1946 - 1955
- Most European factories have been flattened, and America’s are content to re-hash prewar designs. Thus, the English are first to introduce real postwar cars (by Jowett, Bentley and others) in ’46. - Ironically, it’s their MGTC that has the biggest impact—a prewar TB with minor body and suspension changes. England desperately needs currency, so MG begins aggressively exporting TCs to the US. - Slow and gangly, they’re still different enough to become a smash hit.
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1947
Cisitalia 202 Pinin Farina
- On December 1st, OSCA is formed by Ernesto, Ettore and Bindo Maserati. Also in Italy, Piero Dusio is quietly building an empire. - Dusio’s firm, Cisitalia, puts together the genius of Giacosa, a good grasp of chassis dynamics, impressive racing credentials and a brilliantly modern road car penned by Pinin Farina. Though not the first to have them, the Cisitalia 202 popularizes envelope bodies and the berlinetta roof.
1948
Jaguar XK120
- America builds its 100-millionth car and introduces the modern automatic transmission (Buick DynaFlow). l But to enthusiasts, the story of ’48 is England all the way: Jag’s DOHC, 3.4-liter XK engine is ready, but the sedan it was intended for isn’t even close. So William Lyons unveils the Six in the showy Jaguar XK120 instead, whose slick shape and incredible power more than compensate for its weak frame and terrible brakes. The XK is priced right, too; more than 30,000 will be built before production ends a dozen years later.
1949
Ferrari 166 Barchetta
- Cadillac offers the first high-compression, mass-production OHV V8. Across the Atlantic, fuel restrictions are eased in England and France. - Milan’s Carrozzeria Touring introduces a radical new shape called the barchetta —"little boat"—on the 2-liter Ferrari 166. The year before, a standard 166 coupe won the Mille Miglia; the Barchetta version wins both the Mille and Le Mans for ’49, establishing Ferrari as premier sporting marque.
1950
Porche 356
- The first workable turbine car—built by Rover?—is shown: Yessir, the piston engine’s days are numbered. America enters the Korean War, which briefly halts auto production. - Over in Stuttgart, mass production of the VW-based Porsche 356 begins. Earlier handbuilt examples proved unexpectedly popular. - From these light, simple beginnings come the most successful sports-car company ever—more than 76,300 examples of the 356 are built in all.
1951
Jaguar C-Type
- The Spanish government births Pegaso, an exclusive sports builder under the aegis of W. Ricart. Dr. Porsche the Elder dies, and Chrysler brings out power steering and rudimentary disc brakes. - Nash is the first American major to join the sports-car craze; within 18 months, its Nash-Healey roadster gains a sleek Pinin Farina body and takes third at Le Mans. - Speaking of Le Mans, the trend of the decade is established this year when the Jaguar C-Type gets a surprise win. The firm takes four more during the decade, and Jag still basks in the afterglow.
1952
Austin-Healey
- Austin gives Nissan a 7-year license to build A40s; Austin also merges with Morris to form BMC. Fiat unveils the 8V, and Mercedes launches its stunning 300SL racecar. - Holiday Inns first sprout in America, and you’ll get to one a lot faster with an all-new Chrysler Hemi V8. - At the London Motor Show, the big buzz is Donald Healey’s Austin-powered 100. It’s such a hit that Austin’s leadership decides to put it straight into production, promising 100 mph for the middle class.
1953
Triumph TR2
- Chevy puts its plastic-bodied, 6-banger Corvette into production, and Studebaker does the same with the equally stylish "Loewy" Starliner. - In England, where everything still seems to be happening, Austin’s arch-rivals at Standard-Triumph bring out the even cheaper Triumph TR2. Priced like an MG, a windshield-less TR turns an honest 105 mph in Belgian motorway testing—arguably, it’s the first truly modern mass-market sports car.
1954
Mercedes 300SL
- Nash and Hudson merge to form American Motors—oh, boy!—while VW starts an aggressive export drive. Sports car-wise, the Hemi-powered Facel Vega appears and Ford intro’s the T-bird as a ’55 model. - Its factory back on line, Mercedes starts producing the 300SL road car. The gullwing doors get the most attention, but more impressive technically is its standard fuel injection system.
1955
Chevy Corvette
- America learns a new word: Interstate. Briggs Cunningham’s carmaking days end, and Chevrolet introduces the thinwall V8—later known simply as the small-block—which is still competitive 40+ years later. - Combining this engine with the Corvette starts an American sports-car dynasty, and arguably saves the program from cancellation. Even so, Ford’s V8-powered T-bird outsells the Corvette by more than 14 to one. - Mon dieu! Citroen’s DS19 appears with such nifty bits of trickery as a self-leveling hydraulic suspension, disc brakes and automatic jacks.
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