Not all sports cars achieve lasting fame, and some fade into obscurity despite their impressive performance and unique designs. In this article, we explore a selection of sports cars that have been largely forgotten over time. From the powerful TVR 390SE and the luxurious Aston Martin V8 Vantage to the high-performance Jaguar XJ220, each of these vehicles has its own story of why it failed to capture enduring attention.
Contents
1985-1989 TVR 390SE
The TVR 390SE, produced from 1985 to 1989, featured a 3.9-liter Rover V8 engine producing 275 horsepower. Its lightweight fiberglass body and aggressive styling made it a formidable performer. However, TVR’s limited production numbers and lack of brand recognition in the United States contributed to its obscurity. The 390SE’s reputation for questionable build quality and reliability issues also played a role in its fading from public memory.
1977-1981 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage, produced from 1977 to 1981, was hailed as “Britain’s First Supercar” for its impressive performance. It featured a 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 390 horsepower. Despite its powerful engine and luxurious design, the V8 Vantage was overshadowed by more prominent Aston Martin models like the DB5 and DB7. Its high maintenance costs and limited production numbers have contributed to its forgotten status.
1992-1996 Jaguar XJ220
The Jaguar XJ220, produced from 1992 to 1996, was a high-performance sports car with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 542 horsepower. Although not a V8, it was initially planned to have a V12. Its hefty price tag of over $500,000 and production delays led to mixed reviews. The XJ220’s shift from a V12 to a V6 also disappointed many enthusiasts. Despite its performance credentials, the XJ220 never gained the enduring fame of other supercars from the era.
1968-1974 AMC Javelin
The AMC Javelin, produced from 1968 to 1974, featured various V8 engine options, including a 390 cubic inch V8 producing 325 horsepower. The Javelin’s distinctive design and racing pedigree in the Trans-Am series should have made it memorable. However, AMC’s struggles and eventual demise, coupled with the car’s overshadowing by more popular muscle cars like the Mustang and Camaro, led to its decline in public awareness.
1991-1996 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (C4)
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, produced from 1991 to 1996, featured a 5.7-liter LT5 V8 engine producing 375 horsepower, later increased to 405 horsepower. Known as the “King of the Hill,” the ZR-1 was a technological marvel. However, its high price and the overshadowing by the later C5 Corvette led to it being forgotten. Its advanced technology and performance are still respected by enthusiasts, but it remains relatively unknown to the general public.
1969-1972 De Tomaso Mangusta
The De Tomaso Mangusta, produced from 1969 to 1972, featured a mid-mounted 4.7-liter Ford V8 engine producing 306 horsepower. Its striking design and gullwing engine covers made it a visual standout. However, only around 400 units were produced, and the car’s poor handling and reliability issues overshadowed its performance credentials. The Mangusta’s rarity and these issues have led to its obscurity.
1971-1974 De Tomaso Pantera
The De Tomaso Pantera, produced from 1971 to 1974, featured a 5.8-liter Ford Cleveland V8 engine producing 330 horsepower. Its Italian design and American muscle made it unique. However, early models suffered from quality control issues, and De Tomaso’s lack of brand recognition in the U.S. market contributed to its obscurity. Despite its potential, the Pantera never achieved the fame of its contemporaries.
1990-1995 Lotus Esprit SE
The Lotus Esprit SE, produced from 1990 to 1995, featured a 2.2-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 264 horsepower, but the later Esprit V8 (1996-2004) came with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 350 horsepower. Despite its impressive performance and distinctive wedge-shaped design, the Esprit V8 was overshadowed by European and American sports cars. Its high maintenance costs and limited production numbers have also contributed to its relative obscurity.
1970-1977 Ford Maverick Grabber
The Ford Maverick Grabber, produced from 1970 to 1977, was a sportier version of the Maverick with various V8 engine options, including a 302 cubic inch V8 producing 210 horsepower. Despite its performance upgrades and distinctive styling, the Maverick Grabber was overshadowed by more popular Ford models like the Mustang. Its reputation as an economy car rather than a true sports car led to its decline in popularity.
1981-1983 DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean DMC-12, produced from 1981 to 1983, featured a 2.85-liter V6 engine producing 130 horsepower. While not a V8, it was originally planned to have one. Its stainless steel body and gullwing doors made it iconic, especially after its appearance in the “Back to the Future” movies. However, its underwhelming performance and the company’s financial troubles led to its demise. The DeLorean’s unique design remains memorable, but its sports car credentials are often overlooked.
1967-1973 Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar, produced from 1967 to 1973, featured various V8 engine options, including a 428 cubic inch V8 producing 335 horsepower. Positioned as a more luxurious alternative to the Mustang, the Cougar had distinctive styling and performance credentials. However, it was overshadowed by the Mustang’s popularity and Mercury’s eventual decline. The Cougar’s legacy has faded, leaving it relatively forgotten in the muscle car world.
1984-1991 TVR 350i
The TVR 350i, produced from 1984 to 1991, featured a 3.5-liter Rover V8 engine producing 190 horsepower. Its lightweight design and distinctive styling made it a compelling sports car. However, TVR’s limited production numbers and lack of brand recognition outside the UK led to its obscurity. The 350i’s reputation for reliability issues and build quality problems also contributed to its decline in popularity.
1971-1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1
The Ford Mustang Mach 1, produced from 1971 to 1973, featured various V8 engine options, including a 429 cubic inch V8 producing 375 horsepower. The Mach 1’s aggressive styling and powerful engines made it a performance icon. However, the early 1970s’ shift towards emissions regulations and the oil crisis led to a decline in muscle car performance, overshadowing the Mach 1. Its larger, heavier design compared to earlier Mustangs also contributed to its fading memory.
1970-1974 Plymouth Duster 340
The Plymouth Duster 340, produced from 1970 to 1974, featured a 340 cubic inch V8 engine producing 275 horsepower. Its compact size and powerful engine made it a formidable performer. However, the Duster’s association with Plymouth’s economy car image and its overshadowing by more popular models like the Barracuda and Road Runner led to its decline in popularity. The Duster 340 remains a hidden gem among muscle car enthusiasts.
1984-1986 Chevrolet Corvette (C4) L83
The early C4 Corvettes, produced from 1984 to 1986, featured a 5.7-liter L83 V8 engine producing 205 horsepower. While the C4 introduced modern design and technology, the early models were plagued by reliability issues and underwhelming performance. The L83 engine’s lack of power compared to previous Corvette engines led to disappointment among enthusiasts. These early C4 models are often overlooked in favor of the more powerful later versions.
1976-1980 Pontiac Firebird Formula
The Pontiac Firebird Formula, produced from 1976 to 1980, featured various V8 engine options, including a 400 cubic inch V8 producing 185 horsepower. The Formula’s distinctive styling and performance upgrades made it a notable muscle car. However, the late 1970s’ shift towards emissions regulations and the oil crisis led to a decline in muscle car performance, overshadowing the Formula. Its lower power output compared to earlier models has led to it being largely forgotten.
1987-1991 Buick GNX
The Buick GNX, produced in 1987, featured a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 276 horsepower, but the Grand National series from 1984-1987 included models with V8 engines. The GNX’s impressive performance and distinctive blacked-out styling made it a standout. However, Buick’s association with luxury rather than performance, combined with the limited production run of the GNX, has led to its obscurity. Despite its performance credentials, the GNX is often overlooked in the muscle car world.
1977-1981 Pontiac Firebird Esprit
The Pontiac Firebird Esprit, produced from 1977 to 1981, featured various V8 engine options, including a 305 cubic inch V8 producing 150 horsepower. The Esprit’s focus on luxury and comfort rather than performance led to it being overshadowed by the more powerful Trans Am. Its lower power output and emphasis on style over speed have led to its decline in popularity, making it a forgotten model in the Firebird lineup.
1970-1971 Dodge Challenger R/T
The Dodge Challenger R/T, produced from 1970 to 1971, featured various V8 engine options, including a 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 producing 425 horsepower. The R/T’s aggressive styling and powerful engines made it a performance icon. However, the early 1970s’ shift towards emissions regulations and the oil crisis led to a decline in muscle car performance, overshadowing the Challenger R/T. Its short production run and the overshadowing by the Plymouth Barracuda contributed to its fading memory.
1989-1991 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am
The Pontiac Turbo Trans Am, produced from 1989 to 1991, featured a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 250 horsepower, derived from the Buick Grand National. Despite its impressive performance and limited production numbers, the Turbo Trans Am was overshadowed by the more iconic Firebird models. Its association with the Buick engine and the declining popularity of Pontiac have led to its obscurity.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
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