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BMW R2- 1931

BMW had only been building motorcycles for a few years when the world’s economy crashed. Sales of the premium tubular-framed, air-cooled flat-twin “Beemers” cooled, and BMW seized on the opportunity to reintroduce a small single to the market. Timing and design were perfect, and the R2 quickly became a people’s favorite. BMW’s smallest displacement bike […]

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Tatra T-49- 1934

Developed with the intent to offer a commercial vehicle with as low cost as possible, Tatra introduced the three-wheeled T-49 in 1930. There were two options available: a one-person freight version (seen below) and this two-seater personal transport model before you. T-49s retained the backbone chassis, with the vertical-mounted engine (in the passenger cars) attached

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Mochet Le Velocar- 1926

French inventor Charles Mochet 1880- 1934 had a passion for anything that rolled or flew while transporting people. When Georges, Mochet’s then 9-year-old son, repeatedly asked for a bicycle in 1923, his mother said no for fear he would injure himself. To please his son, Mochet built a lightweight recumbent quadricycle with reciprocating pedals. It

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Goggomobil T300- 1958

Hans Glas and his son Andreas began producing scooters in their agricultural repair shop in Germany shortly after World War II. Their first product, the Goggo scooter, named for Hans’ youngest son, was an instant success as it met a demand for low-cost vehicles in the economically depressed country. This success helped pave the way

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TVR S3 Vixen- 1970

TVR’s tumultuous history began in 1947, and continues to this day, albeit after many management, ownership, and location changes. Founder TreVoR Wilkinson started TVR in Beverley Grove, Blackpool, building sports cars based on Alvis chassis. Like Lotus, TVR specialized in fiberglass body-on-frame sports cars using many off-the-shelf components from other manufacturers; unlike Lotus, TVR never

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Saab 93B- 1958

Saab’s Model 93, introduced Dec. 1, 1955, was only the company’s second automotive model, and was the first to be exported in significant numbers – most came to the US. The 93 was designed by famed Swedish industrial designer Sixten Sason. Sason was best known for his designs for Saab, (Saab 92, 93, 95, 96,

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Lancia Ardea- 1950

The Ardea, introduced in 1939, was a “luxury utility” model a size down from its big brother, the Aprillia. The car is similar in layout, but simpler in design, with a solid rear axle and no trunk opening. The name followed Lancia’s convention of models named after Roman Empire coastal towns and roads; Ardea, Aprillia,

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Fiat Moretti 500 Minimaxi- 1970

Moretti Motors began building motorcycles in 1925, and introduced their first conventional production car, the Cita, in 1946. During the late 1950s, in an effort to maximize profits, Moretti ceased designing and creating their own vehicles. Instead, they switched to building special-bodied Fiats, using existing Fiat engines and chassis.During the 1960s and 70s, rugged utility

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