Twelve outstanding cars, one coveted title. Choose your favourite from our shortlist and help decide the Classic American Car of the Year 2026, sponsored by North Hants Tyres and Kingstown Shipping.
From pre-war elegance and extravagant ’50s styling to muscle cars and a modern-classic pick-up, Classic American has featured a wonderful variety of cars throughout 2026. Now we want you to choose your favourite.
We’ve nominated one car from each of the year’s 12 issues to create our Car of the Year shortlist. Some have undergone remarkable restorations, others have been carefully preserved, while several showcase their owners’ ideas and engineering skills.
Take a look at all 12 contenders below, then use the voting form at the bottom of this page to make your choice.
Voting closes at 23:59 GMT on 31 December 2026.
Car A: 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88
Owner: John Thorpe
Featured: January 2026
Finished in immaculate Onyx Black, John’s stunning Super 88 combines handsome ’50s styling with desirable J-2 Tri-Power spec. Three two-barrel Rochester carburettors help its 371cu.in V8 produce 312bhp, giving this beautifully presented sedan plenty of performance to complement its looks.
Car B: 1937 Buick Special Series 40
Owner: Alex Holme
Featured: February 2026
Alex’s Buick Special Series 40 Sports Coupe is a fine example of pre-war American elegance. Its Art Deco-inspired detailing and high standard of presentation make it a pleasure to admire, while our time behind the wheel revealed that it’s an absolute joy to drive, too.
Car C: 1965 Ford Mustang V8
Owner: Neil Marsh
Featured: March 2026
Originally built with a straight-six, Neil’s Poppy Red Mustang was uprated to 289 V8 spec as early as 1968. This first-generation example has since been restored to a very high standard, earning praise for the extraordinary attention to detail throughout.
Car D: 1967 Mustang ‘Super Snake’
Owner: Paul Hartley
Featured: April 2026
Built by Paul to a superb standard, this ’67 Mustang pays tribute to the one-off Super Snake. A bored-out 351cu.in V8 supplies the power, supported by uprated running gear that ensures the engineering lives up to the car’s purposeful appearance.
Car E: 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T
Owner: Dan Errington
Featured: May 2026
Beautifully preserved and largely original, Dan’s Coronet R/T benefits from a later respray in the correct F5 metallic green. The white vinyl roof and matching two-tone green interior complete a particularly appealing combination on this handsome Dodge.
Car F: 1968 Ford Torino ‘Pro-Street’
Owner: Chris Szabo
Featured: June 2026
Featuring the 428cu.in Cobra Jet option, Chris’s Torino has received an extensive ‘Pro-Street’ transformation. Original panels combine with substantial re-engineering and super-wide rear wheels and tyres to create a Ford with unmistakable presence.
Car G: 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Owner: Steve Hayward
Featured: July 2026
Steve’s hugely impressive Mach 1 retains its original 351cu.in Cleveland V8, while a few subtle upgrades add to its appeal. Its condition and presentation make it a fitting representative of one of the most celebrated names in Mustang history.
Car H: 1968 Cadillac Coupe deVille
Owner: Paul Ross
Featured: August 2026
Measuring almost 19 feet long and boasting a 472cu.in V8, Paul’s Cadillac embraces the scale and extravagance of ’60s American luxury. This imposing Coupe deVille brings a generous helping of road presence to our shortlist.
Car I: 1959 Pontiac Bonneville
Owner: Jono Whatton
Featured: September 2026
Jono’s Bonneville underwent a remarkable transformation from rust bucket to showstopper, with the restoration taking place in Lithuania. The result is an immaculate example of a rare Pontiac, backed by a fascinating story of its return to glory.
Car J: 1990 Chevrolet C1500 Sport
Owner: Fin North Thompson
Featured: October 2026
This very well-preserved C1500 Sport makes a strong case for including a modern-classic pick-up among our contenders. Retaining its original 350cu.in V8, Fin’s Chevrolet is a credit to its young owner and adds welcome variety to the shortlist.
Car K: 1971 Chevrolet Corvette
Owner: Joshua Perry
Featured: November 2026
Joshua’s 350cu.in Corvette Convertible is an attention-grabber even by C3 standards. Its distinctive factory-spec War Bonnet Yellow paintwork complements an exceptional restoration, which built on the foundations of an already very decent survivor.
Car L: 1959 Chevrolet Impala
Owner: Albert Houston
Featured: December 2026
A relatively recent addition to Albert’s American car collection, this beautiful Impala showcases Chevrolet’s unmistakable ’59 ‘batwing’ styling. Its dramatic rear-end treatment looks every bit as striking today as it did when new.
Cast your vote
Which of these 12 cars deserves to be crowned Classic American Car of the Year 2026?
Whether you favour originality, restoration craftsmanship, ingenious modifications or simply a car you’d love to have in your garage, the choice is yours.
Select your favourite in the form below and submit your vote before 23:59 GMT on 31 December 2026.
With thanks to North Hants Tyres and Kingstown Shipping for sponsoring Classic American Car of the Year 2026.
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