Definition of a sports car
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ryan
True Classic
Jim W
Luckless Pedestrian
To paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart in his opinion on Jacobellis v. Ohio regarding the definition of pornography...
I shall not today attempt further to define the meaning of the term Sports Car, and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know one when I see one...
(my apologies to Justice Stewart....)
I shall not today attempt further to define the meaning of the term Sports Car, and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know one when I see one...
(my apologies to Justice Stewart....)
Black-Tooth
Tony Natoli
HA... an OPINION ya want is it...
I try to stay away from OPINIONS as they are generally based upon nothing substantial. I was once cornered when asked if I had any DATA to support my position, and when I hesitated, I was then told... "I just had an OPINION". I never let that happen again...
In this case... I think I'll offer up a phrase that is commonly used by the Harley-Davidson crowd...
"If I haveta explain it to ya, you won't understand..."
If I were to explain it... I would base my position on the experiences I have lived out... with just a bit of history before I was born.
That would include the the first horseless carriages, the racers of the day that were primarily used on wooden circle tracks, the roadsters, the dropheads, sedans, coupes, cabriolets, land speed record cars, streamliners, belly tanks, sprints, indy cars, F1's, sports cars, sport coupes, sport sedans, tourers, GTs, gow jobs, hot rods, street rods, altereds, gassers, funny cars, rails, diggers, top fuel, grand nationals, late models, nascar racers, tuners, drifters, legends, carts, the great American Sports Car... and probably a few others I forgot to mention. All of which... by the way, have some DISTINCT and different characteristics that define what they are... and separate them from the rest.
Alas... I rather focus on the gearhead, motor maniac, mechanic, enthusiast, car nut, racer or whatever we appear to be called because we have some kinda gene deficit that is common amongst us that seems to bring us all together... rather than separate us by WHAT we drive. I think Barry Meguier and his "Car Crazy" attitude is where I'm coming from... and what I experience with those I frequently hang around.
HTH...
I try to stay away from OPINIONS as they are generally based upon nothing substantial. I was once cornered when asked if I had any DATA to support my position, and when I hesitated, I was then told... "I just had an OPINION". I never let that happen again...
In this case... I think I'll offer up a phrase that is commonly used by the Harley-Davidson crowd...
"If I haveta explain it to ya, you won't understand..."
If I were to explain it... I would base my position on the experiences I have lived out... with just a bit of history before I was born.
That would include the the first horseless carriages, the racers of the day that were primarily used on wooden circle tracks, the roadsters, the dropheads, sedans, coupes, cabriolets, land speed record cars, streamliners, belly tanks, sprints, indy cars, F1's, sports cars, sport coupes, sport sedans, tourers, GTs, gow jobs, hot rods, street rods, altereds, gassers, funny cars, rails, diggers, top fuel, grand nationals, late models, nascar racers, tuners, drifters, legends, carts, the great American Sports Car... and probably a few others I forgot to mention. All of which... by the way, have some DISTINCT and different characteristics that define what they are... and separate them from the rest.
Alas... I rather focus on the gearhead, motor maniac, mechanic, enthusiast, car nut, racer or whatever we appear to be called because we have some kinda gene deficit that is common amongst us that seems to bring us all together... rather than separate us by WHAT we drive. I think Barry Meguier and his "Car Crazy" attitude is where I'm coming from... and what I experience with those I frequently hang around.
HTH...
Joe F
Hi Miles, Lo Maintenance
My $0.02
The definition is in the name: "Sport"
The primary (IMO) charateristic of a sports car is that it was initially designed to be one specifically with a low center of gravity, i.e. does not share a passenger car platform, in fact, passenger comforts are secondary to the fun factor. It can share drivetrain components, such as early MG's and Triumphs (and of course X-1/9's).
Secondary charateristics: 2 seats, removeable roof, manual transmision, proper suspension, some technological flair such as (one or more); IRS, DOHC, 4-wheel discs...etc.
Merriam-Webster: "Definition of SPORTS CAR: a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving
BTW, there is no such thing as a "four-door sports car" (Especially if its called a Maxima!).
The definition is in the name: "Sport"
The primary (IMO) charateristic of a sports car is that it was initially designed to be one specifically with a low center of gravity, i.e. does not share a passenger car platform, in fact, passenger comforts are secondary to the fun factor. It can share drivetrain components, such as early MG's and Triumphs (and of course X-1/9's).
Secondary charateristics: 2 seats, removeable roof, manual transmision, proper suspension, some technological flair such as (one or more); IRS, DOHC, 4-wheel discs...etc.
Merriam-Webster: "Definition of SPORTS CAR: a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving
BTW, there is no such thing as a "four-door sports car" (Especially if its called a Maxima!).
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Pete Whitstone
True Classic
I would have to say the predominant trait
of a "sports" car is in handling. Yes it's a subjective term that is thrown around way too much, so let me attempt to narrow it down. Specifically I am talking about handling on a road course - the ability to negotiate corners, and transitions from corner to corner, competently, stably and quickly. This of course also means capable suspension, brakes and oversquare engine.
Remember, the name of the most popular road racing sanctioning body in the US is the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Thus, sports cars and the ability to negotiate a road race course are intrinsically linked.
The cars that do this best are mid-engine, so I would limit my selection of a true sports car to those cars only. I would also be careful to distinguish between sports cars and the larger, heavier, more comfy GT cars.
That leaves the list very short, but the X1/9 is on it, in my book.
Pete
of a "sports" car is in handling. Yes it's a subjective term that is thrown around way too much, so let me attempt to narrow it down. Specifically I am talking about handling on a road course - the ability to negotiate corners, and transitions from corner to corner, competently, stably and quickly. This of course also means capable suspension, brakes and oversquare engine.
Remember, the name of the most popular road racing sanctioning body in the US is the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Thus, sports cars and the ability to negotiate a road race course are intrinsically linked.
The cars that do this best are mid-engine, so I would limit my selection of a true sports car to those cars only. I would also be careful to distinguish between sports cars and the larger, heavier, more comfy GT cars.
That leaves the list very short, but the X1/9 is on it, in my book.
Pete
Best described as what it isn't...
I think the easier path to defining a "sports car" is to say what it isn't!
I think the easier path to defining a "sports car" is to say what it isn't!
- Not designed to carry a lot of stuff, i.e. truck.
- Not designed to carry a lot of people, i.e. minvan.
- Not designed for comfort, i.e. luxury car or GT.
- Not designed for off-road use, i.e. SUV.
- Not designed for ease of parking or general city use, i.e. Smart Car.
roadbox
True Classic
I think Pete gets to the meat of it.
My old fashioned understanding of "Sports Car" is a vehicle a gentleman can drive to the track, race all day in, then safely drive home. But then of course, Lucas would have us believe that a gentleman doesn't motor about after dark.
I agree with a lot written above, but ultimately I'm afraid it is terribly subjective. I was suprised in college when a friend of mine referred to his 6-cylinder bone-stock Camaro as a sports car. I'd never really thought of it that way and wasn't about to contradict his vision of his own car. Then the other day (not a week ago), a young female co-worker of mine was surprised to hear me refer to my X as a sports car. She thought only cars like Covettes and Mustangs were sports cars. So, there ya go.
John O.
It is like having kids...
You are astonished at how bad things can go and in such a hurry. You end up dumping a lot of money into them. They take up your weekends with tasks other than what you wanted.
Finally, you will go to the ends of the earth and walk through fire for them.
Eric.
You are astonished at how bad things can go and in such a hurry. You end up dumping a lot of money into them. They take up your weekends with tasks other than what you wanted.
Finally, you will go to the ends of the earth and walk through fire for them.
Eric.
roadbox
True Classic
http://picasaweb.google.com/roadbox128/Etceterini#5121783145688093906
John O.
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Zona
Jase
Sports Saloons
smart car
You have to admit though there is a certan....thrill, when in a smart car on a 2 lane highway with a f-150 coming at you in the other lane. NOTmg:
I believe the term "sports car" has been muddied over the years for sales purposes. I have heard the term 4 door sports car as well.
You have to admit though there is a certan....thrill, when in a smart car on a 2 lane highway with a f-150 coming at you in the other lane. NOT
mg:I believe the term "sports car" has been muddied over the years for sales purposes. I have heard the term 4 door sports car as well.
LarryC
Curator of #10105275
This is a good question and your personal answer can be critical.
To me it can only have two seats. Any more and it's a sedan. This is why I had incredible difficulty with muscle cars from the 60s and early 70s or any of the performance sedans or certain Toyotas et al. They look like something your father would buy. But then, look at all the wonderful two seaters that are bought by "hairdressers"...who then treat the sports car like a sedan!
To me it can only have two seats. Any more and it's a sedan. This is why I had incredible difficulty with muscle cars from the 60s and early 70s or any of the performance sedans or certain Toyotas et al. They look like something your father would buy. But then, look at all the wonderful two seaters that are bought by "hairdressers"...who then treat the sports car like a sedan!
What do you mean?
Gay happy? Gay homosexual? In a good way or are you using the word pejoratively?
Gay happy? Gay homosexual? In a good way or are you using the word pejoratively?
roadbox
True Classic
I know A LOT of gay folk and none of them have the poor taste to get caught dead in a SmartCar.
If you own an X, drive an SC and you realize it is the answer to a question no-one in the U.S. is asking. It was made to park nose-in on the streets of Paris; anyone aware of the same need here? There are cheaper, nicer, Japanese econo cars with more carrying capacity, that also get better gas mileage than the SC.
John O.
Careful fellas..
Pejorative use of the word gay is considered offensive on this forum. When tempted to use it this way, please consult a thesaurus.
Pejorative use of the word gay is considered offensive on this forum. When tempted to use it this way, please consult a thesaurus.