These popular European sports cars were once the benchmark style and performance against which all others were judged. As popular as they were, you'd struggle to find them today.

What happened to these past masters? Time and technology played a huge part in their fall from grace. Literally anything produced at the onset of the '90s got smashed in the sales charts by Mazdas Miata MX-5. Prior to the iconic Japanese roadster, everything lingered on borrowed time, relying on once famous names to keep gearheads coming back.

Looking back, it's easy to see why nostalgic gearheads with their rose-tinted glasses remember these popular sports cars with such fondness. However, if they were so great, why are they so rare on the roads today? We suspect running costs, maintenance, and reliability have dissuaded even the most avid gearheads.

Related: 10 Underrated European Cars From The 90s We'd Love To Own

10 Lotus Élan S1-S4 (1962-1975)

Lotus Elan S1 - Front
Mecum Auctions

The Élan was Lotus first series production car to hit the big times, selling over 9000 cars throughout four generations. Kicking off with proceedings in 1962, the Series 1 came in fixed-head-coupe roadster form. Ever the innovator Colin Chapman's genius formula of a lightweight fiberglass body atop a galvanized steel backbone helped to weight down 1500 lbs.

Lotus Elan S4 - Front
Via: Historics

Despite the Lotus emblazoned cam cover, the Elans engine used a Ford 116E iron block displacing 1.55-liter producing up to 126 hp in Sprint models. While the formula was a simple one, the Élan suffers from underbody corrosion. Most examples today at the very least need some serious TLC.

9 Porsche 944 Turbo (1986-1991)

Porshce 944 Turbo - Front
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Any budget Porsche capable of shifting 25,000 cars is a good result in our books. Even more so, taking into account that about half found their way to U.S. shores. The long-standing front-engined Porsche myths of cheap, nasty and slow were finally dismissed by the arrival of a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor putting down 217 hp.

Porsche 944 Turbo - side
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However, as good as the 944 Turbos chassis and handling were, the model is almost entirely forgotten among gearheads. Cars that still exist either tend to be non-turbo models or showroom queens destined never to be driven.

RELATED: Why You Should Buy A Porsche 944 Turbo

8 FIAT/Bertone X1/9 (1972-1989)

Fiat X19 - Top
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As a wedge-shaped mid-engine Italian sports car, you might guess at production numbers up to four digits. However, the FIAT and later Bertone X1/9 sold in huge numbers, badges combined, reaching a staggering 160,000 cars. Small, light, and boasting a choice of four-cylinder engine options, the Fiat topped out at 115 mph.

Fiat X19 - Rear
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Huge production numbers don't ensure gearheads will come across the X1/9 anytime soon. A quick check of popular classifieds turned up zero results. The problem largely arises from FIAT's inability to corrosion-proof the sub-quality steel bodywork.

7 Peugeot 406 Coupe Pininfarina (1997-2005)

Peugeot 406 Coupe - Front
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The Peugeot 406 found fame on European shores as the go-to car of choice among taxi drivers. But, before you scroll past in search of more exotic metal, take note of the Pininfarina badges. Produced to jazz up Peugeots lackluster image, the 406 Coupe made its debut in 1996, wowing onlookers with its Ferrari-esque styling.

Peugweot 406 Coupe - Rear
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It wasn't just a fancy maker over either. On top spec models gearheads were equally well catered for with a 2.9-liter V6 Peugeot engine putting out 204 hp, promising a top speed of 146 mph. Over eight years more than 100,000 406 Coupes were produced. None as far as we can tell, made it to U.S. shores.

6 Peugeot RCZ (2009-2017)

Peugeot RCZ - Front
Via NetCarShow

Staying with Peugeot and coming more up to date, the RCZ proved the French carmaker didn't just build hot hatches. Unveiled in 2009, the RCZ would eventually go on to sell 69,000 cars in over 80 countries before Peugeot canned the 2+2 coupe in 2016. Unfortunately, the U.S. wasn't among those export markets.

Peugeot RCZ - Rear
Via Peugeot

Despite a small 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the RCZ is surprisingly quick, needing 5.9-seconds to reach 60 mph and topping out at 155 mph. However, both the Audi TT and Mini JCW sold better, spelling the end for Peugeots only true sports car.

RELATED: These Are The Most Important Cars In Peugeot's History

5 Triumph Spitfire 1500 (1974-1980)

Triumph Spitfire 1500 - Front
Via E & R Classics

The Spitfire name conjures images of Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. Sadly, that doesn't ring true here. The Spitfire 1500 launched in 1974, equipped with the notoriously rough Standard SC 1.5-liter engine. In the US trim, strangled by emissions regulations, that meant a disappointing 53 hp. Worse still, the Spitfire was painfully slow, needing an agonizing 16-seconds to reach 60 mph.

Triumph Spitfire 1500 - Rear
Via E & R Classics

Plagued by reliability issues and wayward handling thanks to its Herald-based underpinnings, the Spitfire had lost its credibility as a sports car by the end of production in 1980. In total some 95,000 Spitfire 1500s were made; the last example was never sold and remains in a UK museum.

4 Volvo P1800 (1961-1973)

Volvo P1800 - Front
Via: Volvo

The Volvo P1800 owes its existence to a leaked press release. Had it not been for this chance slip-up by Volvo, the P1800 likely wouldn't have reached production status. Fortunately, faced with the reality of a prototype and dozens of leaked imagery Volvo had no choice but to admit its existence and build the P1800.

Vovlo P1800 - Rear
Volvo

The rest as they say is history. Thanks to the successful TV series The Saint backed up by an astounding 3.25 million mile durability record, the P1800 is easily recognized. Over a twelve-year period, Volvo churned out 47,492 cars including the rarer 1800ES Wagon.

3 Opel Manta B (1981-1988)

Opel Manta GTE - Front
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The 70s sports car scene was a stark reminder of cheap, cheerful, and not especially fast sportscars. The Opel Manta B did at least spawn a handful of hot models to keep gearheads interested. The design reflects GMs shared platform philosophy. Viewed from some angles, it was pure Chevrolet Monza, while in others it took on the appearance of the Cavalier.

Opel Manta 400 - Front
Via Car & Classic

All was not lost however, the GTE despite its rather ordinary appearance shipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder cranking out 110 hp. Enough to be competitive, at junior club levels. The Manta B's success stretched to some 180,000 cars, few of which remain today. The GTE in particular suffered the tests of time numbering less than 60 registered examples.

RELATED: A Look Back At The Opel Manta

2 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV (1974-1986)

Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT - side
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More commonly referred to as the Alfa Romeo GT, this Italian coupe has a reputation as both fast and agile. They were hugely popular too, racking up over 137,000 sales. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the GT spanned as many as fourteen models with engines ranging from entry-level 1.6-liter four-cylinder units to the famous 3.0-liter V6 found under the GTV's hood.

Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT - Rear
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As with many Italian exotics of the period, build quality wasn't the best. Aside from the usual complaints relating to suspect electrics and temperamental mechanicals, the Alfetta GT was a race against rust. In wetter climates such as the UK, just 50 Alfettas remain licensed for road use.

1 Triumph TR7 (1975-1981)

Trumph TR7 - Front
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Remember the FIAT X1/9 mentioned earlier? The Triumph TR7 was the British equivalent, only much worse. Think of the TR7 as a sports car on looks alone, and you're on the right track. Incredibly, buyers on both sides of the pond fell for this one on its name alone, shifting 115,000 cars between 1975-81.

TR7 - Side
Via Wikimedia Commons

The list of build quality and reliability glitches alone should have gearheads running for the hills. Added to that, the TR7 despite its sleek wedge profile, wasn't exactly fast. Under the hood, a canted four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine cranked out 92 hp in US trim. At best, you're looking at 10-seconds to reach 60 mph. Scouring the classifieds uncovers several tired TR7s that are still out there, however, have seen better days.