Car History

The Porsche 550 Spyder is small, flat and fast. Even though it was built only 140 times, the 550 Spyder still made history. It laid the foundation for Porsche's success in motorsports and it was the car, in which Hollywood star James Dean was killed. This accident not only turned Dean into a legend, but they Porsche 550 as well. Car History reveals the whole story of the dream car from the 1950s.

Racing has been the motor for Ford for more than 100 years. Henry Ford even won his first race with his first-ever car. Thousands of victories followed ever since. Ford writes motorsports history with the GT40 in Le Mans, the Capri on the circuit and the Escart at the Monte Carlo Rally and the Safari Rally. Ford even built the most successful engine of the Formula 1: the Ford-Cosworth.

BMW is one of the most successful automotive companies in the world. From the beginning, racing is one of the pillars for this success. Whether it's on over long or short distance tracks, whether it's in formula or touring car races: the Bavarian Motor Works set new standards. And thanks to the transfer of technology into series production cars, customers benefit from racing victories as well.

No sooner had the first car been launched in 1886 than advertising began touting the great benefits of the motor car for mankind. Part 1 of 3.

In the 1970s and 80s, car production booms and with-it car advertising. Television advertising for cars picks up speed. Part 2 of 3.

The Chevrolet Corvette is an icon and the world's best selling sports car. Introduced more than 60 years ago, it became a firm part of the American culture like the Statue of Liberty, the Superbowl or John Wayne. No other car stands more for the "American Way of Drive"ќ than the Corvette. Its recipe to success: high displacement, high performance and exciting design.

50 years of Porsche 911 and 60 years of Chevrolet Corvette: two legends, two myths, two dream cars - and two opposing philosophies. But whether it's a rear or a front engine, both the Corvette and Porsche sports cars are icons in the US and Europe. Both are unique, each with a distinctive design and each the embodiment of a sports car.

Marketing is key in the automotive industry. Brands, models and advertising has been closely intertwined for decades. How has car advertising developed since the 1990s? Part 3of3.

Selling more than a million cars per year, Audi is now one of the most successful car manufacturers in the world. The brand with the four rings does stand for innovation, superior technology and outstanding design. In the 80s Audi revolutionized the automotive world with the Audi Quattro, which not only changes the world of rally sports but also brings the all-wheel drive to everyday cars.

The Auto Union is the incredible story of the "Fantastic Four": Horch, Audi, DKW and Wanderer. With the sign of the four rings, they are the second-largest automotive group in Germany behind Opel in the 1930s. The four brands of Auto Union are automobile pacemakers, build technical milestones and the fastest car in the world. Today, the name is long gone, but the brand lives on.

In the early 20th century, many inventors work on new ways to travel. One of those pioneers is Henry Ford, who introduces the Model A in 1903. But it was not until the Ford Model T and the moving assembly line, when his company from Dearborn, Michigan really takes off. Ford captures not just the US, but the whole world. At the same time, he becomes one of the world's richest people.

Two continents, one unique story: There aren't many manufacturers who have been equally active in the US and Europe as early as Ford did. Even though both markets have different demands and needs, Ford has been successful with this strategy. While the Mustang excites young people in the US, Europeans get fascinated with the Capri.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans are the toughest race in the world. In 1951 Porsche took part in the 24 hour-classic for the very first time and competed every year ever since. Till 1998 the Porsche enjoyed 16 victories with its prototypes - more than any other manufacturer in the history of Le Mans. No other brand plays such a decisive role in Le Mans as Porsche.

Jaguar, this is probably the coolest car brand in the world. Originally named Swallow Sidecars Company, company founder Sir William Lyons builds his first Jaguar in 1935. Soon afterwards the Jaguar SS 100 is produced, a sports car which outshines all other sports cars. Ever since, each Jaguar impresses with its power, dynamics and elegance, no matter if it's the XK 120, the E-Type or the XJ.

Whether it's the XK 120, the C-Type or the D-Type: sports and racing cars from Jaguar are tailor-made to reach maximum speed. Jaguar dominates not just the international racing scene in Le Mans, Daytona or Monte Carlo, but has a lasting effect on it, too. Unforgotten are the seven victories in Le Mans, which make especially the C-Type and the D-Type known worldwide.

The Volkswagen Group is the second biggest car company in the world. It all starts in 1936 with one car: the Volkswagen Beetle. It is supposed to make people's dream of owning a car come true, but turns to be even more: a object of the propaganda in the third Reich, a development worker after World War II, a million seller, a film star and a sports car. The Beetle makes Volkswagen world-famous.

In the 1970s Volkswagen is in a crisis after the company was hit by the oil price shock and the popularity of the Beetle has declined. Only with the introduction of the Passat and Golf, Volkswagen finds its way back on track. The Golf is a bestseller. With more than 30 million units sold, it makes the Volkswagen Group a global player. Now, twelve brands are part of the Volkswagen Group.

Whether with their rocket vehicles or their Ascona or Calibra car models, racing has been closely associated with the Opel brand for over 100 years.

Power, Passion, Pole Position: Mercedes has been writing racing history since 120 years. Mercedes and Benz competed in the first-ever car race in 1984 and achieved numerous victories ever since. Among their outstanding successes are their victories at the 1908 and 1914 French Grand Prix. Car History shows how the three-pointed star brand dominated motorsports right from the very beginning.

The Silver Arrows stand for an unparalleled era of motorsports. They dominated the racing scene in the 1930s like no other. Rudolf Carraciola, Hermann Lang, Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss are the heroes of that time and became legendary thanks to the Silver Arrows. Car History details the unique history of the Silver Arrows using both original footage and interviews with motorsport experts.

Whether it is gullwing, streamliner or monoposto: After WWII silver becomes the color of champions again. In the slipstream of their own myth, the second-generation Silver Arrows race from victory to victory and reward Mercedes with golden years in racing. Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and Hans Herrmann are the heroes of that time. Car History documents the return of the Silver Arrows.

Whether it is the Monte Carlo Rally, the European Rally Championship or the Street Grand Prix of Argentina: There was a time when Mercedes dominated the international rally scene with cars like the sluggish 180D or the heavy touring saloons 220 or 300SE. After retiring from Formula 1 and Le Mans, Mercedes used rally sport as a testing ground as the use of close-to-production cars was mandatory.

1969 saw Mercedes' first win at a race after the 1955 Le Mans disaster and retiring from racing. What followed are the legendary appearance of AMG's red S-Class nicknamed "Red Pig" in Spa, uncountable victories in the German Touring Car Championship, the return to Le Mans, the Formula 1 championships with Mika Hдkkinen and Mercedes' own Grand Prix team featuring Lewis Hamilton.

After taking part in the world's first car race in 1894, Mercedes has won races around the world and became the most successful manufacturer in motorsports. No matter if it's Le Mans, Panamericana, Indianapolis or Formula One: There are not many racec that the three-pointed star brand hasn't won yet. Their pilots such are always among the best and most famous drivers of their time.

From the first three-wheel automobile to the shining star of the 30s, from Simplex to 500K: No other brand characterizes the first 50 years of the motor better than Mercedes, no other brand represents the evolution of the automobile more than Mercedes.

After World War II vehicles from Mercedes-Benz soon became the embodiment of status, quality, power and comfort again. No matter if it's the Gullwing 300 SL, Fintail, /8, Baby Benz or S-Class: Many Mercedes vehicles from the 50s, 60s and 70s became cult classics. Then as now, they are a testimonial for the three-pointed star brand's striving for perfection.

BMW M1, the Le Mans prototype or the M3 GT2 - the BMW Art Cars designed by Andy Warhol, Roy Liechtenstein, Frank Stella or Jeff Koons, the world's most famous artists.

In 1964, tractor manufacturer Ferruccio Lamborghini decided to build the best sports cars in the world in the tranquil town of Sant'Agata Bolognese.

The Nissan car brand emerged from the ruins of the Second World War and took on the then market leaders in Japan, GM and Ford.