The most admired Ferrari Dino prototype by Enzo Ferrari in person

It is almost more than half a century since this special car was first introduced at the 1965 Paris Motor Show, at the Pininfarina stand and is designed by designer Aldo Brovarone. This prototype can be considered as the last prototype seen by Battista Farina, the founder of Pininfarina, as well as being one of the first models introduced by his son, Sergio Pininfarina.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina is debuted at the 52nd Paris Motor Show, in October 1965. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35tZYYU)

This Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale is another revolutionary unique design, which is also the first prototype of a new generation of Ferrari's mid-engined cars. This model is draw by Sergio Pininfarina himself, after Enzo Ferrari ask him to create new cars that were markedly different from what was coming out of the Ferrari factory at the time.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina also known as the first prototype of a new generation of Ferrari's mid-engined cars. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35tZYYU)

According to the story, the first design drawn by Sergio Pininfarina at that time was a car that had a grille like the one on the 330 P4 and the 250 GTO models. However, it was rejected by Enzo Ferrari, because he wanted a completely new design. Pininfarina went back to drawing and redesigning the front of the car, and the result is what you can see now a car with unique bubbles in the front and housing the four lights.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina has right-sided steering wheel with black dash in the red-creme nuanced cabin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31wkl6Q)

The model design has inspired many Ferrari car models and gave birth to the Ferrari 206 GT and 246 Dino versions. This prototype was built in record time on Type 585 tubular chassis, the 206 P competition chassis, and was completed just in time for the opening of the 52nd Paris Motor Show, in October 1965.

The side air intake, with an elongated shape that is part of the distinctive styling of this model, and also is said to cool the rear disc brakes. As in the Dino competition cars, this disc brake is the default brake. The rear window is curved, swept round to meet the sloping rear pillar which also forms a quarter pane size window.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina  uses a 1,987 cc DOHC 121.3-cubic-inch V6 engine, which is capable of bursting up 217 bhp of power. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35tZYYU)

The rear panel is fitted with vents to allow hot air to escape from the engine compartment. Getting in and out of the cabin is also not easy, because the door frames are relatively low and wide following the structure of the car, and there are also two competition fuel tanks which are about 40 cm wide and connected to two fill points on the front wing.

As a competition car, the Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale has a right steering wheel. The car is doused in the Ferrari's traditional red style, with the same color tones in the cabin, combined with a black dashboard and adjustable creme-striped seats.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina was finally sold by Artcurial at the Rétromobile 2017 event, worth €4,3 million or around Rp. 70 billion. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3dNq8K6)

In terms of performance, the car is equipped with a 1,987 cc DOHC 121.3-cubic-inch V6 engine, which is capable of generating 217 bhp (162 kW) of power. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a short lever with a round polished aluminum cap that is a Ferrari-owned style and trademark. The engine speed counter is positioned in the center, flanked by an oil pressure gauge and vent, as well as a water temperature gauge pinned on the right.

 

Apart from the Paris Motor Show in 1965, the Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale was also exhibited at several other events including the Turin Motor Show in November 1965 and the New York Motor Show in April 1966. This iconic Ferrari prototype car was finally sold by Artcurial at the Rétromobile 2017 event, worth €4,3 million or around Rp. 70 billion.

Sorry, the video above is not about the 1965 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale by Pininfarina, but a video about the Ferrari Dino 50th Anniversary Mega Gathering that was held on June 30, 2018, at Maranello, whereas more than 150 Dinos and over 300 customers from all over the world that was present at the event formed a unique configuration that read as '50 Dino ANNI,' to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the road debut of the first production car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA.COM | CLASSICDRIVER.COM | PETROLICIOUS.COM]

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SSC Tuatara sets the new record of the 2020 world's fastest production car

So far, we know that the Koenigsegg Agera RS is the fastest production car on the Guinness World Record. But now that record has been broken by the SSC Tuatara from the American high-performance car manufacturer, Shelby Supercars (SSC) North America on October 10, 2020, on Nevada's State Route 160, the United States with a track length of about 11.2 kilometers (7 miles).

American supercar the SSC Tuatara set a new world record on Oct. 10 by reaching an average speed of more than 316 mph on a seven-mile stretch of Nevada’s State Route 160. (Picture from: https://cnb.cx/35pmvWX)

The record-breaking attempt was made twice, in the first test the SSC Tuatara was able to reach speeds of 508.73 kph (301 mph). Meanwhile, in the second test, the Tuatara even accelerated with a speed record of 532.93 kph.

From the results above, the SSC Tuatara has average speed of 508.73 kph (316 mph) and this is a new record as the fastest production car in the world. In order for this speed recording to be done precisely, it also uses the GPS which is integrated with 15 satellites on skies.

Jerod Shelby, CEO of SSC (left) posed with Oliver Webb (right), a professional racer who drove the American supercar the SSC Tuatara shortly after the car set a new world record on Oct. 10, 2020. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37nBEL3)

This record beats the previous record set by the Koenigsegg Agera RS in November 2017, which was carried out in the place and mileage, also the same method as SSC Tuatara. At that time the Koenigsegg Agera RS was able to run with an average speed of 446.97 kph. 

Thus the speed record of the SSC Tuatara automatically also beats what the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport hypercar has been done before in 2019. At the time the Chiron is only capable of reaching a top speed of 490.48 kph.

But Bugatti's unofficial record seems not worthy to be juxtaposed with the record of the SSC Tuatara or Koenigsegg Agera RS above, due to the record was obtained only in one running-test and was also carried out in a different place, namely in Ehra-Lessen, Germany.

The SSC Tuatara powered by a 5.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine and coupled with a manual automatic transmission (AMT). (Picture from: https://cnb.cx/35pmvWX)

This is not the first time the SSC supercar has been able to break speed records, previously, there was the Ultimate Aero TT, which managed to claim those titles in 2007 with a two-way average speed of 411.76 kph (255.83 mph).

"It's been ten years since we held this record with our first cars, the Ultimate Aero, and the Tuatara far ahead. Its performance reflects our dedication and focuses on pursuing this milestone," said Jerod Shelby, CEO of SSC.

The SSC Tuatara will only produce as many as 100 units and is set at the lowest price ranging from the US $ 1.6 million. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34o7zct)

In this record-breaking attempt, SSC North America put a professional racer named Oliver Web behind the wheel. The car, which is fed on non-racing fuel and uses road-spec tires, amazes the driver. How could it be, SSC Tuatara actually could have gone faster, had it not been held back by the wind.

"The car has not run out of power yet. All the wind obstacles prevent us from reaching the limits of the car," said Oliver Webb at the time.

The SSC Tuatara's engine able to burst power of  1,750 horsepower when using E85 ethanol fuel and 1,350 hp by standard 91 octane fuel. (Picture from: https://cnb.cx/35pmvWX)

The SSC Tuatara uses a 5.9 liter twin-turbo V8 engine capable of producing power of 1,750 horsepower when using E85 ethanol fuel and 1,350 hp by standard 91 octane fuel. The engine produces a maximum torque of 1,735 Nm and is mated to a manual automatic transmission (AMT). Not to mention the use of a carbon fiber body and monocoque chassis, so it's no wonder this supercar has a dry weight of only 1.247 kg. Besides that, aerodynamic factors also play a role, where the SSC Tuatara has a front area of 18 square feet and a drag coefficient of 0.279.

Well, if you are interested in owning this speed-demon, you should be noted that the manufacturer will only produce 100 units of SSC Tuatara and is set at the lowest price ranging from the US $ 1.6 million or around Rp. 25 billion. So hurry up.😎 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CNBC]

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The forgotten Lamborghini Miura Jota

Among the many premium quality cars that have been made by Automobili-Lamborghini S.p.A, an Italian car manufacturer known for the raging bull logo, there's a rare sports car and no longer can be seen as the original car (the one that exists today only its replicas). And the car is known as the Lamborghini P400 Miura Jota (pronounced the letter 'J' in Spanish).

1970 Lamborghini P400 Miura Jota built based of Miura's chassis #5084. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35hfs2p)

As it is known that the special car was built on the basis of the Lamborghini Miura, a sports car produced by Lamborghini between 1966 and 1973. It was the first Lambo's supercar with a two-seater layout, apply a rear-center positioned engine, and also noticed as the fastest production car at the time.

This special car was built in 1970, when Bob Wallace, a Lamborghini test driver was given permission by general manager Paolo Stanzani to build the mid-engined hot rod more or less from scratch. The project is intended to push Lamborghini's technical boundaries to the limit, and the prototype will officially be used to evaluate the latest suspension, mechanical and aerodynamic ideas.

1970 Lamborghini P400 Miura Jota is is intended to push Lamborghini's technical boundaries to the limit. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35hfs2p)

And at the same time, the team in charge of working on this project also has a passion for this special car to participate in a racing event. This is reflected in the name of the car, 'Jota' a reference to the FIA’s Sporting Code known as the Appendix J regulations.

 

Wallace and his team made extensive modifications to the chassis and engine of the standard Miura (with chassis #5084). Weight reduction efforts included replacing steel chassis components and body panels with Avional lightweight aluminum alloys, also replacing the side windows with plastic, so the resulting car weighed about 800 lbs (360 kg) less than the Miura production-version.

1970 Lamborghini P400 Miura Jota has an impressive performance numbers for 0 - 60 mph acceleration in just 4 seconds and can be driven to a top speed of 197 mph. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35hfs2p)

Then there's a front spoiler was added and the headlamps were replaced with fixed, faired-in units. Wallace and his team also installed two smaller, sill-mounted fuel tanks to replace the single larger original unit.

The suspension was also remade and widened (9" in the front, 12" in the rear), and four lightweight wheels were fitted. The engine included of those revamped to deliver approx. 418–440 bhp (312–328 kW) at 8,800 rpm, with an increased compression ratio, altered cams, electronic ignition, dry-sump lubrication, and a less restrictive exhaust system. 

The one-off car was completed in October 1970, with impressive performance numbers for 0 - 60 mph acceleration in just 4 seconds and can be driven to a top speed of 197 mph. Unfortunately, the combination of the car's slick shape and impressive performance was not able to convince Ferruccio Lamborghini, as the owner of the company at the time. 

Well, so far the Lambo's company owner is known to be very reluctant to include his cars in the racing events because it is seen that it will only squander money. Finally, the Jota never saw run active in the racing circuits and simply became the most famous of Bob Wallace’s special tuning department hot rods.😓

Recreation of 1970 Lamborghini Miura Jota owned by Walter Ronchi based of Miura P400S and called Millechiodi. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35hfs2p)

Had Miura been homologated into the Grand Touring category, there's a car not too different from Jota might have raced at the World Sportscar Championship at the time where it would have pitched against the Ferrari 365 GTB/4C, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Porsche 911 ST.

Recreation of 1970 Lamborghini Miura Jota owned by Piet Pulford. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37qG2IZ)

After completing around 20,000 km of test mileage, Jota was then sold through a Brescia-based dealer, InterAuto to Dr. Alfredo Belponer, owner and president of the Scuderia Brescia Corse racing team. However, in April 1971, before reaching the owner's hands, the unfortunate fate befell the car when it crashed and caught on fire on an unopened ring road around the city of Brescia, only its engine could be salvaged with the rest being scrapped.😢

Recreation of 1970 Lamborghini Miura Jota owned by Piet Pulford. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37qG2IZ)

Even though many important customers have seen the Jota's chassis around the factory but Lamborghini refuses to make the additional examples, instead, the Italian raging bull manufacturer built five Jota-inspired Miura SV/Js and then proceeded by launching the unique Miura SV/R.

After the Miura Jota was destroyed, the original owner Walter Ronchi commissioned two former Lamborghini employees to build a P400S-based tribute car. This vehicle is known by the nickname "Millechiodi" and has been specially modified both inside and out to match the specifications of the original Jota.

Then there's another Jota's replica done by Chris Lawrence of Wymondham Engineering for British Lamborghini owner Piet Pulford with the chassis #3033. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | CLASSICANDSPORTSCAR.COM | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA.COM]

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One of the popular Italian youngster sports cars in the 1960s

There are many small car manufacturers in Italy have long locked the doors of their factories now, once ever produced unique and beautiful cars in their hey days. One of them is Moretti Motor Company. This Italian car company was founded by Giovanni Moretti in 1925 and was active in production until 1989.

1967 Moretti Fiat 850 Sportiva designed by Dany Brawand for Moretti Motor Company based on the Fiat 850 Coupe. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3dNVMqL)

In 1967 the company did what could be said to be a genius move enough to melt the hearts of automotive enthusiasts of the day by launching a nimble sporty wheeled-creation onto the streets of Italy named Moretti Sportiva. This is a model of the iconic two-door small sports car designed by Dany Brawand and produced by Moretti Motor Company started from 1967 to 1971 and built on the chassis of the Fiat 850 Coupe plus the engine. 

1967 Moretti Fiat 850 Sportiva uses a a rear-engine measuring 52 cubic inches with a capacity of 843 cc. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34dWTwU)

The sports car was first introduced at the Turin Motor Show 1965, and also stated that is the Moretti's last customizable car model, including an exclusive choice of seat colors. At the time, the company offers the possibility to get a special trim and level of prestige according to the buyer demand.

Initially, the Moretti Sportiva was made as a two-seater sport coupe, although later it was also available its convertible version. The exterior design has dual headlights, with a fastback-like at rear end that is said to help improve aerodynamics.

1967 Moretti Fiat 850 Sportiva has dual headlights, with a fastback-like at rear end that is said to help improve aerodynamics. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HeJnjr)

The first batch of Moretti Fiat Sportiva was offered with the use of a rear engine measuring 52 cubic inches with a capacity of 843 cc, capable of generating a power of about 47 hp (35 kW) at 6,000 rpm, with a maximum torque of 59 Nm (44 lb.ft). This standard engine capacity can then be customized such in the S2 version to 982 cc.

1970 Moretti Fiat 850 Sportiva S2 uses a slightly different engine than S1, ie a rear-engine measuring 52 cubic inches with a capacity of 982 cc. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2T6TIAC)

Due to its aerodynamic nature, this car needed something to act as a balancer, so the spare wheel was stored horizontally in the front area, and took up almost all the available space so that there was nothing left for luggage storage. Therefore, the Sportiva designers had to make a new luggage compartment that was placed between the seat and the engine room at the back, it was made by using a rigid fabric.

In terms of performance, when the engine power drives its rear-wheels through 4-speed manual transmission, so it made the Moretti Sportiva able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 15 seconds before reaching a top speed of 103 mph or 165 kph.

Although Moretti Fiat Sportiva can be said to be quite popular among young people in Italy, it does not automatically increase its sales figures. This is because the selling price is quite high at that time, only about 300 Moretti Sportiva units rolled from the production line (in various versions) until the end of its production period in 1971. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER.COM | VIARETRO]

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Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato Convertibile, the only one ever built

The Italian premium sports car manufacturer, Ferrari is known to often make limited edition cars. However, the following sports car is something unusual and very special, because initially, Ferrari wanted to make it a limited edition model but then only produced only one unit due to the demands of the situation and conditions. What sports car is that?

1974 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato Convortibile is built under commissioned of Luigi Chinetti for his potential-clients in America. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34dEtwf)

In mid-1974, Luigi Chinetti, a former racer (as an official importer of the prancing horse logoed cars) commissioned Carrozzeria Zagato, the Milan-based renowned design house to bulid the 330 Convertibile car (the "Convertibile" is Italian for "Convertible") for one of his potential-clients in America.

1974 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato Convortibile's headlights are covered in an innovative plexiglass cover in a rectangular shape that is flush with the body. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2INtb9G)

It reflects the body type of the Zagato-made Ferrari 330, which this time is equipped with rear pillars and a "targa" roof that can be opened. And this is the tenth car that gets the Zagato touch and is built on the Ferrari 330 GTC platform.

The sports car which later became known as the Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato Convertibile was designed to be inspired by the Ferrari 3Z Spider, the Ferarri sports car model of the 1970s, although with some significant changes.

1974 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato Convortibile is the tenth car that gets the Zagato touch and is built on the Ferrari 330 GTC platform. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37p8hIi)

The rear design of the 330 Convertibile is taller and heavier, without the downward slope of the original. The headlights are covered in an innovative plexiglass cover in a rectangular shape that is flush with the body. Meanwhile, the 330 Convertibile taillight cluster is also modified and hidden in a small niche.

1974 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato Convortibile has a simple steering wheel and dashboard. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2INtb9G)

This Zagato-designed bright red Ferrari 330 Convertibile prototype looks strong and a little heavier than the 3Z Spider. However, this may be Chinetti's intention to make the convertible elements more clearly visible and to distinguish it from the original version.

1974 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato Convortibile uses a SOHC V12 engine, with a capacity of 3,967 cc. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2INtb9G)

Unlike most cars today, this Ferrari sports car carries a SOHC V12 engine, with a capacity of 3,967 cc. Even though it uses a SOHC engine, this car is capable of producing around 300 bhp of power bursts, so it is able to make it have a pretty sadistic performance when lauched on the streets.

1974 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato Convortibile's taillight cluster is also modified and hidden in a small niche. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37p8hIi)

However, due to the oil crisis that was sweeping the world in the mid-1970s, it forced the decline in demand for private luxury goods, including luxury sports cars. Finally, the Ferrari 330 Convertibile was not produced as a limited edition sports car and only ended up being a prototype that built one unit only. As well as placing it as one of the rare prancing horse species and the most sought after of the world's automotive collectors.

And in 2019, the car entered the auction house and was able to be bought off at a pretty fantastic price. How much money to be spent if somebody wants to have it? As quoted from Silodrome, this car is being auctioned with a starting bid price of the US. $500,00 (approx Rp. 7.3 billion). But unsold on the event. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RMSOTHEBYS.COM | SILODROME | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET | ROSSOAUTOMOBILI.COM]

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