I think for sentimental reasons you should include your grandmother’s 55 Buick Special.

Although I still have scars on my knees from getting in and out due to the wraparound windshield, it was a beautiful car.

Later, when it became my dad’s drive to work car, I could always tell from my office when someone was in it that hadn’t driven it before.

There would be a screech of rubber when the driver eased his foot down on the accelelerator.

Uncle Alan

–chuck

I didn’t include Alfa, because they currently don’t offer anything in the US market. (This is also why no Fiat, Citroen, Lancia, etc…) Alfa is supposed to be coming back to the US, but I’ll believe it when I see it. I agree that the 8C — either in original or upcoming guise is the appropriate answer. I am in love with John Shirley’s 8C — a beautiful supercharged overhead-cam 8 cylinder pre-war rocket.

Bentley: We have to keep in mind that the “Blower” Bentley wasn’t actually a production car, rather modified by Barnato and his racing squad. So we’ll have to go sans supercharger.

Ferrari: Speaking of John Shirley, he also has a wonderful 275/GTS4 NART Spyder. Personally, it’s my favorite F-car — the best blend of classic lines with outstanding performance. As I mentioned previously, it’s not a question of which car is prettiest, but what is really the high watermark of performance, technology, design, reliability, etc… It’s hard to argue that the 275 was to its contemporaries what the the Enzo was to its. The 275 was a fabulous GT/Sports car. The Enzo is still one of the most capable, as well as technologically advanced cars ever made. It ain’t the prettiest, but it does exactly as intended.

Jaguar: Well, Chuck, you actually also picked my favorite Jag. The XKSS is my dream Jaguar. If it was good enough for Steve McQueen, it is good enough for me. Unfortunately, the XKSS got its performance from being essentially a D-Type with a windscreen. It was not really designed to be a true road car. Consequently, any performance came at a cost of livability. Now I’m not going to say that given the choice, I’d rather take an XJ Super V8 over an XKSS for any other purpose than this exercise. The Super V8 is a wonderful car with amazing performance and livability. The XKSS is a dream car. I’ve never driven one, although I know enough to understand the car’s limitations. (They were not terribly great handling cars — I watched Bruce McCaw muscle his D-Type around Pacific Raceways, and it looked like a chore.) I have driven E-Types, XKs, XJs, S-Types — and at the end of the day I’ve never enjoyed driving any of them enough to offset the fact I’m about four inches too tall for all of them.

Maserati: Again, while the Sebring was a gorgeous car, it was underdeveloped and poorly built. If this was strictly a beauty contest or an as-new one-time test drive, I’d agree…however, Maser Sebrings, like many of its other models from the 50s through 70s was only beautiful either parked or in motion after spending big bucks fixing inherent design flaws.

Mercedes: My good friend, Ron, drove a 300SL Gullwing light-weight (alloy) car for the better part of a year (it was Lance Reventlow’s former ride.) My father almost bought the car, too. Ron said it was magnificent, which means the roadster would be even better. Everyone knows the 300SL roadster delivers superior driving dynamics (relocated swing axle points were a great idea.) But even the 300SL would pale next to the newest McLaren-built SLRs. These newest supercars cars will be the 540Ks of their generation.

Nissan: I couldn’t have said it better than you did!!!

Suzuki: I was looking at an X-90 on the road yesterday and felt I should list it not on this, but if I ever do “the worst of each marque.” My god, that thing is an odd-looking death-trap!!!

Volvo: I think your answer makes more sense than mine. I almost chose the 240, but allowed my passion for the nice look of the P1800 sway me. You’re right, I’m wrong, I’m sorry, I’ll change .

You’re also very accurate about the Mustang. It created the pony car segment and was the best selling single model year car in history. Its only issue is being made by the same company as the T and the GT.

George,
It’s not only the best representation, but the “high watermark”, which means the best the company could offer. For Chevy, the Corvette has always been its best face…and the upcoming ZR1 is the best Corvette. I know people get sappy over the Tri-Five Bel Airs, but honestly, aside from selling a bunch of them, there’s nothing very amazing about them. (The ‘57 FI Bel Air is interesting, but still nothing compared to the Corvette of the same year.)

As someone who spends a good deal of time behind the wheel of a Series I Elan, I can say without hesitation that the Elise is far and away a better car (compared to contemporaries) and certainly more durable. People often comment that “the Elise doesn’t have a Lotus engine”, but many of the Chapman-era Lotus cars didn’t, as well. (Mostly Ford in the VII, the Coventry Climax in the Elite… the Europa had the Renault engine.)

We have to keep in mind that we’re talking about the car and badge, not the corporate structure or the intent of the founders. Maserati simply didn’t have that many production cars when the brothers were involved, so when talking about Maseratis, the most famous cars were all after the brothers left to form OSCA. Similarly, is it wrong to include a modern Lamborghini, even though Senior Lamborghini was essentially done with the company personally before the Countach was developed?

All great points. Of course, there are no “correct” answers.

On Ford – I absolutely agree, even though the 1965 Mustang was also an icon like the IBM PC or the iPhone for it’s time.

Some of your other choices I disagree with, of course. And some I am just ignorant of; but a good post anyway.

I love the barometer you use, specifically “identify if automakers are indeed producing their best work now, or if the company’s high watermark was actually sometime in the past.” Brilliant.

Upon thinking though there is something in my head which always pushes me towards the appreciating asset. Those machines which represent the ideal, or the pinnacle of both mechanical and aesthetic design. There are a lot of the listed marques that I have zero first-hand experience with, so I can’t really comment on them. But here are a few selected viewpoints:

Aston-Martin: I reflexively reached for the DB5, especially in a Zagato body… but then upon further reflection came to agree with you. The DB9 is indeed the apogee of AM’s work. It will be seriously treasured in the future.

Audi: I want a TT convertible with a TDI power plant. Audi made mention of this at one point, and I think it may even be offered in Europe now. The R8 is unlikely to stand the test of time. Odd I know, but I just said it.

Bentley. Bravo! The original “boy racer” W.O. Blower. I love it.

Ferrari: For me it would have to be a 275 GTB/4 NART Spyder. Enzo Schmenzo… it may be named for him but it is not a product of Il Commendatore, no? The NART is the ne plus ultra of what I consider to be the ultimate line of Mr. Ferrari’s best work, The 275 GTB/4, but opened up with a roadster top. Bravissimo!

Jaguar. I don’t care, and in some ways doubt, that XJ Super V8 can out-whatever an XKSS. I’ve actually ridden in an XKSS (no 16, the last one made) and the XJ pales in comparison on all fronts (except comfort!) Jaguar died a long time ago… in fact it died with William Lyons. It got ill when it was absorbed by BL, and they never recovrered. Tarted up Fords are not Jaguars. I’ve driven quite a few Jags and I have to finger the Series 1 E-type as the ultimate Jaguar. I was tempted to pick the XKSS, or maybe even a factory Lightweight E, but race cars are off your list (and trust me the XKSS was BARELY street legal even in 1957!) So the E-type it is. Ever driven one Sam?

Jeep. If they would put that V. Motori 2.7l Common Rail Diesel from the now-dead Liberty in a Grand Cherokee it would be a seriously awesome machine. Unfortunately the morons in Detroit think that gasoline-scale displacement and cylinder count translate to oil burners. Obviously the brains in that outfit went home to Stuttgart… so I’ll have to pick the original WWII era flathead Willys GI model. =)

Lotus: I want an Elise. Bad.

Maserati: I’d have to go with the Sebring. Timeless design.

Mercedes-Benz. No questions asked – a 300sl Roadster. I’ve logged over 1000 miles behind the wheel of one. They are stunningly modern cars, despite being built 50 years ago. The finest build quality of any machine, ever. Luxurious, sporty, transforms from a boulevard cruiser to a snarling race car with a push of a pedal. Talk about appreciating assets!

Nissan: My heart says 240Z, but my brain says GTR.

Smart: I’d find a Roadster and import it before I’d buy a 4/2 of either ilk.

Suzuki: an X-90, if only because it will someday be considered worthy due to be so bizarre.

Toyota: Someday they will build another one worthy, but I agree with your choice for now.

VW: I have owned many over the years, from a 1973 1303, a Rabbit Diesel, a GTI, a Vanagon, a couple of Jettas, and a New Beetle. Hard to pick a “best” as they all dutifully performed their task with Teutonic Utilitarianism. The 1.9L TDI engine is truly one of the best power plants ever built. Incredibly small, modest HP, but torque out the wazoo. Capable of hybrid economy at Autobahn speeds (ask me how I know!) If I could mate that engine with the Vanagon’s body I’d be in heaven. It is a shame they killed off the Vanagon before the TDI came to life. So in the end I’d have to pick the one I have, a Mk4 Jetta TDI: Huge trunk, room for 4, and 50 MPG.

Volvo: I’ve owned two, and the best was a 440TD, a model they never sold in the US so it is out. Pretty much identical to my Jetta as an overall package, though it only pulled about 45 MPG. So I’d have to go with my second choice, the venerable 240. Not pretty, not at all sexy, but built to a standard that very few (other than an old S, or E Class Benz could touch.

Sam, you left off one important marque: Alfa Romeo. You can not really be truly considered a real car guy until you have owned an Alfa. Not here (again) yet, but when they do my dream car will be coming with them, the 8C. OMG… is that the most gorgeous car ever, or what? I’d light a half dozen Audi R8s on fire for an Alfa 8c.

–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org

I have some comments to make about some of your choices, but will have to do that latter. Stay tuned.

–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org