Auto Express magazine names the top 100 cars in Britain, with the top ten produced here.

• Top industry bosses and Auto Express team pick top Brit-built motors
• Original Mini tops poll ahead of Jaguar E-Type and Land Rover Defender 

Britain’s most influential car bosses have teamed up with Auto Express - the UK’s biggest selling weekly car magazine - to name the Best of British. 

Following a rigorous voting process, the original Mini was named as the best British-built car of all time, seeing off competition from the Jaguar E-Type and Land Rover Defender. 

With a shortlist of 75 models that rolled off production lines in the UK, judges were asked to pick their top 10 based on sales, groundbreaking design or unbeatable performance. 

Votes were received from industry big-hitters including Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer and BMW’s sales and brand board member Ian Robertson. 

The results highlighted the sheer diversity on offer from Brit-built models with the top 10 including economy runabouts, all-terrain tackling off-roaders, two-seater sports cars, record-breaking exotica and even a humble family saloon. 

Auto Express Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler said: “This survey is a reminder of how many iconic cars Britain has produced over the years. So many of our Top 50 cars redefined segments and pushed the boundaries of what was possible. The spirit of innovation which created models as diverse as the Mini, E-Type and Defender continues today and the British automotive industry should be proud of its achievements and confident of the future.” 

Best of British Top 10

1. Mini
2. Jaguar E-Type
3. Land Rover Defender
4. Aston Martin DB5
5. McLaren F1
6. Range Rover Mk1
7. Ford GT40
8. Caterham/Lotus Seven
9. Ford Escort Mk1
10. Lotus Elise 

The most stunning hand built Eagle Jaguar E-Type Speedster and low drag GT are now available.

The latest addition to the world-renowned stable of ’Special Edition’ Jaguar E-Types that comprises the Eagle E-Type, Eagle Speedster and the Eagle Low Drag GT.

First announced during the 2016 London Classic Car Show to great acclaim, construction is now complete on the very first of these hand crafted lightweight roadsters.

With only a very few being built, this will join the other Eagle Special Edition E-types as the most exclusive hand built cars in the world.

The Spyder GT builds upon the groundbreaking Eagle Speedster adding a folding roof to offer the best of both worlds – whatever the weather.

The 4.7 litre XK engine offers 330bhp and an impressive 340 ft lbs of torque, all in a car weighing just 1,029 kg. Extensive weight saving measures include a bespoke aluminium monocoque, aluminium gearbox, aluminium engine block and magnesium components.

NEW - THE EAGLE SPYDER GT

More than thirty years of singular focus on the Jaguar E-Type comes into play with this, the fourth special edition E-Type in the series, the Eagle Spyder GT.

With the poise and performance of the Low Drag GT and the exquisite styling of the Speedster, the Spyder GT’s taller raked windscreen and folding roof offer the best of both worlds – whatever the weather.

Completely bespoke with extensive customer options, the few produced will be the most exclusive hand built cars in the world. 

As with all Eagle Special Editions, the Spyder GT begins life as an original E-Type ready to be restored.

The aluminium monocoque features deeper sills, a lower floor pan and wider wheel arches featuring custom 16” wheels and tyres.

The bespoke, hand crafted interior features sumptuous leather and a gorgeous sweeping centre console - very much part of the Eagle Special Edition design DNA - complete with hidden handbrake lever. The attention to detail and level of finish throughout is truly exquisite.

The engineering perfectly blends original and new technology and the Eagle Spyder GT offers blistering performance. With 330bhp and 340 ft lbs of torque it powers from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds and pulls hard all the way to its top speed of over 170mph.

DRIVING THE EAGLE SPYDER GT

From the outset, the Spyder GT was designed to perform.

For long distance driving it has the calm assurance and the all the manners for touring - you sit cocooned in luxury with the view forward over the long bonnet and it’s a wonderful place to be. You have a solid sense of connection with the road, with precise handling characteristics gained from over 30 years of suspension development at Eagle.

When you put your foot down the Spyder GT transforms into a seriously exhilarating supercar.

In that instant the straight-six develops a whole new character - with so much torque the 4.7 litre engine pulls away with real intent, emitting a powerful deep growl as the exhaust barks, the crackling sounds on the overrun adding to the drama and excitement.

It’s an exceptional performer by any measure.

Working through the gears you quickly realise why the Eagle Special Edition E-Types have been subject of such enthusiastic acclaim. This is a driving experience like no other.

With so few being built, this will join the other Eagle Special Edition E-types as the most exclusive hand built cars in the world.

Henry Pearman, Managing Director at Eagle says:

“We’re really proud of what’s been achieved with our E-Type Special Editions, and the worldwide reaction has made all the years of effort and dedication completely worthwhile.

The Spyder GT represents the very best of what we do here at Eagle and we’re thrilled to present it to the world.”

Paul Brace, Design Director adds:

“The E-Type is such a superb car to work with, and being able to add the Spyder GT as the fourth Eagle Special Edition gives us all great pleasure. Again, the worldwide reaction has been incredible.

We’re glad that so many people share our passion for these wonderful cars”

WHAT THE PRESS SAY SO FAR

“The result is a creation so beautiful and perfectly proportioned I could look at it for the rest of my life.”

CHRIS EVANS /THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

“The Eagle Spyder GT is not only beautiful to look at, it's stunning to drive too. It typifies everything that the modern world eschews, leaving you in total control and, with modern suspension, handles better than any E-Type has before.”

TIFF NEEDELL  / IOD DIRECTOR

“It sounds almost too good to be true, but Eagle’s Spyder GT has a silver-screen quality that makes you feel like you’re living in some perfect film of your own life.”

HENRY CATCHPOLE/EVOMAGAZINE

TECHNICAL DATA

• Engine: 4.7 litre straight six, longitudinal front mounted, aluminium block
• Cylinder Head: Aluminium big valve twin cam
• Fuelling: Triple 2" SU Carburettors
• Power: 330bhp @ 4800rpm
• Torque: 340lb ft @ 3600rpm
• Transmission: Five-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential
• Front suspension: Double wishbones, torsion bars, adjustable Öhlins damper units, anti-roll bar
• Rear suspension: Lower wishbone with load bearing driveshaft, twin spring/adjustable Öhlins damper units, anti-roll bar
• Brakes: AP Racing aluminium calipers, ventilated discs, 315mm front, 280mm rear, servo assisted
• Wheels: 6 x 16 front, 7.5 x 16 rear, aluminium rims with stainless steel
• Tyres: 225/55 R16 front, 235/60 R16 rear
• Weight: 1029kg
• Power-to-weight: 326bhp/ton
• 0-60 mph: Under 5.0 sec
• Top speed: Over 170mph
• Height: 1,105 mm
• Length: 4,260 mm
• Width: 1,740 mm

PRICING

Base Price: £695,000 + local taxes as applicable

ABOUT EAGLE E-TYPES

Formed in 1984 and based in East Sussex, UK Eagle E-Types are widely recognised as the leading restorers of Jaguar E-Types in the world.

THE EAGLE E-TYPE 

Eagle first attracted global attention with the Eagle E-Type, the ‘zero miles’restoration and upgrading of an original Jaguar E-Type, adding reliability, performance and handling improvements that enhanced the unique spirit of the original.

THE EAGLE SPEEDSTER 

Designed as the ultimate expression of what an E-Type can become, the Eagle Speedster was the subject of universal acclaim, featuring in the international press and on television across the world.

Reviews were ecstatic, including being described as “the most beautiful thing I have ever seen “ by Jeremy Clarkson on BBC Top Gear.

Ian Callum, Design Director at Jaguar Cars added to the praise: “If I were to have an E-type, for example, it would have to be the Eagle Speedster - I just love that car. It’s just how I would have designed it; it’s taking the E-type Jaguar’s purity to a whole new level.”

In addition to its sensational looks, the entirely hand built Speedster focuses on performance and offers an extraordinary driving experience, taking the original E-Type forward into the 21st century in some considerable style.

THE EAGLE LOW DRAG GT

Visually inspired by Chassis No. EC1001, the stunning Low Drag Coupe produced by Jaguar and designed by Malcolm Sayer to feature in international GT races, the Eagle Low Drag GT is designed to be the ultimate Grand Tourer.

Bespoke, exclusive and utterly thrilling to drive, it is again entirely hand crafted by our team of experts and designed for high speed cross continental travel in great comfort and style.

The combination of the exquisite shape, superb performance and sheer quality of finish again led to great praise, being described as “the most beautiful car I've ever driven. It's possibly the most beautiful car I will ever drive.” by Henry Catchpole in EVO Magazine, and as “automotive nirvana” by Chris Evans in the Mail on Sunday.

There was also fulsome praise from Robert Coucher in Octane magazine: “This must be one of the best classic cars I have ever driven. It must also be one of the best supercars I have ever driven.”

The jaguar E-Type that was "found" under a hedge has been sold, and what a windfall for the owner.

A 1963 Jaguar E-Type found under a hedge in the village of Bisley in Surrey sold for £58,000 at COYS Spring Classics auction in London.

Chris Routledge, CEO of international auctioneers COYS, said: “We were encouraged by strong results achieved across the board and the number of registered bidders joining us and bidding in the room – it’s always good to see the market is as active as ever.”

He added: “The derelict E-Type attracted attention from all four corners of the world and bidders in a packed auction room and via telephone fought fiercely for it on Tuesday night. It ended up going to an English collector and Beatles enthusiast who plans to slowly restore it to its former glory.”

The E-Type showed just 44,870miles on the clock and still had the last tax disc on the windscreen which expired in November 1969. The car’s first owner in May 1963 was none other than Ivor Arbiter, who owned Drum City and Sound City in London and was the designer of the ‘drop – T’ logo for The Beatles.

It changed owners a couple of times between 1965 and 1967, when it moved to its last owner Frank Riches, who raced it extensively at Oulton Park, Brands Hatch and Blackbushe between 1967 and 1969. Frank burnt out the clutch and instead of getting it fixed he put the car into storage in a lock up until the 1980s, he then moved it to his garden where is remained under a tarpaulin until the present vendor rescued it in 2015.

Other important cars auctioned included a veteran 1901 Delin 4HP Voiturette eligible for the London to Brighton Run (sold for £64,520), a 1984 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S (£253,800), a 2010 Aspira F620 (£86,920) and a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL (£81,320).

Routledge said: “Values of classic cars remain robust with a particular note to the Lamborgini Countach selling for £253,800. COYS next auction will be the Essen extravanza with a catalogue of 160 classic and sports cars.”

COYS ‘Techno Classica’ auction takes place on April 9^th in Essen, Germany, followed by ‘COYS at Ascot’ in the famous British racecourse on April 16th.

The mega rare Ferrari will no doubt gain a huge amount of interest at the upcoming Hexagon Classics.

• Hexagon presents a stunning collection of classic cars at Salon Privé, headlined by a one-off Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Shooting Brake
• Unique Ferrari stars in the Post-War Coachwork concours class
• Hexagon is also presenting a 1966 Maserati Mistral 4000, a 1970 Mercedes Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, a Jaguar E-type 4.2-litre Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe and a 1972 Aston Martin AM Vantage Coupe
• For more information about Hexagon Classics visit http://hexagonclassics.com

From a one-off Ferrari to the finest examples of icons from Maserati, Mercedes, Jaguar and Aston Martin, Hexagon Classics has something for all tastes at this year’s Salon Privé.

The leading London car dealer is showing off several cars from its classics department at the Blenheim Palace event, ranging from a 1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 to a 1970 Mercedes Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, a Jaguar E-type 4.2-litre Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe and a 1972 Aston Martin AM Vantage.

Undoubted highlight of Hexagon’s collection at Salon Privé is its 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Shooting Brake, entered in the Post-War Coachwork concours class.

Commissioned by Luigi Chinetti (Coco), Jr it features coachwork by Panther Westwinds. Built at a cost of approximately four new Daytonas, this particular 365 GTB/4 was the 805th off the line. A standard Berlinetta, it was finished in Rosso Dino with a Nero leather interior. When completed, it was shipped to the United States and received by Chinetti Motors in the US.

The idea to turn it into a shooting brake came about in the early ‘70s,  when real estate developer Bob Gittleman strolled into Chinetti Motors asking for something a bit different — and Coco was only too happy to oblige. With the drawings completed, Coco decided on Panther Westwinds in Surrey, England, and two years later the car was shipped to the UK.

Panther Westwinds modified the Daytona into a striking shooting brake. Unlike traditional shooting brakes, this Daytona estate avoided a traditional rear tailgate by using gullwing-style rear side windows for access to cargo.

The interior was also substantially new, with the instruments mounted centrally in the opulent wooden trimmed dashboard. Even the cargo load floor featured wooden decking.

Delivered to Gittleman in Florida in 1975, it remained in his possession until 1980. The car passed through various hands, including those of Texan car collector and race team owner John Mecum, and was then acquired by New Jersey Ferrari collector Bill Kontes in 1988. A decade later it was with a different owner in France.

In 2000 it was displayed at the Concours d’Elegance at Paleis Het Loo in Holland and a year later it appeared at the Cartier Style et Luxe Concours at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Showing fewer than 4,000 miles on its odometer and in concours throughout, this one-of-a-kind custom Ferrari is spectacular and unique in virtually every way.

Hexagon Classics acquired the car in 2014 and set about a comprehensive restoration, employing the very same artisan who built the car while working at Panther in period. It has also benefited from a bare metal repaint and mechanical restoration by an official Ferrari service agent – and is in concours condition. It is for sale through Hexagon Classics.

Another Italian car capable of turning heads is Hexagon’s 1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupe. Offering the highest horsepower of the Mistral series, this model has a 265bhp 4.0-litre straight six-cylinder engine.

Painted in its original colour of Argento Auteuil and supplied new to a Mr Luigi Serra of Genova, Italy on the 22nd April 1966, this particular Mistral is one of only 298 produced and is presented in superb order today.

It has benefitted from sympathetic restoration and remains thoroughly original, coming with the original owner’s manual and maintenance manual among other documents, plus also Maserati Classiche Certification. Without doubt a rare opportunity to acquire one of Maserati’s most highly sought-after models. 

One of the best four-seater convertibles ever made is this 1970 Mercedes Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet. Presented in near concours condition, it is also extremely rare being one of only 68 right-hand-drive cars produced.

Offering a thoroughly modern and easy to use driving experience, with a snug-fitting six-layer convertible top, excellent sound-deadening and a whisper quiet V8 engine along with power steering, it also benefits from the highly desirable option of a floor-mounted four-speed automatic gearbox, power windows and front head rests. 

Accompanying the car is its original handbook with the detailed pictures of a recent restoration by Australia’s leading Mercedes Benz restoration company Sleeping Beauties of Brisbane.

Many people’s idea of the perfect classic car is the Jaguar E-type – and one of the most desirable examples is on Hexagon’s Salon Privé stand, a 4.2-litre Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe.

Combining the classic lines of the original with a noticeably better driving experience, this particular car was completely restored in 2013. Like all 4.2-litre E-types it received a number of improvements over its predecessor, with an all-synchromesh gearbox, better brakes and more supportive seats. Of course, though, the highlight is the 4.2-litre engine, with its greater torque and refinement.

Another British icon is Hexagon’s Aston Martin AM Vantage Coupe. One of just 70 cars produced, it comes in Cairngorm Brown with Connolly Natural Hide and was supplied new on 18th September 1972. Its last owner, a British Airways Captain, has had the car for 19 years and has maintained it through Oselli Engineering, who recently rebuilt the engine to 4.2-litre unleaded fuel specification.

Hexagon has carried out a bare metal re-paint and a complete re-trim using the correct Connolly Hides throughout. With the car also getting a final mechanical sales preparation by an official factory Aston Martin Heritage Service Centre, it is now ready to be enjoyed to the full by its new owner.

Paul Michaels, chairman of Hexagon Classics, said: “Salon Privé always represents a fantastic opportunity to share our cars with like-minded enthusiasts. 

This year we’re showing some of the more varied machines that Hexagon offers – from a one-off Ferrari to the finest examples of classics from Maserati, Mercedes, Jaguar and Aston Martin. All are for sale through Hexagon and we look forward to welcoming all car lovers to our stand in the majestic surroundings of Blenheim Palace.”