|
Car Parts home > Car
Parts Info Center > Sports Cars
Sports Cars
 We
all know that the automobile is a relatively new invention, and
the sports car is an even newer invention. In fact, although there
were, indeed, sports cars before World War II, they do not fully
fit the idea of a true sports car that we hold today.
The original sports cars were, of course, designed truly for sport.
In other words, they were not intended for the basic consumer to
buy and take for a joyride through down the highway and through
the hills. Rather, they were meant to be used for speed trials,
rallies, and endurance races.
These original sports cars were fast (as any good sports car ought
to be), but they were also extremely hard to handle and not very
comfortable. In fact, if an amateur were to drive one of these sports
cars, it would be quite a dangerous endeavor. Besides, to buy one
of these sports cars of the time, you had to have a lot more money
than it takes to buy a high-end sports car today. They were rare.
So, which actually was the first sports car? Most people consider
the Vauxhall Prince Henry, manufactured from 1911 to 1913, to be
the very first sports car. Again, though, this sports car is not
the sort of vehicle that we consider to be a true sports car today.
It was entered into many races.
Some would say that the first “sports cars” started
to appear after World War II. Finally, after years of the depression
and then war, consumerism and consumption began to grow. There was
better technology brought about by the war as well as a league of
some thrill-seeking men who had made it through the war. The roads
increasingly became better and better. And as the roads got better,
so did the sports cars.
Of course, as always, car companies were keen to the demand and
started to supply great sports cars. Ferrari, Jaguar, and others
began to adapt themselves to the changing market. Car makers began
to see that people did not simply want their sports cars to fast
(although, of course, everyone loves a fast car!), they also wanted
their sports cars to be comfortable.
The new drivers of sports cars were not professionals race car
drivers – they wanted things like a radio, trunk, air conditioning,
or other amenities in addition to speed and great handling.
So, which are the top sports cars of all time? Although many sports
cars could be and should be included on this list, do not forget
to include:
• Ferrari 250 GTO (produced between 1962 and 1964, and only
about 36 or 39 were produced!)
• Jaguar E-Type
• Mercedes-Benz 300SL
• Porsche Carrera RS
• McLaren F1 (the holder of the speed record (240 mph) for
road cars
• Lamborghini Miura SV
• Shelby 289 Cobra
• Porsche 356
• BMW M3
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (you know, the car in 2 Fast
2 Furious)
• Porsche 911
• Dodge Viper
• Chevrolet Corvette
Of course, the list of great sports cars can only continue to grow
as we see better and better advancements in technology and design.
Who knows which sports cars will make it on to next century’s
list of best sports cars?
Who knows which sports cars will change the history of sports cars
forever?
|
