What exactly makes a sports car truly awesome? The classic definition points to a low-slung vehicle, typically designed for two occupants, boasting significant power and agile handling, often wrapped in a beautiful design. However, when exploring the pantheon of Awesome Sports Cars, we find numerous exceptions to this rule. Consider cars like the Lamborghini Countach, not exactly renowned for its forgiving driving dynamics, or the Mazda Miata, admired for its balance rather than outright power. Even the Mercedes 500E, with its practical four doors, and the Plymouth Superbird, a muscle car pushing stylistic boundaries, find their way into discussions of legendary sports cars.
The realm of hypercars, with their extreme performance, often transcends the traditional sports car category, though many supercars comfortably qualify. It’s worth remembering a time when 300 horsepower was a truly remarkable figure. Grand tourers, while luxurious, usually diverge from the focused sportiness of dedicated sports cars, although roadsters and coupes can certainly embody the spirit, depending on their design intent. Sometimes, sheer automotive beauty elevates a car to awesome sports car status almost single-handedly, as seen in the captivating lines of the Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 or the iconic Lamborghini Miura. Other vehicles, like the Alpine A110, earned their stripes as awesome sports cars through their racing pedigree and track prowess. Rarity, surprisingly, isn’t a defining factor, as evidenced by the inclusion of both the ultra-exclusive Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic and the relatively accessible Datsun 240Z on many enthusiasts’ lists. Then there are cars like the Chevy Corvette and Porsche 911, which seemingly tick every box: massive sales figures, profound cultural impact, exhilarating performance, and timeless styling that continues to inspire awe. These are undeniably awesome sports cars.
To delve deeper into this fascinating debate, a panel of twelve automotive experts was assembled. Their mission: to select their top 50 awesome sports cars from an extensive list of over 150 models, ranging from Abarth to Zonda. The voting process revealed some surprising omissions. Several highly desirable cars, including the Ford GT, Saleen S7, and McLaren 600LT, received no votes, highlighting the subjective nature of “awesome.” Other contenders, such as the AMC AMX, the first-generation Chevy Camaro, and the De Tomaso Pantera, garnered passionate support but ultimately fell short of the top 50. The discussions were lively, particularly regarding Shelby models, yet the experts reached unanimous agreement on the top five awesome sports cars. The editors at Robb Report then refined these expert choices to create the final ranking presented.
The concept of sports cars, born over a century ago, might have originated from purely functional considerations of design, engineering, and motorsport success. However, almost from their inception, sports cars have been deeply intertwined with emotion. Any evaluation of awesome sports cars inevitably reflects this interplay between rational criteria and personal passion. The ongoing discussion about which sports cars are truly the greatest and most awesome will likely continue as long as these vehicles themselves continue to evolve and redefine what it means to be a sports car.
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF red color parked outdoors
