Speed – humanity’s oldest obsession. Ever since someone figured out that round rocks could make things roll, our need for speed has only grown more ridiculous. But what is the fastest car of each decade? When have we crossed the point of no return in this accelerating journey? Here are the four-wheelers that burned rubber the quickest – one glorious decade at a time.
The Forerunners – The First and the Fastest to Ever Do It
Let’s kick off this speedy journey with an important reference point – the trusty horse-drawn carriage. Sure, it wasn’t exactly aerodynamic, but with horses galloping around 40 mph (64 km/h) on a good day, you could maybe hit 30 mph (48 km/h) with a carriage full of passengers. It was the humble beginning of humanity’s quest to go faster – and we’ve never looked back since.
But let’s trade the reins for some real horsepower. Revving into the earliest days of vehicle evolution, here are some honorable mentions that set the wheels in motion for the speedsters we’ll be talking about:
| 1890-1899 | Stanley Runabout | 35 mph (56 km/h) |
| 1900-1909 | Mercedes-Simplex 60HP | 73 mph (117 km/h) |
| 1910-1919 | Austro-Daimler Prince Henry | 85 mph (136 km/h) |
The Fastest Car in the 1920s – Duesenberg Model J
So, what was the fastest car in the 1920s, a whole century ago? There’s only one answer – the Duesenberg Model J. This luxury powerhouse might have rolled onto the scene a bit late, in 1928, but boy, did it deliver.
Despite its relatively modest engine size for the time, it reached a jaw-dropping top speed of 119 mph (191 km/h). But timing is everything, and unfortunately for Duesenberg, the Model J debuted just before the stock market crash of 1929. The Great Depression left the company in the rearview mirror, ending production in 1937. Still, it remains a roaring symbol of the 1920s, rightfully so.
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 1920s
While the Duesenberg Model J is impressive and all, this speedy overview wouldn’t be complete without touching on the history of the Mercedes-Benz. In 1928, the company debuted the sleek and speedy 680S Saoutchik Torpedo. On the outside, it might’ve looked like your average 1920s cruiser, but under the hood, it was anything but ordinary. A 6.8-liter inline-6 supercharged engine with dual carburetors gave this beauty a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h).
There’s another Mercedes that deserves the spotlight. The SSK model, produced from 1928 to 1932, technically spills into the next decade, but with hitting speeds close to 120 mph (193 km/h), we have to give it an honorary nod here.
The Fastest Car in 1930 – Duesenberg Model SJ
When you’re already at the top, what do you do? You double down. The Duesenberg J was such a beast that the company decided to pimp it out with an inline-eight engine boosted by a centrifugal supercharger. What came of it was the Model SJ.
This four-wheeler could reach 140 mph (225 km/h), which was a mind-boggling speed in the 1930s. And here’s a fun tidbit – it was originally designed for Hollywood legend Mae West. But she passed on it, leaving us all to wonder – what in the world was she thinking?
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 1930s
We’ve got a not-so-exciting answer to the question – what was the fastest car in the 1930s? However, if we broaden our horizons, things get a little bit more interesting. Duesenberg may have ruled the roost, but plenty of incredible contenders have made their mark:
- Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic – 125 mph (201 km/h),
- Hispano-Suiza J12 – 115 mph (185 km/h),
- Talbot-Lago T150C SS – 115 mph (185 km/h),
- Mercedes-Benz 540K – 110 mph (177 km/h),
- Cord 812 S/C Sportsman – 102 mph (164 km/h).
Just as the auto industry was hitting its stride, World War II came along and slammed on the brakes. Factories that once built speed machines pivoted to tanks, airplanes, and military vehicles. However, innovation didn’t stop – it just took a detour into wartime necessity.
The Fastest Car in 1940 – Jaguar XK120
As we’ve just mentioned, World War II stirred some things up, to say the least, including the auto industry. But once it ended, we still had 5 good years to get back on track, leaving us with quite an interesting lineup from this time period. Now, what was the fastest car in the 1940s?
Finally, a Jaguar enters the scene, more specifically – the XK120.
This four-wheeler didn’t just break speed records but redefined Jaguar’s style for years to come. Under the hood, this beauty packed a 3.4-litre inline-six engine that produced 160 horsepower. The result? A top speed of 135 mph (217 km/h).
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 1940s
While the XK120 stole the spotlight for speed in the mass-production world, it wasn’t the ultimate fastest car in the 1940s. No, we haven’t been lying to you – it’s just that the title belongs to also one of the rarest vehicles in the world – the Delahaye Type 145.
After achieving impressive racing success, Henri Chapron bought two Delahaye Type 145 four-wheelers and tweaked them a bit. With special treatment and only two of them ever made, it’s not exactly fair to put them at the top, even if the numbers back it up. It’s more the exception than the rule.
The Fastest Car in 1950 – Aston Martin DB4 GT
Next up – what was the fastest car in the 1950s? The Aston Martin DB4 GT takes the crown, reaching a top speed of 153 mph (246 km/h). Even decades later, this Aston Martin, much like the others, remains a symbol of luxury and power, regularly fetching jaw-dropping prices at exclusive auctions.
In fact, the DB4 GT is so legendary that replicas have been built to meet the demand – and even those sell for hefty sums. That’s how iconic this four-wheeler is – it’s worth a fortune, even as a copy.
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 1950s
No conversation about 1950s speed would be complete without tipping a hat to the Chevy Corvette. The first generation, introduced in 1953, was a complete revelation. With a top speed of 144 mph (232 km/h), the Corvette was nothing short of incredible. It cemented its place as a symbol of innovation and set the stage for decades of performance excellence.
The Fastest Car in 1960 – Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Ah, Ferraris and Lamborghinis – the speedsters you’ve surely been waiting for! So, what was the fastest car in the 1960s? At the top of the speed game was the Ferrari 365 GTB/4, better known as the Daytona. Not only was it the quickest car of the decade, with a top speed of 174 mph (280 km/h), but it also cemented its fame on the most famous US routes.
Daytona was a notable contender during the first-ever Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, where Dan Gurney and Brock Yates showed the world what it could do. The pair drove this beauty from NY to LA, covering 2,876 miles (4,628 km) with an average speed of 80 mph (129 km/h). Let’s just say they didn’t exactly stick to the speed limit!
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 1960s
The 1960s didn’t just belong to Ferrari. This was a decade where the most notorious manufacturers were in a full-blown horsepower race. Here are some honorable mentions from the era:
- Chevrolet Corvette 427 – 170 mph (274 km/h),
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 KR – 140 mph (225 km/h),
- Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – 140 mph (225 km/h),
- Plymouth Road Runner 426 HEMI – 140 mph (225 km/h),
- Dodge Charger R/T – 137 mph (220 km/h).
The 1960s were a decade of big ideas and bigger engines. This was the era that gave birth to the muscle car, the Cannonball Run, and the idea that going fast was the only way to go. Why cruise slowly through life when you could blast past it at full throttle, right?
The Fastest Car in 1970 – Lamborghini Countach LP400
What was the fastest car in the 1970s? It might be the next decade, but it’s still the same old feud that fueled legends – Enzo Ferrari vs. Ferruccio Lamborghini. Some harsh words have been uttered, but instead of just sulking, Ferrucio decided to build four-wheelers that would leave others, namely Ferraris, eating dust.
The best this era had to give is the Lamborghini Countach. Even in its earliest form, the LP400, it was a force to be reckoned with. Even if it’s not as aerodynamic as some other supercars on this list, the Countach still roared to a top speed of 179 mph (288 km/h).
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 1970s
It’s hard to talk about the 1970s without giving a nod to the other Lamborghinis that left their mark. There’s the Miura with a stunning 177 mph (285 km/h) top speed, arguably the first true supercar, and the Lamborghini Jarama Rally, a lesser-known gem hitting 167 mph (269 km/h) without a sweat.
And while Ferruccio Lamborghini wishes we could forget about Ferrari, we simply can’t. From their impressive lineup, the 512 BB and the 365 GT4 BB stood as proof that this legendary brand wasn’t backing down without a fight.
The Fastest Car in 1980 – Ferrari F40
What was the fastest car in the 1980s? Well, we’re back to Ferrari with this one. As the last model personally overseen by the legend Enzo Ferrari himself, the F40 was designed to be the ultimate performance machine. Spoiler alert – he nailed it. The F40 was raw, aggressive, and unapologetically fast. With a five-speed gated manual, this beast could reach a top speed of 201 mph (324 km/h).
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 1980s
The 1980s were a decade of excess, and that included fast cars. The usual suspects – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Porsche – were all in their element throwing down speed and style like no other. Porsche delivered the futuristic 959, Ferrari the iconic GTO and the 512 BB, while Aston Martin flexed its muscles with the V8 Vantage Zagato. And, of course, Lamborghini stayed true to its flair for drama with the Countach LP5000 QV S.
The Fastest Car in 1990 – McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 is a four-wheeler so ahead of its time it still feels futuristic today. First rolling into production in 1992, the F1 broke every rule in the book – and rewrote it in bold letters. That’s the genius engineering work of Gordon Murray for you!
This masterpiece featured a revolutionary three-seat layout, with the driver’s seat smack dab in the middle. Under the hood, it packed a BMW-derived V12 engine that could reach a jaw-dropping speed of 243 mph (391 km/h), a feat that still makes enthusiasts weak in the knees. To this day, the McLaren F1 holds the title of the quickest production car with a naturally aspirated engine.
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 1990s
Sure, there’s only one answer to the question – what was the fastest car in the 1990s? However, this was a golden era for supercars, a time when innovation, ambition, and maybe a little bit of insanity came together to create true legends. The McLaren F1 wasn’t alone in pushing boundaries. There was the Vector W8 TwinTurbo, the Bugatti EB110 S, the Jaguar XJ220, and so on. The 1990s were fast, but it would only get faster from that point on!
The Fastest Car in 2000 – Shelby Super Cars (SSC) Ultimate Aero
Finally, the real era of The Fast and the Furious. Now, what was the fastest car in the 2000s? It’s the Shelby Super Cars (SSC) Ultimate Aero. This four-wheeler went through several iterations, but the most ridiculous one rolled out in 2009, swapping out its superchargers for twin turbochargers.
The result? A jaw-dropping 1,287 horsepower paired with a six-speed manual that can hit a top speed of 257 mph (415 km/h). With it, the SSC Ultimate Aero earned the title of the quickest production four-wheeler in the world from 2007 until Bugatti decided to ruin the party with the Veyron in 2010.
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 2000s
Here is the perfect opportunity to mention Koenigsegg. Spoiler alert – this Swedish brand took the top spots for the next two decades. However, the 2000s were their proving ground. Cars like the CCX, CCR, and CCXR were already making waves, setting the stage for the brand’s future dominance.
The Fastest Car in 2010 – Koenigsegg Agera RS
Koenigsegg has a knack for taking speed records and smashing them into tiny pieces, and the Agera RS was the first in line to prove just that. With a 5.0-litre twin-turbo V8 pumping out an insane 1,341 horsepower, this four-wheeler was an absolute monster on the open road. In 2017, Koenigsegg officially tested its limits, reaching a mind-blowing speed of almost 285 mph (457 km/h). Blink and you’ll miss it, literally!
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 2010s
There are a couple of other interesting prospects when it comes to the question – what was the fastest car in the 2010s? However, there’s one four-wheeler that stands out in the crowd – the Bugatti Veyron with an impressive top speed of 253 mph (407 km/h).
Moreover, the Super Sport version was seriously pimped out, pushing the needle to 268 mph (431 km/h). It may not have outrun the Agera RS, but it solidified its place as one of the most iconic hypercars of all time.
The Fastest Car in 2020 – Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut
Finally, what is the fastest car in the world in 2020? It’s another Koenigsegg – the notorious Jesko Absolut. It was built with a single purpose – to chase raw, unrestrained speed and leave everything else in its rearview mirror.
So, how fast is the Jesko Absolut? Well, it’s theoretically capable of surpassing 310 mph (498 km/h). Yes, you read that right. This jaw-dropping number is based on simulations, so we’re all eagerly waiting for Koenigsegg to unleash it on a real track. With four world records under its belt so far, the tests done just last year make this prospect look pretty promising! It’s just a matter of time!
Honorable Mentions – Other Fast Cars in the 2020s
We’re only halfway through the 2020s, which means there’s plenty of time for automakers to shake things up. However, here are the top 10s of the 2020s:
- Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – 310 mph (498 km/h),
- SSC Tuatara – 295 mph (475 km/h),
- Bugatti Tourbillon – 277 mph (446 km/h),
- Hennessey Venom F5 – 272 mph (438 km/h),
- Rimac Nevera – 256 mph (412 km/h),
- McLaren Speedtail – 250 mph (402 km/h),
- Koenigsegg Regera – 250 mph (402 km/h),
- Aston Martin Valkyrie – 250 mph (402 km/h),
- Pagani Huayra – 238 mph (383 km/h),
- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 – 233 mph (375 km/h).
The Fastest Car of Each Decade Showed Us a Need for Speed That Never Gets Old
And there you have it – a whirlwind tour of the fastest vehicles of each decade, proving humanity’s eternal need for speed. Will the future bring flying cars, warp-speed engines, or some other sci-fi madness? Who knows! But one thing’s for sure – our obsession with being the fastest isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
