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Saab claim to be “bringing quirky back” reports PistonHeads.com, through the revamp of the classic 99/900, which is inspiring the creation of the new 9-3. It can be argued that Saab is also bringing sexy back using the spirit of the old Saab and utilising its “quirky roots”.

Spyker might have only just got their hands on the Saab legacy, but already the new owner Mr Victor Muller has big plans for the company, saying “within two years, the entire production line-up will be renewed”. Some might say these are big plans for such a small company, in fact these are almost the exact words reported on Top Gear, who have reported that “Saab globally sells 100,000 – 150,000 cars, while the likes of Mercedes, BMW and Audi do 10 times that amount”. In order for Mr Muller to get the success he believes is possible all of us car enthusiasts need more than just sentiment for this classic car maker, which Top Gear believe the simple answer is “people just need to start buying Saabs again”.

According to Dutch car news website Autointernationaal, “Spyker wants to bring back the essence of the old Saab 99/900 series with the next 9-3”. With additional body styles and using the Vauxhall Astra platform and its turbocharged 1.4-litre motor you should expect this new car to be here sooner rather than later.

TopGear.com reports that it’s a tough job to be distinctive when you’re a “small company who can’t afford its own proper engineering”, which is why with the injection of £347 million, approved by the European Investment Bank, Saab will have the fuel and resources to “develop and build fine cars” placing them in the position of being a credible rival to BMW and Audi.

Since the deal has been made between General Motors and Spyker there has been a lot of scepticism about the future of the Saab name, but the million dollar question is, can Saab attract customers back to the classic brand and make a profit? According to BBC News, Mr Muller of Saab has high hopes for the company and believes that “the main reason why we think Saab will succeed is its unique brand”.

Classic sports cars, those three words written, come up together to form an image of grandeur, speed and extravagance. For who can afford classic sports cars? Only the affluent of course! But for the average ‘Joe’ who may dream of some day having his own classic sports car and hopes to know more about it, this article is meant solely to provide information on this amazing ‘king of the road’.

First know the foremost brands of classic sports cars.

1. Lotus

Lotus is famous for coming up with the Lotus Elise 11S, Lotus Elise Motorsport, Lotus Elan, Lotus Europa Twin Cam, Lotus Super Seven S4, Lotus Elan SE Turbo and Lotus Super Seven Replica by Birkin.

2. Austin Healey Sprite

Only Austin Healey Sprite can come up with the Bugeye Sprite Race Car with an outstanding 250 horsepower! The 1960 Speedwell Sprite Vintage Race Car is another force to reckon with, as well as the 1962 Austin Healey Sprite MK.

3. Austin Mini

Austin Mini boasts of the Mini Cooper that comes in excellent colours and for $13,000, it is quite a steal!

4. TVR

The TVR has this elite collection of classic sports cars like the TVR Tuscan Challenge Race Car, TVR S2 Roadster, TVR Taimar Coupe and TVR 2500M.

5. Birkin

The classic sports car is almost synonymous to the brand Birkin, as it is made famous with Louts Super Seven replicas and offers Birkin S3, Birkin C-S3 Street, among other roadsters that come with the Ford ZETEC engine, four-wheeled disc brakes and a heavy-duty aluminium body.

6. Jaguar

The Jaguar is the ‘mighty’ classic sports car that men cannot get enough of. With the Jaguar E-type Coupe, Jaguar X-Type Track Car and Jaguar C-Type replica, this is the brand that really pushes classic sports cars several ‘to the limit’.

7. Triumph

Jaguar-engine Triumph roars just as a classic sports car is expected to do. Classic models like the 1969 Triumph Spitfire MK III and 1960 Triumph TR3A stand for what Triumph is all about – sophistication and power.

Here are some books that inform the reader on how to keep the classic sports cars in tiptop shape: “Classic Car Restorer’s Handbook,” “Fun and Profit Buying, Showing and Selling Vintage and Classic Cars,” “Restoration of Antique and Classic Cars,” “Budget Auto Restoration: Low Cost, Step-By-Step Tricks” and “How to Rebuild and Modify Your Muscle Car.”

The classic sports car exudes action and nobility. No wonder, it never goes out of style.