50 Unforgettable Vintage Automobiles That Still Turn Heads
By Jack Ripley | October 18, 2023
Who Could Miss the 1954 Mercedes 300SL with its Distinctive Gull-Wing Doors?
The American love affair with the automobile is a real thing and has been since Henry Ford’s first Model-T rolled off the assembly lines in Detroit. The automobile is a symbol of power, individuality, prosperity and freedom. Take a look through this collection of old, new, vintage and specialty cars to rekindle your love for the automobile.
If you immediately think “Back to the Future” when you see a gull-wing car, you’re not alone. The unique and eye-catching gull-wing doors on this Mercedes 300SL was one of its most alluring featured. The two-seater coupe was the fastest production car of its time and appealed to the affluent buyer with a need for speed and a lust for performance vehicles. Max Hoffman of Mercedes got the idea for the 300SL as a way to offer the burgeoning post-war market with a Grand Prix-style car.
A 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita...Yours for Only $4.8 Million
One of the more fascinating featured of the 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita is the unique diamond weave carbon fiber finish. Developed by Koenigsegg, the unusual finish has been patented by the car company. Koenigsegg planned to make three of its concept car, the Trevita, but the complexity of the manufacturing process led them to scrap one of the cars and only produce two. With a price tag of $4.8 million, the Koenigsegg Trevita is one of the most expensive sports cars ever made.
This 1904 Car was a Joint Venture Between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce
An agreement on December 23, 1904, between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, led to the production of four cars, including this Rolls-Royce 15 HP, that would be manufactured at Royce’s factory, Royce LTD., and exclusively sold through Rolls’ dealership, C.S. Rolls & Co. The 15 HP was shown at a Paris auto show, but only six of the cars were actually produced. Today, only one of them is still around, but the partnership between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce proved to be a successful one.
The Steam-Powered Stanley "Steamer"
Cars made by the Stanley Motor Carriage Company, like this one, were steam-powered so they were nicknamed, ‘Stanley Steamers’. That Stanley Motor Carriage Company was founded by twin brothers, Francis and Freelan Stanley. The Stanley twins had a successful photographic business prior to delving into auto manufacturing. In fact, they sold their photographic dry plate company to Eastman Kodak and used the profits to start the Stanley Motor Carriage Company. The steam-powered cars became obsolete when the internal combustion engine was perfected and the Stanley company was out of business by the early 1920s.
This Strange Looking Car was Called 'The Plane without Wings'
This odd-looking vehicle was a French designed 1921 car. Designed by Marcel Layet, the Helica de Leya was called a ‘plane without wings’ because the passengers sat behind each other in a row, like passengers on an airplane. The driver steered the car from the rear wheels. The most unique feature of the car was the giant propeller that powered the automobile. The vehicle was lightweight because the body was made out of plywood. It was capable of reaching high speeds. Between 1919 and 1935, however, only 30 Helica de Leya cars were sold.
The 1931 Bugatti Royale was Intended for Europe's Royal Families
One of the largest cars in the world, the Bugatti Type 41, which became known as the Bugatti Royale, was produced between 1927 and 1933. The vehicle was about 20-percent longer than the Rolls-Royce Phantom, and about 25-percent heavier. Ettore Bugatti, the company owner, had a goal of producing 25 of the Royales and selling them to the crown head of Europe, however, the Great Depression in the United States had spread around the globe and even the royal families of Europe felt the pinch. Bugatti made seven of the cars but was only able to sell three of them. Six of them are still in existence.
This Futuristic Phantom Corsair was a Radical Design in 1938
In the late 1930s, folks considered the Phantom Corsair to be a dismal failure. That’s because this unique and futuristic prototype car never entered mass production. It was designed and built by Rust Heinz of the Heinz family and Maurice Schwartz of the Bohman & Schwartz coachbuilding company in 1938 and was a prototype shown are several car shows. The Phantom Corsair was a car ahead of its time in regards to style and functionality.
The 1948 Davis Divan Landed the Car's Manufacturer in Jail
The story behind this three-wheeled car is stranger than the car’s appearance. Built by the Davis Motorcar Company, the Davis Divan was designed by Gary Davis. Davis built two prototypes of the Divan and launched them on an aggressive publicity tour with included public appearances, magazine coverage, and a highly-publicized cross-country trip. Davis raised $1.2 million in pre-sales for the car but failed to deliver the cars to dealerships or buyers. Davis was convicted of fraud and sentenced to two years of hard labor at a work camp.
After Almost Fifty Years, this 1991 Shelby Completion Cobra is Finished
Carroll Shelby was required by FIA racing to build at least 100 of his 427 Cobras but by 1966, he had only completed 53 of them. Shelby abandoned his efforts and joined forces with Ford to design a car that could beat the Ferraris at Le Mans. Yet Shelby still wanted to fulfill his obligation. In 1988, he hired a Corvette restored to finish five of the incomplete Shelbys, which he promptly sold. In the early 1990s, he set about finishing the job and completed the remaining Shelby Cobras, like this one here.
A 1956 Aston Martin DBR1, Built for Speed and Endurance
The British made Aston Martin DBR1 was designed for competition in the World Sportscar Championships. In 1959, it won the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race and was one of only three cars to win both the World Sports Car Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours in the same year during the 1950s. The other two cars to earn this distinction were both Ferraris. The DBR1 racked up several trophies for endurance racing during its time, including three consecutive victories at the Tourist Trophy and the Nurburging. Last year, an Aston Martin DBR1 sold for $22,555,000.
The Owner of the Only 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder Convertible got a Deal of a Lifetime
There is only one 1956 Ferrari GT Spyder Convertible in existence today and how one man came to acquire that car is an interesting story. When avid car-lover, Robert M. Lee of Reno, Nevada, was traveling to Africa to go on safari, he stopped see Enzo Ferrari in Italy on his way. The famed automaker gave Lee some advice. He said, “If you ever buy a Ferrari, buy it from me, not Luigi Chinetti in New York.” A year later, Lee saw the Spyder concept car at the New York Auto Show and asked the distributor, Luigi Chinetti, about buying it. Chinetti told him it wasn’t for sale. Remembering Ferrari’s advice, Lee sent a telegram to Italy asking to purchase the car for $9,500. To his surprise, and Chinetti’s dismay, his offer was accepted. Lee later learned that the car cost $20,000 to make.
1958 Eldorado Brougham...it even has a cup Holder!
Introduced in December of 1956 and released in March of the following year, the Eldorado Brougham was a hand-built car designed by Ed Glowacke. The car was the first to have quad headlights, and it also featured a parking brake, automatic trunk opener, a cigarette and tissue dispenser, cup holders, electric door locks and a vanity mirror with a comb, lipstick and compact powder puff. The very picture of ultra-luxury, the interior boasted sculpted leather seats and ornate trim, with lambskin carpeting.
The Dashing Oldsmobile Runabout
The Oldsmobile Runabout, the first mass-produced car using interchangeable parts, was manufactured from 1901 through 1907 and sold for about $650. The wooden trim details and the two-seater rumble seat made this car look like the horse-drawn carriages it was replacing. It was a happy accident that the Runabout was even produced. In 1901, a fire destroyed several prototypes before they were approved for mass production. The Curved Dash Runabout was spared in the fire, therefore it was the model that was manufactured.
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Enjoyed a Short Production Run
Most car manufacturers take advantage of auto shows to introduce concept cars, or prototypes, of vehicles they hope to produce. It is a way for them to test the waters, so to speak and to gauge the public’s reaction to the car. Ferrari did this very thing when it presented the 250 GT Lusso at the 1962 Paris Auto Show. Much like Ferrari’s other models, the Lusso was a spacious two-seater coupe. The production run for the 250 GT was relatively short, however. The car was only manufactured for about 18 months before the model was replaced by subsequent versions.
The Luxury Crane-Simplex Roadster was Meant for the Rich and Famous
The Crane-Simplex Roadster was one of the most expensive cars of the early 1900s. They were solid, well-built and powerful luxury cars that only the richest businessmen, like John D. Rockefeller, could afford to buy one. The Crane-Simplex had a wood and iron frame and weighed more than 1,200 pounds. Despite its weight, the roadster was powerful enough to reach speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. The high price tag was the downfall of the Crane-Simplex. Only 121 of the cars were made.
Beeb-Beep! It's the Plymouth Hemi Superbird
The gimmicky Plymouth Superbird was a version of the company’s Road Runner, though highly modified. It took inspiration from the cartoon character the Road Runner and featured unique graphics and a distinctive horn sound, as well as a high-mounted rear wing and a prominent aerodynamic nose. Production of the Superbird was short but the vehicle included many engineering innovations adapted after the 1969 Daytona racing season.
The Ford Model T Made Car Ownership Affordable for the Average Middle-Class Family
Known as the Tin Lizzie, the Model T Ford was produced from October of 1908 through May of 1927. It was generally considered to be the first affordable car for the average consumer. It was because the car was produced using Ford’s inventive assembly line production process. The typical middle-class family could afford the Tin Lizzie, opening up the freedom of travel to a whole generation of Americans. Enormously popular, the Ford Motor Company sold more than 16.5 million Model T cars.
The Mercer Raceabout Combine Top Engineering with Top Performance
The Mercer 35R Raceabout was a high-performance vehicle manufactured by the Mercer Automobile Company. The company employed several members of the Roebling family who had backgrounds in manufacturing wire rope and designing suspension bridges. Engineering was in their DNA. They brought this mentality to the Mercer Automobile Company and helped to engineer the Raceabout, one of the best-loved sports cars of the day. The car was designed to be safe while racing and could easily surpass 90 miles per hour.
The Duesenberg Model J was a Beauty but it was Produced at a bad Time
Manufactured in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Duesenberg Model J was a luxury automobile that was meant to rival the other luxury power vehicles of the time. The Duesenberg Model J, however, made its debut the year before the 1929 Stock Market crash and subsequent Great Depression. Few people remained who could afford such a top-quality, expensive automobile. Despite that, the car was still produced until 1937. The Model J was also available with a supercharger. The Duesenberg company prided itself on power and speed. The company’s slogan was “The only car that could pass a Duesenberg was another Duesenberg – and that was with the first owner’s consent.”
The 1932 Cord L-29 Cabriolet Combined Beauty with Functionality
Cord’s 1932 L-29 Cabriolet was the first front-wheel drive vehicle offered to the American public. The transmission was patterned after the race cars that were prevalent at the Indianapolis 500 and, although most of today’s cars are front-wheel drive, the technology was innovative at the time. Manufactured in Auburn, Indiana, the L-29 was unique in that it had a full instrumentation on the dashboard, with a speedometer, gas gauge, oil pressure gauge and temperature gauge.
The Pierce-Arrow Company Produced Trucks, Motorcycle and Campers, Along with Luxury Automobiles
The Piece-Arrow Car Company was unlike most other car manufacturers of the time. Instead of focusing solely on producing automobiles, the Pierce-Arrow company was diversified. In the Buffalo, New York, factory, they produced a line of luxury automobiles, like the coupe shown here, that was tasteful, elegant and expensive. The cars were marketed to the socialites and wealthy entrepreneurs of the twenties and thirties. In addition to building fine automobiles, the Pierce-Arrow company made motorcycles, commercial trucks, camp trailers, fire trucks, and bicycles. Diversifying did not the save the company from the Great Depression, however. The company closed in 1938.
The Development of the 1940 Cadillac V-16 was an Industry Secret
The development of the Cadillac was shrouded in secrecy. Two of Cadillac’s top engineers toured Europe looking for design inspiration. When they released the Cadillac V-16, the car was sold with a completely clothed chassis. At this time, most automobiles were sold with bare chassis and buyers had them clothed by outside coachbuilders. General Motors sought to keep all aspects of the Cadillac V-16 in-house so that buyers would have a uniform experience with the vehicle. To do so, GM purchased the Fleetwood Metal Body and Fisher Body shops to do the chassis fittings for them.
An Original Hot Rod...the 1941 Willys Coupe
The coupe model of the Willys Americar, produced by the Willys-Overland Motor Company between 1937 and 1942, was popular as a hot rod car. Its sleek and aerodynamic design and powerful motor made it an excellent choice. There were a few drawbacks, however. It was difficult to get replacement parts for the Willys Coupe and the Willys company was unresponsive to customer requests. Additionally, the four-cylinder engine was prone to failures. Many of the Willys Coupes were outfitted with Go-Devil engines. Today, it is extremely rare to find a Willys Coupe with all original parts.
Francis Ford Copp0la, Director of "Tucker: The Man and His Dream" Owns a 1948 Tucker Torpedo
If you saw the 1988 movie, “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” then you are already familiar with the Tucker 48, otherwise known as the Tucker Torpedo. The Chicago-based company, headed by Preston Tucker, introduced a number of key innovations to automobile design and the purchasing process, including a third directional headlight, theft protections and purchasing optional features. Production was fraught with problems and only 51 cars were ever produced. Rumors still persist that the Big Three automakers, together with Michigan Senator Homer Ferguson played a role in the demise of the Tucker car company.
The 1949 Mercury Two-Door Coupe Offered a Modern Design
The 1949 Mercury Coupe was popular with customizers who could supe up the engine. In 1949, Mercury introduced its first post-war model which was a bit more powerful than the 1949 Ford. Customers could get the new overdrive system as an option and a handle conveniently located under the dashboard allowed the driver to put the car into overdrive. The new design appealed to modern consumers and the option package, which included an AM radio made it a popular choice. The 1949 Mercury was available in a two-door style, like the one shown here, or a four-door station wagon style.
Chevrolet Corvette's Reception in 1953 was so Lukewarm that the Company Almost Stopped Production of this American Classic
The start of a tradition, the first Chevy Corvettes began rolling off the assembly line in 1953. The classic model almost didn’t come to fruition, though, as reviews of the concept car were lukewarm and pre-sales didn’t reach expectation. Chevrolet didn’t give up on the Corvette, though. An article in the October 1954, issue of Popular Mechanics magazine surveyed Corvette owners and published the findings. The report showed that most Corvette owners had previously owned a foreign sports car and that they ranked the Corvette as better than its foreign counterparts. The article made buyers take a second look at the Corvette.
A Personal Luxury Vehicle, the 1953 Muntz Jet Even had seat belts
The Muntz Car Company was a short-lived automobile manufacturer that was in business for only five years. The company’s signature car, the Muntz Jet, is sometimes called the first personal luxury automobile. The car was equipped with safety features that were innovative of its day, including seat belts and a padded dashboard. The Muntz Car Company only built 198 Jets. By some estimates, between 50 and 125 of the cars are still around today.
Windshield Wipers and a Heavy-Duty Suspension were Standard on the 1954 Desoto Adventurer II
The DeSoto Adventurer II was intended for limited production and, originally, offered in only white, black, or gold. The design was upgraded to compete with the Chrysler 300. The standard package for the DeSoto Adventurer included a padded dashboard, windshield washers, a clock. A radio, gold wheel covers, exterior side mirrors, and a heavy-duty suspension. The Adventurer just missed the thousand mark for first-year sales, but the popularity of the car grew in subsequent years. Production stopped in 1960.
As Concept Cars go, this one Changed the Future of Automobile Design
This dream car was built from designs sketched out by Bill Lange in 1954 using the chassis of a Corvette with a fiberglass body. The F-88 cars have been called the vehicle that changed the future of car design. The F-88 had a Super 88 V8 engine and a clean-burning four-barrel carburetor. This concept car was sold for more than $3 million in 2005 and now sits in the Gateway Colorado Automobile Museum. There may have been a second prototype built, but according to legend, it was destroyed in a fire while being transported between car shows.
One of only Four 1954 Packard Panthers Ever Built
The Packard Car Company produced its concept car, the Packard Panther, in 1954 to exhibit many of its new and innovative ideas and changes for car design. The Panther was a low-riding luxury sports convertible and many of its features were later used in Packard models of the mid- to late 1950s. The body of the Panther was one formed piece of fiberglass. Only four Panthers were ever built and two of those have since been scrapped, leaving only two in existence today.
Like a Phoenix Rising from the Ashes, Nine 1957 JAGUAR XKSS were Completed in 2016.
At the end of the 1956 racing season, Jaguar withdrew from competition, leaving several partially completed D-type Jaguars sat on the assembly line. To recoup some of the cost, these cars were converted to meet road specifications and sold to the American market. On February 12, 1957, a fire swept through the factory, destroying nine of the unfinished vehicles and damaging several more. The surviving cars were repaired and shipped to the United States. Fast forward to March of 2016 when Jaguar announced that it would be finally completing the original order from 1957 and would rebuild from scratch the nine cars that were destroyed in the factory fire.
The 1958 Dual Ghia was Built in both Detroit and Italy
Because the company was only in business for two years, from 1956 to 1958, the Dual Ghia is one of the rarest American automobiles. It was built in what was jokingly called ‘the world’s longest assembly line’. A Dodge frame and drive-train were shipped to Italy for bodywork and interior fabrication by the Italian coachmaker, Ghia. The partially finished cars were then shipped back to the United States where the Dual-Motor Corporation of Detroit completed the car. Although performance was excellent in the vehicle, the feasibility of producing the car on two different continents was problematic.
The 1963 Chrysler Turbine was Powered by a Turbine Engine
Sold in this root-beer color, the Chrysler Turbine was produced between 1962 and 1964 and powered by a turbine engine. Chrysler embarked on a one-million miles user program to test the wear and endurance of the Turbine. Drivers took the Turbine from city to city, racking up one million miles collectively, while noting the pros and cons of the car. The cons were the sluggish acceleration and the noise level. The pros were its low maintenance requirements and noteworthy durability. At the end of the user program, Chrysler took back possession of the cars and destroyed all but nine of them. The company still owns two and the other five are housed in auto museums around the country.
The 1964 Ford GT40 was Built to Beat Ferrari
The Ford GT40 got its name from the abbreviation for Grand Touring and the overall height of the vehicle, 40-inches at the windshield, that was required by the rules of long-distance sports car racing. The car was designed to compete with Ferrari and topple their six consecutive wins at Le Mans dynasty. The Ford won in 1968 and 1969 and was the first car to win in multiple ears using the same chassis.
The 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 was Known as the Stingray
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray L88 is a car that often flies under the radar. That’s because Chevy purposely kept a low-profile with this car when it debuted in 1969. That only helped to create a mystique about the car and increase its value today. The Stingray L88 was powered by a modified version of Chevy’s 427-cubic inch V8 engine and boasted a horsepower of between 540 and 580. The focus of the car was on performance and not frills. For example, there was no radio or air conditioning in the car.
The Wind Through Your Hair in a 1967 Dodge Coronet Convertible
In 1967, the full-sized Dodge Coronet Convertible received an upgrade to appeal to more modern tastes in car designs. The Coronet, available in either a hardtop or convertible, had the largest engine and either a three-speed automatic or four-speed manual transmission. Meant for the open road, the Coronet was powerful, roomy and formidable, making it the car of choice from performance-car enthusiasts and road-trippers alike.
The 1967 Ford Fairlane 500 R-Code Introduced Several Government-Mandated Safety Features
The Fairlane was named after Henry Ford’s estate in Dearborn, Michigan…Fair Lane Estate. As a car model, the Ford Fairlane evolved quite a bit over the years to adjust to changes in production and consumer needs. The 1967 Ford Fairlane introduced a number of safety features that were mandated by the United States government. Those included four-way flashing hazard lights, shoulder belt anchors, soft interior trim, padded steering wheel, dual-chamber brakes and a tempered safety glass rear window.
The 1967 Plymouth R023 GTX Was the 'Gentleman's Muscle Car'
Billed as the ‘gentlemen’s muscle car’, the Plymouth RO23 GTX was a mid-sized performance car that as scaled down from the previous high-performance models, but was still capable of impressing the competition in a road race. The 1967 version was available in a hardtop or convertible version and had a V8 engine and three-speed automatic transmission. A four-speed manual transmission was available as an option. The 1967 model also had front and rear seat belts, as per government regulations, and sporty bucket seats. It also featured front disc brakes and an energy-absorbing steering column.
Sporty and Powerful, the 1967 Shelby GT500 Convertible
A variant of the Ford Mustang, the Shelby GT500 Convertible hit the scene at two different times, first from 1965 to 1968 when it was built by Shelby American, and then from 1969 to 1970, when it was built by Ford. The body of the GT500 was made with fiberglass and the car featured a V8 engine topped with an aluminum mid-rise intake and CFM Holley carburetor. In 1967, more than two thousand of the cars were manufactured.
One of Only 106 Yenko Camaros
Don Yenko created this modified Chevrolet Camaro but an edict from General Motors prohibited the car from having an engine larger than 400 in V8. Yenko knew that this would place the Yenko Super Camaro, as it became known, behind the Dodge Dart, Plymouth Barracuda, and Ford Mustang in regards to power. To compensate, Yenko used a lighter fiberglass replacement hood and a M21 transmission to achieve a horsepower of 450. Yenko, a dealership owner and avid racer, only made 106 of his Yenko Super Camaros.
The Royal Families of Sweden, England, and Denmark Enjoyed the 1968 Daimler DS420 Limousine
On June 11, 1968, the Daimler Company announced the addition of the DS420, Daimler Limousine, to its product line. The DS420 was replacing an older model, but unlike its predecessor, it was almost entirely a Jaguar product with no Daimler engineering at all. The DS420 was in production from 1968 through 1992 and was the vehicle of choice for the royal families of Sweden, Denmark, and England. It was often used as a wedding limo, hotel transport, or a hearse.
The 1969 Chevrolet AstroVette Was Designed for Aerodynamic Studies
Chevrolet designed the Astrovette as part of their ongoing research and development into vehicle aerodynamics. The extended nose of the Astrovette and the small windshield were both designed to reduce drag, as were the closed rear window openings. The flaps on the fender were designed to deflect air if the pressure under the hood increased. The Astrovette never entered mass production but the information gleaned from wind tunnel tests on the car were instrumental in new designs for Chevrolet cars.
By 1969, Ford was Building the Shelby Mustang GT500
The body of the GT500 was made with fiberglass and the car featured a V8 engine topped with an aluminum mid-rise intake and CFM Holley carburetor. In 1967, more than two thousand of the cars were manufactured. A variation of the Ford Mustang, the Shelby GT500 Convertible hit the scene at two different times, first from 1965 to 1968 when it was built by Shelby American, and then from 1969 to 1970, when it was built by Ford.
The 1969 ZL1 Camaro Was Built for Speed
Only 69 ZL1 Camaros rolled off the assembly line but the car earned a reputation for being one of the most legendary muscle cars and one of the fasted General Motor vehicles ever. The all-aluminum 427 V8 engine was designed for power and speed. The car was light so it moved fast and handled well. Chevrolet never intended the ZL1 Camaro to be a street vehicle. It was developed primarily for the Can-Am racing circuit.
The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Was Power Personified
When the muscle car far hit in the 1960s, Chevrolet was caught without a contender. The Chevelle filled that niche well and by 1970, the Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 was dominating the muscle car arena. With 450 horsepower, and 454 cubic inch lifter turning out 500 pounds of torque, the Chevelle rose to the top of the food chain. Power was the name of the game in the Chevelle.
The Buyer Had a Choice of Engines with the 1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda Convertible
The 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, a two-door coupe, was sold with a choice of two six-cylinder engines, either the standard 225 or the new 198 cubic inch version. Affectionately called the ‘Cuda’, the car was no longer based on the A-body in the early 1970s, but had moved on to have a Chrysler E-body. The 1971 Barracuda was similar to the Dodge Challenger and was available in a hardtop or convertible style. Just a few years later, in 1974, Plymouth stopped making the Barracuda altogether.
Pontiac Changed the GTO in 1971 to Meet Government Standards
Under pressure from government safety agencies and insurance companies, Pontiac revamped the GTO in 1971. The newer, safer model had more closely spaced headlights, an extended horizontal bumper, and wire mesh grills. To adapt to the new unleaded gasoline, Pontiac used a 455 CI high-output V8 engine. Dubbed the GTO Judge, sales of the convertible were lackluster and Pontiac stopped production mid-year. Today, the Pontiac GTO Judge is a rare car.
One 11 of the Porsche 916s Were Made in 1972
Only 11 Porsche 916s were ever built. The car was introduced at the 1971 Paris Auto Show and had the body of a Porsche 914 but was lower and sleeker than its predecessor. It had 7-inch spoked wheels and a steel roof, and fiberglass bumpers in the same color as the car for a streamlined look. Inside the Porsche 916, luxury awaited the driver and passengers. Top quality leather and rich velour gave the interior a well-appointed and sophisticated feel.
The 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog Was Intended to Showcase the Engineering Skills of the Aston Martin Team
When the 979 Aston Martin Bulldog, a concept car designed by William Towns, was being built, the production crew used the code name DP K9 01, named after a character of Doctor Who, when discussing the vehicle. The concept car was built to show off the design and engineering capabilities of Aston Martin’s team of engineers at their newly-built Newport Pagnell facility. Only one 979 Aston Martin Bulldog was ever built.
A Talbot Lago Grand Sport
Produced in the first half of the 1900s by French car maker Automobiles Talbot S.A., the Talbot Lago Grand Sport is a rare and highly-sought after class car that goes for top dollar at today’s car auctions. The company was skilled at manufacturing both racing cars and passenger cars and built a solid business at the dawn of the automobile age.