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Uncharted Territory: Performance Cars Never Sold In America

America is the home of automotive culture on a global scale. That comes as no surprise as it is the country that launched the car industry. The United States also created hot rods, drive-ins, and endless stretches of highways that connect every state. Since cars are so important here, you might think that global manufacturers are eager to sell their products in the U.S.

Indeed, it’s easy to assume that American consumers have access to most of the car models produced throughout the world. But that’s not always the case. Even though consumers in the US have a great choice of performance cars, some are missing. American car customers are sometimes without the most exciting models. So we found the most interesting performance cars never released in the US. There were numerous reasons why the manufacturer decided to do so. Let’s get started here.

Photo Credit: VW

Volkswagen Scirocco R

The Scirocco is the Golf’s sportier, better-looking brother. It was built on the same platform and with the same engines but with a much sleeker, more aggressive design. The original Scirocco was introduced along with the first Golf Mk1 back in the mid-’70s and stayed in production until 1992. However, Volkswagen decided to revive the name in 2008 and presented the current generation (via Auto Express).

Photo Credit: VW

European customers can get Scirocco in a wide range of flavors, but the best one is the mighty Scirocco R. The model features all-wheel drive and 300 hp from a Golf R-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. With performance-tuned suspension and lots of power, the Scirocco R is highly fun to drive. Unfortunately, Volkswagen thought that launching Scirocco R in the USA would cannibalize the sales of the Golf GTI and Golf R so they decided to leave it in Europe.

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Burning Rubber: Dodge Charger Hemis That Tore Up The Tracks

The Dodge Charger is one of the most well-known muscle car nameplates in the world. The current generation of the Charger has carried Dodge and Chrysler through some rough periods including the 2008 recession. One major aspect that made this nameplate so iconic is the Hemi engine under the hood. The Hemi was one of the most historic Chrysler engines in existence, rivaling anything that GM or Ford was pushing at the time. Much like GM and its LS series engines, the Hemi has been a staple of quality and performance for decades.

The Charger is more than just an average car. It’s one that consumers have resonated with for decades. With its bold-looking exterior and groundbreaking performance, the Charger was and is a muscle car legend. The original Charger model was designed to compete with the best that GM and Ford had to offer, and it also had success on the racing circuits. So we decided to showcase the Hemi-based models that tore up the race track from past to present. Buckle up.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

1966 Dodge Charger

The first generation of the Charger brought Dodge into the muscle car segment with a bang. Boasting a Hemi V8 engine, the original Charger was a unique piece of sheet metal to say the least. Its bold styling was the first thing that attracted people’s attention, and its massive amount of horsepower only added to it. The first generation had a 425 hp V8 at 5,000 rpm and 490 lb.-ft of torque (via Hemmings).

Photo Credit: Mecum

From the aggressive belt line to the exhilarating performance, the Charger was exactly what the doctor ordered. The car rivaled the best that Chrysler and GM were peddling at the time. The Street Hemi was one of the best engines that MOPAR ever designed and put into a muscle car. The Charger set the stage for the nameplate for years to come and also helped usher in the muscle car era.

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Best of Both Worlds: European Cars With American Engines

Today, a hybrid vehicle means that the car in question uses electric and ICE power combined. But several decades ago, a “hybrid” was a cross between a European body and an American engine. This style was a sure recipe for some amazing cars as a result.

Back in the day, Europeans struggled to produce cheap and reliable high-performance engines. True, Ferrari had its V12s, but they weren’t precisely affordable or reliable due to many reasons. So, what did European companies do when they wanted to make a sports car but couldn’t complete an engine from scratch? They simply looked for the solution in Detroit. From the early ’50s to this day, several European companies had US power under the hood. This created unique and highly desirable machines. We found the best of them and listed them below.

Photo Credit: Classic Cars

Ghia 450 SS

Back in the ’50s, the Ghia design studio had close connections with Chrysler Corporation. They produced several highly successful show cars. In the early ’60s, Burt Sugarman, a famous Hollywood producer, contacted Ghia and suggested that the company produce a limited run of roadsters. They were based on the Plymouth Barracuda. But they had special bodies, bespoke interiors, and a bit more power. That was how Ghia 450 SS was born (via Supercars).

Photo Credit: Classic Cars

Powered by a 273 V8 with an automatic transmission, the Ghia 450 SS had 240 hp and decent performance as a result. Moreover, it had a unique and stylish design. As you can expect, Ghia 450 SS was a very expensive proposition. It cost roughly three times as top-of-the-line Barracuda. They only made 52 cars because of the price tag.

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The Ultimate Sleeper Cars of the ’70s and ’80s (You Won’t Expect These)

There were few decades in the auto industry that were as instrumental as the 1970s and ’80s. Both decades were periods when the automotive landscape completely changed. Vehicle design transitioned from oversized land yachts to manageable fuel-efficient cars. Japanese automakers also made massive progress in America during this period and continue to dominate today. The amount of technological advancement that car fans witnessed during the 1970s and ’80s paved the way for an automotive revolution.

Many if not most enthusiasts look down upon this era, yet it was one of the most underrated in history. Some cars were critically panned but still offered great performance. GM also had its share of unique sleeper cars during this era, as did Ford. The turbocharger was becoming a more viable option for offering great amounts of power from small engines. The traditional V8 was no longer the only way that automakers squeezed performance out of a car. During the era, several cars flew under the radar, so we looked at the ultimate sleeper cars of the ’70s and ’80s that you might know about. Check them out right here.

Photo Credit: Car Domain

1976 Dodge Aspen R/T

Who could forget about the ​​1976 Dodge Aspen R/T? Well, at the time, everyone did. But that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t one of the most underrated sleepers of all time. There were under 1000 of these models that made it to production. The Aspen R/T shared a platform with the Plymouth Volare of the same period. The 318 V8 that came under the hood wasn’t a bad engine to start with, and the styling wasn’t bad either (via Hot Cars).

Photo Credit: Dodge

The interesting thing about the Aspen R/T was the fact that it was a lightweight car. Most domestic vehicles from the ’70s were still quite large and in charge. Chrysler went the other way with these models in an effort to appeal to value-oriented shoppers. The Aspen R/T is one of the rarest MOPAR models on the road and is a definite sleeper from this era.

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Market Crash: These Muscle Cars Just Aren’t Worth Investing In

Smart drivers know that car collecting is not just a hobby but also a lucrative business. When you’re talking legendary muscle cars, some models can be worth more than a million dollars. This clearly means that investing in and restoring cars like these can be a sound financial decision.

However, before looking for the next restoration candidate or barn finds, drivers have to know which cars are worth investing in. Even though the car is old and looks cool, that doesn’t mean it will still attract bidders at auction. Some muscle cars were less popular and have very few fans today. So, we’ll save you some time by listing the models that are simply not worth the investment and effort here.

Photo Credit: Hemmings

1974 Pontiac GTO

Pontiac downsized the once-mighty GTO from a separate model to a trim line option only for the 1974 Pontiac Ventura. It was sad to see the once-glorious muscle car downgraded to just a trim level. They slapped some decals on an economy model and added a 5.7-liter V8 engine that delivered only 200 hp (via Net Car Show).

Pontiac experienced slow sales for the GTO line for a few years. Despite the relative success of the smaller Trans Am/Firebird line, the GTO line wasn’t popular enough to justify investing in a separate model. Most people considered the 1974 GTO a pathetic attempt to recapture the former glory of the GTO. However, the auto market didn’t fall for this cheap trick.

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Insanely Powered Cars From Chrysler (Number Three Will Leave You Speechless)

The Chrysler Corporation is one of the big three automakers, even if it doesn’t go by that name anymore. The automaker has built some of the fastest cars that ever hit the road. Without these cars from Chrysler, we wouldn’t have cars like the Plymouth Superbird, the Dodge Demon, or the Charger. The company was also responsible for bringing us vehicles like the Roadrunner and even the Dodge Viper. Many cars came out of Chrysler that were insanely powerful and became instant classics.

MOPAR has left an indelible mark on the automotive industry, and there aren’t a lot of as iconic automakers. Some cars from the Chrysler Corporation broke the mold in terms of power and handling. These were true legends that redefined what a modern sports car was. Then other offerings were less than satisfactory. We looked at the most insanely powered cars that ever came from Chrysler and Dodge, and true car fans will remember them fondly. Let’s get started.

1967 Plymouth GTX
Photo Credit: Hot Rod

Plymouth GTX

The Plymouth GTX isn’t the first nameplate that comes to mind when you think of horsepower, but it still offered quite a bit. It was a performance car sold during the ’60s. The GTX had a lot to offer and under the hood, it packed a punch. Even though the car only weighed 4000lbs it felt a whole lot sturdier than it was, and the affordable price tag of $3,800.00 made it attainable for the average gearhead. Plymouth was the value-oriented brand in the Chrysler portfolio so a car like the GTX made perfect sense for the brand (via Hagerty).

1967 Plymouth GTX
Photo Credit: Hot Rod

The 383 CU V8 was one of the most powerful engines to come out of Chrysler. The performance of the engine was revered by even the most discerning hot rod enthusiasts of the period. The groundbreaking performance of the car was enough to catapult it to popularity. Again, this is not the first car that comes to mind when you think about performance, but with the bulletproof engineering and stylish exterior, it was a pleasant mix.

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Corvette DNA: Sports Cars You Never Knew Were Based On The Vette

The iconic Chevrolet Corvette turns 70 this year. Over the years, Chevrolet produced eight distinct generations of the Vette, and all eight left big marks on the auto industry. Also, since the Corvette featured engines and components from Chevrolet’s general lineup, it was also often used as the basis for numerous conversions and aftermarket versions. The list of companies that produced special body parts for Corvette is endless. Yet in some cases, those companies went a step further and produced their own creations based on the Corvette platform.

From the early 1960s until today, the Corvette was used as a platform for creations that went beyond only cosmetic change. Innovative car builders made the Corvette faster, cooler, more interesting, or just different, and today, we pay our respects to those industry mavericks. We found the most prominent sports cars that used the Corvette chassis and engines as a basis, so check out these cars right here.

Photo Credit: Italdesign

Italdesign Moray

In the early 2000s, the famous Italian design house Italdesign presented the Moray. It was a fully-functional Corvette with a unique design and a strange canopy-style opening roof. Inspired by the Mako Shark concepts of the ’60s, Italian designers wanted to make a new Corvette resembling a sea predator (via Italdesign).

Photo Credit: Italdesign

Even though there were rumors of the limited production run, only two cars left the factory. The Moray was the C5 model with a 400 hp V8 engine and automatic transmission. Some say that Chevrolet stopped the development of the Moray not to interfere with the presentation of the all-new C6 Corvette a year later.

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Unleashing Power: General Motors’ Fastest Trucks of All Time

Amongst many things, General Motors is known as the company that created the first muscle car back in 1964. It was also a part of the pickup truck market from the very beginning. It was only a matter of time before those two concepts merged and their trucks became super-powered.

Over the years, GM has produced some fantastic trucks. They managed to keep their products on the list of best sellers in this field. However, GM’s performance-hungry customers demanded more than just top-of-the-market sales numbers. They wanted speed. And overall, GM delivered some of the fastest trucks ever made. Check out the best and fastest GM trucks ever built right here.

Photo Credit: GM

GMC Hummer EV SUT

The Tesla Cybertruck might be the first fully-operational prototype electric truck of the future. But GMC’s Hummer EV is newer, bigger, meaner-looking, and filled with several features. Before attempting to reserve one, you have to know that the top-of-the-line version cost around $100,000 (via Car and Driver).

Photo Credit: Car And Driver

That may be worth it, as the features of the GMC Hummer EV are insane. The base version will have a 625 hp engine and the next in line will have an 800 hp engine. The top-tier model will have an astonishing 1000 hp at its disposal. As with all electric vehicles, the torque figure is equally impressive. Its predicted range is 350 miles. But what really excites drivers is the combination of the drive train and suspension. It allows the new-age Hummer to climb even the steepest obstacles and go diagonally, bringing a new dimension to off-road driving. With an EV powertrain, the Hummer EV is blisteringly quick in a straight line. It can do 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, an insane fact.

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Beyond The DeLorean: Marty McFly’s Ultimate 1980s Car Wish List

The 1980s were a unique, one-of-a-kind time for the automotive industry because things were changing at a rapid pace. Automakers ditched the oversized land yachts of yesteryear for more fuel-efficient imports. Compact pickup trucks made a splash as well. The Toyota Hilux was one of these trucks and happened to be a focal point of the hit movie, ‘Back to The Future.’ But the Toyota Hilux was just one of many cool cars that hit the road during the 1980s. Today, a lot of these vehicles are more popular than ever. So we looked back at the cars that 1980s icon Marty McFly would be proud to own.

There’s no denying that these are some of the most iconic cars that hit the road during that decade. When today’s drivers get behind the wheel of some of these rides, they experience instant nostalgia. Most of us remember a time when these cars were all too common on the roads, and now many of them have spiked in value and become classics. Buckle up as we look at several cool cars from the 1980s that Marty McFly would be proud to own.

Photo Credit: Mecum

Ford Mustang SVO

Nobody considered a four-cylinder Mustang fun to drive until the Mustang SVO hit the scene. The SVO was a turbocharged beast of a Mustang that took the 5.0 Fox Body platform to new heights. The car was everything an enthusiast wanted in a Mustang from this era. The four-cylinder engine was fuel-efficient and reliable and the car had a monstrous amount of pep in its step when drivers got behind the wheel (via Ford Performance).

Photo Credit: Mecum

The Mustang SVO was a car that redefined what affordable performance could be. Its great price tag coupled with its fuel-efficient performance was the right recipe for the time. Consumers didn’t want oversized, inefficient gas guzzlers anymore and the SVO was a completely different type of car. Not to mention its radical styling, meaning it was definitely a car Marty McFly would enjoy driving.

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Built To Last: The Most Reliable Supercars Money Can Buy

A supercar is one of the most awe-inspiring investments a car fan will ever make and the repairs and maintenance can cost almost as much as the car. But this hefty investment doesn’t deter the wealthy enthusiasts who collect these cars. Many of the millionaires who collect these supercars almost always leave them locked away inside warehouses for decades. These cars are nothing more than a trophy piece for wealthy investors. But there are also enthusiasts like Jay Leno who actually get out and drive these cars as well.

It might come as a surprise that there are quite a few supercars that are reliable as well. Reliability can be construed in several different ways, but the main thing depends on how much it costs to keep the car on the road. Some supercars are built better than others, and these are the most reliable supercars that money can buy. Based on consumer testing, that makes these supercars a lot better to own. Even if you have unlimited funds in the bank, sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy a reliable supercar. Find out which supercars are the most reliable money can buy here.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Acura NSX

This entry shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, as Honda/Acura is one of the most reliable automakers on the road. The NSX has long been the supercar for the frugal and wise enthusiast. You get top-tier performance, but you also get Honda reliability. The NSX has maintained its position as one of the best supercars in the world because its performance never wavered and its design is timeless (via Hot Cars).

Photo Credit: Auto WP

Even the current generation of the NSX has stayed true to the formula that made the brand great to begin with. Few supercars have ever been able to compete with the NSX when it comes to reliability. Honda precision-engineered every inch of the NSX to be a one-of-a-kind supercar. Those who know a thing or two about supercars have no trouble acknowledging just how reliable the NSX is.

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