MIKE FINNIS’ TOP TEN

Blower Bentley

‘All the glamour of Le Mans and the Bentley boys, so crude in some ways yet immensely fast and powerful for the time. I’d love to find out what it’s like to drive such a beast.’

Lamborghini Miura

‘A most beautiful car, it still looks modern more than 50 years on. Iconic opening to The Italian Job.’

Willys Jeep

‘I love the triumph of function over form. Everything is stripped down to the absolute basics. The most complex control is the light switch which has a multitude of different permutations. It helped make history too.’

AC Ace

‘ACS were built just down the road from where I live, so I’d love to drive one. The Cobra was half American and there are so many replicas the Ace just seems to be more in the AC tradition.’

Jaguar E-type

‘The most beautiful and recognisable car, a work of art just to look at. Made Ferrari levels of glamour relatively affordable. The car I would buy if my lottery numbers come up.’

Aston Martin DB5

‘James Bond and Sixties glamour. My uncle worked for Aston at Feltham, at a time when my father was driving ancient Morris Oxfords and Austin A40s.’

Mercedes 300SL Gullwing

‘Associated with the famed ‘Silver Arrows’ racers and one of my heroes, Stirling Moss. Way ahead of its time.’

MG TA

‘Evocative of an England long gone. A chance to enjoy some exhilarating driving without risking your licence.’

Lotus Cortina MKI

‘I remember riding in my cousin’s Cortina GT and it seemed so exciting after my father’s ancient saloons. The Lotus is a Cortina on steroids, and was raced by another hero of mine, Jim Clark. Looks great too.’

Rover P6 3500

‘Another car that was ahead of its time, and always highly praised in period road tests.’