The content of the article:
- Mercedes-Benz 190SL
- Alfa romeo carabo
- 1962 Volkswagen Beatle
- Bentley 6.5 1929
- Bugatti Type 57SC
- Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa 1957
- Duesenberg model j
Retro cars, classic cars, vintage - all these cars have their own individual, often complex and extraordinary character, which modern models do not yet have.
Perhaps because even 50 years ago, manufacturers did not have the opportunity to produce one car every hour, and the designer was personally present on the assembly line, checking and controlling every detail of the car.
Which cars are considered classic, which models are classified as retro? There is some confusion around the world with terms. In different countries, according to the versions of various reputable magazines, the word "retro" refers to only those cars that were produced before 1970, in others - only models not younger than 1948.
Let's omit the complexities of terminology and consider the top of the most interesting, unusual models that can be safely attributed to both the category of retro and the golden collection of classic cars of the last century.
Mercedes-Benz 190SL (body R121) 1955-1963
The premiere of this car at the New York Auto Show caused an unprecedented excitement among experts and unexpected interest of journalists, but it became a completely predictable reaction of the public for the designer and official Mercedes-Benz dealer in the United States. It was the only car at the auto show that was distinguished by its miniature size and streamlined shape. America was just experiencing an oversaturation of the market with large and aggressive cars from GM, and the appearance of the "baby" at the exhibition felt like a breath of fresh wind.
Before entering the series, the American model was slightly improved. - the car has lost the protruding air intake and received a new power unit. For several years, until 1963, when the production of the lineup was discontinued, the Mercedes-Benz 190SL became the fastest sports car, showing a top speed of 170 km. and accelerating to hundreds in 15 seconds. The low price tag gave the US middle class the first taste of speed.
The elegant, reliable roadster has gained popularity since the early days. The Benz 190SL became a bohemian car, although it remained an affordable model for the price. The car was equipped with a 1.9 liter engine with two carburetors, 105 hp, produced in the back of a convertible, coupe, roadster.
For eight years of production, 25881 copies were produced. Today there are talks about giving the unique retro car a rebirth: leaving the body shape and equipping the indoor unit with the most modern systems.
Alfa romeo carabo
It took master Marcello Gandini three months to create this car, which has made everyone look around in amazement for fifty years. The renowned engineer designed the urban version of the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 race car, which was to become a full-fledged road version.
And in 1968 a 2-seater coupe with a unique body shape and high speed parameters was presented. With an engine displacement of 2 liters, Carabo showed a top speed of 200 km and excellent grip.
Despite the popularity of "Zhuzhzhelitsa", the design of the car was heavily criticized by journalists on both sides of the Atlantic. The rear pillars in the car were called "monstrous" and "medieval taste", the body height of 990 mm - "dwarf specimen", the length of almost 4 meters - "worm gear".
But history judged differently, the car occupies one of the first places in the ranking of the most unusual retro cars.
1962 Volkswagen Beetle
In 1962, a designer art version of the popular Volkswagen Beetle was unveiled at the New York Auto Show. The car, which managed to become a movie hero, a cult model of the post-war generation of Europe, appeared before the public in a dark gray color with fiery tongues.
The interior and powertrain remained unchanged, but the unusual color made the car the most popular in the early 60s in America.
The beetle was produced in various modifications, with different types of interior trim, but it was always a recognizable model. As the German journalist put it, "All Beetles from 1945 to 2003 are peas from one pod." The Volkswagen Beatle concept became the basis for many sports cars of the second half of the 20th century.
It was Adolf Hitler's favorite car and a 60s American hippie style icon. Everyone who considered themselves to be free-thinkers and participated in youth revolutions acquired the Zhuk. In old photographs, where parades, gatherings, youth "parties" are captured, you can almost always see the transport of "revolutionaries" in the background - a small car that feels great on the crowded city streets.
Bentley 6.5 1929
Everything is unusual in this car. For the sake of this and other rare models, an auction was organized, where a starting price of $ 6.3 million was set for the Bentley 6.5. For 1929, it was the most elegant and luxurious car appreciated on both sides of the ocean. A total of 544 copies of the 6.5 liter Bentley were produced, each of which was assembled almost by hand.
Bentley 6.5 belongs to the class of sports cars, built on the basic configuration of the Bentley 3 Liter, which became the prototype of many sports cars of the 70s. This legendary car won the Le Mans race in 1924 and the Super Sport race in 1927.
Competitors from Bugatti called the car "the fastest truck in the world."
The Buick had a retractable roof and luggage compartments along the sides, where spare wheels were installed. Massive, large fenders made the car look like a flying owl. Similarities were added by large headlamps that threw out a straight spotlight beam.
Bugatti Type 57 SC
A unique car that has become extraordinary due to its price and the use of aluminum for the body sections. The Bugatti Type was produced before World War II in just 17 examples, four of which were equipped with a modified engine and had a sectional chassis design.
The first show of the famous car, for which collectors are willing to pay millions of dollars today, took place in 1935 in Paris.
The Bugatti Type 57 had four body styles: two modifications for a sedan, a convertible and a coupe.
Commissioned by Victor Rothschild, engineers developed an exclusive 1936 Atlantic model. This car with all the original details can be seen today - the auction took place in 2011. In total, four cars were produced in the Atlantic configuration, for the first time an aluminum-magnesium alloy was used for the body, the highly flammable composition of which does not allow the structure to be welded. The seams of the machine were connected only with bolted fasteners and riveted by hand.
The sports car, which was notable for its low weight, was equipped with an independent suspension, had a powerful 8-cylinder engine with 135 hp. and showed a maximum speed of up to 200 km. hour. Everyone can look at the unique concept today - the car is exhibited in the Mullin Museum (California, USA).
Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa 1957
In 1957, the roads of Europe were conquered by a car that raced at such a high speed that it was called “the red monster - this is Ferrari Red Head. The sports car showed a top speed of 258 km / h and accelerated to a hundred in less than 5 seconds.
The body was distinguished by curved lines, like a sea wave. Large, streamlined headlights, curved fenders, a front bumper, all consisting of smooth and at the same time steep transitions - in the body of the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa there was everything that made even skeptics recognize the car as the best.
Interestingly, the model received the name "red head" not for the body color (there were black and yellow models in the lineup), but for the cylinder heads, which were painted red. A total of 19 of these machines were built.
In 1961, after tightening the rules for the technical equipment of the racing car, production of the Testa Rossa was stopped.
Duesenberg model j
A unique retro car, which has a large number of front lights and deserves the prefix "most". This is the most powerful, most expensive, fastest status car in pre-war America.
A total of six cars of this series were built, one of which was sold at an auction in 2011 for a record amount of almost $ 20 million. The configuration used an elongated chassis, a long wheelbase, for finishing - profile aluminum, almost all parts were chrome-plated.
The two-seater coupé has a retractable roof, low windshield and elegant fenders that end with a storage compartment for the spare wheel. The rear fender is trimmed with stripes of chrome, the steps are reminiscent of the first escalator.
Conclusion
These are some of the most unusual retro cars that have been perfectly preserved to our time. Each model has only original components. These are not always parts of the same year of manufacture as the car, but custom-made by the direct manufacturer.
