I have to admit a certain affection for the sports cars of the 1950s and early '60s, when dozens of models were produced around the world.
Certain marques immediately jump to mind, like the English Triumph TR 3s and MGAs and their more illustrious brethren the Jaguar XKs and Aston Martin DB series cars. But some lesser- known cars distill the essence of sporting cars even further.
Among my favourites are the Ferraris, Maseratis and early Lamborghinis created in the '50s.
While the Ferraris generally carry the heaviest price tags, with some exceeding the million-dollar mark, other lesser Ferraris are still in the relatively affordable $80,000-to-$150,000 range. Not too long ago, the Lamborghini 350 and 400, the earliest Lambos, were sitting around the $50,000 mark but current interest has driven prices to double that and beyond.
Maserati also produced wonderful cars, such as the 350 GT, especially the Vignale-bodied Spyders, and these languished in a sea of apathy until recently. Now their prices have begun to skyrocket and they are becoming very hot properties on the auction block.
Serious collectors are starting to get over the 12-cylinders-only bias that dominated the vintage Italian car market for years and some very beautiful but cylindrically challenged cars are reaping the benefits.
Fiats, Lancias and Alpha Romeos round out the Italian contingent and all have become quite popular of late. Of course, a Fiat will not be priced as high as a Maserati. But while a Fiat 2000 Spyder in good shape could be had for $5,000 a few years ago, now $20,000 is closer to the mark for a well-restored car.
Germany had the 300 Mercedes Gull Wings and 190s and both are popular and expensive, with the Gull Wing considered the reigning king of sports cars. Porsche had the small 356, which resembled an overturned bathtub on wheels.
America produced a couple of sports cars for a domestic market that, at the time, was dominated by British manufacturers.
The Corvette C1, introduced in 1953, had a European-styled body with American bluster including lots of chrome trim and a pair of fins stuck on the back end. While it looked fast, it had an anchor for a motor, the Chevrolet Blue Flame six, which was 1930s technology.
Adding carburetors and other tweaks did little to improve performance but the car was fun to drive and from an initial 100 cars produced in 1953 the Corvette dynasty grew. It remains the only American sports car that has almost stayed true to its European sporting inspiration throughout its evolution.
Ford took a stab at building a sports car with the 1955, '56 and '57 Thunderbirds but the styling lacked something. Looking more like a shrunken luxury car than track competitor, after three years it grew into a four-seater.
It didn't stop growing until it became the abomination on a Lincoln-sized chassis in the late 1970s.
Ford's attempts to recreate a magic that never really existed with the original Thunderbirds has died once more with the introduction of the modern two-seat Thunderbird. This shares the same fate as the originals: Everyone says they like them but no one buys them.
America also produced a few oddballs, such as the Kaiser Darrin and the Nash Healey Roadsters, but these never caught on and are rarely seen except at Concours events.
The 1950s and '60s was a Golden Age for sports cars. Manufacturing and skilled labour costs were low enough that small independent manufacturers could design, build and market sports cars that were affordable to almost anyone who had a passionate desire to own one.
Today, many of these original cars have become far too expensive for the average buyer but there are still some that can be had for $20,000 or less. These generally have tiny four bangers and lack power but they are still fun to drive.
For buyers able to tolerate much higher prices, there is a cornucopia of fast powerful sports cars with all kinds of personality. Many of these lack refinement and you have to be on your toes to drive them properly -- but that is what a sports car is all about.
They boast no traction controls or antilock brakes, ride like buckboards on washboard and possess steering wheels that more corpulent owners may find challenging to fit beneath. But the driving experience connects you by the seat of your pants directly with the road.
Unlike modern sports cars and exotics, which are computer-crammed technological and incredibly competent marvels barely needing a driver, the old sports cars were uncomfortable and challenging task masters whose bad behaviour was ignored by a driver only at great peril.
In short, they were marvellous cars that will remain as satisfying and challenging to drive today as they were when they originally appeared at LeMans and Sebring in the 1950s.
David Grainger owns an automotive restoration company.
