Grassroots Motorsports
Issue link: http://grassrootsmotorsports.epubxp.com/i/397024
Grassroots Motorsports 50 8. A View of the Sky Sports cars should have a convertible top. Note the word "should." The Lotus Exige, the Corvette Z06, the Ferrari 308–they're all fantastic sports cars, but a con- vertible (or targa) top always makes them better, chassis rigidity notwithstanding. Imagine if the Miata were only available as a coupe. What if the TR6 or Jaguar XKE only had rigid roofs? Less passion all around. It's not a fatal faw if the top is welded on, but let's face it: Roadsters are always more fun, and sports cars are supposed to be about fun. Final argument: Con- vertibles make you look cool. 9. Enough Power In addition to responsive handling, a sports car needs to have a responsive engine with a reserve of power. Notice that I did not say tons of power. The very ancestors of today's sports cars were slow by any standard: There is not a classic MG produced that would break a 15-second quarter-mile. The same goes for most any Triumph. What is necessary is a "good enough" power-to-weight ratio so the car can get out of its own way. The original Porsche 911 had only 18 or so pounds per horsepower. The second-best-selling sports car of all time, the MGB, had a power-to-weight ratio of 24:1. (We must live in great times, because today even low-dollar econoboxes can beat a 24:1 ratio.) In reviewing benchmark sports cars, we came up with the table to the right. 10. Enough Torque More important than the peak horsepower–which addresses top speed–is torque, which makes acceleration. Back when we started the Miata project, we had to defne just what a sports car was before we drew the frst line. One ques- tion that came up was, "What cars are being restored by enthusiasts?" The list that emerged was full of sports cars that inspired passion. These cars weren't always the fastest or most powerful, but they felt great to drive. I love fooring the gas pedal on a '67 Pontiac GTO. It's a great way to recharge your testosterone, but driving one around at part-throttle is a bit of a chore. A meager Austin-Healey Sprite in any gear around any corner is a hoot, regard- less of throttle position, and that is what a sports car is all about. There is a saying that people won't remember half of what you do, none of what you say, but 100 percent of how you make them feel. Sports cars make you feel something when you drive them. And that makes them memorable. So, can we all agree that a sports car is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat, three-pedal convertible with great handling, good looks, a responsive engine, and potential for road racing? Make mine red. car lbs. hp lbs./ hp MG TC 1847 55 33.6 MGA 1998 68 29.4 Fiat 124 2355 93 25.3 MG Midget 1500 1632 65 25.1 MGB 2283 95 24.0 Morgan 4/4 2068 92 22.5 Alfa Romeo Spider 2560 128 20.0 BMW Z3 1.9L 2723 138 19.7 Mazda Miata 1.6L (1990) 2138 116 18.4 Triumph Spitfre 1750 95 18.4 Triumph TR6 2390 135 17.7 Porsche 911 (1963) 2200 130 16.9 Austin-Healey 3000 2300 140 16.4 Mazda Miata 1.8L (2000) 2299 140 16.4 Datsun 240Z 2335 150 15.5 Mazda MX-5 Miata (2015) 2480 167 14.9 Lotus 7 1653 126 13.1 Porsche 911SC 2558 204 12.5 Lotus Europa Twin Cam 1570 126 12.5 Jaguar XKE 2515 265 9.5 Lotus Elise 2006 218 9.2 Porsche Carrera S (2015) 3075 400 7.7 Cobra 427 2315 425 5.4 Lamborghini Murcielago 3417 661 5.2 BMW Williams F1 1324 925 1.4 POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIOS