Z-Cars named to 25 Best Cars Ever List

[Z CAR 77]

This is a list from the skateboarders generation. Not much of a way to justify most of these on the list that 'left the biggest impact on the automotive world'. But, just like arguing with the spouse, it really doesn't matter anyway......... just an opinion

IMO GMM is mainly a Road Racer magazine (SCCA & NASA) so the list is really tilted toward what racers want/think. If you looked at the enter lists on any big SCCA or NASA event most if not all of these cars would be on it. This would explain the Factory 5 vers. Cobra entry.

[zbane]

IMO this list is meant to represent the cars that have had the most impact on the readers of Grassroots Motorsports.

This is, after all, the magazine that sponsors the $20XX competitions, has great write-ups of the 24 Hours de Lemons (for cars that cost less than $500), and features how-to articles for the average mechanic (with average tools and finances).

Some of the cars mentioned in this thread (as should have been on the list) are way out of line for the average person to own, let alone race competitively. For that reason you see the Factory Five version of the Cobra instead of the real deal (same for the GT40).

Whereas for just a few thousand dollars you can get yourself into a good condition Miata, early (mid 80-90s) BMW, Civic/CRX, etc., and go straight to the track-that's what GRM seems to be all about...

Just my opinion.

Edited November 28, 2009 by zbane

[psdenno]

Some of the cars mentioned in this thread (as should have been on the list) are way out of line for the average person to own, let alone race competitively. For that reason you see the Factory Five version of the Cobra instead of the real deal (same for the GT40).

However, when a list is titled "25 Best Cars Ever List" one tends to think of it as covering a fairly long period of time - like forever.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there would be a Factory 5 Cobra replicar had there not been a Cobra somewhere in that "Ever" timeframe before it.

Perhaps the title should have been, "25 Best Affordable Cars Built Since 1985, In Our Opinion, That Maybe Could Be Raced By The Average Guy Who Reads This Magazine and Dreams About Doing Stuff Like That, But Probably Never Will, List".

Dennis

[zbane]

Perhaps the list would be more relevant if we consider the phrase used by GRM to describe it:

25 History Shapers: Our 25 favorite cars from the last quarter century

Not such a definitive "best of" list after all.

[Carl Beck]

Why don't we start "the BEST 10 LISTS LIST ?

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Z CAR 77]

However, when a list is titled "25 Best Cars Ever List" one tends to think of it as covering a fairly long period of time - like forever.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there would be a Factory 5 Cobra replicar had there not been a Cobra somewhere in that "Ever" timeframe before it.

Perhaps the title should have been, "25 Best Affordable Cars Built Since 1985, In Our Opinion, That Maybe Could Be Raced By The Average Guy Who Reads This Magazine and Dreams About Doing Stuff Like That, But Probably Never Will, List".

Dennis

I think Dennis hit on the correct list title above ... but no matter the title it's nice to have our little old toys included

Stan

[Reverend]

Even this list is quite ridicilous, i still have 2 of the best cars ever number 10 and 25.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Why don't we start "the BEST 10 LISTS LIST ?

FWIW,

Carl B.

I was thinking the same thing... how about some ground rules.

Must be a mass production car of at least 500 units produced

Left a great impact on the automotive market be it either in the US or worldwide or both

Lets start it at some reasonable date as well. I mean you go back too far, you would have to include the first car with a clutch, the first car with a steering wheel, the first car with 4 wheels, etc. Lets start the clock at 1930 if that is okay with everybody. Cars were pretty well normalized at that point, with what most people know as standard fare. It is also far enough back to capture great evolutions

any more suggestions?

Perhaps everybody should nominate 5 cars, and the top choices makes the list. Then we can put that list in order.

[Z CAR 77]

I was thinking the same thing... how about some ground rules.

Must be a mass production car of at least 500 units produced

Left a great impact on the automotive market be it either in the US or worldwide or both

Lets start it at some reasonable date as well. I mean you go back too far, you would have to include the first car with a clutch, the first car with a steering wheel, the first car with 4 wheels, etc. Lets start the clock at 1930 if that is okay with everybody. Cars were pretty well normalized at that point, with what most people know as standard fare. It is also far enough back to capture great evolutions

any more suggestions?

Perhaps everybody should nominate 5 cars, and the top choices makes the list. Then we can put that list in order.

I'll start it:

1) Z Cars

2) VW Bug / Porsche 911

3) Chevy Corvette

4) Chrysler 300

5) Mini Cooper

[TomoHawk]

They forgot the Ford Escort, the most prolific car in history.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Okay, I will go next, in no particular order:

55 Chevy BelAire - defined an entire generation of cars in the US

Mini Cooper - So many advances and ground breaking design cues

VW beetle - the peoples car, brought transportation to many

Jeep - brought mass production exploration of the countries back roads to the people

Porsche 356 speedster - the birth of a legend.

I know I did not put the Z cars on there, but if I was thinking back on the top 5 biggest impact cars from the 30's to now. It is not a tough list. I could just as easily pick 5 more that were ground breaking. I will let the judges decide the merits of my pics.

Edited December 1, 2009 by Zedyone_kenobi

[rjracin240]

Where is the Datsun 510 on this list, they must be really scrambling at GRM think this must be about the third list this year. Wish they would stop wasting the pages on these list's