The list is unfair for its length — just five models — but we tried to choose five models that were representative of the ultimate driving pleasure.
Forget the times in “green hell”, forget the maximum power… The subject here is driving pleasure; it is to elevate the man-machine link until the machine is a natural extension of the organic; it is choosing the longest and most winding path; it's about the assault on the senses…
If it were otherwise, instead of Mclaren F1 the Bugatti Chiron would be on this list. Instead of the old Mini, the newer Mini. This is not what is intended. Many were left out but we will return to the topic again. Leave us your suggestions in the comments.
Caterham Seven
Talking about driving pleasure and not mentioning the Caterham Seven or Super Seven it should be a crime punishable by imprisonment. Since we don't want to go to jail, here he is! The ultimate outdoor driving experience. Based on the concept of the Lotus Mark VI, which would evolve into the Lotus Seven, created by the genius of Colin Chapman, the Caterham Seven is its rightful heir.
The Caterham Seven was born with the purpose of being a more accessible and viable alternative for gentleman drivers to compete and for “normal” drivers to warm their blood on the weekend.
Even today, one of the Caterhams' attractions is that they can be purchased in assembly kits. You receive a box at home with all the parts and you have to assemble it. More petrolhead than this is difficult. No wonder, then, that the Caterham Seven saga has lasted for more than five decades.
Ferrari F40
THE Ferrari F40 was launched to mark 40 years of Ferrari and was the last model launched by the brand before the death of its founder, Enzo Ferrari. It is considered by many ferraristas as the “best Ferrari ever”, thanks to the very narrow focus that drove its development. There are very few cars that blur the line between road car and circuit in such an exceptional way.
The “old-fashioned” 3.0 V8 twin-turbo engine with 478 hp (official), 325 km/h top speed and 3.7s from 0-100 km/h. In 1987 there was nothing closer to a Formula 1 than this. Problem? It's not for everyone.
Lotus Elan Sprint
I've already driven one. And yes, it's brilliant. Like Seven, the recipe “simplify, then add lightness” instituted by Colin Chapman was followed religiously. THE Lotus Elan is a perfect summary of its creator's work: nothing more than the bare essentials. "Backbone" chassis, axles at the ends of the bodywork, fiber bodywork and, in this Sprint variant — the Elan pinnacle — 128 hp Big Valve engine (Lotus) and a weight of less than 700 kg, made this little Englishman a real torpedo and giant torpedoes.
Even today, four decades after its launch, its behavior is revered like few others, still serving as a reference for many current sports. It was from this English model that a Japanese roadster was inspired to drink… a success to this day.
McLaren F1
It was the only production car in history where a brand had to draw power in order to line up (and win!) in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was for many years the fastest car on the planet — a consequence of the excellence of its design, not a goal. Gordon Murray, its creator, wanted to build the best driver’s car in the world, not the fastest. But the phenomenal 6.1 V12 from BMW with 636 hp came with far more horsepower than anticipated.
Despite driving and feeling like a real race car, the Mclaren F1 it was, after all, relatively practical in everyday life — look at the tire profile (235/45 ZR17 at the front and 315/45 at the rear), there are modern vans with far more radical profiles! It had 3 seats and space for suitcases for a weekend. Just like the Ferrari F40, it's just too bad the price…
Mini Cooper S
Another model that made its low weight its main asset. At a time when all cars behaved like real boats, the Mini provided its drivers with an agile chassis that was fun to drive. King of the handbrake, of straights at 300 km/h (when we are actually going at just over 130 km/h) and of rallies, the Mini Cooper S beat cars that had more than twice its power.
One more proof that driving pleasure can be accessible to everyone. A phrase that would have been completely true a few years ago, but which today, due to the appreciation of classics, is increasingly a thing of the past.
Porsche 911 RS 2.7
The Porsche 911 had to be part of this list, and among the countless that have already been launched, our choice had to fall on this one. THE Porsche 911 RS 2.7 marks the emergence of the acronym RS (Rennsport) in the Stuttgart brand. Light, powerful and practical, it is one of the most valued Porsche models ever. Rotary engine but conveys a feeling of power, tight steering, well dimensioned brakes and a “Porsche-style” handling. Perhaps it's the most timeless car in history — dammit, look at it. Form and function.
We hope that the galloping way in which the prices of this 911 RS 2.7 have been increasing will not take the 1580 units produced away from the place to which they belong, the roads!
Volkswagen Golf GTI MK 1
Five real seats, reliable engine, design by master Giugiaro and fantastic handling at an affordable price. In 1975 there was no sports car that offered so much for so little. Like Golf GTI the "hot hatch" were truly born — pardon the Mini fans.
With the Golf GTI Mk1 a «car school» was started that lasts until today in the most different makes and models: Peugeot 205 GTI, Volkswagen Polo GTI, Renault Mégane RS, Honda Civic Type-R, among many others.