It's safe to say that motoring has changed a bit since the early 1900s. Modern cars are more luxurious, cheaper and safer than ever – a fact that we often take for granted. Gizmag was recently given the chance to chart the progression of motoring at the Australian Motoring Festival, where we saw everything from the motorized marvels of the late 1800s through to today's luxurious chariots.
Here's some of our favorite cars from the History that Moves exhibit at the show:
The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is remembered for its unusual upward-opening doors. Powered by a 3.0-liter straight six, the 300SL inspired Mercedes' SLS AMG sportscar in 2010.
No discussion about glamorous cars would be complete without mentioning the Jaguar E-Type. When it debuted at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the E-Type could sprint to 60 mph (98 km/h) in 6.9 seconds thanks the 260 hp (194 kW) 3.8-liter inline six lurking beneath its long, low bonnet. The E-Type also has the enviable honor of being described the “most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari. Much like Mercedes with its SLS, Jaguar has recently paid homage to the E-Type with its F-Type Roadster and Coupe.
Where would we be without the Model-T Ford? Henry Ford’s mass-produced masterpiece sold in unprecedented numbers - the man himself watched the 15 millionth Model T roll off the line in 1927. This particular car is a Roadster, finished in color combination that makes a mockery of the idea that you can have a Model-T in “any color so long as it’s black.”
That's just a small taste of the incredible spread of classics on display – check out our History that Moves gallery for a thorough look at the highlights.
