Ferruccio Lamborghini's favorite car

Rare ONES Some time ago we discussed a car that was used by Enzo Ferrari, but it is incomplete if we do not discuss the car used by his rival Ferrucio Lamborghini, who is known as the founder of another Italian premium car brand Lamborghini.

The Lamborghini Jarama was built based on the design of Marcello Gandini in between 1970 to 1976 only as many as 328 units. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aV68pf)

Alhough his name sticks forever to all the supercars made by the raging-bull logoed manufacturer. For Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of the Italian premium car company that bears his name, the mid-engine legendary models at that time such the Miura, which started launching in 1966, and the Countach, which followed in 1973, were not his style.

Ferruccio Lamborghini posed along with his favorite's Jarama (left) and a Lamborghini built tractor (right). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2JB2O7I)

In fact, the Ferrucio Lamborghini's favorite is probably the most obscure car to come from the Sant'Agata Bolognese and was the Lamborghini You forgot about as well. How can?

The Lamborghini Jarama's dashboard and interior view. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KSax1A)

As quoted from Road and Track, Ferrucio Lamborghini once said in an interview with Thoroughbred & Classic Car in 1991 that his favorite car was the Lamborghini Jarama, due to it was the perfect blend of Miura's slick performance and the comfort of the Espada.

The instrument panel and steering wheel of an early Lamborghini Jarama model. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KSax1A)

There is no special reason that makes Ferrucio Lamborghini likes Jarama, it's just because he wants a high performance sports vehicle like the Miura and can comfortably accommodate four seats in the cabin like the Espada, and he thinks all of that is only in Jarama.

The Lamborghini Jarama's second row seats view. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KSax1A)

Then what is the Jarama's appearance, which is said the Ferrucio Lamborghini's favorite car? The Lamborghini Jarama is a sports car model made only as many as 328 units by the raging bull logoed auto factory, and was produced from 1970 to 1976 based on the design of Marcello Gandini, one of the famous Bertone designers. Besides, the Jarama is also intended as a replacement model for the Islero Grand Tourer.

Early Jarama model rear view, showing Miura-style knock off magnesium wheels. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2JB2O7I)

The sports car with a front-mounted engine with a 2 + 2 composition inside its cabin was produced in 2 variants, namely the standard Jarama with 176 units and the Jarama S as many as 152 units. Early Jarama models featured center-locking magnesium alloy wheels, as used on the Miura and S1/S2 Espadas.

Lamborghini Jarama Rally and Lamborghini Miura P400 Jota. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2JB2O7I)

Then what about the performance? The Jarama is powered by a Lamborghini's V12 3.929 cc engine coupled with six Weber 40 DCOE carburetors capable of producing 350 bhp (260 kW) of power in the standard Jarama (365 bhp in the next-model Jarama S) which is then channeled to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. So it is not an exaggeration to say that the Jarama might be the best front-engined Lamborghini ever.

It's funny to think that the Lamborghini models known for its raucous mid-engine supercar, turn out that's the opposite of the car that Ferruccio himself wanted. Anything can happen when it comes to taste, that's it.... So even though the Countach is Lamborghini defined, the Jarama was the one that had Ferruccio's heart. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROADANDTRACK | THEEXTREMEXPERIENCE | MOTORTREND | WIKIPEDIA ]

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Here's the only Jaguar to hold the land speed record in the early of '50s

Legendary ONES The Jaguar XK120 was undoubtedly one of the finest sports cars of its time, known for its superb handling and an engine that produced record top speeds. And according to the Concours of Elegance website in Britain, that car has a Perspex roof bubble to protect the driver and cheat the wind.

1952 Jaguar XK120 Record Car 'MDU 524' on display at the 2013 Quail Motorsports Gathering. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L68k2A)

That particular Jaguar XK120 is registered as MDU 524 and originally was a Jaguar Works Competition car that competed in the Rallye International des Alpes its first time out. Furthermore, in 1953 Sir William Lyons proved that the Jaguar XK120 was one of the most capable cars by reaching 172,412 mph on the Jabbeke straight track in Belgium.

1952 Jaguar XK120 Record Car 'MDU 524' is featured with the unique Perspex roof bubble to protect the driver and cheat the wind. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L68k2A)

Behind the wheel, Norman Dewis drives a modified XK120 with a small perspective bubble windshield and wins the land speed record for a production car. The XK120 actually held the land speed record twice. Dewis took the honours in April of 1953 at 140 mph, but then a V8 powered Pegaso went faster of 150 mph a few months later. MDU was further refined and hit 170.412 in October of that same year.

1952 Jaguar XK120 Record Car 'MDU 524' uses a natural aspirated inline-6 DOHC engine with the power of 160 bhp at 5,000 rpm and 195 ft.lbs at 2,500 rpm of torque. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L68k2A)

Dewis driving the 'MDU524' registered 660986 chassis. It was a factory race car that had competed in the 1952 Alpine Trial before being fitted with the sleek bodywork. Once the record was running, it was maintained by the factory and used at Goodwood, Mallory Park, Silverstone, Crystal Palace and Brands Hatch without an efficient configuration.

It is the only Jaguar to hold the land speed record. As a result of this accomplishment, a small brass plate is included on the dashboard of the XK120 which represents a running record.

In 2013 extensive restoration was carried out on the MDU524 by JD Classics for Jaguar collector Jeff Lotman. When the 18 months recovery was completed in 18 months, shortly after that the MDU had been reunited with Norman Dewis at the 2013 Quail Motorsports Gathering. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | AUGUSTACHRONOCLE.COM | CONCOURSOFELEGANCE.CO.UK ]

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10 Classic Russian-built fast cars in Soviet Union era (Part-1)

Speed DEMON The automotive industry in the Soviet Union spanned the history of the state from 1929 to 1991. It started with the establishment of large car manufacturing plants and reorganisation of the AMO Factory in Moscow in the late 1920s and early 1930s. 

1934 GAZ A-Aero. a unique streamline-bodied concept car built by GAZ (Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod), a Russian automotive manufacturer located in Nizhny Novgorod. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37XU2de)

And during the first five-year plan, and continued until the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, there were many cars had been built. Below are ten coolest, weirdest and fastest racing, experimental and concept cars which ever built while under the Soviet Union regime.

1. 1934 GAZ A-Aero

This Russian classic fast car designed by Aleksei Osipovich and built only one unit in 1934 by GAZ (Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod), a Russian automotive manufacturer located in Nizhny Novgorod. 

1934 GAZ A-Aero uses a standard GAZ-A 4-cylinder 3,285 liters petrol engine with an increased compression ratio and aluminum head. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3hqJWoi)

The car built based of GAZ-A with wooden bodywork and metal plates covered. Its powertrain uses a standard GAZ-A 4-cylinder 3,285 liters petrol engine with an increased compression ratio and aluminum head.

1934 GAZ A-Aero run up to a top speed of 106 kph with the acceleration 0 - 100 kph in 36 second. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34VJPfn)

The engine able to spew power of 48 hp at 2,300 rpm, that's enough to bring it run up to a top speed of 106 kph with the acceleration 0 - 100 kph in 36 second.

2. 1938 GAZ GL-1

The car is produced in 1938 based of the GAZ-M1. As result, this racing car is touted as the fastest Soviet race car before the war. In order to find the right engine for this car, the GAZ engineers conducted several experiments using different engines such the original GAZ-M1 engine was boosted to 65 hp instead of 50 hp, and while using the GAZ 11's 6 cylinder engine was boasted of 100 hp.

1938 GAZ GL-1 is touted as the fastest Soviet race car before the war with the top speed of speed of 148 kph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3pA3XMc)

In October 1938, Arkady Nikolaev finally managed to reach a speed of 148 kph with the GAZ GL-1, thus setting a new Soviet Union record.

1940 GAZ GL-1 had a six-cylinder engine that allowed the car to reach a speed of 140 kph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3pA3XMc)

Just a couple of years later, GAZ unveiled its new 11 model, which had a six-cylinder engine that allowed the car to reach a speed of 140 kph. The only thing that was clear was that the GAZ GL-1 needed a lot of work.

3. 1950 GAZ M-20 'Pobeda' Sport

The unique car is built in the Soviet Union in 1950 and there aren't many pics of this prototype around. When it using the original GAZ-M1 65 hp engine, the car able to run up to a top speed of 148 kph.

1950 GAZ M-20 'Pobeda' Sport uses an inline 6 quoted at 105 hp with some details were redesigned (new wheel caps, dome abouve driver’s head, rounded grill plating) and top speed of 193 kph can be achieved. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3pzOQCa)

But if the car uses an inline 6 quoted at 105 hp with some details were redesigned (new wheel caps, dome abouve driver’s head, rounded grill plating) and top speed 120 mph/193 kph can be achieved. It looks like it might have gone a bit faster if it wasn't a tin can on wheels. 

4. 1951 GAZ 'Torpedo'

The SG-2 racing car better known on public as GAZ 'Torpedo' and it was created after 'Victory sports' by designer A.A.Smolin. He refused the 'Victory' body even if remade, then created a bearing aluminum body of a tear-shaped form of completely new design and inspired of aviation technologies.

1951 GAZ 'Torpedo' created a bearing aluminum body of a tear-shaped form of completely new design and inspired of aviation technologies. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WTq2cj)

Designers of GAZ understood that the created sports cars of SG-1 and SG-2, only transitional stage to more perfect designs with higher dynamic parameters. The idea of construction of superfast model which would become over time a basis for creation of the car, capable to establish new world records of speed was offered.

By using the 1951 GAZ 'Torpedo,' there were two all-Soviet Union records of speed are established. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3huEcd2)

The GAZ 'Torpedo' uses an four-cylinder 2.4-liter engine that delivers 105 hp of power at 4,000 rpm and could be make the machine run up to the top speed of 191 kph. Its framework with a set from dural profiles, a covering made of aluminum sheet. By using the SG-2 or GAZ 'Torpedo' there were two all-Soviet Union records of speed are established.

 

5. 1951 Kharkov-3, Kharkov-L1 and Avangard

In 1951 three more speed record cars from the Ukrainian city of Kharkov were announced and devoted exclusively to break speed records. Members of a local car club created these three interesting cars, the Kharkov-3, the Kharkov-L1, and the Avangard independently.

1951 Kharkov-3, the Kharkov-L1, and the Avangard. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2WWT4aI)

Ukraine was a part of the Soviet Union, and Kharkov was one of the largest engineering centers in the entire country. The local school of casting and metalworking made it possible to create highly complex metal parts of the highest quality, including, completely non-standard automobile engines. The local aviation industry helped enthusiasts with aerodynamic solutions for the bodywork.

1951 Avangard had a mid-engine layout, instead of a front-mounted engine, a platform frame chassis and elongated, streamlined bodies. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/38M22NB)

These three cars were in stark contrast to all Soviet record-breaking racing cars created earlier. They all had a mid-engine layout, instead of a front-mounted engine, a platform frame chassis and elongated, streamlined bodies.

For the time being, we should be ended this article here and will be continued to the next section in next few days. Jump to the next part..! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PROSPEEDPARTS.COM | OLDCONCEPTCARS.COM | DYLERS.COM | DESIGNYOUTRUST.COM | CAR-REVS-DAILY.COM | CEAUTOCLASSIC ]

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Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic suit

Unique ONES After many car models were made in Ghia's Supersonic bodywork, on this occasion we will discuss one car model ever built wearing those bodyworks, namely the Shelby Cobra 427. This car made by this American manufacturer had outstanding performance and was very popular in the world's racing circuits of the 1960s.

This is the 1965 Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic bodywork made by John Willment. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L02hN1)

If you hear Cobra fans talking about the Cobra coupe and they mostly mean the Cobra Daytona coupe (CSX9000) designed by Pete Brock. The car was first bodied in the US by California Metal Shaping and the remaining five in Italy.

These cars are known to have played a key role in Shelby American's quest to win the world's manufacturing championship in 1965. But this is not about the Cobra Daytona coupe mentioned above.

This is one of the six of the famous 1965 Shelby Brock Cobra Daytona coupe. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L02hN1)

It turns out that there is another Cobra coupe bodied in Italy prowling the earth and has a much scarier engine than the Daytona Shelby coupe, the FE 427-inch series. Yes, this model is wearing a big block engine! How did it come about?

The way the car came about was very unique, it happened when a British Ford dealer and racing team sponsor John Willment found something extraordinary in the junkyard, namely an aluminum bodywork of the Ghia Supersonic designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi. As we all know,  it was originally mounted on the Fiat 8V chassis. At the same time they also had some of the Cobra 427's chassis from earlier racing efforts.

This gorgeous creation built of the Ghia's Supersonic aluminum bodywork put on the top of 1965 Cobra 427 chassis by John Willment. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mXcnvk)

Maybe at that time John Willment imagined how beautiful the Cobra 427 would appear in Ghia's Supersonic bodywork. Then he's decided to marry the rest of the Ghia Supersonic aluminum bodywork with the Cobra 427 chassis. 

The hodgepodge car was powered by an engine (not the original 427 engine) but was suitable for that which was prepared by Holman Moody, then combined with twin four barrel carbs and depending on compression and tune conditions capable of producing up to 485 hp.

One of the most recent appearances of 1965 John Willment Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic suit, according to Classic and Sports Car magazine was at a British concours in 2014. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L02hN1)

Some theorize that the 427's chassis tube was extended 5" at the front. And the Supersonic body had to be modified to fit the new chassis. It's rumoured that John Willment lost interest in the project before it was fully completed, but based on the modern looking photos, the car was recently finished.

1965 John Willment Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic suit uses an engine (not the original 427 engine) but was suitable for that which was prepared by Holman Moody, then coupled with twin four barrel carbs capable of producing up to 485 hp. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L02hN1)

This car has been around for about five decades. At one point, it belonged to a London policeman who's bought it when the price was still under $10,000. Maybe now it has an exorbitant price (estimated could be reach 6-7 digits) if it sold through one of the world's famous auction houses.

We're sorry if the following video contains about the Fiat Supersonic 8V not the Cobra 427.

It would be nice to have one of the beautiful Ghia Supersonic-bodied cars. As we all know, they also build it with Fiat, Jaguar, Aston Martin, and De Soto (Chrysler) mechanics, but this one based on the Cobra 427 has got to be the best-performing version of all. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GTPLANET FORUM | MYCARREQUEST | DELESSENCEDANSMESVEINES ]

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The only of Its kind, Bizzarrini BZ-2001

ONE-OFF Bizzarrini is the name of a 1960s Italian automaker based in Livorno. The company was founded in 1964 by Giotto Bizzarrini, an engineer who had worked for Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Iso. Long before that, in 1953, young Giotto Bizzarrini had also built his own car based on the Fiat 500 Topolino which became known as Macchinetta.

1993 Bizzarrini BZ-2001. (Picture ftom: http://bit.ly/37HQ1tk)

And it is known that during its short life, this company has produced 3 car models that are quite famous in 1966, namely the 5300 Strada, 1900 GT Europa, and the P538 S. Then there are several models of road cars made specifically for smart customers, including several race cars that take part in racing events such as the 12 Hours Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Unfortunately all the car production of the company has a very low volume, for example the Strada alone only produced 133 units. Maybe that's why in 1969 this company no longer exists. After this brand went bankrupt, Giotto Bizzarrini was still working on some of the ideas that existed in the 1970s. In particular he worked on several examples of a new model called the AMX/3 and several units of the P538 S. 

1993 Bizzarrini BZ-2001. (Picture ftom: http://bit.ly/37HQ1tk)

Until one day in the early 1990s, Giotto Bizzarrini was contacted by an investor named Barry Watkins to return to designing a new super car. was accepted by him, so the World SuperCars, Inc. was formed, since then the car project called Bizzarrini BZ-2001 was officially underway.

Bizzarrini designed the body of this car which consisted entirely of carbon fiber. This sleek new design was sponsored by several different parts manufacturers who also helped with the design. As the driving force, this BZ-2001 uses a 4.9L Ferrari Testarossa V12 engine capable of producing up to 385 hp and 361 lb-ft (490 Nm) of torque, which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission to deliver power to the rear wheels.

1993 Bizzarrini BZ-2001. (Picture ftom: http://bit.ly/37HQ1tk)

The prototype was completed around 1993 and had appeared at various auto shows at that time. Then this car project had attracted the interest of the Indonesian and Malaysian company conglomeration through a holding company called MegaTech to take part in the production process, so that World SuperCars, Inc. plans to make only 25 units and sells for up to the US. $250,000 ($450,925 adjusted). But unfortunately the plan failed because of waning interest of the MegaTech, which was later found to have turned away by taking over ownership of Lamborghini from the American giant Chrysler.

1993 Bizzarrini BZ-2001. (Picture ftom: http://bit.ly/37HQ1tk)

It seems that's not all, it is estimated that the production failure of the Bizzarrini BZ-2001 car is also caused by the price of the car which is considered extreme, some say it may also be caused by the failure of the test drive by Autoweek due to the flying hood incident. However, the 2001 Bizzarrini BZ never progressed beyond a single prototype.

Some time ago (April 2020) LM Classic Cars put a tag of around $ 814,000 for this unique supercar. That price is a lot more than your typical Ferrari Testarossa, but the BZ-2001 is much more unique and arguably better looking. Still it has an incredible price. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TECHEBLOG | THE TRUTH ABOUT CARS | CARSCOOPS ]

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The Croatian's Alfa Romeo Spyder

ONE-OFF In the 1930s, when the automotive world began to move forward, many new innovations and creations were carried out by the automotive industry at that time. Initially, the world community had great enthusiasm so that it raised high expectations in the automotive industry to be able to change the face of the world.

1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider while on display at the Salon Prive Concours d'Elegance 2010. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2M8Cfrn)

Can you imaginated, in the middle of the great depression of the 1930s, they are competing to make and present a vehicle which is then predicted to be a vehicle of the future. It was not surprising that the automotive industry always hailed when they launched something with the frills of future vehicle creations.

At that time there was quite exciting competition among the automotive industry players, and at an Italian automotive manufacturer called Alfa Romeo which was the work place of an Italian designer of Hungarian descent named Vittorio Jano when he got a brilliant intuition. In working on the ambitious new design project, Jano also involved two brothers Gino and Oscar Jankovits (son of an Alfa Romeo dealer in Fiume).

1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider was a clandestine project built to win high-speed races of the 1930s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2M8Cfrn)

As quoted from Wikipedia, the only-one car made by the two brothers was built in 1935 based on a ladder-type chassis, and is powered by an Alfa Romo 6C2300 Turismo engine (no. 700316 in 1934 from a Berlina) so the car called Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider or Croatian Alfa.

1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider is focused on developing more power and placing the engine in a front-engined single-seater. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34Juq1z)

At that time Fiume was annexed to Italy, now known as Rijeka and is part of Croatia. By working in their workshop named 'Lampo,' the two brothers brought Wilfredo Ricart's sketch to life and created a truly beautiful vehicle in between 1934 to 1946. Development of the car continued over several years, until Jano was fired from Alfa in 1937, just prior to the car being finished.

Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider was built in 1935 based on a ladder-type chassis, and is powered by an Alfa Romo 6C2300 Turismo engine (no. 700316 in 1934 from a Berlina). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38A6LSn)

The Jankovits brother kept the Aerospider and had it registered for street use. The car still wears the original Fiume license plates. And in late 1946, when the Yugoslav army invaded their homeland, they fled abroad with their-own vehicle creation (later called 'Croatian Alfa') and sought refuge in Trieste.

Until now, this Aerodinamica Spider car has recorded a number quite prestigious of achievements, as follows;

• It is said to be the first supercar to appear with a 'modern' sports car design.
• It was also known as the first mid-engined car with a central drive (although the Lancia kept a patent for a center-drive design in 1934).
• It is said to be the first car designed to take account of newly developed principles of aerodynamics, to provide low-drag both externally and internally.

This Alfa Romeo roadster was rediscovered in England in 1967. It went back to Italy in 2002 and in 2008, the car was restored to its original purpose of a high-speed racer. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ | MEGADELUXE | ITALIANWAYS ]

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