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Geneva Motor Show 1966 - Sport, luxury and common sense

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Created on February 14, 2016

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

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157

Archiv

157

View of the exhibition - Geneva Motor Show 1966 - Volvo, Ford, Austin, etc.

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Spoilt for choice - young dreams - the anticipation of the possibility of future car ownership is written all over this young couple's faces - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Hall plan of the 1966 Geneva Motor Show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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President Hans Schaffner with Saurer Director Ernst Frischknecht (left) and Geneva Motor Show President Roger Perrot - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Politics and business, including Federal President Hans Schaffner and Autovia Director and Salon Vice-President Fred Iten - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Abarth OT 1600 (1966) - Ventilation above the front axle - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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The Turin-based horsepower wizard Abarth is represented by the Zurich-based specialist company Edgar Schwyn - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider Duetto (1966) - 185 km/h fast as 1600 - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider Duetto (1966) - designation still provisional - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Alfa Romeo 2600 OSI De Luxe Berlina (1966) - very elegant limousine by Officine Stampaggi Industriali - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce (1966) - sporty and elegant interior with wooden dashboard - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Sport Coupé Speciale Pininfarina (1966) - photographed at the Geneva Motor Show

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President Hans Schaffner behind the Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Tubolare Sport by Pininfarina - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Alvis 3 Litre Graber Coupé (1966) - four-seater coupé on the three-liter chassis - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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AMC Marlin (1966) - on the chassis of the Rambler Classic - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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ASA RB 613 Roll-Bar (1966) - Geneva novelty - fast coupé with roll-over protection - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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ASA RB 613 Roll-Bar (1966) - Roof can be stowed in the trunk in a few simple steps - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Aston Martin DB 5 Shooting Brake (1966) - more space thanks to estate conversion - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Audi Variant (1966) - at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show

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Audi Variant (1966) - at the Geneva Motor Show

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Audi (1966) - the new four-cylinder medium-pressure engine developed by Daimler-Benz - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Austin 1300 GT (1966) - tuned to 90 hp by the tuning company Speedwell - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Austin 850 (1966) - the BMC automatic transmission (850 and 1100) is located in the lower part of the crankcase of the transverse engine - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Austin Countryman (1966) - with reclining seats available at extra cost - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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BMW 2000 TI (1966) - enhanced ride comfort and more power for the anniversary year - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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BMW 1600 (1966) - slightly smaller version of the 1800/2000 models - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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BMW 1600 (1966) - exhibited at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show - view from behind

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BMW 1600 (1966) - shown at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show - the new rear axle

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BMW 2000 CS (1966) - Broadband headlights - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Cadillac Fleetwood Special (1966) - imposing rear, kept at a constant height by level control - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Cadillac Fleetwood Special (1966) - Rear compartment with luxurious wood paneling - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Chevrolet Corvette Mako Shark II (1966) - exhibited at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show

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Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS (1966) - only in Europe did the Super Sport remain a Malibu - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Citroën DS 21 Cabriolet (1966) - on the Citroën stand at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show

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Citroën DS 21 Décapotable (1966) - in the tulip field - exhibited at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show

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Citroën 2 CV (1966) - rejuvenated and improved, now with third rear side window - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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The agony of choice - for the man at the zenith - At the apex of life, one likes to choose a car that documents the position one has reached and consolidated to the outside world - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Citroën DS 21 (1966) - completely filled engine compartment - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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DAF Daffodil S (1966) - with new DAF body line and two-cylinder engine with 763 cm3 - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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DAF Formula 3 (1966) - Monoposto with Brabham chassis and Variomatic - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Daimler (1897) - Attracting attention by presenting veterans - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Dodge Charger (1966) - European debut for the fastback coupé - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Dodge Charger (1966) - with automatic transmission - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ferrari 330 GTC (1966) - 300 hp from four liters of displacement and with the same wheelbase as the 275 GTB - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ferrari 330 GTC (1966) - Elegance, designed by Pininfarina - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ferrari 275 GTB (1966) - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966

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Ferrari 365 California Pininfarina (1966) - beautifully flowing shapes, designer was Tom Tjaarda at Pininfarina - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ferrari 365 California (1966) - rear view with the dovetail end derived from the 'Rondine' - at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show

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Ferrari 365 California Pininfarina (1966) - View into the cockpit, each instrument has its own shell - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ferrari 365 California Pininfarina (1966) - stylized air intakes like on a mid-engined car - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Fiat-Abarth OT 2000 (1966) - 185 Din-PS enough for 240 km/h - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Fiat 2300 S Coupé Michelotti (1966) - Front view of the coupé designed and built by Michelotti in a very short time on a Fiat 2300 S base with a conically shaped superstructure - shown at the Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Fiat-Abarth OT 2000 (1966) - with spare wheel as bumper - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Fiat 1100 R (1966) - now with 1.2 liter displacement and front disc brakes - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Fiat 850 (1966) - with automated clutch, taken over from Simca - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Fiat 850 (1966) - now also without clutch pedal thanks to Ferodo automatic transmission - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ford Corsair GT Esate (1966) - sleek station wagon with 2-liter V4 and 93 hp - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ford Corsair GT Estate (1966) - with inelegant rear hump - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ford Falcon (1966) - with Mustang styling elements - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ford OSI 20M TS (1966) - much admired sleek and elegant style study with fastback rear - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Ford Taunus 12 M (1966) - Space saving thanks to V-engine, good accessibility despite low position - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Glas 2600 Coupé (1966) - elegant five-seater coupé based on a design by Pietro Frua - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Glas 2600 Coupé (1966) - richly appointed interior - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Hino Contessa (1966) - five-seater body with four doors, designed by Michelotti - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Honda S600 Cabriolet (1966) - for two people and with single-wheel chain drive - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Isuzu 117 Sport, Ghia (1966) - Elegance from Japan - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Jaguar 3.8 Litre S Frua (1966) - completely differently designed body by Pietro Frua - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Jaguar FT Bertone (1966) - Steering wheel and dashboard

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Jaguar Type E 2+2 (1966) - with room for children - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Jaguar E-Type Frua (1966) - derived from the series by Pietro Frua, built by Italsuisse - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Jaguar Mark 10 (1966) - with new automatic transmission from Borg-Warner - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 (1966) - thoroughbred, now with four liters of displacement - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lancia Flavia 1.8 Berlina (1966) - Lancia created novel effects with its decorative distorting mirrors - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lancia Flavia 1.8 Iniezione (1966) - Fuel injection into the intake manifold is suitable for high demands and works more economically and with less toxic gas production - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lancia Fulvia HF (1966) - for rally drivers - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato (1966) - for sporty drivers - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lincoln Continental (1966) - eight-cylinder engine enlarged to 7.6 liters - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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President of the Swiss Confederation Hans Schaffner with the Federal Weibel in front of the Lamborghim-Bertone P 400 Miura - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lamborghini Miura P 400 (1966) - View of chassis and transverse V12 engine - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lotus Elan (1966) - at Bonvin & Fils - reinforced and improved chassis - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Maserati Mistral (1966) - elegant coupé from the hand of Pietro Frua - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Matra F3 (1966) - glued on a cardboard wall - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Federal President Hans Schaffner with Daimler-Benz General Representative Herbert Stüber at the Mercedes-Benz 600 - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Mercedes-Benz 250 S (1966) - the new star among the big Europeans - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SE (1966) - clear display instruments and protective upholstery - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL (1960) - ample footwell in the S-Class - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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MG B GT (1966) - closed version with elegant lines - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Morris 1800 (1966) - also called ADO 17 like the Austin 1800, lots of space in the cockpit - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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NSU Type 110 (1966) - the model released in the fall of 1965 towers above the Prince family in terms of technology and equipment - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Oldsmobile Toronado (1966) - exhibited at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show

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Oldsmobile Toronado (1966) - an American front-wheel drive car again after more than 30 years - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Oldsmobile Toronado (1966) - it could hardly be more powerful - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Opel Kapitän (1966) - with 2.8-liter engine and 100 hp - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Opel Rekord S (1966) - you can't see the modern OHC engine with overhead camshaft and overhead valves - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Peugeot 204 (1966) - first appearance in Geneva - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Peugeot 204 (1966) - high technical level clearly demonstrated - overhead camshaft - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Peugeot 204 (1966) - Engine selection - set up like a modern sculpture - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Peugeot 404 (1966) - ZF automatic transmission with torque converter and planetary gearbox, also used by BMW - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Peugeot 404 (1966) - ZF automatic transmission with torque converter - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Porsche 911 Targa (1966) - increased safety with the roll bar - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Porsche 911 (1966) - Cutaway model of the engine - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Porsche 912 (1966) - Finish is written in capital letters - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Porsche 911 (1966) - Safety steering system, presented at the Geneva Motor Show

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Renault 10 Major (1966) - trunk enlarged to the front - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Renault 16 (1966) - at the beginning of a great career - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Renault 16 (1966) - Hatchback, called Fastback in the USA - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Renault 8 Gordini (1966) - fast sedan for competition purposes - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Rolls-Royce Phantom V James Young (1966) - probably the most expensive interior - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Rover 2000 Cabriolet Graber (1966) - for four to five people - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Rover 2000 TC (1966) - View under the hood, version with increased power output of 110 hp - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Rover 2000 TC (1966) - now with 110 hp thanks to carburetor tuning - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Saab 96 (1966) - Permanent ventilation solution - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Saab Formula S (1966) - Formula Saab as an alternative to Formula V - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Sabra Sussita (1966) - sliding side windows for the station wagon with plastic body - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Simca 1000 GL (1966) - practical and compact sedan - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Skoda 1000 MB (1966) - the engine is in the back - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Skoda 1000 MBX (1966) - Fauxcabriolet without center post, but with rear engine - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Skoda F3 (1966) - with souped-up 1000 MB engine - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Triumph 2000 Estate (1966) - with additional ventilation option - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Vauxhall Cresta (1966) - in American body line - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Vauxhall XVR (1966) - GM test vehicle, the doors are hinged in the middle of the windshield - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Volvo P 1800 S (1966) - Ferrari styling from the Swedes - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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VW 1600 TL (1966) - great interest at all stands on the public days, over 450,000 visitors and thus a record - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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VW Karmann-Ghia (1966) - elaborate Volkswagen stand with four shell-shaped exhibition spaces for new products - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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VW 1300 Beetle (1966) - the eternally young Beetle peels itself out of a rather comfy eggshell - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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VW Karmann-Ghia Type 34 (1966) - with a mixture of notchback and hatchback - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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VW 1600 TL (1966) - Hatchback despite rear engine - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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VW 1600 TL (1966) - sloping rear (fastback) also at Volkswagen - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Zarp Formula V (1966) - built by Zurich Formula 3 specialist Jürg Dubler - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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The famous Swiss racing driver Charles Vögele exhibits for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Racing car show plan - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lotus 33 (1965) - racing car show - the Jim Clark Lotus in front of Bugatti 35 - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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MG record car (1966) - together with Pininfarina-Abarth and Peugeot 404 record car - racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Dufaux (1904) - in the racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Dufaux (1904) - 13 liter engine compartment, magnificent engine construction - Racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Dufaux (1904) - narrow wheels and chain drive - Racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Abarth (1966) - wide wheels - Racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (1956) - vertical seat backrest, straight position - racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Zarp Formula V (1966) - reclining seat position in Dubler's monoposto - Racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Lancia-Ferrari D50 (1954) - successful construction - racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Talbot (1950) - Oil cooling - Racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Gordini (1952) - Radiator - Racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Bugatti 35 (1928) - Oil cooling in the Carter - Racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Alfa Romeo Alfetta (1947) - high liter performance - Racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Mercedes-Benz W 196 (1952) - Inline eight-cylinder - Racing car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Maserati (1939) - 3-liter Maserati engine with two superchargers, used by Wilbur Shaw in Indianapolis - Race car show - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Accessories - the universal electric tester - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Edgar Schwyn not only represents Abarth, but recently also the English accessories and styling company Alexander, which is characterized by its cylinder heads - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Car radios - here a Becker Grand Prix as the highlight of the range - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Electric windows, LEP from Italy - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Sofiplex angle mirror - you look past the car in front - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Philishave razor - connection to the cigarette lighter, useful for long car journeys - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Bosch car vacuum cleaner - Geneva Motor Show 1966

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Summary

The 36th Geneva Motor Show took place from March 10 to 20, 1966 and had many innovations to present, ranging from the Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider to the Jaguar E-Type 2+2, from the Ferrari 330 GTC to the Vauxhall XVR. Interest was greater than ever, which was reflected in 11% more visitors than the previous year. This exhibition review describes the environment and exhibits, innovations and trends of the 1966 show and shows many of the exhibited cars in around 150 pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Full house
Growth problems
Undampened optimism
Sportiness is in demand
Almost nameless, but all the more attractive
Trend towards the Targa
Sporty concepts
Sport for everyday life
Haute couture for dreaming
Trend towards hatchbacks and estate cars
Plenty of choice in the lower segment
More and more luxury
Automatic transmission on the advance
More safety
Formula car boom among large series manufacturers
Large racing and sports car show
Lots of accessories
Further information

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The 36th edition of the Geneva Motor Show took place from March 10 to 20, 1966 under excellent auspices. The automotive industry was booming and registrations were on the rise. Impressive growth figures were presented, although this did little to change the registration rankings in Switzerland. Volkswagen remained the most popular brand, ahead of Opel, Ford, Fiat, Austin, Renault, Peugeot, Simca, Citroën, Volvo, Morris, Vauxhall, Mercedes-Benz, DKW, Alfa Romeo, Triumph, MG, Chevrolet, Chrysler and BMW. In line with the good business situation, the 1178 exhibitors from 22 countries were delighted with the slightly larger exhibition area, which now covered 41,312 square meters, but was still nowhere near enough to satisfy the hunger for presentations of the car manufacturers and importers.

Welcome to Zwischengas!