The Gearhead Gazette - A 1946 Car Comparison: Premier, Coureur, and Devine — When Average Looks Good

A 1946 Car Comparison: Premier, Coureur, and Devine — When Average Looks Good

In the post-war world of 1946, the automotive industry is waking up from a long nap. Today, we’re comparing three cars that emerged from the rubble: the Premier from Pioneer, the Coureur from Vires Motor Company, and Truffle Motors’ Devine Swine. Spoiler alert: none of these will be the centerpiece of an art gallery, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth a look—or a laugh.

Pioneer - Premier

• Looks: 1.5 (Pretty good for something designed by people still thinking in military terms.)

• Price: $6,162.00

• Projected Sales: 16,367 units/month (Everyone loves a safe, boring choice, it seems.)

The Premier is the dependable, middle-of-the-road car that doesn’t try too hard—and in 1946, that’s almost refreshing. At 145 km/h, it’s not going to win any races, but it will get you where you need to go without complaining. With a fuel economy of 6.8 km/L, it’s almost sensible. And the design? A solid 1.5 in looks, meaning you won’t be embarrassed to park it in front of your house, but no one’s going to turn their head, either.

If you’re the kind of person who wears brown shoes with everything, the Premier is your perfect match. It’s the safest bet, and at this price, you could buy one for the whole family. Rumor has it that Pioneer is working on a drag version for the strips, but I’ll believe it when I see it. For now, this car is more “walk” than “run.”

Vires Motor Company - Coureur

• Looks: 1 (Average looks and flashy yellow? A midlife crisis on wheels.)

• Price: $8,952.00 (That price tag is almost as loud as the paint job.)

• Projected Sales: 2,433 units/month (Not everyone has good taste, clearly.)

The Coureur is trying very hard to make you believe it’s fast and sleek, but it’s a classic case of “all show, no go.” The bright yellow paint might make you feel like a race car driver, but the 161 km/h top speed and fuel economy of 3.9 km/L will bring you back to reality quickly. This two-door coupe sits firmly at a 1 for looks—it’s not bad, but it won’t make anyone swoon.

For just under 9 grand, this car is for the driver who wants to look fast but doesn’t care about actually going fast. It’s flashy in a “look at me!” way, but the only thing people are looking at is the absurd price tag. It’s perfect for someone who believes looking the part is half the battle… too bad the other half is actually performing.

Truffle Motors - Devine Swine

• Looks: 1 (They named it after a pig, and the car lives up to it.)

• Price: $8,374.00

• Projected Sales: 1,332 units/month (There’s always someone who’ll love an underdog—or in this case, a pig.)

The Devine Swine is a tank masquerading as a car. Its 4.7L V12 engine should make it a powerhouse, but instead, it’s like trying to run a marathon with a boulder tied to your ankle. The Swine manages a dismal 2.5 km/L fuel economy, which makes sense because it’s basically a gas-guzzling beast designed to make gas station owners rich.

At least it’s got some charm, though, sitting right at 1 for looks. It’s not pretty, but it’s not ugly, either—it’s just, well, there. Like the kind of car your eccentric uncle would drive because “it’s got personality.” And it does—just not in the way you’d hope. But if you want something that will get people talking, this might be your best bet.

The Verdict

For most people, the Premier is the clear winner—affordable, relatively efficient, and good enough to drive without feeling self-conscious. The Coureur might appeal to the crowd that values looks over substance, while the Devine Swine is for those who love a car with character, even if that character is a little questionable.

It’s 1946—everyone’s still recovering, including the car industry. At the very least, these three give us something to talk about while we wait for the world to get back to normal.