Legendary cars: GAZ-21, Duesenberg, Cadillac. The most beautiful cars

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

During the entire era of the automotive industry, a huge number of vehicles have been created for every taste. Many of them, having mediocre characteristics and often nondescript exterior, gave people the ability to move in space. Some contributed to the introduction of innovations in the auto industry. But there are those that are considered decoration of their own era and works of art. These legendary cars, despite many external differences, are united by the fact that at a certain stage they were the embodiment of elegance and power, making human life better. The latest rankings include a list of the 100 most beautiful cars of all time. This article will consider three of them: GAZ-21, Duesenberg, Cadillac.

Legend with a deer on the hood

This car for many years was the ultimate dream of many Soviet motorists. The revolutionary GAZ-21 "Volga" - the legendary cars of the USSR, which were considered the embodiment of the innovations of the domestic auto industry. Models with two-tone coloring and models with automatic transmission were considered special chic, which, by the way, were not produced so much due tolow quality of Soviet gear oils of those years. The two-tone Volga model was considered a special chic. But even with a manual gearbox, this car still has a large number of admirers in the CIS countries. So, by the fortieth anniversary of this brand, 20 cars were restored at the Gorky Automobile Plant using only original parts.

Legendary cars GAZ-21 "Volga" were produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant from 1956 to 1970. These were the first representatives of a wide model range of the Volga family. The development of the model began in 1953, it was supposed to replace the GAZ-20 Pobeda, already in production at that time, which, due to the rapid development of the Soviet automobile industry of those years, began to become obsolete. Soviet designers in the development of the "Volga" widely used the experience of foreign automakers. In particular, popular models of those times were studied: Plymouth Savoy, Opel Captain, Chevrolet 210, Ford Mainline. Two types of three-speed gearboxes were specially developed - mechanics and automatic. The result is a very dynamic and modern car.

Soviet "American"

The appearance of the GAZ-21 was completely designed in accordance with the American automotive design trends of the time. Smooth, streamlined lines of the body, rounded silhouette, roof lowered towards the stern. All this gave the feeling of a launching rocket, flight and speed. The “rocket-shaped” outlines of the body were crowned with a chrome deer figurine on the hood, frozen injump.

External cladding is made in accordance with the fashion trends of the time. A large number of chrome elements - a radiator grille, wheel caps, moldings, bumpers. Direction indicators, brake lights and dimensions were placed in a single block of rear lights. The main disadvantage of the body was the low rise of the trunk and hood.

Chronology of Volga models

The first series of cars was produced from 1956 to 1958. Their external differences were a chrome-plated radiator grille with a longitudinal strip and a chrome-plated star in a circle. On the "Volga" of the first series, forced engines from the GAZ-20 were installed, with a capacity of 65 liters. s.

The second series of GAZ-21 was produced from 1958 to 1962. The changes affected mostly the appearance. The radiator grille was modernized, receiving the familiar vertical slots "whalebone". At that time they were painted in body color. A star has been removed.

The last, most familiar third series of the Volga was produced from 1962 to 1970. The number of slots in the grille was increased to 37, and it again became chrome. Engine power was increased to 75 hp. With. Fabric interior materials have been replaced with leatherette. The welded body of early models was replaced with a one-piece body. In this version, the GAZ-21 Volga was produced until 1970, after which it was replaced by the GAZ-24.

One of the most beautiful cars in the world

In 1913, two brothers of self-taught engineers and German immigrants founded the Duesenberg Motor Company in the United States,originally produced outboard motors and racing cars. A few years later, the brothers decide to focus exclusively on four-wheeled vehicles and set themselves the task of nothing more, nothing less, but to create the best and most beautiful car in the world. And already in the 30s, Duesenberg luxury cars were superior to Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz. The term "supercar" appeared much later, but already at that time this term could be applied to these cars. The legendary Duesenberg cars were technically decades ahead of their time. They were admired and dreamed of riding at least as passengers.

The legendary Duesenberg brand, despite its rather short existence, entered the annals of history as one of the greatest cars not only in America, but in the world. Many experts agree that a more beautiful car has not been created in the American automotive industry since the time of the Duzy. Cars of this brand were adored by Hollywood stars and bigwigs from Wall Street for their luxurious design, and Sicilian mafiosi for their unprecedented power for that time. They were bought as a status attribute.

Duesenberg - even faster, even cooler

The Duesenberg brand lasted only 24 years, but during this time it has forever entered the history of the automotive industry. The company produced unsurpassed racing cars. These legendary cars were assembled exclusively by hand. They were lighter, but more powerful and faster than the competition. The first triumphs were not long in coming. In 1919, a car with a new, developedbrothers 16-cylinder engine set a land speed record in the sands of Daytona - 255 km / h. A year later, Duesenberg created the first inline 3-liter overhead eight-cylinder engine with three valves per cylinder. This concept became the basis of all subsequent motors of the company. A year later, in 1921, the Duzy won the French Grand Prix. These were the first American cars to win this competition. The next 10 years at the annual prestigious competitions in Indianapolis, riders who opted for Duesenberg engines won three times.

The car that almost ruined everyone

Talented designers, the Duesenberg brothers were far from good at doing business. They simply forgot to patent many of their inventions, such as hydraulic brakes, which deprived them of multi-million dollar profits. As a result, the company found itself on the verge of bankruptcy. Help came in the form of born businessman Erret Korda, who took over the management of the company. Cord's course of development involved the creation of a luxury road car. In 1928, perhaps the most famous model, the Duesenberg Model J, saw the light of day. This luxurious car seemed like a miracle. It could reach speeds of up to 192 km / h and shocked with its luxury, and its technical characteristics were unprecedented for its time. At the request of the customer, precious stones, precious wood mosaics and even pure gold could be used for the interior of the Model J. It is not surprising that this car fell in love with successful businessmen,time became an attribute of glory for Hollywood stars and went down in history as one of the most luxurious and beautiful cars in the world. The owners of this car were such celebrities as Howard Hughes, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper. Today, this model is an enviable loot for collectors around the world, and the price often exceeds one million dollars.

Cadillac: Automotive Innovators

Cadillac is one of the oldest and most famous car brands in the world. These cars have always been associated with large sizes, luxury and very often became trendsetters in the automotive industry. Cadillac is a car whose designers have never been afraid of experiments. So, thanks to bold innovations, a silent manual transmission with gears for constant meshing and an automatic transmission Hydra-Matic appeared. Air conditioning in the passenger compartment was first installed in Cadillac back in the 30s. The fashion for large American cars appeared largely thanks to the Cadillac, and V8 engines became the standard for the entire American automobile industry. On cars of this brand, for the first time, wooden roofs were replaced with steel ones. One of Cadillac's most significant innovations was the introduction of spare parts as a concept. The design of these cars began to use removable parts that could be changed.

The American Dream Come True

For many people in the United States, Cadillac is a car that embodies luxury and the American dream. This brand was preferred by the first persons of America, show business stars, successful businessmen and mafiosi. An armored Cadillac was used to move President Roosevelt. This car was confiscated from notorious gangster Al Capone a few years earlier. Even in his youth, the king of rock and roll Elvis Presley promised his mother that, having become famous, the first thing he would do was buy himself and her a Cadillac. A few years later, there were 13 cars of this brand in the star's garage, and the mother got the pink Cadillac Eldorado, which later became legendary. The popularity of this brand is so great in America that it sometimes reaches a cult. Now, jackets are sewn from the leather upholstery of old Cadillac cars, positioning it as an original, but still an opportunity to touch the American dream.

Famous classic. Cars GAZ-21, Duesenberg and Cadillac in the movies

Movie cars often become as famous as the actors themselves. So, for example, the GAZ-21 Volga was used in many Soviet films. In the movie "Beware of the car" "Volga" is positioned as a symbol of well-being and success. Literally the entire plot of the film is built around this car. The film "The Diamond Arm" was remembered by many for the famous phrase "Our people do not go to the bakery by taxi!", Said against the backdrop of GAZ-21.

The most famous appearance of the luxurious Duesenberg in the cinema can be considered the film "The Great Gatsby". Leonardo DiCaprio's hero, an eccentric millionaire, sported a bright yellow Duesenberg II SJ convertible.

The number of films in which Cadillac cars were involved is incalculable. Huge American cars of the 70s were used in the filming of such films as "Scarface", "Pazine", "Enemy of the State No. 1", "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and others. The relic Cadillac of the early 20th century lit up in Transformers. More modern models were involved in the filming of The Matrix, Cadillac Dolona, Zombieland. A large number of different models were used during the filming of Cadillac Records, and, perhaps, one of the most famous Cadillac cars in the cinema is the well-known Ghostbusters car from the film of the same name.