Comparing claimed speeds of the "fastest car(s) in the world", especially in historical cases, is difficult due to there being no standardized method for determining the top speed, nor a central authority to verify any such claims. The current title holder, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, was certified as such by Guinness World Records for the average top speed achieved on a two-way run, registering 431 km/h (268 mph).
| Year | Make and model | Top Speed | Number built | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Jaguar XK120 | 124.6 mph (200.5 km/h) | 12000 | An adapted version reached 136 mph (219 km/h) by Jaguar tester Ron "Soapy" Sutton. |
| 1955 | Mercedes-Benz 300SL | 140 mph (225 km/h) | 1400 | Claimed top speed 161 mph (259 km/h). In 2005 modified car reached 150 mph (240 km/h). |
| 1961 | Jaguar E-type S1 3.8 | 152 mph (245 km/h) | 72000 | As tested by Autocar |
| 1963 | Iso Rivolta Grifo A3/L 327 | 161 mph (259 km/h) | over 400 | Tested by Autocar |
| 1966 | Lamborghini Miura P400 | 171 mph (275 km/h) | over 750 | Tested by Motor. Over 750 units build in 1966-1973 period, which includes P400, P400 S and P400 SV models. |
| 1968 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona | 174 mph (280 km/h) | about 1400 | Tested by Autocar. |
| 1984 | Ferrari 288 GTO | 188 mph (303 km/h) | 272 | Tested by Auto, Motor und Sport in 1985. |
| 1986 | Porsche 959 Sport | 197 mph (317 km/h) | 6 | Tested by Auto, Motor und Sport in 1987. The 197 mph (317 km/h) top speed was recorded by the 959 Sport of which 6 were ever made. The rest of the 337 units production run (1986-1989) were 959 Touring version that topped at 195 mph (314 km/h). |
| 1987 | Ferrari F40 | 202.687 mph (326.193 km/h) | 1311 | As tested by Quattroruote magazine. Claimed top speed 201 mph (323 km/h). |
| 1991 | Bugatti EB110 GT | 209 mph (336 km/h) | 95 | As measured by Auto, Motor und Sport Magazine. A speed of 212.5 mph (342.0 km/h) was recorded by Bugatti at the Nardo (oval) test track with the mirrors removed. |
| 1992 | Jaguar XJ220 | 213 mph (343 km/h) | 281 | A speed of 217.1 mph (349.4 km/h) was recorded by Jaguar in 1992 by Martin Brundle at Nardo (oval) test track. |
| 1993 | McLaren F1 | 231 mph (372 km/h) | 107 | At factory rev limit, it reached 231 mph (371.8 km/h) at Nardo (oval) test track. In March 31, 1998, with the rev limiter disabled, it reached 240.1 mph (386.4 km/h). It still remains the world's fastest naturally aspirated production car. |
| February 28, 2005 | Koenigsegg CCR | 241 mph (388 km/h) | 14 | Recorded at Nardo (oval) test track and verified by Guinness World Records. |
| April 19, 2005 | Bugatti Veyron EB16.4 | 253.81 mph (408.47 km/h) | 300 | Recorded and verified by German inspection officials. |
| October 9, 2007 | SSC Ultimate Aero TT | 256.18 mph (412.28 km/h) | 24 | Recorded and verified by Guinness World Records officials. |
| June 26, 2010 | Bugatti Veyron EB16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition | 267.857 mph (431.074 km/h) | 5 | Production run of 30 of which 5, named the World Record Edition, will be capable of this top speed. These cars wear a two-tone orange and carbon fibre paint scheme. The other 25 cars are electronically limited to 415 km/h (258 mph). The record attempt was driven by Pierre-Henri Raphanel and was verified by Guinness World Records. |
