George Osborne’s budget means that cars registered before January 1, 1976, will be exempt from tax in the UK. So which new cars of 1975 are now eligible for this ruling? We’ve rounded five of our favourites – but do you agree with our selections? Let us know at the bottom of this article. We couldn’t find many cars from 1975 itself, but let’s rejoice in some of that year’s finest new car launches. Who knows, keep hold of it long enough and it may become tax-free in time...
1. Ferrari 308 GTB
A so-called junior Ferrari, the 308’s certainly not childish when it comes to performance. Its 3.0-litre V8 pumps out around 210bhp-250bhp, meaning 150mph at the top end. But it’s not just a one-trick, high-speed wonder. Thanks to light weight (especially on the glassfibre version), the mid-engined layout and wonderfully honed suspension, it’s a thoroughly involving, immersive car that’s more Lotus Elise in temperament than, say, the Daytona’s big GT feel. This 1980 car’s done just 50,000 miles and comes in full Magnum PI-spec red. More picture can be gazed upon here
2. Porsche 911 930
The 930 series took the 911’s image and boosted it – literally. Whereas the original 911 is revered for its purity, there’s a wonderfully bluntness to the 930 series, especially in its most famous form, the Turbo. Perhaps the 911 as we know it now, as a new car at least, owes more to the 930 than it does the original series. As it is, the 911 930 Turbo is more than just a car, it’s an experience. This one looks suitably menacing for a car often dubbed a widowmaker. Check it out here (if you dare)
3. BMW 3 Series
When BMW recently split the 3 Series into the 3 (saloon) and 4 (coupe), it signalled the end of one of the great motoring lineages. Over time the 3 Series has turned from an expensive option for those free thinking enough to not buy British, to almost the default purchase for any medium-sized luxury car. The 3 Series line started with the E21, which brought in innovations that now seem second nature for most carmakers, such as a centre console that wraps around the driver. This particular car may be a later, 1981 car but it looks like it’s had a lot of love lavished on it. Check out more images here
4. Triumph TR7
The TR7 was Triumph’s attempt to keep up with the hip young things and their fondness for wedgy styling. Alas traditionalists hated it, corrosion and poor build quality held it back and overheating issues mean that the TR7 isn’t viewed upon fondly by many. But what’s conveniently forgotten was that America loved it, buying them almost as fast as Triumph could make them, thus delaying the UK release by a year. It’s quick if not rocketship-fast and the handling, if the suspension’s been sorted, is hilarious fun. And what’s more, an entirely new generation are switched on to this under-appreciated wedge, finally giving it the adulation it perhaps deserved in its day. This unmolested 1977 example looks like it could be the bedrock of a very memorable summer –check out more pictures here
5. Jaguar XJ-S
Largely unloved when new thanks to the hard it act it had to follow after the E-type, the XJ-S matured gracefully over its years and now has a devoted following all of its own. Warmly decadent and gracefully quick, the XJ-S is a wafting, cruising GT for which the idea of ‘sporty suspension’ is an alien concept. This is a car to glide the continent in, rather than thrash. This 1989 car has done just 55,000 miles, has drop-top desirability and even has an XJS numberplate, just in case you forget what you’re driving. More details here
Nathan Chadwick