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Friday, November 11, 2022

Here's another forgotten German-made sportscar

Forgotten ONES Maybe not many know this one German sports car. That's not only because the name is not familiar but also because it was made only one unit. Let's discuss this German one-off sports car called the Kodiak F1. As quoted of the GT Supreme, this sports car is the result of a project initiated by Mladen Mitrović with the assistance of the University of Munich.
The Kodiak F1 sports car is built by Mladen Mitrović of Speed & Sport GmbH. back in the 1983. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
At that time it was known that Mladen Mitrović was CEO of an automotive company based in Stuttgart called Speed & Sport GmbH, which manufactures convertible roofs, and other accessory parts, and he is eager to make his dreaming gullwing doors sports car come true, inspired by the Mercedes-Benz C-111 experimental concept car.
The Kodiak F1 sports car design with aided an early version CAD software of the University of Munich. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
As quoted of GT Supreme, the design of this car (perhaps the first in the world) was made with the help of an early version CAD software. So it's surprising that Mitrović later claimed it was a very modern car for its time. In short, after the design was completed, Mitrović started work on the car construction project.
The Kodiak F1 sports car featured with a uniqe gullwing doors and inspired by the Mercedes-Benz C-111 experimental concept car. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
The car's bodywork made of kevlar, carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the same way that an airplane is built to ensure rigidity and lightweight. Further the bodywork is built on a tubular steel chassis frame, where the body and chassis body are bonded using epoxy. Once finished, this Kodiak F1 weighs around 1,365 kg, measures 4,340 mm in length, 1,980 mm of width and 1,120 mm height with a wheelbase of around 2,745 mm.
The Kodiak F1 sports car's bodywork made of kevlar, carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the same way that an airplane is built to ensure rigidity and lightweight. (Picture from: GTSupreme)
Although early prototypes will be powered by an 6.0-liter V8 AMG tuned engine capable to spew out power of 380 bhp, with other options available to potential customers including a Mercedes Benz V8, as well as a blue-printed 5.7-liter Chevy V8 small block, with Brodix aluminum heads and four Weber carburetors or Bosch fuel injection for about 320-340 horsepower.
The Kodiak F1 sports car has weighs around 1,365 kg, measures 4,340 mm in length, 1,980 mm of width and 1,120 mm height with a wheelbase of around 2,745 mm. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
Meanwhile in the finished car that could be seen today, Mitrović opted for a 5.7-liter Chevy small-block V8 engine paired to a 5-speed manual transmission from ZF to drive its rear wheels. And this Kodiak F1's engine is capable of spitting out around 300 hp at 6,500 rpm of power with a maximum torque of 460 Nm. So that the one-off German-made sportscar is able to accelerate from rest to 100 kph in 5.8 seconds and run up to a top speed of about 230 kph. It was a quite impressive performance figures then and even today.
The Kodiak F1 sports car has been equipped with a fairly modern interior with the Momo steering wheel, a black leather-wrapped dashboard that mostly contains the instrument panel centered on the driver's side. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
On the legs are mounted star-spoke casting wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires supported by a suspension system consisting of unequal length A-Arms, Koni shock absorbers to complete its appearance as a decent and beautiful sportscar. Meanwhile, the ABS braking system of Brembo was chosen to tame the fierce engine performance.
The Kodiak F1 sports car is powered by a 5.7-liter Chevy small-block V8 engine paired to a 5-speed manual transmission from ZF to drive its rear wheels. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
For the cabin, this Kodiak F1 has been equipped with a fairly modern interior at that time with the Momo genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel, a black leather-wrapped dashboard that mostly contains the instrument panel centered on the driver's side and then there are a pair of wrapped racing bucket seats under peach-toned leather. 
The ABS braking system of Brembo was chosen to tame the Kodiak F1 sports car's fierce engine performance. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
And for driving comfort, the car cabin has also been equipped with Air Conditioning (AC) besides that there is also an entertainment system consisting of a radio/tape unit with a 300 Watt audio system containing 22 speakers, which then makes it look like a luxury GT.
The Kodiak F1 sports car was shown for the first time in public at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
As time went by, unexpectedly, the potential cost of building the car continued to swell, and this was because the Kodiak F1 had to compete against the monsters of the time, such as the Porsche 959 or Ferrari F40. So that the retail price that was initially offered for $48,000 rose to $117,000 and it is certain then hampered and ruined all subsequent stages of the Kodiak F1. Finally Mitrović was forced to give up and lost hope after only 1 car was completed. Then this one and only unique car was shown for the first time in public at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show
For your information, the Kodiak F1 is not the only sports car made by the German manufacturer that failed to shine in the past, there are still several models from other marques such as Isdera, Treser, and many others should be faced the same fate. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GT SUPREME | RARECOMPONENTCARS ]
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