It’s a new year, and there’s a new wave of special anniversaries to look forward to. Spanning 40 years of car production, here’s our top 15 car anniversaries to look out for in 2025.
Featuring notable classic cars, sporty models, and humble daily drivers of the era, we look back at the history of some of the classic cars celebrating birthdays in 2025. Whether you own one of the models featured or are looking to delve into ownership this year, with ClassicLine, you’ll find the right classic car insurance policy to suit your individual needs and usage.
TOP 15 CAR ANNIVERSARIES TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2025
Riley RM (1945) – 80th Anniversary
The Riley RM series was the first model to be introduced by British car manufacturer Riley Limited following the end of World War II and was to become the last range before the marque was absorbed into BMC. The RMA was the first in the series. Introduced in August 1945, the car featured the characteristic Riley ash framework, but with a new body style for the postwar era. Early model features included the eye catching curved wood dashboards, independent front suspension, and dark blue radiator badges, which we subsequently changed to light blue from 1946 onwards.
Citroen DS (1955) – 70th Anniversary
First unveiled in Paris in 1955, the Citroen DS was one of the most futuristic looking mass production cars of the time.
Repeating the successes of the Traction Avant and the Deux Chevaux, the Citroen DS appealed to the masses with 12,000 orders placed on the opening day of the show! With its shocking aerodynamic styling, no other car of the era looked like the DS. But what was perhaps even more controversial was the decision to fit the 1911cc four-cylinder engine from the 1934 Traction Avant. Its engine may have been old technology, but every other aspect of the car was light years ahead. From the hydraulics powering the suspension to the bolt-on body panels for ease of construction and repair to the lightweight aluminium bonnet and the roof section constructed from a glass fibre and polyester mix.
Ford Thunderbird (1955) – 70th Anniversary
Chevrolet had the Corvette, Ford had the Thunderbird! Unveiled to the public at the Detroit Motor Show at the end of 1954, the Thunderbird went into production in 1955. Initially as a two-seater, clean-styled car with all the creature comforts – only natural when the designer had taken inspiration from their favourite car at the time, the Jaguar XK120. 3,500 orders were placed on the launch day alone. The Thunderbird went on to be one of the most successful personal luxury cars, superseding the Corvette, with the name continuing to be used up until 2005.
Ford 300E (1955) – 70th Anniversary
Ford’s commercial versions of the Anglia and Popular were already proving ‘popular’ during the early 1950s, so to rival Rootes’ Hillman Husky and Commer Cob, Ford introduced a new Ford Thames 300E in 1954. The vehicle entered production in 1955, and based on the 100E van, the new 300E Thames van was to be a workhorse. The name Thames was given to all vehicles produced under Ford’s British Ford Commercial division and replaced the earlier Fordson name. The Ford 300E did exactly what it said on the tin – a small van loved by builders, delivery drivers, the AA/RAC and other tradesmen during the 50s.
Available initially in 5 cwt and later in standard and deluxe 7 cwt carrying capacity, when production ended in 1961, a total of 196,885 vehicles had been produced.
MGA (1955) – 70th Anniversary
Under the ownership of the British Motor Corporation, the handsome styled MGA was released to the press in September 1955. Styled by Syd Enever, who created the later MGB, the MGA marked a huge leap forward for the Abingdon firm.
Powered by the Austin-sourced B-Series engine, the MGA was produced in canvas topped convertible and coupe models. With its flowing lines, bright chrome, and functional cockpit layout, the MGA became a major success, with over 100,000 cars built – of which more than 95,000 were sold overseas.
Sunbeam Rapier (1955) – 70th Anniversary
Announced in October 1955, the Sunbeam Rapier was to be the first of the Rootes Group’s new Audax range of smaller, lighter cars. With styling inspiration taken from the new-generation Studebaker coupes, the Series I model was a four-seater, two door, hard top coupe, and available in the two-tone paint schemes synonymous with the era.
As a supporter of the Rootes Archive Centre Trust, ClassicLine Is proud to provide insurance solutions for a range of Rootes Group vehicles, including the Sunbeam Rapier.
Jaguar MKI (1955) – 70th Anniversary
Announced in 1955 for the 1956 model year, the MKI Jaguar was officially marketed as the 2.4 Litre, with the 3.4-Litre later added. Although it wasn’t originally known as the MKI Jaguar, these saloons became commonly known by this term as a result of the success of the MKII version in 1959, and it was the MKI Jaguar that helped Jaguar launch into the small luxury car market. Its unitary construction and XK engine helped this modern and compact car to eventually become one of the marques best sellers.
Aston Martin DB6 (1965) – 60th Anniversary
Aston Martin announced at the new DB6 model at the London Motor Show in October 1965. Evolved from the DB4 and DB5, the new DB6 featured a Kamm flip tail spoiler for speed stability, split front and rear bumpers, and more leg room in the rear compartment, making this luxury vehicle more desirable for families. Despite its low production numbers between 1965 and 1970, the DB6 was loved by celebrities and royalty, and is now a much sought-after classic car.
Porsche 912 (1965) – 60th Anniversary
Combining the appeal of the 911 and the practicality and simplicity of the earlier 356 model, the Porsche 912 was a strategic move by Porsche to cater to a broader audience without compromising on performance and style. Manufactured between 1965 and 1969, around 30,745 vehicles were produced. Often considered to be the more affordable version of the 911, the Porsche 912 is a collector’s classic car with a range of specialist insurance options available with ClassicLine Insurance.
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow (1965) – 60th Anniversary
One of the most pivotal and successful cars in Rolls-Royce history, the Silver Shadow marked a turning point away from the company’s traditional coach built monocoques and rolling chassis construction. One innovation was the three-box bodyshell which offered more interior passenger space, a larger fuel tank, and greater luggage capacity. The Silver Shadow also featured a hydropneumatics suspension and braking set-up that was on licensed from Citroen, giving the Silver Shadow a smooth ride and reinstating the marques status as a luxury manufacturer. Production lasted almost 30 years, with various upgrades and variants along the way, including the more recent Corniche, and it is thought that around 37,000 Silver Shadows and Corniches were made, making it one of the most successful models in the company’s history. Sharing this anniversary year with the equally iconic Rolls Royce Phantom I release in 1925, the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow is a luxury classic car popular with enthusiasts and collectors.
Shelby Mustang (1965) – 60th Anniversary
Just as the Ford Mustang celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024, the tuned version of this iconic car is now celebrating its 60th birthday in 2025.
Mustangs were known for being performance cars, but what Carroll Shelby brought to the mix solidified the Mustangs legacy. The first Shelby Mustang GT350 debuted in January 1965, with Ford supplying the new Mustangs with V8 engines and mostly automatic transmissions and Shelby adding the extra performance and racing inspired style.
The first Shelby Mustangs were only available in Wimbledon White, accentuated by blue stripes. The 1965 GT350 churned out 306hp, 35hp more than it would have been able to produce prior to Shelby’s modifications. Two versions of the GT350 were made, the other being the GT350R (‘R’ for race specifications); only 35 of these were manufactured, created to comply with SCCA rules. By 1966, the Shelby Mustang became more consumer-friendly with folding back seats, additional paint colours, and extended exhaust pipes to reduce the noise inside, but it was still just as much of a street-legal race car as its predecessor.
BMW 3-Series E21 (1975) – 50th Anniversary
For seven generations, the BMW 3-Series has been an icon of the BMW brand.
The pioneer of the 3-Series family, the first generation E21, was introduced to the world in Frankfurt in July 1975. A compact and sporty looking car, the E21 was famous for its distinctive profile, the recognisable shark nose and double kidney grille, and its vertically stacked controls on the dashboard angled towards the driver. The E21 became a motorsport success, and on the road, its holding performance was praised in every road test of the time! Initially only available as a two-door saloon, German coachbuilders soon began offering convertible versions, which are very desirable today. The E21 was eventually superseded by the E30 in 1982.
Reliant Kitten (1975) – 50th Anniversary
British car manufacturer, Reliant Motor Company, launched a new economy 4-wheeler in 1975 at the Earls Court Motor Show. Launched alongside the revised Scimitar GTE, the new Ogle designed Reliant Kitten shared many similarities to its 3-wheeled Robin counterpart, just with an extra wheel! The Reliant Kitten was initially available as a saloon or an estate version and fitted with black or brown cloth reclining front seats. By the time production ceased in 1982, 4551 vehicles had been sold.
VW Polo (1975) – 50th Anniversary
The VW Polo was unveiled in March 1975, shortly after the successful launch of the VW Golf MKI, which also celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. The VW Polo may not have the cult following of the VW Golf, but it is certainly not the understudy. Sharing the same design as the Audi 50 and as one of the smallest cars in the VW range measuring just 3.5 metres long, the Polo helped to mould the small car sector. Its affordability and small capacity yet nippy engine contributed to its unstoppable rise around the world, selling 1,100,000 units from 1975 – 1981.
Vauxhall Cavalier 1975 – 50th Anniversary
Amidst the troubles of the 60s and 70s, Vauxhall attempted a comeback with the launch of the Cavalier at the British Motor Show in 1975. Taking the media and buyers by surprise, the new Vauxhall Cavalier was a success, putting the ailing Luton firm on the road to recovery. The first cars were built by sister firm, Opel, at their plant in Belgium, but by 1977, Cavaliers were being produced on home soil at Vauxhall’s Kimpton Road plant. Approximately 240,000 MKI Cavaliers were sold in the UK, with only a few remaining on the road today.
If you own one of the classic cars highlighted in this collection and would like to be featured on our news blog, we’d love to hear from you.
