Swide Magazine by Dolce&Gabbana

With the 79th International Geneva Motor Show now on (March 5th -15th) we take a peek into the past and discover the unforgettable models that debuted there.

1929 - Mercedes SSK

All the power of Mercedes, which together with Auto Union dominated the major competitions at the end of the 1930s. This Mercedes SSK (short chassis) with a 6-cylinder 7.1-litre 170/225 PS engine was driven by the great German drivers, such as the famous Rudolf Caracciola.

1937 - Fiat 500

1957 - Mercedes 300 S

1959 - Alfa Romeo Super Sport

1960- Lancia Flaminia

Lancia presented the first Lancia Flaminia V6 engine at the 1956 Turin Motor Show, a saloon designed by Pininfarina. Over the next few years, the range was completed by a 2-door coupé which was also produced from the PF drawing boards and, later by GT models including a coupé and a Touring cabriolet as well as a Zagato Coupé sports version in aluminium alloy.

1961- Jaguar Type E

Following the sensation of the 120 coupé introduced ten years earlier, Jaguar caused more excitement at the 1961 Show with its E Type coupé which was to become a resounding success. The vehicle shown here, which appeared on the stand at the former Palais, now belongs to a Swiss collector who has fully restored it to its original condition.

1969- Alfa Romeo 33 Coupe

Heavily influenced by the Ferrari 250 - P5, the Pininfarina Alfa Romeo coupé prototype, on a Type 33 sports car chassis, in contrast to the Ferrari P6 which resulted in the BB (Boxer Berlinetta), returned to the concept of a concave front, ovoid rear wings, "gull-wing" doors and the transparent roof going right to the back of the car. The engine, as on the P5/6 prototype, is mounted in the middle of the car.

1973- Lamborghini Countach

1977 - Porsche 928

After a 4-cylinder 924 engine which was first produced in the autumn of 1975, Porsche took the unusual step of presenting a front-mounted engine at the 1977 Geneva Show, a large coupé powered by a V8 4.5-litre engine with a single overhead camshaft per row of cylinders, producing 240 bhp. The new car was added to the range of 911 classics and was intended for customers wanting a great tourer.

1980 - Audi Quattro

1982 - Bentley Mulsanne

The name of this new Bentley was taken from the famous bend on the Le Mans race track, the Mulsanne bend at the end of the long Hunaudières straight, in order to commemorate the many victories of the English at the famous French race circuit. This imposing large tourer was given a V8 6.75-litre engine and the "sufficiently powerful" turbo version, in the words of the manufacturers, could reach a maximum speed of more than 135 mph.

 

1995 - Ferrari F50

To mark its fiftieth anniversary, Ferrari produced an exceptional motor car worthy of the automaker's history and know-how. The F50 featured a monocoque platform of kevlar/carbon composite material identical to the one used in F1. The car's styling by Pininfarina was meant above all to boost efficiency. The use of aerodynamics in the interest of performance and chassis at the expense of style and elegance. Fitted with a 4.7 l naturally-aspirated V12 engine with 520 hp, the supercar's performance was absolutely phenomenal. And yet, the F50 did not take part in a single official race. In fact, its public appearance was rather rare since only 349 units were made.

2003 - Lamborghini Gallardo

Ferrucio Lamborghini, founder of the Lamborghini automaker and born under the sign of Taurus, always professed a particular passion for corridas and fighting bulls, hence the names of different car models. Since 1998 the Italian automaker has been part of Audi. The Lamborghini Gallardo is the first model conceived under the auspices of the Bavarian parent company. Powered by a 5.0 l V10 engine with 500 hp, the supercar reaches a top speed of 309 km/hr. This magnificent pure-bred sports car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/hr in 4.2 seconds. Its fuel consumption varies between 19.5 and 29.1 litres.

 

Source & Photo Credit: The Geneva Motor Show

 

 

 

 

 

TAGS: geneva motor show porsche ferrari lamborghini bentley alfa romeo jaguar lancia fiat mercedes cars sports cars