Here the age-old question still lies; is American muscle really superior to European craftsmanship? While some enthusiasts only care about putting black squiggly lines on the road, others prefer their rides to be more refined, not at the cost of sports car fun of course, but rather shifting their focus on creating something more beautiful instead of adopting all-out brutality.So, here we are once again, offending some hardcore pony car lovers. These are some topless German, Italian, and British beauties from the '70s that we'd pick over a muscle car from the same era, any day of the week.
10 TVR 3000S
Most hardcore gearheads know of the automaker TVR, but if for whatever reason you haven’t, here is their motto in a nutshell: Fun first, safety second. So when we look back at TVR’s rich history of exuberant sports cars, there are too many models to choose from, but one that stood out from the rest was the topless 3000S.
The 3000S was essentially a 3000M with its roof chopped off, and actually TVR’s first-ever convertible car, but one thing they mastered beforehand was its rumbling 160 hp 3.0-liter V6; so not only was it a one-of-a-kind convertible but a ruthless one too.
9 Lotus Seven Series 4
Essentially, the Lotus Seven was a roofless chassis on four wheels that made for the perfect weekend car. This grown-up go-kart weighed just around 1,300 lbs, was powered by a teeny naturally-aspirated four-banger that squeezed out a maximum of 83 hp.
And while that might sound like a puny amount, in reality, that meant the Lotus could zoom to 60 mph from a standstill in just 9 seconds while the wind is gushing your face. We would choose a Lotus Seven above a ‘70s muscle car no matter what; they're just bundles of endless fun.
8 Triumph TR6
Classic British sports cars are loved amongst gearheads internationally, and Triumph has been responsible for some of the most noteworthy topless ones, the TR6 being one of the front-runners.
Underneath its hood was a 2.5-liter inline-six with a power output of 150 hp which makes the TR6 a dashing devil through the country roads, and even long straights - don’t overlook this handsome Brit.
7 MGB
The Triumph TR6 was meant for a more dangerous and obnoxious driver than the MGB, so if you’re more of a pristine and distinguished gentleman, an MGB would be an excellent way of expressing your personality as a whole without dismembering your bank account… but don’t for one moment think this topless Brit is boring.
Although the MGB weighed a hefty 2,600 lbs, it felt much lighter, and it embraced its raw mechanics and posh personality to ensure the driver won't be receiving a lackluster experience behind the wheel.
6 Fiat 124 Spider
Nowadays, Fiat is most prominently known for their fuel-efficient commuters, like the 500 hatchbacks, but back in the ‘70s, they were also recognized for their fun topless sports car, the 124 Spider.
Tucked underneath its magnificent Italian-styled body was a variety of four-cylinder motors with some of the most capable ones cranking out 116 hp; accompanying that was a feeble five-speed transmission, and a fun factor unmatched to muscle cars from the same era.
5 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Cabriolet
The Karmann Ghia might not have been near as fast as muscle cars or sports cars alike from its era, but one thing this Volkswagen pulled off exquisitely, was its stupendous styling.
The Ghia was a result of a team effort between Volkswagen, Karmann, and Carrozzeria Ghia, who hand-built this beauty, and since it was powered by an air-cooled Beetle engine, so obviously it was never going to be a speedy racer, but damn did it look stunning while losing every single race it entered.
4 Morgan 4/4
Morgan is a British carmaker that still, to this day, likes to immerse their buyers with a modern classic car experience by sticking to their roots no matter the car, and 4/4 is a perfect example as it's remained true to its name since 1936 when the first 4/4 was manufactured... and well, its model designation was rather self-explanatory: 4 wheels and 4 cylinders.
Not only did they stay true to the name, but the original’s personality too; it still was a roofless classy gentlemen’s cruiser which could be treated in a rather “ungentlemanlike fashion”, and on the inside, there was a beautifully leather wrapped couch with dazzling metals and gauges inside to make it feel as if you were in the cockpit of an actual vintage airplane.
3 Alfa Romeo Spider
Alfa Romeo is renowned for their masterfully engineered sports cars, and the Spider is one of their most iconic flavorful examples ever. The second-gen Spider might not have been powered by an astronomically sized engine, but since it only weighed a bit more than 2,200 lbs, its 2.0-liter engine displacement was more than potent enough to slap a smile on your face.
And if the sheer driving experience and gorgeous styling weren’t enough reasons to fall in love with this Alfa roadster, maybe its affordable price tag will reactivate your appetite.
2 Ferrari 308 GTS
There are very few things as magnificent as a mid-engined, naturally-aspirated V8-powered Ferrari, and the 308 GTS proves exactly why they’re so special.
Some Ferrari purists look down on the 308 nameplate since many parts are shared with the not so loved Dino, but thanks to its Pininfarina styling, magnificent gated-5-speed, removable roof, and exquisite 2.9-liter V8 pushing out 250 hp, the 308 GTS makes for one of the best classic Ferrari bargains available today.
1 Porsche 911 Targa
There has never been a disappointing 911, and most probably never will, but if you’d like to be a tad more unique than the rest of the crowd, pick yourself up a Porsche with a Targa top.
In the ‘70s, the G-generation 911 was powered by an air-cooled flat-six that sent 175 hp to the rear wheels, but since the 911 was rear-engined, and had a removable roof piece, handling ergonomics were excellent. The 911 Targa is a perfect piece of history that’s a blast to drive, and will most definitely skyrocket in value as the years go on.