Not every roadster that once turned heads and commanded high prices has managed to hold onto its allure. Some have quietly slipped from the spotlight, falling out of favor with collectors. In this article, we’ll explore 25 roadsters that were once sought after but have since been forgotten.
Contents
Triumph TR7
The Triumph TR7, with its distinctive wedge shape and pop-up headlights, was a bold departure from traditional British roadster design. Initially launched in the mid-1970s, it was praised for its handling and affordable pricing. However, quality control issues, particularly related to its electrical system, led to a tarnished reputation. Once seen as a collectible for its unique styling, the TR7 has since fallen out of favor due to its mechanical unreliability and lack of performance compared to its predecessors.
Fiat X1/9
The Fiat X1/9 was an innovative mid-engine roadster designed by Bertone, featuring a targa top and sharp, angular lines. Launched in the early 1970s, it was known for its balanced handling and fun driving dynamics. Despite its early popularity, the X1/9 suffered from rust issues and underpowered engines, leading to its decline in the collector market. Once a darling of European sports car enthusiasts, it is now often overlooked in favor of more powerful and reliable alternatives.
Sunbeam Alpine
The Sunbeam Alpine was a stylish British roadster introduced in the 1950s, boasting a sleek design and a spirited 1.5-liter engine. It gained some fame as James Bond’s car in “Dr. No.” Despite its initial appeal, the Alpine was overshadowed by its V8-powered sibling, the Sunbeam Tiger, and gradually lost its collectible status. Today, it’s often neglected due to its modest performance and the availability of more powerful roadsters from the same era.
MG Midget
The MG Midget, produced from the early 1960s to 1980, was a small, lightweight roadster that offered affordable fun. It was beloved for its nimble handling and classic British styling. However, its tiny engine and basic features have not aged well, leading to its decline in the collectible market. Once a staple of budget-conscious sports car enthusiasts, the Midget is now often passed over for more powerful and luxurious options.
Austin-Healey Sprite
The Austin-Healey Sprite, especially the “Frogeye” or “Bugeye” model, was an iconic British roadster known for its distinctive headlight design. Launched in the late 1950s, it offered an accessible entry into sports car ownership. However, as roadsters evolved, the Sprite’s minimalistic approach and limited power became less appealing. Despite its early charm, it has become less desirable among collectors, overshadowed by more capable and better-equipped roadsters.
Porsche 914
The Porsche 914, a collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen, was an affordable mid-engine roadster introduced in the late 1960s. Its unique design and balanced handling attracted a dedicated following. However, the 914 has been overshadowed by other Porsche models due to its underpowered engine and less prestigious branding. Once considered a collectible for its Porsche badge, it is now often overlooked by enthusiasts who prefer the more iconic 911.
Jensen-Healey
The Jensen-Healey was a British roadster that combined a Lotus engine with a Jensen chassis, launched in the early 1970s. It offered strong performance and stylish design but was plagued by reliability issues, particularly with its engine. These problems, coupled with the brand’s eventual bankruptcy, led to its decline in the collector market. Despite its initial promise, the Jensen-Healey is now rarely seen as a desirable collectible.
Alfa Romeo Spider (Series 3)
The Alfa Romeo Spider (Series 3) was a classic Italian roadster with timeless styling and an enthusiastic fan base. Produced during the 1980s, it featured a 2.0-liter twin-cam engine and elegant design cues. However, as newer models with improved technology and performance entered the market, the Series 3 Spider lost its appeal. Once a symbol of Italian motoring passion, it is now often overlooked in favor of more modern or more powerful classics.
Datsun 1600 Roadster
The Datsun 1600 Roadster, also known as the Fairlady, was a popular Japanese sports car from the 1960s. It offered excellent reliability and spirited performance for its time, making it a hit in both the US and Japanese markets. However, as Datsun’s Z-cars gained prominence, the 1600 Roadster faded from the spotlight. Its relatively modest power and the rise of more desirable models have led to its neglect in the collector community.
BMW Z3
The BMW Z3 was introduced in the mid-1990s as a compact, sporty roadster with retro styling. It gained instant fame after appearing in the James Bond film “GoldenEye.” Despite its initial popularity, the Z3’s reputation has diminished over time, with many examples suffering from neglect and depreciation. Its modest performance compared to newer BMW models and lack of modern features have relegated it to the status of a forgotten roadster.
Pontiac Solstice
The Pontiac Solstice was a modern American roadster introduced in the mid-2000s, known for its sleek design and affordable price. It promised a fun driving experience but was plagued by quality issues and a short production run due to Pontiac’s discontinuation. While it had the potential to become a future classic, the Solstice has been largely forgotten, overshadowed by more reliable and better-performing roadsters from the same era.
Saturn Sky
The Saturn Sky, a sibling of the Pontiac Solstice, was a stylish roadster launched in the mid-2000s with sharp design cues and a turbocharged engine option. Despite its eye-catching looks and initial excitement, the Sky suffered the same fate as the Solstice, with Saturn’s brand dissolution sealing its fate. Once seen as a potential collectible, it has since been neglected due to its association with a defunct brand and limited availability of parts.
Mazda RX-7 Convertible
The Mazda RX-7 Convertible, part of the second-generation RX-7 lineup, offered a unique rotary engine and excellent handling. Launched in the late 1980s, it was praised for its driving dynamics but suffered from reliability concerns, particularly with its rotary engine. As the RX-7’s coupe versions became more desirable, the convertible variant faded into obscurity. Once a sought-after sports car, it is now often neglected in favor of its hardtop siblings.
MGB
The MGB was one of the most popular British roadsters of the 1960s and 1970s, offering classic styling and a spirited driving experience. However, as the years passed, the MGB’s modest performance, rust issues, and lack of modern amenities led to its decline in desirability. Once a symbol of affordable British motoring, the MGB has been overshadowed by more powerful and reliable roadsters from other manufacturers.
Toyota MR2 Spyder
The Toyota MR2 Spyder, launched in the early 2000s, was a lightweight, mid-engine roadster that promised a fun and affordable driving experience. Despite its agile handling, the MR2 Spyder was criticized for its lack of storage space and relatively low power output. As newer, more powerful roadsters entered the market, the MR2 Spyder’s appeal faded, and it is now often overlooked by collectors in favor of more practical or higher-performing alternatives.
Honda S800
The Honda S800, produced in the late 1960s, was a small but high-revving roadster that showcased Honda’s engineering prowess. It featured a 791cc engine that could rev to an impressive 9,500 RPM, making it a unique offering in the market. However, its small size and limited power led to its decline in popularity over the years. Once a collectible for its innovative design, the S800 has since been overshadowed by larger and more powerful roadsters.
Opel GT
The Opel GT, often referred to as the “mini Corvette,” was a stylish German roadster introduced in the late 1960s. It featured a sleek design and a 1.9-liter engine, offering a sporty driving experience. Despite its initial popularity, the Opel GT suffered from limited parts availability and the brand’s lack of presence in key markets. As a result, it has become a forgotten roadster, overshadowed by more accessible and better-supported classics.
TVR S Series
The TVR S Series, produced in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was a British roadster known for its powerful engines and aggressive styling. Despite its thrilling performance, the S Series was plagued by build quality issues and a lack of reliability. As TVR’s reputation for producing temperamental cars grew, the S Series fell out of favor with collectors, becoming a neglected roadster in the shadow of more reliable and refined alternatives.
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, produced from the 1950s to the 1970s, was a stylish and affordable roadster based on the Beetle platform. It combined Italian design with German engineering, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious buyers. However, its modest power and growing competition from more performance-oriented roadsters led to its decline in the collector market. Once a beloved classic, the Karmann Ghia is now often overlooked in favor of more powerful and luxurious options.
Lotus Elan M100
The Lotus Elan M100, introduced in the early 1990s, was a front-wheel-drive roadster that offered exceptional handling and a turbocharged engine. Despite its advanced engineering, the Elan M100 was criticized for its unconventional drivetrain layout and high price. As a result, it failed to capture the hearts of purists and has since been neglected in the collector market, overshadowed by more traditional rear-wheel-drive Lotus models.
Triumph Stag
The Triumph Stag was a British roadster with a V8 engine, launched in the early 1970s. It offered luxury and performance in a stylish package, but its reputation was marred by reliability issues, particularly with its cooling system. Despite its initial appeal, the Stag’s mechanical problems and the brand’s decline led to its fall from grace. Once seen as a collectible grand tourer, it is now often overlooked in favor of more reliable alternatives.
Nissan Figaro
The Nissan Figaro, a retro-styled roadster launched in the early 1990s, was produced in limited numbers and quickly gained a cult following. Despite its charming design and compact size, the Figaro’s small engine and niche appeal limited its long-term desirability. As newer and more powerful roadsters became available, the Figaro was gradually forgotten by collectors, becoming more of a quirky oddity than a sought-after classic.
Ford Capri Convertible
The Ford Capri Convertible, introduced in the late 1980s, was a European roadster that aimed to offer affordable fun. Despite its attractive price and sporty styling, the Capri Convertible struggled to compete with more established roadsters. Its modest performance and the rise of more capable competitors led to its decline in popularity. Once a budget-friendly choice for open-top motoring, the Capri Convertible is now a forgotten roadster in the shadow of more successful models.
Peugeot 504 Cabriolet
The Peugeot 504 Cabriolet, launched in the late 1960s, was a stylish French roadster with elegant Pininfarina design. It offered a comfortable ride and a range of engines, including a 2.0-liter inline-four. However, its reputation was hurt by rust issues and a lack of performance compared to more dynamic competitors. Once a collectible for its classic design, the 504 Cabriolet has since been overshadowed by more reliable and powerful roadsters.
Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible
The Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible, introduced in the 1960s, was a unique American roadster with a rear-engine layout. It offered distinctive styling and a flat-six engine, making it stand out from its contemporaries. However, safety concerns raised by Ralph Nader’s book “Unsafe at Any Speed” tarnished the Corvair’s reputation, leading to its decline in desirability. Once a symbol of American innovation, the Corvair Monza Convertible is now often neglected by collectors due to its controversial past.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
More from MyCarMakesNoise
19 Most Elegant Classic Trucks Ever Made
Classic trucks have a unique charm that combines rugged functionality with timeless elegance. In this article, we celebrate the 19 most elegant classic trucks ever made, showcasing models that have stood the test of time with their stunning designs and enduring appeal. Read More
17 Vehicles Prone to Frequent Breakdowns You Should Avoid
Every car owner hopes for a reliable ride, but some vehicles have a knack for disappointing expectations with their frequent breakdowns. We delve into various models from acclaimed manufacturers such as Audi, Dodge, and Toyota, revealing why they’re more prone to mechanical and electrical issues. Read More
20 Classic Cars That Embody the American Spirit
The American Dream has always been closely tied to the open road, where freedom, innovation, and style come together. Over the decades, certain cars have become icons, capturing the essence of this dream and symbolizing the spirit of a nation. Read More.
