The Wild 8-Wheeled 1977 Cadillac Eldorado

Octo Majesty - Automotive history is full of bold experiments, but every once in a while a creation appears that seems to ignore the usual rules entirely. In the late 1970s—an era already known for excess, chrome, and unapologetic size—one custom project pushed the idea of a luxury cruiser far beyond what anyone expected. That machine was a heavily modified 1977 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, transformed into an unforgettable eight-wheeled spectacle. Today it is often remembered as one of the most unusual Cadillacs ever built, a rolling curiosity that blends American luxury with imaginative engineering.

1977 Cadillac Eldorado custom with 8 wheels. (Picture from: Hemmings)

The car began its life as a standard 1977 Cadillac Eldorado, a large front-wheel-drive coupe powered by a 425-cubic-inch V8 producing around 180 horsepower. At some point in the 1980s, the vehicle traveled from Texas to Australia, where its story took a dramatic turn. Rather than leaving the Eldorado in factory form, its new owners decided to reinvent it entirely. Using tandem axles from a Holden One Tonner utility vehicle, the Cadillac was converted into an eight-wheeled machine. The modification kept the original front-wheel-drive layout and even allowed all four front wheels to steer, creating an unusual mix of American engineering and Australian ingenuity.

Dashboard view of 1977 Cadillac Eldorado custom with 8 wheels. (Picture from: Hemmings)

Visually, the car became something far more dramatic than the Eldorado designers in Detroit ever imagined. The body had to be stretched significantly to cover the extended chassis, and instead of lightweight fiberglass, the builders reportedly used sheet metal to maintain a solid feel. The elongated proportions turned the luxury coupe into something closer to a limousine crossed with a show vehicle. At the rear, six exhaust pipes protrude like a mechanical signature, emphasizing that this was not an ordinary Cadillac but a rolling statement piece.

In the lengthened section between the back glass and the full-size trunk lid he added a two-person hot tub. (Picture from: Hemmings)

The interior and added features reflected the same spirit of theatrical customization. The car was fitted with a dashboard television, a CCTV camera mounted in the right front fender, strobe lighting, and thunderous train horns. In the trunk, a built-in whiskey bar added a touch of eccentric luxury, turning the car into something resembling a mobile lounge. The Eldorado even appeared in the television series “Dallas,” proving that its dramatic appearance translated perfectly to the screen. Its V8 engine may not have been built for speed, but it provided more than enough power for a car designed to impress rather than race.

Rear side view of 1977 Cadillac Eldorado custom with 8 wheels. (Picture from: Hemmings)

The Cadillac’s story did not stop there. By 1999, it had found a new owner in Melbourne who believed an eight-wheeled Seventies Cadillac could be even more outrageous. The already stretched body gained an unexpected addition: a two-person hot tub installed between the rear glass and the trunk lid. Under the extended hood, the unused space between the radiator and the engine was turned into a pull-out propane grill for barbecues at car shows. Displayed publicly in Melbourne before an auction event in 2016, the vehicle remains a reminder that car culture isn’t only about performance or prestige—sometimes it’s about imagination, humor, and the joy of building something the world has never seen before. *** [EKA [25032016] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HEMMINGS ]

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The Unique 1948 Simca 8 Roadster Designed by Louis Lepoix and Built by Spohn

Sculpted Rarity - Automotive history is often remembered through famous marques and mass-produced models, yet some of its most intriguing stories belong to cars that existed only once. These rare creations were shaped not by factory production lines but by imagination, where designers and coachbuilders treated a simple chassis as a blank canvas. One remarkable example is a one-off roadster based on the Simca 8, styled by industrial designer Louis Lucien Lepoix and brought to life through the craftsmanship of Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn. The result was a striking post-war automobile that blended European creativity with an unusually bold design language. 

The unique 1948 Simca 8 Roadster designed by Louis Lepoix and built by Spohn features a sleek open-body design that captures the aerodynamic spirit of the late 1940s, with smooth lines flowing from front to rear and integrated fenders seamlessly blending into the car’s form. (Picture from: BugattiRevue)

Originally produced between 1938 and 1951 by Simca, the Simca 8 was a modest French compact known for its reliability and practicality. It typically carried a 1,089-cc engine producing around 32 PS at 4,000 rpm—hardly the sort of platform expected to underpin a dramatic sports roadster. Yet the years following World War II opened new opportunities for experimentation. Surplus or aging chassis were often purchased by independent builders eager to reinvent them. In 1948, Lepoix acquired an old rolling Simca chassis and set out to transform it into something far more expressive than its humble beginnings suggested. His imagination had already shaped a wide variety of machines, from four-wheeled designs like the Bugatti Type 101 to two-wheelers such as the BMW R12, along with projects including the Horex Regina prototype and the elegant Walba DeLuxe scooter introduced in 1952. 

Louis Lucien Lepoix stands beside his spectacular motorcycle featuring futuristic bodywork built on the BMW R12 platform in 1947, a striking example of his bold and imaginative approach to postwar vehicle design. (Picture from: TheVintagent)

Working together with his employee Franz Villing, Lepoix designed a sleek open roadster that captured the aerodynamic spirit of the late 1940s. The body flowed smoothly from front to rear, with integrated fenders that blended seamlessly into the car’s form. Its wheels appeared partially enclosed, enhancing the streamlined silhouette and giving the vehicle a futuristic presence for its time. A distinctive split windshield added character while maintaining a low, purposeful stance, and subtle chrome accents highlighted the sculpted lines. Sitting low over the chassis, the compact roadster looked dramatically different from the practical economy car that originally served as its foundation. 

The unique 1948 Simca 8 Roadster designed by Louis Lepoix and built by Spohn featured partially enclosed wheels, a distinctive split windshield, subtle chrome accents, and a low-slung stance that gave it a sleek, futuristic character far removed from its humble economy-car origins. (Picture from: RollingArt in Facebook)

The bodywork itself was crafted by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn, a respected German coachbuilder with deep roots in custom automotive design. Before the war, the company had produced elegant bodies for prestigious marques including Maybach. In the difficult postwar years, Spohn adapted by purchasing available chassis and continuing its tradition of bespoke coachbuilding. Each project was developed individually, shaped by the ideas of designers and the preferences of clients rather than standardized production methods. The Simca-based roadster perfectly reflected this philosophy—an experimental concept realized through careful metalwork and traditional craftsmanship. 

Louis Lucien Lepoix poses beside his personally designed 1948 Simca 8 Roadster, proudly standing alongside a Walba De Luxe scooter, two creations that reflect his distinctive approach to postwar vehicle design. (Picture from: RollingArt in Facebook)

Today, this unusual Simca 8 stands as more than a curious custom creation; it reflects a period when creativity flourished as Europe rebuilt after the war. Designers like Louis Lepoix reimagined what ordinary machines could become, while coachbuilders such as Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn transformed sketches into hand-formed automobiles. The car’s flowing bodywork and imaginative proportions still feel surprisingly modern, showing how innovation often begins not with massive engineering programs but with a designer, a forgotten chassis, and the freedom to create. Those curious about Spohn’s other imaginative postwar works might also look toward distinctive models like the Veritas SP90 Convertible and the Spohn DV‑13 Convertible, both reflecting the same spirit of experimental coachbuilding. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BUGATTIREVUE | WORLD CARS FROM THE 1930S TO 1980S IN FACEBOOK | THINGIES IN FACEBOOK | ROLLING ART IN FACEBBOK ]

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1983 Porsche 911 Almeras 3.3 Twin Turbo: A Forgotten Turbo Legend

Twin-Turbo Legacy - In the world of performance cars, certain machines represent more than speed—they capture a moment when engineering ambition and creative experimentation collide. During the early 1980s, turbocharging was still evolving from a racing innovation into a road-going technology, and manufacturers were learning how far they could push it. Against that backdrop, the unique 1983 Porsche 911 Almeras 3.3 Liter Twin Turbo emerged as an intriguing chapter in the ongoing story of the 911, transforming an already formidable sports car into something far more daring. 

The 1983 Porsche 911 Almeras 3.3 Twin Turbo emerged as an intriguing chapter in the ongoing story of the 911, transforming an already formidable sports car into something far more daring. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

The car’s foundation lies in the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo (930), a model that introduced the “Turbo” nameplate as the pinnacle of performance in the 911 lineup. By the late 1970s, the 3.3-liter version of the turbocharged flat-six engine produced around 300 horsepower with the help of a single turbocharger and an air-to-air intercooler. It was fast, raw, and demanding to drive, embodying the spirited engineering philosophy of Porsche. Yet for some enthusiasts and tuners, even that impressive setup left room for further experimentation—particularly in how the engine delivered its power. 

The 1983 Porsche 911 Almeras 3.3 Twin Turbo is built on the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo (930) platform, the model that established the “Turbo” nameplate as the pinnacle of performance in the 911 lineup. (Picture from: GTSpirit)

That curiosity found a home in the workshops of Almeras Frères, a French racing and tuning specialist known for pushing Porsche platforms beyond factory boundaries. Building upon the 1983 Turbo’s mechanical base, the Almeras team replaced the original single turbo configuration with a twin-turbo system sourced through KKK. The upgrade was paired with a racing-inspired fuel injection system derived from the Porsche 934 competition car, turning the road-going 911 into a machine that carried genuine motorsport DNA beneath its rear decklid. 

The 1983 Porsche 911 Almeras 3.3 Twin Turbo is built on the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo (930) platform, the model that established the “Turbo” nameplate as the pinnacle of performance in the 911 lineup. (Picture from: GTSpirit)

Inside the engine, Almeras engineers introduced a series of meticulous refinements rather than radical structural changes. The valve system remained largely standard, preserving reliability, while specially designed camshafts allowed for greater valve opening to enhance airflow. Custom pistons were engineered to reduce friction and withstand the elevated pressures produced by the twin-turbo arrangement. To ensure durability under intense operating conditions, the engine was carefully balanced and equipped with an additional oil pump that extracted oil from the turbochargers when they shut down—an elegant solution that helped protect the system during heat cycles. 

The 1983 Porsche 911 Almeras 3.3 Twin Turbo retains a cabin that stays largely faithful to its era, blending driver-focused ergonomics with the understated luxury typical of early-1980s Porsche interiors. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

All of these upgrades dramatically altered the car’s performance character. Power climbed to roughly 440 horsepower, a remarkable figure for a road-legal Porsche in 1983. With that output, the modified 911 could reach a top speed of about 291 km/h, placing it among the fastest machines of its era. The car itself has since undergone a thorough restoration carried out by modern technicians at Almeras, bringing its mechanical condition up to contemporary standards while respecting its original identity. Fresh Pirelli P Zero tires, a new clutch, an updated braking system—replacing an earlier setup derived from the Porsche 917 race car—and a modernized engine control system all contribute to keeping the classic performer alive on today’s roads. 

The 1983 Porsche 911 Almeras 3.3 Twin Turbo produces around 440 horsepower and reaches a top speed of approximately 291 km/h, remarkable performance for a road-legal Porsche of its era. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

Visually, the Almeras Twin Turbo retains the unmistakable silhouette of the 930 generation: wide rear fenders, the iconic whale-tail spoiler, and the purposeful stance that made the turbocharged 911 instantly recognizable. Inside, the cabin remains largely faithful to the period, combining driver-focused ergonomics with the understated luxury typical of Porsche interiors in the early 1980s. The result is a machine that looks authentic to its time while hiding a far more aggressive personality beneath the surface. 

The 1983 Porsche 911 Almeras 3.3 Twin Turbo retains the unmistakable silhouette of the 930 generation, with wide rear fenders, the iconic whale-tail spoiler, and the purposeful stance that defines the turbocharged 911. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

This rare creation also belongs to a broader culture of ambitious Porsche tuners who reshaped the brand’s reputation during that decade. Companies such as Gemballa with its dramatic Avalanche and Mirage builds, and RUF Automobile with the legendary RUF BTR, demonstrated just how versatile the 911 platform could be. Within that landscape, the Almeras 3.3 Liter Twin Turbo stands out as a distinctive experiment—an example of how independent engineering passion could transform an already iconic sports car into something even more extraordinary. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GTSPIRIT | BRINGATRAILER ]

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Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz: The Jet-Age Icon on Wheels

Aero Legacy - The story of American automobiles is filled with daring ideas, but few vehicles capture the spirit of mid-century ambition as vividly as the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. In the late 1950s, cars were more than practical machines—they were reflections of prosperity, technology, and imagination. Automakers were willing to experiment with bold shapes and dramatic styling, hoping to embody the optimism of the era. From this creative environment emerged a car that seemed almost futuristic for its time, a convertible whose design felt closer to a dream jet than a traditional automobile.

The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz reflects Cadillac’s bold design evolution, featuring dramatic aircraft-inspired tailfins that grew from the brand’s styling innovations of the late 1940s. (Picture from: Hagerty)

The company responsible for this remarkable creation was Cadillac, long recognized as one of America’s premier luxury brands. Cadillac had already reshaped automotive design in 1948 when it introduced the first tailfins—small, aircraft-inspired extensions at the rear of the car. As the decade progressed, these fins grew larger and more daring, mirroring the public fascination with aviation and the early space age. By 1959, Cadillac designers pushed the concept to its most dramatic form, creating the tallest and sharpest fins the brand would ever produce.

The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz remains unforgettable, its towering fins rising from the rear fenders like sculpted wings and ending in distinctive bullet-style taillights that glow beneath bright chrome accents. (Picture from: Hagerty)

Visually, the 1959 Eldorado Biarritz remains unforgettable. Its towering fins rise from the rear fenders like sculpted wings, ending in distinctive bullet-style taillights that glow beneath chrome accents. The car’s long, low bodyline emphasizes motion even when parked, while bright chrome trim stretches across the exterior in generous amounts. Interestingly, unlike earlier Eldorado models that had unique rear styling, the 1959 version shared its overall body design with other Cadillac models of the same year. What set the Eldorado apart was the extra chrome detailing, premium touches, and an unmistakable aura of exclusivity.

The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz continues its sense of luxury inside the convertible with soft leather upholstery, polished metal accents, and a wide dashboard reflecting the elegant design language of its era. (Picture from: Hagerty)

Step inside the convertible and the sense of luxury continues. Cadillac filled the interior with soft leather upholstery, polished metal elements, and a wide dashboard that reflected the elegant design language of the time. Buyers could choose from a vibrant range of colors that matched the optimistic mood of the era, including Persian Sand, Seminole Red, Argyle Blue, Olympic White, Pinehurst Green, Gotham Gold, Wood Rose, London Gray, and Vegas Turquoise. The combination of vivid exterior paint and refined interior materials gave each Eldorado Biarritz a personality that felt both glamorous and distinctive.

The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz remains unforgettable, its towering fins rising from the rear fenders like sculpted wings and ending in distinctive bullet-style taillights that glow beneath bright chrome accents. (Picture from: Hagerty)

Beneath its flamboyant appearance, the car carried serious performance credentials. Every 1959 Cadillac used a 390-cubic-inch V8 engine, but the Eldorado models received a special triple two-barrel carburetor setup that increased output to around 345 horsepower. Considering the convertible weighed roughly 5,060 pounds, that power allowed it to cruise effortlessly along American highways. Production remained limited as well—only about 1,320 Eldorado Biarritz convertibles were built, making the car an exclusive sight even during its own era. | 2p5ZOCyqwvs |

Decades later, the Eldorado Biarritz continues to symbolize a time when automotive designers were encouraged to dream without restraint. Its enormous fins, extravagant chrome, and confident proportions still provoke strong reactions, yet that is exactly what makes the car memorable. The 1959 model stands as a reminder that bold design can define an era, turning a luxury convertible into an enduring icon of American automotive history. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HAGERTY ]

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This Automobili Rodrigues Hypercar Makes a 900HP V12 Look Normal

Mechanical Excess - Progress in the supercar world usually follows a predictable rhythm: more electrification, smarter software, and increasingly complex hybrid systems. Yet every so often, a project appears that seems to ignore the rulebook entirely and instead celebrates the raw drama of internal combustion. That is precisely the spirit behind the ambitious machine being developed by Automobili Rodrigues. The young Italian manufacturer has introduced a bold hyper-grand tourer concept called the Berlinetta Veloce, and at the center of the conversation sits an engine so unusual that even the “standard” option already sounds outrageous: a naturally aspirated V12 producing 900 horsepower. 

The Automobili Rodrigues Berlinetta Veloce is a bold hyper-grand tourer from the young Italian manufacturer, featuring a naturally aspirated 900hp V12 that already serves as its “standard” engine. (Picture from: SupercarBlondie)

For most performance cars, a 900hp V12 would be the headline feature. Here, it is merely the starting point. Buyers who want something even more unconventional can choose an experimental powerplant known as the Triangolare 18. The name hints at its unusual architecture—“triangolare” means triangular in Italian—suggesting a creative cylinder arrangement rarely seen in automotive engineering. This massive 9.0-liter engine is designed with forced induction from both turbocharging and supercharging, and it reportedly abandons traditional valvetrain components altogether. The result is an extraordinary torque figure of around 1,954 lb-ft, a number so large that it makes the engines of legendary performance cars feel comparatively modest.  

The Automobili Rodrigues Berlinetta Veloce features a dramatic coach-built GT silhouette with sculpted bodywork, long proportions, and a cabin blending classic craftsmanship with modern performance ergonomics. (Picture from: HotCars)

What makes the project even more intriguing is the philosophy surrounding it. Rather than pursuing electrification or hybrid assistance, the Berlinetta Veloce doubles down on mechanical intensity. Even more surprising, the car is expected to offer a manual transmission, a rarity in the hypercar world where dual-clutch gearboxes dominate. Visually, the design reflects the same philosophy: a dramatic coach-built grand tourer silhouette with sculpted bodywork, long proportions, and a cabin expected to combine traditional craftsmanship with modern performance ergonomics.

The Automobili Rodrigues Berlinetta Veloce goes far beyond its 900hp V12 base engine by offering the experimental 9.0-liter Triangolare 18—an unusual triangular-layout 18-cylinder with twin forced induction producing about 1,954 lb-ft of torque. (Picture from: SupercarBlondie)

Production is planned to be extremely limited, and depending on configuration, each car could command a price somewhere between five and ten million dollars. Still, the announcement arrives in an era where spectacular digital concepts appear almost weekly. The automotive industry has always had its share of ambitious ideas that never moved beyond renderings, but the barrier to unveiling a futuristic concept is now lower than ever.

The Automobili Rodrigues Berlinetta Veloce features a dramatic coach-built GT silhouette with sculpted bodywork, long proportions, and a cabin blending classic craftsmanship with modern performance ergonomics. (Picture from: SupercarBlondie)

As of early 2026, Automobili Rodrigues has revealed the Berlinetta Veloce primarily as a design study with astonishing specifications attached. Enthusiasts around the world are already fascinated by the possibility of an 18-cylinder hypercar with a manual gearbox—but the real moment everyone is waiting for is the first time that Triangolare 18 engine fires up and proves that this wild idea can exist beyond the screen. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOMOBILI RODRIGUES | SUPERCARBLONDIE | HOTCARS ]

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Bertone Freeclimber: A Rare SUV Born from Three Nations

TriFusion Trail - The automotive world has always been shaped by unexpected collaborations. Sometimes they emerge quietly, without the fanfare of a major launch, yet they leave behind some of the most intriguing vehicles ever produced. The Bertone Freeclimber is one of those rare creations. It combined the rugged practicality of a Japanese off-roader with Italian design sensibilities and German engineering, resulting in a compact SUV that stood apart from almost anything else on European roads in the late 1980s.

The Bertone Freeclimber blended Japanese off-road toughness, Italian design flair, and German engineering into a compact SUV unlike most others on European roads in the late 1980s. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

At its core, the Freeclimber began life as the dependable Daihatsu Rugger, a tough little 4x4 also marketed in some countries as the Daihatsu Rocky. The Rugger already had a solid reputation as a capable off-road vehicle, but the Italian design house Carrozzeria Bertone saw room for something more distinctive. Rather than treating it as just another imported utility vehicle, Bertone reworked the concept into a small SUV aimed at European buyers who wanted durability without sacrificing a sense of style and refinement.

The Bertone Freeclimber was produced in Italy from 1989 to 1993, with only about 2,800 units built, making it a rare sight today. (Picture from: Motor1)

Production of the Bertone Freeclimber took place in Italy between 1989 and 1993, and the numbers remained modest from the beginning. Only about 2,800 units were built, which explains why the model is rarely seen today. It was never intended to compete with mainstream SUVs; instead, it appealed to a niche audience that appreciated unusual cars—drivers who wanted the practicality of a compact four-wheel drive but also enjoyed owning something a little different from the norm.

The Bertone Freeclimber offered a more refined cabin than most SUVs of its era, featuring leather upholstery and higher-quality trim that brought a touch of European comfort to a rugged off-roader. (Picture from: Motor1)

Visually, Bertone’s influence was subtle but effective. The overall shape remained recognizably Rugger, yet small changes altered the vehicle’s character. The round headlights gave the front end a softer and slightly more European appearance, while OZ Racing wheels added a hint of sportiness rarely associated with compact off-roaders of the era. Details around the bodywork were refined, and discreet Bertone badges signaled that this SUV carried a pedigree beyond its Japanese roots.

The Bertone Freeclimber offered BMW-sourced engines, including a 2.0-liter gasoline unit, a 2.7-liter six-cylinder, and the 2.5-liter M21 turbodiesel known for strong torque and efficiency. (Picture from: Motor1)

Step inside, and the Freeclimber felt noticeably more polished than many utility vehicles of its time. While most late-1980s SUVs still emphasized durability above all else, this one introduced a touch of comfort into the equation. Leather upholstery, improved trim materials, and more carefully finished surfaces created a cabin environment that felt closer to a European touring car than a workhorse designed purely for rough terrain.

The Bertone Freeclimber combined Japanese toughness, Italian craftsmanship, and German engineering into a uniquely rare SUV, with fewer than 3,000 units ever produced. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

Perhaps the most surprising element of the Freeclimber lay beneath its hood. Instead of relying on Daihatsu’s original engines, Bertone installed powerplants sourced from BMW. Buyers could choose from a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, a 2.7-liter six-cylinder unit, or the 2.5-liter BMW M21 turbodiesel, an engine known in the 1980s for its strong torque and respectable efficiency. Paired with the Rugger’s ladder-frame chassis, four-wheel-drive system, and generous ground clearance, the Freeclimber retained genuine off-road ability despite its more refined character. | bcgx22x_ruY |

Seen from today’s perspective, the idea behind the Freeclimber feels remarkably modern. The automotive industry now frequently mixes platforms, engines, and design expertise from different companies, but such international combinations were far less common when this SUV first appeared. By blending Japanese toughness, Italian craftsmanship, and German mechanical engineering, the Bertone Freeclimber carved out a personality entirely its own. With fewer than three thousand examples ever produced, it remains one of those curious chapters in automotive history—proof that sometimes the most memorable vehicles are born from the most unlikely partnerships. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SILODROME | BRINGATRAILER | MOTOR1 | PALPOS.DISWAY.ID | HAYU_OPRUD IN INSTAGRAM ]

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