Ken's 10 Most Underrated Cars

Here is my list of the most underrated cars. Bear in mind I'm a Kiwi and so this list will be biased toward cars that were available down under. They all held up well and I'm weighting for that fact principally, but also important is the car's utilitarian usefulness, reliability and cost of ownership. Without further ado, in ascending order:-

10. 1950's Standard Ten

A cute little car that held up well, they're still used on a daily basis in NZ, mostly by little old ladies who as we all know, know their cars. The great little Triumph Herald came later, and the Ten gets little mention as a result.

9. Lada Niva

Heh, the Suzuki Vitara copies this car, imitation being the sincerest form of flattery of course. The Niva people invented the crossover SUV with this brilliant car. It is almost never rated unless they're a serious off-road driver or German farmer.

8. 1960's Humber Super Snipe

These cars last forever and you would be foolish to discount it even today if you're looking for something cheap and indestructible.  Older versions have won just about every demolition derby, but the 60's models are great rides and are just modern enough to be acceptable still.

7. Jaguar Mk X

I just about wet myself whenever I see one of these. I've owned Jags, including a Mk1 and 1967 S-Type but always wanted a Mk X, I just never found one in good enough condition. They tended to get thrashed (they're very powerful).  A big car this.

6. Ford Ka with black bumpers (pre 1999)

Such a practical car and a good secondhand buy though you rarely see it mentioned.

5. Leyland P76 with the V8

Considered the biggest failure in Australian car manufacturing they're actually a good car. They have a boot that will take a couple of sheep.

4. Trekka

A useful New Zealand car and still in everyday use. They're powered by a Skoda engine. Usually mentioned is the Kiwi Duzgo (it does go...get it?) which was a dud to be honest, despite the hype and faithful few who promote it. Always overlooked is the Trekka, which was a success.

3. Vauxhall Velox LIP

The 6 cylinder car in the Wyvern body. Don't think about going over 70 mph and the suicide doors are a joy. Later Velox models get all the credit but this car is amazing. My father got a 1951 LIP as his first company car and he kept it until the early 1980's when he sold it for a few dollars. It was thrashed its whole life, got rarely cared for yet just kept on going.

2. Ford Anglia c. 1960

Bullet proof, just about.

1. Studebaker Champion c. 1950

My most underrated car. Reliable, robust, modern, own it today and it will go just fine.