CLASSICS TO BUY NOW
With their near-perfect weight distribution, mid-engined classics are famed for their handling and exotic looks. Here is our pick of the bunch, no matter how much you have to spend…
What makes mid-engined classics special? When you consider the obvious advantages of a midship design, it’s no surprise that a large number of today’s sporting classics benefit from this superb layout. At the very least a mid-engined car brings weight distribution that’s close to perfect, which has a knock-on effect on handling and roadholding.
That much is obvious; after all, having the heaviest single component sited closer to the centre of a vehicle will improve roadholding naturally, thanks to a reduction in the car’s moment of inertia. But there are other benefits, for with so much extra weight near to the rear tyres there’s less chance of wheel spin when pulling away in wet or slippery conditions, versus a conventional front-engined/ RWD classic. Braking can also be more balanced for the same reasons of grip.
There are downsides, of course, including passengers being pushed forward, which explains why most mid-engined cars are two-seaters. Then there’s the fact that luggage space is often compromised, which again means that the layout is less suited to the four-seater market.
But who cares about that? The fact is, there’s a plethora of mid-engined sporting classics on today’s market – with something for literally every budget, from just a few thousand pounds to six-figure sums.
We tasked the Classic Car Weekly team with assembling the best cars for all price points for readers to consider. And don’t forget to let us know what you think!
