The Biggest Premiers/Launches In Geneva Since 1905

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1905 - CLEMENT


1924 - FIAT 502


1925 - OPEL 4 / 12 CV
OPEL 4/12 bhp - "Tree Frog"
Exhibited at the Show of 1925, the Opel 4/12 bhp "Laubfrosch" (German for tree frog) was first produced in 1924. Its 4-cylinder pressure-lubricated engine could reach speeds of 45 mph. It had an electric starter and a 3-speed gearbox with reverse gear. Opel launched it on to the market at a price of DM 3000.


1927 - FIAT 509 Sport
For several decades, Fiat supplied the chassis of many Italian sports cars developed by small manufacturers who made use of the large brand's components. This Fiat 509 roadster had a 4‑cylinder, 990 cc engine assembled on a special body inspired by the Alfa Romeo of Zagato.


1928 - FORD A LIMOUSINE/COUPÉ


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1929 - MERCEDES SSK
All the power of Mercedes, which together with Auto Union dominated the major competitions at the end of the 1930s, is already clear in this Mercedes SSK (short chassis) with a 6-cylinder 7.1-litre 170/225 PS engine that the great German drivers, such as the famous Rudolf Caracciola for example, drove to victory.


1930 - CHRYSLER Cabriolet-Spider
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, cabriolets were particular favourites with well-to-do customers. This Chrysler, bought new in England, has a front bench seat and two rumble seats, familiarly known as "mother-in-law seats", located in the boot.


1931 - MAYBACH Zeppelin
From 1921 to 1940, Maybach in Germany manufactured approximately 2300 cars including 300 Zeppelin models which were the top of the range for the brand. Powered by a V12 7-litre engine providing 150 bhp, this Maybach could reach 95 mph and its quality and reliability made it a highly sought-after car.


1931 - MAYBACH Zeppelin cabriolet
This imposing cabriolet is a good illustration of trends in the German motor industry before 1940. The V12 8-litre engine, coupled to an 8-speed gearbox, provided such good running comfort that the kings and princes of the time, including King Haile Selassie of Ethiopia and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, as well as many German dignitaries, were happy customers of the Maybach.


1932 - ALFA ROMEO 8C2300



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1932 - MAYBACH "Jaray" streamlined limousine
The coachbuilder Jaray produced this 6-seater limousine on a Maybach Zeppelin chassis with a V12 8-litre engine, providing 200 bhp which, thanks to its avant-garde aerodynamic styling, was capable of reaching the fantastic speed for a saloon car of 125 mph.


1933 - VOISIN C23
VOISIN adopts streamlined styling.
A manufacturer of famous aeroplanes, Gabriel Voisin was also attracted by the automotive industry. The streamlined Voisin Aérodyne, with the front wings braced like those of an aeroplane, was fitted with a 6-cylinder in-line 3-litre valveless engine.


1933 - VOISIN C 23 saloon
Partially manufactured from aluminium alloy, the C 23 Voisin was powered by a 6-cylinder in-line engine, a valveless Knight system, with 3 litres producing 90 bhp and was fitted to a Cotal gearbox with 2 mechanical gears and 2 electric ones. On this model, the front wings are braced, a reminder of Voisin's skills as an aeroplane manufacturer.


1934 - CHRYSLER Airflow
Before 1935-40, American manufacturers - GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc. - did not pay much attention to automobile aerodynamics. However, in 1934, Chrysler attempted, unfortunately without a huge amount of success, to attract customers with a first streamlined car, the Airflow, the lines of which are similar to those of the Peugeot 202-302-402 and other Tatra models.


1935 - The CITROEN revolution
With its four-cylinder 7 and 11 models, and later the 15 with 6 cylinders, Citroen launched mass-produced front-wheel drive cars with a monocoque body instead of the traditional backbone chassis. The engine is mounted on large shock-absorbing silent blocks so that it was referred to as "floating".


1936 - BMW 326
As a complement to the 320 series fitted with a 6-cylinder engine producing 45 bhp, Bayerische Motoren Werke introduced the 326 series in 1936, with the same 6-cylinder engine producing 50 horsepower. The new model was available in 3 versions: a 4-door limousine at a price of 5500 Reichsmark (RM), a 2-door cabriolet at 6550 RM, and a 4-door cabriolet at 7200 RM. It was also possible for customers to purchase a bare chassis and have the body built themselves.


1937 - FIAT 500 TOPOLINO


1938 - MERCEDES 540 K "Kompressor" Cabriolet B
Launched as early as 1936 to replace the 380 K and 500 K, the 540 K, which was to be available in several versions before the hostilities of the Second World War broke out, reflected the most advanced technology of the time. The 8-cylinder in-line 5.4-litre engine produced 115 bhp at 3400 rpm without the compressor and increased to 180 bhp when the compressor was used,it was then capable of doing 110 mph.


1939 - OPEL CAPTAIN


1949 - BORGWARD Hansa automatic saloon
Exhibited as a world premiere in 1949 at the Show, the German Borgward Hansa reappeared in 1950 in the form of a 4-door saloon. The 4-cylinder engine was coupled to an automatic gearbox manufactured in-house which, according to the model's advertising, " allowed customers to drive without using the clutch or changing gear".




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1950 - FIAT 1400


1951 - JAGUAR XK 120 engine
With its six-cylinder, in-line, twin overhead camshaft engine, the Jaguar XK 120 very rapidly acquired an enviable reputation. Powerful and flexible, it showed itself to be just as well adapted to fast touring as competitions, and gave many drivers the opportunity of distinguishing themselves both on race tracks and in rallies.


1951 - JAGUAR XK 120 Coupé
Following on from the roadster and cabriolet versions, the coupé XK 120, or to give it its proper name the "FHC - Fixed Head Coupé", with 120 standing for its maximum speed in miles per hour, was exhibited at the 1951 Show. In its various versions, thanks to extremely attractive prices, the different 120 models were successful on a worldwide scale and allowed Jaguar to conquer the North American market.


1952 - FIAT 8V "Otto Vu" berlinetta
Fiat caused a sensation at the 1952 Geneva Show when it launched the 8V berlinetta sports car with its exceptionally aggressive styling. The 8V 2-litre engine was produced from the assembly of two 1100 4-cylinder units. Several different bodies were built for this chassis of which only 113 copies were made, making them highly desirable to collectors.


1953 - The STANDARD takes the plane
At this time, it was not unusual for "air ferries" to be used to transport cars from England to Europe. This photo of the Standard Vanguard 11 going to the 1953 Show was taken as the vehicle was being loaded at Milan-Malpensa airport.


1955 - FIAT 600


1957 - MERCEDES 300 S


1958 - MORETTI 750


1959 - FIAT 1800/2100



1959 - ALFA ROMEO SUPER SPORT



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1960 - LANCIA FLAMINIA GT TOURING CABRIOLET
Lancia presented this elegant Flaminia cabriolet at the 1960 Geneva Show, the design and manufacture of which was produced by the coachbuilder Touring. Built following the "superleggera" procedure - a framework of tubes covered with aluminium - developed by Touring, this Flaminia was powered by the famous narrow V6 engine which could produce 140 bhp, giving a speed of more than 110 mph.



1960 - LANCIA FLAMINIA 2.5 NARDI/MOTTO "LORAYMO COUPÉ"
At the 1960 Paris Motor Show, the industrial designer Raymond Loewy, born in Paris in 1893 and who emigrated to the USA, presented a coupé on a Lancia Flaminia chassis, with aluminium bodywork by the specialist Motto of Turin and an engine prepared by Nardi. Some of Loewy's other designs included the Gestetner duplicating machine, the Coca Cola bottle, the Lucky Strike cigarette packet, the Shell symbol, the brands BP and Lu, and several Studebaker cars.


1960 - THE LANCIA FLAMINIA RANGE
Lancia presented the first Lancia Flaminia V6 engine at the 1956 Turin Motor Show, a saloon designed by Pininfarina. Over the next few years, the range was completed by a 2-door coupé which was also produced from the PF drawing boards and, later by GT models including a coupé and a Touring cabriolet as well as a Zagato Coupé sports version in aluminium alloy.



1961 - JAGUAR E TYPE Coupé
Following the sensation of the 120 coupé introduced ten years earlier, Jaguar caused more excitement at the 1961 Show with its E Type coupé which was to become a resounding success,the cars are of course still a joy for collectors today. The vehicle shown here, which appeared on the stand at the former Palais, now belongs to a Swiss collector who has fully restored it to its original condition.


1962 - RENAULT FLORIDE & CARAVELLE



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1963 - MERCEDES 230 SL
Mercedes caused a sensation at the 1963 Geneva Show with the 230 S,its pagoda-style roof had the advantage of increasing the surface area of the side windows. Also available in a cabriolet version, the 230 SL had its first outing on the small Veytraz-Monthoux race track near Annemasse where the world's press was greeted by professors Nallinger and Uhlenhaut, accompanied by press officer Arthur Käser.


1964 - LANCIA FULVIA


1964 - FIAT 2300 PININFARINA "LAUSANNE"
Battista and Sergio Pininfarina have often formally marked their attachment to Switzerland and the Geneva Motor Show. In 1964, on the occasion of the National Exhibition in Lausanne, a special car on a Fiat 2300 chassis was produced and named "Lausanne". This unique copy, powered by a Fiat 6-cylinder in-line engine, was exhibited at the 1964 Show as the Italian coachbuilder's homage to the Swiss Confederation.


1965 - RENAULT 16


1965 - FERRARI DINO BERLINETTA SPECIALE
The Pininfarina berlinetta, with a rear-mounted V6 engine, was a forerunner of what was to become the Ferrari Dino 206 and 246 GT, and this prototype already shows several features which the production model would have, such as the concave side air intakes, the line of the roof and the inverted curve rear window, and the contours of the front wings.


1966 - FIAT DINO SPIDER
Fiat, who collaborated closely with Ferrari, decided to make use of the Modena V6 engine for a cabriolet and coupé. The Spider (Italian for roadster) designed by Pininfarina was chosen for the open version, while Bertone was selected for the coupé. The Spider, exhibited at the Turin Motor Show, was produced in 2.0 and 2.4 litre versions, with a front-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. It had many similarities with the Dino competition prototypes.


1967 - FIAT DINO COUPE


1968 - AUTOBIANCHI


1968 - ALFA ROMEO P33 ROADSTER
Fundamentally different from the design of the Ferrari P5/6 and Coupé 33 prototypes, the cabriolet, with its taut lines and sharp angles, demonstrates how Pininfarina was continuously pushing back the boundaries of style and efficiency. The cabriolet was built on an Alfa Romeo Type 33 sport cars chassis with a V8 mid-mounted engine, with large overhead spoiler and "beetle-wing" doors.


1968 - ERRARI 250 - P5/P6 - PININFARINA
Very probably built using a P4 chassis with a 3-litre V12 rear-mounted engine derived from Formula 1, Pininfarina presented the P5 prototype at the Geneva Show which was a perfect illustration of the collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina on a competition berlinetta. This aerodynamic design, which was both admired and disliked by the critics, was used as the chassis for production of the Ferrari BB which borrowed several stylistic elements from it.


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1968 - DINO FERRARI PROTOTYPE
This prototype of the Ferrari Dino, on a 206 S chassis, was designed by Pininfarina and presented as a world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1967 and then at Geneva in 1968. It is well known to collectors under the name of the "Yellow Dino". The lines of the future mass-produced Dino 206 and 246, powered by a V6 overhead camshaft 2.0- and 2.4-litre engine, are already easily recognisable.


1969 - ALFA ROMEO 33 COUPÉ PROTOTYPE
Heavily influenced by the Ferrari 250 - P5, the Pininfarina Alfa Romeo coupé prototype, on a Type 33 sports car chassis, in contrast to the Ferrari P6 which resulted in the BB (Boxer Berlinetta), returned to the concept of a concave front, ovoid rear wings, "gull-wing" doors and the transparent roof going right to the back of the car. The engine, as on the P5/6 prototype, is mounted in the middle of the car.


1969 - FERRARI SIGMA GRAND PRIX
Using the chassis of a single-seater F1 312 V12 Ferrari, Pininfarina, in collaboration with the Revue Automobile, produced this Grand Prix prototype which included various new safety features. The backbone chassis delimits two compartments for the cockpit and engine which have collapsible structures in front and behind them. The sides are reinforced, the wheels integrated to minimise risk and the spoiler forms a protective roll bar.



1969 - PEUGEOT 504 COUPÉ
At the 1969 Geneva Show, Pininfarina presented the harmonious Peugeot 504 Coupé, powered by a 4-cylinder in-line 1.8-litre engine which produced 90 bhp. With its very fine roof lines giving excellent visibility, almost 26,000 copies of the car were sold. That same year, Pininfarina also exhibited the 504 cabriolet, closely based on the coupé, of which more than 7800 units took to the road.



1970 - MONTEVERDI "HAI" 450 SS
A former racing driver, and a great fan and admirer of Ferrari, Peter Monteverdi was unable to resist the lure of motor sport. At the 1970 Geneva Show, he caused a sensation with his berlinetta "Hai". It had a Chrysler V8 450 bhp engine with hemispherical cylinder heads coupled to a mechanical ZF 5-speed gearbox and was mounted in a rear central position. The bodywork was by Fissore and could reach speeds of more than 180 mph.


1970 - FERRARI 512 MODULO
Continuing its research in aerodynamics, Pininfarina produced the "Modulo" in 1970, based on a 512 S chassis with a central V12 5-litre engine. The roof and windscreen slide forward to allow access to the cockpit. The round air intakes of the engine are a new stylistic element and the wheels are partly streamlined. Jackie Stewart, complete with long hair and flares, is shown here posing next to the Modulo.


1971 - MASERATI BORA
The old and illustrious marque from Modena, which was bought out in 1969 by Citroën, presented a new coupé at the 1971 Geneva Show, produced from the drawing boards of Ital Design (Giorgio Giugiaro) and christened the Bora. The new berlinetta was powered by the famous Maserati V8 4.8-litre mid-mounted engine which produced more than 300 bhp and allowed the two-seater coupé to reach a maximum speed of 175 mph.



1971 - PEUGEOT 504 COUPÉ and CABRIOLET
Two years after being exhibited at the Geneva Show, the Peugeot 504 coupés and cabriolets continued their careers with great success. The power of the 4-cylinder engine was increased to 98 bhp through injection engineering and the 4 wheels were fitted with disc brakes. The "super luxe" version included air-conditioning, defrosting and a heated rear window. The cabriolet was less expensive (CHF 21,600) than the coupé (CHF 22,300).


1971 - Lamborghini LP500 Prototype
At the time of the Geneva's International motorshow in March 1971, Lamborghini presents a concept car named “LP500”. A mass production of the car was not considered, but the concept likes, so that Lamborghini decides to carry out and release a model resembling to it. However, many details are modified. The 5 liters V12 engine of the prototype LP500 became in 1974, with the LP400, a 4 liters which was going nevertheless to become famous. The name LP means “Longitudionale Posteriore" in reference to the position of the engine.

The name "Countach" comes from an expression of the regional dialect of Emilie-Romagna (It). It marks the expression of astonishment and admiration which would have said by a local farmer, by seeing the car, put on road for the first time.

The car was produced from 1974 to 1978 as Lamborghini Countach LP400. It has a 3.929 cc V12 engine which develops 375 hp. The engine is inserted axially, contrary to the Miura. The gearbox with five speeds was moved in front of the engine, and from there the input shaft crosses the sump to reach the tail rotor drive. Contrary to the monoshell of the Miura, the Countach had a lattice framework, but the body was always signed by Bertone.



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