In response to the competition from Maranello and their larger models, Lamborghini recognized the necessity for a four-seater and introduced the 400 GT 2+2 in 1966. This new model represented an evolution of the 350 GT, featuring an enlarged V12 engine with a displacement of 3,929cc. The 4.0-liter powerplant had initially debuted in 1965, finding […]
Monthly Archives: October 2023
AC Cars has a rich history dating back to 1903, but its most illustrious period occurred in the post-World War II era, thanks to the leadership of Derek Hurlock. The turning point for AC came when they embraced John Tojeiro’s innovative low-slung lightweight tubular ladder chassis. Tojeiro had already demonstrated the potential of this concept […]
Founded in 1905 by Gabriel Voisin, Avions Voisin was led by an aviation engineer and a graduate of the National School of Fine Arts in Lyon. Combining his technical expertise and creative background, Voisin transitioned to automobile manufacturing in 1919, creating vehicles that seamlessly blended engineering excellence with unique and striking designs, employing a significant […]
The rationalization policy initiated in the late 1930s at Rolls-Royce continued post-World War II. During this period, the company opted to procure more components externally rather than manufacturing them in-house. For the first time, they introduced factory bodywork, which catered better to owner-drivers rather than chauffeurs. This ‘standard steel’ body, produced by the Pressed Steel […]
The VW Bus, officially known as the Volkswagen Type 2, was a compact passenger van manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen from 1950 to 2013. It initially hit the market as a panel van and underwent several transformations over the years, including minibus and pickup truck variants. The Type 2 is renowned for its iconic […]
In 1934, the Type 57 marked Jean Bugatti’s leadership and innovation at Bugatti. It was the first model under his direction, introducing new features for Bugatti. The car featured an 8-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts, 3,257cc displacement, and a five main bearing crankshaft. The camshafts were gear-driven at the engine’s rear, and it had […]
The Espada, taking its name from the weapon of a matador, featured a design reminiscent of the ill-fated, rear-engined, six-cylinder Marzal. However, it distinguished itself by placing its 4.0-liter, four-cam V-12 engine at the front. This engine, initially seen in the 400GT and also utilized in the contemporary Islero, delivered 325bhp, providing the distinctive Bertone-styled […]
De Tomaso extended its Pantera line beyond road cars, offering competition-ready versions for FIA’s Group 3, 4, and 5 categories. The Group 4 Pantera, introduced in 1972 with collaboration from former Ferrari F1 driver Mike Parkes, retained the stock steel monocoque chassis but saw significant upgrades in its running gear to withstand racing stresses. While […]
Although Ferdinand Porsche had established his automotive design consultancy in the early 1930s, his name did not grace a car until 1949. This debut marked the introduction of one of the all-time great sports cars: the Porsche 356. Initial production began with a limited run of aluminum-bodied cars at Gmünd, and later, Porsche shifted to […]
Launched in 1952, the Simca 9 Sport Coupé, designed by Pinin Farina and manufactured by Facel-Métallon, the creators of the Facel Vega, had its roots in the Simca Aronde. Despite sharing its mechanical underpinnings with the Aronde, the Sport Coupé distinguished itself with unitary construction, a departure from the Aronde’s design. The 1,221cc overhead-valve engine […]