The Ten Ultimate Automobiles Of The Century

Achievements in automotive design and engineering began in 1880s. However, over the years, few have stand-out with the quality of the ultimate automobiles of the century. Dennis Adler, award-winning automotive historian, photographer, and editor-in-chief of Car Collector magazine, named in his book "The Art of the Automobile" the "Top Ten Cars of the Century." Why they deserve such accolade? Here are the reasons:

1. Model J. Duesenberg - The most famous American car of the classic era, Model J. Duesenberg made its debut at the New York Automobile Salon in December 1928. It has massive chromed and polished straight-eight engine, twin overhead camshafts, and four valves per cylinder. Its drop-forged crankshaft is made of heat-treated chrome nickel and aluminum alloy pistons. To ensure effective performance, the crankshaft, was counterweighted and balanced statically and dynamically. It also has vibration damper with two 10-ounce cartridges of mercury.

2. Mercedez-Benz 540K - It seems everyone want to own this car but only few of them actualy do. Mercedez-Benz 540K is the boldest car of the 1930s-era classic.

3. Packard Twelve - Adler wrote, "Any list of the greatest cars ever built will have Packard Twelve." Known for its durability and quality, it is one of the most reliable engines since 1930s.

4. Hispano-Suiza J 12 - The celebrated Spanish firm of Hispano-Suiza entered the multicylinder wars of the classic era in 1931. J 12 is the most expensive car in the organization's history, with its legendary six-cylinder engines. It has the capability of reaching a top-speed in excess of 110 mph and could clip the distance from 0 to 60 mph in just 12 seconds. Hispano-Suiza produced only 100 J-12s, making it one of the rarest cars of the time.

5. Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic - Often called as the "Electron Coupe," rank among the best styled high-performance cars of the 1930s. The 57 Atlantic was based on the most succesful Bugattis, the Type 57. Car production started in 1934. There are 750 cars produced of this model.

6. Talbot-Lago T150 SS Teardrop Coupe - Many considers this car as the most desirable classics of all time because of its sweptback aerodynamic styling.

7. Delage D8 120 Aero Coupe - Another classic car inspired by the aerodynamic vogue of the 1930s, Delage D8 120 Aero Coupe is a French car originally built for display at the 1939 New York World's Fair. There are only few of these model produced, one of the rarest French classics.

8. Ferrari 250 GTO - Many car experts agree that Ferrari 250 GTO is the most significant Ferrari of all time. It is the rarest and most desirable road race car ever and won virtually every major sports car race during 1962 t0 64. TheScaglietti coachwork of 250 GTO exudes aggressive elegance. There are only total of 39 Ferraris built of this model through 1964. Author/photographer/Ferrari expert Winston Goodfellow says 250 GTO is "the most thrilling Ferrari" he'd ever driven. With its 300-horsepower, 7,000-rpm V-12, it's arguably the most exciting road race car of all time.

9. Mercer Raceabout - One of the most advanced automobile designs of the early 1900s, it is one antique car power known for its water-cooled inline four-cylinder T-head.

10. Mercedez-Benz 300SL – The list of the ultimate automobile wouldn’t be complete without the Mercedez Benz 300SL. It is the most recognized sports car ever created. Why? Gullwing coupe is one idea in the automotive design that only worked once. The 300 series engine, driveline, suspension, and brakes are perfectly fitted to this car custom-built tubular steel chassis with an alloy and steel body unique in the whole world. Total production was limited to only 1,400 from 1954 to 57.