The best cars from 8 countries

The Corvette is as American as baseball and apple pie. The car's greatness lies in its capabilities; the 'Vette routinely outperforms machines costing far more. Brute strength overcomes its flaws and mildly meathead attitude. Bottom line: If the United States were nuked to dust tomorrow, the Corvette is likely the only American car anyone would remember.

• Want to see more of the Vette?
• Here are some other American hopefuls.

View Slideshow:  The Corvette Turns 60

While South Korea hasn't yet made a legendary car, the Hyundai Equus is a giant pole vault in that direction. The Equus is an overachieving car with a ton of ambition. While revered as a genuine limousine in South Korea, the Equus sells elsewhere on its superior value. A fully loaded, V8-powered rear-wheel-drive Equus costs less than $70,000. You can't say that about a fully loaded Mercedes S-Class.

• See more pictures of the Equus.
• Is reliability important? The Equus is built to last.

Watch Video:  Hyundai Equus

Britain has made plenty of beautiful cars, but the 1961 Jaguar E-Type, with that elongated, leather-strapped hood, is the pinnacle. It's salacious, long, fast and instantly recognizable. Nearly everyone has copied its proportions, yet nothing, not even Jaguar's successful D-Type racing car, has been more elegant than an original E-Type. It's no surprise, then, to find one in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's permanent collection.

• More E-Type pictures
• And a little E history

Read Blog:  3 Generations and a Jaguar E-Type

Before 1991, exotic cars came from Italy and spent a lot of time in the shop. The NSX changed all that — and did so with aplomb. Its all-aluminum body and variable valve timing were revolutionary for the time, and the midmounted, high-revving V6 engine ensured go-kart-like handling and acceptable fuel economy. Even the price was right, at just a hair above 60 grand.

• Want to see more of the NSX?
• The NSX may be making a comeback.

View Slideshow:  10 Great Cars That Time Forgot

Holden, an Australian division of General Motors, got the muscle-car recipe perfect with the 1967 Torana: affordable, compact, attractive and, with V8 power, fast. The Torana was a local legend — on the track, it won races with Peter Brock behind the wheel — and its pedigree has led to wilder Holdens, such as the El Camino-inspired Maloo, reserved only for Down Under.

• Has the Torana reached cult status?
• The Torana might be making a comeback.

Bing Images: 1967 Holden Torana

While it's tough to pick any one Ferrari as the greatest example of Italian design and craftsmanship, the 250 GTO — if a $35 million auction price is any judge — is that Ferrari. Only 39 of the V12 coupes were made to satisfy racing regulations between 1962 and 1964, and to buy one, you had to be chosen by Enzo Ferrari himself.

• Here are more 250 GTOs.
• Learn something about the 250.

View Slideshow:  Best Trophy Vehicles

All the German automakers obsess over technicalities and nitty-gritty engineering, but only Porsche has kept refining the exact same idea for more than six decades. The 911 is an idea that should have failed. It has too much weight in the rear, and tiny flat-crank engines. Yet, this machine is the most timeless sports car on the planet, one that has defied all logic and obvious physics to become an incredible performer.

• Do you think the 911 looks cool?
• Wonder what out expert thinks of the 2012 911?

View Slideshow:  A Car-Guy's Bucket List

Despite Russia's extreme weather and civil oppression during the Cold War, the Lada soldiered on. Cheap, easy to repair — they broke down a lot — and packed with great heaters, the 1980 Lada Riva was popular even after the Soviet Union collapsed; production ended in 2012 after no major redesigns. Even if it's ugly and outdated, the Riva really is something of a national icon.

Here are some other popular vehicles in Russia.
Is ugly the new cool?

Bing: More on the Lada Riva

For more information on any vehicle in this slideshow, click the links below:

- Chevrolet Corvette
- Hyundai Equus
- Porsche 911

Compare: All 3 vehicles

Clifford Atiyeh has spent his entire life driving and riding in cars he doesn't own. He writes regularly for MSN Autos and The Boston Globe and also contributes to Car and Driver, among other websites and magazines. He lives in Boston and is a member of the New England Motor Press Association.

Like us on MSN Autos Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Find new and used cars with our mobile app.

See what's trending and why in real time on msnNOW.

• Visit MSN Autos' "Exhaust Notes" blog to keep up on all things automotive.
• In the market for a new car? MSN Autos is pleased to provide you with information and services designed to save you time, money and hassle. Click to research prices and specifications on any new car on the market or get a free price quote through MSN Autos' New-Car Buying Service.