We can all agree that classic cars are exceptional. They represent desirable objects for most car enthusiasts for one good reason; they simply don’t make cars like those anymore. Modern-day German cars are finicky and frail. However, back in the day, they were over-engineered, making them perfect classics for daily driver duty.
Some of the coolest classics are from Germany, including their performance M5s, M3s, and AMGs. Even though most people know of these performance models, they were not the only cool classics from the Germans. They also made some truly fabulous cars that would make great projects.
10 Mercedes-Benz W123
The W123 is considered by some the finest car of the 20th century. The entirety of the W123 lineup consisted of an unprecedented diversity of vehicles. Most of which had carburetted and fuel injected four- and six-cylinder petrol engines and four- and five-cylinder diesel engines, including turbodiesels.
Besides the plethora of engines, the W123 was available in four body styles; a sedan, coupe, wagon, and limousine. It was one of the best-made vehicles by Mercedes, making it a reasonable option for most families. Nowadays, the W123 is still a sturdy car, and it’s one of the cheapest ways to drive a Mercedes.
9 Porsche 944
The 944 was one of the cars that didn’t carry the cache of the infamous 911. It was an equally special but less popular Porsche, with its front engine placement and strategic gearbox placement to help deliver better handling. Not only was the 944 a symbol of the ’80s, but it also doubled up as a comfortable grand tourer.
You can get a good 944 from as low as $6,000 and enjoy a plethora of engines that produce reasonable power for a car of its age. All 944s offer decent gas mileage, and their parts are readily available. This makes the 944 a great project car for the 21st century.
8 Mercedes-Benz W114
The W114 was the first post-war production car from Mercedes. Mercedes used a newly engineered chassis, making it one of the finest cars from the ’60s and ’70s. A few things make the W114 a great project car; its low entry prices and underappreciated design never fade away.
You can find a good W114 from as low as $5,500, making it an excellent fit for a restomod. The coupes are slightly higher priced but make great-looking project cars. When restored correctly, the W114 is easy to drive, even in daily traffic. Its spares are also readily available, making it a great project car candidate.
7 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2
The GTI Mk2 is renowned for its superb handling and incomparable agility on the road. It was Volkswagen’s answer to their dwindling sales. The GTI had a fuel-injected 1.8-liter engine and was a more attractive proposition for most people.
The GTI Mk2 is small, practical, affordable, and extremely fun to own and drive. It’s a modern-day icon, and buying it as a project car lets you travel in style. All bits of the Mk2 are well-made; therefore, you don’t have to spend a fortune on repairs and maintenance.
6 BMW E30
Nowadays, the E30 is a ’80s icon with a cult-like following. Over the years, car enthusiasts have come to love the E30. The 3 Series has been BMW’s bread and butter, and the E30 is no exception. It’s among the cars that offer compact luxury, reliability, and great style.
Of all the 3 Series generations, the E30 offers excellent value for money. There are many options to consider, including the two-door convertible, two-door coupe, and four-door sedan. These are reasonably affordable, unless you opt for the more powerful M3.
5 Mercedes-Benz SL600 R129
When looking for a usable classic car, the R129 makes a great choice. The introduction of the R129 SL in 1989 represented a seismic shift in the automotive world. It was a bold, modern and sophisticated grand tourer that paved the way for Mercedes-Benz design language.
The R129 was considered near perfect, especially with its wide range of engines. Nowadays, you can find an R129 with an inline six, V6, V8, or V12 engine. All models are readily available, with the V12 being the most powerful with 390 hp.
4 Audi TT Mk1
The TT was Audi’s answer to the demand for affordable European sports cars. It was based on the shortened Golf 4motion platform and was aimed at the Porsche Boxster market. The TT is a brilliant derivation of the Golf and was available in four-wheel drive and a plethora of 1.8 turbo engines.
Audi TT has a great looking 2+2 coupe setup combined with Boxster beating performance. The TT also has strong build quality, making it loved by many. All these features make the TT a great project car, especially when looking for affordable power.
3 BMW E28
The E28 is arguably one of the best vehicles from Bavaria. It’s the best option for anyone searching for a classic and practical project car. Compared to the E30, the E28 is larger and better looking. It’s one of the best sleepers, since it can easily hide its performance under its wedge-shaped luxury looks.
BMW’s E28 was their first understated performance car. It managed to stand tall in an era where luxury cars were tepid and strangled by underfunding and emission regulations. The E28 offers affordable luxury, and it’s a great project car since you can easily find the right modifications and spare parts.
2 Audi Quattro
The Quattro is a technical masterpiece and an icon in the rally world. Looking at the Audi Quattro, you can see a squarish, practical car. Its understated styling hides the fact that under the skin is one of the most innovative cars.
This rally world icon had advanced technologies when first launched in the 80s. It had many cool features and plenty of power to match from a turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing 302 hp. It also had a clever all-wheel-drive system that made it one of the most successful rally cars ever.
1 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
The 50s were successful for Volkswagen, especially because of the Beetle. However, VW still wanted a good sports car to compete with other European manufacturers. The company returned to the drawing board and came up with the Karmann Ghia.
The Karmann Ghia was an instant hit in its era, since it was the most luxurious and fastest VW model. This makes it an excellent solution for anyone who wants to stand out with their classic project car. The Karmann Ghia features superior styling over many VW models
