On Tue, 5 Mar 1996, Robert J. Donahue wrote:
> Hey guys, help me settle an on going argument with my friends at work. What
> exactly is a sports car? Is the European definition different from the
> American one?
>
> I always thought a sports car should meet the following criteria:
>
> 1. Positively must not have a back seat.
That would leave out a few Ferraris and Morgans, not to
mention Mini Coopers, Lotus Cortinas
> 2. Must be low to the ground. (leaves out small sport-utilities)
And any number of Prewar Bentley's, Lagondas, etc, etc.
> 3. Must have better than average handling.
No Prob there
> 4. Must have a manual transmission.
If you include preselector gearboxes, wouldn't tha leave
out a bunch of Astons, and other british Iron...
>
> Can a true sports car have a hard top?
Sure, I think you'd come to blows with the owner of a Ferrari
250 SWB, Aston Martin DB4 Zagato or any of that ilk, if you
said otherwise...
front wheel drive?
Can you say Mini Cooper?
power steering?
The bain of mankind...
> I hear some hardcore Brits won't even allow heaters or wind-up windows.
As you say... "hardcore Brits" (probably still waiting for we
colonists to come to our senses about that "Independence Thing")
The SCCA in all it's wisdom had a slogan that states "A sports
car is a state of mind..." I wouldn't be THAT permissive.
I think a sports car is a car that you must make sacrifices to
own, just to get a serious payback in fun when you drive it.
Sacrifices like space, comfort, economy... All the sensible decisions
one makes to buy a car for the family.
It's a car that someone of a more sober demeanor would look down
their nose a you for being seen in. Fathers won't let their daughters
go driving with you because you are a "rake" and ne're do well...
When you drive by in a sports car children squeal, dogs give
chase barking wildly. A sports car would give Great Aunt Viola "the
vapors", Uncle Ned would consider leaving your name out of the will.
I could go on but I've run out of time.
Greg "last year I couldn't spell "Rake Hell" now I are one" Petrolati
gpetrola@prairienet.org 1962 TR4 (CT4852L)
"That's not a leak... My car is just marking its territory!"
Greg Petrolati, Champaign, Illinois
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