April 6, 1904 – VW Beetle & Porsche 356 designer Erwin Komenda is born
Sure, Ferdinand Porsche often gets the credit for the Volkswagen Type 1, but let’s not forget he had a huge team working for him during its development. Among his employees was Erwin Komenda, who first met Porsche while working as a designer at Steyr in the late 1920s. When
April 5, 1940 – The Buick Y-Job makes its press debut
Largely considered the first industry concept car, the Buick Y-Job racked up many miles before finally debuting to the media on this day in 1940. Designed by Harley Earl and company as a design exercise that incorporated technological advancement, the Y-Job acted as a test mule for many GM
Aging hot rod -1946 Plymouth – $8,500
As with all major automakers, Plymouth returned to automobile production following World War II using pre-war designs. The 1946 models were the first post war Mopars to hit the market. Chrysler Corporation, as with most other automakers, wouldn’t release an all new vehicle until 1949. This car comes from
April 4, 1996 – Jaguar introduces the XK8
Jaguar introduced a new kitten to their litter on this day in 1996 at the New York Auto Show. The Jaguar XK8, project code X100, was a grand touring model and the first car of the new XK series, although it borrowed lettering from earlier models such as the
Dusty & Rusty – 1968 Buick Wildcat – $5,500
Full-size luxury was in full swing by the end of the 1960s, as represented by this 1968 Buick Wildcat custom for sale on Craigslist near Atlanta. The Wildcat first hit the Buick lineup as a submodel of the Invicta. The next year it earned its own spot and remained
April 3, 1966 – Battista “Pinin” Farina, founder of Pininfarina, dies
Born in 1893, as the the tenth of eleven children, Battista Farina earned the nickname “Pinin,” which translates from Italian to the “youngest” or “smallest” (brother). As he aged, the name stuck, in part thanks to his rather short stature. Pinin, however, would prove that the sky is the
Dusty & Rusty – Herd of Metropolitans for sale – $500 to $3,000 each
The Metropolitan is an interesting little car, and with a wheel base shorter than a VW, little it is. Though badged as an American Nash, Hudson, and even as its own sub-brand of AMC, the Metropolitan has a strong English accent. After initial design work and protyping was completed
April 2, 1956 – Alfred P. Sloan, GM chairman, retires
Alfred P. Sloan proved that even MIT graduates have a hard time finding work. After receiving his diploma in 1895, Sloan entered what he described as the most discouraging period of his life. That era ended with a job as a draftsman at Hyatt Roller Bearing Company. In 1899,
