Have you ever stumbled upon a forgotten automotive treasure? The 1990s supercar era hid gems beyond Ferrari and Lamborghini. These rare machines combined groundbreaking engineering with astronomical price tags. Most never reached public roads, keeping their brilliance hidden from the world. Their stories remain untold to all but the most dedicated enthusiasts.
Now we unveil these mechanical masterpieces that time almost forgot.
10. 1997 AMG SL73: The Sultan’s Convertible (Exterior)
Rarity defines the 1997 AMG SL73, with just 85 units produced worldwide. Its elegant convertible body hides the largest displacement engine ever fitted to a Mercedes-Benz passenger car—a massive 7.3L M120 V12 producing 525 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque. This same powerplant would later fuel the legendary Pagani Zonda supercar. The SL73 maintains Mercedes’ classic SL styling cues while adding subtle AMG enhancements that hint at its extraordinary performance capabilities. Despite its power, the exterior styling remains tastefully restrained, embodying the blend of luxury grand tourer and high-performance sports car.
Daily usability combines with unmatched luxury and engineering excellence inside the AMG SL73. Premium materials feature throughout the cabin, with AMG-specific touches distinguishing it from standard SL models. The 5-speed automatic transmission handles the engine’s massive torque while maintaining comfort during grand touring. Performance impresses with 0-62 mph in just 4.8 seconds and top speed electronically limited to 155 mph. Fuel consumption runs high at 24.5L/100km city and 11.4L/100km highway, with expensive maintenance costs for the complex engineering. Current collector values range from $300,000 to over $1 million.
9. 1999 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V600: Power, Beauty, and Functionality (Exterior)
Exclusive power comes wrapped in elegant bodywork with the 1999 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V600. Twin superchargers boost its 5.3L engine to produce 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque—tremendous figures for the era. A distinctive badge with chrome surround sets the V600 apart from standard models. Upgraded braking and suspension systems complement the increased power, delivering exceptional road handling at all speeds. Few of these special projects cars left the Works Service department, creating one of the most exclusive Aston Martins of the modern era.
1999 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V600 (Interior)
British luxury meets raw power inside the V600’s exclusive cabin. Traditional materials combine with the purposeful layout needed for a grand tourer capable of 200+ mph speeds and 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. Premium leather covers nearly every surface, while wood and metal accents add visual warmth and tactile quality. The driving position puts all controls within easy reach, and supportive seats keep you comfortable during high-speed cruising. Autocar magazine praised the V600 as a “supremely fast grand tourer,” acknowledging both its performance and long-distance comfort.
8. 1998 Nissan R390 GT1 Road Car: Race-Winning Technology for the Street (Exterior)
Le Mans racing regulations demanded this rare beast—the 1998 Nissan R390 GT1 road car. Carbon fiber forms its sleek body, housing a 3.5L twin-turbo V8 engine delivering 550 horsepower. Performance reaches supercar territory with a top speed of 220 mph and 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds—extraordinary even by current standards. Low-slung proportions, massive rear wing, and race-derived aerodynamics make the R390 unmistakable on sight. Extreme rarity places these homologation specials among the most exclusive Japanese supercars ever created.
1998 Nissan R390 GT1 Road Car (Interior)
Racing DNA dominates the R390 GT1’s interior, with minimal concessions to comfort. A carbon fiber tub forms the basis of the passenger compartment, containing only essential controls and instrumentation. The driving position optimizes for track use, providing excellent visibility despite the car’s extreme aerodynamic shape. Nissan’s peak engineering achievement from their racing program blends track capability with just enough road usability to satisfy homologation requirements. Every square inch of the cabin serves a purpose, with nothing added purely for luxury or comfort.
7. 1990 Jaguar XJR-15: Carbon Fiber Pioneer (Exterior)
Revolutionary carbon fiber construction set the 1990 Jaguar XJR-15 apart when few road cars used this technology. Direct inspiration from Jaguar’s dominant XJR Group C race cars shaped this purpose-built machine, created specifically for the Intercontinental Challenge racing series before road modifications. Peter Stevens—who later designed the McLaren F1—penned its sleek, aerodynamic body. Production stopped at just 53 units worldwide, making the XJR-15 among the rarest Jaguars. The mid-mounted V12 engine sits beneath a distinctive engine cover with cooling louvers, creating an unmistakable profile. If you like this, you’ll like some of the fastest muscle cars from the 60s.
1990 Jaguar XJR-15 (Interior)
Functionality defines the XJR-15’s cockpit, where racing necessity meets minimal road comfort. The carbon fiber tub creates a focused environment built around the driver. Race-derived seats provide firm support during high-speed cornering. Minimalist dashboard elements include only essential gauges and switches, with no luxury accessories adding unnecessary weight. Every aspect of the interior—from exposed carbon fiber to competition-inspired control layout—reveals the car’s racing heritage. Performance enthusiasts appreciate the XJR-15 as the rare predecessor to Jaguar’s later XJ220 supercar.
6. 1993 Ferrari 456 GT: A Luxurious Grand Tourer (Exterior)
Elegant grand touring returned to Ferrari with the 1993 456 GT. The sleek body conceals a powerful 5.5L V12 engine producing 436 horsepower, enabling a top speed of 186 mph. Clean lines and perfect proportions showcase Ferrari’s masterful design language of the era. Unlike Ferrari’s mid-engine models focused purely on track performance, the 456 GT balances high-speed capability with daily usability. The long hood houses the magnificent V12, while subtle rear haunches hint at the power being delivered to the rear wheels through Ferrari’s transaxle layout. Pininfarina’s design avoids unnecessary flourishes, focusing instead on timeless beauty.
1993 Ferrari 456 GT (Interior)
Hand-stitched leather dominates the 456 GT’s cabin, covering nearly every surface from the sculpted seats to the dashboard and door panels. The 2+2 seating configuration accommodates occasional rear passengers, making this Ferrari more practical than many stablemates. Traditional round gauges face the driver, while the center console houses the iconic gated manual shifter. Fewer than 3,300 units exist across all variants, offering exclusivity alongside exceptional driving dynamics. Comfort remains a priority even after hours behind the wheel, with supportive seats and logical control placement. The 456 GT marked Ferrari’s return to luxury grand touring without compromising the marque’s sporting heritage.
5. 1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello: Return to Tradition (Exterior)
Front-engine V12 power returned to Ferrari’s flagship with the 1996 550 Maranello. Classic long-hood, short-deck proportions highlight its traditional GT layout. Beneath the sculpted hood sits a 5.5L V12 engine generating 478 horsepower, connected to a precise gated manual transmission. Clean, purposeful design avoids flashy elements, focusing instead on aerodynamic efficiency and lasting visual appeal. Hood vents and side strakes serve critical cooling and aerodynamic functions that maintain stability at high speeds. The 550 Maranello continued Ferrari’s grand touring legacy while incorporating modern performance capabilities.
1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello (Interior)
Driver-focused controls define the 550 Maranello’s cockpit, wrapped in premium leather and metal trim. The interior strikes a perfect balance between sporty functionality and long-distance comfort expected in a grand tourer. Large, legible gauges provide essential information, while the tall center console positions the gated shifter within ideal reach. Supportive seats offer comfort during extended drives while still holding occupants securely during spirited cornering. Secondary controls remain logically arranged with emphasis on driving, not distraction. Everything from the steering wheel angle to the pedal placement demonstrates Ferrari’s commitment to driver engagement on both winding roads and high-speed highway cruising.
4. 1991 Callaway Super Speedster LM: The ZR1 on Steroids (Exterior)
American supercar exclusivity reached new heights with the 1991 Callaway Super Speedster LM—only two Series 2 models exist. This extraordinary Corvette ZR1-based roadster features unique Le Mans-inspired bodywork created by designer Paul Deutschman. Under the hood lurks a twin-turbocharged LT5 engine producing a staggering 766 horsepower—an astronomical figure for the early 1990s. Extensive suspension and drivetrain modifications help manage this tremendous power. Every curve and vent in the dramatically sculpted bodywork serves a functional purpose, from cooling the massive engine to maintaining downforce at high speeds.
1991 Callaway Super Speedster LM (Interior)
Corvette bones underpin the heavily modified Super Speedster LM interior, upgraded to match its extreme performance capabilities. Custom instruments monitor the twin-turbo engine’s output, while reinforced seats provide necessary lateral support during high-speed cornering. The collaboration between Callaway Engineering and designer Paul Deutschman created a roadster combining American V8 muscle with European-inspired design sensibilities. Despite its race car performance figures, the Super Speedster LM maintains enough interior comfort for road use, though driving experience takes priority over luxury amenities. The extreme rarity and striking design make it among the most collectible American performance cars of the 1990s.
3. 1992 Jaguar XJ220S TWR: Beyond the Fastest (Exterior)
Limited to just nine units, the 1992 Jaguar XJ220S TWR represents the ultimate evolution of Jaguar’s 1990s supercar. Carbon fiber body panels replace standard aluminum, reducing weight while enhancing the already aggressive appearance. The upgraded twin-turbo V6 engine produces 680 horsepower—substantially more than the standard XJ220. Performance reaches extraordinary levels with a 228 mph top speed and 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. The wider body, additional cooling vents, and larger rear wing serve as functional improvements that enhance high-speed stability and engine cooling rather than mere styling elements.
1992 Jaguar XJ220S TWR (Interior)
Race-inspired focus defines the XJ220S TWR cockpit, more purposeful than the standard XJ220. Lightweight carbon fiber trim replaces heavier materials throughout the interior, while specialized gauges monitor the uprated engine. The driving position centers around providing perfect control of the car’s extraordinary capabilities. High-bolstered seats deliver exceptional lateral support needed when cornering at the limits of adhesion. Despite its performance focus, the XJ220S TWR maintains enough comfort for road use, carefully balancing track capability with street practicality. The TWR modifications transformed an already impressive supercar into something truly extraordinary.
2. 1995 Vector M12: Lamborghini Diablo’s Distant Relative (Exterior)
Dramatic wedge-shaped styling distinguishes the 1995 Vector M12, with just 18 examples built. Bold angles and striking proportions demand attention wherever this American exotic appears. Italian engineering lurks beneath the American exterior—the M12 shares its underpinnings with the Lamborghini Diablo, including a mid-mounted 5.7L V12 engine producing 492 horsepower. Performance reaches impressive heights with a top speed of 189 mph. Scissor doors add theater to the already dramatic design, while angular body panels create a silhouette unlike anything else on the road. The M12’s extreme rarity guarantees exclusivity.
American vision meets Italian engineering inside the Vector M12’s driver-focused cockpit. The dashboard layout borrows from the Lamborghini Diablo, but features Vector-specific instruments and controls. A low, aggressive seating position provides good visibility despite the car’s dramatic exterior proportions. Power-adjustable leather seats deliver both comfort and lateral support during high-speed driving. The interior finish quality reflects the hand-built nature of these extremely limited-production vehicles. Climate control, power windows, and other luxury amenities make the M12 more civilized than its radical exterior suggests. The unique combination of Italian mechanical components with American design vision creates a driving experience unlike any other supercar of the era.
1. 1992 Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport: The Forgotten Pioneer (Exterior)
Modern Bugatti performance began with the 1992 EB 110 Super Sport. Low and wide proportions showcase the distinctive Bugatti horseshoe grille front and center. Lightweight aluminum body panels cover an advanced carbon fiber chassis. The quad-turbocharged 3.5L V12 produces 603 horsepower, enabling a 218 mph top speed and 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. All-wheel-drive delivers exceptional traction in any condition. Functional vents and scoops channel air to the complex engine and cooling systems. The EB 110 SS established performance benchmarks that would influence supercars for decades to come.
1992 Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport (Interior)
Luxury and performance blend seamlessly inside the EB 110 Super Sport. Fine leather covers the seats and dashboard, complemented by aluminum accents highlighting key controls. The comprehensive instrument panel features a large tachometer and speedometer directly in the driver’s line of sight. Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher owned an EB 110 SS, perhaps the ultimate endorsement of its performance credentials. Advanced technology runs throughout the car, from the complex engine management system to the adjustable suspension. The EB 110 SS interior proved that supercars could deliver extreme performance without sacrificing refinement and long-distance comfort.
