How Did These 8 Famous Sports Cars Get Their Names?

1Ford Mustang

1965–present

There are many stories and myths about how the Ford Mustang got its name. Some say that the car was named after the wild mustang horses that roamed the American West. Others claim that the name was inspired by the fighter planes of World War II.

The true story is a bit less glamorous. The Ford Mustang was actually named after the P-51 Mustang fighter plane, which was used by the Allies in World War II. John Najjar, the man who founded the Ford Motor Company, was a huge fan of the P-51 Mustang and admired its speed and power.

The symbolic name blended well with the horse symbol that Mustangs represent.

2Pagani Huayra

2011–present

The Pagani Huayra was named after the Aymara god of wind, Huayra-Tata. Horacio Pagani, the founder of Pagani Automobili, fell in love with the wind god during a trip to Bolivia. The Aymara people believe that Huayra-Tata is the god who created the world and all of its inhabitants.

When it came time to name his new car, Pagani chose Huayra-Tata in honor of the god who had inspired him. The Pagani Huayra is one of the most unique, beautiful, and modern hypercars produced by the brand.

3Chevrolet Camaro

PHOTO CREDIT: mecum.com

1966–2002, 2009–2024

The Chevrolet Camaro was first introduced to the public in 1966. It was named after the French word 'camarade,' which means comrade or friend. The Camaro was designed as a rival to the Ford Mustang. The two cars were often compared to each other, and the Camaro was often seen as the superior car.

The Camaro was initially offered with a six-cylinder engine, but a V8 engine was later added. The car became extremely popular, and over 300,000 Camaros were sold in the first year alone. The Camaro continued to be a friend to most famous sports car enthusiasts.

4Lamborghini Countach

1974–1990

Legend has it that when Ferruccio Lamborghini was presented with the first prototype of the Countach, he exclaimed "Countach!" in astonishment in the Piedmontese dialect. The word Countach is usually translated as "Wow!", "Incredible!", "Look at that!" or "Damn!" in English.

Some say that Ferruccio was so taken aback by the sight of the car that he simply uttered the first word that came to mind. Others contend that he was referring to the sound the car made when accelerating. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure; this was the origin of the name of this fast, strong, and aggressive Lambo.

5Dodge Viper

1991–2010, 2013–2017

The Dodge Viper is a sports car that was first sold in 1992. The car was named after the venomous snakes of the same name. The Dodge Viper was initially designed to compete with the Corvette, but it ended up being much more expensive.

The original Dodge Viper was powered by an 8.0-liter V10 engine that produced 400 horsepower. The car could reach a top speed of 165 miles per hour. The second-generation Dodge Viper was introduced in 1996. The car was powered by an 8.3-liter V10 engine that produced 450 horsepower. The car could reach a top speed of 185 miles per hour.

6Chevrolet Corvette

1953–present

The Chevrolet Corvette was first manufactured in 1953 and was named after a small, fast naval vessel called a corvette. The name was chosen by Myron Scott, who was by then working in the public relations and advertisement department of the company.

While the brand wanted the name of a car to start with a C, they were initially opposed to the idea of naming the car after a naval vessel, but they eventually agreed to it after being convinced by Chevrolet’s advertising agency. They argued that the Corvette would be a “streamlined sports car” that would be the “fastest thing on the road.” The Corvette was an instant hit and has remained one of Chevrolet’s best aggressive and maneuverable vehicles produced.

7Porsche Carrera GT

2003–2007 (1,270 produced)

Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the Porsche company, always had a fascination with engines. When he was just a young boy, he dismantled and reassembled an engine from his father's bicycle. As an adult, Porsche designed some of the most iconic race cars in history.

Throughout Porsche's history, Carrera has been a commonly used name.

The Porsche Carrera GT is a supercar that was first introduced in 2004. It was named after the Carrera Panamericana endurance race, which was a road race that ran from 1950 to 1954. The original Carrera Panamericana race was so dangerous that it was eventually canceled. But Ferdinand Porsche's passion for engines and racing made this dangerous race the source of the name Carrera GT.

8Lamborghini Diablo

1990–2001 (2,884 produced)

Most Lamborghini's names are primarily derived from fighting bulls, and the Lamborghini Diablo is no different. The Lamborghini Diablo was named after a fighting bull that went into battle against El Chicorro during a bullfight in 1869. The bull was owned and raised by the Duke of Veragua.

In Spanish, Diablo also means devil.

Lamborghini's CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, said the following about the naming of the car: "We wanted a very aggressive name, because the car is very aggressive. We looked for something that was representative of Spain and its culture and its bullfighting."

Other names for this sports car, such as Reventon and Huracan, also have a bullfighting origin.