On August 3, 1961, the Renault 4 – the company’s first front-wheel drive model – rolled off the assembly line.

That day, exactly 60 years ago, production of the famous pioneering model Renault 4 began – a car that has been in production for over three decades

Back in the winter of 1958, Renault began work on the “Project 112” – a front-wheel drive small class car. Its revolutionary feature on an international scale was a fundamentally new body – a two-volume 5-door hatchback – that is, with an additional aft door and folding rear seats. Later, this scheme began to be used on many passenger cars.

Initially, the novelty was called Renault 3. But as it turned out, its engine of 603 cc of power of only 21 hp did not provide the necessary dynamics. Only about 2.5 thousand cars were made this way. Therefore, in mass production was started the Renault 4L with 26.5 hp engine, the working volume of which was 747 cc.

Its presentation took place at the Paris Auto Show on October 5, 1961. It must be said that the public at first reacted cautiously to this plain-looking, utilitarian car. However, after a powerful advertising campaign at the beginning of the next year, the model went into mass production and so won the hearts of the public. Its success was aided by its successful performances in various competitions, including victory in the Paris-Dakar marathon.

Naturally, various improvements and changes were made to the car, which had been in production for three decades. But what is typical, they generally had no fundamental character.

Externally only the radiator shell has been changed in 1968. As for the engine, its working volume was firstly increased to 845 cc (29 hp), and then to 956 cc and 1100 cc (34 hp each in both cases). Accordingly, the top speed increased to 123 km/h. Over time, a 4-speed gearbox has been added, disc brakes, steering wheel and dashboard have been changed.

The Fourgonnette were also available as a light distribution vans with a deaf or glazed body. The trucks were produced since 1961.

Carrying capacity was 300 kg, but since 1966 it was increased to 350 kg. In 1971, a version with a high roof and payload of 400 kg was presented – this machine also received an engine of 845 cc. In 1975, a version with a 12 cm longer wheelbase debuted, the cargo volume was increased from 1.88 cu. m to 2.25 cu. m, and payload was up to 440 kg. In 1977, the vans received new indices: short F4 and long wheelbase F6.

Totally, during 1961 – 1992 about 8 million 135 thousand 424 vehicles of Renault 4 range have been produced.

On July 22, 110 years ago, the General Motors Truck Co. was formed and has become one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers in the United States.

As early as in 1908, the General Motors company, which produced cars, included small firms, which produced trucks: Rapid, Reliance and Randolph. They have served as a basis for creation of General Motors Truck Co. in 1911.

It is necessary to say, that for some time after that truck models, though produced under the control of GMC, had the same old names. It was produced at the Rapid plant in Owosso, Michigan.

And in 1912, at the International Auto Show in New York, they first appeared under the GMC brand. Interestingly, there were several models of Rapid trucks with electric engines in the lineup. By 1913, they accounted for 39.8% of total production. Totally 509 electric trucks were produced from 1911 to 1916.

In the first half of 20s GMC produced a typical medium truck and produced a simple 1 – 5 tons models. And in 1927 began producing of the “T” series, which included trucks from 0,5 to 6 tons. They already had pneumatic tires, electric lights and brakes on all wheels.

In the 30s the company’s production program included 6×4 trucks, dropped-flow carburetors and pneumatic brakes. Since 1935 the trucks received streamlined cabins, hood and fenders. And the light trucks were equipped with hydraulic brakes with vacuum booster. The first diesel-powered versions also appeared.

In addition, GMC was one of the first companies, where synchronized gearbox was used on trucks. The result was a production growth. If in 1938 about 20 640 trucks were made, in 1941, GMC produced 111,382 units.

During the Second World War, over 600 thousand GMC trucks for the army were made, including 562,750 of the famous standard 2.5-ton model CCW 352/353 (6×6).

In the first postwar years the main production program were medium and light models. And in the early 50’s much attention was paid to the heavy duty class machines, including long haul tractors. Already then they were equipped with power steering and automatic transmissions.

At the World Expo in New York in 1964/65 GMC showed an experimental truck Bizon with two gas turbine engines and fantastic shape cabin. In 1969, GMC produced 150,180 trucks. And one more thing: from this year they were fully unified with Chevrolet products, differing in fact only by emblems and equipment.

The first joint model became a pickup truck Jimmy, aka Chevrolet Blazer. The heaviest truck Astro 95 was a twin brother of Chevrolet Titan.

In the 80s, the turbocharger with intercooler became a novelty on the Astro 95. In 1984, air suspension for cabs was introduced. In the mid-’80s GMC truck division was in a critical situation, and as a result, it merged with Volvo-White. The new Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corp. began operations on January 1, 1988. For General Motors the history of heavy trucks of its own design was over.

Back in 1928, GMC had acquired a controlling interest in the Yellow Coach company from Chicago, which was engaged in bus production. After getting their remaining part in 1943, the commercial vehicles division got a new name – GM Truck & Coach Division. Bus production continued there until May 1987. After that, GMC Truck became the official brand of the Commercial Vehicle Division, and since 1998 it was reduced to just GMC.

In different years of its history, the company has also produced various special vehicles: fire trucks and ambulances, military models, etc. And at present, GMC produces off-road vehicles, pickup trucks, light delivery vans, light-duty and medium-duty trucks.

Mileage of the car is less than 60 000 km

Classic Japanese cars do not lose in value, but rather every year become more expensive. Demand for such cars is also growing, especially for instances preserved to our days in excellent condition. Collectors are starting a real hunt for these cars.

One of these cars put up for sale the British company Torque GT. We are talking about the Honda NSX-R first generation. This car appeared in 2002 and was offered only in the domestic market of Japan. During the three years only 140 copies of the model were produced. Even when the car was new, it was incredibly expensive, and now the price tag is off the scale. The starting price for the model is set at $408,000, but the owner hopes to get more.

During its almost twenty-year history, the sports car has driven 59,927 kilometers, but it is in perfect condition. What distinguishes this NSX modification is the carbon fiber hood, trunk lid, and massive antifender. Thanks to the use of carbon fiber parts, the weight of the car was reduced by 100 kg, to 1270 kg. This copy is powered by a 3.2-liter V6 engine with 299 hp, which works with a six-speed “manual”. Bidding will take place this week.