First debuting at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1985 the Porsche 959 is one of the most
overlooked and underappreciated supercars by Today’s generation of “car guys”. Born
in Stuttgart, Germany, this 911 on steroids was the first car to feature an advanced
4wheel-drive system, known then as Porsche-Steuer Kupplung (PSK). The PSK System
would drive power automatically to each axle using a split differential. This was a ground
breaking technology and paved the way for today’s advanced 4wheel-drive systems.
At its time the 959 was a Titan among supercars. Featuring a twin turbocharged 2.85liter
boxer engine with a 5 speed manual transmission the 959 is capable of rocketing from
0 to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds and finish the quarter mile in 11.8 seconds at 119mph.
Using every bit of technology in Porsches arsenal the 959 was built track ready.
The first cars were used in the Dakar Rally in 1985. They continued their life in desert
racing until 1987.
There were only a total of 283 examples of this car ever made. One of which is owned
by Bill Gates, which was stored away in the Port of Seattle by US Customs until the
United States Department of Transportation and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency approved of the cars emissions and safety. Paul Allen and Jerry
Seinfeld also own one of these ultra rare exotic Porsches.
1992 - 1998 NcLaren F1
The McLaren F1 needs no introduction. Not only was the McLaren F1 the fastest
car for a number of years, but it was also revered as the most exotic and most
expensive super car in its day. Designed by Gordon Murray who was a well known
Formula One designer, there was no expense spared during the development of the
McLaren F1. Even the engine bay is coated with gold.
On March 31st 1998 the Mclaren F1 se the world record for fasted production car
in the world reaching 391km/h (243 mph). At 243mph the McLaren F1 will take you
from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in just 55 minutes (TAKE THAT SOUTH WEST). The
McLaren F1 held its thrown as the world’s fastest production until 2005 when the
Koenigsegg CCR took over with a top speed of over 245mph.
Production of the McLaren F1 stopped in 1998 with a total of just 106 cars made,
varying in different design ques. The McLaren F1 had a price tag of $890,000.00;
making it the most expensive production car of its time. Using their blank check and
every bit of technology at their disposal the McLaren team set out to do one thing
and one thing only, to build the most baddest bull on the block, and they did just
that.
1987 - 1992 Ferrari F40
Revered as one of the most pure road racing Ferrari’s ever, the F40 will always have
a place in every Top Super Car list. Holding the top speed record from 1987 – 1989
as the world’s fastest street legal production car the Ferrari F40 is no stranger to “top
lists”. Costing $400,000.00 during its launch the F40 was one of the most expensive
cars of its time, costing twice as much as the Porsche 959.
Holstering a Twin Turbo 2.9 liter V8 engine, the F40 is capable of going 0 to 60 in
just 3.8 seconds and reaching top speeds of over 200mph. The F40’s quickness and
speed is thanks to its light weight and aerodynamic design. Weighing in at only
2,425lbs the F40’s body utilized Kevlar, carbon fiber and aluminum to insure stability
and strength at high speeds while not jeopardizing weight.
1990 - 2001 Lamborghini Diablo
The Lamborghini Diablo is of the most well-known and most desired Super Cars out
there, even today. With a top speeds that out shines the Ferrari F40 (over 207mph)
the Diablo solidified its place in Super Car history the day hit the market. The Diablo
had two different V12 engine types to choose from, a 5.7 liter and a 6.0 liter which
didn’t need pesky turbo chargers in order to outperform its rivals. On command the
Diablo is capable of unleashing all 492 Horsepower, shooting it from 0 to 60 in just
3.9 seconds.
Unlike the Ferrari F40 which had no creature comforts such as a stereo or air
conditioning, the Lamborghini Diablo came with all the fixings. Featuring a top of the
line stereo system from Alpine, custom leather seats, and a dash clock from Breguet
which itself is worth $10,500.00.
2001, from the VT to the SE30 Jota. There was even a Diablo VT Roadster for all the
convertible super car fans. Because of high production numbers the price of a Diablo
today is relatively low compared to that of a F40 or the McLaren, but never the less,
the Diablo is and will always hold a place in Top Super Car History.
1992 - 1998 Dodge Viper
While Germany and Italy were building race ready Super Cars for a decade already,
the Americans were struggling in the exotic car division. Relying on their stable of
factory tuned Mustangs and Corvettes to quench the thrust of the American public, the
US was in desperate need of a new American icon. Luckily the special vehicles team
at Dodge was already on to this problem and was ready to unveil their new American
Super Car.
Using an all new aluminum V10 engine the Viper was putting about 400 horsepower
to the ground. Which doesn’t sound like much compared to the McLaren or Porsche
959 but it weighed less than the Diablo which gave it the edge it needed. While the
Viper didn’t do too well in sales the first year it debuted, Dodge did put extra efforts
into the Viper to make it more appealing in the models that followed.
The Viper didn’t break any world records but in 1996 it did win the 24 Hours of Le
Mans 3 times, putting America back on the competitive map. Costing just a fraction
compared to the other super cars the Dodge Viper was affordable exotic power made
in America.
1991 - 1994 Jaguar XJ220
The good name of Jaguar name has gone through many highs and lows since it began
making cars. Being bought, sold and split to different companies the Jag of yesterday
is definitely not the Jag of today. When asked to mention top super car manufacturers
people seem to forget that Jaguar once created the most beautiful and exotic super car
of them all, the Jaguar XJ220.
Costing over half a million dollars the XJ220 was not the most affordable supercar or
even the fastest: however, at only 225 produced and exclusive to the European market
the XJ220 was one of the rarest. If you wanted to buy one of these bad boys you had
to put up an $80,000.00 deposit just to be put on the waiting list. But you can run
down to your local exotic car dealer and pick up a used one for just a $250,000.00
today.
The production version of the XJ220 was revealed to the public in October 1991
which had significant changes compared to the prototype model. The production
model featured a totally different drive train, converted from a v12 to a twin
turbocharged v6, and worst of all went with normal hinged doors instead of scissor
doors.
