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Showing posts with label Automotives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Automotives. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

When the Ares Design chopped the roof of the S1 hypercar

Wild ONES Recently, the business of the Italian coachbuilder company Ares Design has really stood out, this can be seen after previously through its S1 Project, Ares Design launched its newest stunning S1 coupe-styled  hypercar at the Privé Salon event at Blenheim Palace in England in September 2020. 
The Ares Design chopped the roof of the S1 hypercar and changed it into the gorgeous S1 Spyder. (Picture from Robbreport)
Then 1 month after the event, to be precise in October 2020, the Modena-based coachbuilder again announced the S1 figure in a roofless style called the Ares Design S1 Spyder. Yes, like its sibling, this spyder model still uses the center-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine from the Corvette C8.
The Ares Design S1 Spyder looks like a modern take on one of the race cars you see in sepia-colored photos of old grand prix races. (Picture from Robbreport)
As before, Ares Design has managed to offer some amazing creations based on some of the best sports cars today. For example, the Ares Panther ProgettoUno as a modern version of De Tomaso Pantera which uses the Lamborghini Huracan as its base, so for the Ares's current S1 Project, the resulted cars based on the Chevrolet Corvette C8.
Due to have no roof, the automaker then included two wind deflectors, which act as virtual canopies of Ares Design S1 Spyder to direct the airflow over the car. (Picture from Robbreport)
But unlike its donor car which is only capable of producing 495 hp, the Italian coachbuilder company has modified the V8 engine so that it can produce 715 hp which is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission system.

As we all know, that the S1 Project Spyder not only produces more power than the Vette, but also has a higher engine speed. Now the V8 engine is capable of reaching 8,800 rpm, and this makes this supercar capable of accelerating from rest to 100 kph in just 2.7 seconds. Even more amazing, Ares Design made this increase in power without using a supercharger device.
Due to the Ares Design S1 Spyder have no roof also allow’s the car’s flowing carbon-fiber body to blend seamlessly into its luxe, Napa leather and Alcantra-covered interior.. (Picture from Modifikasi)
Due to have no roof, the automaker then included two wind deflectors, which act as virtual canopies to direct the airflow over the car. The Corvette's interior already feels top-notch, but Ares makes the cabin even more unique.
Similar to its coupe sibling, the Ares Design S1 Spyder built based on the Chevrolet Corvette C8, and is pinned an upgraded C8 engine so it able spew power of 715 hp. (Picture from Modifikasi)
Ares co-founder Dany Bahar said: “We are always planning a Spyder version of Project S1, and ever since we revealed the car last month the reactions have been fantastic, so we are excited to release the details of S1 Project Spyder. We wanted to make a model that is a true tribute to the pleasure of riding in sport. This new version of the barchetta adds to the design charm of the S1 Project, as it takes additional inspiration from the motorsport world and race cars of the past."
Like its sibling, the S1 coupé, the automaker will only produce as much 24 units the roofless version of the hypercar, starting in 2021 at its factory in Modena, Italy. At the moment Ares Design has yet to release the price of this super-spyder, and it will likely be more expensive than the coupe, which sells for around US $ 650,000. Let's just wait when the S1 super-spyder comes to the world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ARES DESIGN | ROBBREPORT ]
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Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Abarth 1000 SP racer reborn under Alfa's 240 hp engine

Modern CREATIONS In today's automotive world, it is commonplace for an automative brand to launch a new car model in honor of its old production model which proved to be successful in a racing event in its time. 
The New Abarth 1000 SP (Sport Prototipo), a retro-styled two-seat concept was designed with emphasis on lightness; takes its engine from Alfa Romeo 4C as the homage to its 1966 Abarth 1000 SP race car. (Picture from: Autocar)
This was also done by Stellantis NV. (Stellantis) through its subsidiary Abarth launched a retro-styled two-seat concept was designed with emphasis on lightness; takes its engine from Alfa Romeo 4C. As we found on the status of Adiljal on the Twitter, this beautiful concept car seem like fitted to this context.
Front three quarter view of the New Abarth 1000 SP (Sport Prototipo) on the right and its inspiration sourced, the 1966 Abarth 1000 SP race car. (Picture from: Autocar)
Through this car, it said that the Abarth engineers have intended to produce a modern reinterpretation of the 1960s Abarth 1000 SP race car designed by Mario Colucci. The New Abarth 1000 SP (Sport Prototipo) is a one-off homage to the car that made its debut 55 years ago and won the Nürburgring 500km in 1966. It was initially designed to compete in both endurance races and hillclimbs and enjoyed success as in various motorsport disciplines.
Right side view of the New Abarth 1000 SP (Sport Prototipo) on the left and its inspiration source, the 1966 Abarth 1000 SP race car. (Picture from: Autocar)
The retro-styled concept takes the form of a mid-sized sports car and is larger than the original, but it features several nods to the original design. Lightness, agility and aerodynamic efficiency were key to the design,

The concept is constructed around a carbonfibre and aluminium chassis, featuring overlapping triangle suspension with MacPherson struts in the rear, and is powered by the same 240bhp turbocharged 1.7-litre four-cylinder engine that featured in the Alfa Romeo 4C roadster.
Rear view of the New Abarth 1000 SP (Sport Prototipo) on the right and its inspiration source, the 1966 Abarth 1000 SP race car. (Picture from: Autocar)
“The Abarth 1000 SP echoes the lines and aesthetic characteristics of its forerunner,” said the car maker. “The sinuous body, with the soft surfaces of the fenders highlighting the position of the wheels, takes up the pattern of the spider with a central engine.
“The cockpit glazing features shaped side deflectors, with their profile lowered towards the roll bar, the latter strictly 'in view' to highlight our being in the presence of a no-holds-barred spider.”

It’s not known if the 1000 SP will be seen on a race track any time soon, but the car maker said it will appear at some undisclosed events focusing on vintage cars in the autumn. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOCAR | AUTODESIGNMAGAZINE ]
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Monday, May 24, 2021

Look how gorgeous the Panoz Esperante is

Elegante... While surfing in cyberspace, we stumbled across a beautiful roofless car which then made us realize for awhile that there are a lot of exotic cars born from various auto-brands, ranging from well-known to those we may have never heard of before. And the spyder-style car has looks as beatiful as the name.
Panoz Esperante Spyder 25th Anniversary Edition to celebrate the company's racing heritage and other sports cars of the last 25 years in early 2014. (Picture from: TopSpeed)
Well, that car is the Panoz Esperante Spyder. Panoz? New brand? Maybe those questions are arose when you see that name for the first time. Yes, Panoz or Panoz Auto Development is an American custom sports car manufacturer is founded in 1989 and owned by Dan Panoz. It seems that we have written about one of the supercars made by Panoz, the 2011 Panoz Abruzzi 'Spirit of Le Mans'.

Back to the Panoz beautiful car mentioned above. The American automotive brand officially launched this beautiful spyder-style car, when celebrating their 25th Anniversary in early 2014. And the Esperante Spyder limited edition car reportedly only made 25 units according to the company's number of age at that time.
Panoz Esperante Spyder 25th Anniversary Edition is powered by V8 5,0 liter engine with the power of 430 hp. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)
The spyder-style car is made of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum, and powered by a V8 5,0 liter engine. The engine can generate power of 430 hp and combined with a six-speed manual transmission to drive the rear-wheels, so it could be made the car speeding. 
Panoz Esperante Spyder 25th Anniversary Edition's cabin also provided all the information and entertainment needed by the car's driver and passengers through the 10.6 inches-size large digital screen (including the iPad Mini slot). (Picture from: TopSpeed)
In addition, the car buyers also can be ordered their chosen rides with a 5.4 liter V8 supercharged engine has an output of 575 hp. Then there is the Spyder GT version with a carbon fiber body and powered by a 5.4 liter V8 engine capable of producing a power output of 800 hp.

By using those engine powers, the standard-version can accelerate from rest to 100 kph in just about 3.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 276.81 kph. By the speed numbers thats means it can reach a distance of a quarter mile in 12.5 seconds at a speed of 180.25 kph. Not bad..
Panoz Esperante Spyder GT 25th Anniversary Edition is featured with a carbon fiber body and powered by a 5.4 liter V8 engine capable of producing a power output of 800 hp. (Picture from: RobReports)
Meanwhile, from the interior side, this Panoz car model has undergone significant changes in terms of design. Now the interior looks more luxurious, this can be seen with the use of the Nappa leather to cover all parts of the car cabin.
Besides that, the car owner is also given the option of being able to add their own elements of other materials such metal and wood. Then the cabin also provided all the information and entertainment needed by the car's driver and passengers through the 10.6 inches-size large digital screen (including the iPad Mini slot).

When it was first launched, there were 2 variants available, and is priced at $179,120 each for the Panoz Esperante Syper's 25th Anniversary Edition and around $204,750 for the Esperante Spyder GT's 25th Anniversary Edition. Does anyone know the current price? If you knows, let us know by the comments column below. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOBLOG | MOTORAUTHORITY | TOPSPEED ]
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Sunday, May 23, 2021

The legendary Porsche 550 Spyder 'Little Bastard' of James Dean

Legendary ONES Talking about mystical and haunted things, usually it will be directly related to buildings, but in fact other inanimate objects such as cars that have not been used for a long time are also often considered to have a strange and mystical aura that is sometimes incomprehensible rationally. Regardless of whether this is true or not, some of the stories are still interesting to read and listen. Even more so if there is another conspiracy behind it.
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder 'Little Bastard' once owned by James Dean. (Picture from: Hagerty)
One of the cars that is often reported by the media because it is said to be haunted is the Porsche 550 Spyder was once owned by James Dean, a legendary handsome actor of the 1950s. The German-made fast car is powered by a 4-cylinder 1,498 cc engine was once often used by the actor for speeding on the road.
James Dean passed away after his 'Little Bastard' is involved in a catastrophic collision on the way to a race meeting in September 30, 1955. (Picture from: Hagerty)
Fyi, the type of the James Dean owned car was one of the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder Limited Editions with the VIN 550-0055, which given the Porsche's '50s typical race livery and No.130. And James Dean is not the only famous person who has owned a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, it turns out that there are several other famous figures such as Claude Picasso, the son of the famous painter Pablo Picasso, who also owned the German-made sportscar.

The Porsche 550 Spyder nicknamed the 'Little Bastard' was given to Bill Hickman, one of James Dean's colleagues not for the private vehicle, but for the purposes of making a film. Reportedly also the name pinned to the body of the car, the 'Little Bastard' is James Dean's nickname which is said to have been given by the Warner Bros boss while felt annoyed with the actor.
Possibly the last picture of James Dean before the fatal crash of the Porsche 550 Spyder 'Little Bastard'. (Picture from: DriveTribe)
Furthermore, the strange aura of the car had actually been seen by some of James Dean's colleagues. As quoted from DriveTribe, once a time, James Dean was driving in this car around Los Angeles while on the way, he met Alec Guinness and then showed his brand-new car to the British actor. Alec felt and noticed a strange aura emanating from "Little Bastard," as he described in his diary as it's looked sinister, exhausted, hungry, and irritable.
James Dean behind the wheels of the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder 'Little Bastard' and Rolf Wütherich on their way to Salinas. (Picture from: Hagerty)
"Please never get in it... if you get in that car you will be found dead in it by this time next week," Alec tried to warn Dean about the "strange aura" of the car. But James Dean laughed it off and set about preparing the car for the Salinas sports car races with his Porsche mechanic Rolf Wütherich and Bill Hickman. And sure enough, James Dean died seven days later, on September 30, 1955 in a fatal accident, when he was driving the car with Rolf Wütherich, his mechanic toward to the mentioned weekend race event.

At that time, the car driven by Dean running at a high speed of about 85 mph (137 kph) is collided with a Ford Tudor sedan driven by Donald Turdnupseed at an intersection of Route 46 in Cholame, California. James Dean died on the spot, and his car was destroyed. As reported from the History page, besides Dean, there were two other people who were also involved in the accident, namely the Ford sedan driver named Donald Turdnupseed who was in severe shock, and also mechanic Rolf Wütherich who suffered serious injuries all over his body.
The Porsche 550 Spyder "Little Bastard" after the impact in September 30, 1955. (Picture from: DriveTribe)
Not only that, the mechanic Rolf Wütherich was also haunted by guilt for years and attempted suicide twice during the 1960s. Until finally, in 1967 he began to lose consciousness and stabbed his wife 14 times with a kitchen knife. Due to mental instability, Wütherich was sent to a mental hospital instead of prison. And finally in 1981, the mechanic died drunk while driving.
After the death of the stylish young actor, it turned out that his "Little Bastard" also killed and injured many other people. (Picture from: Hagerty)
But the story doesn't end here. After the death of the stylish young actor who skyrocketed through the film "Rebel With a Cause", it turned out that his "Little Bastard" also killed and injured many other people. After the deadly accident, the carcass was taken to the junk yard, but when it was about to be unloaded from the trailer, the car wrecked slid uncontrollably and broke the leg of one of the mechanics. Since then, many strange things have happened to the car, such as moving on its own without anyone moving or controlling it. Some people said that the 'curse of Little Bastard' gained strength over the time.
The Porsche 550 Spyder 'Little Bastard' carcass after the deadly accident and left its haunting story never be revealed. (Picture from: Hagerty)
As happened to Dr. William Eschrid when he bought the 'Little Bastard' components from the junk yard such as the engine and others which were later used in his Lotus IX race car and his fellow doctor Troy McHenry's race car, and raced each other on the track at the 1956 Pomona sports-car races. What happened then? After a few laps, McHenry lost control of his car and crashed into a tree; and kill him instantly. Meanwhile, Eschrid had a sudden wheel lock, his car rolled several times, lucky to him not died, but was badly injured.
Turn out, the popularity of the "Little Bastard" attracted interest of the publicity monger and self-proclaimed 'King of Kustoms' George Barris to buy the carcass out of the junk yard for $2,500, promising to rebuild it. But when he found that the mangled frame could not be beyond recovery, Barris chose to capitalise on the car’s notoriety. Then the carcass of the Porsche 550 Spyder was loaned to the Los Angeles chapter of the National Safety Council ranging from 1957 to 1959, it went on a gruesome tour of car shows, cinemas and bowling alleys to campaign for safety driving.

While being stored in Fresno in March 1959, the car mysteriously caught on fire. The vehicle was slightly damaged, only two tires melted and some of the paint was scorched and luckily the fire did not spread to other vehicles in the warehouse. Then there is another unconfirmed horrible story about the 'Little Bastard' when it was exhibited at a local high school in Sacramento, which suddenly fell of its display then befall a student and broke the hip.
Meanwhile, Barris had sold a pair of tyres from the 550 and both reportedly blew at the same time, causing the new owner to career off the road. The 550 Spyder also reportedly fell on and killed George Barkus, the driver who transported it to a road-safety expo.

Finally, the Porsche is rumoured to have disappeared from a sealed boxcar in 1960 while en route from Miami to Los Angeles. Some believe that Barris, ever the showman, fabricated that story as a way of keeping the car’s mystique alive and left the haunting story of the 'Little Bastard' never be revealed. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HAGERTY | ]
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Saturday, May 22, 2021

Ares Design S1 as limited-run NA V8 engined hypercar

Wild ONES An Italian coachbuilder company called Ares Design which was founded and run by the former Lotus boss Dany Bahar together with his Dubai-based business partner, Waleed Al Ghafari. To support its business activities, in 2018 the company built a 23,000 sqm design and engineering facility in Modena, Italy.
Ares Design S1 is a new road legal hypercar powered by a naturally aspirated V8 engine capable puts out 705 bhp of power and is claimed to spin up to the 8,800rpm redline for "its fiercest roar". (Picture from: Autoevolution)
From this company, it has been noted that so many exotic car models have been produced, and here are several exotic car models made by Ares Design (had ever discussed and published in Trussty) as follow; the Ares Rolls Royce Wraith in 2015 then the C2 Corvette StingRay, Wami Lalique Spyder in 2018, and the Panther ProgettoUno in 2019.

And the Modena-based company again showcased its work in the form of a new road legal hypercar powered by a naturally aspirated engine named Ares Design S1 at the Privé Salon event at Blenheim Palace in the UK in September 2020. The car on display at the event was a full-size model and reportedly, will be produced in limited only 24 units in 2021.
Ares Design S1 hypercar body was shaped by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for “maximum downforce and minimum aerodynamic resistance” and is created from “hand-crafted” carbonfibre panels. (Picture from: Autoevolution)
The S1 project is claimed to have been built in simple terms: "A car consisting of a hypercar design, supercar performance and a sports car price tag". While no pricing has been announced yet, it would  suggest that the S1 Project will be more affordable than the usual crop of low-volume, bespoke hypercars.

The body is shaped by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for "maximum downforce and minimum aerodynamic resistance" and is constructed from "handcrafted" carbon fiber panels. Uniquely the mid-engined hypercar exhausts are protruded out of the bonnet, as in the Porsche 918 Spyder.
The all-new Ares Design S1 hypercar is powered by a naturally aspirated V8 engine borrowed from the Corvette C8. The unit puts out 705 bhp of power and is claimed to spin up to the 8,800rpm redline for "its fiercest roar". The C8's drivetrain is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and has a specific ECU tune and bespoke exhaust system.

With its aerodynamic and lightweight body, this road legal hypercar can accelerate from rest to 100 kph in just 2.7 seconds. Unfortunately no weight figures are given for this hypercar. We do know,  however, that it features double-wishbone suspension, forged aluminium axles and adaptive ride control for a “potent yet uncomplicated drive”.
Ares Design S1 hypercar cabin design looks quite beautiful and luxurious with a touch of hand-stitched leather and Alcantara, plus high-tech user interfaces and a separate touchscreen for the passenger. (Picture from: TopSpeed)
As for the interior, although it can only be seen from the rendering image that shows the car cabin design seem similar with the Corvette-owned, and even looks more beautiful and quite luxurious with a touch of hand-stitched leather and Alcantara, plus high-tech user interfaces and a separate touchscreen for the passenger.
Supercar Blondie, a well-known automotive vlogger become the first buyer of the Ares Design S1. (Picture from: Autoevolution)
Due to it uses several parts from the Corvette, the S1 car's owner can also do service at a Chevrolet dealer. Ares Design has also confirmed that every S1 unit that will be produced will be a truly special car. So that each customer will be involved in the making process of the car for 10 months.
Ares Design S1 mid-engined hypercar has the unique exhausts are protruded out of the bonnet. (Picture from: Hotcars)
As quoted of Autoevolution, Supercar Blondie, a well-known automotive vlogger become the first buyer of the Ares Design S1 and said that she paid around US $ 650,000 or roughly Rp. 9.5 billion for an S1. Even though previously the hypercar price is predicted to be more than US $ 1million or approx Rp. 15 billion. How lucky she is.
Furthermore, the world's most famous female automotive vlogger said that the Ares Design S1 is her dream car because it combines the look and performance of a hypercar with the practicality of driving. Even according to her, the S1 belong to her will be shipped early next year and to be the first unit sent by Ares Design to the customers.

And she also promised to upload a video of the results of her visit to Modena for see the making process of her S1 hypercar, including also asking for advice from netizens about suitable colors for the exterior and interior of her new car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ARES DESIGN | AUTOCAR | AUTOEVOLUTION | TOPSPEED | HOTCARS ]
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Friday, May 21, 2021

MG Cyberster, an electric-powered supercar concept of England

Still from the UK, this time related to a British car brand, MG, which again made an innovation by introducing a concept car called MG Cyberster Concept at the Shanghai Auto Show 2021. And reportedly, this roadster concept car is currently in the negotiation, so could be continued to the next stage which makes it a production car version.
MG Cyberster Concept is described as an electric-powered concept car equipped with a cool design and advanced technology typical of British fast cars. (Picture from: Carscoops)
As reported by Carscoops which revealed that the MG Cyberster has been prepared in the futuristic model, and will immediately go to the production line after receiving approval and agreement if it meets its crowdfunding objectives.
MG Cyberster Concept is debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show 2021 and said soon will be entered the production line after receiving approval and agreement if it meets its crowdfunding objectives. (Picture from: Carscoops)
In a post of Weibo social media site, the high-tech carmaker has revealed the project will officially be approved soon, so preparations for production are under way. The latest MG in the future will be a "dream sports car" and adhere to the principle of "high restoration, final creation, and speed like a supercar".
MG Cyberster Concept is equipped with a digital instrument cluster and a cruiser-style steering wheel and a minimalist infotainment system. (Picture from: Carscoops)
But so far MG has not disclosed the model details and when the production version will be introduced to the public. But the MG Cyberster concept such in the scattered portrait on the public showing the appearance of a very stylish designed two-seater roadster featuring with a modern hood and Magic Eye headlights that open when activated.
MG Cyberster Concept has the large diffuser and the 'big-arrow' motif LED taillights, as well as the MG logo complete with LEDs, further illustrate the super luxurious impression of the MG Cyberster. (Picture from: Carscoops)
Other highlights include a simpler windshield, aerodynamic side skirts, and LED "laser belts" that cut through the fenders to the front door. The sturdy design reinforces the tough feeling seen from the firm lines on the body.
Meanwhile, the large diffuser and the 'big-arrow' motif LED taillights, as well as the MG logo complete with LEDs, further illustrate the super luxurious impression of the MG Cyberster. In addition, the cabin is also equipped with a digital instrument cluster and a cruiser-style steering wheel and a minimalist infotainment system.
Although the British brand has not released its detailed specifications. However, the mentioned concept car is an electric-powered vehicle featured with a large battery pack so it is said can be coverage a distance of 800 km, and also can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in less than three seconds. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GTSPIRIT | CARSCOOPS ]
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Thursday, May 20, 2021

This was an American muscle car you've heard less

Rare ONES Hearing the word American car, our imagination will immediately drift to the 'mischief' of a muscle car which has indeed become the hallmark of American cars. And a muscle car is an American-style sports car that has a distinctive power and design. Maybe we are familiar with the rows of American muscle cars produced by Ford, GM and Chrysler, so maybe we rarely know that there's the American Motors (AMC) had also produced the similar muscle cars named the AMC AMX.
The AMC AMX was the true sports car and the real high-performance edition, although it has not fared very well in the market. (Picture from: OldCarsWeekly)
The AMX's starting point came when American Motors hired Dick Teague as assistant design director in 1959. Three years later he became vice president of Automotive Styling and since then a new era has begun at the company. At the time Teague's job is to transform American Motors from being a small economy car builder to more broad-scale one, so that it could compete with the Detroit's Big Three (Ford, GM, and Chrysler).

By the way the decision taken by AMC, it turns out that many parties, especially historians, regretted that could be happened by saying that the company should keep building only small cars, or at least small and medium-sized cars, and avoid direct collisions by making larger models, because Ford, GM and Chrysler are considered to be more experienced and owned that market segment, so it's become very difficult for the AMC to rival them in that time.
1966 AMC AMX Prototype is a full-sized model of a two-seat sports car concept that features AMC's "Ramble Seat" for two additional passengers at rear is designed by American Motors Corporation (AMC) and known as the first "AMX" (American Motors Experimental) named car. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
But what can I say, AMC has already decided to participate in enlivening this market segment thus by full of confidently the company launched and produced the AMC AMX ranging from 1968 to 1970. The car is a two-seater GT muscle car model and also known as one of the two American two-seater sports cars, and making it in a direct competition with the Chevrolet Corvette, which has a wheelbase of one inch (2.5 cm) longer, but for substantially less price.
The AMC AMX is fitted with the optional high-compression medium block 390 cu in (6.4 L) AMC V8 engine. (Picture from: OldCarsWeekly)
The AMX name originates from the "American Motors experimental" code used on a concept vehicle and then on two prototypes shown on the company's "Project IV" automobile show tour in 1966. One was a fiberglass two-seat "AMX", and the other was a four-seat "AMX II". Both of these radically styled offerings reflected the company's strategy to shed its "economy car" image and appeal to a more youthful, performance-oriented market.

The AMC's muscle car is fitted with the optional high-compression medium block 390 cu in (6.4 L) AMC V8 engine, it could be said that the AMX offered top-notch performance at an affordable price. Then what about the performance? As Eric Dahlquist wrote up the 1970 AMX in the December 1969 edition of Motor Trend and summed it up as 'one of the better constructed cars around.'
The AMC AMX also known as one of the two American two-seater sports cars, and making it in a direct competition with the Chevrolet Corvette. (Picture from: OldCarsWeekly)
The test car had the optional 390-cid V-8 that produced 325 hp at 5,000 rpm and 420 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. It drove through the Borg-Warner four-speed gearbox to a 3.54:1 rear axle. Zero-to-60 mph took 6.56 seconds and Dahlquist did the standing-start quarter-mile in 14.68 seconds at 92 mph. Top speed in fourth gear was recorded as 109 mph.
The AMC AMX had a production run of 4,116 units, which made it the rarest of the three two-seat editions during 1968 to 1970. (Picture from: OldCarsWeekly)
In spite of this value and enthusiastic initial reception by automotive media and enthusiasts, sales never thrived. However, the automaker's larger objectives to refocus AMC's image on performance and to bring younger customers into its dealer showrooms were achieved.
After three years in the production line with 4,116 units ever produced, the two-seat version was discontinued in 1970, and the AMX's signature badging was transferred to a high-performance version of its four-seat sibling named the Javelin is produced ranging from the 1971 to 1974. Although the AMX nameplate was to be used again on Javelin- and Hornet-based models, the two-seater AMX was the true sports car and the real high-performance edition, although it has not fared very well in the market. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HEACOCKCLASSIC | OLDCARSWEEKLY | WIKIPEDIA ]
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