Any discussion about the Most Awesome Sports Cars of all time begins with a fundamental question: what exactly is a sports car? The classic definition points to a low-slung vehicle, typically designed for two occupants, boasting considerable power and agile handling, often wrapped in a beautiful design. However, many vehicles celebrated as sports cars might bend or break one or more of these rules. Take the Lamborghini Countach for example; while iconic, its driving dynamics aren’t its strongest suit. Or consider the Mazda Miata, a beloved roadster that isn’t exactly known for overwhelming power. Even the four-door Mercedes 500E and the flamboyant Plymouth Superbird, a muscle car pushing the boundaries of taste, find themselves in the sports car conversation.
Hypercars, with their extreme performance, often transcend the sports car category, though many supercars comfortably qualify, especially when considering that 300 horsepower was once a benchmark of serious performance. Grand tourers, while luxurious and capable, are generally distinct from sports cars, though sporty roadsters and coupes can certainly blur the lines. Sometimes, sheer automotive beauty elevates a car to sports car status almost single-handedly, as seen with the stunning Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 and the timeless Lamborghini Miura. Other cars, like the nimble Alpine A110, earned their sports car credentials through racetrack prowess. Rarity, surprisingly, isn’t always a defining factor, as demonstrated by both the ultra-exclusive Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic and the relatively accessible Datsun 240Z. Then there are icons like the Chevy Corvette and the Porsche 911, which seemingly tick every box: massive sales figures, significant cultural impact, exhilarating performance, and enduring, iconic styling.
To delve deeper into what constitutes the most awesome sports cars, a panel of twelve experts was assembled. These experts were tasked with selecting their top 50 sports cars from an extensive list of over 150 models, ranging from Abarth to Zonda. Interestingly, some highly desirable cars, including the Ford GT, Saleen S7, and McLaren 600LT, received no votes, highlighting the subjective nature of automotive passion. Other vehicles, 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. Debates were lively, particularly concerning Shelby models, yet the experts reached unanimous agreement on the top five. The editors at Robb Report then refined these expert selections to create the final rankings.
Sports cars, originating over a century ago as expressions of design and engineering focused on driving pleasure and racing success, have always been deeply intertwined with emotion. Any evaluation of these vehicles inevitably reflects this interplay between objective criteria and subjective passion. The discussion about which sports cars are truly the greatest will undoubtedly continue as long as the very definition of a sports car evolves and captivates enthusiasts worldwide. — Erik Shilling
