[Llarry]

Much more attainable than an Italian V-12, the MGA helped bring sports cars to the masses. While most were roadsters, the A was also available in coupe form as seen here. The list price in the USA for a 1960 coupe was $2,667.

[Llarry]

The MGA post reminded me of a phenomenon that hit me in 1962 at the tender age of 15: I discovered cars. And became car-crazy! I wasn't totally sure at first what kind of car I lusted after; I subscribed to several automotive magazines and gradually embraced the sports car and later sport sedan genres.

So let me take you on a brief survey of the American sports car choices in 1964, by which time I was driving. Actually buying a car was far beyond my capability, but I could and did dream.

A note on "sports car"... I'm going to define the type in very narrow terms: A roadster or convertible seating only two or perhaps 2+2, emphasizing performance, etc. The field was dominated by imports but there was one notable domestic entry and there were a couple of models that used big American V-8s.

I'll present the entrants in price order:

-- Sunbeam Alpine ($2595): 1.6 four of 90 hp; perhaps a bit more difficult to find a Sunbeam dealer.

-- MGB ($2658): Lots of these were sold. 1.8 four of 94 hp.

-- Triumph TR-4 ($2,849): These were also quite popular. 2.1 four of 105 hp.

Now it gets a little more interesting...

-- Sunbeam Tiger ($3425): An Alpine with a Ford 260 V-8, but a relatively low output 164 hp variant engine. Surprisingly affordable for a V-8-powered sports car.

-- Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III ($3565): A step up from MG and Triumph with a 2.9 six of 150 hp. I love the styling of this car.

-- An outlier: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible ($4037): American through-and-through -- a 327 V-8 of 250 hp with optional more power engines available.

-- Porsche 356C cabriolet ($4564): An expensive little car with an odd air-cooled -- or air/oil-cooled if you prefer -- flat four of 1.6 liters and only 88 hp, but with a rabid following. Also available in Super form with 107 hp ($5096).

-- Jaguar E type convertible (or often styled XK-E in the USA) ($5325): "The most beautiful car ever" according to Llarry in another thread. 3.8 six with dual overhead cams and 265 hp.

-- AC-Shelby Cobra ($5995): Destined for greatness -- introduced with a Ford 260 V-8, then a slightly larger 289. Expensive and rather impractical.

Then of course there were the Ferraris and other exotica; I won't count them. They were so far up in the stratosphere that even dreaming could not reach them.

[Dégoûté]

Originally Posted by Llarry

Speaking of Enzo Ferrari, here is an early one: A 1950 166MM Barchetta by Touring. I'm sure it would be horrible to drive by 2024 standards, but one could always just park it in the living room.

This car is pornography.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Llarry

So let me take you on a brief survey of the American sports car choices in 1964, by which time I was driving.

And now it has occurred to me that I have forgotten three cars:

-- Datsun SPL310 or Fairlady 1500 ($2,465): 1.5 four of 85 hp

-- Fiat 1500 Spider ($2,895): 1.5 four of 80 hp

-- Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider ($3,395): 1.6 four of 104 hp

So many choices!

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Llarry

And now it has occurred to me that I have forgotten three cars:

-- Datsun SPL310 or Fairlady 1500 ($2,465): 1.5 four of 85 hp

-- Fiat 1500 Spider ($2,895): 1.5 four of 80 hp

-- Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider ($3,395): 1.6 four of 104 hp

So many choices!

Good catch. I have some experience with each of these cars. My girlfriend's (at the time) dad had a 1500 Datsun Roadster at the time and let me drive it. I fell in love with nimble, light-weight cars with stick shift. My dad bought a Fiat 124 (the next step from the Fiat 1500 spider you mention. That was a great car! Then my dad bought an Alfa Romeo. I liked the Fiat the best of the three by a lot. He then bought a Fiat 124 sport coupe with a hard top an a small back seat. It was my favorite to drive. Wonderful car.

[JJ 911SC]

.

[Llarry]

1964 Ferrari 250 LM mid-engine competition machine with 3.3-liter V-12 engine. The 250 LM won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965 overall, but in the prototype class.

Enzo Ferrari tried to pull a fast one -- the 250 LM was powered by a 320 hp 3.3, which should have made it the 275 LM. A thumb on the scale, so to speak. The ruse did not work, and the car ran as a prototype.

Only 32 of these very influential mid-engine Ferraris were built.

The styling of today's 296GTB pays homage to the 250 LM, as can be seen in the last photo of a 2024 296GTB.

[Llarry]

The Cisitalia 202 coupe was an early coachbuilding effort by Battista "Pinin" Farina. 170 were manufactured from 1947 to 1952. Styling cues later seen on other makes, including Ferrari, can be seen here.

The 202 was built on a modified Fiat frame and used expensive aluminum body panels. It was powered by a 1.1-liter four.

[floridaorange]

…

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

…

Now THAT is a cool picture! An F40 being used properly.

[Llarry]

An eye-catching Restomod: A 1940 Chevrolet 1/2-ton pickup. Powered by a 350 V-8. Would this have gotten a lot of attention in 1940 or what?

[3798j]

AC 428

[JJ 911SC]

.

[floridaorange]

… my clients

[floridaorange]

…..

[floridaorange]

….

[Llarry]

In 1930, Bentley introduced the 8 Litre model. The timing was poor, with a worldwide economic depression underway. The car featured an inline six-cylinder engine and was sold in chassis form with the body to be arranged by the buyer. Only 100 cars were sold from '30 to '32. A number of survivors have been rebodied to open cars; this may be one.

1931 Bentley 8 Litre roadster by Dottridge Brothers of London.

[Murf the Surf]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

… my clients

As a limited run car for a smaller fan base I really love this car, too rich for my blood but I do love the retro vibe.

[floridaorange]

… clk gtr 7.3 liter

[JJ 911SC]

.

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

.

Two and a half passenger??? How does that work?

[Llarry]

For the 1970 model year, Porsche introduced the model 914, a mid-engine sports car for the road. The base model used a flat four of VW origin, while the 914/6 used a Porsche flat six of 2 liters.

The base 914 was sold in Europe as a VW-Porsche and the 914/6 as a Porsche, while all models were sold as Porsches in the USA.

The 914/6 was expensive, with a list price of $5,999 in the USA.

Only a few over 3,300 914/6s were built from 1970 to 1973, making them a rare find today.

The 2-liter air-cooled flat six was rated at 125 hp (SAE gross) or 110 hp (DIN).

While Porsche states that "there is no substitute", it's worth mentioning that the Datsun 240Z was also introduced in 1970 and featured an inline six with 150 hp. Although the cars were very different, a customer looking for a sporty ride could buy a 240Z for under $4,000 list price.