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The 1953 Geneva Motor Show - sport and common sense

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Created on February 12, 2013

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Archiv

104

Archiv

104

Fiat 1100 (1953) - Cutaway model of the new compact saloon celebrating its world premiere in Geneva - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale (1953) - Vignale body variant - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Ferrari 250 GT (1953) - born to be a classic - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Ferrari 250 GT (1953) - elegant coupé - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Ferrari 212 Inter (1953) - radiator grille from Pininfarina's version - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Ferrari 212 Inter (1953) - always a star - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Buick Special (1953) - the smaller model with in-line engine - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Chevrolet (1953) - elongated with an elegant touch - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Chrysler Imperial (1953) - massive, protruding rear end with wide windows and rear door - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Dodge Kingsway (1953) - soft shapes and characteristic chrome stripe motif above the rear wheel - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Ford Crestline V8 Victoria (1953) - new face and refined body details - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Hudson Jet (1953) - still described as a small car with a 3.5-liter engine - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Jeep (1953) - counter-steered Hurricane engine - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Buick Skylark (1953) - a 'sports car' in the American sense - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Lincoln Capri (1953) - The American luxury car with racing successes produced 207 hp - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Chrysler (1953) - front view - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Mercury (1953) - with sloping, richly decorated rear end - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Nash Ambassador Country Club (1953) - unmistakable - idiosyncratic - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Oldsmobile (1953) - additional chrome bar with side horns - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Plymouth (1953) - has found the connection to the new line with the new model - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Pontiac Dual Streak (1953) - massive, now more traditional face - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Studebaker Commander Regal Starlight Coupe (1953) - perfect symbiosis of technology and design - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Studebaker Commander Starliner Hardtop Convertible (1953) - the new lines appeal to the Swiss public - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Willys Aero Eagle (1953) - latest body version with uninterrupted view to the side - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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MG Midget Series TD (1953) - the elegant convertible from Ghia Aigle as one of the main attractions - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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MG TD-Midget (1953) - elegantly bodied by Ghia-Aigle - the centerpiece on the Nuffield stand - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Triumph TR 2 (1953) - hood, opened - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Triumph TR 2 (1953) - the rear of the new sports roadster, shown for the first time in Switzerland - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Armstrong-Siddeley Saphire (1953) - modern design, conservative bodywork - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Aston Martin DB 2 (1953) - sporty austerity - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Hillman Minx Mk VI California (1953) - the cheapest faux convertible - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Jaguar Mk VII (1953) - classically distinctive - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Jowett Javelin Mark III (1953) - contemporary in design and carefully styled - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Jowett Jupiter (1953) - beautiful and simple from England - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Lagonda 2 1/2 Litre Mark II Graber (1953) - Hermann Graber's body on the Lagonda - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Singer SM 1500 (1953) - available with a more powerful twin-carburetor engine on request - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Standard 11 (1953) - New release - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Sunbeam 90 Mark II (1953) - pretty convertible, few differences to the previous year - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Morris Oxford (1953) - with modified front grille - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Citroen 11 (1953) - revised interior - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Peugeot 203 (1953) - pretty coupé body from factory production - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Simca Sport (1953) - smart interior - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Vauxhall six-cylinder (1953) - with redesigned rear end - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Wolseley 4-44 (1953) - one of the most beautiful English production cars - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Bentley Mk VI Graber (1953) - a faux convertible with larger all-round glazing by Hermann Graber - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Bristol 401 Ghia Aigle (1953) - very elegant coupé by Ghia-Aigle - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Bristol 401 Ghia Aigle (1953) - one of the most beautiful creations at the Salon - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Bristol 401 Coupé (1953) - perfect in form - designed by Michelotti, bodied by Ghia Aigle - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Bristol 401 Coupé (1953) - interior designed by Michelotti, bodywork by Ghia Aigle - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Cunningham Vignale (1953) - the beautifully crafted interior - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Daimler Express II (1953) - austere interior - designed by Hooper - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Fiat 1900 (1953) - equipped with a fluid coupling - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Ford Taunus 12M (1953) - rear view of the cabriolet clad by Langenthal - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Ford Taunus 12M (1953) - in elegant dark color - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Goliath (1953) - received a fully synchronized four-speed gearbox and further refinements - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Lloyd LP 400 (1953) - more presentable than its predecessor - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (1953) - as if in a deep sleep - was always covered overnight - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Mercedes-Benz 300 S (1953) - this deep green coupé was on display alongside two other variants - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Hansa 2400 (1953) - high-performance touring car with comb rear - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Auto Union-DKW Cabriolet (1953) - with various modifications - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Gutbrod Coupé (1953) - with fuel injection - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Saab 92 (1953) - with two-stroke engine - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Singer SM (1953) - Interior of the coupé designed by Michelotti and built by Ghia Aigle - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Singer SM (1953) - with body designed by Michelotti, built by Ghia Aigle - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Skoda 1200 (1953) - with pontoon shape - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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VW Beetle (1953) - shown for the first time in Switzerland with synchronized gearbox and other improvements - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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DKW delivery van (1953) - practical and ideal for tradesmen - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Morris Minor (1953) - cutaway model, note the overhead valve engine - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Alvis Three Litre (1953) - the in-line six-cylinder engine is on show - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Aston Martin DB2 (1953) - the 2.5-liter engine - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Cunningham (1953) - Vignale elegance on an American chassis - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Cunningham (1953) - the closed convertible from Vignale - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Cunningham Vignale (1953) - Front section of the elegant Vignale body on Cunningham chassis - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Jaguar MK VII Beutler (1953) - Beutler convertible based on a Jaguar - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Nash-Healey Coupé (1953) - the Coupé was one of the few genuine new models at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Nash-Healey Coupé (1953) - Pininfarina's elegant creation celebrates its premiere in Geneva - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Austin A40 Somerset (1953) - an advantageous English car in view of its dimensions and price - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Delahaye Type 235 (1953) - Steering wheel and dashboard - photographed at the Geneva Motor Show 1953

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Bentley Mk VI Graber (1953) - Interior of the Graber convertible exhibited at the 1953 Motor Show

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Bentley Mk VI Graber (1953) - Interior of a convertible based on the Mk IV, exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953, with the custom luggage clearly visible

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Bentley Continental (1953) - at the 1953 Geneva Motor Show

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Rolls-Royce Hooper (1953) - Plexiglas weather protection, plus a camel hair blanket - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (1953) - the spider version, at the 1953 Geneva Motor Show

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Alfa Romeo 1900C (1953) - with Worblaufen bodywork by F. Ramseier - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Fiat 8 V (1953) - at the 1953 Geneva Motor Show

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Fiat 8 V (1953) - at the 1953 Geneva Motor Show

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Fiat 8 V (1953) - exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show 1953

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Lancia Aurelia B53 (1953) - with beautifully designed four-door body by Pininfarina - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Lancia Aurelia Coupé Beutler (1953) - with slim window mullions, designed by the Beutler brothers - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Lancia Aurelia (1953) - Interior of the open Lancia by Pininfarina - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Moretti Competizione (1953) - with four-cylinder engine and bodywork by Motta - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Siata 208 CS (1953) - exhibited at the 1953 Geneva Motor Show

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Siata 208 CS (1953) - the Siata Coupé next to a Spider at the 1953 Geneva Motor Show

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Messerschmitt FK 175 (1953) - at the Geneva Motor Show 1953 - Father and son have a seat

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Messerschmitt FK 175 (1953) - at the Geneva Motor Show 1953 - front view

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Messerschmitt FK 175 (1953) - at the Geneva Motor Show 1953 - with open Plexiglas dome

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Caravans and motorhomes are also on display - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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The Automobil-Revue stand - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Garage accessories, here a lifting platform with a VW Beetle and a Morris Minor - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Michelin tires - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Engelbert tires - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Dunlop tires - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Continental tires - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Castrol lubricants - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

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Summary

Between March 5 and 15, 1953, the 23rd Geneva Motor Show took place, whose highlights included the Fiat Nuova 1100 and the Standard 11. The Austin-Healey 100 and the Triumph Sports made their debut as sports cars, but the Cunningham was also on show in Europe for the first time. This report describes the setting and highlights of the '53 Salon. Around 100 original and restored pictures invite you to take a virtual tour of the showroom and travel 60 years back in time. Unique!

This article contains the following chapters

World premiere of the Fiat Nuova 1100
The Americans in the center
New Standard 11
Special bodies in the battle for form
Fast dreams on wheels
France's car industry at a crossroads
Technically not very innovative
General satisfaction
Further information

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The 23rd Salon International Automobile, which took place in Geneva from March 5 to 15, 1953, was not under a good star. Not only had the Salon organization gone through an internal crisis in 1952, but Geneva was also under pressure from Frankfurt, where the International Motor Show (IAA) opened its doors on 19 March 1953, just a few days after the end of the Geneva event. Some German manufacturers consequently decided to save up new products and premieres or did not make the trip to Geneva at all. The number of exhibitors fell from 439 (1952) to 425. As a result, one could hardly expect a round of new products or even sensations in Geneva. But even so, a visit to the Geneva Motor Show was worthwhile, because even if some vehicles had already been presented elsewhere, there were hardly any alternatives for potential buyers to view these cars in color and 3D some 50 years before the invention of YouTube.

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