When you walk in front of it, maybe your footsteps will stop for a moment, smiling, then frowning in surprise, and say softly, What is this? So weird, who made it? This is a show car named 'Ewock' created by The 51-50 Foundation, a Novato, California based automotive social group.
This is a show car named 'Ewock' created by The 51-50 Foundation, a Novato, California based automotive social group. (Picture from: MSN)
Well, this cute, funny and unique vehicle in the picture above has shown off at a The Little Car Show at Monterey Car Week 2017 which is usually a favorite of American automotive fans. And this is not an ordinary cute car figure, but already extraordinary.
This is a show car named 'Ewock' created by The 51-50 Foundation, a Novato, California based automotive social group. (Picture from: MSN)
When viewed from the name, it is clear that the car (if you want to call it a car) was inspired by the funny figure of an imaginary creature with the same name that appeared in one of the famous science fiction films "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" released in 2015.
This is a show car named 'Ewock' created by The 51-50 Foundation, a Novato, California based automotive social group. (Picture from: MSN)
The owner-made Ewock is probably our best show ever and looks like something a genius kid put together in an auto shop. The body was two fenders from a 1946 Plymouth welded together and powered by a bicycle engine connected to a 12 volt battery.
This is a show car named 'Ewock' created by The 51-50 Foundation, a Novato, California based automotive social group. (Picture from: MSN)
And at first glance the shape looks similar to the Sqweeks, a new Autobot character in the fifth sequel of Michael Bay's directed movie titled Transformers: The Last Knight, named Sqweeks built based on Vespa VBB.
The funny figure shows a grille, turn lights, console switch and brake light coming from the 1969 Jaguar XJ6. The wheels are taken off a a wheelbarrow and a hand truck.
While the chassis is part of the massage table and the chairs are from the kindergarten classroom. Also equipped with press-to-operate headlights and tillers for steering. What an awesome little monster is not? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE 51-50 FOUNDATION | EWOCK | MSN ]
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Almost all automotive enthusiasts must know the Ferrari brand which has many great sports car models, but it will be incomplete if we don't discuss the cars ever used by Enzo Ferrari, who is known as the founder and owner of the premium brand.
1962 Ferrari 330 GT Prototype Coupe with chassis number #4085 used by Enzo Ferrari as his personal car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37tR006)
In the 1950s, as Ferrari transformed into a dominant force on the race track, it also brought increased interest in the Prancing Horse marque which meant a further development need for a practical offered product to the consumers. Infact, though said to be practical, it is not the right word to describe the Ferrari, so then the company saw the need for a proper 2 + 2 GT car and as the result, here's Ferrari 330 GT with the first prototype launched in the summer of 1962.
Enzo Ferrari pictured with his personal 1962 Ferrari 330 GT Prototype Coupe with chassis number #4085. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37tR006)
The car comes from the limited production of the Ferrari 330 America, but the 330 GT features a new frame with a wheelbase of 2 inches longer than its predecessor which was built based of the 250 GTE. Besides comes with a 2 + 2 layout, the Ferrari 330 GT also carries a distinctive shape with a long hood and a Ferrari's classic short trunk profile.
1962 Ferrari 330 GT Prototype Coupe comes with a 2 + 2 layout and also carries a distinctive shape with a long hood and a Ferrari's classic short trunk profile. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3nGl9yY)
The car's gorgeous shape was designed by a young designer named Tom Tjaarda who previously worked for Pininfarina and joined Ferrari in 1961 at the age of 27 yo. As its drivetrain, the car uses a Colombo V12 refined engine by an enlarged block meant to create extra cooling capacity. It replacing 3,967 cubic centimeters, averaging 330cc per cylinder, those hungry V12 engine is fed by three Weber carburetors to produce 300hp of power at 6,600rpm.
1962 Ferrari 330 GT Prototype Coupe with chassis number #4085 is featured in a light ivory beautiful color plus a gorgeous black leather interior. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37tR006)
The power is transferred via a 4-speed manual gearbox with electric overdrive for road efficiency. As the car's is designed for the high-speed touring, so the car's handling depend on a fully independent front suspension and a sturdy rear axle held by longitudinal pushrod and tubular shock. In 1965, the Car and Driver magazine noted and said, that the Ferrari 330 GT's high-speed handling characteristics was smooth as glass on anything over the eighty.
1962 Ferrari 330 GT Prototype Coupe with chassis number #4085 powered by a Colombo V12 refined engine is fed by three Weber carburetors to produce 300hp of power at 6,600rpm. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3nGl9yY)
The Ferrari 330 GTs was produced into two distinct series, with only 1,087 units made up to 1967, of which the first 627 units featured a unique four-headlight arrangement. The Ferrari 330 GT 2 + 2 has a special meaning in the prancing horse logoed company as it is one of the few production cars that Enzo Ferrari drives personally with the two prototypes being driven by him as his personal car.
The 1962 Ferrari 330 GT Coupe coachworked by Pininfarina as shown here featured in a light ivory beautiful color plus a gorgeous black leather interior. This prototype example was made in 1962 and is one of the most important Ferrari 330 GT that will come on the market for many years. The Maranello-based auto factory maintained this car for two years after it was built, and used for the car original brochure then at the 1962 Brussels Motor Show, it appeared as a show car in the Ferrari's booth.
As mentioned above that Enzo Ferrari also uses this example with chassis number #4085 as his personal car. This incredible provenance is documented by Ferrari author, Leonardo Acerbi, in his book-titled Ferrari: A Complete Guide to All Models. Only in June 1964, this car was sold to Luigi Chinetti Motors, one of the first Ferrari dealers in the United States. The car lastly sold by Daniel Schmitt Co.Ltd at the price of the US. $495,000 back in 2018. According to Hagerty, that’s more than double the average going rate for this model. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS OSURCES | SCHMITT | INSIDE HOOK ]
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Everything in this world always has a beginning, so it is with works in the automotive world. Of course, as an automotive enthusiast you already know the famous Italian automotive designer named Giotto Bizzarrini.
Yes, it is undeniable that some of the creations he made while working in the world's automotive have became legendary car figures. And on this occasion, let's take a brief look at his first automotive work called Macchinetta which is made when he was a student.
1953 Macchinetta built by Giotto Bizzarrini based on the Fiat 500 Topolino, while he was a student of the University of Pisa. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37sg6wo)
Well, before he managed to design the car that would bear his name, or the V-12 engine would fill the Lamborghini's engine room (in several forms) from 1963 to 2010, or the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO, young Giotto Bizzarrini was a student at the University of Pisa.
In there as part of his graduation project, he overhauled a Fiat 500 Topolino, by upgrading its four-cylinder engine and revising the chassis to make it better handled. Eventually, the project succeeded in earning him an engineering degree in 1953, and later brought him to work as a teacher. However, because of his love for the automotive world was too big, so made him later left the teaching profession and worked as a chassis engineer at the Alfa Romeo's factory.
1953 Macchinetta built by Giotto Bizzarrini based on the Fiat 500 Topolino, by upgrading its four-cylinder engine and revising the chassis to make it better handled. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37sg6wo)
Shortly thereafter his career at Alfa Romeo rose to become a test driver. Until one day in 1957, he heard that the Ferrari prancing horse manufacturer was looking for a new test driver, then he drove his Macchinetta to Maranello. What happened next, not many people know thus giving rise to many stories about it.
In one version that Enzo Ferrari was impressed by the technique and design of the small car, so he offered Bizzarrini a job. In another version, Enzo accuses Bizzarrini of "being not too smart, but very brave" for driving the cutie car to Maranello for an interview.
A young Giotto Bizzarrini with his creation, the 1953 Macchinetta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37sg6wo)
In short, then he was accepted to work at the Maranello-based car manufacturer, where he would go on to design cars like the 250 Testa Rossa, the 250 GT SWB and the aforementioned 250 GTO, and it’s likely that his Macchinetta creation played a role in his hiring.
If you look at the shape of Macchinetta at a glance, it is similar to the Ferrari Ouvo, the 1950s one-off car made by coachbuilder Carrozzeria Fontana which after completion was sent to Mexico, where the Marzotto brothers intended to participate in the Carrera Panamericana racing event in 1953.
1953 Macchinetta uses a 569cc SOHV four-cylinder engine with the Siata-owned cylinder head, and coupled with a pair of Dell'Orto carburetors. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37sg6wo)
As previously mentioned that the cutie Macchinetta started life as a Fiat 500 B Topolino which uses a 569cc SOHV four-cylinder engine in standard conditions it only spewed power of 16.5 horsepower. Then Bizzarrini changing its cylinder head with the Siata-owned which allowed it to breathe more freely.
And those engine mated to a pair of Dell'Orto carburetors so that the power-bursted up to 30 horsepower. And to improve the car balance, the engine position is then placed in the backwards, from the top of the front wheels to near the center of the frame.
The most obvious change can be seen in the installation of the aerodynamic coupe body which replaces the original Fiat body. Then, under the aluminum shell, Bizzarrini fabricated a tubular steel frame similar to the construction used by the Ferrari cars of the day, with the application of a teardrop coachwork design that was a direct result of Bizzarrini's knowledge of airflow.
Even though its modest power output, Macchinetta proved capable of reaching a top speed of 95 mph, that's a speed number might proved daunting for passengers in such a small car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HEMMINGS ]
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Recently, Porsche has showcased several concept cars that previously had never been shown off to the public. Of the many concepts that are displayed. And we have discussed some time ago, one of which is the modern minivan concept called the Porsche Vision Renndienst Concept.
Porsche 919 Street Concept which is known to be inspired by the Porsche 919 Hybrid prototype racing car made by Porsche to be competed in the Le Mans Prototype 1-Hybrid (LMP1-H) category in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34npPlK)
And on this occasion we will discuss a concept car that has been said to have attracted the attention of many people due to has a quite phenomenal. The mentioned car is the Porsche 919 Street Concept which is known to be inspired by the prototype racing car of the Porsche 919 Hybrid.
Even though its design based on the design of the LMP1 car, it is known that this Porsche 919 Street Concept car could be used as an ordinary road car, so from that it comes the car's name.
Porsche 919 Street Concept which is known to be inspired by the Porsche 919 Hybrid prototype
racing car made by Porsche to be competed in the Le Mans Prototype
1-Hybrid (LMP1-H) category in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KgpHgX)
As it is known that the Porsche 919 Hybrid is a prototype racing car made by the German automaker Porsche to be competed in the Le Mans Prototype 1-Hybrid (LMP1-H) category in the FIA World Endurance Championship for the manufacturer-supported hybrid car.
This prototype racing car succeeded in bringing success to the German company by claiming 3 by 3 victories, namely three times for both the constructors and the racing champions.
Porsche 919 Street Concept which is known to be inspired by the Porsche 919 Hybrid prototype
racing car made by Porsche to be competed in the Le Mans Prototype
1-Hybrid (LMP1-H) category in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34npPlK)
Yes, it is known that the car is shown as a hypercar with a futuristic body design and is very suitable to be used as an LMP1 racing car. Initially the car was planned to come with a power of 900 horsepower in 2017.
What does the car look like? Yes, it is a 1: 1 scale model made from clay which makes it look like a real car. It appears in a combination of white and black, so that it can make it look cool.
Porsche 919 Street Concept which is known to be inspired by the Porsche 919 Hybrid prototype
racing car made by Porsche to be competed in the Le Mans Prototype
1-Hybrid (LMP1-H) category in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2J1qIcf)
At the front, there are a pair of large headlights and a short hood that contrasts with the two protruding wheel arches. Like the LMP1 car, the cabin is very far forward and has a wrapped windshield and small side windows. A unique set of wheels was also designed for the concept.
The resemblance to the Porsche 919 Hybrid continues with the roofline shape and large shark fin. However, while racing cars have large rear wings, instead the Porsche 919 Street has smooth wings that connect the two rear thighs and are equipped with a wide LED light bar.
Those two vertical LED light bars which also double as aerodynamic elements, and makes the car look more futuristic. Porsche's wild 919 Street also includes a large diffuser and two exhausts that pop straight out of the engine cover.
Speaking of the powertrain, Porsche envisions the 919 Street using the same hybrid drivetrain as a race car, which consists of a 2.0-liter turbocharged V4 engine with an energy recovery system. It also has the same carbon fiber monocoque, dimensions, and wheelbase as a race car.
That's too bad if we had to see the cool car never be produced at all by Porsche. By the way, it's known that later the clay model of the Porsche 919 Street Concept car will be displayed at a museum in the Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart in 2021. What do you think? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PORSCHE | MOTOR1 | CARSCOOPS ]
As we all know, in the 1950s to 1960s, the world's automotive industry players competed with each other to attract the attention of customers and then buy their production cars. There're various ways have been done including by making several exhibition cars intended to lead public opinion regarding the technological advances they have achieved at that time and create trends so that they have the opportunity to dominate the automotive market.
The first appearence of 1961 Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept Car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3gQ6lLo)
And the follows beautiful car is one of the few concept cars actually made to drive. It's just been completely sorted and ready for a show event or a long haul trip. Besides, it is one of the few General Motors concept cars that is truly road-worthy, and known as Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept Car which is also known to have experienced dramatic make over shortly after it been born.
The first appearence of 1961 Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept Car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r1qMtx)
Initally, it made in 1961 as a naughty speedster in the General Motors styling studios directed by Bill Mitchell, GM's head of design at the time. The Monte Carlo is based on the standard '61 Tempest production car, which has been shortened about one foot to create a two-seat roadster. Upon completion, the Monte Carlo concept car was a hit at various auto shows and major road racing events.
The first appearence of 1961 Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept Car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3gQ6lLo)
Not infrequently, it made the concept car has to share the spotlight with the Chevrolet Corvair Sebring Spyder, another GM's cool show car. As quoted from HuntingRidgeMotors.com, the concept car building and developing costs in 1961 is exceeded $250,000 (if converted to today's money, that would equal over $2,000,000). Wow ...!
The final appearence of 1961 Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept Car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2KceI8j)
The car had a unique design all of which were part of experimental concepts at the time. Well, the car has a custom made stainless steel cove moldings, specially designed instrumentation including a tachometer, custom racing-inspired bucket seats and a three-spoke wood trimmed sports steering wheel.
Besides that the the concept car figure has a striking and quite unique sight that distinguishes it from other cars available at the time, namely a half-sized windshield and Halibrand Knock Off Wheels, and also equipped with other advanced features, such as fitted with an optional soft top, full windshield, roll up windows, included wiper motor and everything else needed for daily use.
The final appearence of 1961 Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept Car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2KceI8j)
And it's known that the concept car is powered by a modified slant-four Tempest powerplant with a supercharger and loads of chrome goodies, coupled to the four-speed manual Tempest transaxle and a specially designed heavy duty suspension for all four corners. Then, the inner headlamps are specially designed for long distance driving (a predecessor of the Xenon lamp).
In 1962, the two-seat Tempest Monte Carlo experienced a complete makeover. The half-sized plexiglass windshield is replaced by a production-style full-height windshield assembly and an engineered all-weather convertible top. Chrome wires with whitewalls were mounted up in place of the magnesium racing wheels, and the full-race slant-four Tempest powerplant was swapped out in favor of a 215 cubic-inch BOP aluminum V8 engine.
The final appearence of 1961 Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept Car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KceQ7N)
So far it is not known why these changes were made, but it appears those comprehensive fixes was designed to transform the racy but impractical speedster into regular roadworthy transportation means.
The show car's final touches are painted it with a pearlescent white plus dual blue racing stripes, then a custom dark blue leather interior, custom seat belts, full floor length brushed aluminum center console, custom designed drop top that completely hides away when in the down position and much more.
Initially this car was owned by Edward Cole, Vice President of General Motors who later gave it to his son to take to college. After that the Monte Carlo concept car spent years in a museum in San Antonio Texas where it is prominently displayed.
We continue the discussion about cars that carry the Supersonic coachwork design made by Ghia, after we previously discussed several car models from world-renowned automotive manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Fiat, and Chrysler who had the opportunity to wear this coachwork design. And on this occasion it was the turn of the Jaguar XK120 'Supersonic' figure that we discussed.
This is the 1952 Jaguar XK120 Supersonic by Ghia, not like the Jaguar you know before. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
As we all know, the 'Supersonic' coachwork design was first proposed by Virgilio Conrero who's commissioned by a wealthy Swiss racing enthusiast named Robert Fehlmann to a well-known auto designer Giovanni Savonuzzi to be applied to the one-off racing car model named Conrero-tuned Alfa Romeo 1900 which later took part in racing on the Mille Miglia 1953 classic racing event.
The long nose and rounded rump are characteristic of the Supersonic style. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
The 'Supersonic' coachwork design can simply be described as a car with a long, sharp windshield; a curved nose that forms a straight belt line, ending with a small flaming tail fin intended to resemble an afterburner jet; and the cockpit is low as glass.
Since then, many of the best car models from world-renowned manufacturers have been sent to Ghia's headquarters in Turin to get a touch of the 'Supersonic' coachwork design, that also includes Jaguar. The first Jaguar car to apply this coachwork design was the Jaguar XK120 coupé owned by Joseph Malpelli, a wealthy Lyon-based millinery and lingerie businessman.
There’s a Nardi steering wheel inside the XK120 interior was retrimmed in beige leather by Ghia, rather than replaced. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
Since the Jaguar manufacturer would not supply the XK in the form of a chassis for coachbuilding, and then this particular project had to be built on the basis of a complete car. So Malpelli decided to turn his XK into Supersonic and even returned to depositing a second car conversion order with Ghia (some said that Charles Delecroix, a French Jaguar dealer at Royal Elysées, Paris also shipped the third and even the fourth conversion cars).
This is the 1954 Jaguar XK120 Supersonic powered by the sublime and much-loved XK straight-six engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
As well as reworking the body, the engine was also tuned by the Conrero to fit the triple Weber used in place of the standard SU carburetor. The first car was entirety completed in 1954. Then the Jaguar XK120 'Supersonic' was shown in Paris and London, as well as at several major concours d'élégance competitions including Montreux and Cannes.
Shortly thereafter the second car was finished, but appeared in a different style from the first car. Yes, the 2nd car comes in stylish details with a Ferrari-type eggcrate styled grille, prominent hood ridges and a silver roof two-tone paint scheme over a metallic blue main body without side vents.
On the 1954 Jaguar XK120 Supersonic by Ghia, where the Jaguar's typical wheels remain in the deep arches and has stylish, slender quad exhausts. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
Then a third car was built and upon completion, it was reportedly sold to Switzerland, but has since disappeared. Many automotive observers and historians believe that over the years there have been four Jaguar-based Supersonics built by Ghia. Yes, this is the XK120, but nothing like the Jaguar you know before.
So far, this beautiful car, besides having appeared in many exhibition events in the world, has also experienced many changes in ownership and the process of restoration. And its last remarkable appearance in public was at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2019 event.
Yes, when the others started to look old and out of date, the 1953 Savonuzzi design still looked beautiful when it was installed on the Cobra 427 ten years later. Indeed, none matched the spectacular Supersonic. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSIC AND SPORTS CAR ]
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