1935 – Peugeot Reveals the Streamlined Type 402
Peugeot unfurled its daring Type 402 to the public at the Paris Motor Show when the Salon opened on 3 October 1935, immediately drawing attention for its smooth, enveloping ‘fuseau Sochaux’ bodywork. Replacing the more orthodox 401, the 402’s streamlined silhouette featured integrated headlights behind the grille and flowing fenders that suggested motion even at rest—styling that was a radical departure for the brand in the mid-1930s. Photographs from the show captured crowds gathered around the new limousine, and press materials from Peugeot emphasized the design shift; the Type 402 thus stands as a clear visual pivot toward aerodynamic thinking in prewar French coachwork.
1958 – Autocar Issue Covers Motor‑Show and Road Tests
The October 3, 1958 issue of Autocar hit newsstands in the week of the big autumn motor‑shows and carried the kind of model reports and showroom context that dealers and enthusiasts relied on. That single issue is cited in later auction and reference notes for its contemporary road‑test writeups and motor‑show roundups, reflecting the magazine’s role as a primary source of technical appraisals and model introductions in late‑1950s Britain. Readers of the time would have found hands‑on testing and fresh commentary on European releases inside its pages, material later quoted by historians and auctioneers when documenting postwar models and provenance.
1973 – Chevrolet Shows Rotary‑Powered Mid‑Engine Corvette Concepts
At the Paris Salon that opened on 3 October 1973, Chevrolet placed a startling future on display: mid‑engine Corvette concepts powered not by a V8 but by rotary units. Visitors saw both the two‑rotor XP‑897/XP‑987GT and a rarer four‑rotor prototype, demonstrating an unconventional path GM engineers explored amid the 1970s emissions and packaging debates. The mid‑engine layout and compact Wankel engines showcased an experimental rethink of Corvette architecture; while the rotary Corvettes never reached production, their exhibition in Paris captured a moment when American sports‑car design flirted with international engineering ideas.
2013 – Mitsubishi and NMKV Reveal the eK Space Kei Wagon Name and Look
Mitsubishi Motors and NMKV lifted the veil on the name and exterior design of a new super‑height kei wagon called the eK Space on 3 October 2013, positioning it as a roomy city‑car with sales slated for early 2014. The announcement covered both the base eK Space and the more stylized eK Space Custom, with teaser images emphasizing a tall roofline and an upright, practical cabin typical of Japan’s super‑height segment. By naming and showing the car ahead of launch, Mitsubishi signaled its entry into the intensifying kei‑wagon competition with a model aimed at maximizing interior space within kei regulations.
2015 – Callaway Presents the Corvette C7 GT3‑R at Hockenheim
Callaway Competition pulled the curtain back on its race‑ready Callaway Corvette C7 GT3‑R at the ADAC GT Masters season finale at Hockenheim, presenting the car in the Hockenheim VIP lounge on 3 October 2015. The GT3‑spec machine translated Chevrolet’s C7 road‑car sheetmetal into a full competition package: wide aerodynamic bodywork, racing suspension, and an engine prepared for endurance events under GT3 rules. Callaway’s press release and photo reports documented the debut, which introduced teams and fans to a factory‑backed competitor built to contest GT3 grids in Europe.
