Based on an article in “Popular Mechanics” – Feb 1954 – Found at modernmechanix.com
On 8 pages, Popular Mechanics saluted the Classics among the Classics. 12 American automobiles were chosen as the finest produced in that golden era defined as the period from 1925 to 1942.
Ranked in the order of their selection, the Classics are portrayed here in true color by Popular Mechanics photographs and sketches. The roll of honor:
| 1. Duesenberg 1931-J Roadster-Murphy 2. Duesenberg 1931-J Victoria-Rollston 3. Lincoln 1932-KB Phaeton Dual Cowl 4. Packard 1929 Sport Phaeton 5. Pierce Arrow 1933 Silver Arrow V12 6. Stutz 1932 Super Bearcat |
7. Cord 1937 Convertible Coupe 8. Packard 1930 Speedster 9. Kissel 1927 White Eagle Speedster 10. Auburn 1936 Supercharged Speedster 11. Marmon 1931 V16 Club Sedan 12. Lincoln 1941 Continental Convertible |
The years 1925 to 1942, in the minds of Classic Car fans, delineate the era in which the motor car had attained mechanical excellence, having thrown off all the heritage of the horse-drawn buggy, and had not yet passed into the hands of the stylist.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
These 12 cars, honored here as pre-eminent among their kind, are no museum pieces. Proud owners still operate and maintain them, some in their original paint, certainly most in their original hue, and as much as possible in their pristine operating conditions without the multiplicity of gadgets and chrome and automatic mechanisms of present-day cars.
Retrorambling 