105 to 130 hp. Earlier cars had carburetors, and later models had fuel injection systems. 

Porsche Boxster

It has been almost 30 years since Porsche introduced this roadster; it is safe to say that the Boxster revolutionized the concept of an open-top fun car and stood the test of time as a future classic that you can own today. The Boxster has a mid-mounted flat-six engine, perfect balance, two trunks, and sublime handling. Since the base 2.5-liter delivers a healthy 200 hp, it makes even the most affordable Boxsters pretty agile, fast, and exciting to drive, especially if paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. 

Fiat 124 Spider

Introduced in 1966 and sold in America until 1985, the Fiat 124 Spider was designed by Pininfarina and built on the 124 Sedan platform. The mechanics were pretty straightforward, with a twin-cam engine, 4-speed manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive. The 124 Spider was one of the more comfortable options, featuring a roomy cabin, big trunk, and good ride quality, so nice examples are sought after. 

Honda S2000

This model was a valid driver’s car with all the important features like lightweight construction, ideal weight distribution, powerful and rev-happy engine, and razor-sharp handling in an elegant open-top package. Under the hood was a 2.0 or 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 240 hp, which was the car’s main selling point. Thanks to intelligent engineering and lightweight, the S2000 had respectable performance and perfect handling, for which it was universally praised. 

Mercedes SL R107

This generation was in production from 1971 to 1989 and is very common. The engine choices include one six-cylinder engine and several V8s, including the range-topping 560 V8. We recommend you find a 450 or 500 V8 engine since they are the most popular and offer the best combination of power and efficiency. 

Sunbeam Alpine

One of the classic roadster class’s most fascinating but forgotten models is the Sunbeam Alpine, an English two-seater convertible built from 1959 to 1968. The Sunbeam is a classic English brand, long gone from the market and remembered by only a handful of enthusiasts. But Alpine is a very nice-looking car with dependable and conventional mechanicals and a small 1.5—or 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine. 

Chrysler Crossfire SRT6

Do you remember Chrysler Crossfire? In 2004, Crossfire was a Mercedes SLK with a different body but the same mechanics and drive train. Even though the press didn’t like the car, one version with proper performance credentials was the Crossfire SRT6. The SRT6 was, as expected, an SLK, but this time, it was AMG, which meant that it was equipped with an AMG-prepared V6 engine delivering 330 hp, performance-tuned suspension, brakes, and other components. 

Jensen Healey

In a desperate attempt to save the company, Jensen launched the Jensen Healey roadster in 1972. Under the hood was a 2.0-liter Lotus-derived engine with around 100 hp and modest performance. However, the modern design and nice stance attracted buyers. As with all British cars from the ’70s, the Healey had problems with rust and electrics, which is why they are cheap today. 

Fiat 850 Spider

Fiat has always been one of the best producers of superminis and compact cars, often making sportier, open-top versions for keen buyers. This is exactly what the 850 Spider is. Despite looking like a toy compared to other full-size cars of the period, the 850 Spider was a capable driving machine because it was so light and nimble. With just 49 hp, the car couldn’t outrun any Porsches, but since it was so small, it could provide much driving excitement.

Pontiac Solstice

Although the Solstice roadster couldn’t save the company or become a sales hit, it is still one of the best Pontiacs ever made and a very competent little car with great potential. Imagined as a little sports convertible to fight the Audi TT and BMW Z4, the Solstice was, in fact, faster and nimbler than most of its rivals. With a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and 260 hp on tap, the Solstice had vivid performance and competent handling. 

Toyota MR2

One of the most compact and affordable sports cars with an open top is the Toyota MR2. Toyota introduced it in 1984 and sold it until 2007 in three generations. The MR2 was always a great-handling, lively-performing two-seater model with great driving dynamics. The last generation was known to be tricky to drive, but it was still enormous fun and provided owners with endless hours of open-top driving.

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Even though the Germans invented the automobile back in 1886, British engineers and brands gave it a unique perspective and helped create the car industry as we know it today. It is very unusual that such an influential car industry has lost almost all of its specific brands, and very few British brands are actually owned by UK owners. However, remember how this small island created automotive history and presented cars enthusiasts still lust after. 

Jensen Interceptor FF

One of the best British Gran Turismo cars ever built was the Jensen Interceptor. With its Italian styling by Vignale, massive size, superb comfort, and powerful Chrysler 383 or 440 V8 engine in the front, this four-seater coupe was one of the fastest and most comfortable cars for crossing continents in the late ’60s and early ’70s. The latter part of the name comes from Ferguson Formula, which means that this model is equipped with all-wheel drive and an early form of ABS brakes. In 1966, this was space-age technology. 

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We are confident that you know just how popular SUVs are nowadays. Almost all cars on the streets are SUVs of some kind, with standard sedans and station wagons nearly extinct. But how did SUVs gain such popularity? For decades, they were just a niche vehicle, rugged and low-optioned. Here is how the SUV class started and influenced today’s car market. 

Toyota 4Runner

The 4Runner came in time to battle with the second generations of the Bronco and the K5. While it obviously couldn’t compete with the two due to its lack of V8 power, it gained recognition due to its ruggedness and durability. Even without the V8 under the hood, the 4Runner was an excellent SUV for the period. It was competent in off-road conditions—better all-terrain capabilities than its big-engine counterpart.

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From the start, the AMC concentrated on the economy car field. For a few decades, this company presented a tough competitor to the Big Three with numerous small and cheap models that sold well and were common on American roads. Constantly trying to invent something new and stay relevant and profitable in the market, AMC presented many memorable models like the AMC Gremlin, Hornet, Pacer, and muscle duo – Javelin and AMX. Despite being much smaller than the Big Three, AMC was always innovative and resourceful. Today, we will tell you about those cars. 

AMC Marlin 343

For the 1967 model year, AMC decided to introduce a 343 V8 version of the Marlin with 280 HP on tap. Although it wasn’t very much, it was enough to give the Marlin decent performance and driving dynamics. Today, 343 V8-powered Marlins are very rare, but there were even rarer options, which consisted of a factory-tuned 343 V8 engine with 320 HP, which provided the Marlin with some real power. 

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Volkswagen’s model lineup is well-known worldwide. The VW Beetle (the classic one) was one of the most popular cars ever produced, with over 20 million examples. Other VW models also enjoyed much success and high-volume production numbers. However, some Volkswagen models are scarce and unknown even to the most knowledgeable enthusiasts. Here are the 20 Volkswagens you might not know. 

KDF Wagen

The KDF Wagen, or Strength Through Joy Car, was the predecessor to the Volkswagen Beetle. It was designed by Ferdinand Porsche and was intended to be an affordable car for German families during the 1930s. Due to World War II, only a few KDF Wagen models were produced before production shifted to military vehicles like the Kübelwagen. Fewer than 700 units of the civilian KDF Wagen were made, making it a sought-after collector’s item.

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Even if you are not a keen car enthusiast, you have probably heard of the term “homologation special.” Most of the world’s racing championships only allow racing cars they base on regular production models. So, manufacturers often produce special limited runs of their vehicles to get an advantage on the race tracks. They equip them with unusual features, wild aero kits, and specially tuned engines, transforming them into thoroughbred race cars. The homologation specials are always interesting models since they are different than their more mundane cousins. They feature components or specially designed racing parts you couldn’t get any other way.

Lancia 037 Stradale

To homologate the car for the infamous Group B rally series in 1982, Lancia needed to produce at least 200 road-going examples. So, they presented the 037 Stradale later that year. The street-legal car was almost as extreme as the racing model. The Stradale featured a lightweight plastic body. Depending on the tune, it had a mid-mounted 2.0 or 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine producing up to 280 HP. The Stradale has the same stiff suspension, Spartan interior, racing seats, plastic windows, and a close-ratio gearbox. 

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Chevrolet had its big blocks, Ford had its Cobra Jet, and Chrysler got the Hemi. For over 6 decades, the Hemi engine has been the top-of-the-line option in various Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, and Imperial models and a sure sign that you have considerable firepower under the hood. Even if you are not familiar with car terminology, the name “Hemi” certainly rings a bell. So, what are the best cars with this legendary engine?

Chrysler New Yorker

Even though Chrysler introduced the Hemi engine in 1951, it became a hot item only in 1954 when Chrysler’s engineers managed to squeeze 235 HP, which is considered ludicrous power. Installed in an elegant and restrained New Yorker model, the 331 Hemi V8 proved to be fast, durable, and a record-breaker. 

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The pickup trucks can be considered one of the definitive American car classes. Even though you might be familiar with recent models such as the Ram SRT-10 or Ford Raptor, the truth is that muscle trucks date way back to the ’60s and the original muscle era. Today, we will tell you about the most interesting and best-known hot rod trucks and pickups that can tow, carry, load, and burn rubber. 

Dodge D-Series High-Performance Package

Back in the early ’60s, Dodge’s truck lineup was behind that of Ford and Chevrolet. Competitors had newer models, more options, and wider engine choices. However, Dodge did not give up and introduced an interesting special edition from 1964 to 1966 that took the pickup world by storm. It was called the High-Performance Package, and it featured a lot of go-faster goodies from Mopar. First, there was the mighty 426 Wedge V8 engine with 375 hp. 

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Back in 1953, Chevrolet changed sports car history with the introduction of the very first Chevrolet Corvette. Over its illustrious history, Chevrolet has produced more than 1.5 million Corvettes—a remarkable feat for a performance vehicle. While many Corvettes are iconic in their own right, some models stand out as rarer and more valuable, making them highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

1953 Corvette – $660,000

The 1953 Corvette is honored to be the car that started it all. Chevrolet produced just 300 examples in this inaugural year, all featuring white exteriors with red interiors and powered by a modest six-cylinder engine. Fewer than 100 of these groundbreaking vehicles are estimated to remain today, which explains their sky-high value. Owning a 1953 Corvette is like owning a piece of automotive history.

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Porsche is synonymous with excellence in sports car engineering, with millions of 911s sold globally. Yet, beyond its iconic models, Porsche has produced several ultra-rare vehicles that have become legends among enthusiasts. Let’s explore these exceptional creations.

1. Porsche 911 ST (1969-1972) Production: 24 Cars

The 911 ST, an early racing-focused model, was a lightweight marvel, tipping the scales at just 800 kg. It features an enhanced engine and competition-tuned suspension and catered to both circuit and rally racing. Available as an optional M471 package through Porsche dealerships, its high price limited its appeal, and production ended after only 24 units.

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