The Question: What is the appeal of the sports car and what is its future in American life?

A. E. BIRT
President
Hambro Automotive Corp.
Special features like distinctive design, high performance, durability and ease of handling, which are basic in MGA and Austin-Healey, appeal to Americans who prefer to drive rather than ride in a motorcar. Sales will continue to increase over the years as more Americans test our cars.

TOM CASE
Thunderbird planning manager
Ford Motor Co.
The sports car makes you feel young and is fun to drive, particularly when performance is combined with comfort and power conveniences. Ford's success with the Thunderbird proves there is a market for a highly styled personal car that has superior performance and handling ability.

SIR WILLIAM LYONS
Chairman and managing director
Jaguar Cars, Ltd.
They have a variety of appeals. Some so admire the dashing lines that they almost feel they are "wearing" it at the wheel. Others revel in the virile performance. So many Americans are buying them as their second vehicle that sports cars will occupy an important role in the American scene.

THOMAS H. KEATING
Group executive
General Motors
It's a new adventure in motoring. In pioneering the American sports car, Corvette proves that the spirit of adventure still exists. The sports car is a serious form of transportation, just as the roadster of the 1920s and the convertible of today. It's the modern way of going places.

J. S. INSKIP
Rolls-Royce and Bentley distributor in the U.S.
First, eye appeal. Second, a superior driving experience. The sports car takes corners and does a lot of things no other vehicle does. Once you've experienced this drive, you must have it. Eventually, this type of car will be as popular in America as it is in Europe now.

HAROLD E. CHURCHILL
General manager
Studebaker Division
Studebaker-Packard
Key to widespread ownership is in making available family-size sports cars with a back and front seat that will carry five passengers, like the Hawk. We see a rapidly advancing number of purchasers. Soon, all the major automobile producers will present a choice in this field.

CHARLES BUCHET DU CAUWET
Citroën distributor
Paris and New York
In America, the stock car is becoming a necessity, a part of daily living. One wants to get out of his habits and buy something different. The sports car gives a feeling of real ownership just as automobiles did when few families owned them. That's the appeal.

S. H. ARNOLT
President
S. H. Arnolt Inc.
Its appeal lies in meticulous workmanship, excellent roadability, more performance per horsepower and distinctiveness, which attract discriminating buyers. Although the sports car won't supplant the conventional automobile, it is here to stay; and its sales and popularity will increase.

SIR WILLIAM ROOTES
Board chairman
Rootes Motors
The appeal is similar to the horse appeal for the smart set. There are two sports cars, the semiracing car and the touring car with sports car performance. The first appeals to young blood—university men and sporting girls; the second, to older men like me. We've barely touched the market.

ROBERT LAMAISON
Export manager
Renault
The appeal is for the nonconformist. People may call him a snob, but it's not that. He needs excitement. He wants to get out of that blue serge suit. This also applies to women. The future of the sports car in America rests with them. They are buying more sports cars every year.

M. E. HOFFMAN
Distributor
Porsche
The appeal is in its sports appearance, ease of handling, performance and readability. The future? I started the sports car business in America and have watched it grow to where I have 400 dealers. It's no longer a question of selling: it's getting enough cars to meet the demand.

W. J. R. WARREN
Director of export sales
Standard Triumph Motors
It's not just rolling, as in big cars. You are motoring again. The appeal is much greater than Americans realize. Every mile is a real thrill. Executives try sports cars and become avid fans. The American car potential is 50,000,000 units. Whatever we sow in this market we will reap.

HARRIET EMERSON
Concert violinist
When you're built Texas size like I am, you want comfort. A friend tried to impress me with his new sports car. I sat on the end of my spine with my chin resting on my knees. Not only did I look foolish but my spine took a beating. I'll take the family Ford or Chevvy any time.

FOURTEEN PHOTOS

NEXT WEEK:

What is the most unusual sport you've seen in your travels around the world? (Asked of members of the Circumnavigators Club.)