Can You Name All of These High-Performance American Cars?

AUTO

By: Maria Trimarchi

7 Min Quiz

About This Quiz

We’ve been in a golden age of American high-performance cars since the late 1980s, but did you know that American performance machines have burning rubber since the first American cars hit the road? 

Ford may be making headlines with its latest GT supercar and the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500, but what did company founder Henry Ford do in 1901 to win support from investors? He built and drove a racecar and beat more than a dozen others in a 25-lap race on a Michigan dirt oval track. Ever since, American carmakers have been building special high-performance models. In the 1930s, names like Auburn and Duesenberg became synonymous with power and speed. 

In the 1950s, American carmakers got into a “horsepower war” with their new wave of V8 engines, and special factory-made performance packages became options for many cars

By the 1960s, Chevy’s Corvette was a world-class sports car that could run with Ferraris, and the Pontiac GTO kicked off a new segment of muscle cars. Automotive media called the GTO and its many competitors “supercars” back in the day, but that term was later used for the 160 mph+ sports cars coming from Europe.

Emissions and fuel economy regulations took a toll on performance in the 1970s, but by the late 1980s, electronic fuel injection, computer controls and other advances solved those issues, and the performance race came roaring back. 

We’re betting that most people can’t name 50 of the American performance cars in this quiz. Why don't you give it a try and prove us wrong?

Do you recognize this iconic American sports car?

Chevrolet added the 396 cu. in. “big-block” V8 to the Corvette Sting Ray’s option list in 1965 and replaced it for 1966 with the 427 cu. in. version of the engine. The 425-horsepower engine could rocket the Vette from 0-60 mph in about five seconds and take it all the way to 140 mph.

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Which classic American ponycar is this?

Ford added more performance options for the Mustang in 1969, including the new Mach 1 model. The base Mach 1 was fairly mild with a standard 250-horsepower 351 cu.-in. V8, but options included a 290-horse version of the 351 and peaked with a 428 Cobra Jet “big block” capable of ripping off 14-second quarter-mile times with ease.

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This muscle coupe is ready to blast down the quarter-mile. Do you know whwhat it is?

Plymouth introduced its third-generation Barracuda for 1970, and the high-performance version was called, simply, ’Cuda. Engine choices included 340, 383, and 440 cu.-in. V8s, the latter with a four-barrel carburetor or “Six Pack” with three two-barrels. The top engine was the mighty 426 cu.-in. Hemi with 425 hp. The pictured car has a 440.

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It's the quickest-accelerating, street-legal American production car ever made. What is it?

When Dodge said its 2018 Challenger SRT Demon was the quickest-accelerating American production car ever made, it was not hype. With 840 horsepower from a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, the Demon could rip down the quarter-mile in 9.65 seconds at 140 mph, according to Dodge's tests. As a fun bonus, Demon was the first production car that could do a wheelie . Dodge made 3,300 SRT Demons for 2018, the single production year.

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This late 1970s sport coupe looked much quicker than it really was. Do you know it?

All-new for 1979, the third-generation Mustang was based on Ford’s “Fox” platform that underpinned everything from the Ford Fairmont to the Lincoln Mk. VII luxury coupe. It was a good looker and sharp handler, but in its first few years, this Mustang’s performance was lackluster at best. This Cobra Turbo model has the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that made barely 125 horsepower and was unreliable, as well.

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This muscle car looks like it could fly. Do you know what it is?

The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird was built for the sole reason that Plymouth needed to qualify its aerodynamic body for NASCAR racing. The rules that year required that two cars be built for each of a carmaker’s dealers to qualify as a “production car,” meaning at least 1,920 Superbirds. The actual number was a bit higher. Engine choices included the 440 cu.-in. V8 with four-barrel carburetor or “Six Pack” with three two-barrel carburetors, or the 426 cu.-in. Hemi with 425 horsepower. Just 135 had the Hemi.

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It's considered one of the best looking muscle cars ever. Can you name it?

Dodge introduced the second-generation Dodge Charger for 1968, and for 1969 did a minor styling change with a split grille and horizontal strip taillights to replace the ’68s round units. This is the 1969 R/T, which came standard with a 375-horsepower, 440 cu.-in. V8 and offered the 425-horsepower Hemi 426 as an option. Sadly, it is estimated that about 300 Chargers were destroyed in the filming of the 1970s TV show, “The Dukes of Hazzard.”

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Do you recognize this high-performance ponycar?

The 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula could be optionally equipped with the same 335-horsepower, 455 cu.-in. H.O. (High Output) V8 that was standard in the flashier looking Trans Am model. The Formula was the “budget” performer, standard with a 350 cu.-in. V8 and also offering a 300-horsepower 400.

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With 707 horsepower, it's a quarter-mile crusher. Can you name it?

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon may be the quickest in the quarter-mile, but the 707-horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat, introduced in 2015, was nearly as demonic. Still available today, including in a more a powerful “Redeye” model, the Hellcat can run the quarter-mile in the low 11-second range and reach a top speed of 199 mph.

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This one is a true classic, and was a good performer in its day. What is it?

The 1955 Ford Thunderbird was more of a cruiser than a bruiser, but its standard 292 cu-in. V8 with 193 horsepower made it pretty zippy. In 1956 and 1957, more powerful options for the T-Bird included a 312 cu.-in. V8 with dual carburetors and 285 horsepower, and a even supercharged version with 300 horses.

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A real oldie, this was a fast machine in its day. Can you name it?

This is not your father’s Oldsmobile. It's more likely your great-grandfather’s Oldsmobile! The 1910 Olds Limited Touring was a powerful car for its day. Its 505 cu.-in. six-cylinder engine produced 60 horsepower, enough to take this big luxury model up to about 70 mph. That was insanely fast at a time when most roads were just dirt and full of bumps. The $4,600 price when new would equate to more than $120,000 today.

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It's got a big wings and a growling V8 engine. What model is it?

The 2000 Mustang Cobra R was a limited-production model with a 385-horsepower, 5.4-liter DOHC V8, a six-speed manual transmission and special suspension. Just 300 were made, all painted Performance Red. The 2000 Cobra R did 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and the quarter-mile in 12.9 sec at 111 mph. Of course, today’s standard Mustang GT is even quicker.

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It looks like a race car but was a street-legal supercar. What is it?

The 2005-2006 Ford GT was a modern revival of the famous Ford GT40 race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four years in a row, 1966-1969. (The 1966 victory was the basis for the 2019 hit movie, “Ford v Ferrari.”) The modern Ford GT was a pure street car, powered by a mid-mounted 550-horsepower supercharged V8. It was capable of 205 mph. Just over 4,000 were made, and Ford introduced a successor in 2017.

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This high-performer is a highly sought-after classic. Can you name it?

In 1965, Ford asked Carroll Shelby, ex-racer and creator of the Ford-powered Cobra, to work some high-performance magic on the Mustang. The result was a stripped-down, souped-up Shelby GT350 with a 306-horsepower version of the Mustang’s 289-cu. in. V8. The GT350 could do 0-60 mph 6.5 seconds and reach a top speed of about 130 mph.

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This sedan mixed luxury with astounding performance. What was it?

With its second-generation CTS-V, Cadillac got very serious about taking on BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. The 2010 CTS-V had a supercharged version of the Chevy Corvette’s 6.2-liter V8, good for a rousing 556 horsepower. Its performance essentially matched that of the far more expensive BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63, making its $59,000 price seem like a bargain.

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This classic muscle car was known for its powerful engine, cartoon character image, and a unique horn. What is it?

The 1968 Plymouth Road Runner was based on the body of the Plymouth Belvedere, and had a standard 383-cubic inch 6.3L "Road Runner" V8 engine (with an optional Hemi -- but only about 1,000 were made with one) -- and was capable of 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds. For the Road Runner, Plymouth spent $50,000 for permission from Warner Bros. to use its Road Runner name and likeness from the Wile E. Coyote cartoons -- and another $10,000 to use the Road Runner's "beep, beep!" as a horn sound.

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This muscled-up ponycar was among the quickest in its class. What is it?

Chevy advertised the 1969 Camaro SS 396 as “The One with a Name Like the Hiss of a Snake.” It could be pretty deadly to its competition, too. Chevy’s fabled 396 cu.-in. big block V8 came in 325-, 350-, and 375-horsepower versions. The top engine was also available with aluminum cylinder heads, which reduced engine weight by 70 pounds.

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This muscle car's odd front end design was intended to cheat the wind on NASCAR race tracks. Do you know what it is?

The Ford Torino Talladega has a longer nose and smoother face than the standard Torino model for a good reason: the design reduced the body’s wind resistance for racing in NASCAR. The result was rather unattractive, but Ford had to sell at least 500 of the street model to qualify the body design for NASCAR. It ended up selling about 750. The race version used Ford's Boss 429 engine, while the street models used the very different but still potent 428 Cobra Jet. The Talladega won the 1969 NASCAR championship.

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This model's maker called this car "The ultimate ____________ track-day model." Can you fill in the blank with its name?

The 2019 Chevy Camaro combined the 650-horsepower ZL1 with the 1LE Extreme Track Performance Package to create its most potent road course-focused Camaro ever. The performance stats were formidable, including 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, the quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds at 127 mph, 1.02g maximum cornering grip and a top speed of 195 mph.

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This was one of the classic muscle car era's most powerful and quickest machines. Do you know what it is?

For 1970, Chevy added its 454 cu.-in. big block to the option list for the Chevelle SS, with 360 horsepower standard. Above that, the LS6 option substituted a special version of the 454 engine, full of high-performance parts and rated at a whopping 450 horsepower. A low-13-second quarter-mile was all but assured, but this was a one-year-only option for the Chevelle.

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This looks like Darth Vader's muscle car. What is it?

The Buick Grand National was a special edition model originally offered in 1982 to celebrate Buick’s winning the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Series. The turbocharged V6 engine became standard on the 1984 model, now painted all black and with 200 horsepower. The 1986 and 1987 models were more powerful still. The series closed out with the limited-production 1987 GNX, capable of running the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds, well ahead of the Chevy Corvette.

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This legendary racer eventually won at Le Mans. Do you know what it is?

Technically, the Ford GT40 endurance racer was a British-built racecar, but with an American Ford V8 engine and design coming from America, too. The GT40 got off to a rough start in 1964, pretty much losing every race it entered. Ford then brought in Carroll Shelby, who was already winning races with the Ford-powered Cobra sports car, to get the program into shape. The effort paid off, leading to the GT40 Mk. II’s amazing 1-2-3 victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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Can you name this classic American muscle car?

Oldsmobile responded to fellow GM Division Pontiac’s GTO with the 442 package for the midsize Cutlass in 1964. The name originally stood for “four barrel carburetor, four-speed transmission and dual exhaust,” but later models varied from this. This is the 1968 442, which had a 400 cu.-in. V8 with 325 or 350 horsepower. An optional “W-30” performance package raised the rating to 360 hp, but it was likely more.

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This car had a close relationship with a famous race. Do you know the model?

Pontiac marked the 20th anniversary of its Firebird Trans Am with a Turbo model, which also served as the Official Pace Car of the 1989 Indy 500. So, all 1,555 made were official Pace Car replicas, painted white with a camel-colored interior. Under the hood, instead of a Chevy-sourced V8 as in the standard Trans Am, the Anniversary model got a tweaked version of the Buick Grand National V6. The 250-horsepower rating was really closer to 300. Car & Driver magazine got 0-60 in 4.6 seconds.

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This car had a lighthearted image but with serious street cred. What is it?

In response to the Plymouth Road Runner and its cartoon-character image, Pontiac issued a special version of the GTO, called “The Judge.” The name came from a comedy skit on the popular TV show, “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In,” called "Here come de judge." With a standard Ram Air III 400 cu.-in. V8 and even more powerful optional 370-horsepower Ram Air IV, the GTO Judge’s performance was no laughing matter.

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This was the most powerful car of its day. What is it?

The dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder of the 1935 Duesenberg SSJ's straight-eight J gave it the capability of hitting a top speed of 119 mph -- and as fast as 94 mph while in second gear. At the time, it was the fastest, but also the most expensive, American-made car on the market.

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This muscle car was aimed specifically at drag racers. What was it?

Dodge introduced its Coronet Super Bee for 1968, essentially the same car as its corporate sibling, the Plymouth Road Runner. In mid-1969, both cars introduced the “A12” option, called “Six Pack” on the Dodge and “Six Barrel” on the Plymouth. It meant the 440 cu.-in. high-performance “big block” V8 with three two-barrel carburetors and 390 horsepower. A focal point of the A12 package was the lift-off fiberglass hood with a big air scoop.

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This classic muscle car looked fairly conservative but was a real scorcher. Can you name it?

Buick’s 1970 Gran Sport 455, better known as the GS 455, was a formidable player in the muscle car arena. Its standard 455 cu.-in. big-block V8 was rated at 350 horsepower. On paper, the Stage I option boosted that by just 10 hp, but in reality, the thorough high-performance upgrade took output much higher. Motor Trend magazine got a GS 455 Stage 1 to run the quarter-mile in 13.38 sec. at 105.5 mph, as quick as a Plymouth Road Runner Hemi.

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This full-size muscle car could really move. Can you name it?

For 1968, the Super Sport reverted to an option package on the Chevy Impala, and it was mainly a cosmetic upgrade. However, the SS-427 package was much more special equipping the car with a 385-horsepower version of the famous Chevy big-block engine, plus a host of other upgrades. The Impala SS-427 would do 0-60 mph in 7 seconds and run the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds.

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Sadly, this hot hatch was recently dropped by its brand. What is it?

Ford introduced the Focus RS to American customers in 2016. It was powered by the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged engine used in the Mustang, but modified to produce 350 horsepower versus 320 in the Mustang. With all-wheel drive, this super Focus could do 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and run the quarter-mile in 13.3 sec at 103 mph. It’s too bad Ford dropped it after 2018.

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Does this classic muscle car makes you green with envy? Can you name it?

Dodge introduced the Challenger in 1970, and other having different styling, it was essentially the same thing as a Plymouth Barracuda. The Challenger R/T model was the hot version, standard with a 335-horsepower 383 cu.-in. V8, and offering an optional 440 with either 375 or 390 hp. Topping the line was the 426 cu.-in. Hemi with 425 hp.

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Can you identify this muscle coupe from the hair band era?

Chevy brought back the Monte Carlo SS badge on a 1983 model, giving it the same aerodynamic front design that the brand used in NASCAR racing. Under the hood was a 180-horsepower version of the brand’s 305 cu.-in. V8. Performance was respectable, with a quarter-mile in the high 15-second range possible. The SS ran until 1988, though the name returned on the front-wheel-drive Monte Carlo in 2004.

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With the optional V8, it was a fun little car. What was it?

Hey, what’s an economy car doing in this quiz? The compact Dodge Dart, introduced for 1963, offered a new 180-horsepower, 273 cu.-in. V8 option for 1964. That made it pretty peppy. The following year, a special performance version of the 273 upped the output to 235 hp, which made the lightweight Dart as quick as a Mustang GT with its 225-hp V8.

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This one looks fast when just standing still. What is it?

The Dodge Viper came out in 1991 and managed to survive until 2017 (although with a three-year break), a remarkable run for such a wild machine. The revised 2008 version had a 600-horsepower version of the famous V10 engine. That was 50-percent more power than the 1991 model.

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This was a hot sports car in its day, even if its day was a very long time ago. Can you identify it?

The Stutz Bearcat, introduced in 1912, was a sports car in the truest sense, because it was essentially the car that Stutz raced in the Indy 500. The Bearcat won 25 out of 30 races it entered that year. In 1913, a Bearcat came in third in the Indy 500 behind a Mercer in second and a Peugeot in first.

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This mid-engine supercar was made in Washigton State. What is it?

Founded by Jerod Shelby in Richland, WA, the SSC company was originally called Shelby Super Cars, but Carroll Shelby (no relation) sued to get the company to change its name. The 2006 SSC Ultimate Aero was a prototype designed to exceed 250 mph. A supercharged Corvette engine produced 782 horsepower.

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As if the standard model wasn't fast enough, this version was for the real speed freaks. What is it?

Chevy first used the ZR1 code for a Corvette road racing performance package in 1971, then more famously on a super-performance model in 1990. The name appeared again on a 2007 supercharged Corvette with 638 horsepower. Top speed was 192 mph. A 2013 version is shown. The final ZR1, offered in 2019, had a 755-horsepower engine and a top speed of 212 mph.

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This 1930s classic inspired many replicas starting in the '60s and continuing today. Can you name it?

Auburn introduced the 851 Speedster for 1935, and renamed it the 852 for 1936. In both years, the Speedster was powered by a supercharged straight-eight engine making 150 horsepower. A plaque on the dashboard affirmed that each car had been road tested to 100 mph. Although the Auburn Speedster could reach that speed, it’s highly doubtful that the company ever tested every model like that.

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This curvy beauty packed a powerful punch. What is it?

Ex-racer Carroll Shelby came up with the idea of installing Ford’s lightweight small-block V8 in the AC Ace roadster from England, and the result was called the Cobra. The first version used Ford’s 260 cu.-in. and then 289 cu.-in. small block V8s. In 1965, a wider and fiercer model called the Cobra 427 took its name from Ford’s mighty 427 cu.-in. big block V8. An entire industry grew in the 1970s to make replicas of this car, and that continues to this day.

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This street-legal car set a speed record of nearly 255 mph. What is it?

In 1987, with Chevrolet’s cooperation, Callaway Cars in Old Lyme, CT began converting Corvettes into Callaway Twin-Turbo Corvettes, with the Chevrolet option code “B2K.” The following year, Callaway built the one and only Sledgehammer version, which had a special aerodynamic body that customers could order for their own Callaway Corvettes. Only the Sledgehammer, though, had an engine tweaked to 898 horsepower to take it to a record 254.76 mph in October, 1988.

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This coupe resembles several different classic models, but what is it?

With a name that sounds like a horse-inspired guitar, the Equus Bass 770 is actually a hand-built custom new car modeled after the classic American ponycars. It’s got the shape of a ’67 Mustang with the features of a ’70 Barracuda. A handful have been made, each powered by a supercharged Chevy Corvette ZR1 engine making 640 horsepower. (The “770” in the name refers to the 770cc displacement of each of the engine’s cylinders). The price starts at $250,000.

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This American classic didn't necessarily flaunt its power. What is it?

Looks can be deceiving. Dodge’s midsize 1964 Polara 500 looked much like the standard Polara models, but under its hood was a standard 383 cu.-in. V8 with 305 horsepower. Inside, the Polara 500 featured sporty bucket seats.

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You don't mess with a car when it has 1,000 horsepower. But can you name it?

The Hennessey Exorcist is a customized Camaro ZL1 with the horsepower jacked up to 1,000. That’s enough to take this hotrod Camaro from 0-60 mph in 2.1 seconds and the quarter-mile in 9.57 seconds at 147 mph, according to Hennessey. The Texas-based company’s motto is “Making fast cars faster since 1991.”

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This American racer has a very distant cousin in showrooms today. What is it?

You may be used to seeing the Cummins Diesel name on big Ram pickup trucks, but way back in 1931, the Duesenberg brothers decided to put one of Clessie Lyle Cummins’ oil burners in some Indy racecars. The No. 8 Duesenberg Cummins Diesel Special came in 13th in the 1931 Indy 500 while becoming the first car to ever complete the race without stopping to refuel.

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What happens when you cross a ponycar, a muscle car, and a sports car? You get the _________

American Motors Corporation (AMC) jumped into the sporty car segment in 1968 with the Javelin ponycar and its short-wheelbase, two-seat sibling, the AMX. The AMX was positioned as a sports car, not a muscle car, but the standard and optional engines were all V8s, up to a 315-horsepower 390 cu.-in. version. About 23,500 were made through 1970. For 1971, AMX became a performance upgrade package for the larger Javelin.

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It's an all-American supercar. What is it?

Steve Saleen’s company became famous among Ford enthusiasts for its souped-up Mustangs. When he decided to build his own supercar, he also turned to Ford power in the form of a specially built 427 cu.-in. (7.0-liter) V8 based on the block of a 351 cu.-in. “Windsor” engine. The S7 started with 550 horsepower, but twin turbos pushed that to 750 horses in 2005. The carbon-fiber car could reach acclaimed 248 mph.

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This record-setting speedster was a British/American mashup. Do you know it?

The Venom GT and GT Spyder were more wicked machines from Hennessey. The car was based on the tiny Lotus Exige (or Elise for the Spyder) from England, but modified and stuffed with a twin-turbo version of Chevy’s LSX 427 cu.-in. V8 “crate motor.” Both versions have set speed records for street-legal cars, a coupe reaching 270.4 mph in 2014.

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This car's performance is simply "shocking." What is it?

The Tesla Model S P100D can show its taillights to many of the world’s great supercars, with 0-60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, according to Motor Trend. Best of all, you never have to stop for gas. Just plug in this electric vehicle to recharge its lithium-ion battery pack when you get home.

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Can you believe it? It's another American supercar that most people have never heard of. But what could it be?

The highly advanced Vector W8 finally emerged in limited production in 1989 after more than a dozen years of teases with prototypes. It used lightweight aerospace construction and a specially built, Rodeck V8 race engine based on Chevy architecture and equipped with twin turbos. Top speed was claimed at 242 mph. Less than two dozen were ever made. You may have seen the Vector in the Gran Turismo 2 video game.

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And finally, yep, it's another mid-engine American supercar with a name most don't know. What is it?

Warren Mosler, an economist by trade, also became a car designer, engineer and race driver. He specializing in lightweight construction for race cars. In the 1980s, Mosler’s mid-engine Consulier GTP drew criticism for its styling but was praised for its racetrack performance from a Chrysler-sourced turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The later MT900 used a Corvette V8. Most were built for endurance racing, including the 24 Hours of Daytona.

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