British and European Car Spotters Guide - 1962

The concept of being able to drive a car straight down a slipway and into a river has intrigued generations of engineers, but the Amphicar was one of the few to actually work (sort of).

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the 1961 Turin Motorshow was the 2 door prototype showcased at the Bertone stand, a car that was designed by Giugiaro with (aledgedly) the blessing of Enzo Ferrari (the engine and chassis were designed at Maranello). Despite thier approval, Ferrari made it known the design would never enter production. But the car was simply too beautiful to ignore, and backers launched ASA or Autocostruzione Societa per Azione . Chief amoung these was the Oronzo de Nora petroleum company, and the ASA 1000 GT would enter volume production in 1964, built at the rate of around one per week. Ultimately the roll of the dice would show snakes eyes, production ending only a few short years later, and ASA disappearing from the automotive landscape forever. Production versions did not have the fairings for the headlights as shown on the prototype, and the only production variant to appear was a Spider version with a fibreglass body, again designed by Bertone, and displayed in 1963.

A rugged little hero, the versatile and hilariously simple Renault 4 was a classic car-for-the-masses. And people did like them - over eight million were sold over 33 years.

The 96 was first introduced in 1960. The main difference between it and its predecessor was the larger rear window. The engine had grown to 841cc and now produced 38 hp.

The 2nd generation Victor FB ran from 1961 until 1964. It was widely exported, though sales in the US ended after 1961 when Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick came up with home-grown compact models of their own. Consequently, the FB only achieved sales of 328,000 vehicles by the time it was replaced in 1964. Mechanically, the main change was the option of a 4 speed all synchromesh transmission with floor change but the previously used 3 speed column change unit was still fitted as standard. The engine was also revised with higher compression ratio and revised manifolding increasing the power output to 49.5 bhp. In early 1964 the engine was enlarged to 1594 cc. At the same time front disc brakes with larger 14 in (360 mm)wheels became an option.