Cars

Surely the most extraordinary success story in the history of the automobile, the Beetle began life as a pet project of Adolf Hitler, who commissioned engineer Ferdinand Porsche to design a low-cost vehicle for the German people. Production eventually began post–World War II, under the British army then occupying much of Germany. SPECIFICATIONSVolkswagen Beetle, 1945–2003 […]

In 1938, with war clouds gathering over Europe, the US Army decided to replace its motorized motorcycle-sidecar combinations (used for messenger and advance reconnaissance duties) with a small, general-purpose vehicle. Willys MB Jeep 1942 It let American motor manufacturers know its requirements in 1940, and three companies responded with prototype vehicles-Willys Overland’s Quad, the American

BORN IN PARIS in 1878, André Citroën’s interest in engineering was sparked by a visit in 1901 to an uncle in Poland, who had patented a gear mechanism with double-helical teeth-the same shape that would later lend itself to Citroën’s famous logo. On his return, Citroën set up a small factory in the French capital

Preston T. Tucker’s character was something between dreamer and opportunist. He’d been an office boy at Cadillac, a car salesman, and partner in an Indianapolis racing car business before deciding to revolutionize car design in post-war America with an all-new model that was fast, stylish, and safe. Tucker 48 Torpedo 1947 Early ideas in 1945

MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS William Lyons and William Walmsley started the Swallow Sidecar Company in Blackpool, Lancashire, in 1922. Swallow sidecars quickly became known for their high quality and stylish looks. In 1927 Swallow began making coachbuilt bodywork for the Austin Seven. Swallow’s bodywork, designed by Lyons, gave the Seven a touch of flair and individuality that appealed

Tasco is an acronym for The American Sportscar Company, and the car pictured here shows the only example it ever managed to produce. The basis of the machine was a shortened 1948 Mercury chassis with a souped-up V8 engine. The Tasco featured an enclosed cockpit like that of a light aircraft. Tasco 1948 Above the heads of

Faced with a devastating drop in orders for its aircraft in 1945, Svenska Aeroplan AB (Swedish Aeroplane Limited) needed to diversify; it chose car manufacture. Inspiration came from the popularity of Germany’s DKW cars in Sweden in the 1930s, where their surefooted roadholding suited the country’s treacherous winter roads. Saab 92 1949 But improving performance

The Dynavia is a fascinating example of futuristic car design from over 60 years ago. But it was also meant to offer big benefits in everyday use, by increasing both performance and fuel consumption. The impetus for the teardrop-shaped fourseater came from Panhard designer Louis Bionier, who set out, in 1944, to prove that such a

In the grim environment of post-war Britain, raw steel had been rationed by the government. The biggest supplies went to manufacturers who could turn it into exportable goods. Land Rover Series 1 1948 Brothers Maurice and Spencer Wilks, who controlled Rover, found a way around this. Maurice had bought a war-surplus Willys Jeep to use on

Although the XK120 was the fastest, most exotic car that Britain offered in 1948, it came about almost by accident. In 1945, Jaguar Cars offered a range of stylish sedans and tourers, but used bought-in engines. Jaguar XK120 1948 Company founder William Lyons planned a new sedan with a brand new Jaguar-made engine, designed in secret