The classic car period of 1940-1990 is the era when the Cadillac name stood for luxury, style, and power in imposingly large packages. Henry M. Leland started the company in 1902, and Cadillac became notable for its ability to manufacture high-quality cars on a large...
Cars such as big Opels and Vauxhalls appealed to up-and-coming consumers, who were trading up from economy-minded small saloons, but there was also a breed of large car aimed at a wealthier clientele. Just as today’s Mercedes, Jaguar, and BMW models are considered a cut...
Saloon cars were the top-selling workhorses of the 1950s’ car world. In an era where hatchbacks still hadn’t really been invented, mid-sized saloon cars with separate boots and four doors—or two big doors to make getting into the back a straightforward business were in big...
Cars are complicated and expensive to design and build, so manufacturers have always tried to find ways of reusing components in as many models as possible, which meant developing new markets. In the 1950s they discovered sports cars. A new generation of drivers wanted fun...
Pininfarina is one of Italy’s towering giants of car design, but it was founded by someone very short—being only 5ft (152cm) tall, Battista Farina’s nickname of Pinin, or “tiny”, was apt. His design empire became a hallmark of quality and genius, as well as a...
Fiat (Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili Torino, or the Italian Car Factory of Turin) was founded on 11 July 1899, by Giovanni Agnelli and quickly established itself in almost every automotive sector....