Every car person has at least one machine they would love to own if only they could rustle up the dough. This concept has been the focus of many lists and shows over the decades, including “Dream Car Garage,” a weekly Canadian-produced series that ran from 2002 to 2012.
The idea remains as fresh as ever: pick the cars you would buy if you had an infinite amount of money. To paraphrase longtime co-presenter Thomas Hnatiw, do you need cars like this? No. Do you want cars like this? Oh yeah.
So, I’ve decided to be the latest to select my dream garage. It’s not just about raw performance and excitement, but also historical and cultural significance. These ten rides have left an undeniable mark on the scene, making them worth preserving or enjoying.
#1 – 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The late Carroll Shelby was a man among boys in the automotive world. He won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans as a driver, a designer, and a team manager, and he’s also responsible for the best versions of the world’s most famous pony car. The Mustang Shelby GT500 has seen several incarnations, but I love the most recent generation.
With a 760-hp supercharged V8 engine, a Tremec dual-clutch transmission, and a precision suspension, this muscle car rivals the best high-performance sports cars with a brash American attitude. A new Shelby GT500 is being tested, but for now, the 2020 edition can’t be beaten.
#2 – 1987 Porsche 959 S
Many people point to the Carrera GT as Porsche’s apex, but the 959 set the stage. Originally developed for Group B rally racing, the 959 became commercially available in 1986 as the world’s fastest road-legal production car, reaching nearly 200 mph. This hypercar was ahead of its time, foreseeing the modern age of twin-turbo engines and standard AWD.
My official pick is the 1987-1988 Porsche 959 S, which had larger turbochargers to increase output to over 500 hp. Only 29 Porsche 959 S models were manufactured, but the mark it left on the landscape is permanent. Some have sold at auction for over $2.5 million!
#3 – 1963 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage
This British sports car shot to global fame as James Bond’s vehicle in the Goldfinger and Thunderball movies. Even without that, the Aston Martin DB5 would still be a great car. It may not have come with machine guns and ejector seats, but it did produce 282 hp (fantastic for its time) with posh handling and classic coupe aesthetics.
I would go one step further and look for an Aston Martin DB5 with the Vantage upgrade package, which increased output to 325 hp. The DB5 was among the era’s top performers, and when you add the Hollywood connection, it belongs in my collection.
#4 – 1973 International Harvester Scout II
The Scout series may seem quaint compared to today’s SUVs. But while the Chevy Suburban and Willys Jeep were the first sport utility vehicles, the International Harvester Scout proved that a rugged SUV could also be a great family vehicle. And it came from a tractor company!
For my infinite money, the 1973 Scout II is the sweet spot. It was available with multiple V8 engines as a hardtop, a ragtop, or a half-cab roadster. The round headlamps and 14-bar grille are instantly recognizable. Plus, tons of parts are available to create a faithful restoration or a restomod.
#5 – 1987 Ferrari F40
Plenty of Ferrari models are dream garage contenders, but I’ll go with the 1987 Ferrari F40 for a few reasons. Like every Ferrari, it was conceived as a “race car for the road”—in this case, one that also celebrated Ferrari’s 40th anniversary as a street car manufacturer.
Considered the automaker’s second supercar after the 288 GTO, this was Ferrari’s most powerful automobile to date, with a claimed top speed of 203 mph plus innovative composite body materials and styling. What’s more, this is the final car that Enzo Ferrari personally approved before his death. You can’t put a price on that history.
#6 – 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO
I’ll come back to modern times for my next selection. The Nissan GT-R (Gran Turismo Racing) has a rich history dating back to 1969. But for sheer performance, the 2024 R35 NISMO edition is where it’s at. You might not imagine a supercar from a mainstream value brand, but Nissan is always ready to surprise.
The GT-R NISMO boasts a 600-hp twin-turbo V6 engine, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, a racing-tuned suspension, and increased body rigidity to go fast. The 2024 model also received aerodynamic updates and a front limited-slip differential for more downforce and grip. It wouldn’t sit in my garage—it would go straight to the track!
#7 – 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV
Less than a decade after founding his supercar company, Ferruccio Lamborghini was on top of the world thanks to vehicles like the Miura SV. It took everything people loved about the original Lamborghini Miura, like the V12 rear transverse engine and low-slung body, and added new motor tuning, wider tires, and a unique nose.
The result was a road-ready car that could reach a then-unheard-of 180 mph. Only 150 Miura SVs were produced, making it as rare as it is beautiful. This car is so sought after that, in 2024, one sold at Sotheby’s for $4.9 million. Talk about money being no object!
#8 – 1987 Buick GNX
As you can see, I have a soft spot for the late 1980s. It was a great time for unexpected vehicles, as this final edition of the Buick Grand National shows. Buick is known as a premium brand, but had a remarkable 1980s high-performance run that culminated with this behemoth.
With McLaren Performance Technologies lending a hand, the GNX (Grand National Experimental) used a twin-turbo V6 engine to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds—faster than the era’s best supercars. It’s not something you would expect from a car that looked like an all-black grocery-getter. Buick produced 547 GNX models, and each is treasured.
#9 – 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Who says a car that’s currently in production can’t be a dream car? The Corvette ZR1 variant has come and gone since 1970. The latest return puts all the others to shame and should be coveted by serious car enthusiasts with unlimited funds.
Chevrolet fits the new ZR1 with a 5.5L flat-plane-crank twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft of torque. This bad boy needs only 2.3 seconds to reach 60 mph and hits a top speed of 233 mph. With up to 1,200 pounds of downforce, refined MagneRide dampers, and no-nonsense style, this is the climax of American supercars.
#10 – 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10
The dream garage wouldn’t be complete without a truck, and I’ll go with the pickup that launched 21st-century muscle trucks. The Dodge Ram SRT-10 blew away previous trucks like the F-150 SVT Lightning and Chevy 454 SS, bridging the gap to the contemporary Ram TRX and Ford F-150 Raptor R.
By pairing the Dodge Viper’s 8.3L V10 engine with a body based on its NASCAR program, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 reached a top speed of over 150 mph. The SRT-10 also had a six-speed manual transmission—something you won’t find on modern sport trucks—and a plush leather interior. There was even a rear wing to glue this truck to the pavement.
The Cars That Dreams Are Made Of
Will I ever actually be able to own any of these cars? It’s doubtful. But part of car culture is being able to dream about laying your hands on the steering wheel of an amazing machine and pressing on the gas. The excitement one feels simply when thinking about such cars is very real.
I hope this list has spurred some of that passion. Perhaps you’ve even discovered a car or two that’s worth adding to your ultimate wish list.
