chuck65, where did you find that old picture of me. SPORTS CAR YES!
n.
An automobile equipped for racing, especially an aerodynamically shaped one-passenger or two-passenger vehicle having a low center of gravity and steering and suspension designed for precise control at high speeds.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A
sports car is a term used to describe a class of
automobile. The exact definition varies,
[1] but generally it is used to refer to a low to ground, light weight vehicle with a powerful engine. Most vehicles referred to as sports cars are
rear-wheel drive, have two seats, two doors, and are designed for more precise
handling, acceleration, and aesthetics. A sports car's dominant considerations can be superior road handling, braking, maneuverability, low weight, and high power, rather than passenger space, comfort, and fuel economy.
Sports cars can be either luxurious
[2] or spartan, but driving mechanical performance is the key attraction. Many drivers regard brand name and the subsequent racing reputation and history as important indications of sporting quality (for example,
Ferrari,
Porsche,
Lotus), but some brands, such as
Lamborghini, which do not race or build racing cars, are also highly regarded.
A car may be a
sporting automobile without being a sports car. Performance modifications of regular, production cars, such as
sport compacts,
sports sedans,
muscle cars,
hot hatches and the like, generally are not considered sports cars, yet share traits common to sports cars. They are sometimes called "sports cars" for
marketing purposes for increased advertising and promotional purposes.
[3] Performance cars of all configurations are grouped as
Sports and Grand tourer cars, or, occasionally, as
performance cars.
A sports car does not require a large, powerful
engine, though many do have them. Many classic British sports cars lacked powerful engines, but were known for exceptional handling due to light weight, a well-engineered, balanced chassis, and modern suspension (for example,
Lotus Seven,
Austin 7 Speedy). On tight, twisting roads, such a sports car may perform more effectively than a heavier, more powerful car.
Due to
North American safety regulations, many sports cars are unavailable for sale or use in the
United States and
Canada. In the
United Kingdom,
Europe, and the
Middle Eastern market (
e.g. UAE), a flexible attitude towards small-volume specialist manufacturers has allowed companies such as
TVR,
Noble, and
Pagani to succeed.