The top 20 best American sports cars of all-time ranked

The top 20 best American sports cars of all-time ranked

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:19 PM

Ford Motor Company's Mustang is widely regarded as the best-selling automobile in American history. Seventh-generation Mustangs were unveiled at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show on September 14. Among the most well-known American sports cars of all time, it would be remiss not to mention the Chevrolet Corvette from General Motors and the Dodge Challenger from Chrysler.

American sports cars
Generic red electric sports car viewed from behind, parked on a smooth concrete driveway facing into an empty covered parking space. Photo: Arand
Source: Getty Images

Collectors and auto enthusiasts value them for their historical significance, high-performance engines, macho designs, and ability to evoke a sense of the American Dream. Some of these brands and models remain highly sought after and valuable decades after their first release. At least, the best American sports cars ever produced, according to enthusiasts.

Best American sports cars of all time

Let us take a look back at the history of American sports cars and rate the top models. The strength of their engines, the attractiveness of their exteriors, and the ease of their interiors will all play a role in these rankings.

15. Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

American sports cars
DODGE HELLCAT | SRT. Photo: @_hellcat on Instagram
Source: UGC

The 6.2-litre V8 in the SRT Hellcat generates 707 horsepower. The powerful sports car can accelerate from zero to sixty miles per hour in 3.6 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 196 miles per hour. Cars with potent engines, such as the SRT Hellcat, tend to generate a lot of heat, but the air induction hood and dual heat extractors seen on newer models help keep everything running smoothly. The vehicle's Pirelli 305/35ZR20 tires and 20x11-inch wheels make it a full-sport-capable machine.

With its fully automated braking system and 10-piston combined brake rotors, safety is never in question. On the other hand, the car is more than just functional; it is a thing of beauty. The outside and interior of newer versions have kept their classic appearance, but the manufacturer has not neglected to update the car with convenience and safety features.

14. 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Hurst

American sports cars
1972 Oldsmobile Hurst. Photo: @oldsmobilecentral on Instagram
Source: UGC

1968 Oldsmobile 442 Hurst was the product of a collaboration between two of the biggest names in the auto industry at the time, and it was capable of producing a whopping 390 horsepower from its engine and Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 transmission. The 0-60 mph time for the 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Hurst was 5.5 seconds.

13. 2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo

best american sports cars
2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo. Photo: @automotivated on Instagram
Source: UGC

The enormous Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, a product of American automaker Saleen Automotive Inc. and the mind of racing icon Steve Saleen, would be a glaring omission. The 7.0-litre V8 engine in the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo was twin-turbocharged, allowing it to generate 750 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque. The combination of this beast of an engine and a six-speed manual transmission yields a vehicle that is the pride of American muscle in terms of speed, power, and style.

12. 1967 Pontiac GTO

classic american sports cars
967 Pontiac GTO. Photo: @scum.pg on Instagram
Source: UGC

The 400-CID four-barrel V-8 in the 1967 Pontiac GTO was matched to a Hurst-shiftable three- and four-speed manual transmission, making for a potent American muscle vehicle. The optional Ram Air system on this Pontiac GTO pushed out an additional 360 horsepower.

11. Dodge SRT Viper

What is the true American sports car?
8-mile Snakeskin Green ACR Edition 2017 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme. Photo: @vipersdodge on Instagram
Source: UGC

The Dodge SRT Viper can reach a top speed of 206 mph and can reach 60 mph in about three seconds. An 8.4-litre V10 engine produces 640 horsepower in the Dodge SRT Viper. The SRT Viper boasts an extremely high level of comfort and elegance in addition to its remarkable handling and outstanding stability. Although the Dodge SRT Viper was no longer manufactured after 2017, its impact on the sports car market will go on forever. Dodge Viper is among the most iconic American sports cars.

10. 1967 Shelby GT500

What is considered the best sports car ever made?
1967 Shelby GT500. Photo: @musclecarsillustrated on Instagram
Source: UGC

The 1967 Shelby GT500 left an indelible mark on the automotive industry. The GT500's 0-60 time was 6.5 seconds, and its top speed was 128 miles per hour thanks to its astounding 7.0-litre, 428 cubic-inch engine. Shely GTO is among the classic American sports cars.

9. Hennessey Venom F5

best american sports cars of all time
Hennessey Venom F5.Photo: @hennesseyvenomf5 on Instagram
Source: UGC

When travelling at its maximum speed, the Hennessey Venom F5 is capable of "ghosting" 301 miles in under one hour. The 8-litre, twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and 7-speed single-clutch semi-automatic 6-speed manual transmission keep this car in the elite company of the world's fastest automobiles. Hennessey Poison F5 is literally made of venom.

8. Shelby AC Cobra 427

What is the most iconic American sports car?
Shelby AC Cobra 427. Photo: @shelbycobra.rent on Instagram
Source: UGC

For $17 million, the very first Shelby AC Cobra 427 was purchased, making it the priciest automobile ever sold in the United States. Illustration by RM Sotheby's. In 1962, Ford launched the lightning-fast Cobra 427, which was powered by a dazzling 260-cubic-inch V-8. A Shelby AC Cobra 427 just sold at auction for $17.7 million, making it the most expensive American sports vehicle ever sold.

7. 2020 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

best American sports cars of all time
2020 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Photo: @corvette on Instagram
Source: UGC

A genuine sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 impresses with its powerful engine, taut suspension, and standard manual transmission. The Corvette ZR1's 6.2-litre V8 engine and 7-speed manual/ 8-speed automatic transmission make it a "King Slayer" capable of accelerating to 60 miles per hour in only 2.8 seconds. The top speed of the Corvette ZR1 is also 212 miles per hour.

6. 1970 Plymouth Barracuda

classic American sports cars
1970 Plymouth Barracuda. Photo: @dezzysspeedshop on Instagram
Source: UGC

With the advent of the Barracuda in 1970, Plymouth gave the likes of Ford's GT and Chevrolet's Camaro SS a suitable adversary on the track. With its 425-horsepower Hemi V-8 and choice of three-speed, four-speed, or automatic transmission, the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda was the undisputed king of drag strips. Green Metallic, Lemon Twist, and Sassy-Grass Green were just a few of the eye-catching hues available for the Plymouth Barracuda, which wowed fans of muscle cars. Both the car's functionality and its aesthetics were superb.

5. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS

best American sports cars
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS. Photo: @keystoneautomotiveoperations on s
Source: UGC

The Chevrolet Camaro SS was a popular race vehicle throughout the 1970s, and for good reason: it had a 6.5-litre V-8 engine, a three-speed automatic transmission, and a four-speed manual transmission. It can reach 60 mph in a respectable 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph. Paddle shifters have been included in newer models, but the 1969 models were the real deal. Sport car enthusiasts may rest assured that the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS will not only deliver on performance but also on comfort and ease of customization.

4. Ford GT Supercar

American sports cars
Ford GT Supercar. Photo: @gt_nation on Instagram
Source: UGC

Many manufacturers in the 1960s attempted to create sports cars that could compete with the Ford GT Supercar. The 3.5-litre V-6 is a good engine that, when linked with the six-speed manual transmission, can provide a thunderous 647 horsepower, which is modest compared to other brands in the top 10. The GT Supercar is considered the best sports car ever made with a top speed of almost 200 mph and could reach 60 mph in 3 seconds.

3. 1963 Corvette Stingray Split-Window Coupe

What is the true American sports car?
1963 Corvette Stingray Split-Window Coupe. Photo: @cooperandholdensdad on Instagram
Source: UGC

This manufacturer is widely regarded as a forerunner of American muscle in terms of both sleek body styling and technological advancement. The Stingray's iconic split rear window became a symbol of the model's successful legacy. However, a floor fuel-injected and powerful 360 horsepower with optional three and four-speed gearboxes was a nice match to the unique body style. Corvettes are true American sports cars.

2. 2018 Cadillac CTS-V

What is considered the best sports car ever made?
2018 Cadillac CTS-V. Photo: @the_blue_v on Instagram
Source: UGC

Although the 2019 and 2020 Cadillac CTS-V models are less expensive and seem more luxurious, they do not come close to matching the performance of the 2018 model year's CTS-V, which generates roughly 560 horsepower from a 6.2-litre V8 8-speed transmission engine. In about 4 seconds, the car can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour. The paddle shifters allow the driver to switch between the automatic and manual transmissions, which is ideal for the sporty type.

The Cadillac CTS-remarkable V's stability allows it to take curves at high speeds. The 2018 Cadillac CTS-V sedan is striking in appearance in addition to its powerful performance.

1. 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

What is the most iconic American sports car?
2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL 1. Photo: @chevy.camaro.zl1 on Instagram
Source: UGC

The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 caters to the needs of sports car fans who seek a vehicle that is as fast, powerful, and luxurious as possible. The 6.2-litre V8 engine, together with the 10-speed automatic transmission and the 6-speed manual transmission that is available as an option, produces 640 horsepower. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph.

The American manufacturer kept the classic muscle car styling, even if the car's appearance is quite updated and curvaceous. The Colour and design of the dashboard are pleasing, with the exception of the clunky stick shift thus the best American sports car.

It is safe to say that American sports vehicles like these are the most coveted in the world. The auto-obsessed love these. The high price and bad gas mileage both make regular use impractical. However, this fact is never a deterrent for the ultra-wealthy who are passionate about automobiles.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.