T here was nowhere to go but forwards after the Second World War, and those returning home armed with the ideas and technologies born out of it were primed to forge a decisive new era. The motor industry held promises of the exciting advances made in the world's first truly mechanised global conflict and, at 1948's returning motor shows, the public saw what the next generation of motoring would look like. Unveiled at London's Earls Court, the Morris Minor and Jaguar XK120; in Paris, the Citroën 2CV; in Amsterdam, the pioneering Land-Rover; in Turin, the Ferrari 166; and outside Ferdinand Porsche's house (and finally Geneva a year later), the 356. Each would steer the automotive landscape in ways not envisaged by even the most imaginative of their creators, and many more great cars followed in their inspired tracks.
To celebrate these trendsetting stars of 1948, we gathered early examples of each at the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit, itself also marking its 75th anniversary this year, to remind ourselves of where so much began.
FERRARI 166MM
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Classic & Sports Car.
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Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Classic & Sports Car.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
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