20 Of The Coolest Cars And Trucks From The Roaring '20s
By
Jeffrey N. Ross
Jan 08, 2020
LaSalle 328
As we leave a decade full of classic cars punctuated by restomods and barn find survivors, we can't help but to look back a little further and see what cars looked like 100 years ago. The automotive industry was just hitting its stride in the 1920s, and while it would still be another decade until designers such as Harley Earl really started testing the waters for more emotional vehicle designs, cars from a century ago had a cool and distinct look to them. To prove this, we put assembled this list showing 20 of the coolest cars and trucks from the roaring '20s, and best of all, they are all available for sale!
Ahrens-Fox Fire Truck
Ahrens-Fox built the "Rolls-Royce of fire trucks" from 1911 until 1977, and this 1920 Ahrens-Fox started its watch with the Minneapolis Fire Department. This Ahrens-Fox fire truck was once in the collection of a noted fire truck collector.
Bugatti Type 35
The Bugatti Type 35 was a line of race cars from France's Bugatti brand, and this 1925 Bugatti Type 35A was the second variant ever produced. With only 139 examples of the 35A ever built, they are extremely rare and valuable, but fortunately companies have produced high-quality knock-offs such as this 1925 Bugatti Type 35A replica.
Buick Master Six/Series 121
Buick built the Master Six from 1925 to 1928, and the car's name changed to the Series 121 for 1929. This particular 1929 Buick Series 121 is a Model 46S denoting its Sport Coupe body design with the rumble seat, and this car has won numerous awards over the years. Like other cars of this era, these Buicks were also popular with hot rodders such as this 1926 Buick Roadster.
Chevrolet Series AA Capitol
The Chevrolet Series AA Capitol was a one-year-only model for Chevy in 1928, and it was offered in eight body styles including a pickup truck like this one. This 1928 Chevrolet Capitol truck underwent a complete restoration, and the only parts that aren't original to this truck are the rear fenders.
Chrysler Model 75
Known as the "poor man's Bentley," the Chrysler Model 75 was built for speed and performance, and these cars were campaigned in numerous racing events of this era. The highlight of cars like this 1929 Chrysler Model 75 was its six-cylinder engine, which offered better performance than rivals like the Ford Model A. This car is claimed to be the very car that Amelia Earhart posed with, and that picture can be seen here on Allpar.
Citroën C3 Torpedo Roadster
Citroën began building cars after World War I looking to produce a working man's car similar to the Ford Model T. The result was cars like this 1925 Citroën C3 Torpedo Roadster, which shows that this French automaker has been into quirky designs since its inception. The yellow-and-black boat-tailed roadster is definitely a unique car.
Duesenberg Straight Eight
While it existed from 1913 until 1937, Duesenberg was known for its performance and luxury, and this 1925 Duesenberg Straight Eight, also known as the Model A, is a prime example. The Model A is notable for being the first car in the U.S. to be built with a inline eight-cylinder engine, and only 625 were ever built. This one is believed to be one of only 35 left in existence.
Elgin Touring
If you're looking for a rare and obscure car from the 1920s, this restored 1920 Elgin Touring is an excellent choice. Elgin Motor Car Corporation only existed from 1916 until 1924, and its tagline was "Built Like A Watch" since the company was derived from the Eglin Watch Company.
Ford Model A
As the successor to the Model T, the Ford Model A marked an evolution in Ford's design, but it's focus was still on affordability. There were numerous body styles including this 1929 Ford Model A Roadster, and like the Model T, the Model A was also extremely popular among hot rodders resulting in custom creations like this 1929 Roadster.
Ford Model T
The Ford Model T stands as one of the most significant cars ever built, and it was produced from 1908 through 1927. There are plenty of high-quality examples to be had including this 1926 Ford Model T. After World War II, the Model T became very popular among vehicle customizers who transformed these cars into hot rods such as this T-Bucket.
International Harvester Model S
International Harvester might be best known for its tractors, semi trucks and classic SUVs and pickup trucks, but this company was building some of the first American trucks back 1907. While most trucks of this era used a chain-drive rear axle, the 1923 International Harvester Model S used a driveshaft. This particular International truck was used as a vegetable hauler, which is why it has the covered bed.
LaSalle 328
The LaSalle brand was marketed by GM's Cadillac division from 1927 until 1940, and these cars were known for the same high level of quality and luxury as its parent company. This 1929 LaSalle 328 Four-Door Phaeton was professionally restored and painted in this gorgeous Calais Blue color, and it's won several vintage car awards from the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA).
Lincoln Model L
The first car ever produced by Lincoln Motor Company was the Model L in 1920. This 1928 Lincoln Model L Sedan is claimed to be a barn find in driving and operating condition, but it would make a perfect candidate for a full restoration to become an award-winning show car.
Mack Model AC
Although the Mack Truck name didn't exist until 1922, this company had been producing trucks and buses since 1907. This 1924 Mack Model AC offers an interesting perspective of how today's big rigs have evolved.
Marmon Wasp Speedster
Marmon was a Indiana-based automaker that built cars from 1902 until 1933, and this particular 1924 Marmon Model 34-B Wasp Speedster has an interesting pedigree. It was owned by the same family for 70 years and later owned by Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars. This is fresh off a full restoration, and is ready for car shows and vintage road rallys.
Mercedes-Benz SSK
Like the Bugatti Type 35, the Mercedes-Benz SSK was another low production race car of the era with fewer than 40 examples ever built from 1928 through 1932. Due to the rarity and high value of these cars, replicas have been made for many years now including this "Gazelle" based on a 1974 Ford Pinto.
Nash Special Six Model 333
Wisconsin-based Nash Motors Company built cars from 1916 until 1954, and this 1927 Nash Special Six Model 333 is believed to be one of two left in existence out of 5,000 originally built.
Packard Model 533
Packard's 533 Series consisted of a five-passenger Phaeton model and a roadster with a rumble seat, called the Roundabout. Packards were among the most luxurious of their time, and that's evident by checking out examples such as this fully restored 1928 Packard 533 Runabout.
Paige 6-70
Paige was a Detroit automaker from 1908 until 1927. This company offered several different cars over this time, but the 1923 Paige 6-70 listed here is believed to be the only one known to exist! Making this car even more special, it's also surprisingly original with the same body, paint and engine it left the factory with in 1923.
Rolls-Royce Twenty
In the 1920s, Rolls-Royce's entry-level car was the Rolls-Royce Twenty. Fewer than 3,000 of these cars were made from 1922 through 1929, and this 1923 Rolls-Royce Twenty is the 168th example ever built. Its history can be documented back to February 14, 1923 with a file that contains all of its factory records as well as all of its subsequent owners.