Monthly Archives: September 2023

Founded in 1903, Cadillac ranks as the second-oldest surviving American automaker, following Ford. It quickly gained prominence as a producer of high-quality vehicles in the United States, proudly promoting itself as the “Standard of the World.” By 1910, Cadillac had become part of the General Motors conglomerate, under the leadership of William C. Durant, and […]

The Bianchina made its debut as the Transformabile coupé, featuring a full-length folding sunroof and displaying noticeable American influences, with the exception of its size. These influences were characterized by two-tone paintwork, whitewall tires, and abundant chrome detailing. Positioned as a more upscale option compared to the FIAT 500, which was originally designed as basic […]

The automobiles designed by Ettore and Jean Bugatti have consistently held a renowned reputation for their precision engineering and craftsmanship, often drawing justified comparisons to the finest Swiss timepieces. However, among all Bugatti models, none embodied the marque’s celebrated qualities as effortlessly as the elegant, luxurious, and competition-proven Type 57S. Debuting at the Paris Auto […]

The Ghia-badged L 6.4, officially a Dual Motors creation, followed the Dual-Ghia and had its roots in the collaboration between Chrysler’s design chief, Virgil Exner, and Ghia’s leader, Luigi Segre. Like its predecessor, the L 6.4 aimed to compete with luxury giants like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac. It combined robust Chrysler power with Italian […]

Debuting at the Geneva Motor Show, the 300SL Roadster was no hasty solution to owner demands. Mercedes went the extra mile, completely reengineering the car to address some of the 300SL’s issues, particularly its suspension. They lowered the pivot point, improving handling and reducing oversteer tendencies. The 3.0-liter straight-six engine, featuring pioneering fuel injection, received […]

Introduced in 1938 under the name ‘New York Special,’ the elegant New Yorker was based on Chrysler’s upscale Imperial, featuring the same side valve straight-eight engine. The ‘New Yorker’ designation in Chrysler’s lineup represented luxury, evident in their high-quality interior trim and occasional use of unique upholstery materials, such as Scottish tartan in the case […]

In 1969, Porsche’s enduring historical connection with Volkswagen was reaffirmed through the introduction of the VW-Porsche 914, a striking mid-engined sports car designed by Porsche and destined to be assembled by Karmann of Osnabruck. This collaborative endeavor arose from the needs of both companies at the time: Volkswagen sought a replacement for its aging Karmann-Ghia, […]

Before the M3, there were pricier, limited-edition M-Series models. However, the M3 changed the game by making BMW’s premier performance brand more accessible to enthusiasts. This shift was driven by BMW’s need to compete in Group A racing, which required the production of 5,000 units in the first year. To meet racing standards in the […]

In 1955, Citroën unveiled the groundbreaking ‘DS,’ featuring advanced hydro-pneumatic suspension, power brakes, clutch, and steering. Initiated in the 1930s by Pierre-Jules Boulanger, this car aimed to provide both comfort on rough roads and stability at high speeds. It set new standards in ride quality that few could match for years. In 1965, a new […]

Debuting at the 1975 Paris Salon, the exquisite 308 GTB marked Ferrari’s return to Pininfarina styling after the Bertone-designed Dino 308 GT4. Distinguished as a ‘true’ Ferrari rather than a Dino, it underwent minimal mechanical changes, mainly a shorter wheelbase, while preserving the predecessor’s underpinnings and transversely mounted 3.0-liter V8 engine with dry-sump lubrication. This […]