Carpedia A
Acura
Acura is a luxury division of the Japanese automaker Honda. The company began production in 1986 and released the Legend, a midsize luxury car and the first Honda with a 6-cylinder engine. Acura was an instant hit with the Legend that retains a following to this day. Though sales and popularity fluctuated through the 90’s Acura soon gained popularity with the tuner crowd. In 2000 Acura hit their stride with the release of the 3.2 TL, this well-rounded vehicle combined sportiness and luxury in a way that made it a contender with competitors like Lexus and BMW. Interestingly even though Acura is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the brand has yet to be released there.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo founded in 1910 in Milan Italy, and has been a part of the Fiat Corporation since 1986. The name Alfa Romeo sounds exotic and wealthy; in truth, Alfa is an acronym Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili translated Lombard Automobile Factory. Romeo was added in 1920 when Nicola Romeo purchased the plant. The company has seen many difficulties through the decades like the bombing of the Alfa factory in WW II. Through it, all it has retained its reputation as a wealthy mans' car. A fact that was mirrored arrogantly in ads such as this one from a British advertisement. “For the man who has everything, here is the car to keep him company, Expensive? Naturally what else would you expect from a hand built Alfa to be?
AMC
AMC or American Motors Corporation was formed in 1954 by the combination of Hudson Motor Company and Nash-Kelvinator Corp. AMC is probably best remembered for cars like the Nash Rambler, Hornet or Gremlin. They should be remembered for their extreme forward thinking. April 1st 1959 AMC announced plans of a joint research effort to provide an electric car. The plans were scrapped however since the car still required a small gasoline engine to charge the batteries. By the late 1970’s the company was in trouble, they never quite seemed able to compete with the big three Ford, GM and Chrysler. They went into partnership with French owned Renault and were able to remain solvent until the late 80’s. It was at this point that Chrysler acquired the company and AMC became defunct.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin began life in 1913 in Gaydon England. The company name comes from a combination of one of the founders, Lionel Martin and the Aston Hill speed hillclimb. These luxury performance cars were made famous by the silver screen. The DB5 made its screen debut in 1964 on the set of Goldfinger. Over the years the James Bond franchise has used few cars other than the Aston Martin, even the new release, Quantum of Solace, will highlight the new DB5 Aston Martin.
Audi
Audi can trace its roots back to 1899 and a man named August Horch. In 1909, Horch created an automotive company, which he was later forced out of. He started another company shortly after continuing to use the Horch name. He was sued for trademark infringement and a German court upheld the suit. Left with no name for his automobiles his son suggested they call them Audi, which is Latin for Horch. Audi was introduced in the United States in 1970 a mutually agreeable relationship until a controversial 60 minutes expose caused sales to drop heavily. Audi almost pulled out of the United States however, sales had rebounded by the mid 90’s.
Austin
Sir Herbert Austin founded Austin in 1905 in Longbridge England. The first production car was a 5-liter four-cylinder model and only 200 were made. Like many automotive manufactures of the time, Austin grew considerably by manufacturing military equipment during WW I and II. The small car company struggled between the two wars but managed to stay afloat with a new finance director, Ernest Payton. It was around this time the Austin Seven was created. A small, inexpensive subcompact was one of the first aimed at a mass market. This tiny car helped keep Austin profitable through the great depression. Austin was absorbed into the British Leyland Motor Company in 1952, this coupled with other problems led to their decline.
Austin Healy
Austin Healy produced cars until 1972 when a 20-year agreement between Austin and Donald Healy ended. In 1952, Healy had entered an informal design contest sponsored by Leonard Lord of the BMC. His car was an immediate favorite of Lord’s, in fact as soon as he inspected it he offered to take the car over and name it Austin-Healy. Only two types of cars were ever produced, the large engine type and the small Sprites. American motorists immediately fell in love with the sleek lines and styling of these cars. Moreover, the price tag was a mere 2,985.00 significantly less than the comparable Jaguar. Sadly, despite their beauty and style the Austin Healy brand dies out in only 18 years.