Holden, Lexus, Mercedes and More: Six Non-American Pony Cars

The Ford Mustang created the pony car class with its long hood, short deck, V8 engine and cool factor. But Jalopnik contends that America doesn't hold a monopoly on the formula. With the Camaro and Challenger now gone and only the Mustang carrying the domestic torch, the publication points to six examples from other continents that fit the pony car mold.

Holden Monaro (Australia)

The Monaro dates back to 1968. General Motors' Australian subsidiary Holden built it, and the third-generation model was imported to the U.S. as the Pontiac GTO. Jalopnik calls it understated but stylish, especially with the larger snout and hood scoops on the later 6.0-liter versions. It's rear-wheel drive with a V8, and the publication notes that Australians have a knack for looking cool while roasting tires. If it were built in America, the Monaro would be near the top of the pony car charts, Jalopnik says.

Toyota Soarer / Lexus SC400 (Japan)

Built from 1991 to 2000, the fourth-generation Soarer was assembled in Japan on a modified Mk4 Supra chassis. The 4.0GT version came to the U.S. as the Lexus SC400, a rear-drive V8 coupe with seating for four. While the V8 never offered a manual transmission, the inline-six Soarer did. After 1997, the SC400 gained VVT-i and 290 hp, while the Mustang's larger V8 that year made only 215 hp. Jalopnik describes it as a more powerful, more comfortable Mustang with better build quality. Car and Driver, quoted in the Jalopnik piece, wrote: \"The SC400 costs only one-sixth of the astounding $250,000 price tag of the Aston Martin we tested in May.\"

Mercedes 450SLC 5.0 (Germany)

Mercedes built this homologation-special coupe from 1977 to 1981 to qualify for the World Rally Championship. Based on the 107-series SL, it packed a 240-hp 5.0-liter V8 and shed 253 pounds via aluminum hood, decklid and bumpers, tipping the scales at 3,338 pounds. L.J.K. Setwright of Car and Driver said in 1980: \"An SLC is one of the sweetest things in swervery, beautifully balanced… It is amazing how much grip is available.\" Jalopnik calls it one of the most incredible Mercedes ever built.

Iso Grifo (Italy)

Launched in 1965, just months after the Mustang, the Iso Grifo was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro and engineered by Giotto Bizzarrini. Under the hood sat Chevrolet Corvette V8 options. Only 333 Series I and 79 Series II examples were built before the company went bankrupt, making the Grifo extremely rare and expensive. Jalopnik notes that 80% of the driving experience is available from a Corvette, but the Grifo's style offers the remaining 20%. And unlike many Italian GTs, you can find replacement parts at a NAPA store.

Jensen Interceptor (Britain)

First shown in 1966, the Interceptor was a British four-seat grand tourer with a Chrysler 383 V8 and a TorqueFlite automatic or four-speed manual. The fastback body was designed by Italy's Touring and built by Vignale. A 1972 SP model featured a 440ci V8 making 385 hp, good for 147 mph. Total production was about 6,500 units, with 232 SPs. Jalopnik says it fits the bill for a pony car, and its name — Interceptor — earns bonus points.

MG XPower SV (Britain)

The most obscure entry, the SV is a carbon-fiber-bodied coupe with a Ford Modular 4.6-liter V8 borrowed from the Mustang. It was originally developed as the De Tomaso Biguà, then briefly sold as the Qvale Mangusta. MG bought the rights in 2001 and offered a 320-hp standard version and a supercharged 450-hp SV-R. Only 82 examples were built before MG shut down in 2007. Jalopnik says its dramatic bodywork makes it look fast standing still, and it's the coolest car on its list.

• Holden Monaro
• Iso Grifo
• Jensen Interceptor
• Lexus SC400
• MG XPower SV
• pony cars