The biggest classic car birthdays in 2019

Fetch your candles: it's a year of many celebrations

Remarkably, there are birthdays most years. It’s almost like they’re annual or something. Weird.

It’s not just your nearest and dearest with dates to remember, though: cars and marques have them, too. This year? Land Rover, Porsche and Lotus all celebrated the big 7-0, to name but three.

And 2019 is set to be a truly bumper annum when it comes to anniversaries of birth. From famous models to the biggest names in motoring, there’s a raft of celebrations to note on your calendar.

Just as the New Year’s Honours List recognises important people, so this list recognises the birthdays of important marques. The honours are up to you.

Lancia Delta: 40 years

First up is the Lancia Delta, the Italian family wagon that shipped in 1979 with fully independent suspension, wore a boxy shell styled by Giugiaro and later spawned the mighty HF Integrale, a legendary rally weapon.

Launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1979, the model is turning 40 next year. 

Mazda MX-5: 30 years

Next year is also a milestone for the magnificent MX-5, as the ever-popular Japanese roadster turns 30.

A featherweight, rear-drive legend that’s still in production, the MX-5 in Mk1 guise is arguably the most significant youngtimer you can buy for less than £5k today.

Accessible, appealing and a surefire winner for years to come, a tidy one should offer you as many happy returns as Mazda will get on the big day.

Fiat: 120 years

First of the marque anniversaries and it’s a big one for Fiat in 2019: the iconic Italian marque is turning 120 next year.

Founded in Turin in 1899, the red-badged brand has delivered a host of well-known motors over the years – from the plucky 500 to the dashing Dino to the elegant 124 Spider.

Whether getting sideways on rally stages, borrowing engines from Ferrari or getting half of Italy on the road, Fiat’s done it all in its 12 decades of business. To that, we say saluti.

Ferrari F355: 25 years

Between the nutty F40 and the nuttier F50, Ferrari launched the F355 in 1994 – a very drivable NSX rival equipped with a 3.5-litre motor good for 375bhp and a 183mph top speed.

Styled by Pininfarina, it’s an attractive sports car that’s understated compared to several contemporaries and has aged better, too – which probably helps explain why it’s still sought after today. And, with more than 11,000 built, they’re not too hard to come by. Happy 25th, Fezza.

Ford Capri: 50 years

A fastback Ford coupé for the mean streets of Britain, with muscular styling and an affordable price tag? Little wonder the Capri was such a hit for the Blue Oval, with 400,000 sold in the first two years alone.

Launched at the Brussels Motor Show in 1969 (which, using maths, makes it 50 next year), two further generations would follow before production ceased in 1986, with a whole variety of models and specifications offered – some more successful than others.

Mini: 60 years

Surely one of the biggest bashes of the year will be reserved for this one: Alec Issigonis’ sweet-handling economy car for the masses is hitting the big 6-0 in 2019.

Built under BMC, then British Leyland, then Rover, the diminutive Mini became a bona fide British icon even before it helped Charlie Croker nick a bus-load of gold from some Italians.

From winning the Monte Carlo in tuned Cooper form to ferrying Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean about town, the Mini is pocket-sized proof that small can be oh-so-mighty.

Abarth: 70 years

Born back in 1949 out of the remnants of the Cisitalia marque, Abarth rapidly rose to racing fame by producing impressive competition cars – and, from 1952, revamping Fiat machines for the same purpose.

Across the following decades, Abarth would deliver a raft of remarkable race-tuned models, revising the likes of the 500 and 750 for Fiat, as well as creating the Abarth Simca 2000. The scorpion crest is still around today, badging Fiat’s performance models.

Chevrolet Corvair: 60 years

A car legendary for a supposedly fatal suspension flaw, the Chevrolet Corvair – once dubbed a “one-car accident” by Ralph Nader – was subsequently cleared and, as it turns 60 next year, might rightly be due for a re-evaluation.

Sure, it wasn’t without its flaws, but those clean ’50s lines are easy to appreciate – just ask Jay Leno: he owns one. Whether he’ll be celebrating the birthday is a different matter.

VW–Porsche 914: 50 years

A funky crossover project by VW and Porsche, the two-seater 914 remains an intriguing prospect as much today as it did when it launched back in 1969. 

Available with either a flat-four or flat-six engine, the striking middie was a long way from the 911 in styling and never quite captured the public’s attention in the same way, but it’s since gained quite a following – which means there should be plenty interested in celebrating its 50th next year.

Fiat 128/130: 50 years

Besides the marque’s 120th birthday, two important Fiat models are set to celebrate 50-year milestones next year – the 128 and 130, both launched in 1969.

The former was a small family wagon (equipped with a 49bhp motor) that sold millions in Europe and was widely built under licence – most notably as the Zastava 128. The latter? A six-cylinder machine built for just eight years and pitched at executives, with its V6 performance and comfortable interior. Both are worth remembering at 60.

Jaguar Mk2: 60 years

Far more than a facelift, the Jaguar Mk 2 – which arrived in 1959 to replace the ageing 2.4-litre and 3.4-litre models – was a spacious, attractive and eminently drivable executive saloon.

It might not be remembered outside enthusiast circles (largely because the seminal E-type launched just two years later), but the Mk 2 reset the benchmark for cruising Jaguars, with speed, style and grace in spades – and that remains the case even as it turns 60.

Renault: 120 years

Another big marque, another big birthday: French staple Renault is also turning 120 next year.

Founded by three brothers in 1899, the marque has given the world everything from the sit-up-and-beg Voiturette to the supermini 4CV to the boxy rally legend that is the 5 Turbo – not to mention a host of Alpine-tuned machines, a fleet of Formula 1 cars, the ubiquitous Clio and, well, beaucoup plus.

Perhaps it could have a joint bash with Fiat?

Rolls-Royce Phantom V: 60 years

If this next car’s having a big birthday bash for its 60th, you can expect it to be a pretty exclusive party: the Phantom V was the last word in cruising luxury when it launched back in 1959, complete with 6.2-litre V8 motor, automatic transmission and power-assisted steering as standard.

Just 516 of the high-end Rollers were built and most were popular with dignitaries and royalty. Everyone from the Queen to John Lennon had one (see picture), so the celebration should have quite the guest list.

Marcos: 60 years

Perhaps not as well known as some other names on this list, it’s well worth remembering the sports car marque as we hit 60 years since its inception.

Founded in Wales by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin, Marcos frequently struggled to stay afloat during its tumultuous 48-year run, but still managed to produced some magnificent cars – including the stunning 3-litre, the strange Mini Marcos and the startling Mantis XP.

Rover P4: 70 years

Not sure what a P4 is? You might know it better by one of its on-sale denominations – such as the 75 or 90.

In fact, it was under that first moniker that the mid-size saloon launched in 1949, offering accessible luxury for well-heeled executives – some 130,000 of which opted to buy a P4 in one guise or another. Not perhaps as iconic as some on this list, but still a model worth celebrating as it reaches 70.

Bentley: 100 years

Le Mans winner, luxury car connoisseur and, erm, SUV maker: British marque Bentley has added many strings to its proverbial bow over the years – which means there’s plenty to celebrate as the renowned name hits its ton.

From the mighty 4½ Litre and Speed Six, via the R Type and Turbo R, to the Mulsanne and Continental GT, Bentley knows how to make fine motor cars that go really rather fast – though it’s still a struggle to decide whether we’d rather be sat behind the wheel or in the back.

Austin-Healey 3000: 60 years

For many the quintessential British sports car (thanks to its blend of open-top style, plucky 2.9-litre performance and sheer drivability), Austin-Healey’s bonny roadster turns 60 next year – and it’s still a car that many would love to own.

The most popular of the Big Healeys, the 3000’s ironically small stature didn’t stop it from enjoying success in both showrooms and competition over eight years and three models. It’s still heaps of fun today – and they don’t make ’em with grilles like that any more.

Citroën: 100 years

We told you 2019 was a big year for birthdays – and Citroën is yet another car maker celebrating its centenary.

Founded in Saint-Ouen way back in 1919 by one André-Gustave Citroën, the iconic French name has delivered legend after legend over the last 99 years – whether the farmer-friendly 2CV, the towering Traction Avant seen in Tintin, the seminal, stylish and self-levelling DS or the head-turning SM coupé.

And, while more recent models might not be quite as groundbreaking, you can’t knock a brand with eight WRC wins to its name. Have a good one, Citroën.

M1 motorway: 60 years

OK, so this last one’s not a classic car. It’s not even a marque. But it’s surely responsible for some of the best British cruisers ever made.

See, without the M1, which opened in 1959 as Britain’s first city-to-city motorway, manufacturers wouldn’t have needed to make machines that could devour mile-upon-mile of open road. And, in those days, it was a very open road, with no speed limits, barriers or lights.

We’re thinking of cars such as the E-type. The DB5. The Silver Shadow. So we’ll be raising a glass to the M1 when it turns 60 next year – even if the traffic’s a nightmare nowadays.