Popularity Contest – Your Favorite British Sports Car

Last year we asked you to determine the greatest British sports car of all time and after spirited voting the Jaguar E-Type – not unexpectedly – emerged victorious ahead of the Austin-Healey 3000 and Triumph TR6. This time we changed the call of the question: name your favorite British sports car manufactured since the end of World War II.

Responses were even more enthusiastic than before with more than 2000 individual votes spread among 50 nominees. We asked the readers to cast their votes based on their own personal criteria; whether they would consider historical impact, sales success and a competition pedigree was entirely up to them. With so many votes spread across so many candidates early trends emerged – and then faded from the final results. Surprisingly – or not – depending on your point of view, the early returns after the first few days of voting contained not a single MG variant in the Top 10 with the top ranks entirely populated by models from Aston Martin, Healey, Jaguar and Triumph.

The results after the first 72 hours of voting –

1. Jaguar E-Type
2. Austin-Healey 100
3. Aston Martin DB5
4. Austin Healey 100-6 and 3000
5. Austin-Healey Sprite
6. Triumph TR3/3A
7. Triumph TR5/250
8. Triumph TR4/4A
9. Aston Martin DB4
10. Jaguar XK150

After calling attention to this surprising result in social media, acolytes of the Sacred Octagon began to vote in greater numbers such that all models from Abingdon began to receive higher tallies with the MGA leading the way – we would have expected that ownership figures alone would have pushed the MGB to the top – followed by its successor later down the list. Throughout the voting period the race for the top spot was always between the E-Type and 100, with the two aesthetic nonpareils finding themselves tied for much of the race. What was clear throughout the voting (based on the comments that were received on social media) is that there were two camps in the process. One group cast votes based on the car that they would most like to own while the other based their decision on the vehicle that they actually drove.

Aspirational models from Jaguar and Aston Martin proved popular across the board and rarities like the AC Ace, Healey Silverstone and Jensen Interceptor did particularly well given their sometimes niche awareness among typical enthusiasts. Models generally considered unloved performed better than expected with the Jensen-Healey, TR7 and Stag all managing to stay out of the bottom 5 – spaces held in descending order by the Sunbeam Alpine, Daimler SP250 Dart, Marcos GT, Elva Courier and Jowett Jupiter. The biggest surprise? Likely the poor showing – 31^st overall – of the MG TD behind the Healey Silverstone and the MG Midget.

What were the final results?

Honorable Mention – Morgan Plus Four, Sunbeam Tiger, Triumph TR5/250, MGC, Lotus Seven, Aston Martin DB4, Triumph TR6 and Triumph Spitfire.

Tenth Place – MGB (20.8%)

The best selling classic sports car of all time was good for 10th place overall for your favorite

Heading into the balloting we would have expected a better finish for the beloved MGB. One voter in casting his ballot noted that there was a reason they sold so many of them and it was his clear choice for first overall. Familiarity can often breed contempt, but it also can engender affection and the almost ubiquitous B was a strong finisher to reach the bottom of the Top 10.

Ninth Place – TR3/3A (21.3%)

Never as classically attractive as the 100 and MGA, the TR3’s bulldog character, great performance and solid reliability has won it a devoted following nonetheless

Through the end of the last century the sidescreen TR3 and 3A represented the sine qua non for Triumph enthusiasts with membership in the Vintage Triumph Register restricted to the early cars until the 80s. Today they are still immensely popular for their rugged looks and sterling performance and it was a surprise that these models so handily outpolled the better selling TR6 in the voting. Clearly, the ability to file one’s fingernails while driving proved a draw, as did the bulldog nature of this lovable brute.

Eighth Place – TR4/4A (21.4%)

The Michelotti designed TR4 and TR4A have risen to great popularity in recent years and are sought after now

Appreciation for the Michelotti styled TR4 and TR4A has steadily increased over the past decade and the combination of the durable wet liner engine with the attractive bodywork has resulted in a devoted following for these interim cars. It was somewhat surprising that the TR5 and TR250 finished behind the four-cylinder cars but it was apparent that for many voters that this was their favorite Triumph model.

Seventh Place – GT6 (22.3%)

The surprise of the Top 10, the GT6 has gone from under appreciated GT to a viable alternative to an E-Type or 240Z

The most surprising vehicle to make the Top 10 has to be the strong placement of the GT6. Not only was it the top among the Triumph models but it was also the lowest seller among the trio to finish in the first rank – excepting the much more expensive DB5. The Michelotti styled coupe that evolved from the Spitfire has become increasingly popular in recent years and despite our shock at this high finish it is clear that the GT6 is becoming eminently more popular among LBC fans than it ever was before.

Sixth Place – Austin-Healey Sprite (24%)

The friendliest face in British motoring

Despite an individual’s marque loyalties, the Sprite was a favorite for many thanks to its enduring character and friendly appearance. Whether in Bugeye or square-bodied form, the Sprite was popular with voters that undoubtedly have fond memories of the littlest Healey. Nostalgia alone does not account for its place on this list, rather the innate goodness of the car has contributed to its legacy as the champion among the low budget alternatives.

Fifth Place – Aston Martin DB5 (26.1%)

The most valuable car on the list and likely the most recognized as well

Arguably the most recognized car on the list thanks to its association with Commander James Bond, the DB5 polled as high as third throughout the voting before falling to fifth on the last day. For many, the definitive Aston Martin is also one of the most enduring British sports cars with a following that cuts across all marque loyalties. Priced out of the range of affordability for most enthusiasts, this Newport Pagnell product was most cited as the one to buy from unexpected lottery winnings and we can’t argue with that logic. Built like a bank vault with Ferrari performance levels, the DB5 is undoubtedly an all-time favorite.

Fourth Place – MGA (26.4%)

The prettiest car to ever come out of Abingdon is the highest placed MG on the list

That the MGA finished as the top car from Abingdon was not a surprise as it handily beat the MGB and T-Series models to consistently hold the lead amongst the MGs. Few would question its place as the prettiest MG and those good looks and pleasant driving experience won the model plaudits from Triumph and Healey devotees as well. My personal favorite among the MGs – followed by the TC and TF – the MGA represents an era that changed with the debut of the MGB. It had fantastic styling, good performance and bulletproof reliability, all qualities that made it a solid finisher just off the podium.

Third Place – Austin Healey 100-6 and 3000 (28%)

The 3000 finished just behind its older sibling while offering better levels of comfort and refinement

In voting for the greatest British sports car of all time, the six-cylinder Big Healey finished just behind the iconic E-Type. In voting for the favorite British sports car the Handsome Brute was good for third place overall. With exceptional styling derived from the earlier 100 and an incomparable exhaust note, the 3000 was a clear favorite among the voters. From the first 100-6 to the last BJ8 there was a model for everyone. Side-curtains and a side shift transmission to roll-up windows and a proper convertible top, two seats and four. The last of the hairy chested British sports cars – along with the TR6 – was a solid winner that deserves its high finish here.

Second Place – Austin-Healey 100 (36%)

On road and track the Austin-Healey 100 is rightly considered an all-time favorite

Throughout the voting the race for the top spot was a competition between the original Big Healey and the E-Type with both tied for first for much of the week. With its folding windscreen, lack of door handles and surfeit of torque, the 100 was one of the few cars that could match the Jaguar in both styling and performance. My own personal favorite, the 100 received the most commentary among the voters and it was clear that for many it was a worthy choice for champion – just not enough to unseat what readers last year deemed the greatest of all time.

First Place – Jaguar E-Type (39%)

An enduring symbol of the 60s and every bit the equal of anything from Maranello or Stuttgart

That the Jaguar E-Type won titles as both the greatest and favorite British sports car of all time is little surprise. That it had so much competition from the 100 here is what raises eyebrows. Still, in the end, nothing could derail the iconic cat’s march to the top as Henry Manney’s “greatest crumpet collector of all time” remains first in the hearts and minds of British sports car enthusiasts. Both OTS and FHC, the E-Type combined sensual styling and world class performance in equal measure and those qualities have endured into the model’s second half-century of existence. Maybe next year we’ll be able to come up with a question where the E-Type isn’t the obvious answer – but don’t count on it. The winner and still champion – The Jaguar E-Type.

Here’s the complete list:

1. Jaguar E-Type
2. Austin-Healey 100
3. Austin-Healey 100-6 and 3000
4. MGA
5. Aston Martin DB5
6. Austin-Healey Sprite
7. Triumph GT6
8. Triumph TR4/4A
9. Triumph TR3/3A
10. MGB
11. Morgan Plus Four
12. Triumph TR5/TR250
13. Sunbeam Tiger
14. MGC
15. Lotus Seven
16. Aston Martin DB4
17. Triumph TR6
18. Triumph Spitfire
19. Lotus Elan
20. Jaguar XK150
21. Jaguar XK120
22. Lotus Elite
23. MG TC
24. Triumph TR2
25. AC Ace
26. Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mk III
27. MGB GT
28. MG Midget
29. MG TF
30. Healey Silverstone
31. MG TD
32. Jensen Interceptor
33. Jaguar XK140
34. Triumph TR7
35. Aston Martin DB6
36. Aston Martin DBS
37. Arnolt-Bristol
38. Allard J2X
39. Triumph Herald and Vitesse
40. Triumph TR8
41. Triumph Stag
42. Sunbeam Alpine Sports
43. Jensen-Healey
44. AC Aceca
45. Sunbeam Alpine
46. Frazer-Nash Le Mans Replica
47. Daimler SP250 Dart
48. Marcos GT
49. Elva Courier
50. Jowett Jupiter