What exactly makes 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 visually stunning package. Yet, when you delve into the realm of iconic Sports Cars, you’ll find numerous examples that playfully bend or even break these very rules. Consider the Lamborghini Countach, a car whose visual drama overshadows its driving dynamics, or the Mazda Miata, admired for its balanced handling rather than outright power. Then there’s the Mercedes 500E, a sedan that injects sports car performance into a four-door format, and the Plymouth Superbird, a muscle car that pushed aerodynamic styling to its flamboyant extreme.
While hypercars exist in a performance stratosphere beyond the typical sports car, many supercars comfortably fit within the category. It’s worth remembering a time when 300 horsepower was a truly significant figure in the automotive world. Grand tourers, while luxurious and capable, generally fall outside the sports car designation, whereas roadsters and coupes often embody the sporty essence, depending on their design focus and performance characteristics. Sometimes, sheer automotive artistry elevates a car to sports car status almost single-handedly, as seen in the breathtaking lines of the Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 and the iconic Lamborghini Miura. Other vehicles, like the nimble Alpine A110, earned their sports car credentials through racing success and track prowess.
Rarity, surprisingly, plays a minor role in defining a sports car‘s greatness. This is evident in the inclusion of both the ultra-exclusive Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic and the relatively accessible Datsun 240Z in discussions of top sports cars. Certain models, such as the enduring Chevy Corvette and the timeless Porsche 911, seem to tick almost every box: significant sales volume, profound cultural impact, exhilarating performance, and undeniably iconic styling that has stood the test of time.
To arrive at a curated list of exceptional sports cars, a panel of twelve automotive experts was assembled. These specialists were tasked with selecting their top 50 sports cars from a comprehensive list of over 150 vehicles, ranging from Abarth to Zonda. Intriguingly, some highly regarded cars, including the Ford GT, Saleen S7, and McLaren 600LT, received no votes from the panel. Conversely, models like the AMC AMX, the first-generation Chevy Camaro, and the De Tomaso Pantera garnered passionate support but ultimately fell short of making the top 50 cut. Debates were lively, particularly concerning Shelby vehicles, yet the experts reached unanimous agreement on their top five sports car selections. The editors at Robb Report then meticulously refined these expert rankings to produce the definitive list.
From their origins over a century ago as explorations in automotive design, engineering, and motorsport victories, sports cars have consistently evoked strong emotions. Evaluating these vehicles involves navigating the delicate balance between objective criteria and subjective passions. The ongoing discussion about which sports cars are truly the greatest is likely to persist as long as the very definition of a sports car continues to evolve and inspire.
— Erik Shilling
