GRR

Video: 1950s sportscar greats that aren’t a Ferrari

25th September 2020
Ethan Jupp

The 1950s saw the world’s recovery from war really pick up speed, both economically and indeed quite literally thanks to the proliferation of sportscars. The names we revere today forged their modern reputations in the ‘50s, rising from the ashes of war like a phoenix. Truthfully, you could dominate a debate about what the greatest sportscars of the ‘50s were with Ferraris. So that’s why this roundup doesn’t include any.

Yes, excluding Ferrari from a conversation about ‘50s sportscars is a bit like excluding Kingsmill from a conversation about bread. Leave out the big guns though and you may find a greater appreciation for the underdogs – from the home-made sourdoughs to the local bakery.

From Austin Healey, Jaguar and Lotus in good old Blighty, to Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Porsche in Germany, to Lancia in Italy. Ferrari at the time was the relative newcomer by comparison to Lancia, Mercedes-Benz had already cut its racing teeth before the war and Jags were already famed speed machines – they earned their right to be considered.

So, excluding Maranello’s finest, which ‘50s sportscar would get your pick? Are there any were didn’t consider? The debate is always open...

  • Video

  • Ferrari

  • Mercedes

  • 300 SL

Shop the Motorsport collection today

Shop Now
Goodwood image
300_sls_carrera_panamericana_retromobile_08022018_list.jpg

Historic

Making a replica out of a Mercedes 300 SL – beauty or heresy?

08th February 2018

maserati_250f_fangio_2812201601.png

Historic

Video: Watch Fangio jump from a 300 SL into a 250F for an epic test

28th December 2016

best-1950s-sportscars-that-arent-ferraris-video-goodwood-25092020.jpg

News

Video: 1950s sportscar greats that aren’t a Ferrari

25th September 2020

best-mercedes-amgs-list-amg-sl73-goodwood-13052021.jpg

News

The eight best Mercedes-AMGs

13th May 2021

bonhams-speedweek-ferrari-330-gts-1967-main-goodwood-19102020.jpg

Goodwood SpeedWeek

Ferrari 330 GTS sells for £1.2m at SpeedWeek

19th October 2020

uhlenhaut-coupe-main1.jpg

News

Mercedes confirms record 135million Uhlenaut Coupe sale

20th May 2022

mille-miglia-elevenses.jpg

Historic

Video: The spectacular cars of the 2021 Mille Miglia

11th August 2021

mercedes-sl-r107-main-goodwood-05112021.jpg

News

The R107 is the forgettable Mercedes SL | Axon’s Automotive Anorak

05th November 2021