Rare ONES It must be admitted, that the era of the 1950s had a lot of unique and attractive looking cars made by various automotive manufacturers that existed at the time and one of them was the Hudson Italia Coupe.
1955 Hudson Italia Coupe bodied by Carrozzeria Touring and built based on the Hudson Jet platform. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3kmxsQh)
Originally, the car was a concept vehicle for styling study, but was later produced in a limited fashion as a two-door luxury coupe model by the Hudson Motor Car Company, one of American auto manufacturer based in Detroit, Michigan, as the result of collaboration with an Italian coachbuilder named Carrozzeria Touring, and later marketed by American Motors Corporation during 1954 to 1955.
1955
Hudson Italia Coupe was designed by Frank Spring, the Hudson’s design chief along with the Carrozzeria Touring's auto designer named Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZB6yun)
This beauty and unique car was designed by Frank Spring, the Hudson’s design chief along with the Carrozzeria Touring's auto designer named Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni. The unique car is built based on the Hudson Jet platform and wears an unusual bodywork design and is introduced for the first time on January 14, 1954.
Initially, the Hudson Italia concept car was intended to replicate the notoriety of 1950s rival-made concept cars in collaboration with the Italian coachbuilders such as the Chrysler Ghia Specials and Nash-Pininfarina, and even Ford-Cisitalia, etc. The original idea for the car was "to create a fast and sporty car, based on the popular Hudson Hornet model".
1955 Hudson Italia Coupe powered by an S6 202 cubic-inch engine with a capacity of 3,303 cc, which can generate power up to 114 hp (85 kW) at 4,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 214 Nm (158 lb.ft) at 1,400 rpm. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZB6yun)
For the reason, then Hudson Motor Car Company commissioned Carrozzeria Touring to build the car and sent all the necessary components to those Italian famous coachbuilder. Despite lower labor costs in 'Pizza Country', the hand-built car's price tag soared to the US. $4,800 (FOB Detroit), that was more expensive than the price of the famous Cadillac's model in that era (Cadillac Sixty Two Coupe de Ville) has a priced starting at the US. $3,995.
1955 Hudson Italia Coupe's engine sourced power chaneled through a three-speed manual gearbox to drive the rear wheels, so could be made it running to a maximum speed of 95 mph (153 kph). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZB6yun)
The Hudson Italia Coupe is equipped with an S6 202 cubic-inch engine with a capacity of 3,303 cc, which can generate power up to 114 hp (85 kW) at 4,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 214 Nm (158 lb.ft) at 1,400 rpm. Those engine sourced power chaneled through a three-speed manual gearbox to drive the rear wheels, so it could be made the Italia running to a maximum speed of 95 mph (153 kph).
1955 Hudson Italia Coupe bodied by Carrozzeria Touring and ever built as many as 26 unit during its short prodution periods. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Ma95bA)
Due to the very high price and followed by the merger issues of Hudson Motors and the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation into the American Motors Corporation (AMC), the Italia's production had temporarily suspended, but eventually really stopped in 1954. And only 26 units of the Hudson Italia were ever produced during its short production periods, so making it ne of the world's rarest post-war luxury coupes.
Until today, the Hudson Italia has been featured at various prestigious auto shows and concours, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and is regularly awarded many special awards. Did you know how is the priced of the Hudson Italia today? If You know it, and We hope You willing to share by submitted the comments below. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | CLASSICDRIVER.COM | BONHAMS.COM | HYMANLTD.COM ]
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Unique ONES After successfully producing the De Tomaso Vallelunga exclusively in 1964, it seems that it did not automatically make the Modena-based car manufacturer stop here, the company continues to work to develop the sportscar further. Even more, the Italian company is interested in getting involved deeply into the world of racing, which by chance at that time was excited by the emergence of a number of advanced engineered racing cars carried out by many major and minor automotive manufacturers and privateers.
1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 Ghia Spyder aka Competizione 2000 race concept car built based of the De Tomaso Vallelunga. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37BBMpp)
That is what made the Alejandro De Tomaso owned car manufacturer want to develop a spyder-styled race car model based on its Vallelunga sportscar which was initially called the Sports 1000 and is designed to run the Ford engines of between one and two-litres under the hood. To realized its plans, the Modena-based company made contacts and signed collaborations with several well-known Italian coachbuilders at that time such as Ghia and Fantuzzi to build a racing concept car as mentioned above.
1. Ghia-bodied race concept car
The first Ghia-made racing concept car model for De Tomaso was completed in December 1965, initially called as the De Tomaso Sport 1000 Ghia Spyder (chassis 2022) and made its debut at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, and won the "The Best Car Design" award, due to it looks really good even today. This can be seen in the roadster's low, open body has the large wheel arches. Its bodywork harmony is not compromised by the bulky headlights, as is the custom of today's designers, and is placed right beside the front grille.
1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 Ghia Spyder aka Competizione 2000 has the large wheel arches not compromised by the bulky headlights, and is placed right beside the front grille. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37zktoO)
The concept car was originally powered by a 1.6 litre four cylinder Ford 120E engine or known as a tuned version of the 104 hp powerplant used in the De Tomaso Vallelunga coupled with the 4-speed manual transmission system built inside a Volkswagen's case with Colotti's gear sets. While the legs, it uses 13-inches wheels equipped with double wishbone and coil springs at all four corners, with uprights sourced from the Triumph suspension.
1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 Ghia Spyder's cockpit featured by basic flat top dash housed an array of instrumentation and a standard wood-rimmed Vallelunga steering with 2 bucket seats. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3kljH4l)
The cockpit was suitably bereft of any superfluous equipment. Two bucket seats were trimmed in black vinyl but there was no other upholstery to speak of. The basic flat top dash housed an array of instrumentation and a standard wood-rimmed Vallelunga steering wheel was employed. For marketing reasons, De Tomaso always said that the car was equipped with a Flat 8 cylinder 2-litre De Tomaso engine and changed the wheels to 15-inches size then called it as the De Tomaso Competizione 2000.
1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 Ghia Spyder aka Competizione 2000 originally powered by a 1.6 litre four cylinder Ford 120E engine, but for marketing reason later, De Tomaso said the car uses a Flat 8 cylinder 2-litre its owned engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37zktoO)
After its appearance at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, De Tomaso retained the Competizione 2000 until 2004. At this point the firm went into liquidation and chassis 2002 was sold to an Italian collector and underwent a comprehensive restoration.
2. Fantuzzi-bodied race concept car
The second model, the Fantuzzi-bodied Sport 1000/66 (chassis VL 1609) called De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder and fitted in 1966, it features one of only handful of survivors of the 15 BRM P80 engines built for shown off at the Turin Auto Show 1966 event, but unveiled two weeks earlier.
1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder was on action at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3saUFaH)
As mentioned above, the roadster is modified by the factory to use a 998cc BRM Formula 2 engine (129bhp at 9,750rpm) and ancillaries, new engine subframe, straight through exhaust, fuel tank, wider three-spoke De Tomaso Formula 3 wheels by Campagnolo, smaller diameter steering wheel and front-mounted header tank.
1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder powered by a 998cc BRM Formula 2 engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZyrzG1)
The rear bodywork was modified with flared fenders and an opening for the exhaust pipe on the tail facia. The rear deck had cut outs for the trumpets, a filler cap and heat exchanger for the electrical system.
1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder after finished a comprehensive restoration done by Motorvation, an UK's automotove workshop before attended for the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed.(Picture from: http://bit.ly/3qLe8hG)
Uniquely, even though the car is designed as a racing car, in reality it has never been used for racing in any circuits. The spyder-styled race concept car was kept at the factory until the clearance sale which took place in 2004 when it was sold to an English collector who sold it again to his compatriot collector in 2007.
1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder's rear bodywork was modified with flared fenders and an opening for the exhaust pipe on the tail facia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZyrzG1)
The FIRST De Tomaso Automobili, an Italian automotive company founded by Alejandro De Tomaso in 1959 which is famous for the exotic sportscar productions. Since operating in the early 1960s, it has been noted that many sports cars have been produced.
And some time ago we discussed several cars made by De Tomaso Automobili, ranging from the classics like De Tomaso Mangusta, Pantera and others to the newest ones like the De Tomaso P72.
1964 De Tomaso Vallelunga sports car was the first De Tomaso's road car model. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2M6J39m)
So, on this occasion we will discuss one of the company made sportscars called De Tomaso Vallelunga which later became the famous Mangusta model base. The De Tomaso Vallelunga was a mid-engined sports car model manufactured from 1964 to 1968, and also said the first road car ever produced by those Modena-based automotive company.
1964 De Tomaso Vallelunga sports car is shown as a concept car at the Turin Motor Show in 1963. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2M6J39m)
As for the sportscar's name is adopted from an Italian famous racing circuit, namely the Autodromo di Vallelunga and was built based on the roadster designed by Carrozzeria Fissore. The sportscar was first shown as a concept at the 1963 Turin Motor Show.
1964 De Tomaso Vallelunga sports car's interior. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2M6J39m)
De Tomaso Vallelunga is equipped with a 1,593 cc inline 4-cylinder Kent engine which was adopted from the Ford Cortina. The machine is capable of spewing power up to 104 hp (78 kW) at 6,200 rpm which is supported by the VW Beetle's transaxle and Hewland's gearsets.
1964 De Tomaso Vallelunga sports cara 1,593 cc inline 4-cylinder Kent engine, and capable of spewing power up to 104 hp (78 kW) at 6,200 rpm. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2M6J39m)
Furthermore, the Vallelunga is built on a pressed steel backbone chassis construction with a tubular sub-frame at the back. Its suspension system uses double wishbone and coil springs at all four corners, coupled with the front and rear anti-roll bars adopted from Triumph cars.
1964 De Tomaso Vallelunga sports car is built on a pressed steel backbone chassis construction with a tubular sub-frame at the back. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2M6J39m)
This sports car stature is considered as 'small' with curb-weighed only 726 kg (1,600 lbs). In general, the De Tomaso Vallelunga's bodywork is made of fiberglass and many drilled aluminium parts. The car is so light, made it can be driven up to a maximum speed of 112 mph or around 180 kph, while for the braking system, the Vallelunga already adopts an all-round disc type on its 4 wheels.
The Vallelunga known built as much as 50 units in the four years since the 1964, along with three aluminum prototypes and five racing cars, so in the total up to 58 units by the end of its production period in the 1968.
As previously mentioned, Vallelunga was later used as the basis for the renowned De Tomaso Mangusta sports car which was significantly re-engineered to adopt the Ford 302 engine, and then was elegantly integrated with the Giorgetto Giugiaro made bodywork. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DE TOMASO AUTOMOBILI | WIKIPEDIA ]
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Concept ONLY Not that many people know that Ford has an eSports division. Started in 2019, Team Fordzilla has more than 40 drivers spread across various European countries. Not only playing games, but this team also made a futuristic-style car named Team Fordzilla P1.
The Team Fordzilla P1 race concept car as the result of collaboration between the Ford Motor Company and the eSports gamers. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3attMc6)
The development let Ford’s eSports division partnered with Ford’s design department to create a virtual custom supercar known as the Team Fordzilla P1. Previously, they also used social media to get advice from fans about the seating position, cockpit style, and even the engine used. The concept model virtually had been debuted at the 2020 Gamescon in Germany.
The Team Fordzilla P1 race concept car is the first Ford's car to be built digitally ranging from the concept up to production without any face-to-face interaction. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3attMc6)
Since last August 2020, the Fordzilla P1 concept is still a digital display, but in January, 2021 Ford officially launched a concept version of the P1 as a real-sized model. Due to the pandemic the concept car said the first Ford's car to be built digitally ranging from the concept up to production without any face-to-face interaction and was realized in just seven weeks.
The
Team
Fordzilla P1 race concept car has very thick the GT's impression, as
You can see starting from the pull of the front fender lines, the
cockpit's slim body panel looks like it is floating supported by the
rear wheels. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3attMc6)
As we can see, the exterior of the Ferdzilla P1 racing car was done beautifully by Arturo Arino, while Robert Engelmann was responsible for creating the interior, and both are known as the Ford designers. As all of the Fordzilla P1's production is led by Ford's design department, which is headquartered in Cologne, Germany.
The Team
Fordzilla P1 race concept car has the driving position is also designed like a Formula 1 racing car in general so the racers can properly monitor various things related to the condition of the car and track and also able to receive data from the team. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3attMc6)
The racing concept car has a monocoque structure that can be relied on to appear and run like a land jet, besides that there is also a canopy that functions to protect the driver and co-driver. Then the driving position is also designed like a Formula 1 racing car in general.
The Team
Fordzilla P1 race concept car has a monocoque structure that can be relied on to appear and run like a
land jet, besides that there is also a canopy that functions to protect
the driver and co-driver. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3attMc6)
By design, there's the GT's impression is very thick, as You can see starting from the pull of the front fender lines, the cockpit's slim body panel looks like it is floating supported by the rear wheels. While in the cockpit, the driver and co-driver can properly monitor various things related to the condition of the car and track and also able to receive data from the team.
The Team
Fordzilla P1 race concept car was realized in just seven weeks and officially launched in January 2021. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3attMc6)
However, so as not to interfere with the racer's visibility, the interior design is made in such a way so that the racers can enjoy the flow of the competition properly. This concept car is designed with dimensions of length 4,731 mm, width 2,000 mm and height 895 mm. While its front tires uses a 315/30-R21 profile and a 355/25-R21 for rear one.
Unfortunately, there's no further technical details were offered. It makes sense, due to the car on display just a physical model, not a real car that can be driven.*** [FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LEISURIAN | MIKESHOUTS ]
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Banzai....! Hino Motors, Ltd., or more popularly known as Hino, it's a Japanese multinational company that produces diesel engines, trucks, and buses. The company is headquartered in Hino, Tokyo, and founded in 1942. And since 1973, the company has been transformed into one of the major manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty trucks in Japan and is part of Toyota today.
1967
Hino (BRE) Samurai never be raced at the 1967 Japanese Grand Prix,
after was disqualified and banned of the race event by the JAF due to it
did not have sufficient ground clearance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)
Although known as a truck maker, it turns out that this Japanese manufacturer had produced passenger car models in the 1960s. (See Hino's pasengger car). Besides that, in the same era it turned out that this Japanese manufacturer also ever had involved in the racing world with a race car called the Hino (BRE) Samurai.
The racing car was the result of a collaboration between the Hino Motors with the Brock Racing Enterprise (BRE) owned by Peter Brock, the famous American racing car designer. He was also known as the man who designed the legendary Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe.
Pete Brock while driving the Hino Coupe 1300cc and won the 1966 Times-Mirror race at Riverside Raceway. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)
Before Brock started his career in the Japanese auto racing with Hino
(BRE) Samurai, turn out he ever had great success while driving the Hino
Coupe 1300cc and won the 1966 Times-Mirror race at Riverside Raceway
along with another Hino's BREs finished in second.
1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai's timeless front-end still looks good today. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)
As quoted from mycarquest, this unique racing car was created by BRE with the help of the great Troutman-Barnes team. The sleek and gorgeous hand made, low drag aluminium body ensured the Samurai made the most of its rather small 1.3L GR100 4-cylinder Contessa powerplant. Nevertheless the twin Mikuni-Solex carbureted unit still belted out a healthy 110 horsepower, then an amazing figure for such a small engine.
The power was handled through a bespoke 5-speed manual transmission. As a result of BRE’s clever engineering and packaging, the finished car only weighed a lively 530 kg (1170 lbs). Considering these figures, the car looked to be a worthy competitor in the JAF 1300 class.
1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai race car initially used a 1,300 cc 4-cylinder Hino Contessa engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)
1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai pictured on the November 1967 cover of Road&Track magazine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)
Initially, Brock had a vision to enter this car in the 1967 Japanese Grand Prix and even aspired brought it to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Unfortunately, the Japan Automobile Federetion (JAF) as the race organizers later disqualified the car due to it did not have sufficient ground clearance. Despite the failed venture, BRE’s lovechild got its fair share of attention not long after being denied its racing career, by featured on the November 1967 cover of Road & Track magazine.
The project was eventually disbanded then Pete Brock contracted by Toyota to developed a mid-engined 2L Toyota's prototype, and soon the Nissan Fairlady Z also got his hand touche. The Hino Samurai race car was later known to be bought by Terry Hall and brought it to America to race in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing event. At the American sports car club racing championship, the Samurai raced in Class C Sports Racing, but unfamiliarity with its mechanicals lead to setup issues and poor reliability.
After that Hall sold the Samurai to former Porsche class competitor Ron Bianchi.At this time, the side windows of the car had also been removed, and the nosecone suffered minor damage from the impact. Bianchi also faced the same problem as the previous owner, due to ignorance of the Samurai's engine ins and outs.
1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai built with a tubular frame to support a highly aerodynamic aluminum body. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZizsPG)
Many mechanics come and go to handle this race car but the results were none, and always has the mechanical mishaps happened to it. Finally, Bianchi consider forming his own team whose members consisted of those who had reliable expertise. The team members are John Hamilton known as a former Mercedes-Benz motorsport development engineer, Paul Albertson who had been part of Cosworth's race engine department, Paul White known as tire specialist.
Together with the team members then Ron Bianchi tried to give a new breath to the Hino Samurai, but it was not easy. In one race the brakes failed, then the next time out an oil line sprung a leak, killing the engine, then a new throttle cable snagged, over-revving the engine and grenading it yet again. Problems keep coming, as if this racing car remains wild and difficult to understand.
The 530kg-weighted Hino (BRE) Samurai race car mounts its 110 hp engine in the mid-rear position. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rTO5oH)
Finally with the help of a friend specialized in cam construction finally solved the engine issues, then Paul Albertson was finally able to safely extract the desired power. With the engine sorted, and John Hamilton having resolved the braking problems.
1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai's movable ring airfoil predated Ferrari's F40 by over 20 years. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3blIkK7)
While for the car's handling problems, Bianchi then contacted Red LeGrande, who was known to be involved in the chassis fabrication process of the Samurai commissioned of Peter Brock. Then he discussing with Red to solved matters, and decided to completely remodel the rear suspension. After that Paul White adjusted the tire compounds and pressures accordingly.
After all the team members have managed to solve their respective problems, the Samurai began to record reliable times in competitive times. On another occasion, the race car comfortably won its class. Over the next four years, the Samurai never be finished lower than fifth.
1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai race car waiting in the paddock, waiting to win another race. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)
And when Ron Bianchi decided to retire from racing, Samurai managed to give him and the team about 25 winning trophies, 12 awards for second place and 2 trophies of the club racing championship. After that the Hino (BRE) Samurai idled in the garage, at that time Bianchi started receiving calls from its creator. Peter Brock had learned of Ron's ownership of the Samurai, and wanted to buy it back. In several discussions, they finally agreed on the price of the car.
However, Brock didn't hold onto the car for long, because he later sold it to Satoshi Ezawa, a wealthy Japanese collector. As if it wasn't enough to have Hino (BRE) Samurai physically, the last owner of the Hino Samurai having learned of Bianchi's adventures with the Samurai, he wanted to
know in minute detail just how Ron has turned the aborted project into a
proven race winner. His curiosity even led him to visit Ron Bianchi in person. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BRE | MYCARREQUEST | DRIVETRIBE ]
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Let's WAIT! A year ago, the Sony Vision-S electric-powered car was the star at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 in Las Vegas, United States. And recently, Sony back on stage at the same event this year and at the same time surprised the public through the news of its concept car was already road tested in Austria. But unfortunately the car cannot be bought by anyone, not even by the millionaires or the crazy rich person.
Sony Vision-S electric-powered vehicle prototype on display at the CES 2020 held in Las Vegas. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3qiUxVT)
No wonder many people thought and suspected that the Sony's car will be
mass produced. Because several similar technology companies such as
Apple and Microsoft are also heading towards the autonomous vehicle
trend.
As quoted from Car and Driver, on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, in fact that the Vision-S car is Sony's way of establishing itself is part of thevautonomous driving era or it could be said as well the Sony Vision-S Concept was designed to see and test the performance of their technology.
Sony Vision-S electric-powered vehicle prototype while on public road testing in Austria. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rR1uxN)
Through a spokesperson, Sony said that it would not mass produce the Vision-S. "At this time, we have no plans to mass produce or sell vehicles," said a Sony spokesman who was not identified.
"Our strength is in imaging and sensors, we aim to contribute to safety and reliability in autonomous driving, while providing great experiences that take advantage of entertainment in the mobility space," he added.
To support self-driving technology, Sony currently uses 40 points, and four of which are lidar. The number of sensors will directly increase the ability of 360-degree technology awareness. Currently the Vision-S already has a level 2 self-driving system, but soon Sony will upgrade it to level 4.
Sony Vision-S electric-powered vehicle prototype while on public road testing in Austria. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3phtnxt)
For your information, the Sony Vision-S was built in collaboration with a German manufacturer, Magna Steyr. The same company had ever produced the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4. Besides that Sony also collaborates with other well-known brands in the electronics world such as Bosch, Continental, Nvidia and Qualcomm.
To support the Sony Vision-S as a purely electric-powered four-wheeled vehicle weighing of 2,350 kg, the propulsion comes from a pair of 200 kW electric motors, for a total of 400 kW (536 hp). The power is capable of accelerating the car from still to 100 kph in just 4.8 seconds, and a top speed of up to 240 kph. Not bad at all.
In order to dampen all the shocks caused by road conditions as well as the driving comfort factor, the Sony Vision-S uses the air suspension at the front and double-wishbone at the rear. The electric-powered car is equipped with four tires with the profiles of 245/40 and 275/35, which are attached to the 21-inch rims, while for the braking system entrusted to the Brembo's. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARANDDRIVER | 3NIONS ]
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WeirdONES In the automotive world, there are times when an attempt to modify a motor vehicle is made to attract public attention. There're countless numbers of motorized vehicles have been modified for these such purposes. Usually the changes does on these vehicles only to make their looks to be unusual. Having fun and goes viral with unusual shaped car.
The 'El Cadillette,' an unusual six-wheeled vehicle as a combination an El Camino, the Cadillac and a 1959 Corvette built by HBomb Customs & Classics. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)
Now on this occasion we will present one of the vehicles that has been modified in such a way that it turns into a unique six-wheeled vehicle that carries the classic style of at least three the world's automotive big names.
As quoted of Stuff, there's the best vehicle restoration/customization workshop in New Zealand named HBomb Customs & Classics which is located near Temuka got one of the most complicated projects had ever worked over its 10 years in the automotive world business.
The car restorer Hadleigh Oudemans (left) of HBomb Customs with Frank Spencer and Brendan Anisy show off the extreme length of El Cadillette. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3qlttWi)
(Sorry, if it's like a fairy tale). In the 2019, the Temuka-based workshop crews, Hadleigh Oudemans and four others got the task from David Blackmore, an expat living on the Gold Coast to customizing his classic four-wheeled vehicle that started life as a hard top Cadillac with four-doors of the 1959.
From this 1959 hardtop four-doors Cadillac is where it all started. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)
As quoted of Hemmings, initially the car owner wanted his car to be customized like the beautiful classic car image drawn by Raymond Picasso for him. But on the way, he changed his mind and wanted to make his car appearance more unique by increasing the number of wheels from four to six.
The car's early designs were drawn by Raymond Picasso specially for the car owner, before the tandem on the rears were decided on. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)
Well, long times before a 6.2 metre-long "orange-colored beast" came to see the sun. In the 2018, it arrived partly completed from Wellington in a container. The car modifier got the job done before Christmas 2020 and named El Cadillette as a combination an El Camino, the Cadillac and a 1959 Corvette. There are event bonnet rockets from a 1957 Chev Bel Air and a "rumble seat" set up behind the cockpit style cabin.
El Cadillette in its original four-wheeled design was made of 1959 Cadi flat-top sedan, and powered by a 500 cubic inch V8 Cadillac engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3tYuGoK)
One of the more difficult aspects has been the "lazy axle" set up required for the twin rear wheels which make it a six wheeled vehicle that similar in vein to the FAB 1, the famous pink six-wheeled car of the 1960s' British science-fiction puppet television series Thunderbirds.
El Cadillette's front grille made and taken from two 1959 Corvettes. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)
Over the course of the project, Oudemans and his team have also made changes to the wheel arches and still have to include a specially-built grille put together from two grilles taken from '59 Corvettes, paint the exterior with the "Lamborghini Orange" color and customise the interior with special crocodile genuine leather in white and orange.
El Cadillette's interior furnished with fully custom carbon fiber dash and layered by special crocodile genuine leather in white and orange on the seats. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)
More uniquely, the six-wheeled car also has clear glass on the roof to fullfill the car owner requested. And the car modifier said that he spent a considerable amount of time sourcing and chasing Cadillac parts suitable for the project. This six-wheeled car is powered by a 500 cubic inch V8 Cadillac engine.
The car restorer Hadleigh Oudemans of HBomb Customs says El Cadillette is the most difficult project he has taken on. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/378LkrW)
Furthermore, Oudemans said the project could eventually cost between $200,000 and $300,000 with another feature being the installation of a television in the middle of the spare wheel cover so the owner can "park up" and watch 50s' music videos. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HBOMB CUSTOMS & CLASSIC | STUFF | HEMMINGS | SIXMANIA ]
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