The concept of the sports car, as we know it today, was solidified shortly after World War One. Manufacturers producing models with an emphasis on car dynamics and speed rather than the traditional focus on practicality. Another key consideration in sports car development is styling. The aesthetics of a vehicle is the all-important first impression which can leave an ever-lasting memory.
Like with many other aspects of life, the phenomena of physical attraction help bypass reason and create a direct link to the heart and wallet. This segment was a chance for car manufacturers to showcase their technological and design innovations. Here are some of the most gorgeous sports cars that stole the hearts of many.
10 McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 was a car that defined a generation. It was the top trump of almost every category while capable of breaking necks like Naomi Campbell. The F1 held the record for the top speed achieved by a production car for more than a decade.
It took the bar set at 217.1 mph and threw it out of the stadium with a staggering top speed of 240.1 mph. Gordon Murray, the lead designer, set out to implement the latest advancements from the McLaren Formula One team into a street-legal car. Never has there been a better marriage of form and function.
9 Lancia Stratos
Lancia started production of the Stratos in 1973 and throughout its production cycle, it dominated the World Rally Championships. Winning the title in three consecutive years from 1974-76. The Stratos was a mid-engined Italian sports car, powered by the Dino Ferrari V6 that produced 190 hp.
Based on a rally car designed by the famed Marcello Gandini. So this thoroughbred won those championships with a lot of style as well. The wedge shape design was very on-trend of that era and even to this day capturing the imaginations of many.
8 Chevrolet Corvette (C3)
The C3 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette burst onto the scene with a fresh look that was both unique and eye-catching in 1968. It was equipped with multiple versions of the awesome small block Chevy V8 throughout its life and had the other American manufacturers reeling to find an answer for it.
With its distinct wedge shape and wheel arches. It does look like a shark out in open waters, tracking down its prey as Chevy intended. Oh, and those headlights. Who can resist a nice set of pop up headlights?
7 Aston Martin DB9
The Aston Martin DB9 was unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. Designed by British designer Ian Callum and Danish-American designer Henrik Fisker, it was a stunning yet conservative shape. Perhaps uniquely British. Made more so by being the most memorable James Bond car of the current run Daniel Craig starred generation.
Initially powered by the same 5.9-liter V12 engine found in the Vanquish V12, it produced a healthy 450 hp in an aluminum chassis equipped with modern suspension geometry. This helped the DB9 hang with the big boys in the professional race scene. This car is the complete package.
6 Toyota 2000GT
Toyota, together with Yamaha, exhibited the 2000GT at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show. It was Toyota's entry into the exotic car market, dominated by the top European car companies. Sales of the 2000GT were low. Driven by the public perception of Toyotas being cheap economic cars, an image Toyota could not shake.
It took a long time for this car to get the credibility that it deserved. The 2000GT was the first Japanese car to sell for over US$1,000,000 at auction, earning its place as a bonified classic exotic car. One of the most beautiful as well.
5 BMW 507
BMW enlisted the services of Albrecht von Goertz to design the 507 to fill the gap in the market place between the cheaper British sports cars and the Mercedez 300SL of the time. The 507 was a major flop, costing BMW millions and almost causing the company to go belly up.
Elvis Presley was a high profile owner of the 507, two of them, but even such a superstar's endorsement wasn't enough. Unexpected production costs pushed the price of the 507 to almost double the initially intended cost, which limited sales drastically. Despite all this, the 507 has undeniable sex appeal.
4 Lamborghini Miura
Considered by many to be the first true supercar, the Lamborghini Miura cemented Lamborghini's reputation as an exotic car company. Another one of Marcello Gandini's designs, the Miura came with a transversely mounted V12 mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
This engine churned out an incredible 345 hp, a number very rarely seen in cars at the time. The Miura's main claim to fame was being featured in the opening sequence of the original Italian Job film of 1969 but what's kept it alive was the other-worldly looks.
3 Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type was based on the D-Type that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, three times in a row in the mid-1950s. It was considered the most beautiful car by Enzo Ferarri himself and was well-received for its performance at a competitive price.
A 3.8 liter inline 6 engine powers the E-Type and produces 265 hp in the series 1 version which was produced from 1961-68. It was the car of choice for Austin Powers who named it the "Shaguar". Rightfully so, one look at this car is more potent than any aphrodisiac known to man.
2 Mercedes 300SL
The Mercedes 300 Super-Light (SL) was the road version of the W194 race car. Being developed as a race car first meant that the 300SL was capable of phenomenal speed, the fastest top speed of all production cars at the time.
The icon "gullwing" doors were implemented by chance. The W194 chassis didn't need doors so the chassis was developed with a tubular frame that didn't leave room for a conventional door so as a solution, the engineers made doors that had hinges on the roof. A happy accident that enhances the 300SL's style and character.
1 Datsun 240Z
The Datsun 240Z was quite literally the affordable Toyota 2000GT, having abandoned the concept they co-developed with Yamaha for being too expensive. Nissan (then called Datsun) took the idea and reworked it to be more budget-friendly. It proved to be the right decision, becoming a major commercial success.
It was the "everyman sports car" because of how well the 240Z performed at such a low price. The cost-cutting did not subtract from the mouth-watering form of the 240Z. One can argue that the simplicity adds to it.