One hundred and thirty-seven years have passed since that memorable day when the German mechanic and inventor Karl Benz rode out of the gates of his house in an incredibly creaky, slow and gasoline-stinking carriage, which, by some unimaginable miracle, moved itself, without the slightest participation of horses. Benz’s neighbors did not yet assume that they had witnessed a landmark event – the beginning of the automobile era.
Decades have passed since then, mankind has found a replacement for almost everything that was invented in the 19th century, but the car is still in strongest demand all over the world. Then, at the turn of the century many, many years ago, the leading global brands of the rapidly developing automotive industry were both the well-known Ford, Mercedes-Benz or Renault, and the long-gone Isotta Fraschini, Lorraine-Dietrich or Hispano-Suiza.
And the appearance of cars over almost a century and a half has changed beyond recognition. From clumsy strollers, noisy and smelling of smoke, with thin wheels on spokes and completely unsafe on the road, they have acquired swift streamlined shapes, artificial intelligence to assist the driver, while safety has become a key factor in the design of new models. Safety and beauty, of course.
Bored Panda has compiled for you a special selection of comparison illustrations of what the first or one of the first cars of famous contemporary brands looked like compared to some of their latest models. So please feel free to look at these photos, admire the evolution of engineering and design ideas, and do not forget to scroll to the very end and, of course, write your comments below. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!
#1 Ferrari 125s (1947) vs. Ferrari 812 GTS (2022)
Image source: Iker Larranaga, Falcon® Photography
#2 Audi Typ B (1910) vs. Audi RS7 Sportback (2019)
Image source: Dirk Wessner, Rutger van der Maar
#3 Hyundai Pony (1975) vs. Hyundai Tucson (2022)
Image source: julio lamadrid, Charles
#4 Citroen Type C (1921) vs. Citroen C5 Aircross (2019)
Image source: gerard, crash71100
#5 Chrysler Airflow (1935) vs. Chrysler 300C Tourer (2019)
Image source: dave_7, crash71100
#6 Opel Lutzmann (1899) vs. Opel Mokka-E (2021)
Image source: opelblog, Rutger van der Maar
#7 Honda T360 (1963) vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid (2018)
Image source: Kzaral, Rutger van der Maar
#8 Jaguar D-Type (1955) vs. Jaguar F-Type R-Dynamic (2021)
Image source: Hugh Llewelyn, Alexandre Prevot
#9 Bentley 3 Litre (1919) vs. Bentley Continental GTC (2016)
Image source: David Merrett, Andrew Bone
#10 BMW Dixi (1928) vs. BMW Z4 (2022)
Image source: Jimmy Baikovicius, Hugh Llewelyn
#11 Dodge Model 30 (1918) vs. Dodge Viper RT/10 (2018)
Image source: Martin Vahning, Alexandre Prevot
#12 Mazda R360 (1960) vs. Mazda MX30 (2020)
Image source: FotoSleuth, Dennis Elzinga
#13 Fiat 3HP (1899) vs. Fiat 500X (2015)
Image source: sv1ambo, Karlis Dambrans
#14 Benz Patent-Motorwagen (1885) vs. Mercedes-Benz EQS (2022)
Image source: F. D. Richards, Alexandre Prevot
#15 Porsche 356 (1948) vs. Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe (2021)
Image source: photobeppus, photobeppus
#16 Volkswagen 2 (1948) vs. Volkswagen ID.4
Image source: SoulRider.222, Dennis Elzinga
#17 Buick Model B (1904) vs. Buick Envision Premium (2020)
Image source: Steve Brown, Greg Gjerdingen
#18 Renault Type AX (1908) vs. Renault Arkana (2021)
Image source: Alexandre Prevot, RLGNZLZ
#19 Ford Quadricycle (1896) vs. Ford Puma (2019)
Image source: Cars Down Under, Rutger van der Maar
#20 Toyota Model Aa Sedan (1936) vs. Toyota Corolla Cross (2022)
Image source: Cars Down Under, RLGNZLZ
#21 Volvo OV4 (1927) vs. Volvo XC90 (2019)
Image source: Paul Sanders, crash71100
#22 Chevrolet Series H-2 (1914) vs. Chevrolet Tracker 1.2 Turbo LS (2022)
Image source: Cars Down Under, RLGNZLZ
#23 Mitsubishi Model A (1917) vs. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2021)
Image source: Rutger van der Maar, Rutger van der Maar
#24 Nissan Datsun Type 16 Coupe (1937) vs. Nissan X-Trail (2022)
Image source: Cars Down Under, Masahiko OHKUBO
#25 Peugeot Bebe Type BP-1 (1913) vs. Peugeot 308 (2021)
Image source: Rutger van der Maar, crash71100
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