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Again when coupes dominated the highways, America was cranking out two-door beauties that would cease visitors simply by present. In the meantime, throughout the pond, Europeans have been busy engineering vehicles with the emotional vary of a German tax lawyer. This was the golden age of automotive trash discuss, when your coupe selection mentioned extra about you than your credit score rating.
Earlier than crossovers turned each soccer mother right into a wannabe off-roader and earlier than each automobile regarded prefer it was designed by the identical committee of caffeinated interns, coupes had persona. American persona. Certain, the Europeans made some good rides too — in case you think about “good” to be synonymous with “about as thrilling as watching paint dry on a Volvo.”
The Showdown Guidelines: How We Picked These Fights
We grabbed 12 coupes that went head-to-head throughout their manufacturing years — six red-blooded People versus six Europeans who most likely apologized for being too loud. Every pairing battled for a similar consumers, the identical driveways, and the identical Saturday evening cruise spots.
We judged these beauties on pure avenue cred: which one made you are feeling like you possibly can steal somebody’s girlfriend simply by pulling as much as a pink gentle? Which one made different drivers query their life decisions? Efficiency mattered, however provided that it got here with sufficient angle to again up the appears to be like.
Consider it as a recognition contest the place the cool youngsters at all times received — and spoiler alert: the People introduced the swagger whereas the Europeans introduced the slide guidelines.
Spherical 1 Winner: Buick Riviera
The 1963 Riviera landed like a spaceship from a faraway planet with a lot better type. Whereas different luxurious vehicles have been enjoying it secure, the Riviera simply out-styled every little thing on 4 wheels. These knife-edge traces might’ve lower glass, and the boattail rear window regarded prefer it was designed by somebody who thought subtlety was a four-letter phrase.
This was a really loud reminder to anybody who thought American luxurious meant “larger however boring”: you don’t know what you’re speaking about. The Riviera had curves in all the best locations and chrome that would blind a pilot at 30,000 toes.
4 hundred and twenty-five cubic inches of “as a result of we will” within the 1970 Gran Sport. That’s extra displacement than most European international locations’ complete automotive output.
Spherical 1 Loser: Mercedes-Benz SLC
The Mercedes SLC was like that well-dressed man on the occasion who is aware of all about wine however has by no means been in a bar struggle. It took the SL convertible, gave it a roof, stretched it like taffy, and referred to as it progress. Certain, it was refined. Certain, it was well-built. Certain, it will last more than most marriages.
However right here’s the factor: when the Riviera rolled up, the SLC regarded prefer it was about to ask for its papers. The Mercedes was the automotive equal of a strongly worded letter – technically appropriate however missing any actual chunk. It was a automobile for individuals who wore ascots unironically and thought “pleasure” was a second glass of sherry.
The Verdict: Whereas SLC homeowners have been explaining the finer factors of German engineering, Riviera homeowners have been getting cellphone numbers. Sport, set, match.
Spherical 2 Winner: Ford Mustang
The 1964½ Mustang is mainly the founding father of the horse automobile revolution. For the worth of a loaded Falcon, you possibly can get a automobile that regarded prefer it belonged on a film poster. It was automotive democracy: lastly, anybody might afford to look cool.
The Mustang was good in its simplicity: take a good platform, stretch it, decrease it, and make it appear to be it was doing 90 mph whereas parked. Then let folks possibility it nonetheless they needed, from secretary particular to tire-melting monster. It was the Swiss Military knife of cool – one thing for everybody, however at all times unmistakably American.
The Mustang bought 22,000 items on its first day. That’s extra vehicles than some European producers make in a yr, even at this time.
Spherical 2 Loser: BMW 2002
The BMW 2002 was Europe’s reply to the American pony automobile, besides it didn’t actually perceive the query. It was gentle, sharp, and desperate to nook — the sort of automobile that rewarded easy inputs and punished showboating. With its boxy physique and upright greenhouse, the 2002 regarded prefer it was designed by somebody who measured enjoyable with a slide rule.
To be truthful, it drove brilliantly. Rear-wheel drive, MacPherson struts, and a rev-happy inline-four made it a backroad scalpel. In the best fingers, it might embarrass a lot bigger machines. However in comparison with the Mustang, it lacked presence. The Mustang was on lunchboxes, in films, and on each third driveway in America. The 2002 was admired quietly by engineers and early adopters who used the phrase “dynamics” in informal dialog.
The Verdict: The Mustang was a cultural occasion. The BMW 2002 was a intelligent footnote. One bought appears to be like on the stoplight; the opposite bought nods within the service bay.
Spherical 3 Winner: Pontiac Firebird
The Firebird regarded on the Mustang’s success and mentioned, “Maintain my drink — watch this.” If the Mustang was a Swiss Military knife, the Firebird was a machete. These flared fenders weren’t only for present; they have been a warning, and the grille regarded indignant sufficient to make you file assault prices.
This was a automobile that got here with an angle drawback from the manufacturing facility. It didn’t need to mix in — it needed to be the explanation different vehicles developed an inferiority advanced. The Trans Am took issues even additional, with graphics packages that made it appear to be it belonged in a comic book ebook. It was automotive testosterone with bucket seats.
The 1977 Trans Am in the end grew to become the star of Smokey and the Bandit. Strive getting that sort of avenue cred with a European import.
Spherical 3 Loser: Alfa Romeo GTV6
The Alfa Romeo GTV6 was more durable to take care of than your unstable ex. When it labored, it was poetry in movement — that V6 appeared like angels singing Italian opera, and it might dance by corners like Baryshnikov on wheels. The issue was, it spent extra time on the store than on the street. And also you frolicked in remedy, asking why you stayed with it.
Alfa Romeo had this wonderful expertise for constructing vehicles that regarded attractive and drove magnificently, then including electrical programs designed by drunk chimps and physique panels that rusted in case you checked out them incorrect. The GTV6 was peak Alfa: 70% good, 30% breakdown ready to occur.
The Verdict: The Firebird was the star of Smokey and the Bandit whereas the GTV6 was simply smoking on the facet of the street. Italian Engineering Logic: “Why make it dependable when you may make it lovely and quick?” – Alfa Romeo, most likely
Spherical 4 Winner: AMC AMX
The AMC AMX was what occurred when the smallest child within the automotive playground determined to tackle the bullies. AMC checked out Ford, GM, and Chrysler doing their muscle automobile factor and mentioned, “We are able to do this too — simply watch us.” The end result was a compact bruiser that packed extra angle per sq. inch than something from Detroit.
This was a two-seater that didn’t apologize for being totally different. Whereas everybody else was constructing four-seat compromises, AMC went full dedication: simply you, your passenger, and sufficient V8 to make each of you query your life insurance coverage coverage. It regarded form of wimpy, however ended up beating up the larger man, proving measurement doesn’t matter in spite of everything.
AMC was so small, they needed to share platforms with Jeep. However by some means, they made it work.
Spherical 4 Loser: Fiat 124 Sport Coupe
The Fiat 124 Sport Coupe regarded prefer it simply strolled out of a Fellini movie. It had crisp traces, a rev-happy twin-cam engine, and the sort of easy type you anticipated from an Italian two-door. However like too many vogue icons, it had points beneath the floor. Rust confirmed up early, and reliability tended to ghost you simply when issues have been getting good.
In the meantime, the AMC AMX didn’t care about subtlety or styling thrives. It was a two-seater muscle coupe that punched above its weight and regarded prefer it meant enterprise. No fluff, no frills, simply V8 grunt and pure angle.
The Verdict: The Fiat 124 Sport Coupe regarded nice pulling as much as the café. The AMX regarded higher leaving it sideways.
Spherical 5 Winner: Chevrolet Beretta (1987–1996)
The Chevrolet Beretta was GM’s daring try and seize consideration within the front-wheel-drive coupe market. Its wedge-shaped profile, flush glass, and dramatic physique traces gave it a presence few rivals might match. The GT and Z26 variations have been particularly loud about their intentions, with stripes, chin spoilers, and color-coded wheels that regarded prepared for Saturday evening laps across the native hangout.
Patrons in search of one thing brash and reasonably priced discovered it right here. The Beretta served up simply sufficient V6 energy to again up its look, with stiff seats, fast steering, and styling packages that gave it critical avenue persona. It was a automobile constructed for younger drivers who needed to be seen and didn’t thoughts taking a number of possibilities to get there.
Spherical 5 Loser: Peugeot 406 Coupé (1997–2004)
The Peugeot 406 Coupé had the sort of design that drew consideration for all the best causes. Pininfarina formed it with easy proportions and clear traces that gave it quiet magnificence, and the end result was one of many extra refined-looking European coupes of its period. It was snug, balanced, and straightforward to admire, even when few drivers within the U.S. ever noticed one in particular person.
Efficiency was by no means its predominant promoting level, and that restricted its attain. It had type and composure however didn’t depart a lot behind as soon as the street journey ended. Whereas it earned reward in design circles, it by no means discovered a lot floor with consumers in search of one thing extra expressive.
The Verdict: The Chevrolet Beretta stood out extra strongly throughout its time and related with a wider viewers.
Spherical 6 Winner: Cadillac Eldorado (1979–1985)
When Cadillac downsized the Eldorado for 1979, it didn’t lose its sense of presence. The sharp physique traces, upright grille, and formal roof made it appear to be it belonged in a resort valet line with whitewalls and opera lamps glowing within the nightfall. Even with its smaller footprint, the Eldorado stored that unmistakable Cadillac angle and stayed true to the concept a coupe ought to nonetheless really feel like a flagship.
The inside doubled down on luxurious with digital local weather controls, fiber-optic warning lights, and sufficient chrome switchgear to make you are feeling such as you have been working a small equipment retailer. Drivers might select a pillow-top velour seat or non-obligatory leather-based, however both method, it was constructed for lengthy drives at low effort.
This technology grew to become a go-to for customizers, collectors, and anybody who nonetheless needed to appear to be they owned the room. It wasn’t delicate, and that was a part of the appeal. The Eldorado leaned into each little bit of Cadillac id and made certain no person mistook it for the rest.
Spherical 6 Loser: Renault Fuego (1980–1986)
The Renault Fuego regarded prefer it was attempting to foretell the longer term with its sweeping roofline, wraparound glass, and flush detailing. It had the form of one thing sporty, and the title added simply sufficient aptitude to make it sound unique. Marketed as glossy and aerodynamic, it appeared like match for People who needed one thing European with out spending an excessive amount of. In apply, it simply didn’t land the best way Renault hoped.
Regardless of its styling, the Fuego didn’t have the facility or construct high quality to dwell as much as its personal design. The inside felt primary, and reliability was at all times in query. Gross sales fizzled quick, and help by no means actually adopted. It vanished from the U.S. market as quietly because it arrived, abandoning a reputation most individuals keep in mind extra for the best way it sounded than the best way it drove.
The Verdict: The Cadillac Eldorado had the presence, persona, and endurance the Fuego by no means managed to seek out.
The Ultimate Tally: Why People Received the Cool Conflict
Look, the Europeans constructed some genuinely wonderful vehicles. They have been extra dependable, higher dealing with, extra refined, and possibly higher investments. Nevertheless, right here’s the factor automobile guys perceive that spreadsheet warriors don’t: generally the center desires what the center desires, and the center needed exhilaration.
American coupes remodeled you. Slide behind the wheel of a Riviera, and also you have been all of a sudden the sort of one that wore gold chains and had robust opinions about martinis. Fireplace up a Firebird, and also you have been able to outrun the regulation in three states. These vehicles had persona, angle, and sufficient presence to alter the climate once they rolled up.
The Europeans constructed vehicles for individuals who appreciated engineering. People constructed vehicles for individuals who appreciated life. And within the nice coupe wars of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, swagger beat specs each single time.
These American coupes did greater than outline an period: they have been the period. They have been rolling statements that mentioned, “We’re right here, we’re loud, and we don’t care in case you approve.” In a world that’s more and more beige, boring, and focus-grouped to dying, that sort of automotive honesty looks like a misplaced artwork.
The Europeans can preserve their precision. We’ll take the eagerness.
