During the heady 1960s, American automakers explored progressive ideas through motorsports, concept cars and a new wave of engineering prowess. Among GM’s brands, Oldsmobile took the biggest risk reinventing personal luxury coupe perceptions with its reveal of the 1967 Toronado packing major advancements beneath polarizing avant-garde styling. At first controversial, the long-hood coupe pioneered front-wheel…
The VW Corrado early 1990s ushered an exciting era envisioning a high-tech future through concept cars and production models alike. Among mainstream brands, Volkswagen embraced this ethos strongest transforming its economical image almost overnight with the radically styled Corrado coupe. Introduced for the 1989 model year, this aerodynamic 3-door hatch channeled formula racing inspiration, unconventional…
Take a walk through Porsche’s glistening museum in Stuttgart and one sleek silhouette stands out as the modern embodiment of the brand’s racing pedigree – the Le Mans conquering Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 prototype. Developed for World Endurance Championship domination, this ultimate expression of hybrid racing technology channeled every innovation Porsche engineers could conceive between…
944 Porsche by the early 1980s, Porsche stood at a crossroads. With high costs straining sales volume, the rear-engine 911 needed a lower-priced model appealing to aspirational buyers across new demographics. As executives debated priorities, Porsche consultants proposed an unexpected solution – a Porsche water-cooled front-engine roadster budgeted below $20,000. Initial skepticism soon transformed into…
Chevy Corvair – The late 1950s ushered an era of flamboyance across American life from exaggerated chrome-laden cars to provocative innovations challenging conformity. Among GM brands, none captured this brazen attitude quite like the 1960-1969 Chevrolet Corvair. As a radical compact targeting imports, the rear-engined Corvair dared embrace change and think differently. What it delivered…
Ask automotive enthusiasts to picture a Mustang and odds are they visualize a coupe with a sporty fastback rear roofline. This iconic silhouette helped make the original 1964 1/2 Mustang a runaway success and fueled the pony car performance wars through the Golden Era into the 1970s. Even as SUVs dominate today. The essential Mustang…
Take a drive down the bustling boardwalks of Nice or Capri during the height of summer and one car instantly draws smiles from the crowds – the cheery Fiat 500 Jolly, better known as the “Spiaggina.” Instantly recognizable thanks to its stripped-down exterior and woven chairs. This happy Fiat variant first arrived in 1958 as…
Take a drive along a scenic coastal highway and one timeless silhouette will surely delight from the passing lane – the beloved Volvo P1800. Instantly recognizable from its low-slung fiberglass body and trademark rear fins, this vision arrived in 1961 debuting the Swedish brand into sports car territory. In an era dominated by British roadsters…
