Lap 9: Coupes
The best coupes make up final instalment of my investigative diatribe look into the best cars of all time by body type. It is fitting that the coupe bookends this recurring piece as they have come to symbolise everything that is exciting, revolutionary and engaging in cars. Indeed you could make a case that coupes are the pinnacle of automotive design and engineering. And, because of this, this is probably the most difficult article to write. Coupes are visually striking, evocative for all car lovers and often are the vanguard for technological advancement. How does one decide the greatest cars from possibly the most distinguished category of cars? Coupes transcend all automotive movements, muscle cars, JDM, super and hyper-cars, to name but a few.
No doubt in writing this article I will leave out some of the most influential, beautiful cars of all time. And thus alienate and upset some, and lose what credibility I had with others. Is it possible to actually agree on which cars are the best? I don’t know. What I do know is that I like cars, administer this website, and started this experiment and thus must complete it. If you don’t agree with the reasons for my selections, excellent, please let me know why, constructively of course. Choosing the best of anything is pointless, but the debate isn’t.
For the coupes selected I have stayed away from cars I have never seen in the flesh, driven or been driven in. We can all argue about the brilliance of the Ferrari F40 based on what we have read and seen on TV. But regurgitating facts isn’t the kind of true knowledge gained through experience. Furthermore, I’d like to focus on eliciting debate and provoking thoughts beyond the mundane. So here we go . . .
Holden Torana GTR XU-1 1972
Why the Torana, because this is my website and my favourite car of all time. You know the story, in-line 6 with triple Strongberg carbies delivers Peter Brock’s first Bathurst 500 win. The XU-1 is quintessentially Australian in both engineering and appearance. A highly modified six cylinder crammed into what was essentially a small car from the 70s. Yet somehow the dimensions manage to be both diminutive and muscular at the same time.
Datsun 240z 1970
Highly collectable today, the Datsun 240z was an international game changer, marking Datsun’s arrival as a genuine car manufacturer of note. The in-line 2.4 litre straight six provided engaging performance and dynamic handling in a modern package with a modest price tag. This was the first performance coupe that offered true performance on par with European offerings and yet was accessible to most. The Datsun was successful in a variety of racing formats, often besting Porsche and confirming its bonafides.
Porsche 911 1963
One cannot write a list of the best coupes without including a 911. Choosing one 911 above all else is nigh on impossible. For a model that has become synonymous with groundbreaking advancements in performance, each model and variant is designed to be better than the last. Therefore I pay homage to the first 911, the one that gave birth to an iconic nomenclature. The 911 remains truly unique for three key reasons, its rear-mounted engine, flat-six configuration and four seats.
Honda Integra Type-R 1999
It is highly likely that the Type-R is one of the best front-wheel drive cars of all time. This is impressive when you consider it one of the best pure driver's cars of all time. Facts that don’t often get combined without ridicule. But the Type-R was a serious performance weapon, and an intoxicating, visceral experience thanks to the highly strung 1.8 litre VTEC powerplant that was willing to rev to a 8,400 redline. The Type-R also underwent significant weight saving, improved chassis rigidity and precise gear shifts as compared to the standard Integra.
Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA 1965
Whilst Alfa Romeo can’t always guarantee reliability, they will always deliver striking cars that evoke emotion. The Giulia GTA was a ground-breaking car for its time, fitted with a five-speed manual and disc brakes on all corners. To lighten the car, and extract the most out of the feisty twin-cam four-pot, steel panels were replaced with aluminium, and many all-alloy engine components were replaced with magnesium.
BMW E46 M3 2000
Possibly the greatest sounding straight six in history, raspy, metallic, deep and visceral, and willing to rev all the way just under 8,000. It's as if the engine is screaming at you to push it harder. The E46 is the perfect blend of size and weight for a driver's car, with a shape that strikes a delectable balance between class and aggression. Not to mention the four exhausts at the rear signal its defiant intent.
Mazada FD RX-7 1991
One of the most beautiful and timeless shapes to ever emerge, the FD is the pinnacle of Mazda's dalliance with rotary power. In the 90s, before advancements in turbo technology came about, the rotary-turbo combination seemed like the perfect pairing, much like olives and feta. Whilst many FD’s saw the sequential setup removed in favour of a single, larger turbo for big power, the stock setup was smooth and tractable. The FD RX7 also saw refinements in overall driving feel and luxury appointments. Many suffer from interior parts that lack resilience, but you cannot argue this is one of the most unique designs from Japan.
