November 22, 2024 | Jane O'Shea

Sports Cars That Were Discontinued But Not Forgotten


The Fast & The Finished

Some of the most innovative sports cars ever built now exist only in history museums and collectors’ garages. Ahead of their time, these 16 discontinued models showed how far (and fast) car companies wanted to go but unfortunately had to “brake”.

Sports Cars

Plymouth Prowler (1997–2002)

This retro hot rod totally broke the mold when it came to design back in the day. It first dropped in a slick purple metallic and had an aluminium-heavy chassis that was ahead of its time. The 3.5L V6 engine, with an AutoStick transmission, pumped out 214 horsepower.

Plymouth ProwlerElise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Plymouth Prowler (1997–2002) (Cont.)

Sure, some die-hard fans weren’t happy about the lack of V8 power and the automatic-only aspect. But each Plymouth Prowler was hand-built in Detroit. Its end came with Plymouth’s brand dissolution in 2001, although Chrysler briefly continued production.

Plymouth Prowler (1997–2002)Bernard Spragg, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

DeLorean DMC-12 (1981–1983)

John DeLorean’s dream car was built in Northern Ireland. However, the PRV V6 engine wasn’t exactly a powerhouse, so the performance was a letdown. By the end of 1981, only about 3,000 units had been sold out of a projected 30,000 per year, leading to financial losses.

1981 DeLorean DMC-12Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

DeLorean DMC-12 (1981–1983) (Cont.)

It is said that the DMC-12 was quite an advanced car due to its several features, which included a four-wheel disc brake system, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), power windows, and central locking. The car’s design was created by the well-known Italian designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro.

1983 DeLorean DMC-12Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Honda S2000 (1999–2009)

The 2008 financial crisis put an end to this high-performance piece when buyers started opting for more practical cars. The Honda S2000 was nevertheless praised for its handling and balance on the road. It had a 50:50 weight distribution with a front-mid engine setup.

2000 Honda S2000free photos & art, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Honda S2000 (1999–2009) (Cont.)

The car got many updates during its production, like when the AP2 version came out in 2004. This one had a bigger 2.2-liter engine (F22C) that gave it better low-end torque but still kept that high-revving power. One notable special edition was the Club Racer (CR).

2005 Honda S2000Rich Niewiroski Jr., CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

Pontiac Solstice (2005–2010)

Pontiac Solstice was built on the GMC Kappa platform, which it shared with models like the Saturn Sky and Opel GT. It was a project started by Bob Lutz. The base model came with a 2.4-liter inline-4 engine (LE5) that produced 177 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque.

2006 Pontiac SolsticeIFCAR, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Pontiac Solstice (2005–2010) (Cont.)

General Motors (the parent company) went bankrupt in 2009, which led to the end of Pontiac and the Solstice, even though they were selling well. The Wilmington Assembly plant also had a couple of complicated manufacturing issues. However,  it was nominated for the North American Car of the Year Award (2006).

2008 Pontiac SolsticeElise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

TVR Cerbera (1996–2003)

Here is a British sports car that had an AJP8 engine that was designed in-house by TVR. The 4.2L V8 cranked out 420 horsepower and had a 2-door 2+2 coupé body style. In August 2006, the company held an online auction for what it called “The Last Cerbera”.

1997 TVR CerberaVauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

TVR Cerbera (1996–2003) (Cont.)

TVR went through some ownership changes. It even got under Russian ownership but then ended up in a bad financial shape. Eventually, they shut down the factory in Devon as part of a restructuring process. Also, the Speed Six engine required multiple rebuilds.

1999 TVR CerberaVauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Mazda RX-8 (2003–2012)

Mazda’s last rotary sports car had freestyle doors and enough room for four people. But it had its issues, like using too much oil, flooding problems, and not having the greatest fuel economy. This car was powered by a 1.3-liter Wankel rotary engine, known as the Renesis.

2003 Mazda RX-8Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mazda RX-8 (2003–2012) (Cont.)

It could rev from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6.5 seconds, with a top speed around 146 mph. The RX-8 ended up getting pulled from shelves in 2010. It had a tough time in the market because of strict emissions rules, especially in Europe.

2004 Mazda RX-8free photos & art, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Toyota Supra MK4 (1993–2002)

The iconic fourth-generation Supra highlighted Toyota’s supremacy with its 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engine. These cars could easily handle serious power upgrades, and even in stock form, they produced around 320 horsepower.

Toyota Supra MK4William's photo, Shutterstock

Advertisement

Toyota Supra MK4 (1993–2002) (Cont.)

In 1998, California implemented strict rules on emissions with the Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) II program. This is seen as one reason for the decline. By 2002, when the MK4 Supra wrapped up its production, only 24 of them were sold in the U.S.

Supra MK4William's photo, Shutterstock

Dodge Viper RT/10 (First Gen 1992–1995)

In 2013 and 2014, production of the Dodge Viper RT/10 was cut back because sales were sluggish. In April 2014, it even stopped for over two months because of growing inventory. This drop in sales made it harder for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to continue making more cars.

Dodge Viper RT10Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Dodge Viper RT/10 (First Gen 1992–1995) (Cont.)

The Dodge Viper RT/10 was made from 1992 to 1995, and around 5,988 of them were built during those years. It had an 8.0-liter V10 engine that was developed with assistance from Lamborghini. This engine produced 400 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.

1994 Dodge Viper RT10Charles, Flickr

Advertisement

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 (1990–2000)

Originally, this car came with a 5-speed manual transmission, but starting in 1994, the newer models switched to a 6-speed manual transmission made by Getrag. By 1999, sales had dropped to around 3,400 units. There was no sufficient demand, with the sports car market dropping.

1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4order_242, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 (1990–2000) (Cont.)

As an all-wheel-drive sports car, it had active aerodynamics and four-wheel steering. Plus, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 pumped out 300 horsepower with a DOHC design. The 3000GT VR-4 could easily accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.0 seconds.

Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4Jacob Frey 4A, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Acura NSX (First Generation 1990–2005)

Honda’s supercar went head-to-head with Ferrari, with an aluminum design and the kind of reliability you’d actually want for everyday driving. It had a 3.0L VTEC V6 engine placed in the middle with inputs from Ayrton Senna. But then, after costs for upgrades shot up, sales started to decline.

1992 Acura NSXCharles, Flickr

Advertisement

Acura NSX (First Generation 1990–2005) (Cont.)

The use of an all-aluminum chassis and high-quality materials contributed to its high price. The first NSX had a 3.0-liter V6 engine that gave about 270 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. The NSX was designed by a crew led by Masahito Nakano.

1994 Acura NSXCharles, Flickr

Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (1989–1996)

The advanced tech and features of the 300ZX, like its twin-turbo engine and sophisticated suspension systems, ended up making it more expensive to produce. It featured Super HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering), which provided four-wheel steering and an adjustable two-mode suspension system.

1990 Nissan 300ZXSicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (1989–1996) (Cont.)

It could move from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.0 to 5.6 seconds, with the max speed electronically limited to around 155 mph. The standard transmission was also a 5-speed manual. Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo produced approximately 300 horsepower at 6,400 RPM.

1992 Nissan 300ZXVauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Datsun 240Z (1969–1973)

Datsun 240Z was inspired by European models like the Jaguar E-Type. It had a long hood, a fastback design, and a lightweight body. However, the car faced tightening federal emissions and safety regulations in the United States. It has been part of the East African Safari Rally.

1970 Datsun 240Zharry_nl, Flickr

Datsun 240Z (1969–1973) (Cont.)

This car was replaced by the Datsun 260Z and Datsun 280Z, which had better engine enhancements. What’s worth mentioning is that the Datsun 240Z was an instant hit, as it sold 16,215 units in its first year in the U.S. and reached sales of 45,588 units by 1972.

1973 Datsun 240ZSG2012, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Aston Martin Virage (1989–2000)

Classy and well-known, the Virage was first presented at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1988 and was powered by a 5.3-liter V8 engine with 32 valves. Later, it was taken off the US market in 1993 because it didn’t meet the emissions standards set by the Clean Air Act.

1991 Aston Martin VirageMr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons


READ MORE

NASCAR's New Hall Of Fame

Meet NASCAR's Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Explore the latest inductees, their legendary careers, and the impact they've had on the world of NASCAR.
January 16, 2024 Allison Robertson
ducati

Speed Demons Unleashed: Exploring the World's Fastest Motorcycles

Explore the thrilling world of the world's fastest motorcycles, from the Ducati Panigale V4 R to the Lightning LS-218. Discover their astounding performance specs, stunning exterior designs, and the price tags that come with these high-speed machines.
January 4, 2024 Sammy Tran
car maintenance

Unnecessary Vehicle Maintenance Repairs to Avoid

Find out the top vehicle maintenance services people pay for that are generally unnecessary. Learn how to know when they are needed, and how much these services cost.
January 4, 2024 Miles Brucker
bosozoku

The Bizarre World Of Bosozoku Cars

Discover the rebellious world of Bōsōzoku culture. From roaring motorcycles to vibrant cars, delve into the heart of this Japanese subculture and explore the impact of Bōsōzoku on modern society.
January 29, 2024 Kaddy Gibson
Fastest Highways Internal

Strange Driving Laws Around the World

Uncover some of the world's most strange and confusing driving laws. From splashing in puddles in Japan to driving dirty cars in Russia, there are odd rules everywhere.
January 10, 2024 Sammy Tran
Failed Proposals

Countries with the Most Car Accidents

Discover which countries have the most, and least, number of car accidents. Explore statistics surrounding injuries, fatalities, and causes of car accidents worldwide.
January 12, 2024 Sammy Tran