The 9 Best German Classic Cars of All Time

In our ongoing classic car series, we choose the greatest German classic cars ever made. There’s more here than just Vorsprung durch Technik, you know…

 

BMW M3 E30

An E30 in classic red

We’re pretty sure everyone who loves cars has owned one of these in their lifetime, albeit a miniature version with rubber wheels. For most, the M3 debate starts and ends with the E30 — a car built for Group A homologation. 

An eternal classic, the E30 M3 had a 2.3-litre, 4-cylinder engine producing 200 bhp. This rocketed the car to 60mph in 6.7 seconds and gave it a top speed of 146 mph.

Since the E30 burst onto the scene in 1986, every 3 Series since had an M division version. That just shows how revered it is.

Classic fact: Only 600 M3 Sport Evolution models were made, making it the most powerful series E30 of all time.

Porsche 911

The iconic 911

Think elegant, sexy and curvy. Think supreme engineering, unrivalled, delicate and tail-happy handling. Think the greatest sports car ever made. It's the Porsche 911.

Born in the 60s, the 911 was a hit from the get-go. With the engine plonked in its rear, it was both playful to drive and spacious inside — two things other carmakers failed to combine.

"All your worries disappear when you get behind the wheel of a 911," said Urban Outlaw Porsche fanatic Magnus Walker. "It’s freedom."

Classic fact: The 911 was originally to be called the 901, but Peugeot had a trademark on ‘digit-zero-digit’ named models.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

The godlike GTI

The 1970s belonged to platform shoes, prog rock and, of course, the hatchback that changed all hatchbacks: the Volkswagen GTI.

Hands down, the GTI is one of the most recognisable cars ever made. Everything from its tartan trim, jutting chin spoiler, and signature red grille garnish is as iconic as David Bowie’s wardrobe.

Looks aside, the GTI set the trend for small, nippy, affordable urban cars. Right from the off, production rocketed from 50 a day to 500. By the time the MK2 came along, 450,000+ had been built. B-road blast, anyone?

Classic fact: Initially hesitant, VW planned to build a total of 5,000 Golf GTIs. Today, they have built over 2.3 million.

Audi Quattro

The Quattro in 1980 

Even if you know nothing about German cars, you’ll have heard of the Audi Quattro. If not for tearing up the rally scene, then for influencing one of the most quintessential pieces of car technology.

When the Quattro slid onto the scene in the 80s, it set the world alight as one of the first road cars to have all-wheel drive. This, coupled with a 2.1-litre 5-cylinder turbo engine, meant the Quattro was one of the quickest cars around.

In 1981, the Quattro cost a respectable £14,500. Today, they are soaring in value. A range-topping Ur-Quattro 20V (RR) model sold at auction for £163,125 in August this year.

Classic fact: In 1981, Michele Mouton become the first female driver to win a world championship rally. She was driving the Quattro. 

Porsche 356

The iconic 356

If the 911 is the signature dish, the 356 is the starter — and it made what Porsche is today.

One of the most sought-after specimens in the world, the 356 was everything you wanted from a two-seater sports car. It had a light, nimble chassis with playful handling, and it looked the part –  especially in Replica Black (like Steve McQueen's).

When it hit the showroom in 1948, sales got off to a sluggish start. But the famous 1951 Le Mans win changed that. The rest was history.

Classic fact: The Porsche 356 Carrera GTL Abarth is one of the rarest Porsches ever made, with just 21 models built.

Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing

The gorgeous 'Gullwing'

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Gullwing. The fastest sports car of its era, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was uncaged in 1955 and was a candidate for the first real supercar, capable of hitting 100mph in 21 seconds.

The 300 SL had one focus: to go fast. Everything from its lightweight chassis and aerodynamic hood to the 3.0-litre straight-six engine was built with speed in mind. It’s no coincidence it weighed 1,251kg.

It remains one of the rarest cars ever made, with only 1,400 coupes and around 1,858 roadsters still in existence.

Classic fact: In 2012, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sold at auction for $4.62 million.

BMW E39 M5

The E39 M5

Classic German cars don’t get much more exciting than the heavy-hitting E39 M5. A car that was so ahead of its time, it made others in its class look like stale schnitzel.

When the E39 M5 arrived 22 years ago, it reconfigured the super saloon. From the boxy, yet stylish shape to its fiery engine and stylish interior — it’s nigh-on maximum BMW in our eyes.

Tougher, faster and louder than the E34, it had a 4.9-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine which produced 394bhp. This meant an impressive 0-62 mph time of 5.3 seconds. Now that’s quick, even by today’s standards.

Classic fact: For safety reasons, the E39 M5 had a restricted top speed of 155mph. Unrestricted, it was known to reach over 185mph.

Volkswagen Beetle

The beloved Beetle

Along with the Mini, the Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most iconic cars to crawl out of production.

Affordable, practical and stylish, the original Beetle was built to be a pre-war ‘people’s car’ — a motor for ordinary folk to use every day. If only they knew.

A hit with surfers and free-lovin’ hippies, by the early eighties VW had sold more than 21 million, making it one of the all-time best-selling motors. VW didn’t just create a car. They built an icon. It lives on today in the New Beetle.

Classic fact: The last original Beetle – #21,529,464, built in 2003 – is now on show at VW’s AutoMuseum in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.3

The classic 300 SEL 6.3

When Rudolf Uhlenhaut had the idea to put the 6.3-litre V8 from the Mercedes Model 600 into the W109 series, he could only have dreamed it would go so well.

As the daddy of the W109 series, the 300 SEL 6.3 delivered a beefy 247bhp and had a top speed of 137mph. For 1968, that made it one of the fastest saloons in the world. If not the fastest. Venerable car magazine Road & Track later called it ‘the greatest sedan in the world’.

Classic fact: In total, just 6,526 of these cars were built. Today, they’re fetching upwards of £60,000. Decent ones can easily be worth over £140,000.

Looking for more inspiration? Try our 8 Great British Classic Cars of All Time