1. Dodge Viper
The Viper is known for its swooping body, huge ten-cylinder engine and its speed. The original model came out in 1992 and was a surprisingly unrefined vehicle when it debuted. The old model didn’t have side windows and door handles outside, as a good example. Instead of having windows, the 1992 Viper had vinyl flaps which could be put in place to keep rain and water out.
Its other strange features included door sills which can become quite hot because of the vehicles’ side mounted exhaust pipes and a plastic-clad interior which looked very out of place for a vehicle which cost about $60,000 during that time. But none of these really mattered since the Viper was all about attracting attention by the speed and looks it had externally. Even until today the Viper still turns many heads.
2. Chevrolet Corvette
The Corvette is among the most popular sports cars in America and around the world. It debuted back in 1953 with the iconic two-seater being in production ever since. The sports car is known for the distinct personalities and looks for every generation being released but has also been very consistent. Each Corvette generation model has a front-engine and rear-wheel-drive layout with two seats, a fiberglass body and a strong V-8 engine.
3. Lamborghini Countach
Back in the 80s, the Countach was the dream car for many teenagers. The image of the sports car was seen in many bedroom walls and even in school notebook covers. Perhaps the most iconic sports car, the wedge-shape of this Lamborghini can generate a lot of excitement even when it’s sitting still.
The Countach began product in 1974 and the last one came out of the assembly line back in 1990. This Italian exotic car was improved and refined over the years it was put on the production line. The original model sported a 370-horsepower V-12 engine.
4. Porsche 911
For a lot of people, the 911 model from the German automobile manufacturer is one of the first things that come to mind when talking about sports cars. This speed machine from Porsche is known for its consistency over the years it has been put to production. Although the latest version is a lot faster, heavier, bigger and more luxurious than the 1960s original model, you can easily see the resemblance between the two if you put them side-by-side.
5. Ferrari Daytona
The Daytona is known for its elegance and classic design. It is a front-engine, two plus two grand tourers following the tradition of the company’s 250 and 275 models. Although commonly known as the “Daytona” the official designation of this vehicle is actually 365 GTB/4. The name Daytona was inspired based on the 1-2-3 finish of Ferrari during the 1967 24 hours of Daytona endurance race.
Today, many classic vehicle collectors find the Daytona a favorite. It brings out the glamour of the 60s era and luxury that no other vehicle can give. Although not the fastest sports car, the Daytona is very powerful with a 4.4-liter v-12 engine and 352 horsepower to boot.
6. Nissan Z-Car
Many buyers saw this sleek Italian-looking sports car as an amazing purchase when it came out back in 1969. Designated the 240Z, the model was able to sell more than 100,000 units during the first three years it was released in North America. This was an excellent showing for the brand especially since many Japanese automobiles during that time were considered poorly by many buyers.
7. Toyota Supra Mark IV
The Mark IV Supra is one of the most praised performance vehicles back in the 1990s. It is known for its balanced and very capable chassis as well as its strong 2JZ engine. Many amateur races and vehicle tuners prized the Supra due to these features. The engine that this vehicle possess is capable of producing a lot of power especially when modifications are in place. You can even see this vehicle in the Fast and Furious movies and that is why the Toyota sports car has become quite popular with the younger generation.
8. Acura NSX
The NSX was the answer from Honda when it comes to rivaling the Ferrari and Porsche sports vehicles released around the world. The automobile manufacturer wanted to have its own world-class sports car that is capable of performing highly. Their resulting vehicle garnered a lot of positive reviews and is seen as a very solid sports car that can compete with even the best vehicles Europe has to offer.
9. Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Miata is a small, beautiful and most of all, affordable sports car that people can get back in the day. It was a little convertible car that had everything to make the classic roadsters fun to drive with. Mazda created this vehicle with a light chassis, smart exterior look and a small but solid motor together with reliability all around. The Miata turned out to be one of the most reliable roadsters, unlike its British counterparts which were infamous for the regular maintenance needed.
10. MG MGB
Although not the very fastest sports car, the MGB was one of those small British cars which are quite affordable for buyers. It gave people a link between the road and the driver and this iconic two-seater even saw quite a long production run starting from 1962 and ending in the 1980s.