Circuit inspiration
The glamour of motorsport and a race track’s name has never escaped the boundless imaginations of car manufacturers’ marketing types.
Let’s face it, why inflict the deadly dull moniker of ‘2.0 GL’ on a new car, when it can gain a far more exotic persona as a ‘Monza 2000’ (a fictitious name, but you get the idea…).
The following 24 cars, listed in chronological order, have all acquired the names of race tracks from around the world and, yes, some are more deserving than others.
The one exception is a certain Ferrari that is so well known by its unofficial circuit name that it would have been rude not to have featured it.
We’ve also included one extra car whose atmospheric name is synonymous with record-breaking, yet is not named after a race circuit. And given the limitations of its chassis, that’s somehow apt.
1. 1933 Singer Le Mans
Produced from 1933-’37, the Singer Le Mans was a more highly tuned version of the Singer Nine.
Compared with the standard Nine, the Le Mans car’s 972cc, four-cylinder engine received a more sporting camshaft and superior lubrication to liberate a maximum 34bhp, delivered to the rear wheels via a close-ratio gearbox.
While the Singer Le Mans never excelled at the circuit after which it was named, it was highly competitive at hillclimb and trials events.
2. 1949 Healey Silverstone
In the immediate post-war years, club racing had become immensely popular in Britain, and Northamptonshire’s Silverstone circuit was a go-to for many would-be racers.
And Donald Healey believed that he had just the solution for such buyers who wanted to compete at the weekend, but commute in the same car during the week.
The Healey Silverstone he launched in 1949 was an open two-seater with an aluminium body over a tubular steel frame, underpinned by a steel ladder-frame chassis, powered by a twin-cam, 2.4-litre Riley ‘four’, with the option of a supercharger.
3. 1949 Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica
Named in honour of driver Norman Culpin’s success at Le Mans, the Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica notched up nearly 50 wins and 40 second-place finishes in a racing career spanning nine years.
Much like the Healey Silverstone, the Frazer Nash had a lightweight, aluminium body with a tubular steel spaceframe mounted on a ladder-frame chassis.
Weighing around 700kg (1543lb), the Le Mans not only handled well, but powered by its BMW-derived, 2-litre, Bristol straight-six engine, performance was brisk, too, with outputs of c110-140bhp depending on specification.
4. 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT
Ralph Nader’s scathing Unsafe at Any Speed report led to General Motors exploring alternative designs and drivetrain configurations for its rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair.
One such concept, which never entered production, was the Corvair Monza GT. Its design was overseen by Bill Mitchell and had the car’s 2.4-litre ‘Turbo-Air6’ engine mounted amidships, ahead of a four-speed manual transaxle.
While this experimental car had no connection to the Italian circuit for which it was named, its design – with cabin access via a front-hinged lifting canopy – was to inspire GM’s 1965 Mako Shark II concept, which in turn influenced the Corvette C3 production model.
5. 1963 De Tomaso Vallelunga
Alejandro de Tomaso originally presented the Vallelunga 1500 – his first car, named after the Autodromo di Vallelunga race circuit, not far north of Rome in Italy – at the Turin motor show in 1963.
The car’s barchetta body was soon replaced by an enclosed coupé shape, 15 of which were produced by Carrozzeria Fissore and presented again at Turin the following year.
The Vallelunga was powered by a humble, 1.5-litre, Ford Kent engine, mounted amidships in the car. Fitted with twin Weber carburettors it produced 104bhp and delivered drive to a rear transaxle.
In 1965, production was moved to Ghia, where 50 De Tomaso Vallelungas were produced with glassfibre bodies.
6. 1964 Ferrari 250LM
Derived from the earlier 250 P, the 250LM (for Le Mans) was a mid-engined coupé created to meet homologation requirements for the Group 3 GT racing class.
However, after Ferrari was refused homologation, the 250LM was forced into the Prototype class.
This didn’t stop it winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965, driven by Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory – the last time a Ferrari took victory at that event until 2023.
All but one of the 32 Ferrari 250LMs built from 1963-’65 were powered by the 3.3-litre Colombo V12 engine.
7. 1964 Pontiac Le Mans
Previously just a trim line in the Tempest range, Pontiac’s second-generation Le Mans gained some real firepower.
Launched in 1964, the Tempest/Le Mans models were now based on GM’s A-body, body-on-frame platform, and for the Le Mans only, a pillarless hardtop coupé version was available.
However, if you ticked the ‘GTO’ box when you optioned your Le Mans, it was powered by a 389cu in (6.4-litre) V8 with a single four-barrel carburettor, producing 325bhp – or up to 349bhp with the triple-carb Tri-Power option.
8. 1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe
Manufactured by Shelby American, the 4.7-litre, V8-powered Daytona Coupe was based on the AC Cobra and purpose built to take on Ferrari’s 250GTO in competition.
Between 1964-’65, the Daytona entered numerous endurance events in Europe and North America, finishing second to Ferrari in 1964 in the GT3 class, but winning the class outright in 1965.
Fortunately, among its long list of victories, was a class win at Daytona in 1965.
9. 1968 Ferrari 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’
Officially, the Ferrari 365GTB/4, this model is better known simply as the Ferrari Daytona, a name coined by the media after Ferrari took a 1-2-3 victory in the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona just prior to the 365GTB/4’s launch.
In production from 1968, the Ferrari 365GTB/4 replaced the 275GTB/4, and used much of its predecessor’s chassis and running gear, but with a larger, 4.4-litre, Colombo-designed V12 engine, producing nearly 350bhp.
Also produced as a convertible (GTS/4) and racing car (GTC/4 – ‘C’ for Competizione), it vied with the mid-engined Lamborghini Miura for the unofficial title of world’s fastest production car, each claiming a top speed of 174mph.
10. 1970 Lamborghini Jarama
We’ve included Lamborghini’s 2+2 grand tourer here, even though Ferruccio Lamborghini named the Jarama for the fighting bulls bred near Spain’s Jarama river, and not the Spanish race circuit of the same name.
Designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, the Jarama was powered by the 3.9-litre V12 also used in the Espada, with which it shared its basic chassis.
Transmission to the rear wheels was through a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic gearbox.
Made from 1970-’76, 328 examples of the Lamborghini Jarama left the marque’s Sant’Agata factory.
11. 1974 Dodge Monaco
Unsurprisingly, Chrysler’s naming of the Monaco related to the perceived exoticism of the Mediterranean principality, rather than its Formula One street circuit.
And you could see why. By the time the Dodge Monaco had reached its third generation – nine years after the original model launched in 1965 – its weight exceeded two tonnes, which meant it was built for comfort rather than agility.
While engine choices ranged from 5.2 to 7.2 litres, the introduction of such a large and thirsty car could not have been worse, entering the market as it did just in time for the global oil crisis.
12. 1976 Maserati Kyalami
The Kyalami was the first car to be developed under Alejandro de Tomaso’s Maserati after he bought the struggling company from Citroën.
Derived from, and very similar to, the Longchamp model, the Piero Frua-designed Kyalami was longer, wider and lower than its predecessor.
Named after the F1 circuit at which a Maserati-powered Cooper T81 won the 1967 South African Grand Prix, driven by Pedro Rodríguez, the Maserati Kyalami was available with either a 4.2- or 4.9-litre V8 engine.
A slow seller from launch, only 210 cars were produced.
13. 1977 Opel Monza
In 1977, Opel’s replacement for its aged Commodore Coupé took the fight to premium manufacturers, like Mercedes-Benz with its 123-series coupé and BMW’s 6 Series coupé.
The Monza – also sold as the Vauxhall Royale Coupé in Britain – used a new platform with MacPherson struts at the front and fully independent suspension at the rear.
While its handling was praised, its name’s allusion to the Italian Grand Prix circuit was nothing more than pure marketing spin.
Power came from a choice of 2-, 2.8- or 3-litre straight-six, overhead-cam engines, the latter enough for a 134mph top speed and 0-62mph acceleration of 8.2 secs.
14. 1991 Audi Avus quattro
Taking its name from the now defunct race circuit in Berlin, the Audi Avus quattro concept car was first presented at the 1991 Tokyo motor show.
Designed by J Mays, who took inspiration from the Auto Union racing cars that competed at the Avus circuit in the 1930s, the Avus quattro was made entirely from aluminium.
Its main purpose was to showcase not only Audi’s leadership in aluminium technology – which ultimately led to the all-aluminium production A8 – but also its new 6-litre W12 engine.
However, the concept car’s W12 was a finely painted wooden imitation.
15. 1991 Saab Talladega
In 1986, Saab took three standard 9000 turbo 16s to the Alabama International Motor Speedway at Talladega and drove them continuously for 20 days and nights, covering 62,000 miles.
The event was designed to prove the model’s durability and high-speed capability, with the lead car averaging 132mph and taking 21 international records and two world speed records as it did so.
Conveniently, it also gave Saab a perfect opportunity to create various Talladega special editions thereafter.
Based on the 2.3-litre 9000 turbo, that meant a well-specced cabin and exterior badging, but with no change to the model’s 143mph top speed or 7.5-sec 0-62mph time.
16. 1992 Peugeot 309 GTI Goodwood
After a 309 GTI took victory at the Goodwood round of the 1991 Esso Superlube Saloon Car Championship, with a BMW M3 and Ford Sierra Cosworth in its wake, Peugeot’s marketeers didn’t miss a trick: the 309 GTI Goodwood Edition was the result.
Only available in the UK, the Goodwood Edition included as standard a black-leather interior, a CD autochanger, and the no-cost option of a wooden steering wheel and gearknob.
Outside, all Peugeot 309 GTI Goodwoods were painted metallic Pinewood Green and wore anthracite Speedline alloy wheels, along with Goodwood badging on the front wings and tailgate.
A high price led to slow sales, though, and only 398 examples were produced.
17. 1994 Alfa Romeo 155 Silverstone
When Alfa Romeo wiped the floor with the opposition after it entered two 155s in the 1994 BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) driven by Gabriele Tarquini and Giampiero Simoni, you’d think it would have been satisfied.
But no. To make the cars even more competitive, Alfa needed to make some aerodynamic revisions – specifically adding a lower front bumper and revising the design of the rear wing.
To comply with homologation requirements, the changes need to be replicated in the production car on which the racer was based.
Hence, we have the 155 Silverstone with the aforementioned tweaks – even though it was no more powerful than the standard 1.8-litre model on which it was based.
18. 1994 Renault Laguna
Some artistic licence is required here, because Renault’s naming of the Laguna was inspired only by the eponymous coastal region of the United States, and not California’s Laguna Seca race circuit.
Either way, it proved to be an enduring nameplate for Renault’s D-segment hatchback/estate, which was in production from 1994-2015.
Designed by Renault’s Patrick Le Quément, the Laguna replaced the 21 model and in its first generation was powered by a wide range of engines, from a 1.6-litre ‘four’ to a 3-litre V6.
19. 1995 Chrysler Sebring
Paying homage to the Sebring International Raceway in Florida, the Chrysler Sebring was the much-needed replacement for the company’s LeBaron model.
Built on Chrysler’s JA platform, which was based on that of Mitsubishi’s Eclipse, the Sebring was widely praised for its handling, thanks to its use of all-round, double-wishbone suspension, as well as variable-speed, rack-and-pinion steering.
Available as a coupé and convertible in its first generation, the Sebring’s engines ranged in size from a 2-litre ‘four’ to a 2.5-litre V6.
20. 1999 Ferrari 360 Modena
On the basis that Ferrari’s 355 model replacement was named Modena, honouring Enzo Ferrari’s place of birth, and Modena was also famed for its Aerautodromo di Modena race circuit between 1950-’75, we decided to include it here.
Even by Ferrari standards the 360 was a revelatory model, with an all-new aluminium spaceframe that allowed it to be lighter and far stiffer than its predecessor, but also bigger and more spacious and practical inside.
Powered by an atmospheric (in both terms of the word) 3.6-litre V8, producing just shy of 400bhp, the 360 Modena could hit 183mph and accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.5 secs.
21. 2007 Bentley Brooklands
Of all the cars here, Bentley’s association with Brooklands probably needs the least explanation.
In short, the famous banked circuit provided WO Bentley’s fledgling company with huge pre-war racing success, as well as being an important proving ground for his early cars.
The 2007 Brooklands model saw a revival of the name, first used by Bentley in 1992.
Launched at the Geneva motor show, the car was effectively a fixed-head version of the Azure convertible, itself derived from the company’s Arnage saloon (a model named after a corner at Le Mans).
Incorporating many traditional coachbuilding techniques in its construction, the Brooklands was powered by Crewe’s venerable 6.75-litre V8, generating 530bhp and a cool 774lb ft of torque.
Even weighing 2650kg (5842lb), that was enough to allow acceleration of 0-60mph in 5 secs.
22. 2009 Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S Edition
Vauxhall had first brought the Aussie-built VXR8 four-door, five-seat saloon to UK shores in 2007 as a poster car for its new VXR range of models.
One of the first of many performance derivatives added to the range over the following decade was the 2009 Bathurst S Edition, named after the Bathurst 1000 race held at Australia’s Mount Panorama Circuit (and yes, it’s the race, not the circuit, we know…).
Still using the regular car’s GM LS2 6.0 V8 – which already produced 410bhp in standard form – a Walkinshaw Performance supercharger was added, boosting power to 553bhp, and providing the car with an ear-splitting soundtrack from its blower.
A regular Bathurst was also available, without the supercharger, but none were sold.
23. 2011 Vauxhall Corsa Nürburgring
While Vauxhall’s Corsa Nürburgring Edition has probably never officially competed at the ‘Green Hell’, its chassis was certainly fine tuned on the circuit from which it took its name.
Based on the regular Corsa VXR, the Nürburgring gained an uplift in power to 202bhp and up to 206lb ft of torque on its overboost function, if you ran the car on super unleaded fuel.
But proving that the model was more than just a cosmetic makeover, it received bespoke Bilstein dampers, an uprated braking system with four-piston calipers at the front, and a Drexler mechanical limited-slip differential.
There was enhanced performance to match, too, with a 143mph top end and acceleration from 0-60mph in 6.5 secs.
24. 2020 Pagani Imola
The most extreme Pagani ever, according to its maker, the Imola was so named due to its development at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.
As is the Pagani norm, the Imola was powered by a twin-turbocharged AMG V12 engine developing, in this guise, 816bhp and a thundering 811lb ft of torque. More impressive still, since the car weighed just 1246kg (2747lb).
Only five examples of the Pagani Imola were made and, when it was announced in 2020, each one would have cost €5 million.
1968 Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville’s name stands alone here, because it does not derive from a race circuit, but rather the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, which was used for racing in its early days, but is now better known for numerous world land-speed record attempts.
Pontiac’s Bonneville nameplate ran from 1957-2005, but the car shown here is from its fourth generation, which ran from 1965-’70.
Dramatically redesigned, with pronounced ‘coke-bottle’ styling, the fourth-gen Bonneville was a full 8in (20cm) longer than its predecessor.
Available as a convertible, hardtop, sedan and station wagon, the engine range was largely carried over, and started at 6.4 litres, running through to a 455cu in (7.5-litre) V8.
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