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Step right up, folks! The 2017 Annual 65th Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama is revving up at Cobo Hall, and we’ve got a sneak peek behind the closed garage doors. Detroit, the Motor City itself, is flexing its muscle with a horsepower showdown featuring the Big Three: Chrysler, GM, and Ford. Expect to see some serious underhood power and maybe even an engine that could double as a rocket booster. If you’re a gearhead, this is better than a candy store for a kid!
Behold the 1949 Packard Model 8, a car so luxurious it makes Cadillacs of the time look like mere horseless carriages! Under the hood, it boasts a 327 CID Inline 8 engine, perfect for roaring down post-war streets in style. With a three-speed manual transmission, it offers a driving experience smoother than a freshly waxed dance floor. In 1949, 116,000 of these beauties rolled off the line, proving that Packard knew a thing or two about creating automotive elegance.
In 1955, Studebaker found itself in a pickle, financially speaking. Rather than tango with the big three, they whipped up the Scotsman—a no-frills, chrome-less wonder aimed at budget-conscious drivers. While it wasn’t the fastest horse in the stable, with its modest six-cylinder engine, it did sip gas like a polite guest, delivering 30 mpg. By 1958, Studebaker had doubled their sales expectations, proving that sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to fins and headlights.