Kick-arse '90s coupes | Six of the Best

What do we want? Brawny engines at the front, no doors at the back. When do we want them? From three decades ago

Toyota Supra, 1995, 82k, £64,995

It is very easy, 30 years on, to don rose-tinted spectacles when discussing the ‘90s. It wasn’t all good. Cars from the ‘80s still proliferated on the secondhand market; one PH staffer recalls learning to drive in a Mk1 Astra that seemed agricultural even at the time. But some things were palpably better, including the new car market’s fascination with front-engined coupes of all shapes and sizes. Some remain, but most are now long gone, either crushed by the industry’s tendency to homogenise, or its efforts to reduce costs. The most recent Toyota Supra shuffled off not so long ago, though the one you really want is now a very rare sight on British roads - especially in unmolested UK-supplied format. Hence the price for this one. But rest assured, when the dealer says ‘iconic’, it isn’t exaggerating.

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Jaguar XK8, 1997, 12k, £19,995

If you baulk at paying big money for a car more famous in Tokyo than Tonbridge, how about slashing two-thirds from the required budget and getting an XK8 that apparently looks BRAND NEW. Quite how it has arrived in 2026 with only 12k on the clock is not explained, but the interior does seem to bear out the description. And the XK8 always looked fabulous in Sherwood Green. Needless to say, you’ll have to make your peace with a chassis that leans more toward Grand Tourer than F-Type - and 6.7 seconds to 60mph via a five-speed slusher certainly isn't going to shatter your vertebrae - but you won’t begrudge time spent with the 4.0-litre naturally aspirated V8. Nor catching the Jaguar’s reflection in shop windows. A looker then, now and probably forever.

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Porsche 968, 1993, 140k, PH Auctions

Jaguar had a long history of building front-engined sports cars; Porsche, not so much. Granted, the straight-four 968 was at the end of a line that started with the 928 and 944, but the concept would die when the model was terminated in 1995. Still, its legacy was none the poorer for its truncated (compared to the 911) lifespan, and the 968 was arguably the best looking of the lot. Certainly the cabin evokes the kind of effortless, functional cool not found within 200 miles of today’s touchscreens. This one looks very well-kept when you consider the odometer reading. It has also had some expensive bits seen to in recent months, which has made it note-perfect for going under the PH hammer next week.

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BMW M3 (E36), 1999, 99k, £53,495

If the prospect of a standard 968 is too run-of-the-mill to get your blood racing, how about filling the driveway with a one-of-50 M3 Evolution Imola? Sure, the limited edition model was mechanically identical to the E36 M3, but that’s no bad thing when it means charging up and down the S50’s heady delivery. It being a later model means you get the larger 3.2-litre motor, too, and six gear ratios. Naturally, Imola Red is part of the package, ditto the GT-grade styling enhancements - not least the fixed rear spoiler. Granted, you’ll probably need to be captivated by such touches to consider parting with £54k for the pleasure - but E36s are very much on the up. And they don’t come much rarer.

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Bentley Continental R, 1993, 32k, £44,950

The Continental R was not quite so rare, though its reputation for being frighteningly expensive when new has meant that most secondhand examples tend to look the part (depending on buyer imagination at the time). This one, reportedly specced by the chairman of Rolex, does rather take the biscuit in Green Emerald Metallic over Parchment leather and acres of veneer. It has seemingly had quite a few subsequent owners, though most seem to have been content to admire the car from a distance rather than putting its handsome 6.75-litre V8 through the wringer. Precious few miles and the kind of opulent option list that delivered a TV set and VHS player to the back seats (in 1993, let’s not forget), means you’ll need to find £45k. But a Conti is a coupe like no other.

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Alfa Romeo SZ, 1991, 55k, £54,995

Of course, if you’re really pushing the classic boat out - and like to turn heads - there’s always the prospect of Il Mostro itself. The story of the SZ is an oft-told one, though the relevance of its mission statement (to revive Alfa’s sporting heritage) continues to resonate to this day. As does the idea of deploying divisive, flamboyant design language to get you there. Underneath all the angles you’ll find a slightly more humble rear-drive platform borrowed from the Alfa 75, though you do get the sonic pleasure of listening to the 3.0-litre Busso V6 wherever you go. This particular one appears to have been well looked after and comes with a full history since new. ‘90s chic personified? Over to you.

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edoverheels

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