Along with the appearance of the first full-fledged cars, its inventors also had a desire to compete in speed. Speed immediately became one of the main indicators of the quality of cars, and an indicator of their attractiveness. The first car races were held in 1894, along the route Paris – Rouen. The leaders in these competitions were the first Peugeot cars, the Pannard-Levassore and the De Dion-Bouton, a car with a steam engine.

Today it is difficult to imagine racing the first cars of the early 19th century. To us they look ridiculous and cumbersome. The record high speed in those days was considered a figure of 130 km/h, which for us also looks ridiculous.

However, already in 1903 there was an event in the automobile world – the race Gordon Bennett Trophy. Their most successful participant was a car created by the Daimler and Benz concern, the famous “Mercedes 60”.

The car was powered by a 9236cc engine with four cylinders and exhaust overhead and side valves. The engine was virtually silent and even the speeds were smooth. For a long time, Mercedes was a major manufacturer of sports cars. At the time, there was no clear distinction between ordinary and sports cars, cars could participate in races, and at the same time, used for the most ordinary purposes. However, in 1908 the Mercedes companies created a sports car with a 135 hp engine. It came first at the French Grand Prix races in France.

A significant achievement was the creation of the Mersedes 37/90 in 1911. It had an imposing appearance and an engine of 9,570 cc. The main gear and elaborate valve system allowed the car to reach speed easily.

Already at the first races, the jury set the following requirements for the cars – to show “the best combination of safety, economy and ease of operation.” This combination became the motto of the sports car industry. Firms conducted tests that often resulted in the deaths of sports car pilots. Safety, perfect handling and development of high speed were the main priorities when creating cars for participation in competitions.Later, the leaders of the automobile industry began to consider another factor – the appearance of sports cars. Unusual appearance and the presence of imposing details became the characteristic feature of a real sports car.