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Hi Folks,Q: What makes a car a sports car?Q: What qualifies as a sports car? Is it arbitrary?Q: What do you think a sports car is?Please note this is my very personal opinion/rant and I have given as many links as I feel were neededThe expression “Sports Car” came into the common parlance or vogue in the 1920’s (first UK mention being in in The Times Newspaper in 1919) and basically, at that time, meant a “Fun” car, sometimes based on a racing car, but not necessarily a powerful or particularly fast car.The word that causes all the confusion is “Sport” itself. This is a peculiarity of the English, and other, language. It evolves and changes over time.A perfect example is the word “Gay”. A century ago gay meant happy, carefree and easy going (Itself an expression where the the usage has changed over time). Today the word gay is considered to be, broadly, a homosexual male.The word “Sport” originally, in English parlance, originally meant extrovert, fun loving, pleasure seeking, amusement or play. Cricket and Football (Soccer) were games as was Golf. The contextual changes led to these games being considered “Sports”The following “s” determines a sense of ownership in its original context. Obviously this context has changed dramatically over the last century to mean so much more.In this context a “Sports Car” would be the car of a Sport, not a racing, or even a fast car.A “Sport Car” would have been and still is, a Car for Sport, in this case, motor racing.In English you would ray a “Racing Car” not a “Racings Car”. The French expression for “Sports Car” is, I think, La fille a’ L’Auto est des notres or “The Daughter of our Auto-mobile”, in my opinion a much better way to describe these vehicles.Lets look at how the changes in English usage has altered the contextual acceptance of what a “Sports Car” is.Traditionally a “Sports Car” was a 2 seater roadster/soft top/drop head coupe. It was predominantly a carriage for 2 adults, although 2+2 (2 adults and 2 (small) children also existed from the beginning. A notable, and possibly unique, deviation from this format was the McLaren F1 which had a central driving position with seats for 2 adults to the rear.Another problem is the word “Coupe”. The definition of this has changed over the years, mainly driven (excuse the pun) by car manufacturers.Here are some definitions:A coupé or coupe is a passenger car with a sloping or truncated rear roofline and generally two doors (although several four-door cars have also been marketed as coupés).Coupé was first applied to horse drawn carriages for two passengers without rear-facing seats.The term coupé comes from the French translation of "cut"Coupé - WikipediaA car with a fixed roof, two doors,, two or four seats,, and usually a sloping back.COUPÉ | meaning in the Cambridge English DictionaryAlso coupé. a closed, two-door car shorter than a sedan of the same model.Definition of coupe | Dictionary.comMix up the usage of the words “Sports” and “Coupe” and you have what we have today.Over the years “Sports Car” has evolved into many sub-genres, namely:LightweightsThese have almost totally disappeared thanks to the safety legislation to protect passengers and pedestrians. There are of course a few examples still being manufactured to the modern guidelines but they tend to be larger and heavier.Small, nimble 2 seater or 2+2, capable of very quick changes of direction.Weight, usually less than 1 ton and Wheelbase of less, sometimes a lot less, than 100 inchesQuintessentially British, Italian or French, with a smattering of others thrown in, especially Japanese in recent years.The objective was usually fun, manoeuvrability and handling over engine power (Although there are some really ridiculous exceptions - see below).Examples.Lotus 7.Originally the Lotus 7 weighed in at about 1100 pounds and had a 40 bhp (30 kW; 41 PS) Ford Side Valve 1,172 cc inline 4 engine. Although it is really a track car and not totally suitable for British roads (If it rained, which it does regularly in all of Britain,you got very wet) it was great fun to drive on a warm summers day in the British countryside.Lotus Mk4 at the Lotus Brands Hatch Celebration 2007Courtesy of ;By Mariegriffiths at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:LotusMk4.JPG - Wikimedia CommonsThe modern example of this is the Caterham 7.Caterham 7 - WikipediaCitroen Traction Avant; the 7C with a 1,628 cc (99.3 cu in) engine. This one has a “Rumble seat”Courtesy of; By Rundvald - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:Citroen-Traction-cabriolet-blanc-ar.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsAC Ace. The original of the car that Carroll Shelby used to turn into the exceptional AC Cobra.1962 2.6-litre Ruddspeed-engined Ace. Some versions tuned to 170 bhp (127 kW), providing a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h) and 0–60 mph (0–100 km/h) in 8.1 secondsCourtesy of; By Mr.choppers - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:1962 AC Ace 2.6 Ruddspeed front.jpgAC Cobra. Need I say more.I have driven a 1966 427 S/C, modified by the owner, not me I cant afford such luxuries, to incorporate fuel injection, better brakes, better steering, new 5 stud hubs and 19 inch wheels, low profile modern tyres and a 6 Speed ZF gearbox. It was scary, very very fast, very nimble (which surprised me). I bottled out at 165mph (indicated but later shown to be 154mph at the speed trap). The best “Sports Car” I have ever driven and certainly the scariest. Before the owners death in 2016 he had the car restored to “original type” condition. Don’t worry it was not a factory original, it was constructed in Eastern Europe about 1994 from the remains of 3 damaged cars and modified to suit the owner. Not Number Matching.Shelby AC Cobra, CSX2000, the prototype Shelby Cobra, Shelby American Museum, Las Vegas, NV"CSX2000 is the first Shelby Cobra ever built and quite possibly the most valuable American sports car in the world. This 1962 Cobra has been owned by Carroll Shelby personally since it was built and is in "survivor" condition. The car still has its original four speed Ford 260 c.i.d. engine, brakes, interior and body. As this Shelby was used in various magazine stories when the Cobra was introduced, it has been painted several different times."Courtesy of; By Jaydec at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:Shelby AC Cobra, CSX2000.JPGOther cars which fell into this category include;Lotus Elan; Lotus Elan - WikipediaLotus Elite; Lotus Elite - WikipediaLotus Elise/Exige ; Lotus Elise - Wikipedia , Lotus Exige - WikipediaPorsche 356 ; Porsche 356 - Wikipedia, and later 912, Porsche 912 - Wikipedia, and 914 Porsche 914 - WikipediaDatsun/Nissan Fairlady ; Datsun Sports - Wikipedia, Many other Datsun/Nissan sports cars have also been about quite a lot, especially the early “Z” cars.Fiat X1/9 ; Fiat X1/9 - WikipediaMorgan Plus 8, Morgan Plus 8 - Wikipedia, and all Morgan's before and since, except the Aero 8 which should be a “Grand Tourer” but really falls into the Medium Sprts Car group.Alfa Romeo Spider ; Alfa Romeo Spider - WikipediaTriumph Spitfire ; Triumph Spitfire - Wikipedia, Many other Triumph small Sports Cars such as the TR4, TR6, TR7, GT6, etc.Honda Beat ; Honda Beat - Wikipedia. One of Honda’s earliest Sports cars.MG A : MG MGA - Wikipedia . And all its predecessors and successors, and its big brother.MG B ; MG MGB - Wikipedia. Some of the later ones were heavy and bit of a handful but the early one were excellent to drive but would fall apart if it rained. All the parts for these cars are still manufactured in the Uk for the restoration market and you can actually build a complete new car.Austin Healy Sprite ; Austin-Healey Sprite - Wikipedia. Mk 1 know lovingly as the “Bug Eye” or “Frog Eye”. Very small nimble, low powered but still great fun. Later models were a modified version of the MG Midget.Mazda MX-5/ Miata ; Mazda MX-5 - Wikipedia Not all of the models met the weight of 1 ton but easily met the other criteria. Now the best selling 2 seat sports car ever.Honda S2000 ; Honda S2000 - Wikipedia . Once again meets the size but is to heavy and should really be in the medium class. However it is so nimble and handles like a dream so I include it here.1952 Ferrari 225S ; Ferrari 225 S - Wikipedia . A light weight 2 seat Berlinetta (Hard top). In 1952 Ferrari were an expensive “Sports Car” producer making small nimble sports cars, not the overpriced, fragile supercars they make today. These cars will cost $Ms today.Ferrari 250S ; Ferrari 250 - Wikipedia, Ferrari 250 S - Wikipedia . The Short Wheel Base 250S was expensive for its day but was quite popular as lightweight “Sports Car” and competed in Sport Car races such as the Mille Miglia. As with the 225 original cars cost $Ms today.Matra Djet ; Matra Djet - Wikipedia , The worlds first Rear mid-engined production car.Opel Manta ; Opel Manta - Wikipedia. This is a strange one. I had a 5 speed B2 model (slightly over a ton, but most of the other model were under a ton). It was great fun to drive. Take it to work Monday to Friday, change tyres, oil and filters on Saturday, rally or track it on Sunday. When finished change back to road spec and go back to the millstone on Monday. Not a race car by any means but it was fun.Or road legal but totally ridiculous.BAC Mono ; (As this is a single seater I consider it to fall outside the definition of a “Sports Car” and into the “Sport Racing Car” area)Courtesy of : By Axion23 - BAC Mono, CC BY 2.0, File:BAC Mono (8606487117) b.jpgSome of these 1190lb cars have a 305bhp straight 4 giving about 575bhp to the ton.Briggs Automotive Company - WikipediaAriel AtomCourtesy of : By Brian Snelson - originally posted to Flickr as Ariel Atom 3, CC BY 2.0, File:ArielAtom3.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsSome of these 1350lb cars had a 500bhp V8 fitted. That is nearly 830bhp to the ton.Ariel Atom - WikipediaThere are probably hundreds more that could be mentioned but it would take to long and to much space.Medium to Heavy WeightChevrolet CorvetteBy Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA - 59 Chevrolet Corvette, CC BY 2.0, File:59 Chevrolet Corvette (9121569252).jpg1959 C1 B is my favourite model, just before they ruined the C1 with the C2 “Duck Tail”. I believe this picture is of a detachable Hard top convertible.This is my favourite car from the USA but unfortunately I will never be able to use one as I am to tall. I drove one in 1973 and I just didn’t feel comfortable. The steering wheel was to close the legroom to short and the roof line to low. I don’t care I still love the design.My next favourite is below.Courtesy of : By Chevrolet - Chevrolet factory photo scan, Public Domain, File:1963 Corvette Sting Ray.jpgOddly I drove one of these in 1973 as well but I could fit. Weird as it is shorter and lower than the C1. Oddly on the 2 window fastback the “Duck Tail” is not intrusive as on other C2 models and gives a pleasant profile from all angles.Ford Mustang ; FORD Mustang models and generations timeline, specs and pictures (by year) ; Started in 1964 and still in production today.This is my favourite a 1968 GT, even though it has fattened up to nearly a ton and a half.. Unfortunately a vehicle that started out reasonably light just kept getting fatter and floppier until 1978 when it lost about 800lbs. It soon put the weight back on, especially after the introduction of the Fox Platform. One point of interest is that the early cars were sold as “Fastbacks” not “Coupe”. I don’t know why and why they changed the later car sales literature to “Fastback Coupe”, seems a bit redundant.Recent models are very quick but have still not cracked the handling abilities of big European Sports cars and Grand Tourers.Honda NSX ; Honda NSX (first generation) - WikipediaMercedes Benz W194 ; Mercedes-Benz W194 - Wikipedia. Basically the 1950’s racing car which led to the beautiful 300SL Gull Wing Sports car.Mercedes Benz SL series : The 300SL (on the W198 platform) based on the W194 above was the first of a long line of SL models some of which were truly a “Sports Car” whilst later one really became “Grand Tourers”. SL’s based on the R107 platform started out as “Sports Car” but ended up as as luxury “Grand Tourer”, as were all models following it.Courtesy of ; CC BY-SA 3.0, File:1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe 34.jpgAustin Healy 3000 ; Austin-Healey 3000 - Wikipedia. Also known as the “Big” Healey. Still a very popular restoration.By Bull-Doser - Own work., Public Domain, File:Austin-Healey 3000 at 2010 Ottawa British Auto Show.jpgJaguar XK Series ; Jaguar XK120 - Wikipedia , Jaguar XK140 - Wikipedia , Jaguar XK150 - Wikipedia , Jaguar E-Type - Wikipedia . Always more expensive and exclusive but still good handling and fun. The E-Type/XKE was a bit in the middle. It was originally quite light but soon gained a lot of weight and really became a Grand Tourer (GT).Lamborghini ; Any model since the Miura.Ferrari ; Almost any model after the 250, except their GT/4 seater cars.Porsche 911 ; Even the early ones were quite heavy as they really were the first luxury Sports Car. As the engines got bigger they just kept gaining weight (There is a reason some refer to them as “Porkers”, and its not just that they handle like a pig).Once again there are hundreds of different car that could be used as an example.Lets move on to the next category.Sports Saloon/Sedan Cars ;This is basically the conversion of a standard saloon to a higher powered sports model. This applies to 2 door, 3 door, 4 door and 5 door.Some of them, such as,BMW M3, M4BMW M5, M6Mercedes AMG ; Most of the 4 and 2 door Saloon/Sedan models any way. Include Brabus here.Audi RS Series;Ford Mustang; Last 2 generations only and only the GT models.Other smaller cars have been revised similarly, just not a frantic, such as.Honda Civic “R” Type,VW Golf GTI,Vauxhall/Opel VXR,Renault Clio Cup/Cupra,Seat Cupra,Ford Cosworth,Ford XR Series.You can probably think of more, these were just the first ones that came to mind.Moving on.Grand Touring/ Grandiose Touristique/ Gran Turismo.Even in the early days of motoring there were cars that were recognised as having a certain flowing design, luxurious interior, powerful yet reliable and quiet engines with good, pliant and reliable suspension.These really were the best of the best but generally were referred to as “Luxury” or “Touring” cars rather than “Grand Tourers”The early ones in this area were such as;Isotta Fraschine,Auburn,Cord (Auburn,)Duesenberg (Auburn),Horch,Chrysler,Daimler,Maybach,Stutz,Talbot Lago,Bugatti Type 57,Mercedes Benz 540K,Rolls Royce Phantom.Many of these were considered as Roadsters, Speedsters or Coupes.The term Gran Turismo originated in Italy in the early 1950’sWikipedia has a reasonable description of these as “A grand tourer (GT) is a type of sports car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving, due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes.The most common format is a front engine, rear wheel drive two-door coupe with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement. Grand tourers are most often the coupé derivative of luxury saloons.The term is a near-calque from the Italian language phrase gran turismo which became popular in the English language from the 1950s, evolving from fast touring cars and streamlined closed sports cars during the 1930s.Grand tourer - WikipediaI suppose this all started in 1929 with the 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Turismo, the first car to carry this appellation. The picture below is of a 6C 1750 Gran Turismo CC Coupe/Cabriolet), from 1929 as I can’t yet find a picture of the saloon/sedan version of car from 1929.By Charlie from United Kingdom - 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750, CC BY 2.0, File:1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 by James Young.jpgThis was really a roadster, sportster or Touring Car in the tradition of that period although the GT had an enclosed cabin built by a separate coachwork companyPost WW2 the term “Grand Tourer,etc” became a term applied to cars which could be quite powerful but were capable of crossing continents in comfort as well as speed and reliability.It all started to settle down, post WW2, with fewer “Coach-built” cars and more production models in 1951 with the Lancia Aurelia GT.By Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:Lancia Aurelia GT B20.jpgThere were many other cars before this that fell into this class (non coach-built) but this is the first I know of that was named Gran Turismo. If you know of earlier ones please let me know in the comments.It moved on through such cars as the Mercedes 300SL, Maserati 3500GT and the Ferrari 250GTO below;CC BY-SA 3.0, File:1962 Ferrari 250 GTO 34 2.jpgThere was also some UK input in this period such as the Aston Martin DB5 and all the models that followed it,By Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France - Aston Martin DB5, CC BY-SA 2.0, File:Aston Martin DB5.jpgand the Jaguar E Type/XKE,By DeFacto - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, File:Jaguar E-Type series 1 coupé 1964.jpgFerrari’s first venture into GT cars was the 1949 166 Inter which had a 2.0ltr V12 engine matched to a 5 speed gearbox. In its original format it was easily a lightweight Sports Car, and later a medium weight, but as it was designed as a “Touring” car I include it here.CC BY-SA 3.0, File:Ferrari 166 Inter Coupé Touring 1949.jpgMany more Ferrari GT cars were to follow although I feel that most of them would not really be comfortable on a trans continental drive. Exceptions such as the 599 and FF are true “Gran Turismo”.OK so what am I missing or ignoring?Well there is of course;Bentley;Early on when WO and his brother ran the company they basically produced rolling chassis which then went the coach-builder of their customers choice for a body to be added. Later,post WW2 and now owned by Rolls Royce, they produced their own bodies such as the Bentley Mark IV and the later monocoque T series.By Charles01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:Bentley T2 reg 1977 6750 cc.JPGFrom this point Bentley were, basically, building re-badged Rolls Royce cars and it wasn’t until 1991, the now Vickers owned company, produced a non Rolls Royce bodyshell in the Continental R.By Mr.choppers - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:2000 Bentley Continental R.jpgAlthough based on a Rolls Royce platform, the SZ, it was a totally different body style. Although it was not a classical “Coupe” it was certainly a grand tourer. One thing none of these were is a sporting car, they were designed to waft their occupants from point A to point B over long distances in luxury. Even their 4 door saloons were capable of this but don’t really qualify as GT.On the other hand there is this;By M 93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, File:Bentley Continental GT (II) - Frontansicht (5), 30. August 2011, Düsseldorf.jpgIt’s not a “Speed” but it gives you the idea.The Continental GT Speed was a monster, fitted with a 5,998 cc (366.0 cu in) W12 twin turbo engine (625 PS (460 kW; 616 hp) at 6,000, 800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft) at 1,700) and weighing in, dry, at 2320kg (5115lb) yet still capable of a top speed over 200mph.No it is not comparable with any Ferrari, or any other super or hyper car, as it is designed for a different purpose, but it is certainly a “Grand Tourer”.The thing that shocked me was a Bentley Continental GT3, a luxury Grand Tourer, managed to win the Bathurst 2020 race in February 2020. Although the car preparation removed a lot of weight it was up against much lighter and more nimble cars such as the Porsche 911 GT3 R, the AMG Mercedes GT3-EVO, McLaren 720 GT3, Audi R8 LMS Evo, Nissan GTR Nismo GT3 and Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3.Every one of those car posted faster laps and were capable of faster acceleration and manoeuvring.Bugatti;Then there is Bugatti and its Veyron/ Chiron family, currently my favourite car, probably until I get to drive one, if ever.By Axion23 - Red Bugatti Veyron on the road, CC BY 2.0, File:Red Bugatti Veyron on the road (7559997596).jpgBy Matthew Lamb - FoS20162016_0624_132444AA, CC BY-SA 2.0, File:FoS20162016 0624 132444AA (27785299372).jpgThese are so ugly and over-engineered that they transcend all normal conventions of car beauty and have become a symbol of what can be done with a totally clean slate.They are the epitome of what a “Grand Tourer” should be but for one little problem. The little problem is that they have woefully inadequate luggage space.I don't care, I would happily cross continents in one and just buy new clothes on the way.And Finally we have the Elephant in the room.PorscheI have mentioned the 356, 912 and 914, in the lightweights section, and the 911 in the medium section. All were and are very capable cars but are not grand tourers. They do not have the comfort for a long drive, being to “Sport” focussed and do not have enough luggage space for an extended trip.Back in 1988 Porsche started to develope a “Touring Car” called the 989 but this was abandoned in 1991 after the departure of Dr Ulrich Bez, Ulrich Bez - Wikipedia.By Dambedei - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:Porsche 989 Prototyp Seitenansicht.jpgAs you can see it was a four door but I feel it would have become a 2 door if Bez had remained. It always looked to me as if it was a 911 with a raised roofline and 10 inches welded in.Around 2007 Porsche started the design process that led to the 970, Porsche Panamera.By M 93 - Self-photographed, Attribution, File:Porsche Panamera 4S front 20100428.jpgBy Dambedei - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:Porsche 989 Prototyp Seitenansicht.jpgThe top picture is a 970 Chassis, Generation 1, as is the second picture. As you can see Porsche have managed to move away from a 911 look a like. At last they built something different even if people, journalists especially, have moaned and complained.The pictures below are of the 971 Chassis Generation 2By Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France - Porsche Panamera Turbo, CC BY-SA 2.0, File:Porsche Panamera Turbo grey.jpgBy Jakub "flyz1" Maciejewski - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo - lewy tył (MSP17).jpgPorsche Panamera - WikipediaBoth of these generations have been criticised for not being”Porschey” enough. They are all front engined, rear wheel, or 4 wheel, drive cars and don’t have a great lump of an engine hanging out over the back axle. Of course they are not like a 911. In fact they always make me think of a larger, upgraded 928, also criticised as not being “Porschey” enough.Their one drawback is that they have 5 doors. Why was it not built as a 3 door “Coupe”, only Porsche knows.In theory, by not being a Coupe, they are not a “Grand Tourer” but as other 4/5 door cars are considered as such I am including them here.Well that’s me done.I am sorry for the length. I could quite happily write a book on the various incarnations of “Sports Cars” and their genesis but here is not enough room here.Please feel free to criticise, add, detract complain, disagree or just plain argue. Thatis, after all, what sites such a Quora are for.Thanks,Mike