Defining the essence of a sports car often begins with a straightforward description: a sleek, low-profile vehicle, typically designed for two occupants, boasting considerable power and nimble handling, and frequently admired for its aesthetic appeal. Yet, the realm of sports cars is far from rigidly defined. Many vehicles celebrated as iconic stretch or even break these traditional boundaries. Consider the Lamborghini Countach, not necessarily lauded for its driving dynamics, or the Mazda Miata, not typically associated with overwhelming power, or even the Mercedes 500E, which surprisingly includes four doors, and the Plymouth Superbird, a muscle car that pushed stylistic boundaries.
Hypercars, with their extreme capabilities, often transcend the sports car category, though numerous supercars comfortably fit within it, especially when considering that, historically, 300 horsepower was a significant benchmark. Grand tourers, while sometimes confused with sports cars, generally do not qualify, although certain roadsters and coupes, depending on their inherent sportiness, can certainly be considered sports cars. Sometimes, sheer automotive beauty is enough to cement a car’s status as a cool sports car, as exemplified by the Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 or the Lamborghini Miura. Other models, like the Alpine A110, earned their cool sports car reputation on the racetrack, proving their mettle in competitive environments. Rarity, surprisingly, is not always a deciding factor, as seen with the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic and the Datsun 240Z, both celebrated yet vastly different in production numbers. Conversely, models such as the Chevy Corvette and Porsche 911 achieve coolness by hitting almost every desirable mark: substantial sales figures, significant cultural impact, impressive performance, and timeless styling that continues to resonate.
To further refine the concept of Cool Sports Cars, a panel of twelve automotive experts was convened. Tasked with selecting their top 50 from an extensive list of over 150 vehicles, ranging from Abarth to Zonda, their collective votes shaped a definitive list. Interestingly, several highly desirable cars, including the Ford GT, Saleen S7, and McLaren 600LT, received no votes, highlighting the subjective nature of “cool.” Meanwhile, other contenders, such as the AMC AMX, the first-generation Chevy Camaro, and the De Tomaso Pantera, garnered passionate support but ultimately fell short of the top 50. Debates were spirited, particularly concerning Shelby vehicles, yet the experts reached unanimous agreement on the top five coolest sports cars. Robb Report editors then meticulously refined these expert selections to curate the final rankings.
The journey of sports cars, beginning over a century ago, started perhaps as straightforward exercises in design and engineering, or as solutions to winning motor races. However, almost from their inception, sports cars have also been deeply intertwined with emotion. Any evaluation of a cool sports car inherently reflects this interplay between rational assessment and emotional response. The ongoing discussion about which sports cars are the coolest is likely to persist as long as the very definition of a sports car continues to evolve and be reinterpreted.
Mercedes-Benz 500 E
— Erik Shilling
