A new breed of sedan, these cars were aimed at hard-driving businessmen. The cars were well able to sustain foot-to-the-floor overtaking and relaxed high-speed cruising—in contrast to earlier counterparts that would shake themselves to pieces or overheat their engines. Much of the know-how behind these...
In the 1960s engineers in Europe and Japan had considerable freedom with their designs for compact family transportation. Manufacturers chose either a front engine with front-wheel drive, a front engine with rear drive, or a rear engine with rear drive. Styling was also flexible, leading...
When introduced in 1955 Citroën’s DS was the most advanced car of its time. Under its sleek body was a complex hydropneumatic system, driven off the engine. This powered the self-leveling suspension, the brakes, and the steering, and provided automatic clutch operation and assistance to...
When Walter P. Chrysler decided to compete with the giants of Ford and General Motors (GM), he set a course that would see his firm become one of the world’s largest car manufacturers. Embracing such marques as Dodge, Plymouth, and DeSoto, the Chrysler brand has...
For space, comfort, and fuel economy, family cars of the 1950s were similar to those of today; the big differences were in style, safety, performance, and noise at higher speeds. Any of these family cars would comfortably take you from New York City to Montreal,...
In 1950s America all sedans were large and sales figures were huge, justifying annual improvements and restyling. In Europe the economic climate was less favorable, with limited demand in the austerity years after World War II. As a result, updated pre-war cars were produced well...
Conceived as an alternative to the “bubble cars” popular at the time of the 1956 Suez Crisis, the Mini revolutionized small-car design. Its front-wheel drive and transverse engine established the pattern for the modern motor car, putting manufacturer BMC (British Motor Corporation) in the technological...
Produced in many variants over a 55-year lifespan, the Chevy small-block epitomizes the tried and trusted American engine recipe of a 90-degree V8 built of cast iron with pushrod valve actuation. It quickly became popular as a drag-racing engine and powered iconic sports and pony...
Launched in 1953 as a fiberglass two-seater convertible in the style of contemporary European models, the Corvette was America’s first production sports car. Initially fitted with a six-cylinder engine, the Corvette began to fulfill its potential only when it was given a V8 power plant....
Massive demand for sports cars in prosperous post-war America prompted rapid progress in design here and in Europe. This was a golden era for sports cars, as profiles became lower and stylists emphasized this with gorgeous, flowing lines, in the process coming up with some...