How Will You Do On This Difficult Auto Quiz?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Will You Do On This Difficult Auto Quiz?
Image: Massimo Calmonte /Moment/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Ah, the motor car! 

From its humble beginnings, vehicles today are nothing short of modern marvels, capable of getting us where we need to go quickly, safely and in a luxury environment.

Nothing like the early cars, where comfort was the last thing on anyone's mind. And rightly so, because the marvel lay in the fact that here was a carriage that did away with the horse! It must have been something to behold back then, something we can't truly comprehend. 

Yes, cars have certainly come a long way.

So what's in store for you in "The Hardest Auto Quiz You'll Take Today".... maybe ever? Well, not only do you need to know a little about the history of the motor vehicle and early pioneers in car production, but you will also have to have a fair bit of knowledge about some of the more famous cars that have ever graced roads around the world. 

On top of that, you need to have your automotive mechanic cap on as well. Yes, there are a fair few questions about the inner workings of the car. 

So do you have what it takes? 25 out of 35 correct here would be a superb effort. 

Good luck!

In 2017, which vehicle brand sold the most models throughout the world?
Volkswagen
Subaru
Tesla
Hyundai
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Volkswagen sold 10.7 million units in 2017, this despite the emissions scandal that enveloped the firm during the year. In second place was Toyota with 10.4 million.

Which of these brands form part of the Volkswagen stable?
Porsche, Chevrolet, Ford
Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini
Porsche, Bugatti, Ford
Porsche, Chrysler, Bentley.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You wouldn't believe it, but Volkswagen owns some of the most famous brands in the world including Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, Audi and Bentley. among others. They do not own Ford, Chrysler or Chevrolet, however.

When your car engine starts, these are essential in providing the necessary flash that ignites the fuel/air mixture. What are they?
Spark plugs
Glow plug
High tension lead
Piston
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The spark plugs fire in a particular order, igniting the fuel-air mixture that provides combustion within the engine. If they do not fire, the engine simply will not start. A spark plug breaking down will also cause your engine to misfire while running, inhibiting performance.

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In what year was Chrysler formed?
1925
1877
1961
1970
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chrysler was formed in 1925, on June 6 to be exact. The company was founded by Walter Chrysler.

Chrysler was the result of the reorganization of another motor company. Can you name it?
Ford
Chevrolet
Maxwell
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Maxwell Motor Company had been formed in 1903, but by the 1920s was struggling. Walter Chrysler was brought in to turn the company around, which he then did, renaming the company after himself.

In the car engine, which part moves within the cylinder?
Cylinder head
Piston
Oil filter
Crankshaft
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The piston moves within the cylinder. This transfers the energy created by combustion of the fuel/air mixture to the crankshaft through the piston rod. The crankshaft turns, which will help move the car forward.

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Which Chrysler model from the 1950s is considered to be one of the first muscle cars? It even won 1955 NASCAR Grand National.
Chrysler Saratoga
Chrysler New Yorker
Chrysler New Port
Chrysler C300 V8
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many muscle car aficionados call the Chrysler 300 the first muscle car. No matter if you agree or not, the 300, introduced in 1955 and produced until 1965, certainly had the cool factor.

Modern engines do not have this part, but on older engines, it regulated the amount of fuel/air mixture that was allowed into the engine to be combusted. What is it?
Crankshaft
O-ring
Carburetor
Glow plug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In older engines, it was the carburetor that allowed the correct amount of fuel/air mixture into the engine to be combusted. Too much and the car was running rich, too little and it was running lean. In modern engines, fuel injectors do the same job, one for each cylinder.

In the 1950s, Chevrolet introduced perhaps their most iconic brand. Can you name it?
Monte Carlo
Corvette
Vega
Cruze
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first Corvette, the C1, was introduced in 1953. A truly beautiful car, the C1 was available as a two-seat roadster. A range of power plant options were available for the C1, including a few V8 options.

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Based on the Humvee military vehicle, which car below became a popular off-roader know for its bold, brash looks?
Ford Bronco
Hummer H1
International Scout
Bowler Wildcat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A civilian version of the Humvee military vehicle, the Hummer H1 would then obviously be more than capable as an off-roader. And it is, but with limitations. In fact, some H1 owners went as far as changing out the standard 6.5 liter diesel engine and replacing it with something to provide more speed. Another disadvantage is that the H1 is a massive vehicle. You need large open off-road track for this behemoth. That said, Arnold Schwarzenneger owned one, and we not going to argue with him!

Which of these is considered to be the first modern motor vehicle?
Ford Model A
Benz Patent-Motorwagen
Flocken Elektrowagen
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Built in 1885, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen is considered to be the first modern car. It was a three-wheeler, with tiller steering, and was designed by German Karl Benz. The Motorwagen was powered by a 954cc single-cylinder engine which produced around 3 brake horsepower. It could reach speeds of around 15 km/h.

Which of these is the top-selling pickup in the United States today?
Chevrolet Colorado
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra
Ford F-150
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Perhaps the most iconic truck ever released by Ford, the F-150 is simply loved in the United States. In fact, this is the biggest-selling truck in the country for the past three decades! Not only that, but at certain times, it was also the most popular vehicle in the country in terms of sales.

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The gases formed by the combustion process are expelled from the engine and leave the vehicle through the _____.
Radiator
Manifold
Tailpipe
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gases left over from the combustion process are expelled from the vehicle, first moving through the exhaust manifold, down the exhaust system, through the catalytic converter and out of the tailpipe. Emissions are strictly regulated.

Can you name Henry Ford's first car manufacturing company?
Detroit Motor Company
Ford Cars
Automaker Ford
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Believe it or not, Ford worked for Thomas Edison, but in 1899 he formed the Detroit Motor Company. He remained involved with the business till 1901 when he dissolved it. Ford was not happy with the quality of cars produced by the company.

Chrysler was the first manufacturer to bring aerodynamics into their designs. Which vehicle was the first to be designed this way?
Chrysler Airflow
Chrysler Imperial
Chrysler Six
Chrysler Royal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Built between 1937 and 1937, this full-sized Chrysler model was available as a four-door sedan or two-door coupe. Its design incorporated the concept of streamlining, one of the first American cars to do so. Ultimately, however, the Airflow was not a particularly successful model for Chrysler.

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Do you have any idea as to the name of the first vehicle Henry Ford designed and built in 1896?
Ford Quadricycle
Ford F1
Henry Ford Autogyro
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Henry Ford built his first Ford Quadricycle in 1896. In total he made three, the first of which he sold for $200. The Quadricycle had tiller steering, was capable of 20 mph and ran on ethanol.

Which of these is NOT a Volkswagen-owned company?
Skoda
Seat
MAN
Tesla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yes, Seat, MAN and Skoda ARE owned by Volkswagen. Tesla, who sold 100,000 units during 2017 - not bad for an electric car manufacturer - is not. Tesla offers two models, the S and the R. One is an SUV and the other a roadster.

Are you able to identify the 2017 FIA Formula 1 world champion from the list below?
Sebastian Vettel
Nico Rosberg
Fernando Alonso
Lewis Hamilton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

England's Lewis Hamilton won the 2017 Formula 1 World Championship and as of 2017, is a four-time World Champion. He has raced for McLaren and Mercedes, but most of his success has come at the German Formula One team. Hamilton is known for his blinding pace in qualifying and bold overtaking in races.

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A piston stroke is a linear motion which is changed into a rotational motion by which car part?
Crankshaft
Piston rings
Carburetor
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The crankshaft changes the linear motion of the piston stroke. It does this by transferring the linear stroke into a rotational one. Why? Well, as a rotational stroke, the driveshaft can be turned which then makes the vehicle move.

How many vehicles are found on roads around the world?
500 million
100 million
1.2 billion
250 million
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Estimates in 2014 put the number of vehicles on roads around the world at around 1.2 billion. This is estimated to rise to around 2 billion in 2035. Scary, don't you think? Hopefully for the sake of the planet, the move to electric vehicles will come quickly.

What was the name of the first true electric car, produced in the late 1800s in Germany?
Flocken Elektrowagen
Mercedes Benz Electro car
Ford Model E
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Designed by Andreas Flocken, the Flocken Elektrowagen was built in 1888. Flocken was an inventor and his design essentially looked like a horseless carriage. It weighed around 400 kgs and was capable of 15 km/h.

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Cyclinders within an engine can be arranged in a numbers of ways. The three most common are inline, flat and _____?
V
X
Y
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As with many things when it comes to machinery, each arrangement has their own unique pros and cons. For example, a engine aligned in a V-shape, either a V6 or V8, provides plenty of power but they are large, bulky and weigh a fair bit.

Today it is a sought-after brand all over the world but it had its beginnings in the military, World War II specifically. Can you name the car make?
Opel
Holden
Citroen
Jeep
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Almost instantly recognizable, the Willys Jeep was produced for American armed forces during World War II. Of course, after the war, Jeep went on to become a very successful commercial brand in its own right. It is thought the Jeep nickname came from the general purpose nature of the vehicle. "General purpose" quickly became Jeep.

Introduced in 1964, this vehicle started the muscle car revolution. What is it?
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Pontiac GTO
Dodge Challenger
Ford Mustang
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Arguably the most iconic muscle car ever, the Mustang was first released in 1964. It proved one of the most popular debuts ever and within a year, 400,000 units had been sold, which quadrupled Ford's sale estimates.

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Within the cyclinder, this part moving up and down is crucial to the engine running once started.
Piston
Crankshaft
Connecting Rod
Valve
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The piston, moving within the cylinder, is what creates compression of the air/fuel mixture. This is then combusted and burns away to provide the energy which is transferred to the driveshaft to make the car move. All gases left behind after combustion leave the car through the exhaust system.

Almost as famous as the chase itself, which vehicle was former football star OJ Simpson riding in when chased by police live on television?
Chevrolet Blazer
Ford Bronco
Toyota Tundra
International Scout
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though it was the world's slowest car chase, it captured the attention of America! OJ Simpson, wanted in connection with the murder of his wife, was a passenger in a 1993 Ford Bronco while trying to evade police ... very slowly. It is estimated that 90 million people watch the chase live on TV.

The first vehicle to feature gull wings was the ______?
Mercedes Benz SL 300
Chevrolet Corvette C1
Ford Thunderbird
Chrysler C300
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A true classic from the '50s, the 300 SL started life as a racing car in 1952 but soon became a production car in 1954 as a two-door coupe. The 300 SL became instantly recognizable thanks to its gull wing doors. Just over 3,200 of the coupe and roadster were built up until 1963.

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While spark plugs provide the spark to set off the combustion of the air/fuel mix, they need a ______ from the ignition to be able to achieve this.
Boost pulse
Phase flicker
High-voltage electrical charge
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A high-voltage charge, generated by the ignition, is needed at exactly the right time to ensure the spark plug ignites the air/fuel mixture. Without this happening, a car will not start.

What is the job of the fuel system in your vehicle?
Transport fuel from the tank to the engine
Store fuel
Ensure the fuel is clean of particles
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The fuel system ensures that the correct amount of fuel is sent from the tank to the engine. Here it is mixed with air for the combustion process to begin. The fuel system comprises many parts including the tank, fuel line and injectors, to name a few.

What sports car featured in the "Back to the Future" film trilogy was such a flop that the company went bankrupt?
Gurney Eagle-Weslake MkI
DeLorean DMC-12
Fiat 500
De Tomaso Pantera
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The dream of John DeLorean, the DMC-12 had its 5 minutes of fame thanks to the "Back to the Future" movies. It remained a terrible car with sluggish performance and was only produced for a year before the company went bankrupt.

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As of 2018, what is the fastest production car in the world?
Bugatti Veyron
Koenigsegg Agera RS
McLaren F1
RUF CTR
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Koenigsegg Agera RS is currently (as of 2018) the fastest production car in the world. It has recorded a speed of 277.87 mph thanks to a 1,341 brake horsepower engine.

The mixing of fuel and air is processed by which car part in older engines?
Manifold
Connecting rods
Carburetor
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The carburettor is crucial to the whole process. It needs to mix the right amount of fuel and air, otherwise the engine runs to lean or too rich.

Name two parts that are found in the exhaust system of your car.
Muffler, tailpipe
Muffler, sonnecting rod
Tailpipe, spark plug
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The tailpipe is at the end of the exhaust system on your vehicle. It lets the gases formed by combustion out of the engine and into the atmosphere. The muffler helps to keep the sound the engine produces muffled, although modern car engines are now extremely quiet, so this is not as much of a necessity.

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Other than Louis Chevrolet, who founded Chevrolet Motor Company?
Henry Ford
Ransom E. Olds
Walter Chrysler
William C. Durant
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

William C. Durant had extensive knowledge of the motor industry before he formed Chevrolet with Louis Chevrolet in 1911. In 1904, Durant had helped save Buick, turning it into the top selling brand in America a few years later. He also founded General Motors in 1908.

Your car engine is lubricated by this liquid.
Gas
Oil
Water
Brake fluid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As there are so many moving parts within the engine, oil is necessary to keep everything lubricated. Oil is stored in the pan (sometimes called the sump). It is moved through the engine via the oil pump.

You Got:
/35
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