5 American Sports Cars That Aren't Corvettes

The Chevrolet Corvette tends to dominate any conversation about American sports cars. It's the obvious choice, the benchmark, and for many enthusiasts, the default answer.

But what if you want something a little different?

By Michael Accardi

The Corvette deserves its reputation, sure, but it isn't the only American sports car worth owning.

Here are 5 American Sports Cars that will easily stand out from the crowd.

5 american sports cars that aren t corvettes

5. 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice GXP / Saturn Sky Red Line

General Motors surprised enthusiasts when it launched not one but two affordable rear-wheel-drive roadsters in the mid-2000s.

The Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Red Line shared a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission sent power to the rear wheels, creating one of the most entertaining driver's cars GM produced during the era.

5 american sports cars that aren t corvettes, 5 2006 2010 Pontiac Solstice GXP Saturn Sky Red Line

4. 1955–1957 Ford Thunderbird

Ford launched the original Thunderbird in 1955 as a direct response to the Corvette. Unlike Chevrolet's early sports car, the T-Bird arrived with V8 power from day one, giving buyers stronger performance and more refinement.

While it leaned slightly more toward grand touring than outright performance, the original Thunderbird remains one of the most important American sports cars ever built.

5 american sports cars that aren t corvettes, 4 1955 1957 Ford Thunderbird

3. 2000-2007 Panoz Esperante

The Esperante represented Panoz's attempt to broaden its appeal.

Part sports car, part grand tourer, the Esperante remains one of the most unusual American performance cars of the early 2000s.

Base models used naturally aspirated V8 power, while higher-performance versions featured supercharged engines producing up to 420 horsepower.

5 american sports cars that aren t corvettes, 3 2000 2007 Panoz Esperante

2. 2006-2009 Cadillac XLR-V

The Cadillac XLR-V might be one of General Motors' most underrated performance cars.

Built on the same platform as the C6 Corvette, the XLR paired sports-car underpinnings with luxury-car refinement. The V version added a supercharged 4.4-liter Northstar V8 producing 443 horsepower.

Magnetic Ride Control helped deliver impressive handling, while the retractable hardtop made the XLR-V one of the most versatile vehicles on this list.

5 american sports cars that aren t corvettes, 2 2006 2009 Cadillac XLR V

1. 1996-2002 Dodge Viper

The second-generation Viper refined the original formula without sacrificing its brutal personality. Buyers could choose between the open-top RT/10 and the iconic GTS coupe, complete with its signature double-bubble roof.

Power came from an 8.0-liter V10 producing 450 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. For enthusiasts who want the most visceral American sports car experience possible, few vehicles come close.

5 american sports cars that aren t corvettes, 1 1996 2002 Dodge Viper

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