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The plebeian side of performance

If you find yourself in the position to spend maybe $100,000, hundreds of thousands, or even over a million on some kind of upper echelon vehicle, you’d expect some exclusivity for your money – and reasonably so. At those kinds of price points, these cars are expected to be something beyond the everyman’s vehicle. But much like humanity shares some common DNA with Neanderthals, so too do supercars share some commonality with some (allegedly) lesser brethren.

Koenigsegg CCX/Agera

Surely a nearly bespoke, purpose built, fine-tooth-comb level of detail car like this wouldn’t resort so someone else’s R&D? Well, that stuff costs money. And despite his massive fortune, Mr. Koenigsegg is still an independent automaker. It’s a pretty minor thing, admittedly. But the rear bumper reflector on the Agera (and the older CCX) made an appearance a few decades earlier on the equally sexy FD-generation Mazda RX-7.

McLaren F1

Speed records come and go, but this one still holds as the fastest naturally aspirated production car, decades after it was set. For all its otherworldly performance figures, the McLaren F1 is rather down to earth. Its taillights were pulled straight from a coach bus (the VDL Bova) and the mirrors, from a Citroën CX. Those mirrors are actually pretty impressive and worth touching on more...

Citroën CX

What’s in a mirror? Whatever it is, Citroen nailed it with this one. You can find these seemingly innocuous viewing aids on a plethora of performance vehicles, including the aforementioned McLaren F1, but also on the Jaguar XJ220, the Lotus Esprit, TVR Chimera, Marcos Mantis and a number of Aston Martins including the Vantage, Virage, and the DB7. Even if some tweaks were made, we all know where they came from.

Jaguar XJ220

Before we get to Aston, we need to look at the XJ220 a little further. For a very short period of time, this was, at one point, the fastest production car in the world, before the McLaren F1 spanked it. Unfortunately that might not be its biggest shame. The taillights of the former fastest car were sourced from a rather pedestrian Rover 200. And that’s not all. The XJ220 was initially conceived with a V12 engine in mind. But as production went on, Jaguar ended up using a modified Austin Rover developed V6 that saw use in Group B rally years prior.

Aston Martin DB7

The car that saved Aston and arguably, a British Icon. But it was a team effort, even if the company won’t admit it. Sure, Aston can talk about British pride and engineering all they want, but those taillights are pulled straight from a Mazda 323F. Plus, the door handles belong to the 1st-gen Mazda MX-5. Plus those Citroen mirrors. And the same transmission used in the H1 Hummer and GMC Yukon. And the supercharger from a Ford Thunderbird. Truly a car of the world. But also totally the pride of Britain.

Bugatti Veyron

What’s the key to success? A MKIV Jetta, seemingly. It must be so, because Bugatti (owned by parent company Volkswagen) decided to use this old key for their million dollar hypercars. ‘If it ain’t broke’ can only go so far, right? Wrong. Slap on a Bugatti logo and this old key fob suddenly elevates significantly in value and prestige. Wonder if the inside of a Veyron smells like crayons too. Volkswagen also uses some engine parts and interior trim found in their ‘lesser’ vehicles inside the Bug. But they’re real exclusive, honestly.