> after all, who would be mad enough to put an
> engine at the rear of their sports car?
The rear-end is where all racing cars have their engine. Sports cars are modeled after racing cars.
The rear weight bias allows for increased rear traction and therefore better acceleration.
Off course a rear-engine is difficult to drive, so there are
sports car with a front-engine, but it's far from optimal from a performance stand point.
The conflict between performance and appeal to the masses: that is in my opinion what Paul's essay is about.
Racing cars--and many sports cars--are mid engined. That is, the engine is behind the driver but not behind the rear wheels. The 911, on the other hand, actually has its engine all the way in the back, partially behind the rear axle. It's a very different layout and rather uncommon.
Off course a rear-engine is difficult to drive, so there are sports car with a front-engine, but it's far from optimal from a performance stand point.
The conflict between performance and appeal to the masses: that is in my opinion what Paul's essay is about.