The Most Successful Race Car of All Time, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the race car you think is the most successful!
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:58
Do you have a need for speed and a passion for all things automotive? Get ready to buckle up and join us in determining the most successful race car of all time at StrawPoll! With thousands of polls and rankings on various topics, we're revving up to create the ultimate showdown between iconic race cars that have left their mark on the tracks. Whether you're a fan of Formula 1, NASCAR, Le Mans, or IndyCar, we've got you covered. Cast your vote for your favorite speed machine, or suggest a missing legend to be added to the list. Together, let's fuel this exciting debate and discover which race car truly deserves the checkered flag and the title of the greatest of all time. Don't hit the brakes now – start your engines and head over to StrawPoll to join the race!
What Is the Most Successful Race Car of All Time?
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123votes
Abehn · Public domainPorsche 911
Ferdinand PorscheThe Porsche 911 has been a dominant force in endurance racing since the 1960s, winning numerous championships and races including 24 Hours of Le Mans.The Porsche 911 is a iconic sports car known for its thrilling driving experience. It has a timeless design and precision engineering that make it a joy to drive. The Porsche 911 offers a combination of speed, agility, and handling that is hard to match. With its rear-engine layout and excellent power-to-weight ratio, it delivers exceptional performance and responsiveness.- Engine: 3.0L twin-turbocharged flat-six
- Horsepower: 420-700 hp
- Torque: 406-553 lb-ft
- Top Speed: 183-205 mph
- 0-60 mph: 3.0-4.2 seconds
Porsche 911 in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most reliable two-seater car
- Position 3 of 10 in Most reliable supercar
- Position 3 of 10 in Most fun cars to drive in Australia
- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful vehicle in the world
- Position 6 of 10 in Most fun car to drive daily
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular antique car
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230votesThe Ferrari 250 GTO is widely regarded as one of the most successful and valuable race cars of all time, with numerous victories in various racing events during the 1960s.The Ferrari 250 GTO is a legendary sports car that is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and desirable Ferraris ever made. It was produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 and remains an iconic symbol of automotive excellence.
- Engine: V12
- Displacement: 3.0-liter
- Power Output: Approximately 300 horsepower
- Top Speed: Over 170 mph
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph in around 6 seconds
Ferrari 250 GTO in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most beautiful Ferrari
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327votes
Hatsukari715 · Public domainAudi R8
AudiThe Audi R8 has been a dominant force in endurance racing since its debut in the early 2000s, winning numerous races and championships including 24 Hours of Le Mans.The Audi R8 is a high-performance sports car known for its exhilarating driving experience. With its striking design, advanced technology, and powerful performance, the R8 is the epitome of driving pleasure.- Engine: 5.2L V10
- Power: up to 602 horsepower
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds
- Top Speed: up to 205 mph
- Transmission: 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch
Audi R8 in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most reliable supercar
- Position 3 of 10 in Most beautiful black car
- Position 4 of 10 in Most fun cars to drive in Australia
- Position 4 of 10 in Most comfortable sportscar
- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful modern car
- Position 8 of 10 in Most difficult car to drive
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418votes
Chelsea Jay · CC BY-SA 4.0The McLaren F1 was a dominant force in endurance racing during the 1990s, winning numerous races and championships including 24 Hours of Le Mans.The McLaren F1 is a legendary sports car that was produced between 1992 and 1998. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest supercars ever made and has achieved an iconic status in the automotive world. The F1 was a groundbreaking and innovative car that introduced several advanced technologies and design features.- Engine: 6.1-liter V12
- Power: 627 horsepower
- Top Speed: 240.1 mph (386.4 km/h)
- Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.2 seconds
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
McLaren F1 in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular McLaren
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511votes
Ford GT40
Ford Motor CompanyThe Ford GT40 was a dominant force in endurance racing during the 1960s, winning numerous races and championships including 24 Hours of Le Mans.The Ford GT40 is a legendary race car that was built to compete and dominate the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful race cars of all time.- Engine: V8, various sizes throughout different versions
- Horsepower: 335-485 (depending on the version)
- Top Speed: approximately 200 mph (320 km/h)
- Weight: around 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg)
- Transmission: 4-speed manual
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66votesThe Mercedes-Benz W196 was a dominant force in Formula One racing during the 1950s, winning numerous races and championships.The Mercedes-Benz W196 is a historic Formula 1 car that was designed and manufactured by Mercedes-Benz for the 1954 and 1955 racing seasons. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful F1 cars ever created, with its sleek and aerodynamic design.
- Engine: Inline 8-cylinder, 2.5-liter displacement
- Power Output: Around 257 horsepower
- Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox
- Weight: Approximately 660 kilograms (1455 pounds)
- Suspension: Independent suspension with coil springs
Mercedes-Benz W196 in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful F1 car ever
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74votes
Lothar Spurzem · CC BY-SA 3.0 deThe Lotus 72 was a dominant force in Formula One racing during the 1970s, winning numerous races and championships.The Lotus 72 is widely considered one of the most beautiful Formula 1 cars ever created. Designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe, it made its debut in 1970 and remained competitive until 1975. The iconic black and gold livery added to its aesthetic appeal.- Chassis: Aluminum monocoque
- Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV V8
- Power: 400-450 horsepower
- Transmission: Hewland FG400 5-speed manual
- Weight: 550 kg (1,213 lbs)
Lotus 72 in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most successful F1 car
- Position 6 of 10 in Most beautiful F1 car ever
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88votes
Porsche 956/962
PorscheThe Porsche 956/962 was a dominant force in endurance racing during the 1980s, winning numerous races and championships including 24 Hours of Le Mans.The Porsche 956/962 is a highly successful race car that dominated the world of endurance racing, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. It is widely regarded as one of the most legendary and iconic racing cars in history.- Year of Introduction: 1982
- Body Style: Sports Prototype
- Engine Type: Flat-6 Twin-Turbocharged
- Displacement: 2.65 to 3.2L
- Horsepower: up to 956 hp
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94votes
Jeroen Coebergh · CC0BMW 3 Series
BMWThe BMW 3 Series has been a dominant force in touring car racing since the 1980s, winning numerous championships and races.The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 Series and has been produced in seven different generations.- Engine options: Range of turbocharged four and six-cylinder engines with power output ranging from 180 to 503 hp.
- Transmission: Six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic.
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive or BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
- Suspension: Double-joint spring strut front axle and five-link rear axle.
- Fuel economy: Up to 36 mpg on the highway.
BMW 3 Series in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most fun car to drive daily
- Position 4 of 10 in Most reliable sport sedan
- Position 5 of 10 in Most reliable luxury car to buy when used
- Position 6 of 10 in Most reliable European cars of all time
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular car in Singapore
- Position 7 of 10 in Most reliable automatic cars in the UK
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102votes
Michal Setlak · CC BY-SA 4.0Toyota TS050 Hybrid
Toyota Gazoo RacingThe Toyota TS050 Hybrid has been a dominant force in endurance racing in recent years, winning numerous races and championships including 24 Hours of Le Mans.The Toyota TS050 Hybrid is a high-performance race car developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing. It competes in the top tier of endurance racing, specifically the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Utilizing advanced hybrid technology, the TS050 Hybrid is known for its exceptional speed, efficiency, and reliability.- Engine: 2.4L Twin-Turbo V6 + Hybrid System
- Total Power Output: 1000 horsepower
- Hybrid System: Toyota Hybrid System-Racing (THS-R)
- Energy Recovery System: High-speed Motor Generator Unit (MGU-H) + Super Capacitor
- CO2 Emissions: Lower than conventional race cars
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Ranking factors for successful race car
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Championships wonThe number of championship titles won is an important factor as it reflects the car's dominance over a particular period.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most successful race car of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or car is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2791 views
- 129 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each car once every 24 hours. The rank of each car is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most successful race car of all time
When it comes to race cars, there are a lot of factors that contribute to their success. From engine power to aerodynamics, every aspect of a car is crucial to its performance on the track. But which race car can truly claim to be the most successful of all time?
For many racing enthusiasts, the answer to that question is the Porsche 911. This iconic sports car has been a fixture on the racing circuit since its debut in 1963, and it has racked up an impressive number of wins over the years. From endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans to high-speed sprints like the Carrera Panamericana, the Porsche 911 has proven itself to be a force to be reckoned with.
But the Porsche 911 is far from the only successful race car out there. Other contenders for the title of "most successful" include the Ferrari 250 GTO, the Ford GT40, and the Audi R8 LMS. Each of these cars has its own unique strengths and achievements, and deciding which one is truly the greatest of all time is a matter of personal opinion.
No matter which race car you believe deserves the title of "most successful," there's no denying the thrill and excitement that comes from watching these powerful machines compete on the track. From the roar of the engines to the precision of the drivers, there's nothing quite like a good race.
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