Story by Myles Kornblatt • Photos as credited
There is a certain kind of smile reserved for the moment when someone is ready to do something devilish. You know the one: It hints at a good-natured evil that will be fun to watch as long as you’re not on the receiving end.
That was the look on our fa…
You've put together an absolutely fantastic list, and for lots and lots of the right reasons. I take great satisfaction in seeing--abeit only under "People's Choice"--two of the all-time favorite Lotus race cars. I would point out that unlike the VAST MAJORITY of the cars listed, the Lotus 7--in the Caterham embodiment of said car--is within reach of many, many more of us.
It's hard to argue with the choices. I would have included the Lotus 49, but that's the thing about these 'best ever' lists - everyone has their own ideas.
Jim Hall's Chaparrals were outside the box thinking on a shoestring budget. Domenance of the McLaren CanAm cars was laudable as well. Enginnering breakthroughs might be the best criteria. Amazing how rule changes were made to stop innovations many times.
My vote would be for either the Lotus 49 or, my favorite, the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 158/9. The Alfetta was competitive on the international Grand Prix circuit for 15 years (although a small event called WWII intevened...). The main drivers of these cars, Jim Clark and Juan Manual Fangio are also #1 and 2 in my book.
The answer isn't now but it will be Miata.........because like FV and Formula Ford it put lots of people on track who otherwise wouldn't ever have raced.
So for the same reason my pick is also 956/962 because loads of privateers got chance in a car that could actually win.
I'm no P car fan, but this is easy- 911. It's won SO many races in SO many different classes and configurations, it's not even funny. Let alone for the 50 years it's been racing- no- winning races.
Not many other cars can claim multiple 24 hour race wins along with a Trans Am championship, plus some rally wins- oh, and it's own specific series,....
Yea, best race car ever.
Spridget
I've been fortunate to see many race cars over the years, but none left an impression the way the 917-30 did. I have yet to see any other race car look as fast down the back straight at Road Atlanta, including 962s and Nissan GTPs in the '80's.
Even in a field of other fast cars, the 917-30 was in a class all by itself. And not many cars can lay claim to killing off an entire series. 
After all these years, it is still my definition of a race car.
You guys need to chime in on our first annual Classies Readers Choice Awards:
https://classicmotorsports.com/classies/
Most of those nominations are on there already too! As a staffmember who reviews nominations, I am curious to see who will take the cake for "Best Race Car of All Time."
The question for me is: will the 911 win based on raw numbers alone? There are so SO many good choices...
McLaren M8B. 11 out of 11. 8 were 1-2. one was 1-2-3.
You laid out great options here and I would have to agree that one of the most exceptionally well-engineered cars is the McLaren F1 GTR. Such respect!
If you're talking about the most dominant car in their venue, my vote would have to be the 1987 Trans Am Audi 200. It won 8 out of 13 races.
Mazda RX8
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