What are the best American sports cars of all time?
Read on to find out our most popular performance car picks.
Performance cars are loved for their blistering speed, engine power, and sportiness. Their engine power and extraordinary features do not only put them worthy of their value, but worthy of users’ experiences.
With several countries at the forefront of automobile production, vehicles are designed in line with their roads, weather, and the purchasing power of the country’s economy.
In line with the above, we’ll rank the top-15 best American sports cars of all time. These rankings will center on the engine power, design, and ultimately, the comfort and popularity of these vehicles.
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Table of Contents
The Best American Sports Cars Ever Made
15. Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
The SRT Hellcat has a 707 horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine. The powerful sports sedan can also reach 60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 196 mph. Since cars with powerful engine features like the SRT Hellcat are known for their heat generation, the air induction hood with dual heat extractors in recent models helps the engine keep cool. The 20×11-inch wheels of the vehicle are also full-sport enabled supplemented by its Pirelli 305/35ZR20 tires.
With a full automatic brake system and 10-piston combined brake rotors, safety is guaranteed. However, the car is more than just a performer but a splendor. Recent models retain the traditional look both internally and externally, but the company did not fail to modernize features and add more comfort to the vehicle.
14. 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Hurst
When two automotive supergiants of the 1960s partnered, the result was 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Hurst —a track monster that could generate a thundering 390 horsepower from an engine paired with a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 transmission. The 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Hurst could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds.
13. 2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
It would be sheer negligence not to include the monstrous Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, an American muscle car designed by racing legend Steve Saleen, and manufactured by Saleen Automotive Inc. The Saleen S7 Twin Turbo had a twin-turbocharged 7.0-liter V8 engine that could produce 750 horsepower and 700 pound-feet torque. This powerful engine was paired with a six-speed manual transmission to create a blend of speed, power, and elegance —an American muscle’s pride.
12. 1967 Pontiac GTO
The 1967 Pontiac GTO was a powerful American muscle car that carried a 400-CID four-barrel V-8 paired with a three- and four-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifters. The car also contained an optional Ram Air system that pumped the Pontiac GTO with a gut-punching 360 horsepower.
11. Dodge SRT Viper
The Dodge SRT Viper has a top 206 mph speed and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3 seconds. The Dodge SRT Viper is powered by an 8.4-liter V10 engine that delivers 640 horsepower. Along with its exceptional handling and outstanding stability, the SRT Viper has a very high comfort and luxury rating. Although its production was discontinued in 2017, the Dodge SRT Viper’s legacy in the sports car industry will always be remembered.
10. 1967 Shelby GT500
The legacy of the 1967 Shelby GT500 is unquestionable. With a stunning 7-liter, 428 cubic inch engine paired with an incredible 7.0-liter 428 cubic inch engine, The GT500 could accelerate from 0-60 in 6.5-seconds and reach 128 mph per hour.
9. Hennessey Venom F5
Ghosting 301 miles within an hour at top speed is something the Hennessey Venom F5 is known for. The car remains one of the fastest cars ever with a 7-speed single-clutch semi-automatic 6-speed manual transmission and an 8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. The Hennessey Venom F5 is, in reality, venom.
8. Shelby AC Cobra 427
The swift Cobra 427 was released in 1962 with a dazzling 260 cubic inch V-8. Its legendary status was exhibited in a recent auction where a Shelby AC Cobra 427 was sold for $17.7 million to become the most expensive American sports car ever.
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7. 2020 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is an authentic sports car with an outstanding performance, firm suspension, and standard manual gearbox. Propelled by a powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine coupled with a 7-speed manual, 8-speed automatic transmission, the Corvette ZR1 is a ‘King Slayer.’ The engine delivers 755 horsepower and thrusts it to a blistering 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. The Corvette ZR1 also reaches a top speed of 212 mph.
6. 1970 Plymouth Barracuda
In 1970, Plymouth released a worthy track competitor to contend with big brands like the Ford GT and Chevrolet Camaro SS. This competitor was the Barracuda, prominent for its big-block engine and thumping power. The 1970 Plymouth Barracuda has a 425 horsepower Hemi V-8 coupled with a three-speed, four-speed, and automatic transmission that made the Barracuda rule tracks in the 1970s.
Plymouth Barracuda thrilled muscle car enthusiasts with its exciting colors like the Green Metallic, Lemon Twist, and Sassy-Grass Green. The performance and elegance of this car were just top-notch.
5. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
With a three-speed automatic and four-speed manual transmission with three different engine sizes, including a massive 6.5-liter V-8, the Chevrolet Camaro SS graced the tracks through the 1970s.The car accelerates from 0-60 miles per hour within a decent 6.8 seconds and can speed up to 198 miles per hour. Although recent versions are endowed with paddle shifters, the 1969 versions were the real deal. The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS guarantees not only performance but comfort and ease of modification for sports car fans.
4. Ford GT Supercar
The Ford GT Supercar is a sports car that many other brands wanted to challenge in the 60s. Although its engine power is quite low considering other brands in the top-10, the 3.5-liter V-6 is a decent engine that could deliver a thumping 647 horsepower when paired with its six-speed manual transmission. The GT Supercar could reach 60 mph in 3 seconds with a top speed of over 200 miles per hour.
3. 1963 Corvette Stingray Split-Window Coupe
This brand is mostly revered as one who pioneered elegant body design and innovation in American muscles. It had a trademark split rear window, which became the crest of the Stingrays’ impressive history. However, the innovative body design was complemented with a floor fuel-injected and thrusting 360 horsepower with optional three and four-speed transmissions.
2. 2018 Cadillac CTS-V
Even though the 2019 and 2020 versions of the CTS-V cost lower and have more prestigious looks, their overall performance can barely be compared to the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V, which produces about 560 horsepower from a 6.2-liter V8 8-speed transmission engine. The car accelerates from 0-60 miles per hour in just 4 seconds. For sport-loving drivers, they would enjoy the manual-automatic transmission options through the paddle shifters.
Cadillac CTS-V’s balance is also quite astounding as it can maneuver corners at relatively high speeds. In addition to its engine performance, the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V sedan is also very eye-catching.
1. 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is specially designed for sports car enthusiasts that may want their car as sporty, muscle, and luxury as possible. The 6.2-liter V8 engine combined with a10-speed automatic and optional 6-speed manual offers a mighty thump of 640 horsepower. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has a top speed of 198 mph, reaching 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
Although the look is quite modernized and curvy, the American company retained the traditional American muscle car look. The dashboard’s appearance and color look good on the inside, except the old-fashioned gear stick.
What’s your choice of the best performance car?
Which performance cars would have made your list of best American sports cars ever made? Please feel free to share your thoughts in our comments section below.
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