Pretend for just one moment you could drive any car you wanted. Not necessarily own, but just drive once before your time is up. What would they be? Alright, assuming you don’t have a shitload of time to waste, we decided to help you out and show you our list. Some are obvious and some are not so obvious. Take a look and tell us your picks.
1992 – 2002 Toyota Supra 2JZ
With roots going all the way back to Toyota’s first GT car, the 2000GT, the final generation of the Supra was a step toward a real supercar. Get up and go came courtesy of a twin-turbo 6-cylinder mated to 6-speed with rear-wheel drive. Performance parts were plentiful, and who could possibly mistake the extreme rear spoiler?
1964 Ford Thunderbolt
Specially built to go fast in a straight line, the Thunderbolt was built on a Ford Fairlane chassis with extensive modifications such as 427 cid V-8, conservatively rated at 425 hp (600 hp is more like it). That meant aluminum or fiber-glass everywhere and no heat, visors, arm-rests, or mirrors. Nothing extra to slow the going fast. And go fast it did, clocking a quarter mile time of 11.61 seconds at 124 mph.
Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4
With the world record for top speed by a production car at 267 mph, the Veyron is an engineering marvel. Built by Volkswagen’s Bugatti Automobiles from 2005 through 2014, the Veyron is powered by a 16-cylinder engine with quad turbochargers that produces over 1000 hp and requires no less than 10 cooling radiators. All this power comes at a lofty price with the Veyron retailing for over $1 million. Expect maintenance to be costly too as the special Michelin rubber capable of handling the Veyron cost $25,000. Even mounting them is a $70,000 procedure only performed in France.
Ferrari F40
The last Ferrari personally approved by none other than Enzo himself would have to make the cut, right? Produced from 1987 to 1992, the F40 was arguably the most extreme exotic of its day with one car magazine referring to it as a “legal drug.” Hyperbole aside, the F40 was the fastest and most expensive Ferrari ever with a top speed that crested 200 mph and a sticker price of about $400,000.
Aston Martin DB5
Without question, the DB5 is the most iconic and recognized of Commander James Bond’s automobiles. And unless your pockets are extraordinarily deep, you most likely won’t find a DB5 with an ejection seat or champagne cooler. But you will find a 282 hp motor, leather seating, along with unlimited style and elegance.
TVR Cerbera
Ok, we acknowledge that Britain’s TVR made some more aggressive models before closing its doors for some time. But for our (pretend) money, the Cerbera embraces the history of the British sports car design. Taking its name from the devilish three headed beast that guards Hades, the Cerbera was made from 1996 to 2003 and featured the first motor actually made by TVR.
Jeep
With a heritage dating to the 1940s and World War II, the Jeep, in its various forms, is one of the most famous off-road vehicle ever. While we are cool with the idea of driving an early military spec Jeep, it just doesn’t seem practical. So we’re going with the CJ and the later Wrangler for this discussion as they’re ideally suited to perform all sorts of outdoor activities in the style only a Jeep can provide.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window
Heralding a new design for the Corvette, the ‘63 Stingray continues to be one of the most desired and collectible Corvettes of all time. While the new Stingray was lighter than the previous year’s model, power still came from a small block 327 cid that, in top fuel injected form, made 360 hp.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB
Memphis: I’ve been in L.A. for three months now. I have money, I have taste. But I’m not on anybody’s A list and Saturday night is the loneliest night of the week for me.
Roger the Car Salesman: Well, a Ferrari would certainly change that.
Memphis: Perhaps. Mmmm. But, you know, this is the one. Yes, yes, yes…I saw three of these parked outside the local Starbucks this morning, which tells me one thing. There’s too many self indulgent wieners in this city with too much bloody money! Now, if I was driving a 1967 275 GTB 4-cam…
Roger the Car Salesman: You would not be a self-indulgent wiener, sir….You’d be a connoisseur.
Now, we aren’t prone to quoting Gone in 60 Seconds too often. But when it comes to this particular Ferrari, no other words are needed.
Maserati 3500 GT
The combination of subtle aggression and classic styling made the 3500 GT a successful entry into Gran Turismo for Maserati. Available in two configurations, either 2+2 coupe or 2 seat spyder, the 3500 GT began production in 1957 and ended in 1964. But with production of only 2226 vehicles, prices will remain high for this rarity.
