The 1970s saw the production of numerous innovative cars, such as the fuel-injected BMWs, the turbocharged Saabs, and the 16-valve Triumphs, but for mainstream sedans it was a decade in which time stood still. An extraordinary number of sedans that were already in production in...
Originating in the Italian city of Milan a century ago, the Alfa Romeo marque conjures up images of sophisticated road cars and legendary competition success. In the 1930s Alfa Romeo’s racers were the finest in the world and provided the foundation for a wealth of...
In the 1970s Jeep and Land Rover finally saw serious opposition in the off-road market. As a trend toward leisure off-roading and even beach cars developed, thousands of home-build dune buggies were sold in the United States and elsewhere. Alongside capable four-wheel-drive off-roaders, there were...
Lusted after by generations of car enthusiasts, the E-type, known as the XKE in the United States, caused a sensation on its 1961 introduction. Sexily styled and technically advanced, the Jaguar promised 150 mph (241 km/h) performance for a fraction of the cost of exotic...
The 1970s saw a dramatic shift in car styling away from the flowing curves of the 1960s. Now stark, sharp-edged lines were epitomized by the dramatic wedge profiles that swept the car-show circuit. As television boosted the influence of motor racing, supercars were created by...
The Mercedes-Benz SL class of sports roadsters from the 1960s were known for their supremely elegant styling. Also referred to as W113 within the company, they were manufactured from 1963 to 1971. The “pagoda roof” 230SL of 1963 offered good performance and exceptional handling, together...
Despite a wide choice of attractive, often extremely potent models, the open sports car was in decline in the 1960s as the popularity of civilized, closed-top Grand Touring cars grew: Most of these sports cars were launched in the first half of the decade; many...
In terms of performance, the most powerful GT cars of the 1960s were on a par with their equivalents today, so efficient were their aerodynamics and engineering. Modern supercar drivers might notice differences in electronic gadgetry, soundproofing, and driver aids—but not in performance. The 1960s...
Small, specialist manufacturers created many GT cars in Europe in the 1960s, which, owing to their ingenuity and inventiveness, rivaled those of the big car makers. Hardtop coupes became increasingly popular, and trends toward front-wheel drive or even mid-engine layouts were appearing Aerodynamic testing produced...
Until its demise in 1988, Austin was a mainstay of the British automotive industry. Austin introduced millions of ordinary people to the joys of driving with models such as the Seven, A30, Mini, and Metro. Other highlights of the marque’s history included Austin-Healey sports cars...