While some people buy cars for their reliability, practicality and great miles per gallon ratio, others want something that is sleek, stylish and sophisticated. That’s where the sports car comes in. For over a century, sports cars and convertibles have been popular amongst car enthusiasts. I’ve decided to take a quick look back at their history, and why they remain so darn popular.
The first sports cars date all the way back to the beginning of the 1900s, but it wasn’t until a decade later that they really started to take off. We all know about Ford’s production line system of 1913 that revolutionised the car industry, making all kinds of vehicles more accessible to your average Joe. Created so drivers sat closer to the rear wheels and with hugely powerful engines hiding under their long hoods, this new design gave the cars good weight distribution so they could get up to high speeds very quickly.
Motor racing became the perfect advertising campaign for the early sports car manufacturers. As more people began to enjoy motor racing during the 1920s and 30s, there became more of a demand amongst the general public for the types of cars that these legendary drivers were using. Europe and the UK led the way, while it would still be some time before the US caught up with the trend.
After the Second World War, the car industry was hit hard by an economic downturn. The experts predicted that the demand for sports cars would die out. Not for the first time, the experts got it wrong!
During the 1950s, Americans found themselves with plenty of money in their pockets and worldwide car manufacturers began to catch up. At the top end of the market came the Ferraris, Jaguars and Porsches, which were the most aspirational of automobiles. During this time, Britain was still number one for sports cars, with iconic brands like Triumph really taking off.
The 1970s held back progress once again as petrol prices shot up and people opted for more practical vehicles. But the sports car wasn’t done yet. Globalisation saw car companies from around the world begin to sell their vehicles to the growing American market.
In the 1990s, pretty much all the major manufacturers began making a sports car model, and those at the top end of the market only needed to sell a few to make a huge profit. This was a decade where people started to feel well-off again, and people had more money to spend on the luxuries in life. Options for car finance for bad credit became more readily available for people.
In the 2000s, continuing advancements meant that sports cars were now quicker and more technically advanced than ever before. Today, sports cars are not just a toy for the rich, and there are plenty of more affordable models for all types of drivers to enjoy. If sports cars are your thing, there has never been more choice available than now!