The old saying “the beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is certainly correct when it comes to coupes. Coupe body style is defined as a two-door car with a permanently fixed roof. In the 18th century, the word was first used to describe a carriage drawn by horses. The concept has gradually changed in meaning, and today it is used to name a particular class of cars - most often sports cars

Coupes have demonstrated a superior capability and attractiveness to charm the buyers. Meanwhile, there have been examples one cannot stand to look for too long. The best-looking ones always turn heads, and those who lack enough class fell short of potential customer’s list. The history of the car industry provides fascinating examples of each category.

10 Beautiful: Toyota 2000GT

White Toyota 2000GT with its daylights on inside an aircraft hanger

Toyota 2000GT changed everything for its manufacturer and the sports car segment in the Japanese car industry. It came out when the fever for high-performance road cars reached its highest, and demands from customers forced the manufacturers to think about coming up with authentic grand tourers. Toyota had accumulated enough knowledge since the 1930s to build a coupe with an aluminum body.

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White Toyota 2000GT inside an aircraft hanger

The 2000GT was unveiled at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show and helped in revealing a refreshed image of Toyota as the conservative Japanese carmaker of the time. It also attracted lots of eager, wealthy buyers.

9 We Can't Keep A Straight Face: Mitsuoka Orochi

White Mitsuoka Orochi speeding on a highway

Opinions over the Mitsuoka Orochi were widely divided. While some American and English reviewers had formed a unified idea to label it as the world's ugliest car and criticize its appearance and design, a second group voiced a milder opinion and called it bold and polarizing.

White Mitsuoka Orochi speeding on a highway

The initial concept of the vehicle was unveiled in 2001, and the final product came in 2007. The Japanese sports car was a piece of controversial machinery with supercar looks. The platform on which it was based was Honda NSX, and it used a 3.3-liter,V6 engine with only 233 hp as its powertrain.

8 Beautiful: Jaguar E-Type

British Racing Green Jaguar E-Type parked on the gravel

Compared to its contemporary cars, the classic E-Type would strike a chord with Jaguar fans. It is over half a century old, accurate, and it doesn’t help you win track days behind its’ wheel; neither will it scramble your senses with its mechanical fury. But ultimately, the E-Type feels like a performance car more in tune with the 2020s driving environment than ever.

British Racing Green Jaguar E-Type parked on the gravel

The car is fast enough, and the motor makes a pleasant noise. The four-wheel disc brakes help you quickly master a stop and enjoy excellent manual handling by holding on its classical, large, and genuine wood-rimmed wheel.

7 We Can't Keep A Straight Face: 1970-'71 Marcos Mantis

Metallic blue Marcos Mantis on a narrow dirt path

Car enthusiasts come across many aesthetically-desirable versions of cars, but what would they think about Dennis Adams’s Marcos Mantis? This 2-door, rear-wheel-drive coupe was built by the British sports car manufacturer to enter into the world of coupes, but the result was a disaster.

Metallic blue Marcos Mantis parked on dirt by a pond

It turned out to be a strange design. They allegedly had a very aerodynamic body, and some even talk of 140 mph top speeds. Still, the Mantis was a very British but ingenious taking on the Lamborghini Espada concept of a low-slung grand touring car with proper rear seats.

6 Beautiful: Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray

Marlboro Maroon Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray parked next to an autumn forset

The C2 Corvette conquered many hearts with its sleek body. The car has so much torque that you hardly need to change gear. Although the Sting Ray is an old one that needs a few repairs and adjustments, generally, it guarantees a fun top-down drive on a sunny day.

RELATED: 15 Photos Of The Chevrolet 1963 Corvette Stingray Looking Dapper

Marlboro Maroon Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray parked next to an autumn forset

Another thing that surrounds the car is a belief that states the C2 Corvette is one of the most influential American sports cars of all time with a well-developed chassis. From day one, it included an independent rear suspension and a standard four-wheel disc brakes from 1965.

5 We Can't Keep A Straight Face: AMC Matador Coupe

Weird-looking sand tan AMC Matador

Described as the best-styled car of 1974 and cursed by others as one of the ugliest designs of the 1970s, the AMC Matador was open for debate right from the start.

Side view of the weird-looking sand tan AMC Matador

It was a bold move for American Motors that struggled and ultimately became a financial disaster. The story dates back to 1974 when AMC decided to focus on small cars like Matador, which was its largest model. At the time, the sedan and wagon versions had been refreshed, but the big news was the new, 2-door coupe that sadly came as a slap in the face.

4 Beautiful: Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

Silver Gray Metallic Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing showing off with its headlights on

Finally, there came a car that blurred the boundaries of automotive haute couture and flashy wheels. The 300SL Gullwing is one of those beautiful and rare classics that you may never have a chance to sit behind one; nevertheless, you will recognize it at once from its exclusive design signature.

Silver Gray Metallic Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing showing off with its doors open

Although it’s dated, the sum of its look, shape, and those doors have elevated the 300SL Gullwing to iconic status. Moreover, the cabin is beautiful, though a bit lively and bright by modern standards.

3 We Can't Keep A Straight Face: BMW Z3 Coupe

Titanium Silver Metallic BMW Z3 Coupe speeding on a road

BMW Z3 coupe simply divided BMW’s fandom into two groups: you either loved it or hated it. The car stirred much controversy over its looks, and those who felt affection towards it were ready to pay any amount of money required for a good example.

Titanium Silver Metallic BMW Z3 Coupe cruising on the salt lake at sunset

This coupe was secretly in development back in the late 1990s when German engineers took a Z3 roadster and added a roof to it. Also, it features the 3.2-liter S52 engine capable of 240 hp, a five-speed manual, and some M suspension and chassis bits.

2 Beautiful: Alfa Romeo Montreal

Metallic green Alfa Romeo Montreal on a narrow driveway among lawns

The Alfa Romeo Montreal is both gorgeous from outside and inside. Behind the wheel, you'll get a driving experience dominated by the race-bred V8. The car may not run as fast as you might expect, but the overall performance is ample and backed by a fabulous soundtrack.

RELATED: 10 Greatest Alfa Romeos Ever Made

Metallic green Alfa Romeo Montreal on a narrow driveway among lawns

The renowned Italian company was inspired by a concept car that resembles the highly appreciated Lambo Miura model and decided to build a coupe version for the Montreal. It ended up being what is perhaps one of the most beautiful Alfas ever.

1 We Can't Keep A Straight Face: Alfa Romeo SZ

Red Alfa Romeo SZ on an autumn day with its daylights on

The Alfa Romeo SZ was born out of something called the ES30 design study. They revealed it at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show. The car had little to say in terms of performance. Unlike the usual, it lacked the attractiveness that usually marked Alfa Romeo’s products. It was aptly named ‘Il Mostro’, but the brutal styling was just one reason to shock everyone.

Red Alfa Romeo SZ on an autumn day with its driver door open

With a vibrant 207-bhp V6, the balanced chassis mated with the buttoned-down suspension offered a thrilling ride. However, it was notoriously tricky in the wet.

NEXT: These Are The Most Gorgeous Sports Cars Ever Made