By Robert Emslie
Here we are at week’s end, and I thought it may be fun to go out with a bang. After Edmunds came out earlier this week with the flame bait article on the 100 Ugliest Cars of All Time – which was possibly the stupidest automotive listicle ever compiled – I thought I’d try for Hooniverse to go them one better, but I’m going to need your help.
Today I want the whole enchilada, the big kahuna, the end-all and be-all of automotive questions – what nation has given us the world’s greatest car? You see, not only do I get to flame bait automotive predilections, but national pride as well! It’s a two-fer. Of course what criteria goes into determining what makes up the world’s greatest car is open to conjecture so I imagine there will be disagreement over whether its ultimate performance or national importance that drives one’s decision.
Still, what does it matter, this is for all the marbles, the most important declaration in the history of the automobile, and potentially bragging rights for the winning nation’s citizens. I’m pulling for you, Uraguay! So, without making you feel pressured, or as though you might start an international incident with your nomination, what nation do you think has given us the world’s greatest car?
Image source: GlobalDenver
William Byrd 
Jeff Glucker
<img width=500 src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RI9LihlXJHY/UL9fLC0amdI/AAAAAAAABUg/Gd3KYaiwFno/s1600/66_le_mans_3.jpg">
America (with a little help from the Brits)
I strongly second this!
<img src="http://www.kitcarlist.com/images/tornadosportscars-gt40.jpg">These guys from Worcestershire?
Canada!!!!
<img src="http://www.cbc.ca/rewind/Bricklinsunsetnew.jpg">
I see your picture of the Bricklin and assume that was a mistake. What car was it?
W-body Impala, I imagine.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Serious answer: Japan (but soon to be 'murica)
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m60r31sSYt1qb815co1_1280.jpg" width=550>
I'm with you on this one! Also:
<img src="http://www.instablogsimages.com/1/2012/09/12/1347441793.jpg">
Germany? France?
<img src="http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/bugatti-veyron-pur-sang-motorauthority-i_100210299_l.jpg" width="450">
I'd give the same answer; Germany and France. By far. But not because of the Veyron.
edit: I interpreted the question differently. Apparently it isn't about the the greatest carS in general, it's about a single model.
Veyron? Ewww.
The question is whether France actually counts towards it.
Because Bugatti was founded by an Italian, in Molsheim, Alsace, GERMANY.
Then it became France after WW1, and back to Germany during WW2 (and then back to France afterwards).
Actually, the other question is, "what is "greatest""?
<img src="http://auto_pol.republika.pl/syrena103-m.jpg"> Poland, clearly, take that stupid listicle and consider yerself one-upped! <img src="http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/wow/0alevieuxsurletract.jpg">
Obviosuly.
oczywiscie
niewątpliwie
USA
<img src="http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/hcoty-nom-720×314.jpg" width=500>
If your suggestion doesn't have the word "greatest" in the name, it probably isn't.
<img src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01946/CitDS_1946228i.jpg">
The DS and I don't care who doesn't agree!
Agree'ed…..
Aaah Citroen. . . you had me at "change a tire without a jack."
"Greatest" is such a catch-all term. The "greatest" car could be the fastest, the prettiest, the most practical, or even the most universally loved. Who knows. What I really want to be the greatest is the Vector W8 since it fueled so many teenage fantasies:
<img src="http://image.sazua.com/forumImages/1/vector_1991-W8-001_2.jpg" width="600/">
but then there's the Cizeta-Moroder V16T – a car powered by a custom V16 engine and having four – count 'em – four independent pop-up headlights:
<img src="http://www.moroder.net/cizeta/cizeta_full.jpg">
Headlights up:
<img src="http://www.autofiends.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/cizetamoroder-6.jpg" width="600/">
helllll yeah!
But really the "greatest" speaking empirically is probably some Pontiac Vibe or Corolla wagon or the model T.
I think you are on to something with the Model T.
Prior to that, the horsepower of most people's (except for extraordinarily rich people) daily rides was measured in actual horses.
The T made the automobile part of middle-class life.
The Cizeta has one of the strangest sounding engines I've ever heard. It's hard to describe, almost like two high RPM V8s being overlapped or something.
So my car is the greatest then? That also means I get to be patriotic!
<img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6116/6351877698_ff849b6a61.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="012">
Oh Canada, my car was built there.
Norway. <img src="http://www.flags.net/images/smallflags/NORW0001.GIF">
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Troll_1956.JPG" width="600">
Hahaha!!! This couldn't be more appropriate if you wanted to!
Wow, I didn't even…guess I win then? =8^)
It's obviusly Italy, and the greatest one is, without any doubt, the 1911 Fiat S76. What they do was build a land-speed record breaker powered by a 28 liter (that's 1729 cubic inches FYI) 4 cylinder engine from an airship. That thing made 300 hp at 1800 rpm and 2000 lb/ft of torque. I heard that the guy who drove it to 137 mph had balls made of titanium.
<img src="http://www.teamdan.com/archive/cars/fiat/fiat_s76_no1.jpg" width="700">
<img src="http://www.shorey.net/Auto/Italian/Fiat/1911%20fiat%20s76%204-cyl%2028,3-litre%20-%20felice%20nazzaro.jpg" width="700">
That second photo, there aren't even pipes, can you imagine the fire and sound!?
WHAT?!
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Korvensuu_automobile_finland.JPG/800px-Korvensuu_automobile_finland.JPG" width="700">
Finland, with the 1913 Korvensuu.
Sweden.
…
<img src="http://www.automobilesreview.com/img/koenigsegg-agera-r-geneva-2012/koenigsegg-agera-r-geneva-2012-01.jpg" width=600>
What?
What'd you think I was going to say?
<img src="http://all-volvo-images.info/wp-content/uploads/Volvo/V90/155673607/Volvo__V90_Purple%20metallic.JPG" width=600>
Oh, well, that's got its merits too, I suppose.
But what is the greatest car: My favorite car? The car I want most to own? The fastest/practicalist/efficientest?
Sweden.
<img src="http://www.davebarton.com/242t-110407-01low.jpg" width="600">
Japan because either:
<img src="http://staryjaponiec.motoblogi.pl/files/2012/08/nissan_datsun_fairlady_z_06.jpg" "width=600"> http://staryjaponiec.motoblogi.pl/2012/08/07/niss…
Or:
<img src="http://www.j-spec.com.au/yk127197620/1970-Nissan-Skyline_1.jpg" "width=600"> http://www.j-spec.com.au/yahoo/1970-Nissan-Skylin…
Being the personal favorite of myself makes a car the "greatest" right?
"What nation has given us the world’s greatest car?"
In recollecting a comment I made earlier this week, I say ITALY emphatically.
<img src="http://www.sportscardigest.com/wp-content/uploads/Ferrari-250-GT-Breadvan-Enzo-House.jpg" width=500>
But it never even won a race, did it?
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Willys_Jeep_1943.jpg/640px-Willys_Jeep_1943.jpg">
When the rest of the world relied on animal power for logistics, the Jeep served in every combat theater, in thousands of roles, was easily operated and repaired, durable and GI-proof, and continues to do useful work to this day. It also spawned an entire culture of offroaders, and countless imitators.
But only a Jeep is a Jeep.
These were used for logistics in WW1 (1914-1918), what was that about animal power?
<img src="http://bordabord.org/images/taxi_marne.jpg">
Aren't these lions?
Nope. Renaults, not Peugeots.
<img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4135/4827119285_4fd4924ba6_o.jpg" width="600">
Britain, because of AC A98.
Greatness could mean many things, so I'll go with "the car I can actually completely understand spending millions of dollars to own." Which means, France. France? Yes, France.
<img src="http://www.classics.com/pvcntalb.jpg">
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Autryville_Area_Fire_Department_Engine_1211_-_1979_American_LaFrance_Century_Type_1000_(retired).jpg/500px-Autryville_Area_Fire_Department_Engine_1211_-_1979_American_LaFrance_Century_Type_1000_(retired).jpg"> So when you say France, you mean USA, right?
<img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2523/3710943790_5c09b1dec1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Oh Hi There!"> No wait, you mean Canada!
What in holy hell is that Aerostar doing?!?
Devin took that photo (made sense to put it into the greatest in the world post to me), it's hanging up above my youngest son's bunk now, the story is here:
http://hooniverse.info/2013/01/08/the-real-world-f…
Dude. It's burning.
Enlightening.
Yes.
<img src="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/assets/1/timeline/1983_8.jpg" width=670>
Don't forget their sports vehicle!
<img src="http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ALF-31.png" width=500> <a href="http://hooniverse.info/2009/11/16/hell-yes-15-american-lafrance-14-5-liter-speedster-nuff-said/” target=”_blank”>http://hooniverse.info/2009/11/16/hell-yes-15-american-lafrance-14-5-liter-speedster-nuff-said/
France? Perfect reason to post the Voisin C28 Aerosport:
<img src="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1244-1.jpg" width="600">
Or the Delahaye Type 165:
<img src="http://silodrome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Delahaye-Type-165.jpeg" width="600">
Oh poop, my image link broke, here's a different one.
<img src="http://s1.aecdn.com/images/news/1938-talbot-lago-teardrop-coupe-up-for-auction-30233_1.jpg">
No matter how I slice it, it comes up Italy.
Are we talking about pizza?
I'm leaning back to Germany.
<img src="http://www.cartype.com/pics/4305/full/porsche_959_87-88.jpg" width="600">
Or do I wave the flag with a '32? (Took me 2 pages of '32s to find one without a SBC)
<img src="http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/plugins/PostviaEmail/images/1932_Ford_Flathead_Roadster_For_Sale_Front_resize.jpg" width="600">
But the Model T is pretty strong.
For me, the greatest car is the one that puts the biggest smile on your face for the simplest reason. I've never driven one, but I've put my foot in the tank of its relatives and I'm pretty sure this would be the answer. All you have to do to have a fantastic driving experience is sit down, start it up, slam the gas, piss yourself a little, get the adrenaline kick, level out and smile.
<img src=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/2009%E2%80%932010_Holden_VE_Commodore_%28MY10%29_SS_V_Special_Edition_Sportwagon_03.jpg" width=500>
[youtube 9ogQ0uge06o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogQ0uge06o youtube]
I think the video killed my picture, so here.
<img src="http://images-2.drive.com.au/2010/08/05/1748161/SS_V_01_L_m-600×400.jpg" width=500>
'Murica
<img src="http://www.gtspirit.com/wp-content/gallery/tunerworks-ford-gt-on-adv-1-wheels/tunerworks_ford_gt_01.jpg" width="600">
Because it simply isn't possible to make a better looking car than this. It just isn't. And it still holds basically all the standing mile records even though it's been out of production for years. And it sounds like Odin bellowing. And it's one of the few truly daily driveable supercars. It's simply the closest I've ever seen to perfection in an automobile.
But is it actually American? I believe Top Gear pointed out how British and Italian it was…
I'm talking about the Ford GT, not the GT40 (although I love that too). The GT is almost completely American beyond the transaxle and brakes. The design was done in America at the Living Legends Studio by Camilo Pardo, American born and raised. The suspension was designed in America, the engine was designed and built in America, and the car is assembled in America. The transaxle is by Ricardo and is built in Europe, and the brakes are by Brembo, so that's Italian. basically everything else is all American.
Brazil, duhhh..
<img src="http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/902616_10201002181606474_788580944_o.jpg" width="600">
Also I do have a little love for the Netherlands (didn´t a lot of us start expessing that love at REDACTED)
<img src="http://www.philseed.com/images/daf58b.jpg" widt="600">
This REDACTED you mention in your article, I have been there.
Or you can show the greatest car with a variomatic. Or is that the car with the greatest variomatic? Anyway, it's a DAF Formula 3 car <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJMwGj_VoZw/TLRAvAeRBMI/AAAAAAAAKj8/tf-81Zj67oo/s320/DAF_Tecno_F3_1968_r3q.jpg" width="500">
Source <a href="http://:http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14465” target=”_blank”>:http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14465
For me, great = reliable, durable, efficient. Therefore, the greatest car ever made is the Mercedes-Benz W123 Diesel.
Germany, FTW
U.S., Canada and Taiwan…
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/05-07_Chrysler_Town_and_Country_LX_1.jpg/800px-05-07_Chrysler_Town_and_Country_LX_1.jpg"width=500>
I am shocked, SHOCKED, that someone would downvote my nomination of the 3rd gen Chrysler minivan as the greatest vehicle ever. Philistine.
Italy! Does no one remember the Lamborghini Countach??
a bit late, bug just a small correction. it's Uruguay, not Uraguay. some companies have assembled cars, but not many designed here…
this is one:
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I2HnmsatxI4/TwsPlZbACHI/AAAAAAAAC1s/HHJ0FgXPHiQ/s800/Picture.jpg" width="500/">
What is greatest?
I'm going to go ahead and link to a comment of mine from a previous, similar post: http://hooniverse.info/2012/12/18/hooniverse-asks-…
Now, that's restricted to the 21st century, and the Veyron's already been covered.
So, we'll go for a few more metrics.
Greatest racing car? Holy crap there's a ton of choices, although I might actually go for the Porsche 911, given how it's dominated many series for decades – so that's Germany.
Greatest "ordinary" car (that is, new price below the median household income in the US in the year of release)? I honestly don't have the foggiest idea. The Miata's up there, mainly because of it having the intersection of fun and reliability, but I don't think I want to declare it the greatest. The Model T's up there for the US, but it wasn't actually THAT good of a car (and in the early days, it was still above median household income). Beetle (Germany), 2CV (France), and Tata Nano (India) are also up there, even though in some cases they're not good cars at all.
Between the W124 Benz, VW Beetle and Porsche 911 it HAS to be Germany(West).
@pj134 A VE Commodore is well and truly up there too.
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