-
Top 10 motoring icons
© Land RoverWhat is the most iconic car of all time? The answer depends on who you speak to, but it’s likely the same dozen or so cars will be fighting for a place on the list. Here, using information supplied by the Boundless membership club for public sector workers, we reveal the most iconic cars, as voted by five motoring experts, including former Top Gear host Vicki Butler-Henderson. We present the results in reverse order: click or swipe to see them all
-
10. Citroen DS
© CitroenJoining Vicki Butler-Henderson on the judging panel were Dan Read, Pete Gregory, Michael Tambini and Paul Horrell. The judges were tasked with compiling a list of motoring heroes across nine categories, with Boundless members asked to vote for their favourite. The Citroen DS is the only French car to make the top 10.
-
10. Citroen DS
© CitroenThe DS – déesse is French for goddess – was a technical marvel when it arrived in 1955. Highlights included hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension, plus hydraulic brakes, steering and transmission. It was also the first mass-produced car to feature disc brakes. Citroen received 12,000 orders on the first day of the Paris Motor Show.
-
9. Audi Quattro
© AudiThe Audi Quattro – officially the ‘quattro’ (with a lower case ‘q’) – is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2020. This photo shows the production version of the car debuting at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show, although the project was given the green light in 1977.
-
9. Audi Quattro
© AudiIt dominated world rallying. Audi won the WRC manufacturers’ title outright, with Walter Röhrl, Michèle Mouton and Hannu Mikkola completing a one-two-three. Coincidentally, Mouton was also the first woman to win a WRC race. Away from the track, the legendary four-wheel-drive system changed the fortunes of Audi, shaping the company we know today.
-
8. Ford Fiesta
© FordThe Ford Fiesta is part of the UK furniture. There’s a good chance you’ve owned one at some point, and you’ll almost certainly have travelled in one. You may even have learned to drive in a Fiesta. Sadly, despite its past success, this iconic supermini will cease production later this year.
-
8. Ford Fiesta
© FordFor years, the Fiesta has been the best supermini to drive, so you don’t need a sporty version to have fun. Today’s range includes everything from the SUV-style Active to the sporty ST – the latter arguably the best affordable hot hatchback on Earth.
-
7. Volkswagen Golf
© VWThe Volkswagen Golf is now into its eighth generation. Since its introduction in 1974, more than 35 million units have been shifted, making it one of the most successful nameplates in the world. Somebody buys a new Golf every 40 seconds.
-
7. Volkswagen Golf
© VWIn the foreground here is the new Golf R ‘20 Years’, which celebrates two decades of fast Golfs with four-wheel drive. The original Volkswagen Golf GTI of 1975 was the blueprint for the modern hatchback – and remains the benchmark today.
-
6. Jaguar Mk2
© JLRThe Jaguar Mk2 makes the list thanks to its role in the Inspector Morse television series. The sight of John Thaw and his burgundy Jag thrust the Mk2 and the streets of Oxford into living rooms across the land. Fancy a swift half, Lewis?
-
6. Jaguar Mk2
© JLRIt was a Jaguar for everyone, including cops, robbers and racing drivers. Launched in 1959, the Mk2 was part of a boom period for Jaguar, with the four-door saloon sharing showroom space with another icon that will be along in a few slides. No prizes for guessing which one.
-
5. Mini
© MiniFollowing two-and-a-half years of development, the Mini was launched in 1959. Two versions were available: the Austin Se7en and Morris Mini-Minor. It struck a chord with the motoring public, becoming parent company BMC’s best-selling model in its first year of production. It’s now a national treasure.
-
5. Mini
© MiniFans included Steve McQueen, Twiggy, Enzo Ferrari, King Hussein of Jordan and every member of the Beatles. It spawned a number of variants, including a Minivan, estate (Countryman and Traveller) and saloon (Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet). It also proved to be a formidable racer, winning the Monte Carlo rally on three occasions.
-
4. New Mini
© MiniThe fact that the ‘new’ Mini finished higher than the original seems a bit controversial. Whatever your views on the modern incarnation, there’s no denying it has been an incredibly successful car for BMW. More than two decades on from its launch, the new Mini remains one of the most fashionable small cars on the planet.
-
4. New Mini
© MiniToday, the Mini is more than just a car – it’s a brand. The range has been fully overhauled for 2024 as well: the three-door hatch is available with both petrol and electric power, with both five-door and Convertible models on the way. The family-friendly Mini Countryman is all new too, and also available in both EV and petrol guise. Coming soon is an all-new Mini, the Aceman, to slot into the gap between the two. Is it another icon in the making?
-
3. Jaguar E-type
© Jaguar‘Gorgeous enough to make you weep, the slinky outline is 60s British glamour made metal. It isn’t making empty promises either, for beneath the endless proboscis is an eager, growling engine.’ We wanted to include this quote from Boundless magazine as it’s the first time we’ve used the word ‘proboscis’ in an article.
-
3. Jaguar E-type
© JaguarLaunched in 1961, the E-type was described by Enzo Ferrari as “the most beautiful car in the world.” Its beauty was more than skin deep, with a coupe famously hitting 150mph in the days before speed limits were introduced to Britain’s roads. Production continued until 1975, when it was replaced by the XJ-S.
-
2. Aston Martin DB5
© Aston MartinThe Aston Martin DB5 and James Bond go together like strawberries and cream, gin and tonic, or vodka and martini. From its role in the 1964 film Goldfinger, the DB5 has continued to play a part in the Bond franchise, right up to the latest No Time to Die film of 2021.
-
2. Aston Martin DB5
© Aston MartinA few years ago, one of two Aston Martin DB5s purchased by Eon Productions for the launch of Thunderball sold at auction for $6,385,000 (approx. £5,100,000). Historian Stephen Archer said: “The DB5 is a special Aston, but this one has an aura all of its own. Just to be in its presence is exciting.”
-
1. Range Rover
© Land RoverIs it a surprise to find the Range Rover at the top of the list? Alex Drew, editor of Boundless magazine, said: “Who’d have thought that – from a shortlist including Bond’s DB5 and the original Mini – the Range Rover would poll 52 percent of the vote and come out on top?”
-
1. Range Rover
© Land Rover“Of course, the Range Rover – nominated by our columnist and Fifth Gear presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson – isn’t just any old 4×4. It’s a British classic; a home-grown hero capable of extraordinary adventures as well as everyday chores. It’s the car that does it all, and which – since the original model arrived in 1970 – has shown that luxury doesn’t contradict utility, but actually enhances it.” We couldn’t have said it better.