13 Cars That Defined Automotive Innovation in the 1930s
The 1930s witnessed significant innovation and growth in America’s and the world’s automobile sector. Detroit and its global counterparts pushed the boundaries of automotive technology, engineering, and design as far as the human mind allowed.
The products of these advancements shaped the future of transportation, from headways in aerodynamics to breakthroughs in suspension systems. Many of these vehicles have become relics of the past, but just as many are prized specimens of a bygone era today.
We may not look at every car from the 1930s as iconic, but just about every one of them made a lasting impact with their roles in revolutionizing the way automobiles are built and driven today. Let’s celebrate 13 cars from the 1930s that set new standards in automated mobility.
Cadillac V-16 (1930–1940)
The Cadillac V-16 symbolized wealth and status like Rolls-Royce and Bentley today. It debuted at the start of the decade, setting new standards for luxury and performance by the time it ended production in 1940. Its name comes from the renowned 7.4-liter (452 cu-in) V16 engine producing an impressive 165-hp.
“Impressive” isn’t nearly the word for 165 ponies, not from a 16-cylinder mill, anyway. But the output was an extraordinary performance in the 1930s.
The engine was thoughtfully built to operate smoothly and quietly, with the help of overhead valves and a counterbalanced crankshaft to keep vibration to the barest possible minimum. It hurled the 5,300lb Caddy to a 100 mph top speed.
Ford Model A (1927–1931)
The Model A rode on the Model T’s success but with updated highlights like a more powerful engine and better suspension. It was already at the end of its production run in 1931 (1927–1931), but it defined automotive innovation in the 1930s by carrying over the Model T’s legacy of affordability and reliability.
Nine decades later, American cars are still generally more affordable than their European counterparts because brands like the Ford Model A singlehandedly shaped the industry. It showed everyone that cars can offer performance, quality, and modern conveniences without costing an arm and a foot.
This was the Model A’s contribution and legacy — despite its advanced features, it remained affordable, with pricing starting at around $385. No wonder it sold nearly 5 million units in just three years.
Duesenberg Model J (1928–1937)
The Duesenberg Model J left an indelible mark with its remarkable luxury, performance, and advanced engineering. We mentioned how the Cadillac V-16 mirrored the modern Rolls-Royce’s status in the luxury segment; Rolls-Royce — both then and now — is a student where the Duesenberg Model J was concerned.
We said ‘both then and now’ because the same will probably be true if the Duesenberg brand is still around. Rolls-Royce already made opulent cars since the early 1900s, but it didn’t match the Model J’s lavish luxury. More importantly, the Model J didn’t stop at luxury: It combined unparalleled performance with opulence, setting a standard for the segment.
Chrysler Airflow (1934–1937)
This is one of the first cars designed around aerodynamics, a concept that informed its streamlined shape and ultimately resulted in its commercial failure. However, there’s no denying that Airflow’s audacious, unconventional styling influenced future car designs.
It was among the first American cars to feature an all-steel body and also pioneered wind tunnel testing. The Airflow’s unique shape instigated its innovative cooling system, exemplified by the optimal placement of the radiator and grille.
Additionally, the car’s design improved cabin space, with the engine moving forward and the wheelbase extended. Ultimately, the Airflow was a definitive model from the 1930s, even if people felt safer with the boxy, upright cars they were familiar with.
Packard Twelve (1933–1939)
What did the Packard Twelve and Chrysler V-16 have in common? Both were proud homes of a smooth-running burly engine, in the Packard’s case — a 160-hp 7.3-liter (445 cu-in) V12. To manage the heat, the V12 had the help of a large radiator and a thermostatically controlled fan.
Like the Cadillac, the Packard Twelve aimed to be the most prestigious car of its time, with advanced features, such as independent front suspension, to support its claim. It was a noble goal for the Twin Six’s (Packard’s former flagship) replacement, even if it meant competing with the Duesenberg Model J and Cadillac V-16.
As such, the Twelve showed up to the theater with a stately long hood and sweeping fenders. It was sold via custom coachwork from renowned coachbuilders, as was the common practice, and customers could choose from various body styles, including sedans, coupes, convertibles, and limousines.
Volkswagen Beetle (1938)
The Beetle was designed by none other than Ferdinand Porsche back when Porsche GmbH was still a consultancy company. The car he designed for the German government’s “People’s Car” project snowballed into one of the most iconic and enduring car designs in history.
There were rumors that Porsche (or the German government) imported none other than the Chrysler Airflow and copied its curious design into the Beetle’s distinctive rounded shape. It proved to be a true ‘people’s car,’ affordable, easy to maintain, family-friendly (accommodating two adults and three children at speeds up to 62 mph, and perfect for the newly constructed autobahn network.
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 (1937–1941)
Think about the Porsche 911, BMW M4, and the Ford Mustangs; none was more revered than the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 in the 1930s sports car arena. It walked the talk in racing competitions, leaving its mark in major races like the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The man who designed the car was renowned automotive engineer Vittorio Jano, who Alfa has to thank for many of its race-winning cars. It featured independent suspension on all four wheels, with transverse leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers.
It rode on a tubular frame chassis wrapped in aluminum bodywork. The heart was supercharged 2.9-liter inline-8, producing 220-hp and reaching a top speed of approximately 140 mph. You guessed it: It had a manual transmission 4-speed.
Mercedes-Benz 540K (1936–1940)
The 540K is a poster child of the 1930s automotive innovation because it built on the 500K’s success with even more power and refinement. Produced from 1936 to 1940, the 500K combined exceptional engineering with opulence. It was a go-to car for the wealthy, drawing the wealthy with its long hood and sweeping fenders.
As was the custom with many luxury cars of the era, the Mercedes-Benz 540K was available via custom coachwork by renowned builders such as Sindelfingen, Erdmann & Rossi, and Saoutchik. There were coupes, cabriolets, and roadsters.
Rolls-Royce Phantom III (1936–1939)
The Phantom III, produced from 1936 to 1939, kickstarted the Rolls-Royce tradition of burly V12 engines. It marked the end of an era for its previous straight-6s. The new engine — a first for Rolls-Royce — was a 7.32-liter OHV V12 producing 165-hp and pushing the nearly 6,000lb luxury land yacht to a top speed of approximately 87 mph.
Furthermore, the Phantom III defined the era with a then-advanced independent front suspension and a semi-elliptical leaf spring setup at the rear. Rolls-Royce’s bespoke tradition started at this time.
The Phantom’s chassis design supported integration with custom bodies by some of the most prestigious coachbuilders of the era, such as Park Ward, Hooper, and Mulliner. Although the Second World War forced the Phantom III’s production to a halt in 1939, the 727 units produced left a lasting footprint on the sands of time.
Tatra T77 (1934–1938)
The Tatra T77 revolutionized the industry by blending a convention-breaking rear-mounted air-cooled engine with aerodynamics. Designed and built in Czechoslovakia, the T77 was, like the Chrysler Airflow, one of the world’s earliest production models designed with aerodynamics in mind.
Though built in Slovakia, the T77 owes its development to Paul Jaray, a Hungarian engineer known for his work in aerodynamics, and Austrian engineer Hans Ledwinka. It rode on a tubular backbone chassis with independent suspension on all four wheels. This futuristic setup blessed the T77 with exceptional handling and ride quality.
Lincoln Zephyr (1936–1942)
The Zephyr introduced streamlined design to the American market. The car’s aerodynamic styling is thanks to Dutch-American John Tjaarda, who was inspired by the 1930s by the Art Deco movement. The Zephyr’s modern styling, more than its novel unibody construction, made it an instant icon.
It was among the earliest production cars to use a unitary construction to optimize weight and structural rigidity. Like the Phantom III, the Zephyr favored a V12 engine over the typical inline-sixes of that era.
Austin Seven (1923 –1939)
The Austin Seven defined several decades with its affordability and city-friendly dimensions. Though a British brand, the Seven quickly became popular worldwide because it was easy on the pocket, well-suited for urban driving, and offered good fuel economy.
Its main contribution to the automotive industry is influencing the design of many future small cars, such as the BMW Dixi/BMW 3/15, American Bantam, Nissan/Datsun 15, Rosengart LR2, and the Lotus Seven. It was a bestseller for Austin Motor Company, with approximately 290,000 units produced.
Citroën Traction Avant (1934–1957)
The Traction Avant changed the drivetrain game with its revolutionary FWD system, complete with unibody construction that made it lighter and independent suspension on all four wheels. It was a landmark car for the French automaker and the auto industry, influencing future cars with its advanced styling elements and engineering features.
Power wasn’t its strong suit as it was content with a 1.9-liter unit good for 56-hp. If nothing else, the Traction Avant was among the earliest series-produced cars to use a front-wheel-drive system. The resultant lower floor height optimized cabin space and handling characteristics.
