When you think of supercars - real, wild, exotic - you usually think of Italian, German, British brands. Some come from other countries, but almost all of them belong to Europe: Bugatti from France, Koenigsegg from Sweden, Spyker from Holland...
The Japanese also launched several supercars like the Acura NSX and Lexus LFA. But it is worth noting that the United States also did not remain aloof from this niche.
There are very obvious examples produced by the Big Three in Detroit. Several generations of the Chevrolet Corvette - the previous ZR1 and the latest Z06 for example - have proven their ability to perform on equal terms with the best European models. The Dodge Viper with an unreal V10 showed that Chrysler management has people with an engine instead of a heart. And the Ford GT, revived after a long hiatus, aims to beat Ferrari on its field. But some of America's greatest supercars were built by independent companies.
Some of them were one-day events that no one had really heard of, and some became world celebrities. Let's look at the most famous of them, rightfully included in the world history of supercars.
Vector W8 Twin Turbo
The history of American supercars begins with the Vector. The company was founded in 1971 by Jerry Wiegert in California. But nothing was heard about it until 1989, when production of the Vector W8 began. It looked like something straight out of a sci-fi novel, and under the hood lived a modified 6.0-liter Chevy engine equipped with two turbos, resulting in an output of 625 hp. Despite a three-speed automatic transmission that would only raise smiles today, the W8 accelerated to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and had a top speed of 355 km/h.
At that time, you could buy a W8 for $450,000, which in today's money is about $825,000 - approximately the cost of two Lamborghini Aventadors. But that's not the only connection between the W8 and Lamborghini. In the 90s, both manufacturers were bought by the Indonesian company Megatech, which replaced the W8 with the M12, based (and engined) on the Diablo. Only 17 Vector M12s are known to have been produced, after which Lamborghini bought Audi and Vector went bankrupt. Wiegert tried twice to revive the company, but Vector ended up consigned - like many other automotive startups - to the dustbin of automotive history.
Mosler MT900
Like Vector, Mosler was founded in Florida, but was initially focused on a more serious approach to business. The company began operating under the name Consulier, but after some time began to bear the name of its founder, Warren Mosler. But most importantly, it produced some of the best supercars in America.
The Consulier GTP, founded in 1985, was renamed the Mosler Intruder and the then-production Raptor, initially powered by a Chrysler quad-turbo engine and later a GM V8, was replaced in 2000 by the MT900. This car was built on a carbon fiber chassis and had a GM V8 under the hood. Weighing only 1,175 kilograms, the MT900, with just 350 horses, could accelerate to hundreds in 3.5 seconds.
In 2003, more powerful MT900 appeared with a capacity of 435 horses, later the power was increased to 600 hp. Now it was possible to accelerate to hundreds in just 3.1 seconds. Many racing versions of the supercar competed in various racing series, but for ordinary consumers Mosler was able to make and sell only a few dozen supercars and in 2013 the company ended its existence.
Shelby Series I
The legendary Carroll Shelby was responsible for some of the most outstanding sports cars in American history. He left quite a legacy: Shelby Cobra, Daytona Coupe, Ford GT40, Dodge Viper and several other iconic cars that will forever remain classics. But the Shelby Series I is a different story.
Conceived as a successor to the iconic Cobra sports car, the Series 1 appeared in the late 1990s. After years of negotiations with Ford and Chrysler, the Series 1 was born, complete with General Motors equipment. 4.0 liter V8 engine from Oldsmobile Aurora, dash from Pontiac, audio system from Buick.
However, the design itself was classic Shelby: two seats, front engine, rear-wheel drive, roadster body. Engine power is only 320 hp, but weighing 1200 kilograms (a little more than a Miata) it accelerates to hundreds in just 4.4 seconds.
Only 249 Series 1s were produced before the rights to the Shelby brand were sold to a new owner, but kit kits were still produced for Shelby fans after that.
Saleen S7
Unlike Shelby, Saleen's business was built on tuning Mustangs. But Saleen also built its own sports car, although it was different from the Series 1.
The Saleen S7 was a mid-engined supercar capable of reaching speeds of 260 km/h. All this is powered by a 550 hp Ford V8 engine. This was enough to accelerate the car to hundreds in 3.3 seconds.
But this was not enough for Saleen and soon a version with twin turbocharging and 750 l/s appeared, which accelerated to hundreds in 2.8 seconds. Even several cars with a power of 1000 hp were produced.
The model was produced from 2000 to 2006, the turbocharged version was produced until 2009. In 2008, the company presented the S5S Raptor concept, but, unfortunately, it never saw the light of day.
An article about the most powerful American cars - their features, the most important characteristics, as well as a historical excursion. At the end of the article there is a video about the legendary oil cars.
The content of the article:
If you try to rank the most powerful American cars, the compiler will be very disappointed. It is not clear by what parameters to evaluate power. What to take as a basis: engine power, number of hp, torque, maximum speed? Or the “power” of drivers’ love for certain models, elevating to the top of popularity cars that cannot be called either the fastest or the most “horsepower”?
We present the seven most powerful American cars, which develop the highest speed, have the most powerful engines and are the most popular on both sides of the Atlantic:
This car cannot be found in a city traffic jam or on a walk along a country road. Yes, he doesn’t need it. The fastest car in the world is designed for track racing and was produced in only 12 copies, although it was planned that there would be 29 hypercars.
A young company from Texas, Hennessey Performance Engineering, introduced its first car, the Hennessey Venom GT, in 2010, and although everyone knows that it is a “purebred American”, the English company LotusCars made a significant contribution to the development of the Hennessey brand.
The Venom GT was designed on the basis of the Lotus Exige concept, the engine was developed by General Motors engineers (the very first car had an LS9 engine from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1), the transmission was kindly provided by Ford, so the fastest car on the planet can be considered a “hodgepodge” that was cooked by the world manufacturers.
The motor parameters are truly amazing. This seven-liter twin-turbocharged monster has 1,400 hp and produces up to 1,745 Nm. with a manual transmission. The car shows excellent handling at high speeds. Here, Hennessey engineers showed their “aerodynamic genius” and created a drag coefficient of 0.4 Cx, which confused the engineers of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, which has figures of 0.42.
The maximum speed shown by the Venom GT in a coupe body - 435 km per hour - was not included in the Guinness Book of Records. In America, too, there is a bureaucracy and rules that no one will break. But these are official figures recorded by experts.
This car can be safely placed in any rating in terms of popularity, the love of Americans, and power. And although the Grand Cherokee has average parameters in terms of engine size and maximum acceleration speed, it is the most powerful tow vehicle among all SUVs. This is probably the only jeep that can easily tow a weight of up to 3,000 kg, reach a speed of 100 km/h and at the same time perfectly maneuver and overcome obstacles.
Chrysler has worked hard to revive the model and bring it back to the North American market. Cherokki gained its popularity in Europe, where it broke sales records until 2013. In 2014, the car was returned to the American market with updates to the Fiat platform.
After the latest update, the Grand Cherokee received an 8-speed automatic transmission, which was developed by the German company ZF, available with a 3-liter diesel engine or a 3.6-liter gasoline engine. The Grand Cherokee's maximum speed is constant and does not exceed 228 km; the SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds in the gasoline version of the engine.
This car from Ford was called as many times as possible: “Style Icon”, “Forbidden Fruit”, “Best Muscle Car”. And all this is absolutely true - the Ford Mustang has become an American best-selling car.
The mid-size sports car appeared on American roads in the early 60s. In 1968, the first restyling took place, the concept was refined by designer and racer Shelby Carroll, and the most powerful model in the Mustang line appeared - the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.
The technical characteristics of the power unit are impressive. The 2011 model, which weighs 1,734 kg, is equipped with an 8-cylinder longitudinal gasoline engine with a volume of up to 5.8 liters and a power of up to 662 hp. (2014 model).
A 6-speed manual transmission provides full control of the machine. Ford designers never intended to install an automatic transmission on the Mustang, rightly believing that such an upgrade would do more harm than good to the iconic model.
The Mustang covered 100 kilometers in just 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 330 km/h. This car remains the most desirable acquisition for connoisseurs of comfort and lightness, and for many years remained inaccessible to European drivers. Only the sixth generation Mustang began to be officially supplied to the markets of Europe and Asia, this allowed Ford not to reduce production volumes.
The Chevrolet Corvette can rightfully be considered the most powerful American sports car. Starting its history in 1953, this two-seater sports car has never given up its position.
The third version of the Corvette, which appeared in 1968, was equipped with an eight-cylinder engine with a power of up to 375 hp. Production of the third generation ended in 1982, but all subsequent models began to be created based on the concept. Based on the C4, the Corvette ZR1 was developed in 1990.
Since 2013, the company has been producing the 7th generation of legendary cars. The most striking representative of the Corvette class was the Z06 model. After the coupe supercar was unveiled in Detroit, the Z06 became the manufacturer's fastest car.
The technical equipment of the car is also impressive. While the base Corvettes have an engine power of up to 400 hp, the Z06 is equipped with a forced seven-liter V8 with 512 hp. The engine is only hand-assembled and accounts for 50% of the cost of the car ($150,000). The two-seater “baby” accelerates to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 420 km/h, which is slightly lower than the Hennessey Venom GT.
In addition, General Motors holds another power record in 2016. This is a Chevrolet Silverado, the gasoline 8-cylinder engine of which produces one of the highest torques - 624 Nm. Among American cars of this class, this is an absolute record for 2016, but it is not comparable with European cars - for example, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe engine with a power of 585 hp. produces a torque of 900 Nm.
An American racing legend who left the track undefeated! After these words, every motorist already knows what kind of car we are talking about. This is the famous Ford GT40 model, which became a four-time winner of the 24-hour Le Mans race.
In total, Ford produced 107 GT40 models. Based on the concept, seven road-going Ford GT40s with the abbreviation MK 3 were assembled. The company produced 100 cars for the track, starting in 1963.
The technical characteristics of this “beast” are quite impressive. The power of the seven-liter engine is 485 hp, it takes only 5.1 seconds to reach a speed of 100 km/h, and another twenty for the car to reach its maximum speed of 539 km/h.
Wiping Ferrari's nose, the car walked away undefeated, winning its last Le Mans in 2016. The price of this car exceeds 3 million dollars, and every year it becomes more and more expensive.
The Dodge Charger Daytona's finest hour came in 1970, when the car won Nascar track races six times in a row. The Chrysler car showed the maximum speed in the race - 300 km/h, which in 1970 was an undisputed record not only in America, but also in the world. By the way, the Daytona 1970 record of aerodynamic drag of 0.28 still cannot be broken even by Hennessey. True, the speeds are different, but still...
This model was called a radical muscle car due to the massive rear wing mounted on the stern. After changes to the regulations in Nascar racing in 1971, the car was discontinued, but the legend was revived in 2006, when Dodge engineers presented the public with a new version of the road Charger Daytona.
It was a small batch of sports cars, which were equipped on the basis of the SRT8. By 2013, 400 models had already been produced, equipped with a 5.7-liter classic V8 HEMI engine. In terms of maximum speed, the car slightly fell short of its track prototype and reached a speed of only 280 km/h, but this was not the manufacturer’s priority. For city streets and highway driving this is quite a powerful car.
In 2017, after another restyling, Dodge released a special version of the Dodge Charger Daytona. The car has a 6.4-liter engine with 485 hp, which produces up to 644 Nm, reaches speeds of up to 350 km/h and maneuvers perfectly.
Of course, the most powerful among sedans can be called the representative legend of America, the famous Cadillac CTS-V. The name “Caddilac” alone already gives an idea of the beauty, speed and elite style of the car.
The model has been produced since 2004 and annually participates in the Speed World Challenge., competing well with sports sedans from Mercedes and BMW. It is interesting to note that restyling is carried out every three years, but the first Cadillac CTS-V in 2004 configuration continues to remain on the line.
Since 2015, the car has the production marking Cadillac CTS-V 6.2 and is equipped with a forced 8-cylinder gasoline engine producing 649 hp. The maximum speed of this five-meter monster is 330 km/h. All generations of the sedan are equipped with an automatic transmission, but at such a maximum speed it does not need a manual transmission.
The ranking of the most powerful American cars did not include such “beauties” as the Cadillac Eldorado with the highest torque among this series, the Willys MB, which can be considered the most durable car of the Second World War (some Willys drive great to this day) and the Dodge Ram. All of these, and a dozen other models, are worthy of being on the list, but this is a different rating.
Video about legendary muscle cars:
The USA and cars are almost inseparable concepts. Detroit's Big Three drove the global automobile industry forward for many years, and in the end, it was Henry Ford who established the world's first mass production of automobiles.
The classic American car in the minds of most Europeans is a large, comfortable sedan or a huge pickup truck. But to no lesser extent, North America loves fast cars, and it is not for nothing that several decades ago the United States was swept by the era of legendary muscle cars - sports cars equipped with powerful engines with large displacement and a lot of horsepower under the hood.
We present to your attention the top 10 most famous muscle cars in America according to Goliath.com.
1967 Pontiac GTO
https://bringatrailer.comMany still consider this model to be the first muscle car in history. One can argue with this statement, but it is useless to argue with the fact that the car became one of the first monsters on wheels.
In 1964, the car was equipped with a 6.4-liter V8 engine that produced 325 horsepower. Not too much by today's standards? Now keep in mind that we are talking about 1964. Later, the engine capacity was increased to 6.6 liters, and its power increased to 360 horses, which helped the car reach 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds - a good time even in modern times.
It's interesting what's in the making GTO involved Russell Jim, who was in charge of the company Pontiac for the development and improvement of engines, as well as at that time the company's senior engineer John De Lorean - the same one who later founded the company DMC, which produced the legendary car DeLorean DMC-12, who became the hero of the Back to the Future film series.
1968 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi
https://www.mecum.comIn the mid-60s the Company Chrysler put it in front of her “daughter” Plymouth It's not an easy task to build a supercar that can run the classic drag racing quarter mile (402 meters) in less than 14 seconds at a price to the average consumer of no more than $3,000.
The goal was achieved, although at the cost of simplifying the interior and removing other luxury elements. But this did not bother the Americans at all, who raked in 45 thousand units of the model with initial construction plans of a couple of thousand.
Many still think Road Runner the ideal muscle car, and its hottest version was the 426 Hemi, equipped with a 7-liter engine with 425 horsepower and 664 Nm of torque. Crazy numbers!
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
Ford Mustang Boss 429
https://www.mecum.comFord Mustang became synonymous with the muscle car era and remains one of the most desirable and affordable sports cars in the world. Not long ago, Ford celebrated the release of its 10 millionth Mustang.
Despite entire generations of classic Mustang, few compare in value to the version Boss 429, produced from 1969 to 1970. After all, each car was assembled by hand, and in total less than 1,400 of these cars were produced.
On the other hand, the engine in this version was not the most impressive - its 7-liter V8 developed “only” 375 horsepower, and even at that time it was not the most powerful. But, as we said, the uniqueness of this car lay in other things, and it remains one of the most desirable pieces in collections.
1970 Buick GSX Stage 1
Buick GSX Stage 1
http://musclecarride.blogspot.comFor several years before this Buick tried to impose competition on key players in the muscle cars market, and did not always do it successfully. But gradually the car is in version G.S. was further developed, eventually receiving a version GSX- one of the most striking cars in US history.
This beast on four wheels was powered by a V8 engine capable of producing 455 horsepower and 690 Nm of torque. Even by today's standards, these are incredible figures, and at that time the engine Buick GSX Stage 1 produced the highest torque of any American sports car. Moreover, this record was broken only 33 years later, in 2003, by the model Series 2 V10 Viper.
However, only 687 cars were produced GSX, which did not make it popular then, but made it one of the most desirable for collectors now.
1969 Ford Fairlane/Torino Cobra
Ford Fairlane/Torino Cobra
https://www.conceptcarz.comIn the 50s of the last century Ford Fairlane was a luxury car belonging to an expensive price segment. But gradually this model evolved into a sports model Torino, and the hottest version was Сobra.
The car was equipped with a classic 7-liter V8 engine producing 335 horsepower. On the road, this monster covered the quarter mile in 15 seconds at 154 km/h. At that time it was a very popular car, attractive with its luxurious design. During the year the company managed to sell more than 14 thousand Cobra.
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
http://historygarage.comModel Chevelle was one of the most successful in history Chevrolet, and was produced in three generations over 13 years. It was created as a competitor Ford Fairlane, but it eventually found its niche.
Naturally, there were many different modifications of cars - sedans, coupes, convertibles, and the pinnacle was the version SS(Super Sport), and its most powerful modification, the 454, equipped with a 7.4-liter engine producing 450 horsepower and 680 Nm of torque.
In addition to the fact that even the car looks amazing from the outside, many also think SS 454 the most powerful muscle car in history. Some of its modifications could produce up to 500 horses, and a quarter mile Chevelle SS 454 flew by in less than 13 seconds, managing to accelerate to 174 km/h.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
http://classiccarfusion.comWhat then, what now Chevrolet Camaro And Ford Mustang- two competing models. Camaro came out two years later than its competitor, but immediately won its market share and the hearts of millions of fans.
But the version ZL-1 is unique of its kind. This is the rarest model in the line Chevrolet- less than 70 units were produced in total ZL-1, equipped with a 7-liter V8 engine and officially producing 430 horsepower. Few? In fact, the figure turned out to be underestimated, which was often done by US manufacturers at that time. An independent examination showed that the engine was much more powerful.
So it turns out that ZL-1 received the most powerful engine in history Chevrolet. However, it also has one of the highest price tags - $7,200 was a huge amount at that time.
1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda
Plymouth Hemi Barracuda
https://uncrate.comThis model was a sports version of the car Plymouth Barracuda, and became a classic of the American sports car industry, possessing a classically balanced design, behind which one could read the unconcealed power of the Hemi power plant.
The engine for this model was a 6.9-liter 426 engine. Hemi, which developed a power of 425 horsepower, and the suspension Cuda was designed specifically for this model. By the way, then the pendant Cuda“borrowed” by other automakers, it was so good and unique for its time.
As a result, the car could accelerate to 100 km/h in an incredible 5.6 seconds at that time, and the maximum speed reached 250 km/h. Even now, such dynamics are an excellent indicator for sports cars. However, less than 700 units were built Hemi Cuda.
1968 Dodge Charger R/T
Dodge Charger R/T
https://www.pinterest.co.ukFor many fans of muscle cars it is Dodge Charger is the ideal car. What makes it unique is its specific sleek design, reminiscent of the iconic Coca-Cola bottle in the USA then and all over the world now.
Index R/T(Road/Track) clearly hinted that the car could be used both on regular roads and on race tracks (mainly drag racing, of course). The car was equipped with a special suspension and a powerful Magnum V8 engine with 375 horsepower, and some were also equipped with a power plant Hemi.
In order to understand how popular the car was, it is enough to name the figure of 96 thousand sold Charger in 1968 alone, 17 thousand of them were models R/T. By the way, this is the car that was driven by the equally legendary actor and racing driver Steve McQuinn in the legendary film Bullitt.
1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88
Oldsmobile Rocket 88
http://the-muscle-car.blogspot.comIt seemed that it could be cooler than Dodge Charger? Only the grandfather of all muscle cars - Oldsmobile Rocket 88, credited with starting the history of drag racing. Of course, this ’49 veteran is not the most powerful or fastest car in history, but certainly one of the most influential. In fact, exactly Oldsmobile Rocket 88 started the history of muscle cars.
Oldsmobile Rocket 88 won several championships in the most popular US touring car racing series, NASCAR. And he, in general, began the history of the V8 engine in the USA. A few years later, every automaker used such an engine, which later became a muscle car classic.
Historians say that this car, equipped with a 5-liter V8 engine and 135 horsepower, ushered in the modern era of high-performance cars.
Few people can say that they do not like the Western auto industry. What can we say about monsters whose production takes place overseas? If big, powerful American cars give you goosebumps, you'll definitely enjoy this article. We've compiled a list of the very best new American sports cars on the market today. These machines are able to show the real American view of quality and performance.
Cadillac CTS-V
Cadillac, whose design was rethought in the latest model of the series, has not yet released this high-end V-version of the CTS model. One way or another, its release is not far off: here and there dealer messages flash about the pre-order of a car that has not yet been released. However, it is not known for certain whether the CTS-V will actually be released. One thing can be said with confidence: without even seeing the product, you can already judge that the new Cadillac will be just a bomb! It is rare to hear a recommendation to buy a car that may not be put on sale at all. However, all doubts are put to rest thanks to the super-charged 556-horsepower V8 engine, bold styling and upscale luxury interior. Flaws? Only one. The car costs $64,500 with delivery, although third-party dealers will help you find a cheaper option.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is perhaps the most “American” sports car imaginable. There is only one caveat: the cars themselves are built in Canada. Long associated with muscle cars and '60s car culture, the Camaro offers impressive styling with a retro twist. A 3.6-liter V6 engine was placed in the body of the convertible, which allows it to accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. Looking for something more powerful? Chevrolet also offers Camaro versions with 400 and 580 hp under the hood, and the cost of such a monster starts at $24,500 including delivery.
Chevrolet Corvette
The latest version of the American best-selling Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most impressive cars you can find on the road. The recognized icon of all sports cars in the new version is available in several configurations depending on the cost. In order to endow the beauty with ideal forms with the features of a real bundle of power, an excellent 6.2-liter V8 engine with an impressive 455 hp was installed in it, as well as a 7-speed manual gearbox (a version with an automatic transmission with 8 gears will be released in 2015) . For those who need even more power, there's the Corvette Z06 with a terrifying 650 hp. Naturally, you will have to pay more for it than the $54,000 for the standard version.
Dodge Challenger
He is huge, fast and immediately catches your eye. In other words, the 2014 Dodge Challenger offers everything you could want in a true American supercar. With a price tag starting at $27,500 including shipping, the latest version of the iconic Challenger boasts a standard 305 hp from its V-6 engine. Designed in the standard American supercar tradition with a retro touch, the body will make people turn around and keep their eyes peeled wherever you go. Although this model has been plying long American roads since 2008. Like its brothers in blood (more precisely, in fuel), the Dodge Challenger also has different configurations. For example, the SLT model, which will cost $40,000 due to its 470 horses.
Dodge Charger
You wouldn't be wrong to think of the Dodge Charger as a 4-door version of the Challenger. And you definitely won’t be upset. In many ways, the Charger repeats the best features of its two-door relative. The 2014 model offers the car enthusiast a spacious interior, rear-wheel drive and a wide range of configuration options. The most powerful of them is the engine of the SRT model with 470 hp. True, the Charger's exterior is somewhat inferior to the Challenger's, but the sedan's luxurious interior and some neat design touches help it stand out from the crowd of other 4-door sedans. Another good news is the very affordable base price, which starts at $28,000 or $31,500 if you decide to get the 8-cylinder V-twin monster of the R/T model.
Ford Focus ST
The Focus ST is not a sports car in the traditional sense of the word, but rather a 4-door, 5-seater hatchback. But if you think that this does not give it the right to be on the list of the best American sports cars, you are deeply mistaken. You will be able to realize this misconception immediately if you get behind the wheel of a Ford Focus ST. This will be helped by 252 “horses” with a 4-cylinder turbo engine, which accelerates it to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. With a 6-speed manual transmission, sporty looks and excellent maneuverability, for $25,000 this really isn't a sports car. It's something more.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is the most recognizable, far and away the most beloved American muscle car, and has held its title since its debut in the mid-sixties. 2014 is a special year for the Mustang: the car's design is in a state of transition from a retro style to a new futuristic one, which will fully appear in 2015. If you want a Mustang, you'll need to choose between a 6- and 8-cylinder engine, although the next 2015 version already promises to bring new features to the table. One of them is a 4-cylinder turbo engine. The deal will pay off 100%: Ford is offering a brand new Mustang for $23,500.
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
Few people think of the Jeep brand when they think of road-going sports cars. But for some reason, the V-twin engine of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT with 8 cylinders makes you change your mind on this matter. The SUV is not only packed with 470 horsepower (the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 does the job well), but it's also surprisingly easy to drive. A luxurious interior to boot is the finishing touch to the image of the ideal supercar. Of course, all these delights will cost a pretty penny: $61,200 with delivery to your doorstep. Many SUV drivers will consider this a fair amount considering how much fun the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is to drive.
Let's face it, when it comes to "Legendary Sports Cars," the cars that most often come to mind are those from Germany and Italy. What about America? Are there really no amazing sports cars in the US that don't just have a V8 engine and simple suspension? We will show you the best sports cars in the history of the auto world. Unfortunately, some are no longer produced and have become history. Some models will only appear in the near future on the global car market.
Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (1967)
After the company released the Chevrolet Camaro, it was jokingly nicknamed “the little big beast that eats Mustangs.” Of course, we were talking about the main competitor from the Ford company, which was already preparing the legendary Mustang in those years. But GM was ahead of its competitor. In 1967 it appeared on the American automobile market. The sports car was equipped with a 5.0 liter V8 engine producing 290 hp. Thanks to the power, the car covered 1/4 mile in 15.1 seconds (402.34 meters).
Ford Mustang Mach 1 (1969)
In 1969, the United States sent the world's first man to the moon. It is not surprising that rockets, jet fighters and similar technology were the most popular in those years. Ford took advantage of the global trend and launched the Mustang Mach. Just by the appearance of the car, it was clear that the car was aggressive and created for those who love adrenaline. The Mustang was equipped with engines from 5.8 to 7.0 liters. The most powerful V8 engine had 335 hp. As a result, the car became very popular from the very beginning. In the first year alone, approximately 72,000 copies were sold.
Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (1962-1967)
For many, the Chevrolet Corvette "Sting Ray" series is the best of the entire series of sports cars introduced in 1962. The last model of the legendary car was built in 1967, which was equipped with a 7.0 liter V8 engine producing 435 hp.
Shelby Cobra 427 (1965)
Carroll Shelby made a name for himself through his success in auto racing. But in addition to his sports career, Carroll is the author of a powerful sports car, which was created on the basis of vehicles produced by the British company AC Cars.
He sent a letter to the company's management with a proposal to install an eight-cylinder engine on the roadsters being produced. As a result, Carroll Shelby began negotiations with Chevrolet for the supply of a powerful engine. But, unfortunately, I was refused. Then the race car driver turned to Ford, which dreamed of sinking its competitor, and received approval.
As a result, a V8 engine with 425 hp was installed on the AC Roadster. with a maximum torque of 641 Nm.
For the new car, designers from Great Britain created a new chassis. The new sports car is named Shelby Cobra 427
Ford GT40 (1964-1969)
In 1960, when the Ford company offered Enzo to sell the automobile company of the same name, and was refused, Henry Ford II decided to show the owner of Ferrari that the automobile brand was capable of presenting a worthy opponent against Italian sports cars on the sports track.
As a result, Ford engineers developed the legendary GT40 supercar. The car received a seven-liter engine. As a result, the sports car was entered to participate in the Le Mans auto racing, where it won more than once. It is noteworthy that in the very first race, the Ford GT40 became the winner, beating the legendary Porsche 906, when the Ferrari team could only take 8th place.
It was only in 1970 that Porsche was able to complete the GT70's winning streak at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (2016)
Big power for little money is the main credo of all sports cars from the USA. Critics have repeatedly criticized the Americans for the too simple chassis of American sports cars. According to many experts, a simple suspension is only suitable for high-speed driving and only in a straight line. But such times are gone.
Now we don't think critics can blame American sports car manufacturers for the simplicity of their suspension. For example, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with a power of 649 hp has a chassis design reminiscent of a Porsche Hunter. But, despite the high cost, the Corvette Z06 sports car is significantly cheaper than the Turbo.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (2016)
Here is another example that now American supercars are no worse than German or Italian sports cars. We are talking about the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which is equipped with a 6.2 liter V8 engine producing 649 hp. This car costs only 4 million rubles. Agree that with such a price this sports car can really compete in the European sports car market. True, this car has not yet been officially presented in the European Union.
Pontiac Firebird (1971)
In addition to the Chevrolet Camaro, the company created a direct relative of this sports car - the Pontiac Firebird, which was released in 1967. Already at the beginning of 1970, the company launched the second generation on the market. The car received two engines of 6.6 and 7.5 liters. This supercar became famous thanks to its participation in the filming of the series “The Rockford Files” and “Smokey and the Bandit” with Burt Reynolds.
Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 (2016)
In America, a Ford Mustang with a 5.0 liter V8 engine and 421 hp. costs a little more than 3 million rubles when converting the dollar exchange rate into Russian currency. This is almost nothing for such a car. Especially for a car that now comes with independent suspension that makes cornering fun.
Plymouth Road Runner Superbird (1970)year)
You'll be hard pressed to find another car like it with fenders like the Plymouth Road Runner Superbird. But unusual wing-shaped spoilers are not only a decoration of the body. These wings were needed for the car to participate in racing. By the way, this sports car for the mass market came with a 425-horsepower engine.
Dodge Charger (1968)
The appearance of the Dodge Charger was very, very angry. This car became famous throughout the world after a stunning chase scene starring Steve McQueen. The Dodge Charger's power was 375 hp. But this was not enough to get away from .
Dodge Viper RT/10 (1992)
This legendary car is almost forgotten these days, despite the fact that legends lied about this car in the early 90s. The sports car was developed by Lamborghini in the late 80s, which in those years belonged to Chrysler.
As a result, the sports car received a V10 engine with 408 hp. with a maximum torque of 664 Nm. This car was not equipped with ABS or ESP. As a result, if it was raining outside, then driving RT
it was necessary to be careful so that the car did not skid under its own power.
Buick Regal GNX (1987)
How can you turn an ordinary, not very powerful 1980 Buick Regal into a hot sports car that can send you into space? Very simple. You need to equip the car with a powerful engine. As a result, in 1987, the Buick Regal GNX entered the market with a 3.8 liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 276 hp.
