1935 Fiat 1500

The Fiat 1500 is a car produced by the Fiat from 1935 to 1950. The car was introduced in Salone dell'Automobile di Milan in 1935. It was one of the first cars tested in a wind tunnel, following the Chrysler Airflow produced one year earlier. The styling was by the emerging designer, Giacosa, who achieved an aerodynamic efficiency unequalled before it in a touring car, and (contrary to the failure of the "lumpen" Airflow) disproved the thesis aerodynamic cars would not sell.

The second series 1500B, with better brakes, was introduced in 1939, and just barely year after that, the 1500C, with redesigned front end.

In 1949, the 1500E appeared, having some exterior changes and the external spare wheel moved inside the car.

4:48 AM | 0 comments | Read More

1949-1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88

The 1949-1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88 was designated a Milestone for its outstanding blend of styling and performance. It can legitimately be considered Detroit's first high-volume "muscle car."

A last-minute addition to the 1949 line, the 88 (along with the luxury 98) featured the year's new high-compression overhead-valve V-8. It was lighter than the 98 (it shared the Chevy/Pontiac bodyshell), though, and was thus a real tiger. The Futuramic 88 also dominated NASCAR stock-car racing into 1951.

Good looks and sparkling pickup were available in a wide range of body styles, offered in standard and fancier DeLuxe trim. Particularly desirable today are the low-production convertibles, the all-steel wagons (with imitation wood trim and the last Olds wagons until 1957), and the Holiday hardtop added for 1950.

In 1952, the Super 88 took over the role of the most powerful Olds in the lightest body, gaining more horsepower as the years went by along with increasingly bulky styling and more weight.

Pluses of the 1949-1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88:

Power and performance
Quality
Looks
Good club support
Racing record
Sure-fire investment
Milestone status for the Holiday hardtop and convertible

Minuses of the 1949-1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88:

Some rust threat
Body and trim parts scarce

Production of the 1949-1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88:

1949 2-door club sedan: 28,707; 2-door club coupe: 11,591; convertible: 5,434; 4-door Town Sedan: 5,833; 4-door sedan: 46,386; 4-door wagon: 1,355
1950 2-door club sedan: 31,093; 2-door club coupe: 21,456; convertible: 9,127; 4-door sedan: 141,111; 4-door wagon: 2,382; 2-door Holiday hardtop: 1,366; 2-door sedan: 50,561

Specifications of the 1949-1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88:
Wheelbase, inches: 119.5
Length, inches: 202.0
Weight, pounds: 3,455-3,780
Price, new: $1,878-3,296

4:03 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Chevrolet

America’s least expensive cars and one of the world’s best sellers was started by William C. Durant at the time when he did not control General Motors. In collaboration with race car driver Louis Chevrolet, on November 3, 1911, Chevrolet entered the automobile market to compete with the Ford Model T. However, the “Classic Six” turned out to be too expensive so Durant went for the small simple car such as the Little Four. Chevrolet’s first big impact came with the 4-cylinder Baby Grand touring car and its companion roadster model, the Royal Mail and soon witnessed sales rise from 13,600 to 70,701. The Chevrolet “Bow Tie” was trademarked in 1913 and has been one of the most recognizable emblems that still stands as the company’s marquee today.

General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1917 and by 1920 was only outsold by Ford and Dodge. By 1927, Chevrolet had outsold Ford for the first time (though this is an unfair comparison since Ford was shut down for part of the year due to the change over from Model T to the Model A). In all but four of the next 55 years, Chevrolet will be the top selling American automobile. The “Cast-Iron Wonder” was produced in 1929 with a 3.2 liter International 6 with an 8’11” wheelbase and detachable disc wheels. Over 1 million were sold in its first year at $595 each and the engine continued to be manufactured until 1953.

It didn’t take long for Chevrolet to once again take the lead over Ford in 1931 and it continued to stay on top for 3 years. In 1934 the 10 millionth Chevrolet rolled off the assembly line and soon thereafter came the 15 millionth vehicle in 1939 along with station wagons and prices starting at $628. Chevrolet offered a power-top convertible with a low price tag by 1940.

By the end of World War II, Chevrolet underwent an extensive restyling and in 1950 they offered the option of a 2-speed Powerglide fully automatic transmission as wells as a hardtop coupe. Soon after, one of America’s favorite sports cars, the Corvette, was featured with a fiberglass body and 160hp 6-cylinder engine. However, with the induction of the Corvette on the auto scene, Chevrolet’s lead was down to a narrow 20,000 margin over Ford. The debut of the Chevrolet Small-Block V8 in 1955 has remained in continuous production since, longer than any other mass-produced engine in the world. Even though much of the engine has been modified from its original version to include aluminum block and heads, electronic management and fuel injection, the small-block V8 is still used today ranging from 4.8 to 7 liters with outputs from 295 to 638 horsepower.

A new departure for Chevrolet happened in 1960 with the introduction of the 2.3 liter aircooled flat-6 engine in the rear of the Corvair. It proved a little too advanced for the market which it was aimed for, but by 1966 had entered with a new lease on life with the option of a 4-speed and 180bhp turbo-supercharged engine. Based on the response from the Corvair, Chevrolet realized the evolution of subsequent models would need to be diversified rather than concentrating on a single model. In 1963, Chevrolet bridged the gap between the Corvair and Bel Air and Biscayne series and in 1964 the Chevelle was the first to use GM’s perimeter-type chassis frame. Another new model for 1964 was the Corvette Stingray. By 1966, along with the specialized Corvair and Corvette, Chevrolet offered the Chevy II in 3 different series, the Chevelle and 5 different full-sized Chevrolet’s from the Biscayne to the Caprice. Prices ranged from $2,000 to $3,500.

Another successful model was added to Chevrolet’s lineup in 1967, the sports coupe V8 5.7 liter Camaro with 295hp and front disc brakes. Even though this was a belated answer to Ford’s Mustang, it proved to be a successful decision for Chevrolet and would carry on as a model until 2002 and carried again in 2010.

Since its acquisition by General Motors in 1917, Chevrolet has been the highest selling marquee for GM and has had a huge influence on the automobile industry throughout the years by creating innovative designs and features that have pushed the industry with new standards.

1:28 PM | 0 comments | Read More

1967 Chevrolet Camaro

In 1964, General Motors gave the "green light" and go-ahead for the F-car project, in response to Ford's Mustang "Pony Car." Two years later, the Chevrolet Camaro hit the ground running!

From the get-go the Camaro was available in a hardtop coupe and convertible body styles, and could be ordered with nearly 80 factory options and 40 dealer accessories, including three main option packages and a choice of four different engines.

The RS package included numerous cosmetic changes including a blacked out grill with hidden headlights, revised parking and tail lights, upgraded interior trim, and RS badging.

The SS package included a modified 350 V8 with an available 396 big block producing 325hp and later a 375hp version, along with simulated air-intakes on the hood, special bumble bee striping, and a blacked out grill.

It was also possible to order both the RS and SS packages, and receive a RS/SS Camaro.

The Z-28 included mandatory front disc brakes with power assist, and the Muncie 4-speed transmission and was available to the public solely to qualify the car for racing. The Z-28's 302 V8 was one of Detroit's hottest small blocks, and was created by installing the 283's crankshaft in a 327 small block, which allowed Chevy to comply with regulations and stay within SCCA racing's 305 cubic inch limit. Rated horsepower was said to be at just 290hp, but rumored to be a lot more! The Z-28 also came with competition suspension, broad racing stripes on the hood and trunklid and could be combined with the RS option package. There wasn't any Z-28 badging as it would have attracted to much attention. The Z28 was tough to beat and boasted a 140mph top speed and numerous racing victories.

Chevrolet first described the 1967 Camaro as a "road machine" and promised buyers "wide stance stability and big-car power."The Camaro was Chevrolet's delayed reaction to the 1964 Ford Mustang. It was the fourth totally new line of cars that Chevrolet had introduced since the Corvair first appeared in late 1959. While inspired by the "pony car" segment that the Mustang had carved out of the marketplace, the first Camaro was really promoted as more of a "Junior Corvette" that gave the family man with a hunkering for a real sports car the opportunity to buy one with four seats.

Sport coupe and convertible body styles were available. Its overall appearance included a long hood and short rear deck with the popular "Coke-bottle" shape dominating the design. Many options and option packages were offered with some "model-options" that turned the basic Camaro into several distinct models. It had a unitized body with bolted on front frame section to carry the engine, front suspension, steering, and sheet metal components.

12:28 PM | 0 comments | Read More