10 Forgotten V-8 Sports Cars That Deserve A Second Look

Any gearhead worth their salt knows the joy of driving a V-8 car. The sound of the roaring engines as you press the gas pedal down, combined with the vibrations passing through the steering wheel and into your arms, makes driving an enthralling experience. The V-8 engine is named so for its eight-cylinder pistons arranged in a V-shape, powering the engine.

While the first ever production of a V-8 can be traced back to 1904, it wasn’t used by mainstream car manufacturers until Cadillac did so in 1914. The Type 51 engine from Cadillac, was the first-ever V-8 to be mass-produced for road-going cars. Before this, the V-8 engines were mostly used to power airplanes and even boats. The French company Antoinette that first produced these engines mainly used them to power airplanes at the time, and made a fortune out of it.

Cut to modern times, the top automobile manufacturers from around the world have designed countless sports cars powered by V-8 engines. We list 10 forgotten V-8 sports cars that deserve a second look with some of these cars having potential that probably might have been untapped by gearheads for whatever reason.

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1 Caparo T1

Top Speed: 205 MPH

Unveiled first at the Top Marques auto show in 2006, the design of this mean machine resembles an F1 car. British auto giant Caparo Vehicle Technologies built this car with the intention of providing enthusiasts with a taste of driving a Formula One car at a relatively affordable price. Ben Scott-Geddes and Graham Halstead, the founders of Caparo Vehicle Technologies, have contributed significantly to developing a Formula One car for McLaren.

Caparo T1 Specifications

The Caparo T1 is powered by a 3.5-liter Nissan/Menard IndyCar V-8 engine. The sequential-manual 6-speed transmission and a power output of 575 horsepower meant that this car could easily reach a top speed of 205 MPH.

2 Wiesmann GT MF5

Top Speed: 193 MPH

Introduced much to the delight of car lovers at the 2008 Geneva Motorshow, the Wiesmann GT MF5 was a two-seater of which less than 200 units were produced. The aluminum-monocoque chassis and the fiberglass body combined with the sleek design made this car pleasing to the eye. This car exudes class and luxury and the limited number of units makes this car a prized possession.

Wiesmann GT MF5 Specifications

The 2011 to 2014 versions of this car were equipped with the BMW S63B44O0 V-8 twin-turbo with a 4.4-liter capacity. With a maximum speed of 193 MPH and acceleration of 0-62 MPH in 3.9 seconds, the performance of the Wiesmann GT MF5 speaks for itself.

3 Spyker C8

Top Speed: 187 MPH

Designed by Maarten de Bruijnm, the Spyker C8 is a timeless classic manufactured by Dutch automakers Spyker Cars. This car has been in production since 2000 and exists even today. The car has a mystery to it and is among one of the most exclusive cars in the world. The Dutch automaker has manufactured under 300 C8s, making it part of the elite few.

Spyker C8 Specifications

The Spyker C8 Spyder was the first generation Spyker C8 car manufactured between 2000 and 2009. The Preliator Spyder, manufactured first in 2017 and still produced to date, belongs to the third generation of Spyker C8 cars. Right from the first generation to the third generation, all Spyker C8 cars are powered by V-8 engines.

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4 Aston Martin V550 Vantage

Top Speed: 186 MPH

Aston Martin V550 Vantage with a V-8 engine was first produced in 1993. It was released by the British automobile giant as a high-performance variant of their flagship Virage model. Produced from 1993 to 2000, the Vantage shared a similar roof, door, and mirror style with the Virage. The V-8 engine powering the Vantage featured twin superchargers and the power output stood at 550 horsepower and was a proper understated supercar slayer of the ’90s.

Aston Martin V550 Vantage Specifications

With a top speed of 186 MPH and acceleration up to 60 MPH taking 4.6 seconds, the Aston Martin Vantage V550 was one of the best-performing cars at the time.

5 Maserati Shamal

Top Speed: 168 MPH

Also known as Tipo AM339, the Maserati Shamal, powered by AM 479 3.2-liter V-8 engine became a huge hit among automobile enthusiasts soon after its launch in 1990. The Italian automaker produced a total of 369 cars between 1990 and 1996. This exemplary car packed with twin-turbocharged V-8 engines was better in every aspect than the Maserati Biturbo coupé that was equipped with V-6 engines.

Maserati Shamal Specifications

Designed in collaboration with the legendary automobile designer Marcello Gandini, the spoiler in front of the Shamal’s windshield was nothing like anyone had seen before. While the steel body ensured that the car was visually pleasing, the rear-wheel, front-engine drive layout made sure that the performance and handling of the car were always smooth.

6 Jaguar XK8

Top Speed: 155 MPH

Launched in 1996, the Jaguar XK8 was equipped with a 4.2-liter V-8 engine. The Jaguar XK8 was launched to replace the XJS that was first launched in 1975. The XK8 was available in coupé and convertible versions to attract a larger audience and to give buyers options to choose from.

Jaguar XK8 Specifications

This magnificent V-8 car boasted a five-speed automatic gearbox and had the ability to hit 60 MPH in merely 6.4 seconds. In 2002, Jaguar replaced the 4.0-liter engine of the XK8 with their AJ-34 engine. This sports car boasted nearly 300 horsepower.

RELATED: The Forgotten Compact Sports Sedan That Still Packs A V-8 Under The Hood

7 Lexus SC-430

Top Speed: 155 MPH

The SC-430 was first produced in 2001 and was the successor of the Lexus SC 400 and the Lexus SC 300. The Lexus SC 430 was intended to be a grand tourer with a hard roof convertible design, thus giving the owners both luxury and style. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive Lexus SC 430 was produced until 2010 and was powered by a V-8 engine.

Lexus SC-430 Specifications

The curvy design elements of the SC-430 add to this machine’s enigma and create an impression of class and luxury among the beholders. The Lexus SC-430 was primarily intended to be a luxury car that just so happens to be powered by a mean V-8 engine, thus making sure there is no lack of torque for those long drives.

8 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP

Top Speed: 143 MPH

This power-packed automobile from GM is equipped with an LS4 V-8 engine and also boasts displacement on demand. With an impressive output of 303 horsepower, the Displacement on Demand helps improve the mileage by leveraging the power of active fuel management. Launched in 2005, the shortened crankshaft and front-wheel-drive were its standout features.

Pontiac Grand Prix GXP Specifications

The four-speed automatic transmission and vented cross-drilled brakes ensured that the performance remained smooth and safety was guaranteed. The wheel cooling vents on the front fenders and the polished exhaust in the rear add to the impressive bodywork of this stunning car.

9 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Top Speed: 138 MPH

Produced between 1970 and 1977, the Montreal from Italian automaker Alfa Romeo was initially introduced merely as a concept car. Its name, The Montreal, was given to this car by the public because it was first introduced at Expo 67 which was held in the city of Montreal in Canada. Around 3900 units of Alfa Romeo Montreal cars were produced, making it a true collector’s car.

Alfa Romeo Montreal Specifications

The production version of Alfa Romeo Montreal was first put on display at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show. The 2.6-liter Alfa Romeo Twin Cam SPICA DOHC V-8 engine with an output of 197 horsepower gave this exciting car an edge over its competitors at the time. This stunning 2+2 coupé sports car features rear-wheel-drive. The four-headlamp partially covered with grills gave this car an enticing look.

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10 Ginetta G33

Top Speed: 137-150 MPH

The Ginetta G33 was powered by a Rover V-8 engine with a 3.9-liter capacity and launched in 1990. The stunning G33 drew inspiration from Ginetta’s G27, which was also a huge hit owing to its performance and visually appealing features.

Ginetta G33 Specifications

The Ginetta G33 can be rightly deemed as a lightweight sports car that does not compromise when it comes to high performance. The front-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive contributed to the maximum output of 202 horsepower. The Ginetta G33 was perfect for both road and track use.