Encyclopedia Hoonatica: Cars named for speed

EH-speed-emblems
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.

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127 responses to “Encyclopedia Hoonatica: Cars named for speed”

  1. karonetwentyc Avatar
    karonetwentyc

    The Rover SD1 Vitesse.

  2. karonetwentyc Avatar
    karonetwentyc

    One more from the BL parts bin o’ names: the Triumph Vitesse.

  3. karonetwentyc Avatar
    karonetwentyc

    No sense in not mentioning the World’s Fastest Trucks, here in Speed Six form.

    1. marmer Avatar
    1. Tiberiuswise Avatar

      I both bow to you my good man, and hang my head in shame.

  4. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    REO Speed Wagon (not the band).

    1. Tiberiuswise Avatar

      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

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      Technically, without a “super” or “sub” prefix, it’s just the Chevy Noise.

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        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

      2. salguod Avatar

        How about an Encyclopedia Hoonatica about cars named for sounds or noise?

  5. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    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

    1. karonetwentyc Avatar
      karonetwentyc

      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.

      1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
        smalleyxb122

        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”.

  6. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Speedwell car, built in Dayton, OH from 1907 to 1914.

  7. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    Hyundai Veloster?

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      Judges say yes — you get to go onto the lightning round and play for the big showcase of cash and prizes!

  8. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Zimmer Quicksilver.
    http://bobsclassics.com/sold/quick1.jpg

  9. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    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/

    1. The Real Number_Six Avatar
      The Real Number_Six

      By the same logic, XK120 – so named because of its claimed top speed of 193km/h

      1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
        smalleyxb122

        And the XJ220 (although it fell short of that mark)

        1. Rover 1 Avatar
          Rover 1

          But not by much.
          350 km/h 217 mph

  10. The Real Number_Six Avatar
    The Real Number_Six

    Suzuki Swift
    Swift Car Co. 10HP

  11. desmo Avatar
    desmo

    Roadrunner Superbird!

    1. fede Avatar
      fede

      The same applies to the later XK120 (don’t know if the 140 and 150 also had the top speed the name implied).

      1. P161911 Avatar
        P161911

        Yes

      2. Andrew Pierce Avatar
        Andrew Pierce

        And the Jaguar XJ220 was named for a speed the production car could never actually reach.

    1. karonetwentyc Avatar
      karonetwentyc

      Always preferred the Lagonda from which Aston-Martin derived the Rapide name, personally.

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        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

        1. Tanshanomi Avatar

          I see you snuck it in, anyways.

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      A wonderful name. Only to be improved by a “2000 Superfast” with the S extended as a line under the word, of course.

  12. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    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

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      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.

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        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

        1. Tiberiuswise Avatar

          For some reason I support Lightning, but not Mercury.

          1. 0A5599 Avatar
            0A5599

            That’s fine. I already got some upvotes above for Quicksilver.

          2. engineerd Avatar
            engineerd

            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.

          3. Vairship Avatar
            Vairship

            Correct, I’ve never heard of anyone having Mercury-fast reflexes…

  13. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    A Speedster was in the lede picture, but reply here with different manufacturers offering one. I’ll start with Auburn.

    1. Windbüchse Avatar
      Windbüchse

      Studebaker President Speedster:

    2. Windbüchse Avatar
      Windbüchse

      Opel Speedster

    3. Windbüchse Avatar
      Windbüchse

      Eagle Speedster

    4. Windbüchse Avatar
      Windbüchse

      Ford Speedster

    5. Windbüchse Avatar
      Windbüchse

      Morgan Plus 8 Speedster

    1. karonetwentyc Avatar
      karonetwentyc

      Ditto its Renault namesake.

  14. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    The original Goes Like Hell, plus the Somemore sequel.
    http://s.petrolicious.com/2014/opinion/03-mar/omni-glh-5.jpg

    1. AlexG55 Avatar
      AlexG55

      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.

      1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
        smalleyxb122

        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.

  15. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    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

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      That’s really no different than naming it after a fast animal, which doesn’t count.

      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        Named for speediness.
        2. a slow or lazy person; sluggard.
        http://www.dictionary.com/browse/snail?s=t

    2. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      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.

    1. Tiberiuswise Avatar

      Skipped right over II. So unlike Ford.

        1. Tanshanomi Avatar

          This looks like the result of the AMX/2 making sexy with a Fiero.

  16. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    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

  17. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    “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

    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      On the Dodge side, Scat Pack. An optional color choice was Go Mango, which was a play on words with Go, man, go.

  18. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    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

    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      Can it catch a Ford Escape?

  19. roguetoaster Avatar
    roguetoaster

    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

      1. Tanshanomi Avatar

        Not sure about that. I would say it more signifies the conductive/energy transfer nature of a bolt of electricity, rather than its speed.

        1. roguetoaster Avatar
          roguetoaster

          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.

        2. 0A5599 Avatar
          0A5599

          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

          1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
            smalleyxb122

            I think we have to count it. The verb “to bolt” is a thing.

          2. Tanshanomi Avatar

            Context is everything.

      1. roguetoaster Avatar
        roguetoaster

        Nah…………………..

  20. Citric Avatar
    Citric

    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

  21. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    JCB Fastrac – a fast tractor (~60 km/h roading speed)

  22. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    New Holland “Speedrower” windrower

  23. jim Avatar
    jim

    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.

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      That’s a sexy plus-size car.

  24. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    If we are allowed military vehicles, I vote for the Chenowth ‘Fast Attack Vehicle’:

    1. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      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.

      1. Monkey10is Avatar
        Monkey10is

        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.

        1. JayP Avatar
          JayP

          I think that’s where I saw them too…

    1. roguetoaster Avatar
      roguetoaster

      Never heard of that travesty before, my eyeballs are not happy.

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      If so, then the Mitsubishi Space Runner also qualifies https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Mitsubishi_Space_Runner_front_20080121.jpg

  25. Manxman Avatar

    Mercury Comet and Meteor.

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      Nope. Those are just fast things.

      1. Manxman Avatar

        I’m old and confused…

  26. Citric Avatar
    Citric

    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

    1. karonetwentyc Avatar
      karonetwentyc

      The irony being that the only way an Allegro ever moved quickly was with gravity’s assistance from a great height.

    2. smalleyxb122 Avatar
      smalleyxb122

      Allegro. Well played. (pun unintentional)

  27. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    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

  28. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    Holden Torana, according to Holden Torana is apparently the word for “to fly” in an unspecified aboriginal language