Family cars went through enormous changes in the 1940s. Separate wings, running boards, and stand-up headlamps were out, and modern, full-width styling was in. Inspiration came from the design leaders in the US auto industry, which meant car companies across Europe increasingly used chrome trim...
Now reduced to a subsidiary of Fiat-Chrysler, Lancia’s long history blended engineering innovation with style in a manner that few companies could rival. Since its creation in 1906 the Turin-based company, its cars, and drivers have enjoyed a glittering career in motor sport, particularly in...
With money short and fuel still rationed in many countries, long after war was over, the focus was very much on small, economical cars. Most famous of them all was the Volkswagen, designed in the 1930s and put into full production by the British in...
Porsche is a name ingrained in sports car enthusiasts. Yet its founder, Ferdinand Porsche, was so much more than the creator of one of the world’s most recognizable marques. A man of inventiveness and rare skill, he designed the Volkswagen Beetle, pioneered hybrid vehicles, and...
The two founding fathers of the motor car industry came together when Daimler and Benz merged in 1926—the two companies’ founders had effectively invented the automobile. In addition to being a luxury marque, Mercedes-Benz, the company formed by the merger, has since laid a trail...
Intensified rivalry, the rising demands of export markets, and, of course, ever more discerning customers all forced the postwar car industry into upping its game. Motoring had taken on a practical new aspect as car ownership became more affordable and so more widespread. Automobiles were...
Versatile, go-anywhere vehicles, such as the US military’s Jeep, were initially developed for wartime use. After the end of hostilities, the Jeep found a ready civilian market in agriculture, construction, and emergency services, and some people even drove them just for fun. At the same...
The opening chapter of a very long success story began with a British attempt to replicate the success of the wartime Willys Jeep. Seeking to offer a similar mix of simple, bullet-proof engineering and genuine go-anywhere practicality, the original Land Rover proved wildly popular with...
Volvo C70 Convertible 1997 - Volvo C30 T5 2006...
