The 100 Hottest Cars of All Time | We Obsessively Cover the Auto Industry

From open-wheeled, pre-war racers to modern techno-marvels, here's our list of the 100 most attractive cars of all time. The only hard requirement for making the cut: At least one fully drivable example had to have actually been created. The rest is our subjective opinion, but one thing is certain: Each car carries a unique allure that simply can't be denied. Disagree with our rankings? Don't see your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

100. Jaguar XJS (1975–1996)

The successor to the iconic E-Type, the XJS was a great-looking car in its own right. In production for more than two decades, it became one of the most recognizable models from Jaguar.

99. Chevrolet Camaro (1966–1969)

The original Camaro set many young hearts aflutter. With muscular, purposeful styling and power to spare, the '60s Camaro became an instant classic.

98. Lotus Esprit (1993–2004)

Despite going through some awkward "wedge" phases in its early days, the Esprit hit its stride with the early '90s S4 variant. By the twin-turbo V-8 generation, it had evolved into a legitimate exotic.

97. TVR Griffith (1991–2002)

TVR has been producing sports cars since the '50s, and the Griffith that debuted in 1991 represented a new era that brought the English maker back to the curvaceous designs it excelled at decades ago.

96. Cadillac (1959)

The entirety of '50s automotive fashion in America can practically be summed up in the '59 Cadillac. Huge, heavy, and comically over-styled, it's a classic from a bygone era—and highly desirable in today's collector market.

95. Bugatti Type 57 (1934–1940)

Shortly before World War II reached a fever pitch, French maker Bugatti enjoyed considerable recognition for its gorgeous Type 57. A total of 710 were ultimately produced.

94. Noble M12 M400 (2004–2007)

You may never have heard of Noble—it's not a huge name. Its M12 sports car, however, was a huge performer, and a favorite among track-day enthusiasts.

93. Dodge Viper (1990–2010)

If macho can be sexy, then the Dodge Viper has appeal to spare. Designed to be brutally fast, uncomplicated, and eye-catching, this low-tech superstar from Detroit hit instant fame.

92. Mercedes-Benz 540K (1935–1940)

The 540K marked a distinct change in style from its predecessor, the 500K. The new model featured sleeker and curvier bodywork, along with a larger, more powerful straight-8 engine.

91. Ford Boss 302 Mustang (1969–1970)

Afraid of losing its "pony car" crown to the archrival Chevy Camaro, Ford created the Boss 302 variant of the perennially popular Mustang to underscore the importance of legitimate performance over maximum power.

90. Volvo P1800 (1961–1973)

Yes, it's true: Volvo once made a sexy sports car. The P1800 was Volvo's successful attempt to recover from its previous P1900 sports car, which had failed miserably.

89. Volkswagen Karmann Ghia (1955–1974)

The Karmann Ghia was a surprisingly popular experiment for VW. The sporty coupe was built largely from the existing Beetle model, but featured bodywork by Italian designer Ghia and German coachbuilder Karmann.

88. Ferrari 360 Modena (1999–2005)

The 360 Modena replaced the aging 355 as Ferrari's bread and butter mid-engine sports car, bearing a free-breathing V-8 and eye-catching looks.

87. Nissan GT-R (2009–Present)

The GT-R is an automotive wonder not only for its looks, but also for its uncanny ability to use high technology to shame exotic supercars that cost many times as much as the Nissan.

86. Chevrolet Corvette (1953-1962)

The first generation Corvette is the most significant American car ever created. Its stunningly original design and impressive performance, not to mention its potent fuel-injected engines, proved once and for all that America could compete in the sports car arena.

85. Alfa Romeo Spider (1966–1969)

While the Spider has evolved through various iterations over the years, it's the original "Series 1" generation of the '60s, famous from the movie The Graduate, that tugs the heartstrings of enthusiasts.

84. Jaguar XK (2006–Present)

While the previous XK wasn't ugly by any means, the Jaguar sports car reached a new level of understated, modern elegance in its latest generation.

83. Lamborghini Diablo (1990–2001)

The Diablo succeeded the famous Countach, and features even more wild speed and impracticality than its predecessor. Luckily, its design has done a better job standing the test of time.

82. Hudson Hornet (1951–1954)

Hudson is one of Detroit's lesser-known manufacturers. Its Hornet model, however, epitomizes "bathtub" styling and holds a place in history for its significant role in stock-car racing.

81. Ford Thunderbird (1955–1957)

A true classic by any standards. The original T-Bird was a response to Chevy's Corvette, and oozes '50s diners and drive-ins style from every angle.

80. Audi S6 (2012)

The latest S6 is the greatest example of Audi's thoroughly modern, tightly sculpted, luxury design style. Definitely one of the best-looking sedans ever made.

79. Lamborghini Reventon (2009–2010)

Limited to just 20 production cars sold to the public, the Reventon rePresents the future of Lamborghini design. Its style, both inside and out, is inspired by stealth military jets.

78. Austin-Healey 3000 (1959–1967)

The Austin-Healey 3000 is a touch larger and heavier than other British roadsters of its day. By today's standard, though, it's still a compact featherweight.

77. BMW M1 (1978–1981)

The first BMW to wear the now-famous M badge, the M1 is one of the rarest BMW models. Its midengine layout was designed specifically for racing success.

76. Honda S2000 (1999–2009)

With tremendous handling, attractively chiseled lines and a howling 9000-rpm engine sending chills down spines, the S2000 was the ultimate expression of turn-of-the-century Honda tech.

75. Lotus Elise (1996–Present)

Tiny, lightweight, fast, and nimble. The Elise, along with its more hardcore, track-oriented Exige sibling, defines what Lotus is all about: a connection between driver and road.

74. Ferrari F40 (1987–1992)

The hallowed F40 is an icon of automotive enthusiasm. With its terrifyingly turbocharged V-8, it was the first production car ever to cross the 200 mph barrier.

73. Jaguar SS100 (1936–1940)

This long-hooded beauty is an icon of '30s automotive styling. SS Cars later became known as Jaguar.

72. Triumph Spitfire (1962–1980)

The Spitfire was the quintessential British roadster: good-looking and lightweight, totally fun to drive—and a total headache to maintain.

71. BMW Z8 (1999–2003)

Inspired by the also-gorgeous 507 of the '50s, the Z8 was BMW's answer to growing demand for a high-end roadster. It shared its explosive V-8 engine with the M5 supersedan.

70. Talbot-Lago T150 CSS (1938)

Also known as the teardrop, the CSS was a successful racer from the '30s and featured a jaw-droppingly sleek design that turns heads 70 years later.

69. BMW 8 Series (1989–1999)

BMW's big coupe of the '90s may not be exotic, but it was a perfect vehicle for its time, with impeccable design inside and out.

68. Lincoln Continental (1961–1969)

The large Continental of the '60s helped to bring about the end of the gaudy, overstyled American cars of the '50s. The 1965 model year is a particular favorite among enthusiasts.

67. TVR Tuscan (1999–2006)

With its spidery eyes, classic British shape, and roaring Speed Six engine, the modern iteration of the TVR Tuscan is like nothing else on the road.

66. Nissan Fairlady Z (1969–1973)

More commonly called the Datsun 240Z, the original Z car was arguably the most important car in Japan's history. It proved once and for all that the country could compete in the worldwide auto market.

65. Ferrari Testarossa (1984–1996)

Ask a layman to picture a Ferrari and the Testarossa is likely what comes to mind. The boxer 12-cylinder engine and unmistakable appearance make the Testarossa still the definitive Ferrari.

64. Triumph TR6 (1969–1976)

Slightly old-fashioned in design, the TR6 is one of the most beloved examples of England's automotive specialty, the roadster.

63. Lexus LFA (2010–Present)

With a screaming V-10 engine and oodles of carbon fiber, the LFA is a seriously desirable supercar, and its Nurburgring variant holds one of the fastest production car lap times at the famous German track.

62. Morgan Plus 4 (1950–1961)

Traditional style blended with more modern concepts of size and weight, the Plus 4 was an attractive option on the English auto market. It eventually shared an engine with the Triumph TR3.

61. Lamborghini Gallardo (2003–Present)

In 2003, Lamborghini welcomed a second model into its stable, the "entry-level" Gallardo. Designed to do battle with the midengined Ferraris, it offered a strikingly distinct style and an exhilarating high-rpm V-10 engine.

60. Aston Martin DB6 (1965–1971)

The DB6's predecessor, the gorgeous DB5, was a tough act to follow. While it didn't quite achieve the same allure (DB5 is higher on our list), the DB6 was a technical improvement in all aspects—and still pretty enough to make the top 100.

59. Lotus Elite (1958–1963)

The original Lotus Elite set the formula for all Lotuses to follow. It was extremely lightweight (roughly 1100 lbs), allowing it to make the most of its small, 1.2-liter engine.

58. Lamborghini Aventador (2011–Present)

The latest Lamborghini flagship supercar is an obvious evolution of the mighty Murcielago that preceded it. As expected, packs an enormous amount of power and flashy style.

57. BMW 3.0CSL (1972–1975)

One of the rarest and most beloved BMW models of all time, the 3.0CSL is arguably the defining German sports coupe of the 1970s.

56. Porsche 356 (1954–1965)

It may seem like the Porsche 911 has been around since the dawn of time, but actually, the 356 preceded it as the iconic German sports car.

55. Mazda RX7 (1992–2002)

From its curvaceous body to its unique Wankel turbocharged rotary engine, the third generation RX7 was unlike anything else on the market.

54. Ferrari F50 (1995–1997)

Although overshadowed by the iconic F40 that came before, the F50 was a more curvaceous and beautiful exotic, and packed a screaming V-12 in lieu of the turbocharged V-8. Only 349 were ever produced.

53. TVR Tuscan (1967–1971)

A classic from small-volume manufacturer TVR, the original Tuscan was a rare sight, even on British roads. Both the V-6 and V-8 engines available under the hood were sourced from Ford.

52. Koenigsegg Agera (2011–Present)

The Swedish outfit Koenigsegg specializes in ultra-high-performance sports cars. Its latest creation, the Agera, takes performance to nearly unbelievable levels.

51. Triumph GT6 (1966–1973)

English automaker Triumph may be better known for its traditional roadsters, but it produced the sharp GT6 sports coupe from the chassis of its Spitfire convertible.

50. Audi R8 (2006–Present)

It was only a matter of time before Audi produced a supercar of its own, and when it finally appeared, the R8 was universally adored with potent engines and a unique appearance.

49. MG MGA (1955–1962)

The MGA marked a new era for MG. With a modern, lightweight design and attractive body, the roadster was an immediate success, with over 100,000 ultimately being produced.

48. Honda NSX (1990–2005)

The NSX was a hugely important car for its time, proving that the supercar was ready to rise from the sketchy exotics of the '80s to sleek, smart new heights.

47. Bugatti Veyron (2005–2011)

It took nearly 15 years for a car to wrest the ultimate road-going performance title from the McLaren F1, so when the Veyron did it, the whole world took notice. In SS trim, the Veyron hits an absurd top speed of nearly 268 mph.

46. RUF CTR "Yellow Bird" (1987)

This car, essentially a heavily modified Porsche 911, inspired many young car lovers when it appeared in the 1980s.

45. Austin-Healey 100 (1956–1959)

The 100 is a perfect example of how British manufacturers were reinvigorated after World War II finally ended. This Austin-Healey got its name because it could hit 100 mph.

44. Ferrari Enzo (2002–2004)

It seems like every decade, Ferrari creates one magnum opus to show off everything its learned to date. For the 2000s, that honor fell on the Enzo—practically an F1 racecar in disguise.

43. BMW M6 (1987–1989)

The original M6 took the existing 635CSi to new heights and solidified BMW's M performance division's place in the market.

42. Ferrari F430 (2004–2009)

Hot on the heels of its successful 360 Modena sports car, Ferrari introduced its F430 replacement. With the F430's more athletic shape and intoxicating new 4.3-liter V-8 engine, the 360 was quickly forgotten.

41. Jaguar XK120 (1948–1954)

The definitive postwar British car. The XK120's sleeker style greatly contrasts with the look of its prewar predecessor, the SS100.

40. Pagani Zonda (1999–2011)

Argentinian Horacio Pagani had no intention of being taken lightly when he created the Zonda supercar. With its powerful Mercedes-based V-12, Pagani's powerhouse has received widespread acclaim year after year.

39. Ferrari 550 Maranello (1996–2001)

The front-engined grand-touring Ferrari came into its own with the 550 Maranello. The updated 575 M Maranello that followed only improved this formula further.

38. Aston Martin DB4 (1958–1963)

The DB4 was a true driver's car, with a 240-hp 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine, four-wheel disc brakes, and communicative handling. Its high-power Vantage and GT Zagato variants were too.

37. Auto Union Type C (1936–1937)

This is one of history's most highly regarded race cars. The Type C had an enormous V-16 engine capable of propelling the slick vehicle up to 211 mph.

36. Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am (1970–1981)

The second generation Trans-Am rePresented a new era of muscle cars. The 1977 example is still famous for its role in Smokey and the Bandit . That, and the large bird painted on its hood.

35. Porsche 959 (1986–1989)

An automotive icon of the'80s, the 959 featured ground-breaking technology from bumper to bumper, including a revolutionary all-wheel-drive system.

34. Jaguar XKSS (1957)

The voluptuous XKSS was the road-going variant of the Jaguar D-Type racer. A factory fire destroyed nine of the 25 examples made before they were ever delivered.

33. McLaren MP4-12C (2011–Present)

McLaren created the MP4-12C not to outdo its legendary F1 model of the '90s, but instead to take on the likes of the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo. Some say its the best-handling sports car ever made.

32. Toyota 2000GT (1967–1970)

A little-known creation from Japan, the 2000GT was a world-class exotic sports car. Keen eyes may recognize a one-off convertible version from the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

31. Ferrari America (1964–1966)

The America models marked the top of the Ferrari range of sports cars. Favorite variants are the 410 Superamerica and the 500 Superfast, as well as the shapely 375.

30. Mercury Coupe (1949–1951)

Arguably the most famous face of the hot-rod craze, the '49 Mercury immediately became the ride of choice for wild, top-chopping customizers.

29. Lotus Evora (2009–Present)

Packing a modern sense of style and famous Lotus driving dynamics, the Evora is the answer for those looking for a more practical, yet still entertaining, alternative to the tiny Lotus Elise.

28. Ferrari 458 Italia (2010–Present)

The latest and greatest midengine Ferrari, the Italia perfectly encapsulates the modern Ferrari: stunning looks, a shrieking high-rpm engine, and serious performance on the racetrack.

27. TVR Griffith 200 (1963–1964)

The Griffith was frighteningly fast thanks to the available 289-cubic-inch V-8, but plagued with reliability and handling problems.

26. Porsche Carrera 2.7 RS (1973)

With its 210-hp engine and telepathic steering, the '73 RS sums up everything that is wonderful about the 911 design.

25. Aston Martin One-77 (2009–Present)

An extremely limited halo car for Aston Martin, the One-77 comes with a heart-stopping price tag of nearly $2 million. That buys you the company's largest and most powerful V-12 engine to date.

24. Ferrari 275 (1964–1968)

Coming first in two-cam and later in four-cam models, the handsome V-12-powered 275 was one of the final cars produced before Ferrari evolved into a more angular design style.

23. Jaguar C-Type (1951–1953)

The C-Type was a lightweight, soulful, race-ready sports car. It used the drivetrain from the XK120 retuned for greater power.

22. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (2006–Present)

In its high-performance GTO version, the stunning 599 is one of the fastest production Ferraris ever made. And its grand-touring design makes it an excellent, luxurious cruiser as well.

21. Maserati 3500 GT (1957–1964)

The 3500 offered classic lines and a gutsy six-cylinder engine. It was Maserati's breakthrough into the production GT world.

20. Duesenberg Model J (1928–1937)

The Model J was America's answer to the best European cars available at the time. It also holds the crown as the most powerful prewar American vehicle.

19. Mercedes-Benz SSK (1928–1932)

In its Trossi Black Prince guise, the SSK was dramatic and menacing. Only a handful of original SSK models remain in existence.

18. McLaren F1 (1992–1998)

Possibly the best sports car ever made. For more a decade, nothing came close to touching the performance of the F1 and its outrageous BMW V-12 engine stuffed behind the three seats.

17. Ferrari 288 GTO (1984–1985)

As the first modern Ferrari "halo" supercar, the 288 GTO was essentially a heavily reworked 308. Its top speed of 189 mph made it the fastest production car ever created at the time.

16. BMW 507 (1956–1959)

This little-known roadster offered serious style. Despite its brilliant aesthetics, the 507 was a flop for BMW at the time, though it inspired the Z8.

15. Aston Martin DB9 (2004–2011)

The V-12-powered DB9 polished up the already attractive DB7 and set the style tone for Astons to come.

14. AC Cobra (1961–1967)

The Cobra is one of the most famous, and frequently replicated, cars on the road. Derived from the British AC Ace roadster, the Cobra became an instant classic after Carroll Shelby's thorough reworking.

13. Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione (2007–2009)

One of few recent cars to successfully blend traditional beauty with modern poise, the 8C was also known for its difficult handling.

12. Aston Martin DB5 (1963–1965)

Martin Aston Martin. It'd be hard to find a better example of the British sports car than this one, which famously appeared in the Bond flick Goldfinger. In Vantage trim, the DB5's inline-six engine produced a whopping 314 hp.

11. Ford GT40 (1964–1969)

The GT40 was built with a single purpose: to take down Ferrari at Le Mans. It succeeded, and is still the only American car to win the great French race.

10. Mercedes-Benz 300SL "Gullwing" (1955–1957)

The 300SL, famous for its gullwing doors that opened toward the sky, opens the top 10. Many have hailed the Benz as the world's first supercar.

9. Ferrari Dino (1968–1972)

Launched in 1968 as the 206 GT, and later billed as the 246 GT and GTS, the Dino was Ferrari's attempt at a more affordable sports car. It came equipped with a V-6 instead of the typical V-12. A third generation followed, although it didn't share the sultry style of the first two.

8. Lamborghini Miura (1966–1972)

The Miura was Lamborghini's original midengined supercar, and it made the company's vengeful ambitions to dethrone Ferrari obvious to all.

7. Chevrolet Corvette (1963–1967)

The second generation Sting Ray marked the first fixed-roof Corvette coupe. The split rear window, which was featured only in 1963, is instantly recognizable.

6. Porsche 550 (1953–1956)

Famous for being the car in which James Dean met his fate, the 550 Spyder was a svelte, low-riding convertible that helped solidify Porsche's worldwide fame.

5. Jaguar E-Type (1961–1975)

The E-Type needs little introduction. An icon of '60s style, its famous shape hid either one of two inline-six engines, although its final Series 3 variant came packing a 5.3-liter V-12 under the long hood.

4. Ferrari 330 P4 (1967)

You'd be lucky to lay your eyes on this beauty—only three were ever made—four if you count the hybrid P3/4. (This one is a replica.) The V12 put out up to 450 hp.

3. Jaguar XJ13 (1965)

Sure, only one has ever been made. Nevertheless, the XJ13 is one of the greatest-looking designs ever conceived. This prototype bridged the gap between the more famous D-Type and E-Type Jags.

2. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (1967–1971)

Does it get curvier than this? The ultra-rare Stradale variant of Alfa's T33 race car may be the pinnacle of the eye-catching European '60s automotive style. It's thought to be the first car with butterfly doors.

1. Ferrari 250 GTO (1962-1964)

No surprise here: the Ferrari 250 GTO takes the crown. A stunning shape and incredible 3.0-liter V-12 makes this the definitive exotic. And it couldn't be more gorgeous.