The Americans have the Corvette, the Stingray etc. But the Brits the DB5, the TR6/7 etc.
We also have the RR Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, the Bentley Continental, Mulsanne, the, well, etc. etc...
American cars pretty much all have a name as you say, save something like the DeLorean DMC-12 for example, but an alphanumeric to describe the model. Names can be more emotive, and thus appealing, don't you find? That probably matters more when it comes to cars which are bought by people! Ze Germans seem to favour alphanumerics, in their usual ruthlessly efficient manner, Porsche - 911 excepted, VW & Opel being notable exceptions.
The problem with our a/c numbering is that it doesn't differentiate between different a/c types, merely types of the same a/c. I remember the confusion caused - to a RAF mil attaché - by applying for dip clearances for the Nimrod R1, Sentinel R1 and Shadow R1. I've always found the American system vastly superior:
Attack,
Bomber,
Cargo etc., followed by a number within each class and finally a letter to designate the version. A simple 3/4/5 digit alphanumeric that's unique.