‘Uberholt Prestige’ is a term in German which refers to a car that deserves to pass you on the Autobahn! Take this into account; the Germans invented the term to describe their own automotive awesomeness.
I have devised my own list of cars that I think would fit the bill if they were seen on any U.S. Interstate. This time around, we will cover a list that our readers and fans can add to or subtract from (and I am sure they will). It would be great to do a list that was distinctly All-American, but we will wait to hear from our audience on that. For now, here are ten cars that I feel possess the prowess called ‘Uberholt Prestige’.
10. ANY GERMAN SEDAN WITH AN RS-, AMG-, or M-BADGE
These are the cars that the term was made up for in the first place.
9. ANY CAR WHOSE ROOF IS AS LOW AS YOUR TRUNKLID
Three reasons:
1. The obvious reason is because any Miura, Pantera or Countach was worthy of our admiration. Aventadors and 458’s have now taken over and have the heritage to garner this generation’s respect.
2. Most cars that are this low are designed to go fast and probably have more cylinders than you have toes.
3. If it doesn’t fit the two aforementioned reasons, it is either a kit car that may or may not be screwed together correctly or there is something wrong with it……GET OUT OF THE WAY!!
8. AN 18-WHEELER
Truthfully, an 18-wheeler wouldn’t be considered for ‘Uberholt Prestige’. However, so many U.S. drivers just don’t know the rules of etiquette when it comes to sharing the road with trucks. We will take you through this early next year with a series of basic driving reminders, but it is certainly worth the effort to learn rules of the road with trucks.
7. A RACECAR
If you see a NASCAR hauler, an Indycar caravan or just a good ‘ol boy with a dirt track racer he and his son built in the garage, the bottom line is, they are all on their way to a track somewhere to do some ‘beatin’ and bangin’. It is their weekend to tear up asphalt and kick up dirt. Let them have their fun and toot your horn in approval as these Weekend Warriors journey on to victory. Needless to say, if you happen to be in Vegas during NASCAR Champions Week or see a Porsche 917 or Lola cruising down the boulevard, show some manners, will ya’?
6. THE PORSCHE 911
Our editor and Co-Founder, Ryan Konko is a Porschephile of the 911 sect. In working with him, I have learned to appreciate the 911. It is a car that was born out of the ravages of tyranny, designed as the alter-ego of a despot’s dream car. The 911 has spent 50 years being current and cutting edge yet always being true to itself. A car that can carve corners and then pick up the kids from school. If the 911 could speak, it would tell you stories of championships past and world changes. It is not about who’s driving it. It is about the car.
5. A KOENIGSEGG
I know I will receive flack for this. I should have left this space for Pagani or a particular Lamborghini. However, the unique engineering of a Koenigsegg deserve your respect. Should you get the chance to see one (in Agera, One:1, S- or R-form), you too, will be arrested by its menacing crab-like silhouette. Their rarity is another reason the term can be aptly applied.
4. FERRARI F40 AND PORSCHE 959
You would think that I would make some blanket statement like: “…all Ferrari’s have it…”, but not so. While there are Ferrari vehicles that possess it, I would not say the same of all prancing horse cars. That being said, an F40 would garner my respect. It is one of the pioneers that made it possible for us to enjoy a McLaren MP4-12C or SLR 722. While lesser horses were claiming the title of supercar, the Ferrari F40 helped to pioneer a new genre; the hypercar.
The Porsche 959 was the impetus for the hypercar movement and was the question that the F40 was determined to answer. The formula was set: the boss brings the boys into the office and spews out a list of impossibilities that needed to be fulfilled. Engineers and designers worked untiringly until the unfathomable was achieved. Thus, the 959 was born.
Their performance has been eclipsed several times over by those that have come after them, but their place in automotive history is sealed and our respect has been earned. They paved the way.
3. BMW M1
While Porsche and Ferrari were duking it out for ultra-supremacy, BMW had already carved out the template for what a supercar was to be. Fast, well-engineered, low-slung, balanced and surprisingly easy to drive. Compromise with Lamborghini and delays aside, this car made it possible for BMW to have a “halo car” and the world to enjoy the show from the left lane.
** For good measure, I would also throw in the Ferrari 288 GTO and the McLaren F1 among these**
2. DeLOREAN DMC-12
Well, when was the last time you saw one?
That’s what I thought! Now move over and let him by. His flux capacitor is overheating.
1. ACURA NSX
Until the next one emerges out of the shadows, we still have to respect this one. Aside from the Audi R8, it is the nicest exotic you can drive to work every day. It makes little boys excited and makes big boys smile. Only the Japanese could have come up with the concept of everyday exotic and pulled it off almost flawlessly.
What are some cars that you think are worthy of the term ‘Uberholt Prestige’?
