The most beautiful cars ever made

What makes a car beautiful? Without getting into the philosophy of what makes one car more beautiful than another, here are 10 cars, in no particular order, that would turn heads anywhere for their outstanding looks. We couldn't put every car that we would have liked so if a car is not on the list, it doesn't mean we didn't think it was beautiful.

Jaguar E-type
Timeless elegance is what has made the Jaguar E-type a poll topper in votes for 'the most beautiful car' since it was first launched in 1961. Fifty over years on, it's smooth flowing lines still make it a head turner. Designed by Malcolm Sayer, Enzo Ferrari himself called it "The most beautiful car ever made".

Alfa Romeo Spider
The roadster produced by Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1993 only underwent minor aesthetic and mechanical changes throughout its three decades. It was designed by Battista Pininfarina and Franco Martinengo at Pininfarina. Personally, we like the 1970 version best for the cut-off tail.

Aston Martin DB9
The aluminium bodied Aston Martin DB9 was designed by Ian Callum and Henrik Fisker. The V12 engined super luxury sports car is just plain gorgeous.

Lotus Turbo Esprit
Even if this car hadn't appeared in the James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me, it would have been a head turner. Even though it has been 38 years since it was launched at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, the car still attracts attention with its long, angular lines.

Mercedes-Benz SL
The first in the long line of SL-Class grand tourer convertibles and the fastest production car of its day, the gull-wing doors are the most distinctive feature of the car. This is the car that changed the image of Mercedes-Benz from manufacturer of solid but staid cars to producer of stylish, sporty cars.

Aston Martin DB5
One of the most recognised cars in the world, largely due to its appearance in the James Bond film, Goldfinger, the DB5 was designed by Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera.  Besides the James Bond films, DB5 has also appeared in movies like The Cannonball Run, an episode of "The Saint" TV series, The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Porsche 911 series
It doesn't really matter which series, the Porsche 911's design has been distinctive and durable since it was penned by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and Erwin Komenda.

Ferrari
It doesn't really matter which Ferrari, they're all gorgeous super sportscars which were the pinnacle of pioneering sports car design in their day. Here we're decided to feature the Ferrari 308 GTS which was the model driven by Tom Selleck in his role as Thomas Magnum in the TV series, Magnum PI.
Jaguar XJ220
The fastest production car in 1992 before it was toppled from its roost by the McLaren F1, the XJ220 was a collaboration between Jaguar and specialist automotive and race engineering company Ton Walkinshaw Racing. Designed by Jim Randle and Keith Helfet, just 275 cars were produced.
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class W113
Designed by Paul Bracq and Bela Barenyi, the W113 SL was also known as the Pagoda top for its distinctive, patented, slightly concave hardtop.