You are certainly familiar with an Italian designer named Giovanni Michelotti, who works more as an independent designer and has designed many famous vehicles from various world-renowned automaker brands.
1968 DAF 55 Siluro designed by Giovanni Michelotti made its first debut at the 1968 Geneva Motorshow. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39myrJQ)
One of the concept vehicles ever designed by him is the DAF 55 Siluro (the name derived from an Italian word which roughly means 'Torpedo'), due to the car has a unique design with long sloping silhouette lines that runs on both sides of the exterior and hood.
1968 DAF 55 Siluro has a unique design with long sloping silhouette lines that runs on both sides of the exterior and hood. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)
The DAF 55 Siluro made its first debut at the 1968 Geneva Motorshow and has not seen in public since then until the last appearance at the 2005 AutoRAI held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Yes, after being sat silently for almost 37 years, The car was later re-appeared as memorabilia for Giovanni Michelotti, who was known to have died suddenly in 1980.
The steering wheel and dashboard view of 1968 DAF 55 Siluro. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)
Before starting to design this Siluro, Michelotti had worked as a consultant for the Dutch automotive company, DAF. During his work, he is known to have designed cars made by Dutch manufacturers such as DAF 44 and 55.
1968 DAF 55 Siluro is used 1,108 cc inline four-cylinder engine coupled with DAF's unique Variomatic Transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)
One of the most remarkable features embedded in the figure of this tiny sedan is an automatic transmission system called Variomatic Transmission, which allows the car to run at the same speed in forward or reverse conditions.
The DAF Siluro is built based on the DAF 55 Coupe platform with a capacity of four passengers, used a 1,108 cc inline four-cylinder engine, capable of producing power of 50 bhp at 5,000 rpm. This engine is combined with DAF's unique Variomatic Transmission system.
DAF manufacturing production has stopped a few years ago. When it was rediscovered, Siluro was in poor condition and needed a lot of repairs. Because many of the Siluro parts were made by Michelotti, restoring this prototype car became a pretty heavy task. However, thanks to generous sponsors, DAF Siluro was finally returned to its original condition.
At present, DAF Siluro's unique car is stored and displayed permanently at the DAF Museum, which is located at Tongelresestraat 27, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | UNIQUE CARS AND PARTS]
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You may have heard or known about the Nash Metropolitan. The car was a unique two-door American classic car that is one of the works of designer William J. Flajole. And also know that the car was produced in the period 1953 to 1961 by Nash Motors which was later merged and changed to American Motor Company in 1954. Here's the car that was modified to an automotive work called Nashole.
1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype is built based on Nash Metropolitan by William J. Flajole. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)
After his success with Nash Metropolitan, the automotive designer Bill Flajole then began to design his private-owned car, which then built the Flajole Forerunner prototype in 1955. From its appearance, it can be seen that the design of the Flajole Forerunner is heavily influenced by the Jaguar XK120, but it has a high fender design plus its fastback body shape decreasing at the rear and is equipped with a retractable cabin roof.
Interior view of the 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TATMsf)
Besides having a dramatic long hood profile, the Flajole Forerunner car also has a Plexiglass glass roof that can be opened automatically. In addition, the rear also has a sharp downhill design with a hole that functions as the place where its spare tire stored right above the rear bumper.
The steering wheel and dashboard view of the 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)
The beauty of the Flajole Forerunner car more shines when the entire exterior is covered with a bright beige paint mixed contrasting with dark purple and combined with pearl white in the niches around the front and rear wheels.
Left side view of 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)
The appearance of the Flajole Forerunner also marks the first appearance of the design of the body niche around the wheel, before Chevrolet then applied it to the Corvette model in 1956. In addition to the innovative small niche design and automatic retractable roof panel, the Flajole Forerunner also features commercial airplane-style seats that have head restraints on the top.
The 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype is used dual overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine coupled with the four-speed transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TATMsf)
Besides being able to add comfort while driving, this head restraint is also an innovation that is fairly advanced at the time, because it has not been thought of by other automotive designers for the safety factor held by car seats in minimizing injury in the car accident.
Left-rear side view of 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype.(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)
Once completed, Bill Flajole then used this Forerunner car as a means of personal transportation until the early 1970s and attracted many people's attention wherever he was. Then he donated the Flajole Forerunner to the Blackhawk Automotive Museum and then sold it to Sidney Craig through an auction in 1998.
Eleven years later, Bonhams auctioned off the Flajole Forerunner prototype at their 'Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' event at Quail Lodge Resort in 2009, the car is valued at the US $188,500. Then in 2012, the car was auctioned once again and this time auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and is worth the US $200,000 or around Rp.2.6 billion. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BONHAMS | BARRET-JACKSON | SILODROME]
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In the early 1950s, when the streamlined fighter jet shaped became part of public awareness and permeated almost every line of American society in the time, as did two fellow automotive enthusiasts, they decided to make and build a unique American-style sports car-inspired to that streamlined style.
The Elegante coupe concept was built based on the 1953 Cadillac chassis and featured at the 1955 New York International Auto Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32jkLfM)
Harry Birdsall, an artist, and Joe Mascari, a famous contractor in New York, both of them then collaborated to design a futuristic-themed luxury coupe named the Cadillac Elegante, the car was built based on the 1953 Cadillac chassis.
The Elegante coupe concept was designed by the legendary automotive designer Albrecht Goertz. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)
Those two friends then recruited the legendary automotive designer named Albrecht Goertz, whose aim was to provide elegance and luxurious touches in order to reach the smart customers of the high-end market segment. Goertz, who later also designed the BMW 507 and Datsun 240Z, in the time began designing the vehicle images with a sophisticated luxury touch.
Through its luxurious gold aura then made the Elegante coupe concept could grab the People's Choice Award at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)
Shortly then the car's chassis and images were sent to Carrozzeria Rocco Motto in Turin, Italy to bring the car into a reality. And the Italian automotive coachbuilder needs the time of 30 months to build the body, made all specific hardware, and installed all of those on a 126-inches wheelbase of the car's chassis.
That luxurious gold aura of the Elegante coupe concept then combined with dark red wine colored Italian genuine-leather interior. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)
As we look today, the car was featured a unique two-folded convertible hard roof. Interestingly, that the futuristic and unique retractable hard roof, turn out was made by using the remnants of the burned-Cadillac Series 62 convertible roof at the Cadillac's dealer of White Plains.
The Elegante coupe concept used a 331-cubic-inch Cadillac V8 engine coupled with a GM four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)
The luxurious gold aura is immediately apparent in this Cadillac Elegante design. Ranging from its four-headlights house, windshield frame, door handles, convertible roof, and trunk trim, up to the hidden license plate frames are all made of bronze and then coated with 24-carat of gold. And the aluminum trim and car's hubcaps are not to forget also given a gold-gilded touche.
The luxurious gold aura is immediately apparent of this Elegante coupe concept, ranging from its four-headlights house, windshield frame, door handles, convertible roof, and trunk trim, up to the hidden license plate frames are all made of bronze and then coated with 24-carat of gold. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2wET9pH)
The Elegante body is then painted pearl white and combined with dark red wine colored Italian genuine-leather interior. The results are truly amazing; so amazing it even made a young woman cry out in public: "Why it's so beautiful it's indecent!"
It's known, that the Cadillac Elegante has been changed ownership several times after Harry Birdsall died in 1960. In 1997, Dick and his brother Bob Birdsall found back the car was in severely damaged condition after hurricane Andrew passed. Then those two Birdsall brothers spent over 16 years recovering this iconic concept car into as seen today condition, so no wonder if finally the car winning the People's Choice Award at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE OLD MOTOR]
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One of the Italian automotive manufacturers, Maserati announced the name of their latest supercar 'MC20,' which is planned to be launched in May 2020 in Modena, and according to some sources, it will use an electric power train.
The newest Maserati EV might be using the name of MC20 may be launched in May 2020. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38QqfkJ)
As reported by the company's official website, the name of this latest supercar can be described as follows where the MC stands for Maserati Corse. While the number 20 is a supercar production code made in 2020.
In November, Maserati started testing the powertrain for the car on public roads in a test mule. The Italian firm released a series of shots of a camouflaged machine leaving its Modena factory at night
The Maserati MC20 is an evolution of the MC12, and also marks the return of Maserati to the world of race cars that have been in a vacuum since 2004. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38QqfkJ)
It was also mentioned that the MC20 is an evolution of the MC12, and also marks the return of Maserati to the world of race cars that have been in a vacuum since 2004. It says the machine was being used to house a “new powertrain entirely developed and built by Maserati”, that is the first in a new family of engines it is developing
The Maserati MC20 was developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab and will be built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38QqfkJ)
Maserati emphasized the presence of MC20 as the company's transition to a new era. But they did not spell out whether the direction of change was towards the era of electric sports cars or not. They also have not revealed the appearance of the new car.
The Maserati MC20 wasmade with innovative technology and a low environmental impact. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38QqfkJ)
Furthermore, the MC20 was developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab and will be built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant. The company claims the car was made with innovative technology and low environmental impact.
Nevertheless, the Italian automotive company gave a leak that the main production line was carried out at their factory in Modena, Italy, which also accommodated the electric powertrain assembly. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOCAR]
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Italy has long been known as a suitable and pleasant country for the birth of the world's most beautiful and exotic motorized vehicles produced by many talented genius figures and renowned automotive companies over there.
The 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe is also known as the first series of B.A.T. (Berlina Aerodinamica Technica) which features a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder inline engine, which can produce 75 horsepower. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38RIOoH)
Well, on this occasion we will discuss about one of these beautiful and exotic vehicles, the Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe which was built in 1952. As we all know, Abarth is a Turin-based auto company and known as one of of Fiat Group subsidiaries founded by Carlo Abarth on April 15, 1949 that has speciality of produces a variety of racing cars.
Front view of 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2uYRKtS)
The Abarth 1500 Biposto is an experimental coupe designed by Franco Scaglione, who at that time worked for the Bertone design house. And when the Abarth 1500 Biposto was shown at the Turin Motor Show 1952, it stole a lot of public attention due to its unusual appearance looks.
Right side view of 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2uYWzmX)
The front of this car is an unforgettable sight, with triple headlights protruding forward with dynamic air intakes situated in-between. At first glance, it similar to the Tucker 48 or Torpedo concept car, along with thin rear fins.
Its large rear window is a two-part design, separated by a thin center pillar, and melds gracefully into the rear section. The rear wings sport accented vertical tail fins that would become an extremely popular design feature in American cars in later years.
Right side view of 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2uYWzmX)
The car is also known as the first series of B.A.T. (Berlina Aerodinamica Technica) which features a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder inline engine, which can produce 75 horsepower, with an overhead valve and a double Weber carburetor. This engine is combined with a four-speed gearbox and drum brakes.
And the Biposto design is believed to have inspired the B.A.T. series made by another Italian auto company, Alfa Romeo later on and off course in collaboration with Bertone.
Rear-right view of 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32iq8Ml)
After its succesfull performing at the Turin Motor Show, the Abarth 1500 Biposto prototype was then bought by an American auto company, Packard Motor Car Company and shipped to their headquarters in Detroit, where this unique design car was used to inspire their designs.
In mid-1953, the Abarth 1500 Biposto was given to automotive journalist Dick Smith as a gift for his idea for Packard's new advertising slogan. Smith rarely drove this gift car for two decades, before finally being neatly stored in his car storage garage.
Final achievement of the Abarth 1500 Biposto we've knew, ie was grab the Gran Turismo Trophy prestigious award at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance, and featured in the famous Gran Turismo 6 racing game series. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FANDOM | CARFURITY | CLIFF REUTER]
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Most people know Bugatti as a manufacturer that produces millions of dollars worth of supercars that use extra-large engines (16 cylinders with a capacity of 8 liters), such as Chiron or Divo. So in the end it's hard to predict when Bugatti will touch the realm of electric cars like many other car manufacturers do.
500 linited-edition of Bugatti Baby II built for celebrate the brand's 110th anniversary. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2SPqzKY)
But uniquely at the Geneva Motor Show last year, they actually have officially unveiled its first electric car. Unfortunately it is not as we all imagined, instead of making an electric version of Chiron or Divo, the mentioned electric car is a reincarnation of Bugatti Baby, a toy car which has undergone many renewal.
Bugatti
Baby itself is a functional replica of Bugatti Type 35, the most
legendary racing car ever created by Ettore and Jean Bugatti in 1926 as a gift
for Rolland, his youngest son's 4th birthday. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2SPqzKY)
As quoted from the company official website, the Bugatti Baby itself is a functional replica of Bugatti Type 35, the most legendary racing car ever created by Ettore and Jean Bugatti. At that time (1926), Baby was made in the size of half of Type 35 as a gift for Rolland, his youngest son's 4th birthday, before finally being produced in limited numbers (500 units) from 1927 to 1936.
To celebrate its 110th anniversary in 2019, Bugatti was introducing the smallest member of the Bugatti family: the Baby II. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2SPqzKY)
Well, for the Bugatti Baby II that has appeared at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show made to commemorate the company's 110th anniversary last year in limited quantities, ie only 500 units. And the Molsheim-based auto manufacturer in collaboration with the Little Car Company intentionally maintains almost all aspects that make the original Baby look so unique, but not to forget giving it modern touches.
The Bugatti Baby II get a touch of French Racing Blue, but its buyers can order in a variety of other color alternatives. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ulvyJT)
The main differentiator is the engine. Yes, Baby II is purely using an electric motor, with two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The first battery has a capacity of 1.4 kWh for standard use and the second has a capacity of 2.8 kWh for long distances.And the Molsheim-based auto manufacturer claims Baby II's maximum mileage is more than 30 km.
The Bugatti Baby II was equipped with two batteries that can be used as needed. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39RibjC)
The performance can be adjusted; if the driver was a child, there is a "Child Mode" option, which will produce an output of 1 kW of power with a maximum speed of 20 kph. Furthermore, there is still a choice for "Adult Mode," which will boost its power to 4 kW, with a top speed of 45 kph.
The Bugatti Baby II was sold with prices starting at €30,000 or approx Rp. 450 millions. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39RibjC)
Interestingly, this is not the ultimate capability of Baby II, because Bugatti also provides an optional upgrade package in the form of a "Speed Key" to unlock its true potential (same as Chiron): 10 kW power output, without speed limiter for you who want more power.
If you ask why there is Child Mode and Adult Mode? Yes, unlike the Baby, the Baby II can also be driven by adults, because its size is slightly larger than its classic predecessor and has been enlarged to three-quarters of Type 35 making it possible to be drove by adults.
And the company has been producing it starting in the spring of last year, and sold with prices starting at €30,000 or approx Rp. 450 millions. Are you interested in having one of the Bugatti's limited edition toys? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BUGATTI BABY | BUGATTI]
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One of the concept vehicles ever designed by him is the DAF 55 Siluro (the name derived from an Italian word which roughly means 'Torpedo'), due to the car has a unique design with long sloping silhouette lines that runs on both sides of the exterior and hood.
