When you think of high-performance sports car manufacturers, the first countries that come to mind are likely Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States. The iconic marques from these countries have produced some of the most legendary machines to ever hit the road. But throughout history, some fascinating and unique cars were created by smaller brands from places not usually associated with automaking.

PEGASO Z-102 / SPAIN

In 1953, the "Spanish Flyer" Pegaso Z-102 BS/2.8 set a world record speed of 151.042 MPH equipped with a 2.8L quad-cam V8 producing 170 HP. By the end of its production run, an optional supercharged 3.2L 32-valve DOHC V8 was offered, said to generate around 360 HP. Only 84 Z-102s were made from 1951 to 1958, making it one of the rarest and most desirable cars from its era, currently selling for around $700k to almost $1M depending on the model.

MONTEVERDI HIGH SPEED 375 S / SWITZERLAND

Designed by Pietro Frua in collaboration with Peter Monteverdi, the Monteverdi High Speed 375 S was introduced as Switzerland's premier sports car, powered by a 7.2L Chrysler V8 rated at 375 HP. The High Speed 375 S could accelerate from 0-60 in 6.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 152 MPH, which was quite the feat when the car was released in 1967. Only 12 examples of the High Speed 375 S were produced due to production issues and its $13k price, considering a Ferrari Daytona was only around $8,400 at the time. 

BRICKLIN SV-1 / CANADA

Said to be the Corvette's Canadian rival, the Bricklin SV-1 was a front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe marketed as a "safety vehicle" with a steel chassis, a tubular steel cage, an integral roll bar, and impact bumpers. It was equipped with hydraulically controlled gull-wing doors, color-infused acrylic resin bodywork, and a 360ci AMC V8 producing 220 HP and 315 Ib.-ft of torque. Due to quality control issues, only around 3000 units of the SV-1 were produced, with the majority of them ordered with a 3-speed automatic transmission, though a 4-speed manual gearbox was offered.

ARGYLL GT / SCOTLAND

Named after defunct Scottish car manufacturer Argyll, the GT was a fiberglass-bodied mid-engined sports car equipped with a turbocharged Rover V8 and 5-speed ZF transmission, able to achieve a claimed top speed of 160 MPH when it was announced in 1976. The production model would eventually go on sale in 1983, and was equipped with a turbocharged 6-cylinder instead of the original V8. The $31k cost steered most interested buyers to the cheaper Ferrari 308 or Lotus Esprit, and there are no confirmed numbers of how many are said to have been built.

LARAKI FULGERA / MOROCCO

The Moroccan firm Laraki's first foray into sports cars from designing yachts, the original Fulgera was based on the chassis of a Lamborghini Diablo, built with a carbon fiber body and equipped with a quad-turbocharged 6.0L Mercedes-Benz V12. Initial power figures were reported at 920 HP with a 6-speed manual transmission but were later downgraded to 720 HP mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox. The manufacturer claimed acceleration from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 217 MPH, although these figures have never been substantiated.

MASTRETTA MXT / MEXICO

Produced from 2011 to 2014, the Mastretta MXT is the first sports car to be entirely designed and built in Mexico, featuring a lightweight aluminum chassis and a 2.0L turbocharged Ford Duratec engine producing 250 HP and 250 Ib.-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed transmission. Slotted to compete against other track weapons like the Lotus Elise, the MXT was only sold for three years before financial troubles halted production for good.

ARRINERA HUSSARYA / POLAND

Touted as the first supercar out of Poland, the Arrinera Hussarya was named after the country's 16th-century cavalry unit, the Hussars. Announced with a limited-production run of just 33 cars, the Hussarya is powered by a naturally aspirated 500 HP 6.2L LS7 V8 putting power to the ground through a 6-speed manual transmission. It was the first Polish car to enter the Goodwood Festival of Speed's Michelin Supercar Run, and competed in a few motorsport events before the company announced operations would cease in 2021.

TUSHEK RENOVATIO T500 / SLOVENIA

This Slovenian supercar features a carbon fiber body, scissor doors, a removable hardtop, and a 4.2L direct-injection V8 borrowed from the Audi R8 making 450 HP and 315 Ib.-ft of torque. The rear wheels are driven by a 6-speed manual transmission from the Audi S5 allowing acceleration from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 193 MPH. The Renovatio is priced around $370k, depending on the options, and four are already said to have been sold.

AUTHOR: DOEORDIE 

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