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- 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special Sedan - Cadillac introduced its less expensive Series 60 for 1936 as the Great Depression reduced demand for luxury cars. The Sixty Special, added in 1938, was Bill Mitchell's first major design for GM. With its integrated trunk, chrome-framed windows, and notable lack of running boards, the Sixty Special projected a fresh and modern look soon copied by other automakers.
- 1938
- Collections - Artifact
1938 Cadillac Sixty Special Sedan
Cadillac introduced its less expensive Series 60 for 1936 as the Great Depression reduced demand for luxury cars. The Sixty Special, added in 1938, was Bill Mitchell's first major design for GM. With its integrated trunk, chrome-framed windows, and notable lack of running boards, the Sixty Special projected a fresh and modern look soon copied by other automakers.
- 1973 Chrysler Newport Sedan - Americans have long shown a preference for buying the biggest cars they can afford, and by the 1970s American cars were truly huge. This Chrysler is 19'-2" long, with a trunk 6'-6" wide. The 400-cubic-inch engine is also large, but government-mandated exhaust emission controls resulted in an output of only 185 horsepower. The vinyl-covered roof was a popular option on many cars.
- 1973
- Collections - Artifact
1973 Chrysler Newport Sedan
Americans have long shown a preference for buying the biggest cars they can afford, and by the 1970s American cars were truly huge. This Chrysler is 19'-2" long, with a trunk 6'-6" wide. The 400-cubic-inch engine is also large, but government-mandated exhaust emission controls resulted in an output of only 185 horsepower. The vinyl-covered roof was a popular option on many cars.
- 1949 Kaiser Traveler Sedan - Henry Kaiser, who had become famous building ships during World War II, and Joseph Frazer, an experienced auto executive, combined in 1945 to form a new car company. Kaisers were stylish and well built, but competing against established car companies proved too big a task. American Kaiser production ceased in 1955, although cars were made in Argentina between 1958 and 1962.
- 1949
- Collections - Artifact
1949 Kaiser Traveler Sedan
Henry Kaiser, who had become famous building ships during World War II, and Joseph Frazer, an experienced auto executive, combined in 1945 to form a new car company. Kaisers were stylish and well built, but competing against established car companies proved too big a task. American Kaiser production ceased in 1955, although cars were made in Argentina between 1958 and 1962.
- 1934 DeSoto Airflow Sedan - The Airflow offers a cautionary tale: incredibly well-engineered, with a shape developed using wind tunnel tests and an interior that incorporated new and durable material -- its sales were hugely disappointing. The design was too advanced for the public, at a time when the market was strained. However, its influence on the <em>style</em> of other cars began to appear almost immediately.
- 1934
- Collections - Artifact
1934 DeSoto Airflow Sedan
The Airflow offers a cautionary tale: incredibly well-engineered, with a shape developed using wind tunnel tests and an interior that incorporated new and durable material -- its sales were hugely disappointing. The design was too advanced for the public, at a time when the market was strained. However, its influence on the style of other cars began to appear almost immediately.
- 1930 Auburn Convertible Sedan - The Auburn Automobile Company, based in namesake Auburn, Indiana, built its first car in 1900. The firm was a moderate success until Errett Lobban Cord took the helm in 1924. He gave the Auburn modern styling and advanced engineering, and he turned the mid-priced car into a genuine hit. The Great Depression reversed Cord's sales gains and Auburn folded in 1937.
- 1930
- Collections - Artifact
1930 Auburn Convertible Sedan
The Auburn Automobile Company, based in namesake Auburn, Indiana, built its first car in 1900. The firm was a moderate success until Errett Lobban Cord took the helm in 1924. He gave the Auburn modern styling and advanced engineering, and he turned the mid-priced car into a genuine hit. The Great Depression reversed Cord's sales gains and Auburn folded in 1937.
- 1925 ALCOA Aluminum Sedan - The Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) commissioned several "all-aluminum" cars in the early 1920s. After extensive road testing, each car was disassembled and thoroughly inspected to determine the metal's performance. The project was a clever mix of cutting-edge research and old-fashioned promotion. This sedan, built by Pierce-Arrow and about 85 percent aluminum in its composition, is the only survivor.
- 1925
- Collections - Artifact
1925 ALCOA Aluminum Sedan
The Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) commissioned several "all-aluminum" cars in the early 1920s. After extensive road testing, each car was disassembled and thoroughly inspected to determine the metal's performance. The project was a clever mix of cutting-edge research and old-fashioned promotion. This sedan, built by Pierce-Arrow and about 85 percent aluminum in its composition, is the only survivor.
- 1950 Buick Roadmaster Sedan - The Roadmaster, introduced in 1936, became Buick's premier model, with a larger engine and a finer interior. "Venti-Ports" -- the rectangular holes on the hood -- debuted for 1949. Though they served no practical purpose, they suggested exhaust ports on a fighter plane and quickly became a Buick trademark. Initially, Roadmasters boasted four Venti-Ports per side while lesser Buicks had just three.
- 1950
- Collections - Artifact
1950 Buick Roadmaster Sedan
The Roadmaster, introduced in 1936, became Buick's premier model, with a larger engine and a finer interior. "Venti-Ports" -- the rectangular holes on the hood -- debuted for 1949. Though they served no practical purpose, they suggested exhaust ports on a fighter plane and quickly became a Buick trademark. Initially, Roadmasters boasted four Venti-Ports per side while lesser Buicks had just three.
- 1950 Chrysler New Yorker Sedan - Chrysler joined the trend for "slab side" styling with its 1949 models. The new look removed running boards and separate front fenders, and it projected a fresh postwar image. The New Yorker, introduced in 1939, was among Chrysler's higher-end models. This 1950 example has "Prestomatic Fluid Drive," a semi-automatic transmission that eliminated much -- but not all -- clutch pedal use.
- 1950
- Collections - Artifact
1950 Chrysler New Yorker Sedan
Chrysler joined the trend for "slab side" styling with its 1949 models. The new look removed running boards and separate front fenders, and it projected a fresh postwar image. The New Yorker, introduced in 1939, was among Chrysler's higher-end models. This 1950 example has "Prestomatic Fluid Drive," a semi-automatic transmission that eliminated much -- but not all -- clutch pedal use.
- 1926 Nash Sedan - Nash Motors Company was established in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1916 and developed a line of successful cars and trucks. They were quality vehicles distinguished by a number of innovations over the years. This 1926 Model 264 Advanced Six sedan includes a floor-mounted heating vent in the rear compartment. Nash merged with Hudson to form American Motors Corporation in 1954.
- 1926
- Collections - Artifact
1926 Nash Sedan
Nash Motors Company was established in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1916 and developed a line of successful cars and trucks. They were quality vehicles distinguished by a number of innovations over the years. This 1926 Model 264 Advanced Six sedan includes a floor-mounted heating vent in the rear compartment. Nash merged with Hudson to form American Motors Corporation in 1954.
- Ford Escort Sedan Cutaway - Ford Motor Company introduced the Escort to the American market for 1981. At the time, Ford described it as the company's most completely new car since the 1928 Model A. All the Escort's major components -- the engine, the front-wheel-drive transaxle, the suspension, and the body -- were designed specifically for it and not adapted from other models.
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Escort Sedan Cutaway
Ford Motor Company introduced the Escort to the American market for 1981. At the time, Ford described it as the company's most completely new car since the 1928 Model A. All the Escort's major components -- the engine, the front-wheel-drive transaxle, the suspension, and the body -- were designed specifically for it and not adapted from other models.