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20 Forgotten Brands That Tried to Compete with Ferrari (and Failed Gloriously)

Cameron Eittreim June 11, 2025

In the high-octane world of exotic automobiles, Ferrari stands as a symbol of prestige, speed, and relentless innovation. For decades, this Italian powerhouse has captured imaginations and dominated racetracks, setting a standard that rivals could only dream of matching.
Yet, behind every shimmering Ferrari is a trail of ambitious brands—some bold, some eccentric—that dared to challenge its throne.
Their stories are tales of passion, audacity, and inevitable downfall, as the unforgiving world of supercars proved too much for most.
This article uncovers 20 such forgotten brands, each with grand aspirations—and glorious failures.

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1. De Tomaso

De Tomaso was a brand that brought together Italian design flair and American V8 power, most famously in the Pantera.
With support from Ford and striking looks, De Tomaso seemed poised for greatness.
However, it never achieved the cachet or racing pedigree of Ferrari, struggling to find its place among the elite.
Eventually, the brand faded into the background, leaving behind only memories and a few legendary cars. Read more at Hemmings.

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2. Iso Rivolta

Iso Rivolta carved a niche in the 1960s and 1970s, crafting grand tourers like the Iso Grifo that blended sleek Italian lines with reliable American V8 engines.
Their cars were praised for their comfort, performance, and exclusivity.
Still, even with critical acclaim and a loyal following, Iso Rivolta couldn’t rival Ferrari’s racing success or mystique.
Financial difficulties and limited production numbers led to its eventual demise. Learn more at Classic Driver.

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3. Bizzarrini

Bizzarrini was born from the vision of Giotto Bizzarrini, a former Ferrari engineer who brought genius-level innovation to his own marque.
The 5300 GT, with its advanced chassis and powerful V8, even found its way onto the Le Mans grid, earning respect among enthusiasts and rivals alike.
However, despite technical brilliance and moments of racing glory, the company struggled financially and could not sustain its operations.
Read more at Road & Track.

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4. Monteverdi

Monteverdi emerged from Switzerland, blending opulent design with the raw power of Chrysler V8 engines in models like the High Speed 375.
These cars impressed with their craftsmanship and performance, yet Monteverdi couldn’t match Ferrari’s global allure or motorsport legacy.
Despite a dedicated following, lack of widespread recognition and mounting challenges led to the brand’s closure in the 1980s. More at Top Gear.

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5. TVR

TVR made waves in the UK with audacious designs and thrilling performance, most notably with the Sagaris.
The brand embraced a no-frills, driver-focused philosophy that won over enthusiasts seeking something different from the mainstream.
However, TVR’s legendary unreliability and frequent ownership changes kept it from reaching Ferrari’s heights—or global respect.
Despite flashes of brilliance, TVR’s story remains one of missed opportunities and enduring cult status. Detailed at Autocar.

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6. Vector

Vector burst onto the scene as America’s answer to Ferrari, unveiling radical, wedge-shaped supercars like the W8 inspired by aerospace technology.
With wild claims of unmatched speed and futuristic interiors, Vector captured imaginations and headlines.
However, the brand was plagued by endless production delays, internal disputes, and management chaos.
Ultimately, despite all the excitement, Vector couldn’t deliver on its lofty promises and faded into automotive obscurity. History at Jalopnik.

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7. Cizeta

Cizeta captured attention in the late 1980s with the jaw-dropping V16T, a supercar featuring a massive 16-cylinder engine and dramatic looks penned by famed designer Marcello Gandini.
The V16T’s unconventional engineering and wild styling made it a sensation among collectors and journalists, promising to shake up the supercar hierarchy.
Yet, with only a handful of cars ever produced, financial struggles quickly overwhelmed the fledgling company, consigning Cizeta to the history books. Profile at Hagerty.

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8. Panther Westwinds

Panther Westwinds was known for its quirky, ultra-luxury creations like the retro-styled J72 and the outrageous six-wheeled Panther 6.
Their cars turned heads with eccentric styling and exclusivity, but the brand simply couldn’t match Ferrari’s reputation or sales.
Struggling to stay afloat, Panther Westwinds faded away, remembered mostly for its bold experiments. More at DriveTribe.

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9. Jensen

Jensen earned admiration for the Interceptor, a grand tourer that married British elegance with the muscle of American V8 engines.
The brand was innovative, introducing features like four-wheel drive and luxurious interiors, but it lacked Ferrari’s high-octane performance and international cachet.
As demand dwindled and competition intensified, Jensen couldn’t keep up, ultimately closing its doors in the late 1970s. Story at Classic & Sports Car.

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10. Noble

Noble made its mark with cars like the M12, celebrated for their lightweight construction, sharp handling, and pure driving experience.
These cars attracted enthusiasts who craved excitement without the eye-watering price tags of the Italian exotics.
Despite critical praise, Noble’s small-scale production and limited global reach meant it never posed a serious threat to Ferrari’s dominance.
The brand remains a cult favorite, but never achieved mainstream supercar status. Details at Evo.

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11. Bristol Cars

Bristol Cars built a reputation for refined engineering and discreet luxury, appealing to those who valued exclusivity over flash.
Lacking Ferrari’s motorsport triumphs and global marketing, Bristol operated largely in the shadows of the automotive world.
Despite a fiercely loyal clientele, dwindling sales and limited visibility led to its quiet closure in 2020. More at BBC.

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12. Facel Vega

Facel Vega, hailing from France, wowed the elite with glamorous grand tourers like the HK500 in the 1950s and 1960s.
These cars combined Parisian elegance with serious American V8 muscle, enticing celebrities and royalty alike.
However, Facel Vega’s lack of motorsport credentials and mounting financial troubles made it difficult to compete with Ferrari’s enduring legacy.
Ultimately, the brand’s star faded as quickly as it had risen. Article at Classic Driver.

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13. Gumpert

Gumpert appeared on the supercar scene with the Apollo, a machine engineered for pure speed and track dominance rather than luxury.
The Apollo stunned with its performance, setting impressive lap times at the Nürburgring and capturing the attention of hardcore enthusiasts.
Yet, its awkward design and lack of comfort limited broader appeal, and sluggish sales eventually forced Gumpert out of the game. History at Top Gear.

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14. Spyker

Spyker sought to resurrect Dutch automotive artistry with the stunning C8 Aileron, a car that dazzled with its aviation-inspired details and hand-crafted interiors.
The brand quickly attracted attention from collectors and the press, carving out a niche among exotic car enthusiasts.
However, Spyker’s fortunes turned sour after a disastrous attempt to acquire Saab, draining resources and momentum.
Financial woes soon followed, bringing Spyker’s ambitious supercar journey to a halt. More at MotorTrend.

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15. Qvale

Qvale was a brief but memorable chapter in the supercar world, producing the unique Mangusta—a blend of Italian design and American engineering.
Despite its technical innovation and eye-catching features, the car struggled with limited market appeal and muddled branding.
These hurdles proved insurmountable, leading Qvale to a quick and quiet end. Background at Autoblog.

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16. Marcos

Marcos earned a reputation for ingenuity with its lightweight sports cars and innovative wooden chassis, most famously in the Marcos GT.
The brand enjoyed a measure of racing success and a loyal following among enthusiasts seeking something truly different.
However, Marcos remained a niche player, hampered by recurring financial troubles and limited mainstream appeal, never threatening Ferrari’s global dominance. More at Classic & Sports Car.

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17. Wiesmann

Wiesmann brought a fresh take to the sports car scene with its retro-modern roadsters, such as the MF5, blending classic curves with potent BMW engines.
These hand-built machines won admiration for their dynamic performance and head-turning looks.
However, Wiesmann’s boutique production model and limited global presence meant it couldn’t sustain itself in the cutthroat supercar market.
The company filed for bankruptcy in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of charm and exclusivity. Profile at Autocar.

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18. Detomaso (2019 Revival)

The legendary De Tomaso name was revived in 2019 with the unveiling of the breathtaking P72, a car that promised to blend heritage with modern supercar flair.
While its retro-inspired design drew immediate acclaim and generated excitement, the project soon hit roadblocks.
High development costs and persistent production delays dimmed hopes for a true comeback, leaving the rebirth hanging in uncertainty. Read at Car and Driver.

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19. Apollo Automobil

Rising from the ashes of Gumpert, Apollo Automobil introduced the Apollo IE—a ferocious, track-oriented supercar that’s as visually extreme as it is technologically advanced.
With its dramatic design and explosive performance, the Apollo IE quickly turned heads among enthusiasts and collectors.
However, despite its engineering excellence, Apollo remains a niche player, unable to capture the widespread prestige or influence of Ferrari. Info at Top Gear.

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20. Artega

Artega, a German newcomer, burst onto the scene in 2007 with the agile, mid-engine GT.
Offering sharp handling and performance to rival established sports car giants, the Artega GT drew critical acclaim.
Nevertheless, the company struggled with financial instability and lacked the sales needed for survival, resulting in a short-lived existence. Background at Car Magazine.

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Conclusion

The stories of these 20 forgotten brands are filled with ambition, bold innovation, and a touch of hubris.
Each marque brought its own vision to the supercar world, leaving behind memorable designs, engineering breakthroughs, and cautionary tales.
Though they ultimately failed to dethrone Ferrari, their fleeting presence has enriched automotive history and inspired future dreamers.
As you admire the endurance of icons like Ferrari, take a moment to appreciate the daring efforts and glorious failures that once aimed for the top.

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20 Forgotten Brands That Tried to Compete with Ferrari (and Failed Gloriously)

1. De Tomaso

2. Iso Rivolta

3. Bizzarrini

4. Monteverdi

5. TVR

6. Vector

7. Cizeta

8. Panther Westwinds

9. Jensen

10. Noble

11. Bristol Cars

12. Facel Vega

13. Gumpert

14. Spyker

15. Qvale

16. Marcos

17. Wiesmann

18. Detomaso (2019 Revival)

19. Apollo Automobil

20. Artega

Conclusion

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