The beginning of the 20th century is a period of evolution in the production of automobiles. Technology has evolved and engines have become more powerful. Manufacturers no longer focused on engine size - it was simply dangerous to increase it, but on the number of revolutions. Thus, the average engine volume of a quality car began to be up to 3 liters, and the number of revolutions was in the range of 2200.
The efficiency of cars was primarily evaluated in auto racing. At the beginning of the 20th century, several firms were noted in the creation of cars that successfully passed the tests of competitions.
Peugeot, led by the French engineer Ernst Henri, introduced several innovations to the world. developed a 16-cylinder engine, which they equipped their racing cars with. They also equipped sports car engines with ball bearing crankshafts and a dry sump lubrication system. In 1914, Peugeot sports cars had a five-speed gearbox and brakes on all four wheels.
Another big name in the history of the automotive industry of the early 20th century is Bugatti. In 1914, Ettore Bugatti presented his first car to the public - the Model 13. "Bugatti" were able to prove that the power of the car is completely independent of its size. For that time, the model "13" was unusually light and compact, but at the same time, it was distinguished by reliability and a powerful engine.
Bugatti "13"
Stick to cutting edge technology. He developed a number of innovations in the operation of the car, including a multi-plate clutch.
The production of sports cars flourished not only in the north of Europe. In Spain, the Hispano-Suiza car model appeared, which in 1912 changed its name to Alfonso. The car was equipped with a 3.6 liter engine and developed a stable speed of 110 - 120 km / h.
The English company "Vauxhall" made a bet when creating the "Prince Henry" model not on innovation, but on thoroughness and elegance. The car had an imposing body and an openwork radiator grill, while it handled well and developed a stable speed.
In America, the development of the automotive industry proceeded at a more modest pace. Poor quality, a small territory and a difficult economic situation at the beginning of the 20th century did not contribute to achievements in this area. However, here, in 1910, the legendary racing car appeared - the Mercer model with a 4-cylinder engine and two lower camshafts. Its appearance contributed to good dynamics - the size of the body is slightly smaller than the hood, a transverse partition and only two seats inside.
In 1915, well-known models of high-speed cars "Packard" and "Cadillac" also appeared in America.
As a result, by the middle of the 20th century and the beginning of the 2nd World War, the image of efficient car- front-wheel drive, independent suspension, four-wheel brake and multi-cylinder engine. In different countries, technical data varied, but in general, retro cars were full-fledged vehicles suitable for auto racing and other purposes.
On June 8, 1909, the Russo-Balt S-24/30 rolled off the assembly line, the first mass-produced car of domestic production. Attempts to create a car with internal combustion engines in Russian Empire have been undertaken since the end of the 19th century, but then it was only about single copies, since 1909 the country has its own automobile production.
Thanks to its elegant appearance and technical characteristics that met the most modern requirements, "Russo-Balty" quickly gained recognition abroad. They were produced until the revolution, several cars left the assembly line after 1918. The history of the development of the domestic automobile industry throughout the 20th century and the most iconic models of that time are in the Izvestia selection.
1909: "Russo-Balt", model S-24/30
The release of the legendary "Russo-Balts" - the hallmark of the Russian Empire - was actually carried out by the railway enterprise - the Russian-Baltic Carriage Works. Under the production of cars, the demand for which was becoming more and more active, the plant adapted a department that was engaged in providing railway troops during the Russo-Japanese War, and since 1905 was actually idle.
The 26-year-old Belgian Julien Potter from the Fondu company, with which the Russian-Baltic Plant worked closely, was invited to the position of chief designer. In submission, he had 10 engineers, about 140 workers and three test drivers. The goal of the team was to assemble a car that could move off-road. The first batch of Potter's machines was presented just a year after the start of work. The very first and most massive model of Russo-Balt was the S-24/30, where 24 meant the estimated engine power in horsepower, and 30 meant the maximum power. The car turned out to be reliable - during one of the test runs, the driver drove into the hut: the car was not injured, but the hut fell apart.
Subsequently, "Russo-Balts" showed themselves brilliantly, participating in international motor races and competitions - for example, St. Petersburg - Monte Carlo and St. Petersburg - Moscow - Sevastopol. In addition, Russo-Balt became the first car to reach the top of Vesuvius. Several more models followed the S-24/30, and in total, by 1918, about 500 vehicles were produced at the plant. Several of them stood in the imperial garage. In 1918, the plant, by that time evacuated to Moscow, was nationalized. In the early 1920s, several Russo-Balts under the name Prombron were produced on it, after which the plant was redesigned for the needs of the German company Junkers.
1932: GAZ AA
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/Vadim Kondratiev
The famous lorry began to be assembled at the Gorky (then Nizhny Novgorod) Automobile Plant at the very beginning of the 1930s. The design was based american truck Ford AA - domestic engineers changed the design, adapting the car to local conditions, and on January 29, 1932, the first domestic GAZ AA truck rolled off the assembly line, assembled, however, using parts foreign production. Since 1933, the lorry began to be assembled exclusively from domestic parts.
Until 1934, the truck cab was made of wood and pressed cardboard, and then was replaced with a metal one with a leatherette roof.
Lorries were actively used during the war years, however, due to a lack of spare parts, “military” modifications were produced with canvas doors that could be rolled up, there were no brakes on the front wheels, and only one headlight provided headlights. In 1944, the plant gradually returned to the pre-war configuration.
The last GAZ AA rolled off the assembly line in 1949. In total, 985 thousand copies were produced, one and a half cars could be found on the roads until the end of the 1960s. They became the most massive Soviet car in the first half of the 20th century.
1936: GAZ M-1
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/Museum of National Military History
A few years after the release of the lorry, the Gorky Automobile Plant introduced another novelty - the GAZ M-1 passenger car, which went down in history domestic automotive industry like emka.
By this time, the passenger car GAZ-A, produced at the same plant, had almost completely replaced outdated models of foreign brands. However, the design of the machine almost completely copied american ford Model A, and it soon became clear that the characteristic open phaeton body in Soviet realities was not comfortable and not very durable. The engineers were tasked with developing a more viable technology, and as a result, after several experimental models, the GAZ M-1 car appeared. The prototype for it was the four-cylinder Ford Model B 40A Fordor Sedan model of 1934, but this time its design was significantly redesigned.
The distinguishing feature of the machine mass production which began in 1936, became a black body color with a narrow red stripe along the side. The metal parts of the interior were painted to look like expensive woods, the interior was upholstered in gray or brown woolen cloth.
The car was produced until 1942, enjoyed great popularity - a total of 62,888 copies were produced - and became one of the symbols of its era. At the same time, contemporaries most often called him not emka, but M-1. The name was deciphered as "Molotovsky-1", in honor of the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs Vyacheslav Molotov, whose name was the Gorky Automobile Plant.
1946: GAZ M-20 Pobeda
The first Soviet passenger car of the original design and one of the first mass-produced cars in the world without protruding fenders, steps and headlights, Pobeda went into serial production in 1946. However, work on its creation was started much earlier - even before the war.
By the end of the 1930s, it became obvious that the specialists of the Gorky Plant were ready to move from adapting Western models to developing a car of an original design. First sketches future car were presented already in 1938-1939, but further work was interrupted by the war. The plant was able to return to development already in 1943, after the Battle of Stalingrad. It is believed that it was during the war years that the project was given the name "Victory".
Museum of vintage cars "Moscow transport". Photo gallery:
By the time work on the creation of Pobeda was resumed, Soviet specialists had managed to work with cars received from the USA and Great Britain under Lend-Lease, as well as study captured German equipment. So, during the development were borrowed individual elements Opel models Captain.
In June 1945, the machine passed the state acceptance, and in June 1946, their serial production at the plant began. Wherein Gorky plant did not yet have time to fully restore production after the war, so the first 28 machines were assembled almost by hand, and only after that the conveyor line was launched.
It soon became obvious that the machine, assembled in a hurry, had many shortcomings. The conveyor was temporarily stopped for their elimination, and the director of the plant, Ivan Loskutov, was relieved of his post. Subsequently, improved M-20s in various modifications were produced until the end of the 1950s.
1960: ZAZ-965 "Zaporozhets"
By the mid-1950s, Soviet automakers had fully mastered the production of executive cars, but the segment of small "people's" cars was represented only by the rapidly obsolete Moskvich-401. Meanwhile, the most difficult post-war years were left behind, and the demand for such a massive car began to grow.
The niche was to be filled by "Zaporozhets" - a small car ZAZ-965. Initially, it was assumed that the new car would be produced in the workshops of the Moskvich plant. However, the plant was fully loaded, and an enterprise in Zaporozhye was launched specifically for the production of a small car.
The Italian Fiat 600 was taken as the basis, however, as in the case of the GAZ, the engineers seriously finalized the design in order to adapt the model to the requirements of the domestic market. The first production car was produced in 1960. In 1963, its modification ZAZ-965A was introduced.
The car, popularly called "Humpback", met all the requirements for such machines - it was easy to manufacture and economical to use. The prototypes for it were the famous Volkswagen "Beetle" and a small urban bmw 600.
In total, over 322 thousand cars of both modifications were produced. In addition, the "Cossacks" appeared in a number of popular films - for example, in "The Queen of the Gas Station", the comedy "Three Plus Two" and the cartoon "Just You Wait!".
1959: GAZ-13 "Seagull"
The luxury car was designed in the late 1950s to replace the outdated ZIM limousine. Initially, attempts were made to modernize an already existing car, but it soon became obvious that in the conditions of a rapidly developing global car market, a fundamentally new model was required. The project was entrusted to the Gorky Automobile Plant.
Two options were proposed as the name: "Seagull" and "Arrow". According to legend, one of the developers explained the decision to stop at the Seagull as follows: “Imagine the Volga. Who is flying over it? Gull. Here we have the Volga, and above it the Seagull. The first prototypes were produced in 1956. They were sent on a test run of 21,000 km. January 16, 1959 is considered the official birthday of the car - it was then that the serial, well-known Chaikas came off the assembly line.
Subsequently, this model, which embodied the main trends of automotive fashion in the 1950s, was repeatedly exhibited at international automobile shows, including in Budapest, Geneva, New York, Leipzig and Mexico City, and the two-tone burgundy-beige “Seagull” stood on the floor for several years. VDNH.
There are several modifications of the famous limousine, including a model for filming with a "cut off" top and "Seagull" - a hearse. A total of 3189 cars were produced. Many of constructive solutions, first tested during the creation of the "Seagull", were later involved in the production of "Volga" of the middle class.
1970: VAZ-2101 Zhiguli
The founder of the "classic" family of well-known VAZ cars, the production of which was completed only in 2012.
The basis for its production was laid in 1966, when the USSR signed an agreement with the Italian by Fiat on cooperation in the development of passenger cars. The countries, among other things, agreed on the construction of a plant on the territory of the Soviet Union, and also determined the models of machines that were supposed to be put into production. Behind middle class had to "respond" VAZ-2101 and VAZ-2102. The prototype for them was fiat car 124.
Already in 1967, the name for the future car was thought up, and Soviet engineers ordered from Fiat plates with the inscription "Zhiguli", which were supposed to be mounted on the rear panel of the body. The first six machines were assembled at a new plant in Tolyatti in April 1970, serial production began in August of the same year. The peak of production came in 1973 - then 379 thousand copies were collected.
The people first called the new model "Edinichka", and then, when the "Lada" gained popularity, the nickname changed to "Kopeyka".
In total, from 1970 to 2012, the Volga Automobile Plant produced almost 5 million VAZ-2101 cars of various modifications.
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Over the past 100 years, car manufacturers have created amazing cars both beautiful and ugly. It is difficult to create a list of the most beautiful cars because everyone has their own taste. We tried to make our list, including the most beautiful, in our opinion, cars in the world.
10.1962 Lotus Elite.
Lotus is an English company specializing in the production of sports and racing cars. The company was founded in 1953 by Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman (Collin Chapman) and was called Lotus Engineering Co. Soon the famous "Lotus-Seven" (that is, "seven") was created, and in 1957 its mass production began. The first Lotus model with a closed body. Fiberglass body, independent suspension of all 4 wheels. All-aluminum 1216 cm3 engine. Drag coefficient - 0.29 - better than the vast majority modern cars. Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
9. 1972 Lotus Elan
Following the 1962 Lotus Elan, a prettier car followed. First road car Lotus, made according to the now famous, but then innovative scheme - "steel chassis with fiberglass body." The 1558cc twin-cam engine, all-wheel disc brakes and fully independent suspension ensured a comfortable ride and excellent handling. 
8. 1968 Lamborghini Miura.
Just a stunning car. Luxurious forms of Miura, drawn by the 25-year-old Marcello Gandini, attract the eye like a magnet. The car looks at you with headlights framed by black contrasting “eyelashes”. This detail, typical of the fashionistas of the 60s, the abundance of black mascara on the eyelashes, was subtly noticed by Maestro Gandini. Lyndon MacNeil When this car arrived in London in 1968, it was white and left-hand drive. It was bought by Justin de Villeneuve, also known as Nigel Davis, photographer and manager of a super fashion brand called Twiggy. Davis decided to "rock" the prim British: in a country where they still preferred restrained colors in clothes and adhered to the style of the fifties, this car and a supermodel next to it should have had the effect of an exploding bomb. In a world of all those BMCs, Sunbeams, Hillmans and Routemasters white Lamborghini looked completely unusual. It is no coincidence that Miura was first called the word supercar. This is really a super car. The car is very squat - just over a meter high. The cabin is so low that at first glance it seems as if it is simply impossible to get inside. To try this, you must first click on the button door lock, hidden in the ventilation slots at the top of the door. By the way, I open the right door. In 1970, the car was shipped back to Italy, to the Lamborghini factory, where it was given right-hand steering, stiffer suspension, wider wheels, and a bright green exterior paint. The engine was tuned to S specification and received a power increase of almost 20 hp. 
7. 1971 Jaguar E-Type.
The 1971 Jaguar E-Type is a two or four-seat coupe roadster on an extended chassis. TO external changes added a chrome grille and four exhaust pipes. The Jaguar E-Type had a 5.3 liter engine. It was equipped with an automatic or manual transmission. Power steering became standard equipment. Cars of this series seemed to be produced forever, but the crisis of the seventies greatly influenced the legendary car brand. This led to Jaguar producing 49 E-Types in 1975. These were the last machines of this series painted all in black, and they had a plaque signed by the founder of the company, Sir William Lyons. Thus, the company said goodbye to its famous model. Jaguar E-Type cars were produced in 72,000 copies, which is a very good figure for this class. The last Jaguar E-Type has remained forever in the factory museum. This car has taken a worthy place in the history of the British automotive industry, and indeed the whole world. Its silhouettes still have a strong influence on automotive designers today. 
6. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB.
I review the most beautiful cars, and of course we can't forget the Ferrari! It's a mixture of beauty and aggression. Great Enzo Ferrari created a multi-billion dollar corporation that creates not just fast and reliable cars, but standards of high automotive design. In the history of the company, the widest range of notable and rare cars. "Beautiful and harmonious style, iconic design, the best option 165 cars of this model were built. Their current price ranges from 3 to 6 million dollars. Production of the Ferrari 250 GT model with a three-liter Gioacchino Colombo engine (Gioacchino Colombo) for more than a decade (from 1955 to 1968) gave Ferrari the unofficial title of “Master of the Roads.” Particularly successful were the long-wheelbase (LWB) GT cars, which received three additional letters in the name - TdF - after winning the Tour de France in 1956. Enzo was inspired by the success Ferrari decided on the serial production of road versions of the 250 GT car with a derated engine. production program the Boano coupe-bodied Ferrari 250 GT was first included, and then the Pinin Farina convertible was added to it. On this the lineup has been completed. However, two people disagreed with this decision. largest dealer Ferrari - Luigi Chinetti in New York and John van Neumann in California. They were convinced that most of their customers would want a light sports car, not a luxury Pininfarina car. The easiest way out was to apply to Pininfarina with a request to prepare a project for a new car, however, due to the heavy workload, they refused. And Scaglietti was chosen to work on the California Spider. At the request of Chinetti and van Neumann, a Ferrari 250 GT TdF chassis was chosen for the new car, with both long and short wheelbases and slight changes in appearance. As for the engines, in addition to the derated "civilian version", racing engines with a capacity of more than 250 horsepower were installed. Despite the fact that the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider is considered a production car (approximately fifty copies were produced with a length and short base), it is safe to say that there were no two identical cars among them, since they all received final finishing and equipment in accordance with the requirements of customers. Shown in illustrations ferrari car The short wheelbase 250 GT SWB California Spider, made in 1961, had headlight fairings, a removable hard top, and a 277 horsepower race engine. 
5. 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso.
The first Ferrari 250 GT Lusso appeared in October 1962 at the Paris Motor Show, where it was noticed thanks to the elegant proportions of its magnificent body. The interior of the two-seater sports car was very spacious, which was made possible thanks to the 250-horsepower 3.0-liter engine shifted forward. Although the purpose of the 250 GT Lusso was big tourism, it had a lot in common with the legendary 250 GTO race car. They shared the same wheelbase, suspension, disc brakes, Boranni spoked wheels, and an all-aluminum twelve-cylinder engine. Despite the fact that the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso had a different modern chassis, and in a steel body structure, only the hood, trunk and doors were made of lightweight aluminum, many owners have used these cars for racing, and sometimes, very successfully. Around 350 examples of the 250 GT Lusso were built by Scaglietti with bodies designed by Pininfarina. Almost all of them had the same equipment, with the exception of a few cars that had a different attitude in the final drive, a 5-speed gearbox and carburetors more suitable for a racing career. In 1964, the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso was replaced by more powerful model 275 GTB with independent all-wheel suspension and a complex spatial chassis structure. 
4.1937 Cord 810/812.
Front-wheel drive, V-shaped eight and turbocharger - Cord had a truly revolutionary design. More agile in corners than rear wheel drive vehicles. 1935 - Cord 810 is first shown at the New York Auto Show. And immediately the car finds its first owners. 1936 - Cord 810 is available in sedan and phaeton versions. The open Cord 812 Phaeton and Sportsman series cars were highly sought after by collectors and cost more. Outwardly, these two modifications were similar. And although the maximum speed was only 145 km / h, the car looked faster. 1937 - On automotive market the Cord 812 model arrives. It is distinguished from the 810 model by a supercharged engine. And the engine power increased to 170/190 hp. With. Acceleration to 100 km / h was reduced from 20 to 14 seconds. Subsequently, the Cord 812 bodywork was used by Graham for the release of the Hollywood sedan. 
3. 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4 Berlinetta.
And again Ferrari. Another round at RM Auctions, another almost priceless rarity. A 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB 4 Berlinetta went to some lucky guy who paid $1,650,000 for it. This meticulously restored Ferrari 275 GTB 4 Berlinetta is identical to the original inside and out. horsepower capable of pushing this yellow roadster to 165 mph. The form of the car, which became the basis for subsequent models, was developed by the well-known company Pininfarina (Pininfarina). This powerful motor and a beautiful exterior, I put the car in third place in the top ten. 
2. 1952 Jaguar XK120.
Lyons' first post-war novelty was in September 1948 a 160-horsepower Jaguar based on the XK engine, recognized as one of the best sports cars of all time. The exquisite XK-120 was also the fastest modern production car in the world, clocking 126 mph at Jebbeck. And this at a price of £998! Produced a novelty for the competition, reducing the weight. This is how the XP-120C (C-type) was born. 
1. 1968 Citroen DS.
The Citroën brand has long earned a reputation as a troublemaker, and its DS model is still the most impressive. Do you agree that this car is the number 1 car? Those who know about cars will certainly agree, as the French car of the 50s is regarded as one of the finest cars ever made. 
I continue to tell the history of the global automotive industry using examples from the exposition of the Schlumpf Brothers Museum. In the past, I have covered the period from the dawn of the automobile in the 1880s of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the First World War. Today I will show cars from the first half of the 20th century, from cars from the 1900s to models produced before the start of World War II.
Perhaps this is the most interesting era in automotive history, when the car rapidly evolved from a carriage layout to a more familiar forms, engineers were not afraid to experiment, and bodybuilders and designers created real masterpieces that have become classics for centuries.
I'll start from the time at which I stopped in the first post, namely, with cars produced in the last five years before the start of the First World War. By this time, the cars acquire their own face, set by the configuration of the decorative radiator lining and headlights, the carriage layout is gradually becoming a thing of the past, giving way to a more dynamic form of the car body. Below are a dozen examples of cars of this time from the collection of the Schlumpf Brothers Museum.
01. Left Reanult Fourgon Type AX 1911, used in 1914 as a mail van in the French army, 2 cylinders, 7 hp, 55 km/h. On the right is a Lorraine-Dietrich bus, 1907.
02. The capacity of this intercity bus was 9 passengers, was used in Alsace in the mountainous region of the Vosges. The French company Lorraine-Dietrich produced cars from 1896 to 1935, after which it concentrated on the production of aircraft engines, military equipment and in the post-war period, it produced railway locomotives, which it seems to be still producing, being part of the Alstom concern.
03. Another car of the French manufacturer Renault, model Landaulet Type AG 1. Year of manufacture 1910. The car was produced from 1905 to 1914. One and a half thousand cars of this model were used in Paris as a taxi and were even noted in one of the episodes of the First World War, namely in the battle of the Marne. When it was necessary to urgently deliver reinforcements to the front, the soldiers were transported by Parisian taxis, thanks to which they managed to repel the onslaught of the enemy. The action was attended by 600 Parisian taxis of this model, each of which made two runs to the front line, transporting five soldiers with ammunition at a time, after which this car went down in history as the "Marne Taxi". The car was equipped with a weak two-cylinder engine with a power of 8 hp, which was quite enough for driving around the city, since in Paris there was a speed limit of 40 km / h.
04. Next to the legendary taxi, a luxury omnibus manufactured by Delaunay-Belleville in 1909 is on display. Delaunay-Belleville was the most prestigious automobile brand at the time, ranking higher than Rolls-Royce. Such cars were owned mainly by representatives of the royal dynasties, rich industrialists or bankers. Two Delaunay-Belleville cars were also in the garage of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II. This omnibus belonged to a luxury hotel in Nice and was used to deliver VIP guests from the station to the hotel. The car was equipped with a 31 hp six-cylinder engine.
05. Delaunay-Belleville produced luxury cars from 1903 to 1948. The hallmark of this manufacturer's car design in the 1900s and 1910s were round headlights and a round grille, which made the cars easily recognizable and immediately indicated the status of the owner. It is noteworthy that bodies for Delaunay-Belleville cars were produced by body shops, the company produced only the chassis.
06. In the 1920s, the prestige of the Delaunay-Belleville brand falls and the company after the First World War earns the bulk of its profits through the production of trucks. And the last model of a passenger car in the history of the company was a copy of the Mercedes-Benz 230 model. The Delaunay-Belleville car went down in history also by the fact that in 1911 it was used for the first bank robbery using motorized transport.
07. Another representative of luxury cars of the 1910s, produced by the famous French automaker in the first half of the 20th century, Delahaye. Pictured is a 1912 Dalahaye Coupe Landaulet.
08. The car was equipped with a 4-cylinder engine with a power of 20 hp. Delahaye produced cars from 1895 to 1954, after which, like most French automakers in the first half of the 20th century, it became history.
09. Another car for the rich, this time from Switzerland. The Piccard-Pictet firm from Geneva produced cars from 1906 to 1924 and its products were famous for their excellent reliability and quality. So cars built for the Swiss army in World War I were used by the army until the beginning of World War II. Pictured is a 1911 Coupe Chauffeur 18 HP. Of the 3,000 cars produced by the company over the years, only eight have survived to date.
10. next car The executive class was also produced in 1911 by the well-known French company, which stood at the origins of the automotive industry Panhard & Levassor. Model Berline Type X5, 4 cylinders, 12 hp The infoplate states that the car was featured in the movie "Minouche" with actor Fernand Gravey.
11. British manufacturer of luxury Rolls-Royce cars needs no introduction. Pictured is the Biplace Silver Ghost model, year 1912. The car was produced in 1906 - 1925 and, thanks to its perfect design and high build quality, is considered one of the best cars in the history of the automotive industry.
12. A 7.5-liter six-cylinder engine accelerated the car to a maximum speed of 100 km / h. In 1911, for the first time on cars of this manufacturer, they began to install a Spirit of Ecstasy figurine on the radiator neck, which later became the symbol of the company. Two cars of this model were in the garage of V. I. Lenin, one of which was converted to a caterpillar for use in the Russian winter.
13. Another Rolls-Royce Type W.O. (War Office) - a car commissioned by the British War Office for the army. It was distinguished by a reinforced frame on which armored bodies were installed. In the army they were used as armored cars and reconnaissance vehicles. The year of manufacture of the car in the picture is 1920.
14. Representative of the once famous Spanish brand Hispano-Suiza, which produced cars from 1904 to 1938, has sunk into history. The picture shows the Biplace Sport Alphonse XIII model, named after the Spanish king, who showed interest in the company's products and had one such model in his garage. The car was produced in 1912, equipped with a 3.6 liter engine, which developed 64 hp, which, with a weight of 1300 kg, allowed the car to accelerate to a speed of 120 km / h. At the time, this was a very good result. The light weight of the car was achieved through the use of aluminum alloys from which the engine block and gearbox were made. The car is considered the first mass-produced sports car in history.
15. The 1912 De Dion-Bouton Type DH Limousine was a reliable everyday car that was also used as a travel car.
16. Next to Peugeot Torpedo Type 161, 1922 release. The car was presented at the Brussels Motor Show in 1920 and was produced in 1921-1922. A total of 3,500 cars of this model were produced. The car was double, passenger and driver were located one behind the other. Due to the narrow wheelbase, the design of the car did without the use of a differential. Engine 4-cylinder, 10 HP accelerated a 350-kg machine to 60 km / h. Comparing this 1922 Peugeot with the 1912 De Dion Bouton standing next to it, you can see how much the First World War slowed down progress in the automotive industry - cars that are 10 years apart look like they were released in the same year.
17. The only representative of motor vehicles in the museum is an old Harley with a sidecar.
18. A couple of small cars Peugeot Bébé produced in the period 1913 - 1916. The car is notable for the fact that its designer was none other than Ettore Bugatti. The small car was a success, with over 3,000 produced.
19. German from near Leipzig - M.A.F. Torpedo F-5/ 14 PS. Four cylinders, 14 hp, 70 km/h, built in 1914. The Markranstädter Automobilfabrik produced cars from 1909 to 1923. Currently, five cars of this automaker have been preserved, one of which is on display at the Schlumpf Brothers Museum.
20. 1923 Renault Torpedo Type MT. In the 1920s, Renault cars acquired an original front end, thanks to which it was difficult to confuse them with cars from other manufacturers. This model was produced in 1923-1925 and was equipped with a four-cylinder water-cooled engine developing 15 hp. The maximum speed of the car was 60 km / h.
21. Big and powerful Mercedes Torpedo Type 28/95, 1924. A seven-liter engine, six cylinders, 90 horses and 120 km / h with a car weight of 2,300 kg. The car was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, who served as technical director at Daimler-Mercedes from 1923 to 1929.
22. Next to the German highway liner, the modest and tiny French Monet Goyon Torpedo Type MV, released in 1925 by Monet et Goyon, a motorcycle manufacturer. A single-cylinder six-horsepower engine from a motorcycle was installed on the car, which was started in the same way as on a motorcycle with a kickstarter lever. An attempt to enter the car market was unsuccessful, since this "Cycle-Car", as the small cars were then called, cost a little less than full car Citroen Type C with a four-cylinder engine and after several years of production the project was closed and the firm concentrated entirely on the production of motorcycles, which it produced until 1957.
23. The French automaker Philos produced cars with engines from third-party manufacturers from 1912 to 1923, with a break in 1914-1918 due to the war. Cars were not particularly successful and the company did not last long. One of the Philos products is in the Schlumpf Brothers Museum - on the left in the picture is a Philos A4M, 1914 with a four-cylinder 10-horsepower engine.
24. A trio of light sports cars produced for ordinary roads. Pictured right is a 1928 Salmson VAL3 4 cylinder, 1086 cc, 38 hp. and 110 km/h maximum speed. In the center of a 1926 Amilcar CGSS Surbaissé, 4 cylinders, 35 hp and 120 max.
25. On the left is another Amilcar CGS, 1927 release. 4 cylinders, 30 horses and 115 km/h. French manufacturer Amilcar specialized in the production of compact sports cars in the "Cyclecars" class, which was subject to lower taxes than regular cars. The company was very successful in the market and its products were popular due to the sporty characteristics of cars, bright design and moderate prices. Amilcar produced cars from 1921 to 1939.
26. The ugliest vehicle I've ever seen. Three-wheeled convertible Scott, produced in 1923 in England. It's hard to believe, but the car was mass-produced, although it was originally designed as a tractor for artillery guns.
27. Judging by the information plate, the freak accelerated to 80 km / h using a 2-cylinder engine with a power of 12 hp. Before today five such tricycles have been preserved. The machine was not successful in the market (which is not surprising) and its production was curtailed in 1925.
28. In the foreground is a representative of the little-known French company Sénéchal, founded by racing driver Robert Sénéchal and producing cars from 1921 to 1929. The company specialized in the production of small two-seater convertibles, one of which is from 1925, you can see in this picture.
29. Another French convertible class “Cyclecar” by Mathis from Strasbourg, which produced cars from 1910 to 1950. Pictured is a 1924 Mathis Type P model, notable for setting a fuel economy record in 1922, using just 2.38 liters of fuel per hundred kilometers.
30. Such efficiency was achieved thanks to the low weight of the car, which was 350 kg and an economical 4-cylinder engine with a volume of 760 cubes and a power of 9.5 hp. The car was a success in the market and was produced from 1921 to 1925.
31. One of the most successful French cars of the 1920s was the Citroën Type C. Over 80,000 copies of this car were produced during the years of production 1922 - 1926. The car had only one door on the right side, while on the left a spare wheel was attached in place of the door. Pictured is an extended version of the C3, introduced in 1925, with a slightly longer base and room for a third passenger (previously the C and C2 models were two-seaters). The engine of the car was a four-cylinder, with a power of 11 hp, which made it possible to reach speeds of up to 60 km / h on a flat surface.
32. The Citroën Type C was a complete car for its time, good looking and cheaply priced. At the same time, the machine basic version it was equipped with an electric starter, which made it attractive to women. All this provided the car with success and high sales.
33. Let's move on to the heavyweights of the 1920s. In the foreground is a Mercedes 15/70/100 PS, 1925 with a body from the company Winter from Zittau, Germany. The power of the four-liter engine, as the name implies, is 100 hp, which accelerated the 2.2-ton car to a speed of 112 km / h.
34. Nearby is exhibited no less presentable Minerva Type AC, 1926 release. The Belgian luxury car manufacturer Minerva Motors produced automotive products from 1904 to 1938, and in the first half of the 1910s the company was the largest car manufacturer in Belgium. The car in the picture is equipped with a six-cylinder engine, 75 hp, the maximum speed of the car was 100 km/h.
35. In this photo, the representative of Italy is Lancia Dilambda, the year of manufacture is 1929. Eight cylinders, 100 hp and 120 km / h - indicators indicating that the car belongs to the luxury class.
36. Impressive Mercedes 15/70/100 PS Torpedo with a dynamic double body radiates luxury and solidity. Year of release 1927.
37. A very stylish car, in those days it was a clear flagship in the traffic stream.
38. In the foreground of the photo is the Maserati Biplace Sport 2000, which has impressive dynamic characteristics: 155 hp and 180 km / h - for 1930 indicators inspiring respect. A total of six cars of this model were produced.
39. Tracta type E1, 1930 - a representative of the French company Tracta from Versailles, which produced cars from 1927 to 1934. The design features of the company's cars were front-wheel drive, which gave the name to the company Tracta - an abbreviation for Traction Avant, which means "front-wheel drive" in French. Model E had six-cylinder engine 58 hp firm Continental and developed a speed of 120 km / h. In total, about 50 cars of this model were produced, of which two have survived to this day. Despite the advanced design, the company's cars were not in demand among conservative motorists, and in 1934 the company ceased to exist.
40. If in the 1920s the appearance of cars practically did not change, then the 1930s saw the heyday of automotive design and a variety of forms. A striking example of the courage of the designers of that time is this Alfa Romeo Coach 8C 2.9 A, produced in 1936.
41. In addition to the bright appearance, the technical characteristics of the car are also impressive: an 8-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.9 liters and a power of 220 hp. accelerated the car to 220 km / h. In total, 10 cars of this model were built and now their price on the old-timer market reaches millions of euros.
42. All 8 cylinders of the engine are arranged in a row, hence the length of the hood, which is half the length of the car.
43. Another Alfa Romeo 8C, model 2600 Gran Sport Spider, model year 1933 (pictured left). The name 8C of the Alfa Romeo racing series, produced from 1931 to 1939, means 8-cylinder inline engine, with which all models of this series were assembled. Characteristics corresponding: 178 hp and 190 km/h maximum speed.
44. To the right of the hot Italian, a less hot, but no less stylish British Standard-Swallow SS I, 1934, is on display. Specifications here are more modest - 6 cylinders, 68 horses and 130 km / h. The British company SS Cars Ltd began producing cars in 1934, and in 1945 was renamed Jaguar Cars Ltd. In the photo the first car of the company own development. Prior to the release of this model, SS Cars Ltd produced only bodies for chassis of well-known brands. So in the photo you can say the first Jaguar.
45. A couple of Mercedes from the second half of the 1930s. It is noticeable how rapidly automotive design evolves, especially against the backdrop of its stability in the 1920s.
46. Some more German classics from the 1930s. The picture shows a couple of Horkhovs, model 1931 on the left, model 1932 on the right.
47. Horch Cabriolet 670 with luxurious looks and solid performance for 1932: a six-liter 12-cylinder engine with 120 hp. accelerated not a light car up to 140 km / h.
48. By the end of the 1930s, cars began to look completely different than some five years ago. Body types common in the 1920s are becoming a thing of the past, most cars are equipped with closed bodies with integrated headlights, fenders and running boards, a new body type appeared - the sedan, which would become dominant until the end of the twentieth century. The picture on the left shows a typical late 1930s Renault Juvaquatre, introduced to the market in 1937 and produced until 1960.
49. Next to him is another Frenchman - a Peugeot 202 with original lighting equipment hidden behind a false radiator grille. The year of manufacture of the car is 1939. Four cylinder engine the car gave out 30 hp, which made it possible to reach a speed of 105 km / h. Due to its simplicity and reliability, the car was very popular and during the years of production 1938 - 1940, 1948 - 1949 about 140,000 copies were sold with different type bodies (sedan, convertible, combi and van). On the right in the picture is another Peugeot, model 401. Produced in 1934-1935.
50. One of the most innovative cars of the mid-1930s, the Citroën Traction Avant. The car was introduced in 1934 and at that time had many technical innovations, which are standard in the automotive industry today, among which load-bearing body and front wheel drive. In addition, the car had a very comfortable suspension and excellent dynamics and handling, thanks to which it was popular with robbers, for which it received the nickname "Gangster Sedan". Thanks to the extremely successful design, ahead of its time, the car lasted on the assembly line right up to 1957. Over the years of production, 760,000 cars of this model were produced.
51. Another revolutionary car in terms of design, the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 170 H. The four-cylinder 38-horsepower engine was located at the rear. The car was produced in 1936-1939 but did not become a commercial hit, as happened with the VW Käfer, similar in design and design.
World War II put automotive progress on pause, and after the end of the war, many companies returned to the production of pre-war models, but by the end of the 1940s, automotive progress restored the pace and the evolution of cars continued, but more on that some other time ...
December 18, 1999 The winner of the award was announced in Las Vegas "Car of the Century". About which cars the jury recognized as the best of the 20th century - in our review.
5th place - 911 (303 points)
The iconic Porsche 911 was the fifth most important car the last century. Porsche 911 became the first and most meaningful work Ferdinand Alexander Porsche - the grandson of the founder of the company. Classic 911s were equipped with a 130-horsepower engine and a five-speed mechanical box gears. The 911 series is still in production today.
4th place - Volkswagen Beetle (521 points)
In fourth place is the most massive production car in the world. From 1938 to 2003, 21,529,464 cars were produced. The "people's car" Volkswagen Maikäfer (Maybeetle) was developed back in 1931 by Josef Ganz, but the final version was created by Jacob Werlin, Ferdinand Porsche and Adolf Hitler himself (the Fuhrer personally participated in the development of the design). According to the assurances of the latter, every German family could afford such a car. Since 1939, the prototype of the "Beetle" was in the service of the Wehrmacht, after the war it began to be produced for "civilians". By the way, officially, there were no Beetles, Käfers and Zhukovs: the car was called Volkswagen 1200 and 1600. Only in 1998 was the New Beetle released - a more modern analogue of the classic "people's car".
3rd place - Citroën DS (567 points)
Third place went to the Citroën DS, a business class car for the highest ranks. The development began in 1935 and was carried out in secret during the Nazi occupation of France. Despite unfavourable conditions labor, the engineers were able to develop a number of innovative solutions that would help the future car to get used to the French roads destroyed after the war. After many years of development, on October 6, 1955, the DS was presented at the Paris Motor Show. By the end of the day, 12 thousand orders for the car had been received. Originality, comfort and decent technical characteristics have become the main trump card of the Citroën DS, which is loved by both ordinary motorists and many politicians and celebrities.
2nd place - Mini (617 points)
Mini, produced from 1958 to 2000, became the second "car of the 20th century" according to experts. In 1956, Leonard Lord assembled a team of 8 people and they began to work on the most compact car. A car with dimensions of 3 × 1.2 × 1.2 m was supposed to accommodate four adults with luggage. On August 26, 1959, sales of the first series began in almost 100 countries around the world. Subsequently, many shortcomings of the original design were revealed, which were quickly corrected in newer models. In total, more than two dozen different modifications of the Mini were produced.
1st place - Ford Model T (742 points)
The winner in the nomination was the Ford Model T. The car, produced from 1908 to 1927, became the first widely known car in the world. It had the most simplified design, ideal for mass production, but this did not affect the comfort and handling. Model T was equipped with a 22.5 hp engine. and was able to accelerate to 70 km / h. A total of 15,175,868 cars were produced in several countries around the world.
+ Bonus: top five nominees who didn't make it to the final
Premium car Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost was produced from 1906 to 1926. Like many of the company's cars, the "Silver Ghost" was of impeccable quality, and, of course, an incredibly high price. By the way, the Rolls-Royce Armored Car armored car was created on the basis of the Silver Ghost, which was in service with the British army until 1944.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The best car of the 20th century from an engineering point of view was the Corvette C2 Sting Ray. The famous car was the winner of many races and competitions. It was equipped with 425 and 435 hp V8 engines, and the exclusive Grand Sport model had 550 hp. In 2013, the Stingray C7 was introduced.
Known Power racing model The Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB ranged from 240 hp to 280 hp. Experienced racers took part in the development: Giotto Bizzarini, Carlo Chiti and Mauro Forgieri. The car was recognized as one of the best sports cars of the 1960s, as well as one of the best Ferraris in the history of the brand.
The legendary Bugatti T35 was the real record holder in the number of races won. On average, he won about 14 races every week. The T35 has held several different challenge cups over the years. The power of the record holder racer was about 90 horsepower.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta was first presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1954, and the model was produced until 1965. The car was equipped with an engine ranging from 62 to 100 hp. and accelerated to 190 km / h. The car has been restyled several times. In 1977, the new Giulietta series was launched.
+ Second bonus: "Car of the century in Russia" - Gaz-21 "Volga"
In history Soviet car industry it is worth highlighting the legendary "Volga" - GAZ-21. In 1953, designer Lev Eremeev created an elegant Volga concept based on modern trends in Western automotive industry. The GAZ-21 even outperformed many of its competitors, such as the Ford Zephyr Mk. II and Renault Fregate. The car was produced from 1956 to 1970. GAZ-21 was widely used in various special services: from GorGaz to taxis. A total of 639,478 copies were produced.
