1988 Pontiac Fiero

Sports cars promise speed, excitement, and a rush like no other. Yet, with great power comes great responsibility—and sometimes, significant risk.

These are the most dangerous sports cars ever to grace the roads. From infamous accidents to design quirks that challenge even the most skilled drivers, these cars have put their drivers to the test.

Chevrolet Corvette

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The Chevrolet Corvette holds a dubious title as the most dangerous car to own in the United States, based on fatality statistics from 2013 to 2017. Despite Chevrolet’s efforts to make the Corvette as safe as possible, it seems that much of the danger stems from how the car is driven.

The Corvette’s high performance can tempt drivers into pushing it too hard, leading to mishaps. Particularly with the C7 model, its advanced capabilities may have given drivers a false sense of security, encouraging riskier behavior on the roads.

TVR Tuscan Speed Six

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The TVR Tuscan Speed Six is another testament to TVR’s commitment to building radical sports cars. While not as extreme as the Speed 12, the Tuscan Speed Six had its share of adrenaline-pumping moments, made all the more intense by the absence of airbags.

Equipped with a potent Speed Six inline-six engine that belts out up to 380 horsepower, it wasn’t just about performance; its sleek, bold design turned heads too. TVR added some quirky touches, like rear indicators positioned at the top of the rear window and brake lights above the exhaust.

Shelby Cobra Super Snake

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The Shelby Cobra Super Snake was a beast with a level of power that bordered on terrifying. In the 1960s, hitting 800 horsepower with the aid of dual superchargers was unheard of, catapulting it into supercar territory.

Carroll Shelby produced just two of these machines—one he kept, and the other sold to his friend, comedian Bill Cosby. However, Cosby quickly returned it, overwhelmed by its ferocity. The saga of the Super Snake continued until tragedy struck when its new owner crashed it due to a stuck throttle, sending it off a cliff. Today, only one Super Snake remains.

Noble M600

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Noble might not be the first name you think of in high-performance cars, but the M600 begs to differ. Under its hood lies a reworked Volvo XC90 engine, a 4.4-liter V8 that’s been tuned to unleash a staggering 650 horsepower. This power pushes the M600 to a top speed of 225 mph.

Noble’s focus on keeping the ride lightweight results in a car that tips the scales at just 2,760 lbs. This lightness contributes to its agility but also means it can be a handful, especially if you’re heavy on the throttle.

TVR Speed 12

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The TVR Speed 12, also known as Project 7/12, was designed to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the McLaren F1 GTR in the racing world. However, a shift in FIA GT1 rules redirected its development towards the GT2 class and the consumer market. But its intense power—packing a 7.7-liter V12 engine with 840 horsepower—proved too much for public roads.

After a test drive, TVR’s then-boss Peter Wheeler decided it was too potent for production, leading to the cancellation of the project and the destruction of existing prototypes. Despite this, one Cerbera Speed 12 slipped through, becoming a legend for its ferocity and rarity.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR

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The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR is notorious for its role in the catastrophic 1955 Le Mans disaster, the deadliest incident in motorsport history. During the race, French driver Pierre Levegh collided with another car and his 300 SLR launched into the crowd, killing Levegh and 83 spectators, and sending debris flying into the onlookers.

The car’s magnesium body contributed to the ensuing inferno. This horrific event led Mercedes to pull out of top-level racing for decades, a significant retreat following such a tragedy.

First-Generation Dodge Viper

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The first-generation Dodge Viper redefined American muscle with its debut in the early 1990s, thanks to its raw power and a monstrous V10 engine. However, its initial lack of modern safety features like ABS and airbags earned it the nickname “widowmaker.” Driving it was an adrenaline-packed experience, not for the faint-hearted.

Recognizing the risks, Dodge eventually equipped later models with essential safety features and driver aids, ensuring the Viper remained an exciting but safer drive.

Porsche 550 Spyder

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The Porsche 550 Spyder is infamously linked with the tragic fate of James Dean, who died in 1955 driving one en route to a race. Another actor, Tom Pittman, also met his end in a 550 Spyder, crashing over a cliff three years later. Aside from its dark history, the 550 Spyder was a beast on the track.

Under its hood, a 1.5-liter Fuhrmann four-cam engine cranked out 110 horsepower. It claimed victory in its very first race at the 1953 Nürburgring Eifel Race and racked up 95 overall victories and 75 class wins, proving its mettle time and again.

Honda RA302

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The Honda RA302, a late-60s Formula 1 venture by Honda Racing, is remembered for its tragic debut at the 1968 French Grand Prix. Built with a magnesium body, it was a ticking time bomb on the track.

Despite warnings from John Surtees, a former F1 champion, that the car wasn’t race-ready and dangerously unstable, it was pushed to compete. Driven by Jo Schlesser, the car crashed and burst into flames on its third lap, resulting in Schlesser’s death.

Toyota MR2 Spyder

Toyota mr2 spyder
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The Toyota MR2 Spyder, known globally as the third-generation MR2, made a splash with its affordable pricing and nimble handling. This mid-engined sports car became a hit by bringing the thrill of sharper, more responsive driving within reach of the everyday enthusiast.

For seasoned drivers, pushing the MR2 Spyder to its limits was exhilarating, but it was a different story for novices. The car was notorious for its snap oversteer, which could send the back end swinging out in corners unexpectedly, turning a straightforward drive into a spinout scenario in seconds.

TVR Chimaera

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The TVR Chimaera carried on TVR’s tradition of producing wild yet often unreliable sports cars. Pitched as a softer, larger version of its predecessors, the Chimaera packed a punch with Rover V8 engines that ranged from 4.0 to 5.0 liters, offering up to 340 horsepower.

While the softer suspension made for a smoother ride, it didn’t compromise on agility, especially in the corners. Yet, this comfort could be deceptive, tempting drivers to push the limits until the car’s handling snapped, making high speeds risky business.

Pontiac Fiero

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The Pontiac Fiero had a sharp wedge design that drew comparisons to heavyweights like the Lamborghini Countach and Lotus Esprit, but it fell short in the performance and safety departments. Strapped for cash, Pontiac cut corners during the Fiero’s development, opting to throw in parts from older models.

This decision backfired badly. The Fiero became infamous for its tendency to catch fire due to faulty connecting rods, with the 1984 models hitting a startling rate of 20 fires per month by 1987—a clear red flag for any driver.

RUF CTR Yellowbird

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The RUF CTR Yellowbird is a legend in the sports car world, a beefed-up Porsche 911 that became a hallmark of 80s high performance. RUF didn’t hold back; they slammed a bigger engine and two turbochargers into the Porsche 911 Carrera, cranking its power up to 213 horsepower.

But the boost came with a catch—massive turbo lag that made the Yellowbird a handful to control. This beast was notorious for catching drivers off-guard with sudden bursts of power, especially risky in tight corners.

Author: Bobby Clark

Title: Journalist

Expertise: Cars, Automotive Culture

Growing up around dirt track racing and watching NASCAR from an early age, I developed a lifelong passion for all things automotive. By age 10, I was racing go-karts, and my first car—a 1967 Camaro—became my first project, where I learned the ropes of bodywork and restoration. That hands-on experience ignited my love for muscle cars, leading me to own several over the years. I also ran a custom chroming service, delivering world-class finishes for clients worldwide.

Today, I channel my passion into writing about cars and creating videos for my YouTube channel, exploring everything from automobiles to airplanes, construction equipment, and more. If it moves and has an engine, I’m all in!

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