“It’s what’s inside that counts.” Although most people tend to shove that expression out of their minds when on the hunt for a mate, it seems like very few folks ignore it when it comes to their car. After all, you don’t drive a car from the exterior, so you generally spend a lot more time looking around the interior and out through the windows. And if said interior isn’t at least acceptable from and aesthetic standpoint, you’re probably not going to enjoy your time behind the wheel or in a passenger seat.
Some cars have great interiors from the factory; others have great interiors due to the diligent efforts of owners and/or professional customizers. Whatever their origins, cool car interiors are out there if you know where to look. And if you don’t know where to look, why not start with the following list?
Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept: Giddyup!
Styling-Garage Mercedes-Benz S-Class W126: Graphic Equalizer All the Things!
Lotus Elise: This…Is…SPARTAN!
1958 Chevrolet Impala: Seats of Many Colors
Rolls-Royce Phantom: Enter the Dragon…and Relax
Honda Civic Custom: Someday, You’ll Feel Nostalgic for This
Audi TT: Play Ball!
Jaguar XJ220: Gauges on the Driver’s Door? Gauges on the Driver’s Door.
Lamborghini Espada: 2+Cool
GM Firebird II Concept: Interior of Future Past
Ford F-Series Super Duty King Ranch: Cowboy Limousine
Brabus GL63 AMG: Come on Down to Brown Town
Toyota 2000GT: Got Wood?
McLaren F1: Stuck in the Middle with You
Citroen DS: Riding with the Goddess
Subaru XT: Totally ‘80s!
Volkswagen Phaeton: Better than the Badge Suggests
BMW Z8: Retro Roadster Style
Bentley Mulsanne Executive: Hmmm…Needs More Screens…
Porsche 911 GT2 RS: Caged Animal
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento: Your Daily Dose of (Carbon) Fiber
Pagani Huayra: Modern Art
1958 Chevrolet Corvette: Putting the “Cockpit” in, er, Cockpit
AMC Gremlin Levi’s: Style Runs in Its Jeans
Nissan S13 Custom: Business Casual
Aston Martin Rapide: More-Door Grand Tourer
Lexus LFA: 21st Century Digital Suede
Maybach 62 Landaulet: Phat Cabrio for Fat Cats
Citroen SM: Beautifully Quirky
Tesla Model S: Big-screen EV
Rolls-Royce Wraith: Artificial Star Light, Artificial Star Bright
Acura Integra Custom: Temple of VTEC
Porsche 928: Checkered Past
Toyota Century: Velour + Lace Curtains = JDM Opulence
Ford GT: Retro Racer Chic
Mansory Ferrari 458 Spider: Diamond in the Smooth
AMC Hornet Sportabout Gucci: Runway Rambler
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Indy Pace Car: Bee’s Knees? Cat’s Pajamas? No, Houndstooth!
Nissan Pao: Elegant Simplicity
BMW M3 E30: Plaid Speed
Continental Mark II: Homegrown and Hand-Built
Kahn Design Range Rover: KAAAAAAAAAAAHN!!!
Aston Martin Lagonda: Hip to Be Square?
Hot Rod: Best War-Surplus Seats in the House
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione: Multi-Texture, Singularly Snazzy
Volkswagen GTI: Tartan Treat
Toyota Supra Mk. 4 Custom: Think You’ve Got Enough Gauges There, Champ?
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti: Dig Those Seat Inserts!
AMC Javelin Pierre Cardin: Vibrant Stripes and a U-Shaped Shifter. ‘Nuff Said.
TVR Tamora: So Much Swoop