What is a GT car?
Discussion
Following on from the other thread. What makes a car a 'GT'?
For me, classic GT cars are Bentley Continental, Merc CL, Ferrari 612, Maserati GrandTourismo, BMW 6, Aston DB9, Jag XK, et al.
Defining characteristics:
Genuine 4 seater - room for rear passengers and good luggage space (golf clubs?)
Comfortable mile muncher
Large Engine/High Power
Front Engined/Rear Wheel Drive
What say ye?
For me, classic GT cars are Bentley Continental, Merc CL, Ferrari 612, Maserati GrandTourismo, BMW 6, Aston DB9, Jag XK, et al.
Defining characteristics:
Genuine 4 seater - room for rear passengers and good luggage space (golf clubs?)
Comfortable mile muncher
Large Engine/High Power
Front Engined/Rear Wheel Drive
What say ye?
I think a GT is a car designed primarily to take two people (and their luggage) long distances at high speed in comfort.
Many are 2+2s but it's not a prerequisite, they can be two-seaters. It doesn't matter where the engine is or which wheels are driven either, although front engined RWD or front engined 4WD setups generally seem to produce the best results.
Many are 2+2s but it's not a prerequisite, they can be two-seaters. It doesn't matter where the engine is or which wheels are driven either, although front engined RWD or front engined 4WD setups generally seem to produce the best results.
kambites said:
I think a GT is a car designed primarily to take two people (and their luggage) long distances at high speed in comfort.
This. To arrvie quickly, comfortably and ready for the hotel meal/casino, without being knackered or having creased clothing. A 'ring time is irrelevent. A 70-120mph time is very relevent. As is a long range.Oddly, any car labelled as a "GT" is not a GT car
Ramses said:
williamp said:
Oddly, any car labelled as a "GT" is not a GT car
Bentley Continental GT?Maserati GT?
I was thinking about the Golf GT and the like, compleately forgot the Bentley and Maserati. And the Ferrari GTB/E/S series. And the DB4 GT, And the....Hmmmm...
bigricho said:
I take it you've never been in the back of a DB9.
Yes, and a DB7. The 9 is better than the 7 (largely due to rear seat design/shape) it's tight, and you wouldn't want to have two adults in the back across a continent - but it's bigger than a 911....and at least you could put your bags in the boot rather than squeezing then on the back seats with the passengers.To me;
It's a Grand Tourer.
It's to be used for a holiday where you tour an area by car over a week or two.
Nice to be in.
Plenty of luggage space.
Big enough engine to drag you and your luggage up mountains and over continents.
Enough power to overtake slow cars without a problem.
Enough comfort so that your bladder will need a rest before you knees.
Enough fuel so that your journey is defined by stopping for dinner not stopping for fuel.
Possibly two seats in the back for the children who will come touring with you.
In the case of the main tourers being friends rather than a couple then the back seats should be able to accommodate totty or toyboys as required.
Possibly a roof that drops for sunny days – without compromising the luggage space.
Possibly some sort of switch to flip between motorway cruise and mountain roads madness.
It's a Grand Tourer.
It's to be used for a holiday where you tour an area by car over a week or two.
Nice to be in.
Plenty of luggage space.
Big enough engine to drag you and your luggage up mountains and over continents.
Enough power to overtake slow cars without a problem.
Enough comfort so that your bladder will need a rest before you knees.
Enough fuel so that your journey is defined by stopping for dinner not stopping for fuel.
Possibly two seats in the back for the children who will come touring with you.
In the case of the main tourers being friends rather than a couple then the back seats should be able to accommodate totty or toyboys as required.
Possibly a roof that drops for sunny days – without compromising the luggage space.
Possibly some sort of switch to flip between motorway cruise and mountain roads madness.
A fast and comfortable car to sit on a motorway in, that can carry 2 full-sized adults with luggage for 2 weeks leaving room for on-route purchases.
Should also be fun to drive when you get to the more interesting roads, and have a certain class and exclusivity to it.
4 seats is not a requirement. That is what a saloon car, luxo-barge or MPV is for.
Should also be fun to drive when you get to the more interesting roads, and have a certain class and exclusivity to it.
4 seats is not a requirement. That is what a saloon car, luxo-barge or MPV is for.
It has to be English. 
It probably sounds odd, but I always think of the old English cars when I think of a GT.
You can go on a 'tour' in any car which has space, power and comfort, but to go on a Grand Tour, you need a Grand Tourer and in my mind this has to be an English car Jag, Aston, Bentley etc. Preferably a model that is no longer in production.
At a push I could be persuaded that the front engined Ferraris could be used for a Grand Tour.
If I was going on a Blitzkreig then I would obvious choose a German vehicle.
It probably sounds odd, but I always think of the old English cars when I think of a GT.You can go on a 'tour' in any car which has space, power and comfort, but to go on a Grand Tour, you need a Grand Tourer and in my mind this has to be an English car Jag, Aston, Bentley etc. Preferably a model that is no longer in production.
At a push I could be persuaded that the front engined Ferraris could be used for a Grand Tour.
If I was going on a Blitzkreig then I would obvious choose a German vehicle.
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