As far as concept cars go, the 1934 Bendix SWC was truly the first of its kind. Designed by Alfred Ney of the Bendix Corporation, located in South Bend, Indiana, was truly a work of art. Despite being a concept car, it featured various technological leaps that were way ahead of its time. Only one SWC was ever made, but the engineering behind it was a prediction for much of what came in later decades.
The Bendix SWC had many of the features that you know and love today, such as a front-wheel drive, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, a four-wheel independent suspension, and more. The main reason behind its lack of commercial production was Bendix’s falling stock, which was partly due to its CEO’s negligent, irresponsible, and over-indulgent behavior.
1935 Bugatti Aerolithe
The 1935 Bugatti Aerolithe was an absolute masterpiece when it came to its design. It was created by Jean Bugatti, a French automotive designer and engineer who was part of the company's founding family. The Aerolithe’s name was based on the French word for a meteorite and was meant to symbolize the popular phrase “Rapide comes one aerolite,” which meant “Fast as a meteorite.”
The car was first shown at the Paris International Motor Show but failed to garner much attention and interest from potential clients. Only four of these were ever made, but replicas of the car have been made to preserve its legacy. Famous late-night show host Jay Leno actually owns a 1934 Aerolithe and considers it one of his most beloved possessions.
1935 Stout Scarab
The 1935 Stout Scarab is considered by many to be the world's first minivan. It was designed by William Bushnell Stout, a pioneering American inventor and engineer who revolutionized the automotive and aviation fields. The first prototype for this minivan was completed in 1932, and by 1935, the car was fully functional.
Despite getting much press coverage and attention, it had a $5,000 price tag, which was about five times the price of your average car. The vehicles were slowly sold over time, and each was handmade, which meant that no two Scarabs were identical. There are only five remaining Scarabs today, with one being housed in The Detroit Historical Museum.
1948 Talbot-Lago 26 Grand Sport
Talbot-Lago had various difficulties staying profitable during the ‘40s. In 1948, they attempted a Hail Mary with the Talbot-Lago 26 Grand Sport. The car produced 170 horsepower and got much love and attention for its performance. It was eventually adapted to provide 195 horsepower and reached a top speed of 124 miles per hour. Twelve of these were made, and they went on to win the Le Mans 24-Hour Grand Prix Race in 1950.
This successful move got Talbot-Lago afloat again, but it found itself in financial difficulties again just a few years later. The French company tried focusing on sports vehicles but had to close its doors for good in 1959. Sadly, the company’s founder passed away just a year later in 1960. Despite his company's eventual failure, the 1948 Talbot-Lago 26 Grand Sport will always be his true legacy.
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6
It’s hard to recall just how powerful the 1938 Hispano-Suiza H6 was at the time of its release. This car featured a large 8.0-liter engine, which was later upgraded with the J12 version. The newer model was fitted with a 9.5-liter V12 pushrod engine, making it one of the strongest cars of the late ‘30s. The car was not only strong but also one of the most futuristic-looking vehicles of the time.
It featured a sleek and curved body with a long and horizontal grill. The car’s wheels were also quite futuristic and looked like something out of The Jetsons show. What was most notable about the Hispano-Suiza H6 were its brakes, which featured technology far beyond what was available to most companies at the time.