Hollywood Coupes and Glorious Roadsters

The Roaring Twenties was a time of great style and decadence among the moneyed classes, where traditional wealthy families began to be outnumbered by newly rich film stars, business tycoons, and gangsters. The glamour and excitement of their lifestyle was reflected in the cars built for them, in Europe and the United States, displaying flamboyant bodies, shiny nickel or chrome plating, and bright colors.

Cunningham touring car, 1916

 

Origin	USA
Engine	7,200 cc, V8
Top speed	95 mph (153 km/h)

Exceptionally modern-looking at the time of its introduction, and boasting one of the first production V8 engines, the Cunningham attracted celebrity buyers and was produced until 1933.

Stanley Model 735, 1920

 

Origin	USA
Engine	2,059 cc, straight-two steam
Top speed	60 mph (97 km/h)

At four times the price of a Ford Model T and with limited power output, the Stanley steam car was an anachronism by the 1920s. Nevertheless, it stayed in production until 1924.

Bentley Speed Six, 1928

 

Origin	UK
Engine	6,597 cc, straight-six
Top speed	100 mph (161 km/h)

Developed from the 1924 Standard Six, this two-time Le Mans winner was W.O. Bentley’s most successful racing car. With its effortless performance, it also made a sensational road car.

Cord L-29, 1929

 

Origin	USA
Engine	4,884 cc, straight-eight
Top speed	77 mph (124 km/h)

The remarkable L-29 used the Lycoming engine turned around to drive the front wheels. E.L. Cord’s design was a long, low build without an intrusive transmission tunnel.

Ford Model T roadster, 1923

 

Origin	USA
Engine	2,878 cc, straight-four
Top speed	45 mph (72 km/h)

Ford began improving the Model T in 1923 in response to market challenge from Chevrolet. New styling touches included a raked windscreen and demountable wheels

Ford Model A, 1927

 

Origin	USA
Engine	3,285 cc, straight-four
Top speed	60 mph (97 km/h)

The Model A was a mass-production car for middle America, but it still managed to exude gangster-movie style. It was given strong body colors and whitewall tires.

Woods Dual Power, 1917

 

Origin	USA
Engine	1,560 cc, straight-four + electric motor
Top speed	35 mph (56 km/h)

The world’s first gas/electric hybrid used battery power up to 20 mph (32 km/h), then added its engine. It had no gearbox and utilized its engine and regenerative braking to charge its battery.

Lincoln V8, 1921

 

Origin	USA
Engine	5,861 cc, V8
Top speed	88 mph (142 km/h)

Henry Leland left Cadillac to found Lincoln, named after his hero Abraham Lincoln. Henry Ford bought the company in 1922, inheriting this upmarket car that rivaled Cadillac.

Chevrolet Superior Coupe, 1925

 

Origin	USA
Engine	2,804 cc, straight-four
Top speed	56 mph (90 km/h)

William Durant wanted to beat the Model T Ford with this car. Though it could not compete on price, it was a fine car and increased Chevrolet sales by a handsome 70 percent.

Plymouth Model U Coupe, 1929

 

Origin	USA
Engine	2,874 cc, straight-four
Top speed	60 mph (97 km/h)

Chrysler launched the Plymouth in 1928 as a budget-priced car, boasting special features that included hydraulic brakes. It was well timed, and kept Chrysler solvent through the Depression.

La Salle Model 303, 1927

 

Origin	USA
Engine	4,965 cc, V8
Top speed	80 mph (129 km/h)

General Motors introduced La Salle in 1927 as a way to sell more Cadillac-style cars without devaluing Cadillac’s exclusivity. An instant hit, it was a fine car in its own right.

Kissel straight-eight Speedster, 1927

 

Origin	USA
Engine	4,670 cc, straight-six
Top speed	78 mph (125 km/h)

This Kissel was designed to race against the Stutz Bearcat and Mercer Race about. It stayed in production for eight years.

Lancia Lambda, 1922

 

Origin	Italy
Engine	2,120 cc, V4
Top speed	70 mph (113 km/h)

One of the most advanced cars of its day, the long, low Lambda boasted a monocogue body, overhead-camshaft V4 engine, and independent front suspension.

Duesenberg Model J, 1928

 

Origin	USA
Engine	6,882 cc, straight-eight
Top speed	115 mph (185 km/h)

The Model J was bigger, faster, more elaborate, more refined, and more expensive than any other U.S. car of the 1920s. It was powered by a double-overhead-camshaft engine.

 

It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011