History of Supercars

The 1950s

While the term ‘supercar’ may have been used in the 1920s, it wasn’t until the mid-1950s that sports cars with outstanding performance really entered the marketplace. Early pioneers for the supercar segment included the 1954 Mercedes 300SL and Ferrari’s 250 series sports racers.

The 1960s

In the mid-1960s supercars as we think of them today began to release. Some significant developments in the 60s include the creation of the Ford GT and the release of the mid-engined Lamborghini Miura, which was designed from the start as a road car. The Ford GT became a staple of the supercar and American muscle car scene, proving performance and exquisite design can go hand-in-hand.

1958 c1 corvette

The 1970s

A fuel crisis in the early 70s almost ended the supercar, but they managed to survive and grow from here. The first mass-market turbo road cars, including the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo, were released. The 911 Turbo stood out with its eccentric design elements and stellar performance. With the birth of the 911 Turbo, Porsche cemented themselves in the supercar scene, and have remained there to this day.

Arguably the most important supercar of this generation was the Lamborghini Countach. This mid-engine model had a striking design that stood out among the pack. Its V12 engine was longitudinally-mounted with slight modifications to the Miura’s engine placement. The end result had the engine sandwiched between the rear differential and mid-mounted transmission. The Countach remains a favorite among supercar fanatics and gearheads around the world, and rightfully so.

The 1980s

With the financial boom of the 80s came a dramatic increase in supercar pricing. This ultimately led to a more inclusive, low volume hypercar market. During this time Nürburgring also garnered worldwide attention thanks to the iconic RUF CTR ‘Yellowbird’, the legendary rivalry between Porsche and Ferrari heated up, and, the first 200 mph car, the Ferrari F40 road racer also hit the streets. Porsche unleashed the Porsche 959, and it sparked a heated rivalry between the F40 and 959. The 959 was, before the F40 hit, the fastest street-legal production car, clocking in at around 197 mph.

Some consider the Porsche 959 as the model that set the standard for sports cars to come for years. Both cars had twin-turbocharged engines, with the F40 sporting a twin-turbocharged V8 while the 959 had a twin-turbocharged Flat 6. Ferrari would go toe-to-toe with the 959 through the end of the 80s, though Ferrari claims the F40 was not created because of the 959. Regardless, both of these models made a huge impact, and paved the way for supercars of the next generation. Supercars for years to come would model after the legendary Ferrari F40, not just the Porsche 959, hinting on its sleek design, powerful corners, and aggressive front-end.

The 1990s

In the early ‘90s, the Honda NSX proved that a supercar could also be reliable and friendly for daily driving. The development of hypercars continued with the Bugatti brand for the modern era and its EB110, as well as the release of what is often regarded as the world’s first super saloon, the 175mph Lotus Carlton. As more recognizable names came into the scene, like Honda, the term supercar was becoming more of a household thing. The 1990s also birthed a slew of exciting and groundbreaking supercars. Some of the standouts of the crowded ‘90s lineup include:

  • Ferrari F50
  • Porsche GT1
  • McLaren F1
  • Jaguar XJR-15
  • Jaguar XJ220
  • Lotus Esprit V8
  • Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
  • Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster
  • Hennessey Venom 650R Viper
  • Vector W8

The 2000s

During the 2000s, the approach to creating supercars split with some companies opting to create lightweight vehicles while others like Ferrari and Porsche opted to increase vehicle power. New additions to the supercar family included the first performance SUV, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, and the world’s first electric sports car, the Venturi Fetish. Even to this day, we still see a divide between power and vehicle weight, though some modern supercars are blending both together to create mind-blowing vehicles. Much like the ‘90s, the 2000s produced a long line of notable supercars. Standout models from 2000s include:

  • Porsche Carrera GT
  • Pagani Zonda
  • Lamborghini Murcielago
  • Koenigsegg CCX
  • Ferrari Enzo
  • Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
  • Noble M12
  • Lexus LFA
  • Gumpert Apollo
  • Audi R8
  • Bugatti Veyron
  • Ford GT
  • Nissan GT-R
  • Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
  • Tesla Roadster

The 2010s

While there are still plenty of traditional supercars on the market, there have been more advancements and releases of supercars with hybrid or fully electric engines. Brands are utilizing more aerodynamic and lightweight designs for even better track times and Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz introduced their F1 inspired race cars for the road. This new brand of supercars were part of the evolving branch into hypercars. Pinnacle models like the Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918 Spyder, and McLaren P1 paved the way for supercars to come. The 2010s saw a good amount of supercars as well, including models such as:

  • Noble M600
  • Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
  • Lamborghini Aventador
  • Pagani Huayra
  • Koenigsegg Agera R
  • Lamborghini Veneno
  • McLaren MP4-12C
  • Bugatti Veyron SuperSport

Become a Part of History at Marshall Goldman Motor Sales

Experience the thrill of driving a world-class supercar through the streets of Miami with Marshall Goldman Motor Sales. No matter if you are interested in a vintage model, or something more modern, we can help you find it in our inventory of collectible cars. Contact us at Marshall Goldman Motor Sales to learn about getting behind the wheel of history at Marshall Goldman Motor Sales.