When we think of the words "Chrysler" and "Diablo" together, memories come to mind of a time when the American automaker owned Lamborghini and unveiled a successor to the iconic Countach model.
1957 Chrysler Diablo Concept car built by the Italian styling firm Carrozzeria Ghia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZiPvxZ)
But that’s not what this is. And the Diablo which will be discussed this time is the Chrysler Diablo Concept actually dates back to 1957 when it was the star of the U.S. auto show circuit. This car was made in an era that is touted as a period of interplanetary travel, rocket ships, and outer-space fixation.
Left side view of 1957 Chrysler Diablo Concept car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZiPvxZ)
It was a time when automakers desperately tried to envision the future of the automobile and what design direction and technology would they employ. As such, the cars were very futuristic and in many cases unrealistic.
Rear three-quarter view of 1957 Chrysler Diablo Concept car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZiPvxZ)
The car was originally conceived by Chrysler’s renowned design head, Virgil Exner, and is an example of an aerodynamic design study in the 1950s. It was said previously, it born as the Dart in 1956 and fitted with a retractable hardtop coupe and showcased many of the design team's visions of a future means of transportation.
After its show tasks were over, the 22-foot-long car returned to the Italian styling firm Carrozzeria Ghia and tweaked the car's design by reworking the fins and painting it red (it was originally black), also added a soft convertible top feature, before the car debuted on the 1957 U.S. auto show circuit.
It is an aerodynamic masterpiece that is extremely innovative and equally attractive. It was fully operation that was subjected to a number of performances and design tests under strict laboratory conditions. Reportedly, Chrysler spent over $250,000 to develop the car and promoted the Diablo as being a 'Hydroplane on Wheels.' *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ | CARSTYLING]
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One of the most interesting concept cars that never built into reality in the 1990s was an Italdesign's supercar design study series named BMW Nazca.
Three BMW Nazca supercar models were built by Italdesign in the 1990s, from left to right 1992 Nazca C2 Coupe, 1993 Nazca C2 Spider and 1991 BMW Nazca M12. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bL414m )
That was the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro from the Italdesain who is also responsible for the building of the BMW M1 in the 1970s. Yes, Giugiaro designed the modern style of the first BMW supercar in 1978, so that the Nazca model series is truly a natural evolution.
The BMW Nazca M12 was the first model built by Italdesign in the BMW Nazca supercar design series and rolled out in 1991. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2AGQ0I6)
Both of these cars together highlight BMW's special characteristics through its twin-kidney grille that is characterized, simple, and also applied the mid-engine layout.
The BMW Nazca C2 Coupe was the second model built by Italdesign in the BMW Nazca supercar design series and rolled out in 1992. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2AK1b2R)
Only three units have been known, starting with the Nazca M12 which was launched in 1991 and followed by a high-core version, the Nazca C2 Coupe in 1992, and the open-top model called the Nazca C2 Spider in 1993, which Italdesign described as "for leisure use. "
The latest news about this supercar series says that there is a BMW Nazca concept car that was sold at dealers in the Czech Republic at a price of around € 725 thousand in 2011.
The BMW Nazca C2 Spider is the third model built by Italdesign, in the BMW Nazca supercar design series, launched in 1993 and described as "for leisure use." (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2AK1b2R )
The car is the Nazca M12, which was launched in 1991 featuring an Alpine-tuned 5.7-liter V12 engine capable of powering up to 379 horsepower coupled with a five-speed transmission system. With its numerous great power, this car can be speeding up to its top speed of 326 kph.
In our minds, the Nazca C2 made a lasting impression for its role, starring in the 'Need for Speed III' racing simulation game. What is the car like? Do you remember? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROADANDTRACK ] | SUPERCARS.NET | MOTOR1]
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This gorgeous Moray project result presented for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4, 2003, embodies the homage that Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro wish to pay to the fifty-year era of the Chevrolet Corvette, the supreme symbol of the American sports car under the name of Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray.
2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray built by Italdesign to pay homage to the 50-years of the Chevrolet Corvette era in 2003. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Wt3zTJ)
Realized without hesitation on Corvette mechanics and chassis, the outcome of seeking out a sports car designed as an elegant extreme leap into the limelight carrying a pure profile, designed as though touched by drifting tides with long and slender front lights, bringing immediately to the mind the Moray, the English term for the eel-type fish, which found in Mediterranean waters.
2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray is presented for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4, 2003. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3cBCl3e)
Also resembling a moray rippling through sea waters is the sinuous contour line, whilst shaping the elongated front section (an unmistakable look of the Corvette grille) to a far stronger, more accentuated curvature is the serpentine bonnet (which projects frontward) forming a contrast with the upraised cut-off tail.
2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray is fitted with a powerful front-mounted six-liter Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine to spew abundant power of more than 400 hp. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2X7Tmvp)
"We vowed to honor the rhetorical principles that dictated the American muscle-car of excellence era: simplicity and pragmatism, hand lasting with the hedonist concept of sportiness evolving beyond the restraints of time," explain Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro.
The dashboard of the 2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray is fitted with various instruments and a steady steering wheel. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2X7Tmvp)
Hinged to the rear door frame, thereby assuring freedom of access to the inside of the car, the clear crystal semi-dome of the doors (by which the side window and roof merge into one complete unit) swings open like seagull wings.
Quick and simple to remove, these door wings ease the way to transforming the Moray from a coupé, with its unmistakable roof panel under the unique, clear crystal dome, into a quasi roadster. The direct, immediate feeling of fresh-air motoring is enhanced by removing the B door frame.
Look this cozy, elegant, and ergonomic seat also fitted inside the cabin of the 2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2X7Tmvp)
This is replaced by a central arch-shaped steel structure to which the two wings are hinged. In perfect symbiosis with the fresh and free extreme of the car, there are no side-mirrors, which have been replaced by some kind of CCTV system with dashboard-integrated viewers.
The bodyshell and paintwork color blends into the capsule, becoming one and the same. Only those surfaces inside the car touched by the driver or passenger are warmed by soft leather upholstery made with the cooperation of Dräxlmaier Group.
The 2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray has the bodyshell and paintwork color blends into the capsule, becoming one and the same. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2X7Tmvp)
Essential to catering the needs and preferences of the dynamic driver are its dashboards fitted with various instruments. Underlined by the same dashboard layout, assigned to the passenger are precise co-pilot functions.
Cool, sleek and supremely agile, of exceptional beauty and legerdemain like the sea creature from which it takes its name, the Moray is fitted with a powerful Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine, the longitude front-mounted six-liter, which reaches command of more than 400 horsepower, combined with a perfect balance ensured from the ground up by Michelin Pilot sport 335/30 ZR20 rear tires. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALDESIGN] | TOP SPEED | SUPERCARS.NET]
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The wedge-shaped designs of concept cars seem to have become a trend in the 1960s to the 1970s.This we can see in many concept car designs that were present at that time.And one of them is the Nissan 126X concept.
1970 Nissan 126X concept has to be one of the all-time classic concept cars. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2LqdOBY)
This concept car made of 1970 has to be one of the all-time classic concept cars. It's first displayed in public at the 1970 Tokyo Motorshow, the 126X had striking styling and many novel features. One such feature was a series of colored lights that were fitted into the louvered center rib on the front of the car.
1970 Nissan 126X Concept has a series of colored lights that were fitted into the louvered center rib on the front of the car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2LqdOBY)
The red, amber and green lights illuminated in series depending on whether the car was accelerating, cruising or braking in order to allow other road users, especially pedestrians, to gauge the vehicles approach.
1970 Nissan 126X concept featured a rear-mounted 3-litre 6 cylinder power plant and 4-wheel drive. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3cuQ7of)
The 126X had a wedge-shaped design with a forward-tilting cockpit canopy. The slots along the hood's center housed red, yellow, and green lights which lit up in accordance with what the vehicle was doing (accelerating, braking, or constant speed). The vehicle featured a rear-mounted 3-litre 6 cylinder power plant and 4-wheel drive.
The car's styling was as dramatic from the rear as it is from the front. The 126X was modeled by Lesney Products in their Superfast range as it was by Aguti Toy of Argentina and SZE of China. The original 126X concept still exists and was recently used in a Nissan Design exhibition in Japan. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING]
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During the 1970s, the Lamborghini was looking for a car design that would replace its old-model, Lamborghini Urraco (which means 'little bull'). The aim is to produce cars that have competitive prices and can be produced in larger quantities.
1974 Lamborghini Bertone Bravo with chassis no. #46.01 which is fully functional has been test-driven for over 270,000 km (168,000 miles). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2zU9Vmh)
One of the car designs made for this purpose is the Lamborghini Bravo. It was a concept car designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone for Lamborghini. It was presented for the first time at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, the Lamborghini Bravo was intended to be a two-seater V8 engined companion to the Urraco 2+2.
1974 Lamborghini Bertone Bravo with chassis no. #46.01 prior "refreshment," on its last day while displayed at the Bertone Museum. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2zU9Vmh)
The car was never put into the Lambo's production lines because of the raging bull-logoed company's financial problems at that time. The car which was only made 2 units has many styling features inspired by the Countach model, including the angle and window arrangement features, but the interior is never more than what is hardly needed to operate a vehicle.
These prototypes were made fully functional like a car in general by sitting atop a shortened P300 Urraco chassis and carrying a mid-mounted 3.08-liter V8 DOHC engine that is capable of producing power of 300 hp (224 kW) mated with a 5-speed gearbox to drive the rear wheels. Noted, those cars have run nearly 168,000 miles (270,000 km) of various testings before being placed in the Bertone museum.
1974 Lamborghini Bertone Bravo with chassis no. #46.01 after "refreshment" as presented at the auction. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2zU9Vmh)
The Lamborghini Bravo with the chassis number of "#46.01" (originally painted in gold, then repainted in white) was sold at an auction at the Villa d'Este (Italy) on May 21, 2011, with the highest bid price of €588,000 (approx the US. $825,400) which was part of Bertone Museum asset liquidation ordered by Italian Bankruptcy court.
Before being offered and sold at the auction, the car was the only "fresh" Bravo of the Bertone Museum has, because another unit, the car with the chassis number "#46.02" (painted in green) was not intact due to been used for the crash test in 1976.
1974 Lamborghini Bertone Bravo with chassis no. #46.02 had been used for the crash test in 1976. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2zU9Vmh)
The refreshment of the Bravo with chassis no. "#46.01" consisted of new upholstery of the Alcantara interior and new paint of white pearl color with several coats of clear. While the original Stewart-Warner Gauges were also replaced with new units.
1974 Lamborghini Bravo with chassis no. #46.01 shown with 1987 X1/9s at Bertone Design Studio after "measurement session". (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2zU9Vmh)
In December 1987 at the insistence of Miro Kefurt of M.I.K Automotive, Inc. of North Hollywood, California USA, who at that time was the Number One dealer for Bertone in the USA, the Bravo almost saw a production as a companion version to the Bertone X1/9, utilizing the same powertrain, but with mechanical supercharger.
But unfortunately "Project 1" had to stop when Fiat announced that the power unit (engine and transmission system) which was planned to be installed in the US version of Bertone X1/9 will be discontinued in 1988. Once again the Bravo failed to see the daylight. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SYNLUBE]
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Even the Americans seemed enamored by Italian design of the 60s, with all of the Big Three at the time flirting with lines penned from storied Italian design-houses like Ghia and Pininfarina.
While Chrysler enlisted Ghia for a number of limited-edition models, Ford decided to have a go at penning an Italian-inspired swoopy coupe themselves. The notion of a fastback Thunderbird had been floating around for some time, with a number of sketches being penned before the final design and construction.
1963 Ford Thunderbird 'Italien Concept Car' heavily inspired by Italian design and done by its own team. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2SzPvFI)
Initially, the Ford Thunderbird 'Italien Concept Car' was a styling study from Ford's Thunderbird styling department who actually built of the plywood bucked over which they sculpted the clay model of the roof in their own studios. Construction was done at Ford outsourcing contractor DTS where many other concept cars were built.
1963 Ford Thunderbird 'Italien Concept Car' appeared with a unique fastback roof and made of fiberglass and then chrome plated. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2SzPvFI)
The result was this gorgeous ’63 Thunderbird ‘Italien’ concept car with a unique fastback roof. Heavily inspired by Italian design, through a concertedly American lens; the car featured the much-loved 390FE V8 with the unique M code T-Bird tri-power carburetor setup.
1963 Ford Thunderbird 'Italien Concept Car' beautified with an interior that is entirely covered with red genuine-leather to matches the exterior appearance which is painted in the same color. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2SzPvFI)
According to documents from 1965, the space-age fastback should be scrapped, like many other show cars in the time. However, the car was sold then quickly sold again to movie and TV actor Dale Robertson. An he kept the car in Southern California for a short time before he gifted it to his gardener, William Warner, who owned it for several years before selling it to an Insurance Salesman named Joe Navaro in 1974.
Navaro repainted it metallic blue and drove it around LA for work. A noted Ford Collector, Don Chambers, recognized the car and tried to buy it for years. Navaro was steadfast but Chambers eventually acquired the vehicle, registering it in 1989. By this time, the car had degraded after years in the sun. Chambers held on to the car until 2005 when he sold it due to health reasons.
1963 Ford Thunderbird 'Italien Concept Car' featured the 390FE V8 with the unique M code T-Bird tri-power carburetor setup. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2SzPvFI)
The car’s savior came in the form of Tom Maruska, a noted ‘Bullet Bird’ specialist who had already had 15 restorations under his belt. Maruska is also a noted restorer of rare concept cars; with the Mercury XM-800 concept already under his belt, and the Mercury Turnpike concept still in the works.
Maruska traveled to LA from his home in Duluth Minnesota; struck a deal and shipped the car back to his shop in February 2006. The body was largely undamaged and rust-free thanks to a life in Southern California. It was mostly complete save for some of the molding which Maruska tracks down to a Los Angeles body shop.
1963 Ford Thunderbird 'Italien Concept Car' had 72 coats of paint that required six applications of aircraft stripper to get down to the metal and fiberglass; all trim was restored. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2SzPvFI)
Maruska stated that: "the story goes that somewhere in the past, the piece was removed by a repairman and kept as collateral because the owner at the time, most likely Dale Robertson’s gardener, didn’t have the funds available to pay for the repairs".
The rare and unique piece of molding was made of fiberglass and then chrome plated; the owner of the LA shop wanted US$10,000 for it, so Marsuka passed and instead recreated his own exacting piece by hand-turning one single piece of metal.
The car had 72 coats of paint that required six applications of aircraft stripper to get down to the metal and fiberglass; all trim was restored, with Maruska reupholstering the vehicle by hand. The Plexiglass rear and quarter windows were restored by a specialist and every nut and bolt was returned to better-than-factory condition. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MECUM | TRADEUNIQUECARS]
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But that’s not what this is. And the Diablo which will be discussed this time is the Chrysler Diablo Concept actually dates back to 1957 when it was the star of the U.S. auto show circuit. This car was made in an era that is touted as a period of interplanetary travel, rocket ships, and outer-space fixation.
The car was originally conceived by Chrysler’s renowned design head, Virgil Exner, and is an example of an aerodynamic design study in the 1950s. It was said previously, it born as the Dart in 1956 and fitted with a retractable hardtop coupe and showcased many of the design team's visions of a future means of transportation.
