It is true that when we talk about American cars, the Detroit Big Three automakers—GM, Ford, and Chrysler—come to mind. Tesla has recently gained fame as well. These brands have made many innovations that have improved the entire auto industry. Additionally, when it comes to iconic American cars, models like the Chevy Corvette, Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger, and Tesla Model S easily make the cut and enjoy widespread acclaim. They are basking in their accolades for their unique characteristics and branding.
Although many cars have made a name for themselves with their distinctive styling, performance, fuel efficiency, and drivability, there are also a few remarkable ones that have largely escaped the attention of motorists. These vehicles are not frequently discussed and are obscure. Few people can recall their names or physical attributes. Sometimes, it may be the fault of the marketing, the exclusivity, or the performance that failed to resonate with the minds of general consumers. However, among true auto enthusiasts and gearheads, these nameplates are easily recognizable. Let’s explore 10 obscure American cars that are only known by serious gearheads.
10 Equus Throwback
Equus Automotive designed the Throwback to appeal to motorists who adore the style of the ‘70s Chevy Corvette Stingray. This limited edition is a reinterpretation of the most recognizable American muscle car, sporting the fastback design and extreme performance.
This incredible machine features a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that is similar to the Corvette ZR1's. The engine churns out a staggering 1000 horses and 822 lb-ft of torque. Throwback's blistering acceleration can put any race car on the track to shame. It can sprint to 60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds, with an amazing top speed of 220 mph.
9 Drakan Spyder
Drakan Motor Cars introduced the Spyder in 2016 to compete with other open-top sports cars like the Bac Mono and Ariel Atom. The two-seater sports car brings the right balance of power and handling. There's no denying that it is the ultimate American track car.
The Spyder is fun to drive and ultra-lightweight. It is perhaps the most eye-catching car on the open road. A 6.2-liter GM LS3 V8 engine in this mid-engine car generates a solid 430 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. It takes just 3.2 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph and has a peak speed of 165 mph.
8 Panoz Esperante GTR-1
The Esperante GTR-1 is Panoz's race car, developed in the late nineties to compete in the FIA GT Championship, Le Mans, and the IMSA GT series. In street-legal form, it is a true racing behemoth that can outperform many track-only cars.
The Panoz GTR-1 pushes out a massive 600 ponies thanks to the Roush Racing-tuned 6.0-liter Ford V8 engine. Designed for track driving, the GTR-1 sports a lightweight chassis, batmobile-like styling, and a driver-centric cockpit.
7 Rossion Q1
The Rossion Q1 is a new breed of sports car created by Florida-based Rossion Automotive. Development of Q1 began after Rossion Automotive acquired the Noble M400 chassis in 2007. This two-seat coupe is a stunning performance machine designed to achieve the ultimate levels of acceleration, power, and maneuverability.
The brand revised the Q1 in 2015 with a more formidable Ford Duratec twin-turbo V6 engine. Amazingly, the tuned 3.0-liter V6 engine delivers 508 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque. Furthermore, it can dash to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. Rossion Q1 is custom-made to the owner's requirements and is handcrafted on demand.
6 Lucra LC470
The Shelby Roadster may come to mind as a comparison for the style of the Lucra LC470. Its exquisite styling and brutish performance make it difficult to ignore on the streets. The design is distinctive and not very common these days.
The two-door roadster draws its power either from an LS3 or LS7 V8 engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The LS7 produces a tremendous 505 horses, compared to the LS3's respectable 430 hp. It also boasts superb ergonomics and outstanding weight distribution.
5 Equus Bass 770
The Equus Bass 770 is easily mistaken for the original Ford Mustang from the 1960s. Although it draws inspiration from classic Mustangs, it’s a completely different road-going car. Debuted in 2015, this luxury muscle car is styled to attract a new generation of drivers while adding a contemporary edge.
The Bass 770 exemplifies the ultimate muscle car with its intimidating styling and menacing stance. A 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine in this very limited production car pumps out a monstrous 640 horsepower.
4 Rezvani Beast Alpha
You won't encounter Rezvani very frequently. However, if you have a high income and want a thrilling toy, the Beast Alpha is it. Rezvani's Beast Alpha resembles a heavily customized sports car. Designed for the purist, the Beast Alpha is a supercar with gobs of power. It enables racing enthusiasts to take pleasure in something unique.
Additionally, it is distinctive thanks to its sleek styling, raw sports car performance, and detachable Targa-style top. Some motorheads actually vouch for it as one of the most attractive sports cars on the street. With a 700-hp 2.5-liter turbo inline-4 engine in the Blackbird variant, the Beast Alpha can sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 2.9 seconds.
3 VLF Force 1
The VLF Force 1 accelerates at a breakneck pace for a supercar you've never heard of. Designed by the iconic Henrik Fisker, this Dodge Viper-based supercar made its world premiere at the 2016 North American International Auto Show.
This two-door coupe is arguably the most futuristic-looking car. However, the Force 1 isn’t just about visual appeal; it also offers superb handling and terrific performance. It features an 8.4-liter Viper V10 engine tuned to make a mammoth 745 horses. There aren't many cars that can match the performance when paired with the amenities needed to take track driving to the next level.
2 Falcon F7
The Falcon F7 is another formidable but obscure American performance car. You will fall in love with this stunning design at just one glance. The F7 is a sports car made of Kevlar and carbon fiber. It is also incredibly light thanks to its aluminum-composite body. The F7 made its debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
At the heart of the F7 is a twin-turbo Lingenfelter V8 engine that bumps out a colossal 1100 horsepower. This high-performance car has a top speed of more than 200 mph. Plus, it accelerates ferociously, hitting 60 mph from a standstill in only 2.7 seconds.
1 Bill Thomas Cheetah
Built from 1963 to 1966, the Bill Thomas Cheetah was an American sports car that was part of GM's secret racing project. Chevy contacted Bill Thomas, its performance tuner when Carroll Shelby's Cobra was winning races everywhere. He developed the cheetah, which was even more insane than the cobra. Bill Thomas was famously known as Mr. Corvette.
The Cheetah is undoubtedly a work of art in the history of motorsport. Its small weight, optimum 50:50 weight distribution, and race-ready Chevy Small-Block V8 engine from the Corvette C2 made it a true racing goliath. While the 327 cubic-inch small-block engine put out between 300 and 340 hp, the 377 cubic-inch racing engine pumped out over 550 horsepower. Moreover, it has outstanding straight-line speed and could reach a maximum speed of more than 210 mph.