Cars are marketed on the promise of many different characteristics: practicality, mobility, luxury, social status, or perhaps some sort of vague feeling that you live in another city. Since outright speed seems a bit dangerous, allusions to high performance are often couched in terms such as “Sport” or “GT”, rather than an overt reference to how fast a car goes. But the latter is what we want today: car names that overtly refer to speed.
The Caveats (there are always caveats):
- We are looking for cars named for speediness itself, not just things that are fast. Neither Comet nor Falcon belong in this category, even though those are both speedy things.
- It doesn’t matter if the vehicle itself is fast. I can think of several downright sluggish rides with speedy names.
- Manufacturers’ marques, model names and trim lines are all fair game. Slang and nicknames are not.
- The names of concept cars and prototypes are only allowable if it was an officially-bestowed name by an automotive manufacturer or recognized coachwork/styling house.
- Purpose-built race cars are specifically prohibited.
- Cars, light and heavy trucks, motorcycles are all fair game. Definitely NO airplanes.
Difficulty: Grasshopper, when you can snatch the low-hanging fruit out of my hand, then you will be ready.
How This Works: Read the comments first and don’t post duplicates! Bonus points for adding photos.
Image Source: simoncars.co.uk and pistonheads.com.
Tomorrow’s answer, Speed Triple.
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcycles/2015/2015-Triumph-Speed-Triple-ABS3.jpg
The Rover SD1 Vitesse.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse
http://blogs-images.forbes.com/hannahelliott/files/2012/02/Vitesse_LoRes.jpg
One more from the BL parts bin o’ names: the Triumph Vitesse.
Mazdaspeed3
http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-Mazdaspeed-3-badge.jpg
And the Mazdaspeed6
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Mazda_Speed_6.jpg
Right engine, wrong wheels/ride height.
http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/5/56742/1973428-p1210096.jpg
No one loves the Mazdaspeed Protege.
http://media.caranddriver.com/images/02q3/267342/mazdaspeed-protege-photo-6162-s-429×262.jpg
No sense in not mentioning the World’s Fastest Trucks, here in Speed Six form.
They’ve held onto that name for a long time. http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201410/2015-bentley-mulsanne-spe-8_800x0w.jpg
Mach 1
http://www.mustangspecs.com/carpics/71mach1.jpg
I both bow to you my good man, and hang my head in shame.
AMC had to get into it…
Javelin SST
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/1969_AMC_Javelin_SST_blue_white-NJ.jpg
REO Speed Wagon (not the band).
Seriously, does this look like it’s going 100 MPH while standing still or what?
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/15938696+re0+ar0+st0/0905dp_01_z%2Breo_speedwagon%2Bmodel_b_runabout.jpg
Chevy Sonic.
http://www.tomgill.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2014-Chevrolet-Sonic-1000-x-480.png
Technically, without a “super” or “sub” prefix, it’s just the Chevy Noise.
2. noting or pertaining to a speed equal to that of sound in air at the same height above sea level.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/sonic
How about an Encyclopedia Hoonatica about cars named for sounds or noise?
According to the story of its etymology, every car named “Spider”.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Alfa_spider_3rd_frankfurt_vorn.jpg
Out of curiosity, which story would that be? I don’t believe I’ve ever heard it, and have always understood ‘Spider’ to be a term that refers to a small, two-seat car with a (non-metal) convertible top.
Basically it comes down to the English calling their fast carriages “speeder”, and the Italians, rather than translating it, kept the English word, but spelled it phonetically as “spider”.
Speedwell car, built in Dayton, OH from 1907 to 1914.
Hyundai Veloster?
Judges say yes — you get to go onto the lightning round and play for the big showcase of cash and prizes!
Zimmer Quicksilver.
http://bobsclassics.com/sold/quick1.jpg
Buick Century – named because the original iteration could go about 100 MPH, which made it a fast car for the time.
http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/buick-century-1936-1942/
By the same logic, XK120 – so named because of its claimed top speed of 193km/h
And the XJ220 (although it fell short of that mark)
But not by much.
350 km/h 217 mph
Suzuki Swift
Swift Car Co. 10HP
Roadrunner Superbird!
Jaguar SS100 was named for its top speed.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Jaguar_SS100_in_SA.JPG/1920px-Jaguar_SS100_in_SA.JPG
The same applies to the later XK120 (don’t know if the 140 and 150 also had the top speed the name implied).
Yes
And the Jaguar XJ220 was named for a speed the production car could never actually reach.
Rapide
http://static0.bornrichimages.com/wp-content/uploads/s3/1/2012/07/20/a_kahn_design_unveils_the_aston_martin_rapide_4_door_sports_car_zdltc.jpg
And its sibling
https://images0.cardekho.com/images/carexteriorimages/large/Skoda/Skoda-Rapid/118.jpg
Always preferred the Lagonda from which Aston-Martin derived the Rapide name, personally.
The name goes back farther than that, but it is excluded under today’s rules.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Dragon_rapide_g-aeml_flying_arp.jpg
I see you snuck it in, anyways.
http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/images/g/sxQAAMXQeKNTMx00/s-l225.jpg
Ferrari 500 Superfast
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/1964_Ferrari_500_Superfast.jpg
A wonderful name. Only to be improved by a “2000 Superfast” with the S extended as a line under the word, of course.
I’m going to assume the Ford Lightning transcends the “not just things that are fast” caveat, because many things are said to be fast as lightning.
http://johnfikeinc.com/ford-lightning-svt.jpg
By that token, also the Mercury brand.
http://www.robinsonlibrary.com/philosophy/religions/classical/graphics/mercury.jpg
That’s a bit of a stretch. Probably just another fast thing in my mind, but I will leave this one up to the court of public opinion.
of, relating to, or resembling lightning, especially in regard to speed of movement:
lightning flashes; lightning speed.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lightning?s=t
For some reason I support Lightning, but not Mercury.
That’s fine. I already got some upvotes above for Quicksilver.
I as well. Mercury was fast, but we are supposed to be naming cars that have “fast” or a synonym in their name, not named after things that are fast.
Correct, I’ve never heard of anyone having Mercury-fast reflexes…
Toyota Rush
https://img03.carview.co.jp/cvmaterials/modelimages/gallery/1/86855.jpg
In the more commercial realm, the Toyota Quick Delivery
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Toyota_Quick_Delivery_100_001.JPG
A Speedster was in the lede picture, but reply here with different manufacturers offering one. I’ll start with Auburn.
Studebaker President Speedster:
Opel Speedster
Eagle Speedster
Ford Speedster
Morgan Plus 8 Speedster
Slower than the name implies
http://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2010-chevrolet-express-passenger-rwd-3500-155-ls-rear-exterior-view_100245914_l.jpg
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/01-1996-Plymouth-Neon-Expresso-Down-on-the-Junkyard-Picture-Courtesy-of-Murilee-Martin-550×366.jpg
Ditto its Renault namesake.
There’s also Subaru’s Gravel Express.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Image-Subaru_Impreza_Gravel_Express_no2.jpg
Commer Express
http://tardis.dl.ac.uk/ARCC/contributed_photos/Centenary/bsl924.jpg
Talbot Express
http://auta5p.eu/srazy/chrustenice_2006/sraz_123.jpg
The original Goes Like Hell, plus the Somemore sequel.
http://s.petrolicious.com/2014/opinion/03-mar/omni-glh-5.jpg
TVR Speed 12.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Cerbera_Speed_12.jpg
Also possibly the Tuscan Speed Six?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/2000_TVR_Tuscan_4.0_Speed_Six_by_The_Car_Spy.jpg
I don’t know if it was officially sold as such or just called that to distinguish it from the earlier Tuscan.
My understanding is that Speed Six was the nickname of the engine, and it was used in many TVR models. I don’t know if any of them were officially known as the Speed Six.
The rules today do not specify HIGH speed. This is slow as a snail.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Nissan_S-Cargo_001.JPG
That’s really no different than naming it after a fast animal, which doesn’t count.
Named for speediness.
2. a slow or lazy person; sluggard.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/snail?s=t
I can confirm this. Sunny/Pulsar running gear, automatic, big frontal area and bad Cd mean these aren’t cars for motorways.
I must get one though.
Monteverdi High Speed.http://cartype.com/pics/2798/full/monteverdi_375l_70.jpeg
Faster than a Mach I
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2678/4403113484_326ca1b27f_o.jpg
Skipped right over II. So unlike Ford.
There was a Mach II
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–E3Ssd-8B–/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/b0nrtkvewrovhzemzy2p.jpg
This looks like the result of the AMX/2 making sexy with a Fiero.
Any Lamborghini with an SV…like this Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce
http://cdn.lamborghini.com/content/models/aventador_lp750-4_superveloce/av-lp750-4_sv_ov1_1920x1080.jpg
No Veloce yet?
http://13252-presscdn-0-94.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1973_Alfa_Romeo_GTV_For_Sale_Red_1_resize.jpg
“Manufacturers’ marques, model names and trim lines are all fair game. Slang and nicknames are not.
The names of concept cars and prototypes are only allowable if it was an officially-bestowed name by an automotive manufacturer or recognized coachwork/styling house.”
Marketing campaigns?
http://www.lhmopars.com/MOPAR_Ads/70rtsad2.jpg
On the Dodge side, Scat Pack. An optional color choice was Go Mango, which was a play on words with Go, man, go.
I’m going with the Jensen Interceptor (a III shown here) is within the rules as the name Interceptor is intended to imply speed.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Jensen_Interceptor_III.jpg/1920px-Jensen_Interceptor_III.jpg
Can it catch a Ford Escape?
How about a Falcon Interceptor? Because Falcons are fast.
http://media.caranddriver.com/images/07q3/222053/third-place-mad-max-ford-falcon-interceptor-photo-222079-s-429×262.jpg
Ooh, maybe a bit of a stretch, but how about Expedition? Think about it.
http://www.ford.com/ngbs-services/resources/ford/expedition/2015/highlights/epd15_highlight_lg_kingranch.jpg
The Chevrolet Bolt also qualifies.
http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/8735885862feec3913d22938a5491a3725ab7907/c=233-0-2939-2035&r=x513&c=680×510/local/-/media/2015/01/12/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/635566526721916245-Bolt-07.JPG
Not sure about that. I would say it more signifies the conductive/energy transfer nature of a bolt of electricity, rather than its speed.
One might say that, although I can think of 5 meanings for bolt off-hand.
It’s ultimately a matter of intent in naming, and as we know, electric cars can be very speedy to 5MPH.
Or a very fast human. But I think it qualifies as a verb
to make a sudden, swift dash, run, flight, or escape; spring away suddenly:
The rabbit bolted into its burrow.
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/716888/thumbs/o-USAIN-BOLT-570.jpg?1
I think we have to count it. The verb “to bolt” is a thing.
Context is everything.
That’s a bit of a stretch http://www.ultimatelimo4you.com/images/fleet/expedition.jpg
Nah…………………..
I’ll leave it up to the judges if the Hyundai Galloper counts.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/20110813_hyundai_galloper_002.jpg
Holden Scurry?
http://www.garageofawesome.com.au/images/2011/04_rants/01_general_awesome/006_4_Most_Ridiculous_Badge_Engineered_Cars_to_Disgrace_the_Australian_Market/holden%20scurry.jpg
JCB Fastrac – a fast tractor (~60 km/h roading speed)
New Holland “Speedrower” windrower
1931 MG High Speed Service Van
https://i.wheelsage.org/pictures/mg/m-type/autowp.ru_mg_m-type_high_speed_service_van_1.jpg
Plymouth Sport Fury Fast Top
http://i.wheelsage.org/pictures/plymouth/fury/autowp.ru_plymouth_sport_fury_9.jpg
Fast Top referred to a two-door hardtop body style available on 1967-1968 Plymouth VIPs and Sport Furys. It featured a semi-fastback profile with formal triangular “C” pillars that provided privacy for rear-seat passengers (and a big blind spot for drivers trying to back up). A stylish addition, it was offered along with the conventional hardtop, creating the illusion of an expanded model lineup.
That’s a sexy plus-size car.
The Fiat ‘otto vu’-based Ghia Supersonic
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/1953_Fiat_8V_Ghia_Supersonic.JPG/1024px-1953_Fiat_8V_Ghia_Supersonic.JPG
If we are allowed military vehicles, I vote for the Chenowth ‘Fast Attack Vehicle’:
I watched the coverage of the first Gulf War and saw these guys only for a few seconds. After that, it was 10-15 years before I saw any recognition these even existed.
Secret weapon, for sure.
I wasn’t aware of them (perhaps didn’t watch enough CNN in GW1?) until the film Three Kings. They were not so secret after that.
I think that’s where I saw them too…
What ever happened to Fastback Friday?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/1950_Chevrolet_Fastback_in_West_Virginia.jpg
Sunbeam Speed 20
http://www.classic-car.tv/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Sunbeam_Speed20_MonteCarlo.jpg
Alvis Speed 20 and Speed 25
http://www.marqueart.com/marqueart/pictures/speed25tourer-redcar-frontright.jpg
Again, here’s one I thought would go so quickly. So many chances for somebody to get “Sprint” — but no!
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517u-u%2BbX0L._SX522_.jpg
http://themustangsource.com/timeline/71-73/72/SprintVertSide.jpg
http://www.tflcar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chevrolet-sprint-turbo_100383061_m.jpg
One more…
http://assets.hemmings.com/story_image/132178-500-0.jpg
I want a Canadian Sprint Mustang, that is oddly still red, white, and blue.
http://image.mustangandfords.com/f/15826862+w650+h650+cr1+st0/mump_0904_07_z%2b1972_canadian_sprint_mustang%2bfront_view.jpg
http://www.mustangandfords.com/featured-vehicles/mump-0904-1972-canadian-sprint-mustang/
Last hoorah for the Down Under Ford.
http://fordauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Ford-Falcon-XR6-and-XR8-720×340.jpeg
Dolomite Sprint
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Triumph-Dolomite-Sprint1-600×404.jpg
Elan Sprint
http://cdn6.3dtuning.com/info/Lotus%20Elan%20Sprint%201972%20Coupe/factory/6.jpg
Somewhat less than well-known…
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–wwpq05AD–/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/j7vr6e67lx0dtemw1j0n.jpg
Never heard of that travesty before, my eyeballs are not happy.
Does the Sprinter count?
http://karavaanari.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13355.0;attach=10772
If so, then the Mitsubishi Space Runner also qualifies https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Mitsubishi_Space_Runner_front_20080121.jpg
Mercury Comet and Meteor.
Nope. Those are just fast things.
I’m old and confused…
Turns out we’ve all forgot about musical speeds. Given that Allegro means playing music at a fast Tempo.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Austin_Allegro_estate_reg_1981_1275_cc.JPG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/92-94_Ford_Tempo.jpg
The irony being that the only way an Allegro ever moved quickly was with gravity’s assistance from a great height.
Allegro. Well played. (pun unintentional)
Syclone LSR
For:
A manufacturer prototype, of sorts.
Officially bestowed name.
Not a purpose built race car; it isn’t a car and speed record attempts aren’t exactly racing.
Not an airplane.
Against:
LSR stands for Land Speed Record, but “speed” is only an implied part of the name.
http://assets.bankspower.com.s3.amazonaws.com/tech_article_images/gmgas/mid_01.jpg
AMC or Edsel Pacer
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e0/AMC_Pacer_1975_French_advertisement.jpg
Holden Torana, according to Holden Torana is apparently the word for “to fly” in an unspecified aboriginal language