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Daimler, the earliest
automobile company in the U.K., was appointed manufacturer of 'Royal
Cars' by Edward VII., until Rolls-Royce took over this privileged
position after World War II. Daimlers were long cherished by the
British Royal family as well as by people of high society in various
countries.
Stratstone Co. is known to have exclusively handled delivery of the vehicle.
With luxurious coachwork by renowned coach builders and stately silence realized
by large-displacement sleeve valve engine, Daimlers were indeed representatives
of ultra-luxury cars.
The one on display was the property of an Indian Maharajah. |
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The Model J was built by a
group of top American coach builders. It was unsurpassed by the luxury saloons
of its time, and in terms of efficiency it was greatly superior. So overwhelming
was the racing car's extraordinary power that it could not be properly controlled
by the novice driver. The unique Murphy-built Dual Cowl Body Phaeton was particularly
distinctive among a number of model variations. |
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In 1930, Cadillac
pioneered the world's first automobile equipped with a V16 engine.
Called the 452 model, this engine had a 7.4-liter displacement,
hydraulic tappets, an OHV system, and was capable of 165hp output.
Riding in its luxurious, sturdy frame provided the passenger with
a strong impression of the incredible power of its engine. Cadillac
set an annual production limit of 500 units. The Cadillac V16, with
its speed, power and beauty, successfully attained the position
as the top luxury car in the U.S. at the time. |
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In 1931, Lancia announced the
release of the Astura, which at that time was not designed as a sports car. The
1930s would be the decade of the sports car, in which Lancia would stand shoulder-to-shoulder
with fellow Italian maker, Alfa Romeo, in producing the world's finest cars. In
1933, after its engine capacity was increased, the Astura evolved into a touring
car that even Alfa Romeo could not match. From 1935, the company focused on producing
up-scale sports cars to which Pinin Farina contributed the attractive body designs.
The 1936 model, also designed by Pinin Farina, came to symbolize modern Italian
automobile design. |
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The Rolls-Royce Phantom III,
equipped with a V12-cylinder engine, was released in 1935. The V12-cylinder
engine was not developed to compete in the great “cylinder
war,” but it was a natural implementation of cylinder production
knowledge accumulated from airplane technology. Improved handling
and riding comfort were achieved through advanced independent front
suspension systems. By projecting the radiator outwars ,the interior
space was greatly increased. This 1937 model Saloon was crafted
with the coachwork of Freestone and Webb, whose reputation for quality
was world-renowned. |
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Released in 1915,
the technology embodied in the Packard Twelve represented a major
breakthrougn in the automobile industry. It achieved great fame
in its association with the one person who claimed he could not
do without it - President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Roosevelt claimed
that he chose the Packard for its reliability, but it is said that
he was drawn to it by its sheer power. It was one of the last automobiles
to come equipped with a 12-cylinder engine, when in 1939 Rollson
(popularly known as Rollston) mounted the body. It was the first
armored car with bullet-proof glass to be used by an American president.
Its , sporty body came to signify American prosperity. |
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