{"id":51964,"date":"2022-02-17T15:03:20","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T20:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motor-junkie.com\/?p=51964"},"modified":"2022-04-14T01:03:14","modified_gmt":"2022-04-14T05:03:14","slug":"30-classic-sports-cars-that-are-super-slow-by-todays-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/30-classic-sports-cars-that-are-super-slow-by-todays-standards\/51964\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Classic Sports Cars That Are Super Slow By Today’s Standards"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world of high-performance and sports cars is a competitive place. For decades, manufacturers tried to shred tenths of seconds off of 0 to 60 mph times, achieve faster top speed, and provide more performance to buyers. These classic sports cars certainly carved out their own spot in car history.<\/p>\n

However, despite how fast some were back in the day, in 2022, those models are now performance<\/a> jokes no matter how cool they look or how legendary they are. We know that many car enthusiasts would kill for some of the machines on our list, but we will tell you the trough. The average modern<\/a> family SUV could essentially beat all those cars with kids in the back seat and groceries in the trunk.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: BMW Blog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

30. BMW E30 M3<\/h2>\n

When most people think of BMW performance, they think of the “M” class cars. But among dozens of models that wore the M badge, the M3 E30 is the most iconic. BMW produced it from 1985 to 1992. At first, BMW didn’t envision the performance version of their E30 3-Series, but when Mercedes introduced the 190E 2.3-16 model, BMW quickly reacted and the M3 was born (via BMW M<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: BMW Blog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The heart of the E30 M3 was the S14 straight-four engine with 2.3-liters of displacement and 195 and later 215 HP. The road-going variants lead to the creation of a bigger 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine<\/a> that could produce 238 HP; whichever version of the E30 M3 you test, the 0 to 60 mph will be just over seven seconds and the top speed was over 140 mph. It is incredibly slow<\/a> compared to modern M3’s sublime 0 to 60 mph time. But for the late ‘80s, it was decent.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Lamborghini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

29. Lamborghini Urraco<\/h2>\n

You might be surprised to find a proper Lamborghini on this list but just look at the specs of this ’70s wonder. The mid-mounted 2.0-liter V8 with 180 HP can reach 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. Compared to later models and well-known Lamborghini supercars, this isn’t as good, but still quite a performer by 1970s standards (via Ultimate Car Spec)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Lamborghini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, they produced the Urraco in dark times for performance<\/a> cars and rumors were it was assembled poorly. Lamborghini produced over 700 of them, so these wedge-shaped cars<\/a> deserve a better look.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Secret Classics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

28. MG B<\/h2>\n

One of the most popular, typical British roadsters from the 60s is the MG B. MG presented the B in 1962 as the successor to the MG A, which helped establish the roadster class in the U.S. By the standards of the day, the MG B was a fairly modern car with unibody construction and a roomy interior<\/a>, as well as a decent suspension and steering.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Secret Classics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some contemporary tests consider the MG B underpowered. And although 95 HP from a 1.8-liter engine certainly isn’t much, since the car weighs only 2,200 pounds, it can keep up with modern traffic. But for those who wanted more power, MG introduced their model C with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder and 145 HP and the MG B GT with a 3.5-liter V8 engine<\/a> available only in coupe form. However, neither of those cars will provide any real performance nowadays (via Autoexpress)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Nissan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

27. Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R Hakosuka<\/h2>\n

The most famous name in the history of Japanese performance cars is the Nissan Skyline GT-R presented in 1968. The Skyline GT-R started its life as a performance version of the upscale Skyline model. However, thanks to many significant designs and mechanical changes, it evolved into a JDM performance legend (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They called the first GT-R the Hakosuka, a Japanese term for “box.” They named the car that since it featured square lines and a boxy profile. But underneath the sheet metal, there was some serious sports car<\/a> technology with a high revving 2.0-liter six-cylinder engine and 160 HP. Compared to the modern Skyline, the Hakosuka is a joke in terms of performance.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Toyota<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

26. Toyota 2000GT<\/h2>\n

Toyota debuted the 2000GT in 1967, turning the eyes of the automotive world<\/a> to a small company from war-torn Japan. All the car magazines of the period praised the ride and driving dynamics. But despite getting only 150 HP from its high-revving 2.0-liter six-cylinder, the 2000GT offered decent performance and almost racecar-like handling. However, any muscle car<\/a> from the period could beat it in a straight line. In the late 1960s, they entered this car in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) championship, where it enjoyed much success (via Toyota)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unfortunately, due to the high price and poor brand recognition, the number of 2000GTs sold are low. They sold exactly 351 cars up until 1970<\/a>. But it didn’t even help that they featured the 2000GT in a James Bond film. Still, no one could call it a failure. The 2000GT did what it was supposed to do. It showed the world that the Japanese car industry was the next big thing in the car world and capable of producing fantastic sports cars.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

25. Alfa Romeo GTV6<\/h2>\n

The GTV6 is highly recommended for enthusiasts. The Tipo 105’s successor was the coupe version of the Alfetta introduced in the late ’70s. It had advanced construction and suspension and featured several interesting details. It had a transaxle gearbox which vastly improved weight distribution and handling. Second, it had De Dion-type rear axle, which helped to corner (via Motorbiscuit<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto Fav<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With a 2.5-liter V6 engine in the front, the GTV6 delivered 160-170 HP and good performance by the day’s standards but poor today<\/a>. The GTV6 is known for its perfect driving dynamics, solid acceleration, and a soundtrack from the high-revving V6. Interestingly, this car was sold in the USA, even with an optional turbo<\/a> kit by Callaway performance good for a whopping 233 HP, but with not much improvement in 0 to 60 mph times.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

24. Honda\/Acura NSX<\/h2>\n

Honda planned this model for a long while. The basic idea was to introduce a sports car<\/a> with the technology, performance, power, and design. To say that Honda succeeded in that would be an understatement. The NSX was all-around brilliant. Basically, buyers got Ferrari performance and looks for supermarket prices along with Honda’s signature reliability and low maintenance costs (via Honda<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The heart of the NSX was a 3.0-liter V6 with 274 hp and, later, a 3.2-liter V6 with 290 hp. Since the car was light, its 0 to 60 mph time was six seconds and its top speed was over 170 mph. The introduction of the NSX stunned competitors and the car market. Nobody expected such a bold move from such a complete car. The NSX was not only capable but also extremely balanced, thanks to its mid-engined layout and clever engineering.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

23. Porsche 912<\/h2>\n

Worried that the costly 911 would narrow its customer base and affect sales, Porsche needed an entry-level model for people who wanted an everyday sports car that would be dependable as well as economical. Nobody considered the economy of performance models in those days, but Porsche realized it could be a good selling point.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So in 1965 just after the end of the Porsche 356 production, they released the new 912. It was a 911 but with a 2.0-liter, flat four-cylinder engine producing 90 HP and modest performance numbers. The car also costs significantly less than the 911 and was fuel-efficient at 36 mpg. If you thought all Porsches are fast, well, not all actually are (via Porsche<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

22. Fiat X 1\/9<\/h2>\n

Behind this strange name lies one of the most interesting, affordable sports cars of the ’70s. Fiat presented the X 1\/9 in 1972 as a small two-seater with a T-Top. Also, it came with a mid-mounted engine and two trunks, one in the front and one in the back. Just think of it as a Porsche Boxster but 20 years older (via MotorTrend<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite its fantastic looks and technical layout, the X 1\/9 was underpowered. In fact, it got just around 60 HP from its small 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine. And because the performance was not impressive, most owners decided to add bigger engines.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Mecum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

21. DeLorean DMC 12<\/h2>\n

Started by John Z. DeLorean in the late ’70s, DeLorean was briefly marketed as the next big thing in the sports car world. It looked that America got a sports car brand that could rival Europe’s finest for a short time. DeLorean presented an interesting sports car concept with Gullwing doors, a modern wedge-shaped design, a mid-mounted V6 engine, and a stainless steel body (via Britannica<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto Republika<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, production was late, and when the car was finally revealed, it turned out to be slow, underpowered, and riddled with quality problems. Due to its prominent appearance in the ‘Back to the Future’ movies<\/a> and numerous music videos, the DMC 12 is still a popular car and one of the automotive symbols of the ’80s.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto Republika<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20. Lamborghini Espada<\/h2>\n

Even though the Espada wasn’t the first Lamborghini GT car, it was the most successful and controversial. Debuting in 1968, the Espada succeeded the 400 GT and served for 10 years. The Espada caused a lot of attention and even some criticism for its unusual styling and almost flat roofline (via Lamborghini<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto Republika<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Four adults and their luggage could easily travel long distances, and that’s exactly what Ferrucio Lamborghini wanted. The power came from the legendary Lamborghini 4.0-litre V12 engine, which was and still is a piece of mechanical<\/a> art producing up to 350 HP, but it was not as fast as the power figure suggests. Lamborghini made over 1,200 of these cool four-seat coupe. Prices are still somewhat affordable, considering the rarity and heritage of this car.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Mecum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

19. 1953 Corvette<\/h2>\n

The introduction of the Corvette<\/a> was the biggest automotive news to come out in 1953. Nobody expected Chevrolet<\/a> to build and market such an exotic car. Suddenly, there was a brand new roadster with incredible features<\/a> by a mid-class manufacturer with no sports car experience. However, the first Corvette was a well-designed and well-executed model (via Car and Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Mecum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But the most interesting thing about the new Corvette was the fiberglass body. Back in the early ’50s, plastic was still a futuristic material rarely used it in the car industry<\/a>. The Corvette was the first car with a fully plastic body, making Chevrolet one of the pioneers of fiberglass construction. Under the hood was an inline-six engine<\/a> they called the “Blue Flame,” which featured 3.9-liter displacement and a modest 136 HP rating. Although they equipped it with three Carter carburetors, the engine came from Chevrolet’s standard lineup. Also, the Chevrolet engineers tried to keep the costs down by borrowing mechanical components from other vehicles and using them on the Corvette.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: FCA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

18. Alfa Romeo Montreal<\/h2>\n

Despite never officially selling the Montreal in Canada, this sports car from Alfa had a big impact on the early ’70s sports car market. They built it on a Giulia chassis with a timeless Bertone body and a high-revving V8 engine in front. The Montreal was fast, stylish, and exclusive. Production was low at just over 4,000 fastbacks, making it highly sought after today (via ZF<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: FCA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although Montreal was not as good or fast as it could be because they rushed it into production, it was still a great-looking and driving coupe. The Lamborghini Miura largely influenced its design. The sloping rear end is what makes it a true European fastback<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

17. Ford Capri<\/h2>\n

The success of the Mustang made it highly influential, inspiring American car<\/a> brands to offer a pony car of their own. Even in Europe, the Mustang was popular and common. However, Ford<\/a> wanted to explore the market further with a smaller European version. That’s how the Ford Capri came to be in 1969 (via Autoexpress<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Designed in the UK, the Capri was a European Mustang in every way. The Capri looked great using the “long hood-short deck” formula and semi-fastback styling. Although they based it on the standard Cortina and used the same engine, the Capri looked like a thoroughbred muscle car<\/a>. In fact, most people thought it was a U.S.-built Ford. However, most Capris were powered by diminutive four-cylinder engines. Even the six-cylinder versions were not that powerful, even for fastbacks.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

16. Fiat Dino Coupe<\/h2>\n

Back in 1967, Fiat introduced the Dino, a coupe and convertible sports car that featured<\/a> a Ferrari V6 engine from the 246 GT Dino. The coupe was designed by Bertone, while Pininfarina styled the convertible. The two cars shared mechanics, engines, and performance, but the design was totally different. The coupe featured an elegant fastback profile (via FCA Heritage<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fiat officially sold the Dino Coupe in America. If you look at the classified ads, you could find one for as little as $15,000. That is definitely the most affordable<\/a> way to own a piece of Ferrari magic at Ford Fiesta prices. If you’re a budget-minded enthusiast, look for the Dino Coupe since it’s more common and affordable than the convertible. The later 2.4-liter V6 version is better and faster than the early 2.0-liter model. Even though Ferrari powers it, this Fiat was slow.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Top Gear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

15. Aston Martin DB5<\/h2>\n

The DB5 debuted in 1963 with a design provided by the famed Italian Carozzeria Touring company. The heart of the car was a 4.0-liter straight-six engine<\/a> delivering 282 to 315 HP depending on the trim and model. They produced the DB5 as a coupe or gorgeous convertible. Despite being powerful by the day’s standards, the DB5 was more of a luxury cruiser<\/a> than a sports car. It could go from 0 to 60 mph in approximately eight seconds. It means that today, this gorgeous car would be beaten by any economy model (via Carmagazine<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Top Gear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The DB5 proved quite popular. Aston made over 1,000 of them until 1965. The car was considered to be a big success for a small boutique manufacturer. But what this car is the most famous for is being James Bond’s car of choice, appearing in quite a few Bond movies. Some say this is an early case of product placement but in reality<\/a> it’s a match made in heaven.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Top Gear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14. Porsche 356 Speedster<\/h2>\n

The first Porsche that gave driving enthusiasts<\/a> a taste of a “race car for the street” was the tiny-but-significant 356 Speedster. They presented it in the mid-50s as a special model. It came without luxuries<\/a> and an open-top. In fact, Porsche designed the Speedster to be easy to drive on the track as well as the road (via Porsche<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Top Gear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the mechanics were the same as the standard 356, the Speedster came with a flat-four engine with 75 HP on tap. Despite the fact the power was so diminutive, so was the weight. However, 0 to 60 mph figures are around 10 seconds which is ridiculous today. However, the low weight made the 356 Speedster an extremely fun car to drive on the track. Legendary actor and racer Steve McQueen had one too.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Mecum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13. Ferrari 246 Dino GT<\/h2>\n

The Dino was a big step for the company, even if it was the smallest model Ferrari ever made<\/a>. They presented it in the mid-60s as the 206 Dino as an entry-level model with a V6 engine. The Ferrari purists were outraged since this was the first sports car Ferrari made without the big V12 engine (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 246 Dino debuted in 1968, and sales picked up, making this little car responsible for the financial stability Ferrari needed. But most of all, the Dino was a blast to drive even though it had a smaller engine with fewer cylinders. This car showed that sometimes less is more, even though any Corvette could beat the Dino.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12. BMW M1<\/h2>\n

Even though the M1 was not a commercial success since they only sold 453 copies, this limited production sports car was tremendously important for BMW’s future. It is also one of the best-known wedge-shaped supercars they ever made (via Car And Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The heart of this sports car<\/a> was BMW’s famous M88 six-cylinder engine with 3.5-liters of displacement. It also had advanced fuel injection and 273 HP, which was a high number for the day’s standards. But today, even the BMW<\/a> 320 with a diesel engine can match M1’s performance. They positioned the engine longitudinally just behind the driver and the passenger.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11. Renault 5 Turbo<\/h2>\n

The essence of the R5 Turbo was a mid-mounted 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivered 160 HP. They redesigned and reengineered the car to move the engine from the front hood to behind the driver. The rear track was much wider and the side scoops made for better engine cooling (via Top Gear<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, such an extreme car lost<\/a> one of the main hot hatch characteristics: practicality. Basically, it was a pure racing car<\/a> they built for homologation purposes. It still deserves an important place in turbo history as one of the craziest hot hatches<\/a> and coolest cars of the ’80s. It wasn’t that fast but it was insane.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale<\/h2>\n

Despite the fact it’s now irrelevant in the supercar class, in the late ’60s, Alfa produced one of the most interesting supercars ever built<\/a>, the Tipo 33 Stradale. It was not only the most expensive production car<\/a> at the moment, it was also the most exclusive. Powered by a screaming race-bred V8, Alfa sold only 15 of them (via Petrolicious<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 33 Stradale looks gorgeous, but its production and public appearance were so limited people forgot about this car<\/a>. Under the hood was a 2.0-liter V8 which revved up to 9,000 rpm, which was unheard of in the late ’60s. Despite all of that, the car was pretty disappointing to drive.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Jaguar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9. Jaguar E-Type<\/h2>\n

The E-Type was the first massively popular sports car, even before the Porsche 911. It is a design and engineering icon that has graced the roads since 1961. It still looks as attractive as ever. The E-Type is a sharp handling, straight-six roaring, two-seater coupe or roadster with a long nose and curved rear end. When it debuted in 1961, the E-Type was a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean (via GQ Magazine<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite Jaguar’s long-lasting tradition of building fine sports cars, the E-Type was years ahead of its time. It had a superb design, four-wheel disk brakes, independent rear suspension, and powerful straight-six engines. They derived it from the Le Mans-winning C and D Type racers, making it as fast as any Ferrari or Maserati. The E-Type had a high-priced Italian exotic’s looks, power, and performance, yet it cost a fraction of the price. Even though it looks like million bucks, 0 to 60 mph is just over seven seconds which means some vans can beat it.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Japanese Nostalgic Car<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Datsun 240Z<\/h2>\n

The 240Z was the first highly successful Japanese sports car on the American<\/a> market. It’s a legend even today. The 240Z featured a bigger engine, updated construction, and more power and performance than anything from Japan. Critics say it was a copy of several European designs<\/a>. Nevertheless, the 240Z managed to create its own fanbase (via Motor Trend<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Japanese Nostalgic Car<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Datsun introduced the 240Z to America in 1970, and it was the perfect car for the time. The muscle car craze was winding down because safety regulations were killing domestic performance cars. People were searching for alternatives to provide driving excitement with better handling and prices. Most European models were expensive, but the Datsun 240Z got 150 HP from its 2.4-liter six-cylinder, providing decent but not spectacular performance.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Matra Bagheera<\/h2>\n

The French company, Matra, is one of the most interesting automotive design and development outfits. For decades, this firm has delivered innovative solutions and new technologies. In fact, they work with some of the biggest names in the industry. In the early ’70s, in cooperation with Simca, Matra decided to produce a small sports car for the European market. They called it the Bagheera, introducing this cool-looking three-seater in 1973.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yes, you read it right, the Bagheera had three seats upfront. So even though it was compact and small, three people could sit comfortably next to each other. Unfortunately, the power came from a diminutive 1.2 or 1.4-liter engine, which didn’t provide an exhilarating performance. However, little Matra Bagheera was a moderate success with three seats and its French charm (via Aronline<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto Wp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Volkswagen SP2<\/h2>\n

The biggest car company<\/a> in Brazil was Volkswagen. The combination of air-cooled quality, usability, and low price made Volkswagens the most popular car in Brazil by far. However, Volkswagen didn’t have any performance credentials or a sports model, and in the early ’70s, they wanted a piece of the action (via Silodrome<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Auto WP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, they took the Beetle floor pan, a 1.7-liter flat-four engine, and tuned it to 75 HP. And although that wasn’t much, it was faster than the stock Beetle. They called the finished product the SP2, and it debuted in 1972. It looked modern with a long front end, low profile, and sporty silhouette.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. SAAB Sonett<\/h2>\n

Even though SAAB was always famous for sedans<\/a> or convertibles with turbo engines, they produced a sports coupe during the ’60s and early ’70s. And as people expected, it was strange, obscure and quirky just like the rest of the range. In fact, there were three generations of the SAAB Sonett sports car (via Top Gear<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Fav Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first one was a racing prototype from the ’50s, but the second and third were regular production models. They designed it on a box chassis and fitted it with a fiberglass body. Initially, they equipped the Sonett with SAAB’s tiny three-cylinder two-stroke engine delivering just 60 HP. As you can expect, their customers were disappointed with the poor performance. But, soon, the company fitted it with a 1.7-liter V4 borrowed from Ford’s European division. Even though that was an improvement, it wasn’t enough to save the model. Due to disappointing sales numbers and the 1973 oil crisis, Saab ceased production in 1974.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Hemmings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3<\/h2>\n

In 1970, the hottest Corvette pumped out a whopping 435 HP. But by 1980<\/a>, the hottest Corvette only produced a modest 180 HP. But in California, due to the stricter emission standards, it was even 10 HP less. So, what happened in only 10 years? Where did all those horses go (via Car and Driver<\/a>)?<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Hemmings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can blame the recession and the tighter emission standards and safety regulations. In fact, they killed almost all the performances from the legendary Corvette. The 1980 Corvette was a bit of a dinosaur with old technology under its plastic skin. Also, it came with lazy engines and an outdated interior. It still looked like it meant business, but the years caught up with it.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Skoda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Skoda 110 R<\/h2>\n

During the ’60s, Skoda’s main sedan model was the 110. It was a basic four-door car<\/a> with a rear-mounted four-cylinder engine. In Eastern Europe, sports cars were almost nonexistent as a category in those days. So Skoda wanted to introduce a sports coupe to widen its appeal and export sales. The result was the Skoda 110 R, a true sports coupe with a dynamic fastback design and more power (via Skoda<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Skoda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They presented the 110 R in 1970 and immediately became a highly sought-after model in the whole of Eastern Europe. It retained the basic technical layout but had an upgraded engine producing 62 HP. But even though the performance was diminutive by today’s standards, back in the early ’70s in Czechoslovakia, it was a proper sports coupe.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Net Car Show<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Ferrari Mondial<\/h2>\n

Debuting in 1980, the Mondial was a successor to the 308 GT4. It was a compact Grand Turismo sports car<\/a> with a 2+2 seating configuration and a mid-engine layout. And that meant it offered more space than the 308 and 328 GTB models, which were only two-seaters (via Autoexpress<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Net Car Show<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even though the Mondial was more practical and somewhat more affordable, it wasn’t particularly popular. Today, it is one of those rare yet poorly regarded models in the Ferrari community. That was because the design wasn’t dynamic. Also the performance figures were much slower than the rest of the Ferrari lineup.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Net Car Show<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Sunbeam Tiger<\/h2>\n

Sunbeam is a classic English brand, long gone from the market and remembered by only a handful of enthusiasts. But the Alpine is a nice-looking car with dependable and conventional mechanicals. Also, it comes with a small 1.5 or 1.7-liter four-cylinder motor. Over the years, Sunbeam built over 60,000 Alpine roadsters, so finding one is easy. For under $20,000, you can find a nice example of this interesting car (via Top Speed<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Net Car Show<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, if you are looking for a more serious machine, you might want to look for the Sunbeam Tiger. This model looks identical to the Alpine but packs a 260 or 289 Ford V8 engine under the hood. And that gives it much better performance and soundtrack. However, still not exhilarating. But best of all, the legendary Carroll Shelby<\/a> designed this model before he worked for Ford.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The world of high-performance and sports cars is a competitive place. For decades, manufacturers tried…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":52116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cars","iab_keys-automobile-markets-of-germany","iab_keys-automobile-markets-of-japan","iab_keys-automobiles","iab_keys-automotive-equipment-manufacture-car-industry","iab_keys-bmw","iab_keys-car-parts-and-supplies","iab_keys-car-seats","iab_keys-cross-country-vehicles","iab_keys-motor-vehicles","iab_keys-premium-cars","iab_keys-road-transport","iab_keys-sports-cars","iab_keys-test-drives","iab_keys-traffic-and-transport","iab_keys-vehicles"],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":51964},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51964"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51964\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52119,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51964\/revisions\/52119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}