Bentley R-Type, 1950

Bentley R-Type, 1950

The R Type was the second series of post-war Bentley automobile, replacing the Mark VI. The front of the saloon model was identical to the Mark VI, but many had custom coachwork.

The Continental model was produced specially for continental Europe, with many coachbuilt by H.J. Mulliner. This would be the first appearance of the famed Bentley Continental name.

All R Type models used an iron-block/aluminum-head straight-6 engine fed by twin SU carburettors. The basic engine displaced 4.6 L (4566 cc/278 in³) with a 92.08 mm (3.6 in) bore and 114.3 mm (4.5 in) stroke. The Continental had a larger bore of 94.62 mm (3.7 in) for a total displacement of 4.9 L (4887 cc/298 in³).

Production numbers
Bentley R Type: 2320 (303 with coachbuilt bodies)

Bentley R Continental: 207 (plus one prototype)

Chrysler Windsor Coupe, 1950

Chrysler Windsor Coupe, 1950

Chrysler Windsor Coupe, 1950

Aston Martin DB2, 1950

Aston Martin DB2, 1950

The Aston Martin DB2 followed the 2-litre sports chassis design in many ways but was 9 inches shorter in the wheelbase. The body itself was the work of designer Frank Feeley and was built around a square section tube frame on which an aluminium body was attached. The new Aston Martin DB2 engine was designed under the guidance of the great W.O.Bentley.

The Aston Martin DB2 was in both Coupe and Drophead Coupe. The engine had twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, a stroke of 90 mm and bore 78 mm giving a capacity of 2580 cc.

In standard form, power output was 105bhp. A 125bhp Vantage version was later offered. The is known for its superb chassis, great performance, and an immense amount of character.

Details of the Aston Martin DB2 were released to the Press on April 12, 1950 and was shown as a production car at the New York Motor Show on April 15-23.

Technical Specifications

* Engine: dohc I-6, 2580 cc, 105 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 125 lbs-ft @ 3000 rpm (Vantage: 125 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 144 lbs-ft @2400 rpm)
* Transmission: 4-speed manual
* Suspension: Front: trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar Rear: live axle, trailing links, Panhard rod, coil springs
* Brakes: front/rear drums
* Wheelbase: 8'3"
* Weight: 1111kg
* Top Speed: 117 mph
* 0-60 mph: 11.2 sec.
* Price New: £ 1,915 (Saloon), £ 1,598 (Drophead Coupe)
* Production Dates: May 1950 - April 1953

Renault 4 CV Luxe

Renault 4 CV Luxe, 1950

The Renault 4CV was an automobile produced by the French manufacturer Renault from 1946 to 1961. An economical "people's car" inspired by the Volkswagen Beetle, it was the first French car to sell over a million.

The 4CV was originally conceived and designed covertly by Renault engineers during the German occupation of France during World War II, when the manufacturer was under strict orders to design and produce only commercial and military vehicles. A design team led by Fernand Picard, Charles-Edmond Serre and Jean-Auguste Riolfo envisioned a small, economical car (similar to the Volkswagen Beetle) suitable for the economically difficult years which would inevitably follow the war. The first prototype was completed in 1942 and two more prototypes were produced in the following three years, with the 4CV ultimately presented to the public and media at the 1946 Paris Motor Show.

On the 4CV's launch, it was nicknamed "La motte de beurre" (the lump of butter) due to the combination of its shape and the fact that many early models were painted with sand yellow-colored German army surplus paint intended for the Afrika Korps. The 4CV was powered by a 748 cc engine producing 17 hp, which was coupled to a three-speed manual transmission. Despite an initial period of uncertainty and poor sales due to the ravaged state of the French economy, the 4CV had sold 37,000 units by mid-1949 and was the most popular car in France. The car remained in production for more than a decade afterwards; it was intended to be replaced by the Renault Dauphine, launched in 1956, but the 4CV in fact remained in production until 1961, only a year earlier than the more expensive Dauphine was discontinued. In event, it was replaced by the Renault 4 which used the same engine and name as the 4CV and sold for a similar price.

1,105,547 cars were produced; the 4CV became the first French car to sell over a million.

The 4CV was easily modified and was used extensively as a racing car, winning both the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Mille Miglia. The first collaboration between the Alpine company and Renault, a partnership which would go on to win the World Rally Championship with the legendary Alpine A-110 in later years, was the Alpine A-106 which was based on the 4CV.