Car History

Car History

Motorvision opens the doors to the “Hall of Fame” of automotive history. It follows the tracks of the legendary Porsche 911, experience thrilling motorsports events, recall exciting rallies with Walter Roehrl or climb up to Pike’s Peak in an Audi Quattro. People who designed cars and wrote history.

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Car History auf Motorvision.TV

  • 50 Years of Porsche 911

    For 50 years the Porsche 911 has been the epitome of sports cars. No other model of Porsche has represented racing success and brand reliability on the road as well as the 911. Car History explains the secret of this fascinating vehicle, which forms the basis for all further generations of the model, and showcases the evolution from the original 1963 911 to the GT2 RS and the latest 911 (991).

  • Mercedes-Racing: Beginn einer Ära

    Power, Passion, Pole Position - Seit 120 Jahren schreibt Mercedes Motorsportgeschichte. Die Liste der Erfolge der Marke mit dem Stern ist lang. Bereits 1894, beim ersten Autorennen, gehen ein Daimler und ein Benz an den Start. Herausragend sind die Siege beim Großen Preis von Frankreich 1908 und 1914. Car History zeigt, wie Mercedes von der ersten automobilen Wettfahrt an, den Rennsport dominiert.

  • Ford - The Beginning of the Modern Era

    At a time when horses and carriages characterized traffic, visionaries like Henry Ford were working on the mobility of tomorrow. His ideas and approaches have a major share of the individual mobilization in the world. The mass production of the Ford models is clearly one of the milestones in automotive history and Fords work has changed the world of cars forever. CAR HISTORY tells the whole story.

  • Ford - Two Countries, One History

    Remember the first Beetle? When did Ferdinand Porsche design this 'people's car'? We follow the evolution of the automobile over the last century.

  • Jaguar

    Jaguar is not only the coolest car brand from Britain, but the coolest car brand in the world. While the manufacturer was founded as the Swallow Sidecar Company by Sir William Lyons in 1922, the first Jaguar premiered in 1935. Shortly afterwards the Jaguar SS 100 was introduced, which fascinated with its power, dynamics and elegance and thus paved the ways for models like the XK 120, the E-Type or the XJ. Car History showcases all the models from the SS 100 to the latest F-Type and looks back at Jaguar's success in motorsports.

  • Jaguar Racing

    Wether it is the XK 120, the C-Type or the D-Type. Jaguar sports- and racing cars are taylor made from the very beginning for speed. If it is Le Mans, daytona or the Rallye Monte Carlo, Jaguar not only did dominate the international racing scene but also did influence it decisively. Unforgotten are the seven victories in Le Mans, which made especially the C-Type and the D-Type world wide known.

  • Volkswagen, Part 1

    The Volkswagen Group is the second biggest car company in the world. It all starts in 1936 with one car: the Volkswagen Beetle. It is supposed to make people's dream of owning a car come true, but turns to be even more: a object of the propaganda in the Third Reich, a developtment worker after WW II, a million seller, a film star and a sports car. The Beetle makes Volkswagen world-famous.

  • Volkswagen, Part 2

    In the 1970s Volkswagen is in a crisis after the company was hit by the oil price shock and the popularity of the Beetle has declined. Only with the introduction of the Passat and Golf, Volkswagen finds its way back on track. The Golf is a bestseller. With more than 30 million units sold, it makes the Volkswagen Group a global player. Now, twelve brands are part of the Volkswagen Group.

  • Opel Motorsport

    Ob Raketenauto, Ascona oder Calibra, seit über 100 Jahren ist Rennsport der Motor von Opel: Bereits zwei Jahre nach Beginn der Opel-Automobilproduktion gewinnt 1901 das erste Auto mit dem Blitz ein Rennen. Tausende weitere Siege folgen, Opel schreibt Motorsportgeschichte: Allein der frühe Held Carl Jörns gewinnt mit Opel bis 1920 fast 300 Rennen. Unvergessen sind die Rekordversuche mit dem ersten Raketenfahrzeug RAK, mit dem Fritz von Opel neue Geschwindigkeitsrekorde aufstellen will.

  • Mercedes Motorsports: The Silver Arrows

    The Silver Arrows stand for an unparalleled era of motorsports. They dominated the racing scene in the 1930s like no other. Rudolf Carraciola, Hermann Lang, Juan Manuel Fangio and StirlingMoss are the heroes of that time and became legendary thanks to the Silver Arrows. Car History details the unique history of the Silver Arrows using both original footage and interviews with motorsport experts.

  • The Audi Story

    Selling more than a million cars per year, Audi is now one of the most successful car manufacturers in the world. The brand with the four rings does stand for innovation, superior technology and outstanding design. In the '80s Audi revolutionized the automotive world with the Audi Quattro, which not only changes the world of rally sports but also brings the all-wheel drive to everyday cars.

  • Mercedes Motorsport: The Return of the Silver Arrows

    Whether it is gullwing, streamliner or monoposto: After WWII silver becomes the color of champions again. In the slipstream of their own myth, the second generation Silver Arrows race from victory to victory and reward Mercedes with golden years in racing. Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and Hans Herrmann are the heroes of that time. Car History documents the return of the Silver Arrows.

  • Mercedes Motorsports: Rallye Years

    Whether it is the Monte Carlo Rally, the European Rally Championship or the Street Grand Prix of Argentina: There was a time when Mercedes dominated the international rally scene with cars like the sluggish 180D or the heavy touring saloons 220 or 300SE. After retiring from Formula 1 and Le Mans, Mercedes used rally sport as a testing ground as the use of close-to-production cars was mandatory. Car History commemorates the entire Mercedes rally history.

  • Mercedes Motorsports: The New Silver Arrows

    1969 saw Mercedes' first win at a race after the 1955 Le Mans disaster and retiring from racing. What followed are the legendary appearance of AMGs red S-Class nicknamed 'red pig' in Spa, uncountable victories in the German Touring Car Championship, the return to Le Mans, the Formula 1 championships with Mika Häkkinen and Mercedes' own Grand Prix team featuring Lewis Hamilton.

  • Mercedes Motorsports: 120 years of Motorsport

    After taking part in the world's first car race in 1894, Mercedes has won races around the world and became the most successful manufacturer in motorsports. No matter if it's Le Mans, Panamericana, Indianapolis or Formula One: There are not many racec that the three-pointed star brand hasn't won yet. Their pilots such as Rudolf Carracciola, Juan Manuel Fangio or Lewis Hamilton are always among the best and most famous drivers of their time.

  • Mercedes - Beginning of a Success Story

    From the first three-wheel automobile to the shining star of the ‘30s, from Simplex to 500K: No other brand characterizes the first 50 years of the motor better than Mercedes, no other brand represents the evolution of the automobile more than Mercedes. Car History tells the full story of this iconic brand with the three-pointed star emblem, from the invention of the automobile to a global player.

  • Mercedes - Dawn of a Global Brand

    After World War II vehicles from Mercedes-Benz soon became the imbodiment of status, quality, power and comfort again. No matter if it’s the Gullwing 300 SL, Fintail, /8, Baby Benz or S-Class: Many Mercedes vehicles from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s became cult classics. Then as now, they are a testimonial for the three-pointed star brand’s striving for perfection.

  • 40 Years BMW Art Cars

    It's the fastest art collection in the world. Designed by famous artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Liechtenstein, Frank Stella or Jeef Koons, these racing artworks have been used by BMW in Le Mans for years. Whether it's the BMW M1, Le Mans Prototype or M3 GT2: BMA Art Cars are the most outstanding cars in the history of Le Mans, driven by the world's best pilots.

  • Auto Union

    The Auto Union is the incredible story of the 'Fantastic Four': Horch, Audi, DKW and Wanderer. With the sign of the four rings, they are the second-largest automotive group in Germany behind Opel in the 1930s. The four brands of Auto Union are automobile pacemakers, build technical milestones and the fastest car in the world. Today, the name is long gone, but the brand lives on.

  • The Story of Automotive Advertising, Part 3

    Whether as a TV spot, as product placement in cinema film or video, or on the Internet, in no other industry are brands, models and advertising campaigns as closely linked as in the automotive industry. And nowhere else is advertising so much fun as in automotive advertising.

  • Audi Quattro

    The Audi quattro changed the car world forever. For the first time, a four-wheel-drive is not only deployed in a production car, but also in a rally car. Car History shows the evolution of the Audi quattro from its beginnings as a sports coupe to the S1 and S2, the most spectacular rally cars ever built. Rally world champion Walter Röhrl also shares his experiences with the quattro.

  • Volvo

    Volvo Classic Cars are always solid, always safe, but not always beautiful. Since 1927 the Swedish car company produces cars, which are a little bit different. But no matter if their individual models are curvy or boxy; a Volvo is always an individual car. Get ready for a ride through the history of Volvo on this episode of Car History.

  • Chevrolet

    Corvette, Camaro, Impala – Is there anyone who doesn’t know these dream cars from Chevrolet? Founded Louis Chevrolet, this American brand climbed straight to the top at the turn of the 20th century. Historic photos, spectacular scenes from racing events and interviews with Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi and Olympic gold winner Sven Hannawald tell the exciting history of Chevrolet.

  • Ford Mustang

    The Ford Mustang represents the lifestyle of the 60s like no other car. Just hours after its first appearance in the showrooms the first of the so called 'pony cars' was sold out. Even in the present the Mustang stands for coolness, adventure, and freedom. Car History tells the story of the Ford Mustang using historic pictures, starting from the first prototype to the latest Mustang Shelby.

  • Mini

    The Mini is one of the biggest icons of the swinging sixties. It’s cool, hip and young. It was the perfect car of its time for the often crowded streets of London. Even The Beatles, Peter Sellers, Bond girl Britt Ekland and the Royals drove an Austin Mini. Car History looks back on the evolution of the Mini from the original model to the John Cooper Works, Countryman and the Rally Mini.

  • VW Beetle

    The Volkswagen Beetle is not just a car. For many people it’s THE car. Built over 22 million times, it has conquered every continent of the world. Being 60 years old, it tells us more about our century than many history books. Car History features the evolution of the Beetle from the “The People’s Car” in Nazi Germany to the Rally Beetle and the latest New Beetle.

  • Jaguar E-Type

    The Jaguar E-Type is exciting, breathtaking and the standard measure of all sport scars. The E-type is the sports car of the century whose shape still quickens the pulse. Car History reveals how the race-car D-Type lead to the development of what many consider the most beautiful sports car of the world. We also highlight the success that the Jaguar E-Type enjoyed in motor sports.

  • Lamborghini

    Always mean, always radical and somehow apparently not from this world: that's Lamborghini. None of the models are ever produced in volume series, many models are unique. Frank Sinatra once said: 'You buy a Ferrari when you want to be somebody. You buy a Lamborghini when you are somebody'. Car History presents the whole story of Lamborghini, from its beginnings up to the astonishing Aventador.

  • SAAB

    Saab, the iconic brand from Sweden, is a rolling manifesto of „otherness“. A Saab is the perfect car for all non-conformists who have a sense of aesthetics, quality and comfort. They cars are considered to be individual and innovative. But in the end, Saab is insolvent as well. The fans remain though and keep the brand alive. Car History documents the rise and fall of this unique company.

  • Renault

    Vive la difference: Their design is always unusual, their comfort is always extraordinary, and their ideas are often avant-garde: Of course we’re talking about the cars from Renault. With the help of the Dauphine, Renault is contributing to the economic miracle. The Renault R4, R16 and R5 made history as well. Car History details Renault’s story and shows all the models up to the Twizy.

  • The Story of Automotive Advertising, Part 2

    To ad, to dream, to sell: the history of car advertisement is as old as the car itself. No other consumer market is that competitive.

  • Citroen

    Always ahead of the time, always different from the others: For Citroen, the joy of the extravagance has always been the engine for automotive revolution. But for some time, Citroen mutated from exceptional to mass produced cars. Car History recalls the evolution of Citroen and reveals the secret behind three of its cult cars: the Gooddess, the Gangers’ limousine and the Duck.

  • Porsche Motorsport

    No one is faster, no one is more reliable and no one is more successful than Porsche Racing. With more than 28.000 victories in motorsports within 65 years, Porsche set a world record. Car History recounts the story of the unbeatable racing teams from Zuffenhausen. Rally legend Walter Röhrl and Le Mans winner Hans Hermann also comment on the success of Porsche Racing.

  • The BMW Story

    BMW, one of the most successful automobile groups in the world, promises customers the “joy of driving”. The sporty automobiles and motorbikes of Bayerische Motorenwerke AG (German for Bavarian Motor Works) are equally popular among regular customers and race drivers. Find out more about the former aircraft engine manufacturer and its foray into the world of cars on this episode of Car History.

  • Porsche 550 Spyder

    The Porsche 550 Spyder is small, flat and fast. Even though it was built only 140 times, the 550 Spyder still made history. It laid the foundation for Porsche’s success in motorsports and it was the car, in which Hollywood star James Dean was killed. This accident not only turned Dean into a legend, but they Porsche 550 as well. Car History reveals the whole story of the dream car from the 1950s.

  • Porsche Racing

    The Porsche 356, the 550 Spyder and the 917: None is faster, none is more reliable and none is more successful. They make Porsche number 1 in motorsports. In the 50s, 60s and 70s, there is hardly a race and barely a rally, that Porsche does not win. From the beginning, Porsche takes the knowledge gained from racing and uses it for series production.

  • BMW Racing

    BMW is one of the most successful automotive companies in the world. From the beginning, racing is one of the pillars for this success. Whether it's on over long or short distance tracks, whether it's in formula or touring car races: the Bavarian Motor Works set new standards. And thanks to the transfer of technology into series production cars, customers benefit from racing victories as well.

  • The Story of Automotive Advertising, Part 1

    To ad, to dream, to sell: the history of car advertisement is as old as the car itself. No other consumer market is that competitive. The beginning.

  • Ferruccio Lamborghini

    In 1964 tractor factory owner Ferruccio Lamborghini decided to build the world's best sports cars in Sant’Agata Bolognese in the Northern Italy. It was a bold undertaking seeing that he founded his company just a few kilometers away from Ferrari. This episode of Car History is all about the legendary Ferruccio Lamborghini and the roots of his high-class manufactory with the fighting bull.