2017: Cars to Look Cool in This Year

We all have to get from A to B, and it doesn’t matter what car we drive to get there. Or does it? If you want to turn heads, look cool or simply feel special in the driving seat, then you might be tempted to forget about practicality and economy and become the proud owner of one of these classic cars.

Karmann Ghia

Volkswagen needed something a little cooler than the Beetle. So they turned to Karmann, a German bus manufacturer, who turned to an Italian design by Luigi Segre at Ghia. Fast forward to July 14 1955 and the nameless car, codenamed Typ 14, was introduced in Frankfurt. When the Karmann Ghia was launched in the US in 1956, it fetched $2,395.

Driven by actress Brigitte Bardot and designer Pierre Cardin, the Karmann Ghia is retro, cool and fun to drive. Pick one up for roughly £10-15K. Essential accessories – red tartan scarf and goggles.

Fiat 500 Bambina

Fiat created the Cinquecento or 500 in 1957. It was known as the Bambina, or ‘little girl’, and loved by many all over the world as a cheap and practical town car.

Measuring only 2.97 metres long and originally powered by an appropriately sized 479cc two-cylinder air-cooled engine, the 500 redefined the term ‘city car’ and is considered one of the first. In 2007, the 50th anniversary of the Nuova 500’s launch, Fiat launched another new 500, inspired by the original. Pick up a 1970 model for well under £10K. Essential accessories – gelato.

Chevy Pickup Truck

If you can find a Chevy Pickup Truck that’s still fit for regular driving, grab it. This one’s a 1956 Chevy Pickup featuring a small block V8 with a 283 horsepower engine.

Handy for pulling up to the store and piling on some lumber for a minor construction job at home. Feel free to add mag wheels and as much chrome as you can get your hands on. Essential accessories – trucker cap and jeans.

Kombi Van

A lifestyle change is in order with the Kombi as you can drive, sleep and essentially live where you park in this retro 50s camper van. Not exactly a performance vehicle, but super reliable and waiting for you to paint flowers and love signs across the sides.

The Volkswagen Type 2, known officially as the Kombi, or informally as the Camper, is a cabover panel van introduced in 1950. It’s called Type 2 as it was VW’s second car after the Beetle. Priced around £15-40K, depending on year and paintwork. Essential accessories – beach towel and board shorts/bikini in the back.

2CV or Deux Chevaux

Meaning ‘two horses’ in French, the Citroën 2CV is a fun ride. Originally designed to help motorise the large numbers of farmers still using horses and carts in 1930s France, the 2CV has made it into Lloyd Cole songs and movies all over the world.

Drivers of 2CVs know that corners aren’t to be taken too quickly, as the roll is quite significant. Wood panelling or not, it’s the ‘soft top’ you really want, to enjoy the weather and be seen roaring around town. Expect to pay under £8K. Essential accessories – beret and scarf.

Morris Minor

The iconic Morris Minor was the first British car to sell over one million units. It’s a classic example of automotive design, as well as typifying ‘Englishness’.

It comes in a two-door version and the wood-panelled ‘estate’. Not known as a performance car, the Minor helps us remember why British car manufacturing has left its mark so well on the globe. Clubs are scattered all over England and you can even race them against other budding owners. Priced from £8-12K, the Morris Minor is your chance to own some British engineering history. Essential accessories – anything tweed.

Corvette Stingray

Muscle time – imagine you’re Burt Reynolds and put the pedal to the metal. The Corvette C3, often called the Stingray, is a beast of a car. You can have any colour you want, as long as it’s fire red or black – there’s no other way!

These mean machines usually come with a 427 big block 7-litre V8 engine, and are not economical. But that’s not why you drive one of these truly exceptional pieces of artwork.

You should be able to pick one up for under £20K, but if customised, they can be a lot more. Essential accessories – moustache and driving gloves.

Citroën Méhari

A méhari is a kind of fast-running camel, which can be used for racing or transport. But the Citroën Méhari is more than that. It’s an urban statement. Pull up and valet park outside the Ministry of Sound, or cruise through the park on a sunny day with some music blaring.

Currently a Paris fashion statement, the Méhari was also used by the French Army and the Irish Defence Force. Being so light and having four-wheel drive, they’re great off-road. Priced at around £10K, there’s no cooler vehicle for zipping around inner city roads. Essential accessories – shorts and Birkenstocks.

Chevy Impala

The Chevy Impala was known as a ‘full-sized’ car when launched in the US in 1958. It was a top-seller and also Chevy’s most expensive. This dream machine told the neighbourhood you were doing well, thanks very much.

Features include dual-sliding sun visors, crank-operated front vent windows and a six-way power seat. V8 power is standard in this guzzler and most owners tend to talk about the sound of it when idle as if it’s a famous song. Priced around £30K or less. Essential accessories – tight black shirt or very tight checked short sleeve shirt, furry dice optional.

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