Motor Authority - blog Tag: History

Roadsters. Open air, summer sun and a visceral connection to the road. For many, the quintessential enthusiast's driving experience. But for many, many more, they are the attractive and sporting little convertibles that flit back and forth to work, shops and play with equal ease. Today BMW is celebrating its 75th year in the business of building roadsters.

But these days, BMW isn't just in the business - it's one of the leading roadster builders in the world. So how did it get here? By starting at the beginning, with the 315/1, a hopped-up, topless version of the 315 Saloon, first built in 1934.

Dubbed a Sports Roadster, the 315/1 featured... Roadsters. Open air, summer sun and a visceral connection to the road. For many, the quintessential enthusiast's driving experience. But for many, many more, they are the attractive and sporting little convertibles that flit back and forth to work, shops and play with equal ease. Today BMW is celebrating its 75th year in the business of building roadsters. But these days, BMW isn't just in the business - it's one of the leading roadster builders in the world. So how did it get here? By starting at the beginning, with the 315/1, a hopped-up, topless version of the 315 Saloon, first built in 1934. Dubbed a Sports Roadster, the 315/1 featured just two sport seats, a raked windshield and a roof intended only for emergencies. Technologically, the car now seems archaic, but at the time it was pushing the limits of what could be done. A 1.5L six-cylinder engine turned out a whopping 35hp (26kW) in the 315 sedan, but BMW tuned that up to 40hp (30kW) for the roadster. The engine featured a one-piece crankcase and cylinder block, a single cam with rocker arms actuating tappets to control the valves. All of that technology is gone these days, though the inline six-cylinder configuration remains. Performance was fitting, with top speed reached at 75mph (120km/h). In its day, that was enough to make a top contender, however, with the motorsport version of the car taking victory at the 1934 Alpine Rally. One of the most impressive of the cars ever built was a 315/1 Special, built by BMW works driver Ralph Roese. It featured a significantly re-worked version of the engine that generated a huge 136hp (101kW) in a body that weighed just 838lb (380kg). The evolution of the modern Z-series roadsters has been a long and winding road, from the Z1 in the late '80s and early '90s, to the ubiquitous Z3, the limited-run Z8 and today's Z4, eventually reaching a level of competence and style that is almost universally applauded. For more on the current Z4 and its features, check out our coverage here.BMW celebrates 75 years of roadster production Read More

A museum of Porsche's greatest vehicles quietly launched its first twelve choices for its exhibits yesterday, with a total of 80 to be on display by the end of the week. Among the first dozen displays are the legendary 356 Cabriolet and the first prototype of the Porsche 924.

The museum is not yet open to the public, as Porsche is working to complete it in its entirety with a goal of finishing the structure by late 2008, and a grand opening in Q1 of 2009. Once finished, the museum will host approximately 300 exhibits in total, reports Auto Motor & Sport.

Three themes will dominate the museum's exhibits - the spirit of Porsche, the iconic... A museum of Porsche's greatest vehicles quietly launched its first twelve choices for its exhibits yesterday, with a total of 80 to be on display by the end of the week. Among the first dozen displays are the legendary 356 Cabriolet and the first prototype of the Porsche 924. The museum is not yet open to the public, as Porsche is working to complete it in its entirety with a goal of finishing the structure by late 2008, and a grand opening in Q1 of 2009. Once finished, the museum will host approximately 300 exhibits in total, reports Auto Motor & Sport. Three themes will dominate the museum's exhibits - the spirit of Porsche, the iconic 911 and the company's illustrious history in motorsport. The vast majority of vehicles on show will be restored to their vintage original condition, fully operational and driveable, according to museum director Klaus Bischof. The 300 exhibits will not remain static, however. Porsche calls the concept a 'rolling museum' meaning new vehicles and exhibits will constantly be moving into the museum, keeping the experience fresh and showing a broader spectrum of Porsche history. The current museum is a very small affair of 20 exhibits, opened in 1976.Porsche's new Museum and first exhibits Read More

Known not just for its strong automotive business, but for its engine, aviation, robotics and motorcycle arms as well, Honda entered its 60th year as a corporation this week. Honda's official existence began on September 24, 1948, when Soichiro Honda incorporated the company.

Starting with a capital investment that would equate to roughly $9,200, the business built its strength on its small engine prowess, constructing the A-Type motorized bicycle and a number of full-sized motorcycles, including the very first - the Dream D-Type, which came along in August 1949. The first Honda automobile didn't arrive until 1962, when the T360 and S500... Known not just for its strong automotive business, but for its engine, aviation, robotics and motorcycle arms as well, Honda entered its 60th year as a corporation this week. Honda's official existence began on September 24, 1948, when Soichiro Honda incorporated the company. Starting with a capital investment that would equate to roughly $9,200, the business built its strength on its small engine prowess, constructing the A-Type motorized bicycle and a number of full-sized motorcycles, including the very first - the Dream D-Type, which came along in August 1949. The first Honda automobile didn't arrive until 1962, when the T360 and S500 debuted. The S500 was a tiny roadster, with 62mph (100km/h) top speeds and affordable pricing. It was Honda's idea of a "people's car". Despite its late an humble beginnings in the automotive industry, by 1964, Honda had entered into Formula 1 competition, adding F2 in 1965. Since then they've progressively grown their business through each field, and added new ones along the way. At 60 years in business, Honda is just a year behind Ferrari, which was founded in 1947. General Motors, on the other hand, celebrated its 100th year in business last week. The differences in all three companies' product lines, ages and current position within the market reflect what such a span of time can lead to in the automotive industry. From those first small vehicles in the early 1960s, Honda has grown over the last five decades to generate annual sale of 3.9 million cars and 9.3 million motorcycles in addition to millions of small engines, boat engines and other applications that bring the total of internal combustion engines built last year to almost 24 million. Even as it thrives in many sectors of combustion engine development and sales, however, Honda is exploring the future of personal transport propulsion systems, despite opting out of the race for a plug-in electric vehicle.2008 Honda Insight hybrid conceptHonda FCX ClarityHonda CR-Z Concept Read More