1974-80 Triumph Spitfire 1500
Current Value: $5,000
The "last man standing" in the slow decline of British sports cars in America, the Spitfire is nearly the ideal of its type. Its long, graceful nose and crisp driving style -- greatly helped by the car's extremely light weight -- make the Spitfire a unique experience. Some drivers will find the nearly skateboard-high ride height a trifle terrifying in a world with SUV bumpers aimed at your head.
Cars like this, and the stubbier MG, ultimately inspired the modern Mazda Miata which offers a similar experience in a safer and more dependable, but more expensive, package.
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