Automotive History

Bertha Benz: The journey that changed everything (watch the film)

(March 9, 2019) STUTTGART, Germany — The Mercedes star is now shone on the woman without whom the company would perhaps never have existed in this form: Bertha Benz. To mark her 170th birthday on may 3, Mercedes-Benz relates Bertha's historic long-distance journey in cinema quality, thus encouraging men and women throughout the world to make their visions come true with courage and self-confidence.

The story of one of the world's most extraordinary and valuable vehicles

(February 23, 2019) Elegant, sporty, luxurious and rare. These are four of many epithets that can be applied to Bugatti. But there is one model for which they are especially appropriate: the Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupé is not just one of the Bugatti legends but perhaps the greatest. Only four of these cars were created between 1936 and 1938. Three of these extraordinary coupés are still in existence. They are regarded as the most valuable cars in the world. The automotive world has been searching for the fourth Atlantic for over 80 years.

From static to streaming — The history of car radio

(January 5, 2019) A new infographic illustrates the history of the car radio, from the 1930s through the current decade. Since the team at VAIS Technology continues to follow and adapt to the advances in car audio, they wanted to share this chart of the in-car technology upgrades throughout the decades. The journey to today's in-car entertainment was bumpy.

Film depicts how Ford constructed the 1962 Fairlane

(December 13, 2018) A fascinating video from a publicity film produced for the Ford Motor Company at the Dearborn Assembly Plant shows in detail how a 1962 Ford Fairlane was constructed. The factory, located at the huge Ford River Rouge Complex, began operations in 1928 manufacturing the Model A Ford. At that point it was the most extensive factory system in the world.

Heavy Philadelphia traffic on Sept. 7, 1950


Temple Univeristy archives

(October 25, 2018) Race Street appears to be an appropriate name for this Philadelphia thoroughfare which joined the entrance to the Delaware River Bridge in this photo from the Temple University archives. According to the source, the image was taken on Sept. 7, 1950.

Actor Gary Cooper's 1935 Duesenberg SSJ to be offered at auction

(August 13, 2018) Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, will present one of the greatest American classic cars ever offered for public sale with an estimate in excess of $10 million — a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ owned by actor Gary Cooper. The auction will be held Aug. 24 and 25.

Early '60s photos in Philadelphia

(August 6, 20128) These two photographs were shot on June 6, 1961, on the streets of Philadelphia.

Henry Leland's search for perfection


1932 Lincoln Model KB Sport Phaeton

By William G. Sawyer
Contributing Editor, The Virtual Driver

(July 4, 2018) How many Lincoln owners know their vehicle is the product of an argument with a pacifist, a billionaire’s vendetta, and a cruel, heartless father’s begrudging attempt to give his sensitive, talented son a chance — no matter how slim — to emerge from his shadow?

From subcompact to sedan — How the Honda Civic has changed


1995 Honda Civic Coupe

(May 25, 2018) A new, downloadable ebook shares more than 40 years of Honda Civic history covering the evolution of the Civic through 10 generations, from the affordable, subcompact of the early 1970s to the current high-performance trim level. The team at HondaPartsOnline.net researched and developed this free download to celebrate the enduring popularity of Honda’s economical and reliable Civic.

Morgan to show iconic Routemaster bus at events throughout year


Morgan Routemaster bus and Morgan Plus 8

(May 22, 2018) LONDON — Morgan Motor Company will bring an iconic Routemaster bus — the second-to-last edition to have been withdrawn from service — back to the British public at events throughout 2018.

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