Supercar is a term generally used for ultra-high-end exotic cars, whose performance is superior to that of its contemporaries. It has been defined specifically as "a very expensive, fast or powerful car with a centrally located engine",[1] and stated in more general terms: "it must be very fast, with sporting handling to match," "it should be sleek and eye-catching" and its price should be "one in a rarefied atmosphere of its own."[2] but the proper application of the term is subjective and disputed, especially among enthusiasts.
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History of the term supercar
An advertisement for the Ensign Six, a 6.7 L (~409 cu in) high-performance car similar to the Bentley Speed Six, appeared in The Times for 11 November 1920 with the phrase "If you are interested in a supercar, you cannot afford to ignore the claims of the Ensign 6."[3] The Oxford English Dictionary also cites the use of the word in an advertisement for an unnamed car in The Motor dated 3 November 1920, "The Supreme development of the British super-car."[4] and defines the phrase as suggesting 'a car superior to all others'. The phrase Supercar did not become popular until much later and is often said to have has its revival originated with British motor journalist L. J. K. Setright writing about the Lamborghini Miura in CAR Magazine in the mid-1960s. The magazine claims to have "coined the phrase"[5] although it was also used in May 1965 by the American magazine Car Life, in a test of the Pontiac GTO. By the 1970s and 1980s the phrase was in regular use, if not precisely defined.[6][7]. During the late 20th century, the term Supercar was used to describe "a very expensive, fast or powerful car with a centrally located engine",[8] and stated in more general terms: "it must be very fast, with sporting handling to match", "it should be sleek and eye-catching" and its price should be "one in a rarefied atmosphere of its own".[9]
See also
References
- ^ Collins English Dictionary. Glasgow: HarperCollins Publishers. 2003. ISBN 0007109830.
- ^ Ward, Ian (1985), "Secondhand Supercars", London's Motor Show Motorfair 85 Official Catalogue
- ^ "British Ensign Motors". The Times. 11 November 1920. p. 6.
- ^ "super-, prefix 6.c". Oxford English Dictionary. 1989. http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/50242443/50242443se176?single=1&query_type=word&queryword=supercar&first=1&max_to_show=10&hilite=50242443se176. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
- ^ "About CAR magazine". CAR Magazine Online. http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/GLOBAL/About-Us/. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ Stuart Marshall (September 4, 1975). "Rewards and frustrations of the supercars". The Times (London): p. 23.
- ^ "BUSINESS ROUNDUP; From the Land of the VW, a $35,000 Supercar". New York Times (New York): p. F15. September 21, 1975.
- ^ Collins English Dictionary. Glasgow: HarperCollins Publishers. 2003. ISBN 0007109830.
- ^ Ward, Ian (1985). "Secondhand Supercars". London Motor Show "Motorfair 1985" Official Catalogue.
External links
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