All articles tagged with #car history
The Oldsmobile 442's name and specifications evolved over the years, originally referring to specific features like a four-barrel carburetor, four-speed transmission, and dual exhausts, but later becoming more of a nostalgic badge with changing meanings, including engine sizes and performance packages, until its final iteration in the 1990s.
The 'American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience' in LA offers a 45-minute interactive journey through the history and cultural impact of the Ford Mustang, featuring museum exhibits, virtual rides, and a 4D movie, though it can be cheesy at times. Tickets cost $35, with additional parking fees, and the experience runs until February next year.
The article explains that Porsche's left-side ignition placement is primarily due to postwar resource conservation and tradition, not a racing advantage, and highlights the inconsistency of ignition placement in Porsche's racing and road cars over the years.
In the 1970s, Ford stored surplus Mavericks in an underground Kansas cave to protect them from weather, a practice that continues today for new vehicles, highlighting a unique storage solution for excess inventory. The original Maverick was a compact car, while the modern version is a budget-friendly pickup truck.
The first V6 engine was developed by Italian engineer Francesco De Virgilio in the early 1940s and was first used in the Lancia Aurelia in 1950, marking a significant milestone in automotive history with its innovative design and racing success.
The Ford Taurus SHO, originally introduced in 1989, was a performance-oriented version of the Taurus, with each generation featuring increasingly powerful engines, including Yamaha-engineered V6s and a V8, culminating in the 2010 EcoBoost V6 model that could accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. The SHO badge stood for Super High Output, reflecting its sporty performance and engineering advancements over the years.
The article highlights three surprising supercharged cars from the past—the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, Toyota Previa, and Volkswagen Corrado—exploring their unique features, performance boosts, and historical significance, while also discussing the decline of supercharging in favor of turbocharging in modern vehicles.
The iconic BMW M3 GTR from the 2005 video game Need for Speed: Most Wanted has been transformed into a real-life race car, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Need for Speed series. Originally a dominant force in the American Le Mans Series, the M3 GTR's legacy continues as it is now showcased at the BMW Welt in Munich, Germany, in its famous blue and silver livery. This transformation was made possible with support from BMW, embracing the car's cultural impact in gaming and racing history.