Horsepower or Handling? Ford or Chevy? NASCAR or F1? The rivalry is an integral part of the automotive experience. Gearheads everywhere are completely aware of the biggest grudge-matches in motoring, and I thought I would take a chance to expose a few. On which side of the fence do you fall, and which classic rivalries would you add to the list?
Round 1: Ferrari VS. Lamborghini
One of the most classic rivalries in all of exotica… perhaps one of the best rivalries even outside the automotive world. The grace, elegance, and performance that both of these manufacturers bring to the world is a revolving door of one-upmanship. Pick your poison.
Round 2: Subaru STi VS. Mitsubishi Evo
These two AWD drive kings up the turbocharged ante every year. The rivalry goes back to WRC days and has found its way to the streets. Each time one or the other seems to have an advantage, the rival goes and does it just a bit better. Who stands on top right now?
Round 3: Mustang VS. Camaro
Possibly the most iconic American automotive rivalry. There are guys on both sides who would rather push their Chevy/Ford than drive your Ford/Chevy. Both cars were (and remain) powerful, and well-designed. Do your loyalties lie with the blue oval or the bowtie?
Round 4: Toyota Celica VS. Acura Integra
The well known battle for glory in the Japanese import world… These two cars brought issues like quality, affordability, reliability, and fun to the forefront. Both cars proved you can have your cake and eat it too, as thousands of enthusiasts around the world still debate this rivalry. I’ll take a Celica please (sorry, had to editorialize there)!
Round 5: McLaren F1 VS. Ferrari F1
The pinnacle of racing series’ meets the ultimate racing rivalry. They’ve both battled back and forth on so many levels it’s hard to keep up with who is winning. The one thing that intrigues me about this rivalry is the depth to which both companies will go to get that teeny-tiny edge.
No Contest: Speed Shine VS. Everything Else
There is no question in my mind Speed Shine is king for that five minute detail, frequent wipe down or random bird bomb. But for some reason people out there insist on trying other products. Speed Shine is water based, effective, safe, easy to use, and (at $9.99 for a whopping 35 ounces) priced to put the other guys to shame. Seems like all this adds up to a lopsided rivalry!
November 20th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Nice. I would add 911 vs. Corvette in SCCA GT1 class. I’ve watched several spirited battles between these two icons at Portland International Raceway over the years. The Vettes pull away on the straightaway, and the Porsches close the gap in the corners. Both had very distinctive — and beautiful — engine sound, too.
For the record, I vote Ferrari, Subaru, Camaro (old) Mustang (new), don’t care at all, McLaren (don’t care much), and — of course — Speed Shine.
November 20th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Not biased at all in the Celica vs. Integra at all are we? It’s true anyways since Celica at least has some RWD and AWD history.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I would add to that Mid Year Corvette (C2) versus E-Type Jaguar.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Round 1: Ferrari takes this one. As much as I like the flashy colors and edgy lines of the Fighting Bull. You can’t ignore the racing heritage, class, and beautiful lines of the Ferrari. F40 please!
Round 2: STI! I’ve had the privelage of driving a few different generations of the STI and Evo, and Dustin said it right, they just battle back and forth one-upping each other. Because of that, I’ve just gotta go with my gut and take the Subaru.
Round 3: As much as I am becoming a Ford fanboy these days… I’ll be sporting my Bowtie in this debate. The ‘69 Camaro just edges out the Shelby GT500 for my vote.
Round 4: I’ll claim ignorance here, but my vote will go to the Toyota boys.
Round 5: Red Bull Racing. Go Vettel!!!
Round 6: I’ll take Perfection For $9.99, Alex.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Lamborghini. Done deal. Heritage doesn’t turn heads and racing pedigree doesn’t cause fear at the stop light. That is what we’re talking about with these cars, right? After all, who had an F-40 poster as a kid? Great car, yes… but it was the Countach on my wall.
Subaru. Can’t help it. I still remember reading the reviews of the XT Coupe in ‘86 and convincing my parents to buy one. These cars cut their teeth on utility (see: Brat and 4×4 wagons) and grew up to become performers. Gotta respect the evolution.
Chevy. Forever. These are the cars (and trucks) that get my blood pumping. The small-block Chevy mill, especially, is undeniable… transplanted into countless Fords and Mopars. Can the same be said in reverse?
Agree with Jason… don’t care. Though my slammed Corolla remains one of my personal favorite cars, I just can’t get excited about either of these.
This should be Formula 1 VS. other forms of racing. If it were, I would choose almost any other. I have limited interest in “he who writes the biggest check wins”, and that is clearly the game being played in F1. I am fascinated by the machines, but dismayed by the ever-dominant politics.
HOW ABOUT: “Blank check” street rod (and there are some good ones) VS. traditional, backyard-built hot rod? Moss VS. Schumacher? BBC VS. Hemi? Billet VS. Steel? The rivalries are too many to name… perhaps this warrants a series of articles
November 25th, 2009 at 8:38 am
F1 as a “he who writes the biggest check wins” racing series!? Did you pay any attention to this season? Here is a quick run-down, Jenson Button and BrawnGP took the driver and constructers titles. Brawn’s 2 drivers made $8mil combined, which, as a team, was 8th on the list of 10. In addition, it was pretty widely known that the team ran this year with very little cash and, for lack of a better term, ran out of money half way through the season. Their two drivers finished the year in 1st and 3rd place overall.
In any case, who cares how much money is spent? It is a high-dollar racing series allowing us to watch R&D in action with both drivers and engineering being pushed to the limits. Have fun with your NASCAR Mikey boy. Those left turns and ‘exciting’ drafting should be a hoot to watch.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
One only needs to look at this last season to know that F1 is NOT about who has the most money. Toyota has been dumping more money than almost anyone into F1 since they started and barely have a podium to show for it… and now they’re out completely. Red Bull & Brawn fought for the championship and beat Ferrari & McLaren to death the entire season. BMW, another big factory team, also pretty much sucked during the season and is now dropping out of the sport.
The sport is about strategy, the car the team built, the drivers, and how events unfold during the race. Money plays very little part once the lights go out.
November 26th, 2009 at 4:28 am
You had to pick almost the uglist of the mustang/camero generations lol. Either way I’ve owned both, like both, can’t really choose.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Now that the author can ring in without seeming biased or trying to sway the argument, I would easily pick the dancing horse over the raging bull anyday. Fine lines and elegance win over raw unleashed power any day.
I’m an old Mitsu driver myself, but having the experience I have had behind the wheel of a RalliArt, and an Evo, I will choose the Subaru here. I’m more of a fan of the overall quality of the Subies and the feel they provide. The Mitsu’s are awesome but there is just something ‘not quite as good’ as the Subarus.
Blue Oval Vs. Bowtie? A 1970 Camaro is about as pretty as they come when fully restored and put together properly. Neither car does too much for me, but the Camaro always was prettier and had better lines.
Toyota…don’t inter…TOYOTA..OH JEEZ, TOYOTA!!!!!!!!
In the f1 battle, I personally dont care too much who wins, it’s just amazing to watch the bitter death match going on and see who does what next. It’s a shame the dollars being spent have forced out smaller teams but maybe in the end it’s a good thing?
And to sum it all up, I’m not actually sure why I threw Speed Shine up there. It’s very easy to see it has no equal and therefore has no rival!!!! Silly blogger…
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
You can’t forget the everlasting luxury rivalry between BMW & Mercedes. The pure butt warming leather seat, who can put the most unnecessary electronic equipment, this thing weighs as much as a John Deere tractor excellence of there higher end models leaves little to be desired in the world.