Unveiled at the Paris Salon in October 1924, the FIAT 509 marked the automaker’s smallest-ever offering at the time. Contrary to its designation, it wasn’t as diminutive as some competitors but stood out due to its impressive features. Serving as a scaled-down counterpart to its larger siblings, the 509 boasted advanced specifications uncommon in typical […]
Monthly Archives: September 2023
Vincenzo Lancia, a brilliant automobile engineer, passed away before witnessing his final creation come to life. Launched in 1937, two months after his death, the Aprilia set new standards in car design. Breaking away from the traditional layout, it featured all-independent suspension, hydraulic braking, unitary construction, and an overhead-camshaft narrow-angle V4 engine. The streamlined shape, […]
Launched in 1962, Alfa Romeo’s 106-Series 2600 lineup served as a direct successor to the earlier 102-Series 2000 vehicles. While maintaining the chassis design and body styles of the latter, albeit with minor refinements, the 2600 series replaced the previous 2.0-liter, long-stroke, four-cylinder engine with a new 2,584cc twin-cam six. This engine, a descendant of […]
The renowned performance car stemming from the Volkswagen Beetle is the Porsche 356. However, before the Porsche, an unexpected source, the Luftwaffe, produced another—the ‘courier car.’ This vehicle was based on the original Volkswagen, the KdF Wagen Typ 60, in production from 1937 to 1944. The Luftwaffe sought a swift, small courier vehicle that was […]
Debuting in 1939 and evolving from the 2300, the 2500 showcased Alfa Romeo’s commitment to crafting exceptional driver’s cars. Styled in-house with a strong influence from Touring, the five-seater Freccia d’Oro sports saloon was accompanied by coupe and cabriolet versions featuring bodies by Pinin Farina, Touring, and Ghia. Additionally, a longer wheelbase hosted a six/seven-seater […]
In 1926, Rolls-Royce of America acquired the esteemed coach builder Brewster & Company. Subsequent to this acquisition, Rolls-Royce of America introduced 28 standardized body styles for the Phantom I chassis. Among these configurations was an appealing two-seater all-weather convertible coupé with a dicky, later named ‘Regent.’ Historical records indicate the production of 21 Regents on […]
In 1920, Rolls-Royce made a significant announcement: “We will produce a limited number of Rolls-Royce chassis at the American Works, using the same high-quality materials as in England. F. Henry Royce will oversee the American operations, and the products from this facility will serve both English and American customers.” Claude Johnson was appointed Chairman of […]
Founded by John Marston, a Victorian industrialist with a vision for private transport, Sunbeam initially made high-quality, albeit pricey, bicycles. Although newcomers to the car industry, their Wolverhampton-based factory swiftly gained a stellar reputation in the booming Midlands motor industry alongside Lanchester, Wolseley, Austin, and Daimler. Their first car, the Sunbeam 10/12, emerged in 1902, […]
While Stutz is renowned for its racing prowess and the iconic Bearcat, the Bulldog Tourer was another notable addition to their lineup. Serving as the Bearcat’s practical counterpart, both cars shared identical mechanical components. However, the Bulldog boasted a longer 10″ wheelbase without sacrificing performance. Its narrow, close-coupled body remained lightweight. The Bulldog’s practicality has […]
The W191 chassis model marked a significant milestone for the Stuttgart-based manufacturer. Introduced in 1936, the four-cylinder 170V, with its 1.7-liter engine, became the cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz production in the immediate post-war era. Its cutting-edge running gear featured an oval-tube backbone-type chassis, swing-axle independent rear suspension, transverse-leaf independent front suspension, and hydraulic brakes. Following the […]