1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic: Jet-Age Italian Masterpiece

The 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic is one of the most striking and exclusive sports cars of the early 1950s.

Built on Fiat’s rare “Otto Vu” chassis and bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia to a design by Giovanni Savonuzzi, the Supersonic featured dramatic, futuristic styling inspired by the jet age. Only a small number of these coachbuilt coupés were produced, each powered by Fiat’s unique overhead-valve V8 engine.

With its sleek lines, aircraft-like details, and extreme rarity, the 8V Supersonic remains a celebrated example of Italian design innovation and postwar automotive elegance. These stunning photos capture the futuristic design and timeless elegance of the rare 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic, a true jet-age classic.

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People Wash Their Car as the Rubble of the World Trade Center Looms in the Background Shortly After the September 11 Attacks

This is a real photograph taken on September 24, 2001, about two weeks after the September 11 attacks, by Bay Area News Group photojournalist Jane Tyska while documenting the post-9/11 recovery effort in Manhattan. It shows two people washing a Mazda MX-5 Miata on a street near Ground Zero, with the skeletal remains of the South Tower of the World Trade Center visible in the background amid ongoing recovery and cleanup work.

When the Twin Towers collapsed, toxic dust, pulverized concrete, glass, and ash covered all surrounding streets and buildings. The black Mazda MX-5 Miata shown in the photo had been parked inside a nearby garage since September 11. Roughly two weeks later, when residents and owners were finally permitted back into the restricted zone to retrieve their vehicles, the owners pulled the car out and began hosing away the dense layer of hazardous debris so it could be safely driven out of the Financial District.

Photographers were drawn to the scene because it captured a stark juxtaposition: two everyday people engaging in a mundane task, washing a sports car, right in front of the wreckage of Ground Zero.

The photo has circulated widely in recent years (especially in Miata enthusiast communities), sometimes sparking skepticism that it might be AI-generated or staged due to the stark contrast between the ordinary act of washing a car and the catastrophic scene behind it. Tyska has confirmed its authenticity, calling claims that it’s fake “absolutely ridiculous.” She still works as a staff photographer and happens to own a classic red NA Miata herself.

Rare Open-Top Racing Icon: 20 Beautiful Photos of the 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype

The 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype is one of the rarest and most fascinating variants of Ford’s legendary Le Mans challenger.

Developed as an open-top version of the GT40, only a handful of these roadster prototypes were built to explore the design’s potential for both racing and possible road use. Powered by a mid-mounted Ford V8 and featuring the low, aggressive styling of the GT40 program, the roadsters were tested by drivers such as Ken Miles and served as important development cars.

Extremely limited in number and highly significant in the GT40’s early history, the 1965 Roadster Prototype remains a striking symbol of 1960s endurance racing innovation. These photos capture the bold design and historic significance of the 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, a unique chapter in Ford’s legendary racing story.

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Art Deco Masterpiece: Amazing Photos of the 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton

The 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton is one of the most striking and innovative American automobiles of the prewar era.

Designed by Gordon Buehrig, the Cord featured groundbreaking elements such as front-wheel drive, hidden headlights, and its distinctive “coffin-nose” styling. The Supercharged version was powered by a Lycoming V8 fitted with a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger, producing around 170–190 horsepower and identifiable by its dramatic external exhaust pipes.

With its low, sleek profile and advanced engineering, the 812 Phaeton remains a rare and highly prized symbol of 1930s automotive design and Art Deco elegance. These stunning photos capture the bold design and timeless sophistication of the rare 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton, a true Art Deco classic.

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1961 Volkswagen Single-Cab Pickup: Classic Utility with Character

The 1961 Volkswagen Single-Cab Pickup is a rare and practical variant of the iconic Type 2 Transporter.

Based on the same rear-engined, air-cooled platform as the beloved VW Bus, this single-cab model featured a compact driver’s compartment and an open cargo bed with drop-down sides, making it a versatile work vehicle. Powered by a modest flat-four engine, it combined simplicity, durability, and unmistakable Volkswagen styling.

Though produced in far smaller numbers than the Microbus, the Single-Cab Pickup has become a highly sought-after classic, admired for its utilitarian charm and timeless design. These beautiful photos capture the distinctive style and practical charm of the rare 1961 Volkswagen Single-Cab Pickup, a true classic of mid-century utility vehicles.

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1965 Citroën DS 21 Concorde Coupe: Rare French Elegance by Chapron

The 1965 Citroën DS 21 Concorde Coupe is a rare and sophisticated coachbuilt interpretation of Citroën’s iconic DS, created by the renowned French coachbuilder Henri Chapron.

Based on the advanced DS 21 chassis with its hydropneumatic suspension and smooth 2.2-liter engine, the Concorde featured elegant two-door coupe bodywork with clean, flowing lines. Only about 35 examples were produced, making it one of the most exclusive DS variants of the era.

Combining Citroën’s futuristic engineering with Chapron’s refined styling, the Concorde Coupe remains a striking symbol of mid-1960s French automotive luxury and craftsmanship. These elegant photos capture the rare beauty and sophisticated design of the 1965 Citroën DS 21 Concorde Coupe, a true French classic by Henri Chapron.

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1938 Talbot-Lago T150C ‘Lago Spéciale’: French Elegance on Wheels

The 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C ‘Lago Spéciale’ is one of the most elegant French sports cars of the prewar era.

Built on Talbot-Lago’s sophisticated T150C chassis and powered by a refined 4.0-liter straight-six engine, the Lago Spéciale featured a longer wheelbase that allowed for more graceful and flowing coachwork. Many examples were bodied by the legendary firm Figoni et Falaschi, whose aerodynamic “teardrop” designs and sleek cabriolets made these cars true works of automotive art.

Combining advanced engineering with exquisite French styling, the T150C Lago Spéciale remains a symbol of 1930s automotive luxury and sophistication. These stunning photos capture the timeless grace and refined beauty of the rare 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C ‘Lago Spéciale’, a true masterpiece of French prewar design.

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1894 Silsby Fourth-Size Steam Pumper: Victorian Firefighting Classic

The 1894 Silsby Fourth-Size Steam Pumper is a rare and impressive example of late-19th-century firefighting technology.

Built by the American Fire Engine Company (later part of American LaFrance), this horse-drawn apparatus was powered by a steam boiler driving a rotary pump capable of delivering around 500 gallons of water per minute. With its distinctive crane-frame design and solid Victorian engineering, the Silsby represented the height of steam-powered fire equipment before the widespread adoption of motorized trucks.

Originally delivered to the Philadelphia Fire Department, surviving examples are highly prized today as historic symbols of early professional firefighting. These striking photos capture the powerful design and historic craftsmanship of the rare 1894 Silsby Fourth-Size Steam Pumper, a true Victorian firefighting classic.

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1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible: American Luxury of the Classic Era

The 1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible was one of the most elegant American automobiles of the Classic Era. Built on Packard’s long 145.5-inch wheelbase chassis and powered by a smooth 385-cubic-inch straight-eight engine producing 106 horsepower, it combined refined performance with exceptional craftsmanship.

Many examples featured exclusive coachwork from renowned builders such as Dietrich, Waterhouse, Derham, and Brewster, resulting in graceful convertible designs that epitomized prewar luxury. With its long hood, balanced proportions, and sophisticated styling, the Packard 745 remains a highly prized symbol of American automotive elegance.

These stunning photos capture the timeless grace and refined luxury of the rare 1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible, a true classic of the Golden Age of American motoring.

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1966 Pontiac GTO ‘Monkeemobile’ No. 3: Iconic TV Custom Classic

The 1966 Pontiac GTO ‘Monkeemobile’ No. 3 is a famous customized muscle car created for the popular 1960s television series The Monkees.

Based on a standard 1966 Pontiac GTO convertible, it was heavily modified with an exaggerated front end, split two-piece windshield, extended rear quarter panels, a third-row seat, and theatrical details like a rear-mounted parachute.

While the original two Monkeemobiles were built by customizer Dean Jeffries, No. 3 was a later promotional version associated with George Barris’s collection and used for public appearances.

With its bold, playful design and strong connection to 1960s pop culture, the Monkeemobile remains one of the most recognizable custom cars of the era. These photos capture the wild, fun-loving style of the 1966 Pontiac GTO ‘Monkeemobile’ No. 3, a true icon of 1960s television and American custom car culture.

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1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe: French Art Deco Masterpiece

The 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe is widely regarded as one of the most elegant French automobiles of the prewar era.

Powered by a powerful 3.6-liter inline-six engine producing up to 160 horsepower in MS specification, it combined sporting performance with extraordinary coachbuilt design. Many examples were bodied by the legendary Figoni et Falaschi, whose dramatic teardrop styling and flowing Art Deco lines made the car a true automotive sculpture.

With its refined engineering, exclusive craftsmanship, and striking aesthetics, the Delahaye 135 MS Coupe remains one of the most desirable classics of the 1930s. These beautiful photos capture the flowing Art Deco elegance and timeless beauty of the rare 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe.

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