The car that got away: the leading contenders

Votes have been flooding in for Britain’s great lost automotive love, and the order is beginning to take shape. From the seventies, it’s the testosterone-soaked coupé, and from the eighties the undisputed daddy of all hot hatches. From the nineties it’s the Ford that every scallywag worth his salt had his eye on, and from the noughties it’s an ultra sleek German coupé.

If you think you spot a glaring omission and your car that got away is nowhere to be seen, don’t worry, there’s still time! You have until 14^th June to cast your vote and be in with a chance of winning £10k.

Click here to cast your vote

Over 30 years, Hitachi Personal Finance has been helping more than five million UK customers achieve their dream and finally get their mitts on the car that got away.

It has been voted the UK’s Best Direct Loan Provider and it’s easy to see why. With some of the lowest rates on the market, you can borrow between £2,500 and £25,000 at rates as low as 3.8% and the funds could be in your account with 48 hours.

Negotiating is always easier with the money in your hand, so you’ll be in a great position to get the deal you want for the car you just have to have.

So peruse this collection of the current four category leaders and decide if they get your vote, or are robbing another motoring legend of the title of the car that got away. 

This American-inspired, British-born beast was brought to life by the man who designed the Mustang, and it’s not hard to see its stateside muscle car pedigree. Depending on their condition, these days they can set you back between £2,000-£20,000. £4,000 gets you a nice 1.3-litre, but if you can stretch a few grand further you can nab yourself a dreamy V6. If it’s been well cared for, it’s a brilliant classic buy. If not, maybe rather you than us!

Click here to cast your vote

It just had to be didn’t it? It remains the high watermark of its kind to this day, and anyone who was fooled by its unassuming exterior was soon shocked by its supercar-bothering grunt. They tend to age very well so are a fairly safe bet, although even German classics aren’t totally rustproof, and mind those good old eighties brakes! A good one will fetch £5,000.

Click here to cast your vote

This insurer’s worst nightmare of a machine is streaking away from its category rivals like it’s got a tracksuited joyrider at the wheel. Its iconic rear wing betrayed its wrong’un credentials, and we loved the Cossie all the more for it. That’s why these days you can expect to take a £25,000-shaped hit, as long as you find one that hasn’t been crashed. Watch out for any white smoke after the start-up – it either means a new Pope’s been elected or the turbo’s about to die.

Click here to cast your vote

The Mk1 TT was technically born in the nineties, but it came of age at the beginning of the noughties and soon matured into a modern classic. The sleek Bauhaus styling and very necessary rear spoiler give it its unmistakable look, often impossible to resist both then and now. If you can’t resist, look for one with pristine bodywork and a low mileage. £4,000 will get you a 225bhp car with 80,000 miles on the clock, and provided the suspension is in good nick, Bob’s your uncle.

Click here to cast your vote