NO. 10 1964 FORD GT40
The Ford GT40 is a high performance American-British endurance racing car produced from 1964 to 1969. A total of 107 cars were produced, assembled at Slough, UK (Mk I, Mk II, and Mk III) and Wixom, Michigan, USA (Mk IV). Henry Ford II has a spite with Enzo Ferrari over a curtailed business deal, an enraged Ford directed his racing division to find a company that could build a Ferrari-beater on the world endurance-racing circuit. Ford selected Lola who had considerable experience with their engines and technical & mechanical know-how to develop the car. The car went on to famously win the 24 Hours of Le Mans four consecutive times, from 1966 to 1969. The Mk IV GT40, which won the 1967 race, remains, to this day, the only car designed and built entirely in the United States to claim an overall win at Le Mans. A true winner indeed as it challenged valiantly head-on with all the dominating marques of Europe.
NO. 9 1962 FERRARI 365 GTB / 4 DAYTONA
Following the brilliant 250 GTO, Ferrari produced the 250 GT Berlinetta/Cabriolet/California Spider, US specific Superamerica, the 275 and 330 Series, the 365 California/Coupé/Spider cars before unveiling the 365 GTB/4 Daytona. A direct competitor for the Lamborghini Miura, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 is better known by the unofficial name Ferrari Daytona, is a traditional front-engined, rear-drive car produced from 1968 to 1973. The unofficial Daytona name is reported to have been applied by the media rather than Ferrari and commemorates Ferrari's 1-2-3 finish in the February 1967 24 Hours of Daytona.
NO. 8 2014 PORSCHE 918 SPYDER
A clear departure from its established staid designs, the Porsche 918 Spyder is a mid-engined plug-in hybrid sports. The Spyder is powered by a 4.6 liter V8 engine, developing 608 horsepower (453 kW), with two electric motors delivering an additional 279 horsepower (208 kW) for a combined output of 887 horsepower (661 kW). The 918 Spyder's 6.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivers an all-electric range of 12 mi (19 km) under EPA's five-cycle tests. The 918 Spyder embodies the essence of the Porsche idea: it combines pedigree motor racing technology with excellent everyday utility, and maximum performance with minimum consumption. The 918 Spyder utilizes the best state-of-the-art technologies, taken straight from motor racing, to achieve its top performance. The entire load-bearing structure is made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer for extreme torsional rigidity. Additional crash elements at the front and rear absorb and reduce the energy in case of a collision.
The central and low position of the traction battery directly behind the driver not only supports efforts to concentrate masses and lower the center of gravity; it also provides the best temperature conditions for optimum battery power capacity. The multi-link chassis of the Porsche 918 Spyder is inspired by motor sport design, complemented by additional systems such as the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adaptive shock-absorber system and rear-axle steering. Basically, this incorporates an electro-mechanical adjustment system at each rear wheel.
(Text: Adapted from Porsche)
The Ferrari F40 is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door coupé sports car built from 1987 to 1992, it was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina. The successor to the Ferrari 288 GTO, it was designed to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary and was the last automobile personally approved by Enzo Ferrari. At the time it was the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive car that Ferrari sold to the public. The F40 is a highly acclaimed automobile and rated as one of the greatest ever and even today a desirable car for many enthusiasts. Though it was never intended to be raced, a number of private teams took the car to great success at several events, this shows the true pedigree of the car.
The F40 was the first road legal production car to break the 200 mph (320 km/h) barrier. From its introduction in 1987 until 1989, with its only competitors being the Porsche 959 and the 1988 Lamborghini Countach, it held the record as the world's fastest production car, with a top speed of 201.4 mph (324 km/h). On Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond both referred to the F40 as the "greatest super car the world had ever seen". Clarkson also said the F40 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made.(Text: Adapted from Wikipedia)
NO. 6 1990 Acura NSX
While Europe was dominating the Sports/Super Car league since the early 1950's and even until the end of 1980's, Honda unveiled a Super Car out of nowhere, presented at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1989. By any yardstick the NSX was not a sensational design but enthusiasts focused their attention on its low height, taunt body lines, and a pronounced forward cockpit which was conceptualized with extensive studies on the characteristics of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. It was equipped with a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, powered by an all-aluminum V6 Petrol engine featuring Honda's Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system.
The NSX was the first production car to feature an all-aluminum monocoque body, also incorporating a revolutionary extruded aluminum alloy frame, and suspension which lead to saving of nearly 200 kg in weight over the steel equivalent while the aluminum suspension saved an additional 20 kg. Other notable features included an independent, 4-channel anti-lock brake system; titanium connecting rods in the engine to permit reliable high-rpm operation; an electric power steering system. Production of NSX ended in December 2005 and as of the end of June 2005, it achieved a total worldwide sales of more than 18,000 units during the 15 years it was in production. A truly revolutionary car from a great company which forced its rivals to build better cars.
NO. 5 1974 LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH
Lamborghini introduced the
outrageous Countach on the 1971 Geneva Auto Show, as the Lamborghini LP 500 Countach. The Countach's styling and visual impression caused it to become an icon of great design to everyone. The Countach is a mid-engined Super Car that was produced by Italian auto maker Lamborghini from 1974 to 1990. Its design both pioneered and popularized the wedge-shaped, sharply angled look popular in many high-performance sports cars. The "cabin-forward" design concept, which pushes the passenger compartment forward in order to accommodate a larger engine, was also popularized by the Countach. The Countach was styled by Marcello Gandini of the Bertone design studio, the same designer and studio that designed the sensational Miura. The design of the ultra low two seater sports car took the world by surprise. Its most captivating parts were of course the scissor doors, swinging up and forward. Over the years these famous doors have become Lamborghini’s trade mark right up to the latest Murcielago.
(Text: Adapted from Wikipedia)
NO. 4 1998 McLaren FI
The McLaren F1 is a sports car designed and manufactured by Gordon Murray and McLaren Automotive. On March 31, 1998, it set the record for the fastest production car in the world, 240 mph (391 km/h). As of April 2009, the McLaren F1 is succeeded by three faster cars in sheer top speed, but is still the fastest naturally aspirated production car. The car features numerous proprietary designs and technologies. It is lighter and has a more streamlined structure than even most of its modern rivals and competitors despite having one seat more than most similar sports cars, with the driver's seat located in the middle. It features a powerful engine and is somewhat track oriented, but not to the degree that it compromises everyday usability and comfort. It was conceived as an exercise in creating what its designers hoped would be considered the ultimate road car. The car uses high-tech and expensive materials like carbon fiber, titanium, gold, magnesium and Kevlar. The McLaren F1 was the first production car to use a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis. (Text: Adapted from Wikipedia)
NO. 3 1962 FERRARI 250 GTO
One of the most brilliant and technically perfect automobiles of all time, the Ferrari 250 GTO epitomizes Ferrari inherent commitment to create beautiful pieces of automotive art. This car holds the record as the most expensive automobile ever sold, billionaire Craig McCaw paid $35 million for the pale green one in October 2013. Only 39 of these V12 GTs were made, but it won three world championships. To my mind it is the ultimate Ferrari ever as it embodies everything this great car company holds for.
NO. 2 2005 BUGATTI VEYRON
Though hideously ugly the Bugatti Veyron is the most powerful & exclusive car in history. The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a mid-engined sports car, designed and developed by the Volkswagen Group. The Super Sport version of the Veyron is the fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph). The original version has a top speed of 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph). It was named Car of the Decade (2000–2009) by the BBC television program Top Gear. The standard Bugatti Veyron also won Top Gear's Best Car Driven All Year award in 2005.
On 6 April 2013, Bugatti set the record for having the highest top speed of any roadster in the world with the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, reaching on average a top speed of 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph). The Veyron's chief designer was Hartmut Warkuss, and the exterior was designed by Jozef Kabaň of Volkswagen, with much of the engineering work being conducted under the guidance of engineering chief Wolfgang Schreiber.
The Veyron features an 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged, W16 cylinder engine, equivalent to two narrow-angle V8 engines bolted together. Each cylinder has four valves for a total of 64, but the VR8 configuration of each bank allows two overhead camshafts to drive two banks of cylinders so only four camshafts are needed. The engine is fed by four turbochargers and displaces 7,993 cubic centimeters (487.8 cu in), with a square 86 by 86 mm (3.39 by 3.39 in) bore and stroke. The transmission is a dual-clutch direct-shift gearbox computer controlled automatic with seven gear ratios, with magnesium paddles behind the steering wheel and a shift time of less than 150 milliseconds, built by Ricardo of England rather than Borg-Warner, who designed the six speed DSG used in the mainstream Volkswagen Group marques. The Veyron can be driven in either semi-automatic or fully automatic mode. German inspection officials recorded an average top speed of the original version of 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph) during test sessions on the Ehra-Lessien test track on 19 April 2005.
(Text: Adapted from Wikipedia )
NO. 1 1967 Lamborghini Miura LP400
This fascinating machine is an ode to automotive engineering.
Lamborghini designers had designed a new Chassis and was completed rather quickly, it was exhibited at the Turin Auto Show in October 1965. One person who believed in that chassis, and above all in Lamborghini’s capabilities was Nuccio Bertone. The Turin-based coach-builder was an expert on cars and engines, and as soon as he saw the chassis he approached Lamborghini and said, “I’m the one who can make the shoe to fit your foot”. The two shook hands, and this marked the beginning of an extraordinary adventure. Later, it was up to the great Marcello Gandini to interpret Bertone’s ideas, creating a unique and sensational body for the Bologna-built chassis, something that – in its blend of aggressiveness, elegance, originality and class – was to prove unrepeatable: and the world's first Hyper Car, the Miura was born.
Miura was not just an important car for Lamborghini but for the entire automotive industry. The car was originally conceived by Lamborghini's engineering team, who designed the car in their spare time against the wishes of company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, who showed preference towards producing powerful yet sedate grand touring cars. Miura featured a sensational and timeless design with retractable headlights surrounded by slatted black eyelashes, a flamboyant & elegant bodywork, several technological leads, an unusual engine and clam-shell type bonnets opening on both the front and rear of the car. To this writer the Miura was and still is in the most beautiful car of all time. (Text Adapted From: Lamborghini.com)