ONE-OFF - In the fast-paced realm of automotive design, it's not just the personal photos of celebrities that stir up conversations in the virtual world. Concept cars, with their avant-garde designs, often become the center of attention among automotive enthusiasts. One such instance unfolded in 2010 when Bertone unveiled a striking concept car at the Geneva Motor Show – the Alfa Romeo Pandion.
Bertone's Alfa Romeo Pandion concept sat on display at the Geneva Motor Show 2010. (Picture from: Autoblog.gr)
This one-of-a-kind concept car not only captivated audiences with its unique shape but also made headlines for its extraordinary upward-swinging doors, reaching an astonishing height of 3.6 meters, and set a record as perhaps the longest ever made.
The Alfa Romeo Pandion. Powering this automotive marvel was a robust 4.7-liter V8 engine, boasting a claimed output of 445 horsepower. The creation of Pandion was a homage to Alfa Romeo's century-long presence in the automotive world, as stated by the manufacturer.
Front three-quarter of Bertone's Alfa Romeo Pandion concept. (Picture from: Autoblog.gr)
The nomenclature of Bertone's Alfa Romeo Pandion concept drew inspiration from the animal kingdom. Pandion Haliaetus, the scientific name for an Osprey – a sea hawk that dwells in coastal areas – perfectly embodied the essence of this unique concept car.
Right side view of Bertone's Alfa Romeo Pandion concept. (Picture from: Autoblog.gr)
The design philosophy behind Pandion was rooted in the "Skin & Frame" language. "Skin" symbolized the snake in the logo, representing Italy's renowned excellence in crafting beautiful, seductive forms. On the other hand, "Frame" pointed to the cross in the logo, signifying mechanical excellence reminiscent of high-performance Italian race cars.
Rearview of Bertone's Alfa Romeo Pandion concept. (Picture from: Autobloggr)
Interestingly, some observers noted a resemblance between the Alfa Romeo Pandion and the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. Despite the designers vehemently denying any similarity, a closer inspection reveals shared elements. Both cars feature a front fascia with extended glass, seamlessly connecting the front, roof, and doors. It sparks a debate among enthusiasts – are these similarities mere coincidence or a subtle nod between automotive aesthetics?
In the dynamic world of concept cars, where innovation knows no bounds, the Alfa Romeo Pandion stood out as a testament to bold design choices and engineering prowess. It not only paid homage to a century of automotive excellence but also sparked conversations that transcended the virtual realm, leaving an indelible mark on the minds of automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
As we reflect on the Pandion and its unique place in automotive history, one can't help but appreciate the convergence of art, science, and passion that defines the world of concept cars.*** [EKA [20062015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOP SPEED | AUTOBLOG.GR ]
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After we see the Bill Carter's TOPCAT and G-WHIZ that look unique in shape like an airplane, maybe those are not the first car made. Well, long before that is approximately three decades before Bill Carter built those cars, the American giant automotive manufacturer, General Motors had made a concept car with a shape that is almost the same that was given the name of GM Firebird Concept Car.
The GM's Firebird concept car series. From left to right, 1953 Firebird I, 1956 Firebird II and 1959 Firebird III. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/39ub95u)
General Motors known to successfully solve turbine fuel research done since the 1930's to the 1950's on the Firebird concept car series with Emmett Conklin as projecy manager. By using the new turbine engine, Firebird series capable to boost the speed up to 200 mph.
1953 General Motors Firebird I concept car is designed by Harley Earl who took the inspiration from the innovations in fighter aircraft design at the time. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nNKJ49)
From its shape, it is clear that the Firebird was inspired from the design of existing fighter aircraft at that time draw by Harley Earl. And this American manufacturer makes this Firebird concept car up to 3 series, each of which was made in 1953 for the 1st series, then continued in 1956 for the 2nd series.
1953 General Motors Firebird I is described as a jet airplane on wheels and has a 370 hp (280 kW) Whirlfire Turbo Power gas turbine engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nNKJ49)
GM built the Firebird III in 1958 and debuted it at Motorama in 1959. It is another extravagant concept with a fiberglass body and no fewer than seven short wings and tail fins (which were tested extensively in a wind tunnel).
1956 General Motors Firebird II is a low and wide design, four-seat, family car with two large air intakes at the front, a high bubble canopy top, and a vertical tail fin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hDGQMB)
The car is a two-seater powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Whirlfire GT-305 gas turbine engine, with a two-cylinder 10 hp (7.5 kW) gasoline engine to run all the accessories. Its exterior design features a double-bubble canopy and technical advancements to make it more practical, such as cruise control, anti-lock brakes, and air conditioning.
1956 General Motors Firebird II exterior bodywork is made entirely of titanium and has a 200 hp (150 kW) turbine gas powered engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2EmcK1R)
The Firebird III also featured “Space-Age” innovations, such as special air drag brakes like those found on aircraft, which emerged from flat panels in the bodywork of the car to slow it from high speeds; an “ultra-sonic” key that signaled the doors to open; an automated guidance system to help avoid accidents; and “no hold” steering.
1959 General Motors Firebird III is another extravagant concept with a fiberglass body and no fewer than seven short wings and tail fins. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2OZn8yF)
The driver controlled the steering with a joystick positioned between the two seats. This gave the car a more futuristic feel and simulated the experience of flying a plane.
1959 General Motors Firebird III is a two-seater powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Whirlfire GT-305 gas turbine engine, with a two-cylinder 10 hp (7.5 kW) gasoline engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3g87T2s)
Actually there is still another Firebird concept car (or the-4th) made by General Motors coded internally as the XP-790 and made its debut at the 1964 New York World's Fair. But unfortunately this car is a non-fuctional car. The car was repackaged as a Buick Century Cruiser by GM to appear at a number of shows in 1969.
All of the GM's Firebird concept cars recently joined the display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, and still make regular car show appearances. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GM HERITAGE CENTER | DESIGN YOU TRUST]
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It is a matter of pride if a builder manages to build an iconic motorized vehicle. Likewise, the creation of a unique car carried out by Bill Carter. Look at the figure of the car which is the result of his work. Unique is not it? What do you think?
1991 Bill Carter TOPCAT, a unique street legal fantasy car with radical cab-forward designs and used a V12 Jaguar engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2WVG2ec)
Who was Bill Carter?The Bill Carter name was synonymous with some of the most outrageous street legal fantasy cars to grace the British roads back in the 1990s. As quoted from Autoyas, He is an employee of Ordinance Maps who has designed some unique and crazy cars as part of his job. And the unique car that we discussed this time was the one he made in 1991, named the Topcat.
1991 Bill Carter TOPCAT's passenger accommodation sat beneath a Tornado jet fighter two-piece canopy. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2WVG2ec)
Bill built the car from scratch, built the chassis, built the bodywork, built the lot. Uniquely, the engine used in this car is also not an ordinary engine. This car uses a V12 engine taken from a Jaguar and chain drive to the rear end. To support the performance of the Jaguar fierce engine, then also added six twin choke weber carburators.But unfortunately there is no record of the car's engine performance.
1991 Bill Carter TOPCAT'shas a radically cab-forward designs inspired of a Tornado jet fighter. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZXaeay)
The car's bodywork is indeed unique and somewhat radical with cab-forward designs and the passenger accommodation sat beneath a Tornado jet fighter two-piece canopy. Then the tail fin is believed to be added a moment later when the car was repainted into silver.
1991 Bill Carter TOPCAT's tail fin is believed to be added a moment later when the car was repainted into silver. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32Wm5Yy)
Besides building Topcat, it turns out there is still another car that is no less unique that was ever built by Bill Carter in 1987 namely G-WHIZ. Both are built using a Jaguar V12 engine with a radically cab-forward designs.
1987 Bill Carter's G-WHIZ has a radically cab-forward designs as an airplane appearance and uses a Jaguar V12 engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZXaeay)
But it has a slightly different, because the G-WHIZ comes with 2 striking jet engine units in the back (it's unknown whether it also works) then is equipped with a vertical and horizontal stabilizers as the an aircraft has.
1987 Bill Carter's G-WHIZ has a slighty unique bodywork with 2 striking jet engine units at rear also a vertical and horizontal stabilizers. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZXaeay)
And all driveable day-to-day vehicles rather than relatively non-functional show cars. Indeed, it is hard to believe all Bill's cars have been certified for use on public road in UK and used by the creator for travel. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOYAS.COM | FIBERCLASSICS.ORG | BUBBLEMANIA.FR | BY STARGOOSE AND HANGLANDS]
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Plymouth XNR Concept was built in 1959 by Ghia and was introduced in 1960. The XNR Concept takes its name from the designer, Virgil M. Exner. And it designed as a high-powered sportscar, XNR Concept equipped with a 170 Slant Six engine which are prepared to the NASCAR specifications.
This machine is able to spewing of 250 horsepower, and making this concept car has a top speed of 150 mph or 241 km/h. Here is a Plymouth XNR Concept video of RM Auctions when they were auction this concept car in August 2012.
Although XNR Concept was built on a Plymouth Valiant wheelbase measuring 106 inches, the elongated body made an overall length to 195 inches. Meanwhile, the vehicle height is only 43 inches from the bottom to the top of the rear fin.
The frame of the XNR front grille constructed of heavy duty materials and this makes it weighs twice as much of the front bumper of regular car. In addition, in the rear bumper fitted the 'X' patterned, as a visual reminder of the car's name and its asymmetrical shape.
The most unique side of XNR Concept is the driver sitting behind the 'dramatic' curved windscreen, while a smaller folding glass available for passenger protection beside it. In addition, passenger seat also slightly lower than the driver, the designer thinking to minimize the negative effects of the wind.
Unfortunately after the launching, Chrysler assume XNR will not be sold on the market; even if there is market, but the XNR style will seem too 'extreme' to achieve good sales figures. Finally, Exner sudden dismissal in 1962 put an end to any XNR design chances that may (according to some circles) can be refined and become a competitor of the Ford Mustang in the future. See another unique Plymouth concept car. ***[EKA[03062015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET]
Again we talk about the concept car of the 1980s by discussing a concept car called the MG EX-E Concept made by a British sports car manufacturer, M.G. Car Company Limited. This concept car first appeared in public at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show, which at the time could be said that the MG EX-E concept car had shocked the world's automotive circles, due to its design which was so attractive and very unexpected.
1985 MG EX-E Concept is a coupe-style sports car with low ground clearance, but it remains proportionate to the well-executed curvature bodied. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2OI3eYM)
At the time of this EX-E debut, the British company usually only offered the 'M' type cars, namely saloon and hatchback sports cars, so it was a pleasant surprise and the car concept described that the British company was still interested in the idea of designing and producing the pure two-seater sports cars.
1985 MG EX-E Concept is designed to use a 3.0-liter V6 engine alloy developed previously for the Metro 6R4 rally cars. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2OI3eYM)
The design of the front and windshield of the MG EX-E Concept at first glance looks similar to the Honda HP-X Concept that was designed by Pininfarina and launched in the previous year. The work on the project had begun at the BL Canley design studio earlier that year, and the design was done by Gordon Sked, director of external design, under the direction of Roy Ax.
The MG EX-E Concept is a coupe-style sports car with low ground clearance, but it remains proportionate to the well-executed curvature bodied. In addition, the car also has a cockpit 'dome' that seems inspired by the combination of Group C racing cars and fighter jet canopies.
1985 MG EX-E Concept's interior complements the 'dramatic' exterior is what the company describes as a ‘reflex information monitor’. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2OI3eYM)
Significantly, the body is completely devoid of spoilers, which paves the way for a new generation of cars that display neater and more aerodynamic body lines than their predecessors. The structure is also similar to the one used for the 1982 BL Technology Project ECV (Energy Conservation Vehicle) pilot project, featuring an aluminum frame with external plastic panels attached. Even the drag coefficient of MG EX-E itself is measured to reach 0.24.
1985 MG EX-E Concept's instrument panels featured a head-up display that displays important information such as engine speed under hard acceleration and cruising speed of the vehicle. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2OI3eYM)
On the side of the runway kitchen, the EX-E was designed to receive a 3.0-liter V6 engine alloy developed for the Metro 6R4 rally car, which was announced at the beginning of the same year. The car is also equipped with a four-wheel-drive system, wrapped in 245J17 7J tires. MG EX-E is claimed to be able to reach a top speed of 171 mph or 275 kph.
1985 MG EX-E Concept's body is completely devoid of spoilers, which paves the way for a new generation of cars that display neater and more aerodynamic body lines than their predecessors. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2OI3eYM)
Meanwhile, the car's interior complements the 'dramatic' exterior. Above the red LED display is what the company describes as a ‘reflex information monitor’, which is a head-up display that displays important information such as engine speed under hard acceleration and cruising speed of the vehicle. In addition, there are also futuristic-style phones, CD players, and sophisticated navigation systems. The microphone is mounted on the headrest with sound delivered through stereo speakers.
The concept received a good reception while on display in Frankfurt, therefore the EX-E Concept was able to keep the MG name shining in the world's automotive circles, until the company was completely reborn in 1995 with their latest model, MGF. In retrospect, this EX-E is arguably representing the starting point for the MGF project, both in design and mechanics. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1]
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The 1930s classic cars that appeared using ordinary and shiny car engines were a usual sight for automotive enthusiasts. However, the story becomes slightly different and interesting when there is a classic 1930s pickup using an aircraft engine. Yes, aircraft engines or commonly known as radial engines will certainly display a unique and unusual sight when applied to a classic car.
1939 Plymouth PT-81 custom pickup built by Gary Corns using an early 1950's Cessna radial engine out of a C195 airplane while on display at the SEMA 2017. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/39jUa5S)
This can be seen in the work of an automotive builder named Gary Corns in a classic 1939 Plymouth PT-81 pickup which its original engine (201 CI inline 6-cylinder) is swapped with the early 1950's Cessna radial engine out of a C195 airplane. This silver metallic colored classic pickup was completed to build by Corns in 2015 and called Plymouth Air Radial Truck.
1939 Plymouth PT-81 radial-engined custom pickup aka Plymouth Air Radial Truck has a cool interior with double seats as a fighter plane. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2OQiDGp)
According to the maker which also the owner of Colorado Auto & Parts Inc., initially this unique pickup was built to drive and set a record at Bonneville (the famous salt flat in Utah). But unfortunately, the radial engine doesn't have a class for it, they wouldn't let him run it because the seats weren't attached to the rollbar. Interestingly, one of the officials who has been there since 1959 said that the Corns' radial engined custom pickup was one of the coolest things he'd ever seen at Bonneville.
1939 Plymouth PT-81 radial-engined custom pickup aka Plymouth Air Radial Truck attached the double joysticks and featured plane-like panel instruments. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/39jUa5S)
The trickiest part of the whole process of building this unique pickup was mating the automotive transmission to the aircraft engine. During the process, a friend suggested he use a V-drive plucked out of the boat. After spent a couple of long nights, then he's succeeded in mating a radial engine to a Turbo 400 (a clever idea that even the CEO of Lockheed-Martin was dumbfounded by when examining it).
1939
Plymouth PT-81 custom pickup aka Plymouth Air Radial Truck used a seven-cylinder radial 757 cubic inches Cessna's engine with 14 spark plugs. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fTD4OK)
The seven-cylinder radial engine with 14 spark plugs measuring 757 cubic inches is capable of producing power of around 300 horsepower accompanied by a very loud roar. As quoted from Rodauthority, Gary Corns said that his unique pickup purrs like a tomcat in a milk house, and sounded very loud and crowded like seven Harley-Davidson bikes who roared simultaneously.
With a fierce exterior appearance filled with rivets and cool cabins like a fighter plane have, but this unique radial-engined pickup was not something that is comfortable to drive on a long journey, because according to the maker, that he can only drive this truck for 10 to 15 minutes before it gets too hot.
This unique pickup with a machine that sticks out from the hood was last seen appearing at the SEMA 2017 event at the 'Covercraft' booth (as the result of their partnership in creating a special cover that matches the exposed engine that protrudes from the hood). It also briefly had appeared on Jay Leno's show.
This one-of-a-kind concept car not only captivated audiences with its unique shape but also made headlines for its extraordinary upward-swinging doors, reaching an astonishing height of 3.6 meters, and set a record as perhaps the longest ever made.
In the dynamic world of concept cars, where innovation knows no bounds, the Alfa Romeo Pandion stood out as a testament to bold design choices and engineering prowess. It not only paid homage to a century of automotive excellence but also sparked conversations that transcended the virtual realm, leaving an indelible mark on the minds of automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
