When it comes to some of the top European sports cars of all time, they frequently combine stunning looks with powerful engines and exceptional handling. Even less sporting European classics have attractive style. Good looks, on the other hand, aren’t enough to save every European sports car.
While European automobiles are known for their subtle classic appearance and incredible refinement, this does not always translate to how well they drive. While some European sports cars, such as the Lamborghini Countach, have been able to mask poor driving qualities behind attractive styling, not every European sports car has been so fortunate.
Gorgeous European Sports Cars
1. Triumph Stag
The Triumph Stag was a highly appealing car, especially because it was designed by Giovanni Michelotti. It appeared to be more opulent and appealing than other 1970s automobiles of the day. The automobile, however, was let down by the engine. On paper, the 3.0-liter V8 engine sounded great, but it was prone to overheating and had numerous leaks.
As a result, the automobile was a complete flop, and it also didn’t operate correctly very often, thus many enthusiasts avoided the Stag. It’s a shame, given the car’s stylish design and beautiful appeal, but in many cases, the only option to fix them is to replace the engine.
2. 1975 Triumph TR7
The 1975 Triumph TR7 had unique styling that was not well received at the time, but is now treasured by many aficionados. The TR7, on the other hand, was a genuine flop in terms of build quality and performance. After the outstanding TR6, the TR7 arrived a touch late for many fans, and many were upset since they had to wait for the convertible option in the United States (due to legislation at the time).
Despite the fact that the TR7 sold exceptionally well in North America (much better than the TR6), it has not aged well. While the automobile appeared to be in decent shape, the Triumph firm was having financial troubles, and the poor construction quality has been a disappointment throughout the years. As such, despite its wedgy appearance being enjoyed now, its quality is still a letdown.
3. Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
The Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 was released in 1973 and featured a V8 engine that was widely regarded as a letdown by Ferrari. Despite boasting 240 horsepower in the US, the engine wasn’t powerful enough for many individuals. However, this was before the popularity of the Ferrari V8, and most people anticipated a Ferrari to have a V12 engine, therefore the Dino was insufficient for Ferrari fans.
Despite the Ferrari’s superb aesthetics, many people couldn’t look past the engine. It may have fit in with the design language of the 1970s at the time, but the car simply wasn’t what consumers wanted, and it flopped as a result.
4. Lotus M100
The Lotus Elan M100 was introduced in 1989, and it was a front-wheel-drive automobile. While many sports cars at the time were RWD, this surprised customers and Lotus fans. The car handled fantastically, and the FWD system played a significant role in this. It handled admirably, but aficionados were put off by the shift in driving dynamics. Many people didn’t like the look when it was first released, yet the automobile has aged very nicely.
As a result, despite the fact that the car looks excellent and performs admirably, it was a tremendous flop among Lotus aficionados, especially as they desired, and as a result, the car has depreciated dramatically since its release.
5. BMW Z1
The BMW Z1 was introduced in 1988, but only after purchasers demanded it after seeing the concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1987. With vertically sliding doors that sank into the sill, the car was pushed into production. It was, however, a tremendous flop because many people thought it was underpowered.
The car had a 2.5-liter straight-six engine that produced 168 horsepower, but BMW couldn’t afford to utilise the same engine as the M3 for a car with such crazy appearance. The Alpina Z1-RLE did improve power by boring the cylinders out to 2.7-liters which in turn took the car power to 200 bhp, but this was a lot pricer and meant that many weren’t able to afford it (and only 66 were made). As such, the Z1 remains a very interesting but slow sports car.