They all need more love in the supercar community

Some of you may have noticed from my articles that I love an underdog. This probably sprouted from being a Welsh rugby fan and growing up in the '90s. Rooting for the underdog was ingrained into me as I watched Wales throw away every game no matter how far ahead we were. I even got to witness France thrash us 52-0 in Wembley in 1997, what a treat that was.

This love of underdogs endears me to the cars that are left out of the great supercar discussions too often. You hear all about the Ferrari F40, McLaren F1, Lamborghini Miura, Bugatti Veyron etc. and once the new breed got their feet under the table, the cars in this list were somewhat left behind in the supercar fan's mindset.

Before you get the pitchforks out, I'm not saying that these cars are completely forgotten, that would be silly. I just want to push them back into the limelight and let them have their day in the sun once more.

I hope you consider that before you go full 'Kevin Voll' and cut me deep. You hurt me Kevin, more than you'll ever know.

1) Maserati MC12

The MC12 is a bit of a rarity on the open roads. Based on the Ferrari Enzo chassis and sporting a detuned 6.0-litre V12, it deserves a lot more respect in the supercar circles. Yes, it was slower than the Enzo, but we are still talking about a 205mph car that achieves 60mph in 3.8 seconds.

Take away the blistering performance and you are left with an utterly beautiful car. I recently got up close and personal with an MC12 sitting near an Enzo and the Maserati completely stole the show.

2) Bugatti EB110

At the same show, I witnessed my very first Bugatti EB110 in the flesh. Unveiled in 1991, exactly 110 years after the birth of Ettore Bugatti, the EB110 was a bold design. It was produced in a financially troubled time at Bugatti, as they tried to buy Lotus and produce an EB112 at the same time and in 1995 the company declared bankruptcy.

Fast forward to the modern day and Bugatti is producing world beaters leaving the EB110 the forgotten relative. Michael Schumacher even had a yellow EB110 SS up until 2003. Surely that's enough of a reason to love it?

3) Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR

Credit photo to Autoevolution Credit photo to Autoevolution

Built to satisfy homologation standards, the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR really is a race car for the road. A 6.9-litre V12 was deemed sufficient with nearly all styling kept the same as the race-car. At the time of production, it was the most expensive production car in the world.

This should be near the top of any supercar beauty pageant. Just look at it.

4) Porsche 959

When the Porsche 959 was introduced, it was the world's fastest road-legal production car with a top speed of 195mph. The amount of technology the 959 had was astounding in its day, with most of the technology now commonplace and taken for granted.

For all the technological ability, the 959 had its thunder stolen by the Ferrari F40. The F40 hit the 200mph holy grail and will always be known for that. Of course, the 959 is well known today, but without the presence of the Ferrari F40, it could have had the spotlight all to itself and a more firm place in the supercar hall of fame.

5) Noble M600

Don't let the fact it has a Volvo engine put you off. That engine is a Yamaha built Volvo V8 engine. The 4.4-litre V8 sings and propels the M600 from 0-60 in just 3 seconds.

Have a listen:

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Credit to TheSUPERCARDRIVER for the clip

It may be a bit understated compared to the outlandish supercars, but it is most definitely a wolf in sheep's clothing.

6) mCLaren Mercedes SLR

The SLR in 722 guise The SLR in 722 guise

Maybe the drive wasn't up to the rival's standards and the automatic gearbox didn't do much to evoke emotion from supercar fans, but the brutal nature of the 5.4-litre engine and the glorious whine the supercharger produces is enough for me.

It has aesthetic nods to the Formula 1 nose which should take any sex-appeal away from a car, but it manages to make the SLR unique and interesting.

7) Ferrari 599 GTO

Calm down, I know it's a modern Ferrari. My argument for the 599 GTO is that it is underrated in Ferrari circles. Ferrari has produced a fair amount of new models in recent years and all of them are pretty incredible.

Since the Ferrari 599 GTO and even the earlier 599 GTB Fiorano there have been over 10 models released by my count. The 599 GTO was an incredible car but was quickly outdone by its siblings, pushing it to the background of the family tree.

Proportionately and performance-wise, the 599 GTO is the modern Ferrari I would take home. The design has certainly grown on me as I was remember being underwhelmed when it launched.

If only there were more made with the extremely rare gated gearbox.

8) Ferrari F50

I know, I know the Ferrari F50 is loved, but it just isn't enough damn it.

The successor to the F40 was all always going to get criticism, and the fact it was slower didn't help its cause. However, once you stand next to an F50 in all its glory, all that bullshit is forgotten instantly.

If we are talking 'money no object' for a car, I'd go with the Ferrari F50 without hesitation. Alongside the Alfa Romeo 8C from 1938, the Ferrari F50 is my favourite car of all time.

Don't worry, I love the Ferrari F40 too, but the F50 stole my heart the moment I laid eyes on it at the age of eight.

Here is a video of a black F50 next to an F40. Tell me you don't want it more.

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Credit to AdamC3046 for clip

Are there any supercars you think deserve more recognition that didn't appear on my list? Let me know in the comments.

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