The 1940s

Rebirth from ruins. Post-war Europe rebuilt its car industry from bombed factories with limited materials and enormous ambition. Ferry Porsche built the first 356 in an Austrian sawmill using Volkswagen components, establishing the sports car philosophy that would define the company. The Citroen 2CV and Volkswagen Beetle began motorizing nations that had been devastated by conflict. Jaguar's XK120 became the fastest production car in the world with 120 mph, using a twin-cam straight-six that would power Jaguars for decades. Italy, Germany, France, and Britain each chose different paths to recovery, and their automotive industries reflected those choices.

4 vehicles from this era