Special edition models stand out from the rest of the range and come with plenty of kit, without a big price hike. Fender, Jasper Conran and Gucci are among the brands to collaborate with manufacturers in our pick of the best.
1. Mazda MX-5 Conran Edition (1999)
Mazda teamed with British designer Jasper Conran to create a couple of limited-edition versions of its perennially popular roadster. The model is based on the 1.8i S variant and comes in either black with a black leather hood, interior carpet and leather upholstery, or a platinum silver and red combination.
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Other goodies include a leather and aluminium steering wheel and a Sony CD player and Minidisc multichanger — a once cutting-edge addition that betrays the car’s age. Only 500 were made (100 in silver and 400 in black); each will be numbered. They’re available on the used market for around £2150.
2. Volkswagen Beetle Fender (2013)
Classic guitar maker met motoring icon in this unlikely match-up. Underneath it is a standard contemporary Beetle, fitted with a 2.0-litre diesel engine and the choice of a six-speed manual or dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
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Some are more special than others
As for Minis, surely none has ever been so deserving of the term special edition as the one Radford adorned with wicker for Peter Sellers in 1963. Others copied it, but never with the same level of craftsmanship as the original.
Favourite?
Worst special edition ever?