Ten Forgotten Supercars

Posted on Oct 16, 2018 in Antique | Comments Off on Ten Forgotten Supercars

What makes a supercar? For most, it is a limited production car that has unequalled handling and performance, as well as a massive pricetag. But, that is not enough to rank as a supercar; it also needs a certain panache that is lacking in regular sports car models, a certain something that separates it from the regular cars of the world. Depending on who you ask, the modern supercar can trace its roots back to 1954 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing. Famous supercars include the Lamborghini Miura, and Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona. Among the infamous and forgotten supercars, are these 10 cars:

10- Argyll GT

At the same time DeLorean Motor Cars was dying, 100 miles away Bob Henderson set out to create a Scottish 200mph supercar. His supercar would be produced from 1976 to 1990, and have the name of Argyll, a company which produced cars from 1899 to 1932. Only a small handful were ever produced.

9- Bitter Tasco

Bitter is best known for his rebodied Opels, such as the SC, but occasionally he also came up with the odd off-the-wall project such as the Tasco. Built in conjunction with MGA Developments, the Tasco was presented at the 1991 Frankfurt motor show. Designed to take a V8 or V12 – although the Viper’s V10 was favorite – the Tasco never even progressed beyond the full-sized mock-up stage.

8- Dome Zero

When the wraps were taken off the Dome Zero at the 1978 Geneva motor show, there were some sharp intakes of breath. How could a Japanese outfit produce something so far out? Crazier than a Countach, the Zero was amazing, but its maker couldn’t afford to put it through Japanese homologation tests. It would not have been that quick anyway; the 2.8-litre straight six offered just 145bhp – but what a looker.

7- Gigliato Aerosa

Although Gigliato was a Japanese concern, its plan was to base itself in the UK and to become a serious rival to the established Italian design houses. That was back in 1994, when its rather attractive Aerosa was unveiled, powered by a Ford-sourced 3-litre V6. With a bit of tickling, a reliable 300bhp could be coaxed from this powerplant – but it was all academic, as by 1995 the project was history.

6- Isdera Commendatore 112i

Four years after development started, in 1993 the first Isdera Commendatore 112i was supposedly ready for delivery to its owner. Then in 1999, the car resurfaced again – only to disappear just as quickly. Priced at £500,000, the 112i packed a 414bhp 6-litre Mercedes V12 to give 210mph and 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds, plus height-adjustable suspension and wipers from Germany’s 220mph inter-city trains.

5- Jiotto Caspita

When Jiotto unveiled the Caspita in 1989, it claimed this was a car which would see a return to people driving to a race track, competing, then driving home again, all in the same car. At first there was a detuned Formula One V12 powerplant, but in 1990 a Judd V10 unit was fitted instead, either unit supposedly capable of giving over 200mph. But no customer cars were ever delivered.

4- Kodiak F1

In 1987, Mladen Mitrovic unveiled a supercar that would supposedly be the equal of anything to come out of, well, anywhere. With its 320bhp 5.4-litre Chevrolet V8, the F1 was inspired by Mercedes’ gull-winged C-111; it was claimed to be capable of sitting at 170mph all day, with absolute reliability. Later cars would get a 5.6-litre Mercedes V8 – except there weren’t any later cars.

3- Monteverdi Hai

When it comes to exclusive supercars, few are rarer than the Monteverdi Hai. Just two were built, the cars designed by Peter Monteverdi himself – despite no formal training. Power came from a 7-litre Chrysler Hemi V8, tuned to give 450bhp and 180mph. With air-conditioning, leather trim, and power everything, this was one luxurious supercar – but build quality wasn’t up to scratch and the car disappeared.

2- Nissan R390

The R390 came about because Nissan was desperate to win the Le Mans 24 Hours. When the project started, just one Japanese car had ever won the race (a Mazda); to qualify, Nissan would have to build a single road car. The cars never won Le Mans, but two road-going R390s were produced, each powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V8 that churned out a useful 641bhp to give 220mph.

1- Panther Six

In the late 1970s, there was a poster of this mad hypercar on every kid’s wall. With its six-wheel layout and twin-turbo 8.2-litre Cadillac V8 hung out the back, it was one crazy monster of a car. Just two were built, each one supposedly capable of 200mph, although nobody ever got to verify this of course. If you fancy a Six, the second one built is currently for sale. It is not cheap.