Even if you're a huge J.D.M. fan or American muscle-head, few will be able to discredit Europe's contribution to the automotive community. Sure, Henry Ford may have streamlined the manufacturing process, but it was companies like Mercedes, Porsche, and so on, that perfected it.
What we mean by that is, of course, the advancements each car has made, respectively. Over the decades, European carmakers have been at the forefront of technological revolutions, both in terms of speed and efficiency. Though, which (of them all) are the MOST important?
The answers will change depending on who you ask, but we can pin-down many of the common denominators. With that goal in mind, here are ten of the most important sports cars Europe has ever produced...
10 Audi Quattro
Today, Audi is a leader in the automotive industry, particularly in regard to its all-wheel-drive systems. The car that began it all was the rally beast: the Audi Quattro! Developed as an off-road sports car, the Audi Quattro dominated nearly every competition it was. Group B, Group S, WRC, you name it; odds are the Quattro won it.
9 Lotus Elan
Lotus is like many other car manufacturers that started life in motorsports. Taking the knowledge they'd gathered throughout the years, Lotus finally built their first car, the Elan. For all intents and purposes, the Elan jump-started Lotus' interest in making consumer-grade sports cars.
Because of the Elan's shockingly spry nature, the car jumped to the top of people's list. As a result, the Elan stayed on Lotus' books for thirteen-years (plus an extra six if you count the M100 reboot, but we don't).
8 Jaguar E-Type
A car doesn't need to be the most structurally sound or highest performing vehicle out there to be recognized for something positive. Then again, it's still hard to overlook clear flaws. This, dear reader, is the conundrum surrounding the Jaguar E-Type.
For one, the E-Type is a literal work of art on wheels. In our opinion, only a select few classics can hold a candle to the E-Type's aesthetics. Though, it wasn't well-built. In reality, most were plagued with issues. Nevertheless, it won Jaguar some races and helped define them as the luxury/sports brand they are now.
7 BMW E30 M3
In 1986, the world of small, European sports cars would undergo a change like none other beforehand. The catalyst was the first BMW M3; model code E30. Although it may resemble a normal E30 3-Series, the M3 variant is hardly the same car.
Powered by two versions of the same four-cylinder (S14B23 & S14B25, respectively), the M3 made waves throughout the sports car industry. The E30 M3 was a car that could drive like a luxurious BMW, whilst simultaneously being able to let loose whenever asked.
Whoever you ask, chances are they'll love the E30 M3 as much as the rest of us. After all, a car so well rounded in motorsports and civilian travel should be remembered as such.
6 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Believe it or not, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing was also derived from motor racing. Originally, the track-purpose version was known as the 'W194' until it was eventually replaced by the 300SL.
The 300SL is among the most accredited Mercedes in history; compared only to the likes of the CLK GTR and SLR. Just looking at this masterpiece makes us question our deep-seated BMW loyalty!
5 Porsche 911
There's a lot of 'firsts' in this article if you haven't already noticed. So, why not add another important first to the list: such as the original Porsche 911. Though Ferdinand Porsche was interrupted by the Second World War, he quickly got back to work afterwards - building the Porsche 356 and 911.
The 911 was the 356's replacement. As it is today, the first 911 was compact, efficient, and (above all else) bloody quick. While writing this, more than 1,000,000 911's have been made and it currently sits as Porsche's most valuable race car variant. Knowing Porsche, it'll remain that way for the rest of time...
4 McLaren F1
Similar to Lotus, McLaren was a British auto-racer who began developing race cars. Several years after the founder, Bruce McLaren, passed away in a testing accident, McLaren decided to make a road car. And hey, what better name for it than the series that birthed McLaren: 'F1.'
As you're likely well aware, the McLaren F1 is no ordinary car. It was, for lack of a better term, the Bugatti Veyron before the Bugatti Veyron. With a top speed of 240.1 MPH (IN 1998!), the F1 showed that McLaren was more than just racers. To this very day, the F1 still holds the title of 'fastest naturally-aspirated production car in the world.'
3 Lamborghini Miura
If you were Enzo Ferrari, it'd be preposterous to imagine a simple tractor company posing any sort of threat to your business. Nonetheless, that's exactly what happened. First, with the 300GT, then again with the Lamborghini Miura.
At the time of production, the Miura was another member of the 'World's Fastest' club, clocking in at ~163 MPH in the late-1960's. It was also the first mid-engine road car to see production and, subsequent, sale. All of those factors combined made the Miura the world's first (official) supercar!
2 Ferrari F40
The last car Enzo Ferrari would oversee, as well as the last turbo-charged Ferrari for ages. Of course, there's only one Ferrari that we could be referencing: the legendary Ferrari F40. So much about the F40 is just perfect: the exterior design, bare-minimum race car aesthetic, and the sheer power to name a few. Though, you can't forget the engine-note, either.
The F40 is now being honored by Ferrari in its current V8 model lineup. Its name is the F8 Tributo ('Tributo' translating to 'tribute').
1 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
You knew it was going to be here, I knew it was going to be on here, it was basically a matter of time until we brought up the Bugatti Veyron. And, where better than its rightful spot in the first place?
The Veyron 16.4 is a monster of a car. Namely, it's got a W16 engine, 10 radiators, quad-turbochargers, and 24-valves. The aftermath could best be described as mind-bottling - The Veyron 16.4 churns out 1,000+ horsepower and set the production speed record at 258 MPH.
What's more important, though, is what the Bugatti Veyron left in its wake. It restored the thought-to-be-lost Bugatti brand, while also creating an entirely new category of sports cars. Today, we know them as 'hypercars.'