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1946-1972

1969 Fiat Vignale Samantha – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

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The badge on the grille said Fiat. The shape said something else. When Carrozzeria Vignale introduced the Samantha in 1969, it transformed a practical Fiat platform into a low, fastback coupé with clear design ambition. The result was neither a factory sports car nor a conventional grand tourer, but a coachbuilt reinterpretation of an existing […]

1976 Citroen Ami 8 Break – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

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In France, the Citroën Ami 8 Break became a popular choice among families and young drivers during the late 1960s and 1970s. Its modest performance, combined with low running costs and exceptional practicality, made it a familiar sight on everyday roads. Technical Details: The Citroën Ami 8 Break is based on the proven technical foundations […]

1968 Alfa Romeo Giulia TI – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

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The Alfa Romeo Giulia TI arrived in 1962 looking like a sensible four-door sedan, yet it hid ideas that would shape Alfa Romeo’s future for more than a decade. Its boxy silhouette turned out to be unusually aerodynamic, and its family-friendly layout concealed genuine performance potential. Spend a little time with the Alfa Romeo Giulia […]

1954 Citroen 11 CV Traction Avant – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

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The Traction Avant paved the way for large-scale production of front-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with monocoque construction. Its technical coherence, durability, and dynamic advantages established a template that influenced generations of Citroën models. Technical Details: The Citroën 11CV Traction Avant is defined above all by its drivetrain concept, which gave the model its name and lasting […]

1966 Ford Mustang Coupe – Exterior and Interior – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

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Most 1966 Mustangs were not convertibles or fastbacks—they were coupes. Parked in ordinary driveways and used for commuting as often as for cruising, the hardtop version defined what the Mustang meant in everyday terms. Its influence came from volume and visibility rather than spectacle. Technical Details: The 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe shared its mechanical architecture […]

1957 Citroen 2 CV – Oldtimer-Meeting – Baden-Baden 2021

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Few cars are surrounded by as many anecdotes as the Citroën 2 CV. Initially intended for rural use, the 2 CV unexpectedly found great success in cities, where its low running costs and surprising practicality were widely appreciated. Technical Details: By 1957, the Citroën 2 CV had already established itself as one of the most […]

1972 Peugeot 204 – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

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Front-wheel drive, a transverse engine, and independent suspension—by 1972, the Peugeot 204 had quietly become one of the most technically advanced small family cars in Europe. It did not rely on radical styling or dramatic performance figures. Instead, it reshaped Peugeot’s engineering philosophy and laid the groundwork for decades of compact front-wheel-drive models. Technical Details: […]

1957 Ford Lincoln Premiere Coupe – Exterior and Interior – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

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By 1957, restraint was no longer a priority in American luxury design. Cars were expected to signal confidence, prosperity, and technological optimism at a glance. The Lincoln Premiere Coupé embodied that moment, presenting size, styling, and power not as indulgence, but as reassurance. Technical Details: The 1957 Lincoln Premiere Coupé was powered by a 368 […]

1953 Jaguar MK VII – Auto Zürich Classic Car Show 2021

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A large four-door saloon winning international rallies was not the norm in 1953. Yet the Jaguar Mk VII combined polished wood interiors with genuine performance credentials, challenging assumptions about what a luxury sedan could accomplish. It was as capable on a competitive stage as it was in formal settings. Technical Details: The 1953 Jaguar Mk […]

1972 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV – Auto Zürich Classic Car Show 2021

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Some cars announce a generational shift without changing their silhouette. The Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV did exactly that in 1971, pairing a familiar Bertone shape with a noticeably stronger two-liter engine and subtle mechanical upgrades. Beneath its restrained evolution lay performance figures and engineering decisions that quietly reset expectations in the two-liter class. Technical Details: […]

1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 – Auto Zürich Classic Show 2021

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Stripes along the flanks, a matte-black hood, and an engine lineup that left little room for understatement—the 1969 Mustang Mach 1 announced its priorities without subtlety. It was Ford’s way of concentrating performance and image into a single, clearly defined version of the Mustang. By the end of the decade, this was the model that […]

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé Gullwing – Exterior + Int. – Auto Zürich Classic Car Show 2021

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The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing became a cultural icon, appearing in Wall Street, Mad Men, and fashion editorials. It epitomized 1950s style and engineering genius. Celebrities like Jay Leno and Ralph Lauren added it to their collections, boosting its mythos. Technical Details: The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (Flügeltürer) was a groundbreaking sports car, not […]

1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Cabriolet – Exterior and Interior – Auto Zürich Classic Car Show 2021

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By 1964, the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL had established itself as a cornerstone of the Mercedes-Benz SL family. It succeeded the legendary 300 SL not by mimicking its raw performance, but by introducing a more accessible interpretation of the grand touring roadster. Technical Details: The 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL retained the robust mechanical configuration introduced in […]

1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Cabriolet – Exterior and Interior – Auto Zürich Classic Car Show 2021

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The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Cabriolet captured the spirit of 1950s luxury leisure. It was embraced not only by Hollywood but by the rising European upper middle class. Technical Details: The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Cabriolet was mechanically identical to the standard Mercedes-Benz 190 SL and shared the same 1.9-liter inline-four, twin-carb setup with 104 hp and […]

1963 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Cabriolet – Exterior and Interior – Auto Zürich Classic Car Show 2021

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The Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Cabriolet was a game-changer, steering the SL series toward comfort without sacrificing sportiness. It was the first Mercedes sports car explicitly marketed for both spirited driving and everyday usability. Technical Details: Debuting at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Cabriolet was an engineering marvel of its time. Under […]

1949 Steyr Diesel Universalschlepper Type 180 – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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Heavy steel, exposed mechanics, and a single-cylinder diesel at work—this was the reality of mechanized farming in 1949. The Steyr Diesel Universalschlepper Type 180 was built not for display, but for endurance. Its importance lay in reliability measured over seasons rather than speed measured in kilometers per hour. Technical Details: The 1949 Steyr Diesel Universalschlepper […]

1954 MG TD Mk II – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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By 1954, MG was no longer simply reviving pre-war traditions—it was refining them. The MG TD Mk II introduced discreet but meaningful upgrades that sharpened handling and performance without altering the familiar roadster formula. For buyers who wanted a more capable MG without sacrificing character, the Mk II quietly delivered exactly that. Technical Details: The […]

1960 BMW 502 3.2 L Super – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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In 1960, BMW’s flagship was not a compact sports saloon but a hand-finished V8 luxury car. The BMW 502 3.2 L Super represented the most powerful and refined evolution of the company’s postwar “Baroque” sedans. It combined advanced engine technology with traditional craftsmanship at a time when BMW’s financial future remained uncertain. Technical Details: The […]

1961 Jaguar E-Type Flatfloor Coupe – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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You can identify the earliest 1961 Jaguar E-Type Fixed Head Coupés according to several features: Flat floors. External bonnet latches. Welded hood louvers. The so-called “flat floor” cars represent the purest and most uncompromised version of the original E-Type design, produced before refinement altered the formula. Technical Details: The 1961 Jaguar E-Type Flat Floor Coupé was […]

1959 Fiat 500 C Topolino – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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By 1959, the name “Fiat 500” already referred to a completely different car. Yet in certain markets and registrations, the older 500 C Topolino was still present on the road—carrying forward a prewar concept into a new automotive decade. Its continued visibility reflected longevity rather than contemporaneity. Technical Details: The Fiat 500 C Topolino, although […]

1966 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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The arrival of the Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint in 1962 marked the quiet return of a classic Alfa formula. Beneath a familiar body lay a new six-cylinder engine that shifted the car into a different league. To the casual observer it looked almost unchanged, but for those who listened closely, the sound alone told a […]

1966 Jaguar E-Type Serie 1 Cabrio – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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The Jaguar E-Type series 1 Cabriolet of 1966 paired its unmistakable proportions with mechanical improvements. The result was a sports car that felt fully developed rather than newly disruptive. Technical Details: The 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Cabriolet (Open Two Seater) was powered by the 4.2-liter dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) inline six-cylinder engine, introduced in […]

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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Launched in 1957, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster marked a pivotal transition for Mercedes-Benz, shifting from raw, motorsport-inspired performance to refined grand touring. Technical Details: The 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster was engineered as a refined successor to the famed Gullwing Coupe. Under the hood lay a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 215 horsepower at 5800 […]

1958 Volkswagen Käfer Cabrio – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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Updated in 1957, the Volkswagen Käfer Cabrio stands as a textbook example of thoughtful automotive evolution. Through extensive yet subtle updates, Volkswagen improved safety, comfort, durability, and usability while preserving the Beetle’s unmistakable identity. Enlarged glass areas, refined interior ergonomics, enhanced braking, and improved cold-weather reliability all contributed to a more mature and capable convertible. […]

1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Coupe – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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As the range-topping coupe of its era, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SE bridged the handcrafted 1950s 300 S models and the later S-Class lineage. It was a showcase of Mercedes’s technical innovation, integrating fuel injection, air suspension, and advanced safety design. Technical Details: Beneath its refined shell, the 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Coupe featured a 2,996 […]

1966 Steyr 680 FW – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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When the alarm sounded, this was the machine that moved first. The 1966 Steyr 680 FW was built for urgency, carrying crew, equipment, and water through narrow town centers and rural roads alike. Its purpose was defined by readiness rather than speed. Technical Details: The 1966 Steyr 680 FW (Feuerwehr) was based on the Steyr […]

1955-1962 BMW Isetta 300 – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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If the Isetta 250 secured BMW’s survival, the BMW Isetta 300 refined the formula. Introduced shortly after the original 250, the 300 version offered slightly more power, improved drivability, and broader export appeal—without abandoning the microcar concept that had stabilized the company. Technical Details: The BMW Isetta 300 was powered by a rear-mounted, air-cooled single-cylinder […]

1957 Steyr-Fiat 1100 M – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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Austria’s roads were changing in the 1950s, and so were expectations of what a family car should deliver. The Steyr-Fiat 1100 M answered those expectations with modern construction and proven Italian engineering, assembled locally for a growing market. It stood at the intersection of domestic industry and international collaboration. Technical Details: The 1957 Steyr-Fiat 1100 […]

1951 Bentley 3/8 Racer – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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By the early 1950s, racing Bentleys were no longer factory products but personal projects. The 1951 Bentley 3/8 Racer emerged from this environment, shaped by private ambition rather than corporate strategy. It reflects a moment when Bentley performance lived on through individual interpretation. Technical Details: The Bentley 3/8 Racer was not a standardized production model, […]

1962 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider Touring – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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Among the 2600 family introduced in 1962, the Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider is consistently described as the most elegant variant. Its styling revisions compared with the earlier 2000 Spider are restrained and require close inspection. The front now features slightly staggered twin headlamps, while the indicators move down into the bumper. Technical Details: The 1962 […]

1963 Volkswagen Käfer 1200 – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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The 1963 Volkswagen Käfer 1200 exemplifies Volkswagen’s philosophy of evolutionary engineering. Shaped by unprecedented production demand and guided by practical refinement, it combined familiar design with meaningful improvements in safety, comfort, and durability. Subtle exterior updates, enhanced braking technology, improved heating, and modernized interior materials all contributed to a more mature driving experience. Technical Details: […]

1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Limousine – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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The 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Limousine merges classic Mercedes luxury with newfound V8 performance. It brought a new level of power to the brand’s sedans without compromising elegance or engineering excellence. Technical Details: The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Limousine was among the first Mercedes sedans with a modern V8. Its 3.5 L M116 engine produces […]

1971 Jaguar XJ6 4.2l – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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In 1971, Jaguar’s most important car was not a sports car. The Jaguar XJ6 4.2 had quietly become the backbone of the brand, combining six-cylinder performance with limousine-level comfort. It was a saloon designed to redefine expectations in the executive class—less flamboyant than an E-Type, but arguably more influential. Technical Details: The 1971 Jaguar XJ6 […]

1969 Citroen DS 21 Chapron Cabriolet Serie 2 – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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The Citroën DS 21 Chapron Cabriolet occupies a unique position in automotive history due to its collaboration between Citroën and the French coachbuilding company Chapron. Technical Details: The Citroën DS 21 Chapron Cabriolet got a modern short-stroke power unit, notable for its strong performance reserves. The four-cylinder inline engine is water-cooled and features an overhead-valve […]

1958 Borgward Isabella Cabrio – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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The Borgward Isabella’s exterior design reflected the clean, ponton-style bodywork that defined modern European cars of the 1950s. With smooth flanks, restrained chrome accents, and well-proportioned front and rear overhangs, the car appeared both elegant and contemporary. Technical Details: The Borgward Isabella was engineered as a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive mid-size car, a layout that balanced performance […]

1953 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible Sport – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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In 1953, Cadillac did not introduce a new volume model—it introduced a statement. The Eldorado Convertible Sport was produced in limited numbers, priced far above standard Cadillacs, and positioned as a showcase of what the brand considered possible. It was less about filling a segment and more about defining aspiration. Technical Details: The 1953 Cadillac […]

1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

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The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet marked Mercedes-Benz’s definitive shift into the V8 luxury performance market. When production ended in 1971, it also marked the brand’s temporary farewell to large luxury convertibles—a gap not filled until the W124 of the 1980s. Technical Details: The 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet introduced a new era of […]
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