Page 6 - Twice-Told April 2018

Page 6 Twice-Told Tale

Top Five Greatest Cars of All Time

By Shan Mirpuri

T e are hundreds of car manufacturers in the world. They are all trying to make the same thing: a quality car. Out of all the companies, there are only 50 that produce
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successful products according to Carbuzz. These 50 don't just come from one place, but from all over the world. Take a look at the best cars from Japan, Italy, Germany, The
United States, and Britain. All flags courtesy of flags.net. All car photos by Shan Mirpuri.
(Right) The Nissan GTR Skyline, also known on the streets
as “Godzilla,” is the most famous type of car to come out
of Asia. In fact, GTRs were Paul Walker’s favorite weap-
on. Featured often in Fast and Furious movies, the car is
the face of the franchise. The most well known variant is
the Nissan GTR R34 Skyline V-spec (featured to the
right). The R34 comes equipped with the infamous
RB26DETT producing 276 hp. It was actually producing
330 hp, but Nissan faked the 276 hp figure so the car
could pass government regulations. The R34 was made
from 1999-2003. During that time period, five models
were made: the GTR, GTR V-spec, V-spec II, V-spec Nür,
and the Z-tune. The Z-tune and Nür Edition are among
the most desirable, fetching over 150,000-200,000 USD.

(Right) In 1966, a legend was born. The Lamborghini
Miura is considered to be the first ever “supercar.” With
a center mounted V12 engine, this car defined what the
future would be. Back when it first came out, the Miura
was the fastest production car in the world according to
Lamborghini. With a top speed of 174 mph and 0 to 60 in
6.1 seconds, the Lamborghini Miura set the standards
high. Without the Miura, the supercar industry would be
much different than it is today. With the introduction of
the Miura, the transverse rear mid-engine was also
brought to life. With this new set up, Lamborghini ush-
ered in a new era of car. After the Miura P400, the
P400S, P400SV, P400 Jota, P400 SVJ, P400 Roadster,
and P400 SVJ Spider followed, all of which were improve-
ments on this already legendary car. All facts courtesy of
Lamborghini Automobili.

(Right) The Porsche 911 is known to be the best driver’s
car ever made. With the perfect combination of handling,
performance, and timeless looks, the 911 is truly in a class
of its own. This specific Porsche, the 2007 (997) 911 GT3
is one of the most powerful naturally aspirated Porsches
of all time. Packing a 415-hp 3.6 liter-flat-six, this car is
no slouch, going from 0-60 in a respectable 4.1 seconds.
This car is a street version of the Porsche’s GT3 Cup and
RSR. This car includes a new PASM (Porsche Active Sus-
pension Management), new crankshaft, reworked gear
ratios, and a new three stage variable intake manifold. The
previous generation 996 GT3 has a two stage unit. With
this improvement, there is an increase of variable intake
valve timing. As a result, this car put up an impressive
7:47 around the Nurburgring Nordscheife, a 10-second
improvement over the old GT3, according to Car & Driver.
(Right) A man by the name of Carroll Shelby always had a
dream of making his own American sports car. After he
retired from racing due to health issues, he received
word that AC cars was stopping production of their AC
Ace. He then contacted AC cars and got a chassis and
body shipped to the U.S. With help from Ford and a few
mechanics, his dream came true. The Shelby Cobra was
introduced in 1962 with Ford’s 260 V8 engine. Knowing
Carroll Shelby, he did not stop there. He knew that his
baby had more potential, so he did the most American
thing ever and swapped in a 7L big block V8 engine pro-
ducing 450 hp to the wheels and 442 ft-lbs of torque. We
know this creation as the 427 Cobra. All facts courtesy of
Hemmings.com.

(Right) In 1988 Formula 1 season, McLaren had its most
dominating year. With Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at the
wheel of the McLaren MP4/4 race car, the team won 15
out 16 races, winning the drivers and constructers champi-
onship that year. Following the record breaking Formula 1
season, McLaren wanted to build a car that dominates the
road, just as much as the track. Four years later in 1992
their answer came, the McLaren F1. Even though the F1
came out some 25 years ago, it is still the world’s fastest
naturally aspirated car. Equipped with a 627 hp V12, this
car rockets itself from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds reaching a top
speed of 240 mph. With only 106 made, the McLaren F1 is
one of the most exclusive cars in the world. Featured to
the right, the McLaren F1 LM was made to commemorate
McLaren’s success at Le Mans. Only five were ever made,
making it the most sought after variant of the McLaren F1.