Unless you've been living on a desert island, you'll have no doubt noticed that we're living in one of the great inflationary eras of recent times. Petrol is at record prices across the globe, while values of new cars have soared. We've seen similar rises in the classic market, too, which will have left many feeling priced out of some summer sports car fun this year. However, there's always a relative bargain to be had. Avoid the obvious choices and the real collectors' items, put aside such vain concerns as exclusivity and there are some fantastic classic sports cars to be found.
What's more, you don't have to limit yourself to a particular era. Setting ourselves a nominal budget of £18,000, we set out to discover the finest affordable sports cars from each decade, from the genre's heyday in the 1950s all the way up to some relatively recent additions to the classic firmament from the 2000s. Our favourite two from each generation then met at Curborough Sprint Course for a final showdown, making for an appetising selection - whether you're seeking olde-worlde charm or a modern-classic great.
MG TD VS MORGAN PLUS 4 - 1950s
It would be untrue to say that 2023 is threatening the same levels of austerity experienced by our immediate post-war ancestors, but everything is relative and there's no denying all enthusiasts will be feeling the pinch this year. So when it comes to extracting the maximum bang-for-buck from a '50s sports car, buyers are still looking for all the attributes that were important 70-odd years ago: stylish looks, ample performance, fun handling and, above all, affordability.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2023-Ausgabe von Classic & Sports Car.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2023-Ausgabe von Classic & Sports Car.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison