Grand tourer: Difference between revisions

== British Grand Tourers 1946-631946–63 ==

While Italy was the home of the ''Gran Turismo,'', of all the other European nations that took the concept up, it was Britain that was most enthusiastic.<ref name=":29" />

Before [[Donald Healey]] turned to production of the small, light and inexpensive [[Austin-Healey 100]] sports car in 1952, he had brought to market a fast and aerodynamic 2<small>{{Frac|1/|2</small>}}-liter [[Riley Motor|Riley]]-powered [[Donald Healey Motor Company|Healey]] Elliot<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3851/Healey-Elliott.html |title=1946 - 1950 Healey Elliott |work=Ultimatecarpage.com |access-date=17 June 2017}}</ref> closed saloon (named for the coach-builder). Claimed to be the fastest closed car of its day, only 101 were made before production was given over to the successful new [[sports car]].<ref name=":29">Wood, pp. 66–105.</ref>

=== 1947 Bristol 400 – 406400–406 ===

[[David Brown (entrepreneur)|David Brown]] purchased the Aston Martin concern in 1947, and the company was effectively reborn for the post-war era. Unlike the Bristol, the [[Aston Martin DB2]] which debuted at the 1949 Motor Show (as a prototype Le Mans racer) was an all-British affair. The 2.6-liter twin overhead camshaft [[Lagonda straight-6 engine|Lagonda engine]] was designed by W. O. Bentley (Brown having also purchased the [[Lagonda|Lagonda company]]). Brown decided on a closed coupé body in the latest Italian tradition, rather than the traditional Aston Martin open two-seater sports car. The 1950 production DB2 was a styling triumph for designer [[Frank Feeley]], and Brown later recalled that many believed the car styled in Italy. The 105&nbsp;bhp DB2 was a genuine 110&nbsp;mph grand tourer; in 1951 came the more powerful optional 125&nbsp;bhp "Vantage" version. In its original form, the DB2 was a two-seater; the 1953 [[Aston Martin DB2/4|DB2/4]] added a 2+2 and hatchback arrangement and a 3-liter engine in 1954. A [[Aston Martin DB2/4|Mark II]] version with [[Tickford]] coachwork appeared in 1955 (Brown had purchased this company too). The [[Aston Martin DB Mark III|Mark III]] version from 1957 -to 1959 developed 162&nbsp;bhp, and was available with 180 and 195&nbsp;bhp high-output engine options.<ref name=":29" />

File:Healey Elliott Saloon.jpg|1946-19501946–1950 Healey Elliott

File:1952 Bristol 401 in Holland Park, Kensington, London.JPG|1948-19531948–1953 [[Bristol 401]]

File:110 ans de l'automobile au Grand Palais - Aston Martin DB2 4 3.0-Litre Sports Saloon - 1955 - 001.jpg|1953-19571953–1957 [[Aston Martin DB2/4]]

File:Rétromobile 2016 - Aston Martin DB4 série II - 1960 - 001.jpg|1958-19631958–1963 [[Aston Martin DB4]]