The Jowett Javelin was a “stylish little sedan with mechanicals that were in some ways ahead of their time,” says auto historian, Bill Vance. A company-entered car won the 1.5-litre class in the 1949 Monte Carlo Rally, he notes.
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Jowett Javelin, 1947 - 1953
2009 Mazda CX-7 GT
A lower price and standard all-wheel drive make the 2009 Mazda CX-7 GT a better value this year, says Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson. “The CX-7 combines car-like performance and SUV-like utility in a very handsome and distinctive package.”
NSU Wankel Spider, 1964-1967
The first production car to use a Wankel rotary engine, the NSU Spider was a small, two-passenger convertible with its rotary engine behind the rear axle. It pre-dated the better known RSU Ro-80 sedan.
1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta
The Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Fiesta convertible was one of three limited production “dream cars” built by GM in 1953. With a hefty price-tag of $6,000, it was produced for one year and only 458 were made, says auto historian, Bill Vance.
Oldsmobile Toronado, 1966-1980
The front-wheel drive Oldsmobile Toronado was a bold move that provided GM with a reservoir of invaluable engineering experience, and the confidence that helped it make the almost universal transformation to front-drive in the 1980s, says auto historian, Bill Vance.
Lincoln Continental, 1940-1948
The Mark I Continental, particularly the 1940 and '41 model, is almost legendary because of its outstanding styling. “Somewhat ironically, it came about almost by accident,” says auto historian, Bill Vance.
The roots of Land Rover
In 1947, Maurice Wilks, Rover's design director, needed to replace the aging Jeep on his farm. He bought two used war surplus Jeeps which he stripped down and fitted with Rover mechanicals and a rectangular aluminum body. The Land Rover was born.
Hudson Trucks, 1914-1957
In the 1930s and ‘40s, Hudson’s car-based pickups pre-dated by a good decade the sedan pickups that started with the 1957 Ford Ranchero, followed a couple of years later by the Chevrolet El Camino, says auto historian Bill Vance.
Henry J, 1951-1954
The Henry J was an inexpensive compact sold by Kaiser-Frazer, but America wasn’t quite ready for a small car, reports auto historian Bill Vance. The little model was even sold for two years by Sears through its catalogue.
Hot rodding and high performance Model T Fords
In hot rodding's early days, the most popular car around was the Model T Ford, says auto historian Bill Vance. “It was cheap and available, and thanks to the use of vanadium steel, it was stronger than it looked.”
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona”, 1968-1974
Introduced to the world at the 1968 Paris auto show, the V12-powered 365 GTB/4 Daytona was Ferrari's last front-engined two-seater luxury grand touring automobile for many years. Just over 1,400 were built.
DKW/Auto Union, 1928 - 1966
German automaker DKW’s expertise in building two-stroke motorcycle engines was transferred to its car business in 1928 and they continued building cars with two-stroke engines right through until 1966.
DeLorean, 1981-1982
Named after flamboyant former GM engineer, John DeLorean, the DeLorean sports car had an unusual brushed stainless steel body and gullwing doors, but its performance wasn’t competitive. Financial and political scandals doomed the company after only two years
Singer Roadster, 1952-1956
A British import, the Singer Roadster offered performance comparable to its rival, the MG TD, but the Singer “lacked the style and panache of the MG,” says auto historian, Bill Vance.
A British import, the Singer Roadster offered performance comparable to its rival, the MG TD, but the Singer “lacked the style and panache of the MG,” says auto historian, Bill Vance.
Renault Caravelle, 1959-1968
In response to Volkswagen’s introduction of the stylish Beetle-based Karmann Ghia, Renault introduced the equally stylish Dauphine-based Caravelle (Floride in Europe) in 1959. It had more power, but unfortunately wasn’t as robust as the Volkswagen. It lasted until 1968.
In response to Volkswagen’s introduction of the stylish Beetle-based Karmann Ghia, Renault introduced the equally stylish Dauphine-based Caravelle (Floride in Europe) in 1959. It had more power, but unfortunately wasn’t as robust as the Volkswagen. It lasted until 1968.
The Birth of the Porsche
It’s hard to believe, but Porsche got its start in an old sawmill, building its cars from inexpensive Volkswagen components mated to hand-hammered bodies. Historian Bill Vance traces the extraordinary beginnings of Germany’s legendary sports car company.
It’s hard to believe, but Porsche got its start in an old sawmill, building its cars from inexpensive Volkswagen components mated to hand-hammered bodies. Historian Bill Vance traces the extraordinary beginnings of Germany’s legendary sports car company.
Plymouth Fury, 1956-1958
In 1956, Plymouth polished its conservative image with the introduction of the Fury, an attractive, white, two-door hardtop with an anodized aluminum gold tinted side spear. Under the hood was a 5.0-litre (303 cu. in.) V8 with 240 horsepower.
In 1956, Plymouth polished its conservative image with the introduction of the Fury, an attractive, white, two-door hardtop with an anodized aluminum gold tinted side spear. Under the hood was a 5.0-litre (303 cu. in.) V8 with 240 horsepower.
When diesels raced at Indy
Diesel powered cars competed in the famous Indianapolis 500 mile race four times, and did quite well, says auto historian, Bill Vance. Clessie L. Cummins, who founded the Cummins Engine Company, supplied the engines in 1931, 1934, 1950 and 1952.
Diesel powered cars competed in the famous Indianapolis 500 mile race four times, and did quite well, says auto historian, Bill Vance. Clessie L. Cummins, who founded the Cummins Engine Company, supplied the engines in 1931, 1934, 1950 and 1952.
Chrysler K-cars, 1981-1989
Badged as the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant, the basic but popular K-cars were popular enough to save the Chrysler Corporation from bankruptcy – with a little help from Lee Iacocca.
Badged as the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant, the basic but popular K-cars were popular enough to save the Chrysler Corporation from bankruptcy – with a little help from Lee Iacocca.
Chevrolet Chevy II, 1962 – 1969
Dismayed that the air-cooled, rear-engined Corvair wasn’t selling as well as the more conventional Ford Falcon, Chevrolet developed the front-engine, rear-drive Chevy II compact, which turned out to be a more of a success in the market.
Dismayed that the air-cooled, rear-engined Corvair wasn’t selling as well as the more conventional Ford Falcon, Chevrolet developed the front-engine, rear-drive Chevy II compact, which turned out to be a more of a success in the market.
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