Many enthusiasts will say that some of the best cars ever made were from the 90s. The automotive landscape back then was already packed with modern technology but was used to emphasize performance over efficiency. Furthermore, that technology wasn’t just reserved for high-end sports cars, it made its way to even economy cars such as the Honda Integra Type R, which is highly considered one of the best front-wheel-drive cars of all time.
All of those engineering marvels of the 90s were products of motorsports. A lot of car manufacturers were actively participating in racing to produce exciting cars in that era, especially when motorsport governing bodies required homologation models, which led to groundbreaking performance and iconic feats that car enthusiasts will always remember. Here are the coolest cars of the considered golden era of motorsport.
8
McLaren F1 GTR
via maxf1
Nowadays, prototypes called LMP cars have dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans as they are far superior to production-based GT cars. But there was a time when these prototypes were beaten by a production sports car, and it’s no other than the McLaren F1 GTR in 1995.
Via: Caricos.com
In one of the wettest Le Mans in recent memory, four McLaren F1 GTRs were in the top five overall, producing stellar drives in the unrelenting rain to beat the much faster prototypes. It remains the last GT car to beat an LMP car for the overall win in the 24-hour endurance race.
7
Nissan Skyline GT-R R32
via pinterest
Another giant slayer came in the form of the Nissan Skyline GT-R R32. After a 16-year absence, the GT-R moniker returned in dominating fashion at the height of Group A touring car racing.
via pinterest
Its legendary RB26DETT engine and ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system proved to be the perfect one-two punch to beat its domestic rivals, as it won all of the 29 races it entered in the JTCC, and followed it up by winning the 1991 Bathurst 1000 against European Group A cars like the BMW M3 and the Ford Sierra RS500.
6
Viper GTS-R
via car magazine
One of the most successful American race cars ever made, the Dodge Viper GTS-R was born out of the joint efforts of Dodge, Chrysler, French racing team ORECA, and Reynard Motorsport, in turning the ferocious V10 monster into a Grand Prix winner.
Via: Pinterest
Its most notable victories were the back-to-back class wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a 12 Hours of Sebring win, and an American Le Mans Series GTS Class Championship. Furthermore, the Team Oreca livery has been a staple car in the famous Gran Turismo video game, further cementing its legacy.
5
Mazda 787B
via Mazda
Mazda’s 787B not only made history as the first-ever Japanese car to take an overall win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but it remains the only car that won with a Wankel rotary engine.
favcars.com
Not only did the car look great, but it also sounded great. The classic orange and green Renown livery was complemented by the unique and terrifying sound of its 930 hp four-rotor engine.
4
Volvo 850
Via Volvo Media
The Volvo 850 was a station wagon that competed in the British Touring Car Championship, one of the most intense and highly competitive touring car series in the 90s.
via funnyjunk
Even though the car only competed for a year, it is really bonkers to see a station wagon go head-to-head against its rivals. It is also voted as one of the coolest BTCC cars of all time due to its uniqueness.
3
Honda NSX GT500
via twitter
Back in the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship of the 1990s, the Honda NSX went up against the likes of the Toyota Supra and the dominant Nissan Skyline GT-R in a titanic battle for the GT500 Championship – a three-way rivalry that continues on to the Super GT Championship.
via pinterest
The first-generation NSX GT made history by racking up six consecutive victories from 1998 to 1999, which was an astonishing feat considering the series was built around competitive parity between teams and manufacturers.
2
Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Via: YouTube
In the world of rallying, no other car has achieved more wins than the Lancia Delta platform. From its Group B era beginnings to the competitive Group A class, the little hatchback from Italy won a total of 51 rallies during its participation in the WRC.
Via: Goodwood
Legendary drivers such as Juha Kankkunen and Miki Biasion drove the Delta to victory in its iconic Martini colors, and Lancia’s record of six consecutive constructors’ titles remains unbeaten to this day.
1
Toyota GT-One
Via Wallup
Last but not the least, the Toyota GT-One has to be on top of the list of the wildest homologation models of the 90s. In its form, you wouldn’t even imagine that this car could be granted a set of license plates.
via motorsportretro.com
Originally built for the GT1 class for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the red Toyota achieved second place overall in its sole participation in the prestigious endurance race in 1999.
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About The Author
Jan Millard Lacuna
(81 Articles Published)
Jan Lacuna is an engineer, car enthusiast, sim racing and real life racing driver from the Philippines and now works as a writer for HotCars.com. He writes about racing, new sports cars and the latest developments in the automotive industry.
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