Luxury Cars
The 1930s may have been the decade of worldwide depression, but there were still enough wealthy customers to support a fine selection of luxury car makers in the United States and Europe. Elegant, comfortable, and often speedy, these cars were usually the first to receive new developments like power brakes, synchromesh gears, and hydraulic brakes.
Rolls-Royce 20/25, 1930
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 3,699 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
As the increasing weight of formal luxury coachwork made cars slower, Rolls-Royce upgraded its 20 hp model into the 20/25 with more power.
Rolls-Royce Phantom II, 1930
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 7,668 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 90 mph (145 km/h) |
Magnificent engineering, effortless power, and the ultimate in elegance defined the Rolls-Royce Phantom, even if it could hardly be called advanced mechanically.
Rolls-Royce 20/25, 1930
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 3,699 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
The 20/25 was steadily improved through its seven-year production, with synchromesh gears from 1932, but it struggled to maintain the “Best Car in the World” claim.
Cadillac 60 Special, 1938
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,676 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 92 mph (148 km/h) |
Cadillac built some of the most prestigious cars of the 1930s, using not just a large V8, but V12 and V16 engines too. The 60 Special heralded post-war styling in 1938.
Buick NA 8/90, 1934
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,644 cc, straight-eight |
| Top speed | 85 mph (137 km/h) |
The Buick was spacious and surprisingly good to drive, with a synchromesh gearbox attached to an overhead valve engine-both advanced features at the time.
Buick Master Series 60, 1930
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,420 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
Buick entered the 1930s with an ancient and thirsty six-cylinder engine, but the cars were still impressive touring machines that found a ready market.
Buick Century Series 60, 1936
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,247 cc, straight-eight |
| Top speed | 95 mph (153 km/h) |
A luxurious family car with a surprising turn of speed, thanks to its 120bhp engine, the Series 60 Buick proved popular worldwide, offering great value for money.
Talbot 65, 1932
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,665 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
In 1926 chief engineer Georges Roesch gave Talbot one of the smoothest-running six-cylinder engines ever, making this British sedan refined and desirable.
Lincoln K V12, 1934
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 6,735 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
Lincoln’s luxurious V12 model offered the best of everything, and had pioneering styling updates such as integral, sloping headlights and aerodynamic lines.
La Salle V8, 1931
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,840 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
General Motors launched La Salle as a slightly cheaper alternative to its Cadillac brand. Offering similar running gear at a lower price, these elegant and impressive cars sold well.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
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