Artomobiles

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Starring: ‘68 Volvo P1800

By peterolthof

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Eyes Wide Shut: Part 3 DeSoto Sedan & Custom Convertible, 1942. The first mass-produced car with concealed headlamps, or Airfoil Lights. The feature was dropped for the 1946 model year 

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Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, 1933. The Pierce Silver Arrow was first shown as a prototype at the 1933 New York Auto Show. Pierce-Arrow desperately needed to boost sales in depression-era America and needed a car that would draw attention to the brand. Just 5 of the V12 powered Silver Arrows were made, though a cheaper and simpler straight-8 powered car was introduced in 1934 and sold in greater numbers but Pierce-Arrow was closed down in 1938

[carpr0n]

Starring: ‘52 Jaguar XK120

By Thomas Quine

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Through the round window: Part 8 Lincoln Continental “Solid-Top Victoria”, 1941, by Raymond Loewy. Just in case you thought the 1972 Conti was the first with an “opera window”. The Loewy Continental was a one-off with coachwork by Derham based on a Lincoln V12 including a perspex section over the front seats and the C-pillar port holes. The restored car sold at auction in 2008 for £451,000

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Mercedes Benz SSK Trossi Roadster, 1930. A one-off created for the aristocratic Italian racecar driver Count Carlo Felice Trossi

[artomobiles]

1939 Horch 853A Special Roadster by Erdmann & Rossi

In 1939, Horch was one of the four rings under what is now the Audi company, both founded by the same man, August Horch. Horch specialized in making extremely luxurious automobiles. Only eight were built and Horch was extremely selective in choosing its’ clients. A prospective owner’s background and place in society were reviewed along with not just the funds to buy the car, but the owner was required to have at least $700,000 in today’s money in their bank account. Each of the second series’ is unique and has variations such as the color, fenders, louvers, and interior. 

As a car designed in response to Mercedes 540k Special Roadster, Horch succeeded in creating a more exclusive and luxurious automobile.

[carpr0n]

Starring: Delahaye Type 135S Chapron

By Fabien Monde-Automobile

[artomobiles]

Tatra Type 87 (1936-1950)

Producing in Czechoslovakia during the most turbulent years of the last century, the Tatra Type 87 managed to be far ahead of it’s time. The radical body shape was an evolution of the first aerodynamically designed car, the Tatra Type 77. Due to it’s shape and efficiency the Type 87 was able to achieve 20mpg at highway speeds and continue on to a top speed over 100mph with it’s rear mounted air cooled V8. The engineering genius behind it, Hans Ledwinka, was imprisoned for six years for collaborating with Nazi Germany but eventually sued for his freedom. It never gained the success he hoped for outside of his home country, but today the Tatra Type 87 is renowned for its’ innovations.

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Veritas Saturn Coupé, 1950. Powered by a BMW 2 litre 6 cylinder engine which produced 100hp, the Saturn seemed quite promising but the company was seriously undercapitalised and despite having 200 orders could not buy enough components to keep the car in production

[artomobiles]

1947 Bentley Mark VI by Franay

After World War II, coachworker Franay worked with Mr. Gudol to prove to the world France was still a world power with elegance and high class. He certainly succeeded, the car is adorned with crystal drinking flask compartments, a matching frogskin suitcase and high heels, among other amenities. Still notable today, it sold for 2.7 million in 2012, this Bentley Mark VI is regarded as the most successful Bentley of all time. It won the first 2 major Concours d’Elegance and countless awards since then.

[artomobiles]

1947 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe by Langenthal

When this car premiered at the 1938 Paris auto show, it stunned crowds with it’s sleek looks and powerful 100mph top speed. This version, manufactured in 1947 was custom ordered at a time when the elite has cars built for them by designers. This one was fitted with custom bodywork, paint, interior, and the frog hood ornament. Originally shipped as a convertible, the designer, in this case Langenthal, added a hardtop after the owner complained of noise and visibility. Then the owner said the top was too heavy, so Langenthal had it permanently  fixed to the car. Truly unique customer service that is not available today.

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1927 Vauxhall 30/98 Type OE

[artomobiles]

1935 Duesenberg Special “Mormon Meteor”

Financed by oil companies in 1935 this car was created off the Duesenberg Model J platform to break land speed records. It did so, with a top speed over 150 mph. This record stood against teams attempting to surpass it with powerful aircraft engines, a true testament to the Duesenberg engineering.

The next year the car was refitted with a 750hp V12 aircraft engine and a Utah newspaper held a naming contest for the car, dubbing it the “Mormon Meteor”.

The car was later modified for legal road use by the original driver and driven over 20,000 miles, it is now restored to original condition.

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1933 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport

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1939 Bentley 4 ¼ litre

[artomobiles]

Mercedes-Benz 500/540 K Cabriolet A 1936-40

This car was the peak of automotive design when it was unveiled in Paris in 1936. It was as beautiful as it was fast and was designed with the new German autobahn’s Hitler planned. The Nazi government also ordered 12 with in a limousine style 6 seater wheelbase with armored sides. Despite the dark parts of its’ history, the Mercedes-Benz 540K remains an excellent example showcasing the combination of styling and speed luxury cars achieved before WWII.