The Porsche' prototype You've never heard before

The Rarest One Some time ago we discussed about the unique Porsche 914 model that appeared in the 1970s in 2 versions as follows Porsche 914/4 and Porsche 914/6. And one of the models derived from the Porsche 914/6 version which also has been made the prototype and known no less unique.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype built in 1970 by Carrozzeria Eurostyle under commissioned of Albretch von Goertz. (Picture from: De L'essence)

And the Porsche prototype in question is the Porsche 914 Goertz which was specially made in 1970 under commisioned of Albrecht von Goertz a German noble whose full name is Count Albrecht Graf von Schlitz genannt von Goertz von Wrisberg who is known as an industrial designer who started his career as a bank clerk in Germany but as Adolf Hitler rose to power pre-war, Goertz decided to move to London, remaining only briefly and in 1936 emigrated to the United States then settled in Los Angeles.

The Paragon Coupe Concept is designed by Albrecht von Goertz and built in 1939 based on a Ford Mercury. (Picture from: De L'essence)

In that time to earn a living, Goertz worked at a car wash, in a factory for aircraft engines, and at a flight service. In 1938, he rented a small garage and began to modify Ford Model A and B models. In there's also where he later built his first concept car called the Paragon Coupe (based on the Ford Mercury) is first exhibited at the New York's World Exhibition back in 1939.

The Porsche 914 Goertz's body appeared with a tapered nose and a roofline that extended straight back, ending with sloping sail panels that gave the car the appearance of a shooting-brake. (Picture from: De L'essence)

Then during the 2nd World War he closed the business and joined the US Army in 1940 and served in military services for 5 years. Shortly after war ended, Goetz met with Raymond Loewy, an American famous industrial designer whose realized Goetz's potential in the design field after seeing the Paragon Coupe design, offered a design training scholarship then asked him to join the Loewy's design studio. Albretch von Goertz accepts but not for long, he decided to leave because prefers to be independent.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype seen here remains the one and only example of the ‘914 Breadvan’ ever produced. (Picture from: Carsthatnevermadeitetc)

In 1952, Albretch von Goertz established his own studio named Goertz Industrial Design Inc. in New York. Turn out, his talent as a designer is not limited to the automotive industry alone, as he also designed pen products for several world firms, designing clocks, watches, bicycles, kitchen appliances, refrigerators, cameras, fountain pens, sportswear, furniture, etc.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype is powered by a F6 engine with a capacity of 1,991 cc, and capable producing power of 110 hp (82 kw). (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

As in the world's automotive, he is also known as the person who designed cars for BMW, including BMW 503 and BMW 507 in the first half of the 1950s. Even, he was also known as an early contributor to the design of the legendary Toyota 2000GT and the first generation Nissan Silvia.

And for Porsche, he claimed to have submitted a design proposal in the 1960s. When the German manufacturer was thinking about the Porsche 356 successor, Goertz submitted a design proposal, but was rejected. As we all knew, the Porsche 901 or then called Porsche 911 not designed by Albrecht Goertz.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype designed by Albretch von Goertz as his personal design interpretation of the Porsche 914. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

So when the unique Porsche 914 model was launched in 1969 which gets a lot of criticism from the public due to its unusual design, Goertz is like not wanting to throw away the opportunity to show to the Stuttgart-based automaker how's should the 914 car be designed. This time, he's not send the sketch design on the paper, instead he built it directly from the Porsche 914 that he bought in the Porsche dealers.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype has an extended straight back, ending with sloping sail panels that gave the car the appearance of a shooting-brake-style sports car. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Reportedly, the car that he bought and used as the donor were the Porsche 914/6 GT which had just finished to race at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 6th position. So Albretch von Goertz made its design and the plasticine model as well, after finished then all of them sent to Italy, as the bodywork making was handed over to Carrozzeria Eurostyle, a coachbuilder company based in Turin. Before the donor car arrived in Italy and was still on its way, the elements were ready to be installed so then the car model could be shown at the Turin Motor Show.

At the rear of the Porsche 914 Goertz prototype there is an active spoiler which is intended to support the car's aerodynamic factor. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Once completed, the car appears in a distinctive breadvan style that is very different from the original, which looks to have a combined form of the Jensen GT, Lotus Europa, Ferrari 250 'Breadvan,' and Smart Roadster Coupé. It could be said, the result that is quite astonishing to attract the attention of the Porsche staffs.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype built in 1970 under commissioned of Albretch von Goertz and was first shown at the 1970 Turin Auto Show. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

But because the German automaker doesn't really see where and how to position the Goertz-made model in its production line, plus internally the manufacturer has a new joint project with the Volkswagen to develop a front-engined sports car. Well, that's a project that will give birth to the Porsche 924 model a few years later. And it can be assumed that the car remained to be a prototype forever due to the German car manufacturer again refused to produce it.😢

Albretch von Goertz kept the car and used it as a personal ride, before donates it to the Langenburg Automobile Museum, which is located between Frankfurt and Stuttgart. After the Porsche 914 Goertz prototype, he never again collaborated with any car manufacturers and his designer career ended by designing a grand piano for the Steinway & Sons in celebration of the 125th anniversary of their factory in Hamburg. He passed away in 2006, and brought the story of the strangest concept in Porsche history. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | DELESSENCE | PETROLICIOUS | CUSTOMCARCHRONICLE | WIKIPEDIA ]

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The most beautiful American machine all of times

I LOVE It Finally I was able to finish making an article about my favorite classic car, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. Let's see the article below;

As we all knew, the Chevrolet Bel Air is a large size sedan produced by the General Motors Chevrolet division for the 1950-1975 model. However, it is the 1957 Chevy Bel Air model which has attracted the most interest of young Americans at that time.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop. (Picture from: Bringatrailer)

It also considered as the most representative of the spirit of American youth in the mid 1950s, which has Elvis icons, Tom & Jerry, and a drive-in cinema.

Bel Air is an open hood version of the Chevy sedan (saloon), with a hood that can be opened and closed just by pressing the button on the dashboard. This is pinned in one of the Bel Air taglines which roughly reads: "...makes a comfortable protection in your hands, just by touching one button."

Right side view of 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop. (Picture from: Bringatrailer)

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air  is actually a face-lift version of the 1955 model, but theose model looks longer, lower and wider, because the circle of wheels is reduced in size from 15 to 14 inches (36 cm), and also has a different style on the rear wing.

In addition, the gearbox called "Powerglide" provides a three-speed manual transmission features, or two automatic acceleration mated with one option engine, Super Turbo Fire V8, even able to boost power up to 283 hp and allows it reach a top speed of 193 km per hour.

Rear side view of 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop. (Picture from: Bringatrailer)

Even 1957 Bel Air model is crowned as one of the best-known US car products of all time, and many are well-maintained all-over the world. Ranging from the types of sports coupes and convertibles are the most sought after by collectors and fans, as well as hobbyists of custom cars (look this '55 Japs Bel Air).

Bruce Springsteen’s 1957 Chevy Bel Air sold for $350K at auction. (Picture from: Motor1)

And recorded, the value of this car is even higher, for example one of 1957 Bel Air once owned by the famous American rock star Bruce Springsteen, some time ago in 2016 was purchased by an automotive collector for US. $350 thousand or over Rp.4.7 billion.
Not to mention, from the beauty of legendary cars that are a source of inspiration for other world's automotive activists to create an automotive works that are no less beautiful.

LUPO Racing H-D Bel Air. (Picture from: LUPORacing)

One of them is LUPO Racing, a Toulouse-based custom motorcycle workshop. From the skillful hands of Lupo Racing crew who have succeeded in making of beautiful motorbikes named H-D Bel Air, a combination of the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air with Harley-Davidson motorcycle. WOW!! *** [EKA [20112018] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1]

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One-of-a-kind custom-made Porsche 968 L'Art

Rememberance Moment Although it was created in short production periods 30 years ago in between of 1991 to 1995, the Porsche 968 sports car has a distinct impression on Arthur Kar known as the founder and owner of apparel and car dealerships KAR and L'Art de L'automobile based in Paris, France.

Porsche 968 L'Art is built by Arthur Kar of L'Art de L'automobile to celebrate the model debut back in 1991. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

It's no secret that Arthur Kar likes sports cars made by the Stuttgart-based auto manufacturer. And according to him, the Porsche 968 has a lot of potential, so he decided to work on it on creating a truly unique speedster of his own design to celebrate its first debut 30 years ago.

The standard version of the Porsche 968 was made in short production periods 30 years ago in between of 1991 to 1995 by the Porsche auto manufacturer. (Picture from: CarPIxel)

The one-off custom sports car was later called the Porsche 968 L'Art which was also gave a special color called the L'Art Green Pearl. The beautiful car was shown in a short video upload of less than 2 minutes on September 26, 2021, on Porsche's Youtube channel. Then the newly designed Porsche 968 made its debut at the Porsche and L'Art de L'automobile car show in Paris, France, from September 30 to October 3, 2021.

The Porsche 968 L'Art sketch drawings made by Arthur Kar of L'Art de L'automobile. (Picture from: HighNobiety)

As You can see, the Porsche 968 L'Art has a removal roof design to make create a speedster styles and looks slighty different from the original 968. Indeed, the L'Art de L'Automobile custom car has a revised bodywork, with a slightly elevated part behind the seat. 

Furthermore, at the rear you can't find the separate taillights like the original model, instead L'Art de L'Automobile has given the LED taillights that spans on the width of the tail including the brake lights positioned in the middle.

The Porsche 968 L'Art has a smoothly nose left a slight crease on the original headlight positions, meanwhile the LED inline headlights flanking the lettering of L'Art de L'Automobile positioned under it plus big-sizes embossed lettering of Porsche on the bumper position used to be. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

Changes were also made to the front, where L'Art de L'automobile removed the original headlights feature, replaced it with a smoothly nose left a slight crease on the original headlight positions, meanwhile the LED inline headlights flanking the lettering of L'Art de L'Automobile positioned under it plus big-sizes embossed lettering of Porsche on the bumper position used to be.

The Porsche 968 L'Art has a simple and minimalistic interior with the steering wheel looks similar to the one on the Porsche 944, where the 'KAR' logo is attached to the center. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

The interior looks simple and minimalistic, the steering wheel looks similar to the one on the Porsche 944, where the 'KAR' logo is attached to the center. While the instrument panel has a shadow effect on dark-colored background.

The Porsche 968 L'Art has a removal roof design to make create a speedster styles and looks slighty different from the original 968. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

Furthermore, there're a clock and stopwatch from TAG Heuer are also pinned in the center of the dashboard of this new Porsche 968 sports car. This sports car seats are specially made by Recaro, meanwhile the L'Art Targa sound system produced by Bose.

The Porsche 968 L'Art the LED taillights that spans on the width of the tail including the brake lights positioned in the middle. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

As quoted from Motor1, L'Art de L'automobile does not explain in detail about the powertrain, output or performance. And as we all know the majority of standard Porsche 968 cars are powered by a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is capable of producing around 237 horsepower (177 kilowatts) and torque of 225 pound-feet (305 Newton-meters), besides that there're 14 units powered by turbocharged engines capable of pumping out 305 hp (227 kW) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque.

Looking back at the automaker's background, it's clear that the Porsche 968 L'Art was designed to meet the style only not the speed with new doors and tiny mirrors and rear wheels under an emerald color-coded lid. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | L'ART DE L'AUTOMOBILE | ID.MOTOR1 | CARBUZZ |  HIGHSNOBIETY ]

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New City Transformer revealed at Frankfurt

The Cutest of All With the increasing number of people who inhabit cities throughout the world, it causes more and more complicated the problems related to the increasingly limited lands in urban areas. This encourages the world's automakers to create vehicles that are able to accommodate all the needs of urban communities as well as overcome the problem of increasingly narrow land.

The City Transformer CT-1 able to shrink to a width of only 1 meter, so it can solve the problem of a narrow parking lot, thanks to its Active Width Adjustment technology. (Picture from: Electrive)

One of the logical and quick ideas that can be taken as a solution to this problem is to create a small city car that is able to maneuver swiftly on the streets and in the same time can be parked in a relatively narrow area. Among the many similar city cars currently available, the vehicle made by City Transformer, an Haifa-based automotive startup company named City Transformer CT-1 in our opinion is very interesting, due to this tiny electric city car has unique capability, which is able to transform its width between 39.4 inches (1m) and 55.1 inches (1.4m).

The City Transformer CT-1 when parked in a narrow parking lot on the street Kfar Netter, near Tel Aviv, Israel, November 20, 2018. (Picture from: OtomotifTempo)

This Israeli automotive startup company was founded in 2014, and has been developing this CT-1 tiny car since 2018. The car measures 92.5 inches long, making it one foot shorter than the Smart ForTwo, at 60 inches high and 56.7 inches wide. It is specially designed for urban parking but unlike any Smart car or original Mini Hardtop, it has one great trick; it can fold down to just 39 inches to park in narrow spaces.

It can be four City Transformer CT-1 cars were parked in one parking lot at once. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

This can be done by this car, thanks to the Active Width Adjustment technology.  Furthermore  the company claims four CT-1s can fit into a parking space when folded. Besides that, the tiny electric-powered car is also claimed to be able to provide perfect agility on city streets and is said to be the safest car in its class based on data held by City Transformer shows that about 85 percent of the time people use a car to travel in the city at speeds up to 24 kph (15 mph).

 

With an all-electric range of 62 to 93 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 56 mph (28 mph in narrow mode), the CT-1 may shrink to around the size of a typical motorcycle but it can seat up to four passengers; two adults up front sitting in tandem and two children in the back. The cabin, unlike the wheelbase, does not change shape.

The City Transformer CT-1' production will initially be done by Germany's Roding Automobile, but serial production could also happen in China beginning next year. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

This tiny electric car has two drive modes. The first is City Mode for vertical parking so that there can be four cars in one parking lot. While the Performance Mode is used on the way for the car driving experience as usual.

This tiny City Transformer car is equipped with two electric motors capable of producing a combined power of 20 hp (15 kW / 20 PS). This allows the cuty to accelerate from rest to 50 kph (31 mph) in just 5 seconds before reachs a top speed of 90 kph (56 mph). Meanwhile, the cruising distance is also decent, where it can be driven as far as 120-180 km (75-112 miles) on the fast charged with only 30 minutes its battery reached 80 percent capacity.

Recently, the ability of a fully electric car made by the Israeli company was demonstrated at the 2021 IAA Mobility Show in Frankfurt, Germany. For those of you are interested to this electric car, the automaker has opened the pre-orders with an initial price of £12,500 (around Rp.211 million). The Prices will increase according to the fixed price of £16,000 (around Rp. 270 million). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOSU SOURCES | CITYTRANSFORMER | ELECTRIVE | CARBUZZ ]

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Here's the first race car driven by Juan Manuel Fangio at the 24 Hours of Le Mans of 1950

Rest in Peace Seeing the increasing number of new cars with the most advanced supporting technologies, does not make us abandon their predecessors. Indeed, when viewed in terms of technology they are no match for today's cars. But at least they have given the best pioneering through of their capable performance when they were still victorious in the past.

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S produced by Italian-born engineer named Amadeo Gordini as much as 20 unit based on the Simca 8 car models. (Picture from: QuirkyRides)

And when we saw the figure of the classic racing car named the Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S on the QuirkyRides's status in Twitter, we were immediately interested to know it better in detail. This great car is known to be produced by Amadeo Gordini, based on the Simca 8 (as we all know, the Simca is a French car manufacturer whose establishment in 1934 was initiated by the Italian automotive giant Fiat).

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S with racing livery no. 33 used by Juan Manuel Fangio on his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans of 1950. (Picture from: MuseoFangio)

As quoted from AutosCroisees, Amadeo Gordini was an Italian-blood gentleman born in 1899 near Bologna who is known to have a great mechanical skills. Previously, Gordini started his career in the late 1920s as a Fiat racing driver with the cars prepared by himself. Throughout his racing career, he won the Bol d'Or in 1935 using the Fiat 508 S Ballila before retiring in the same car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans of the same year.

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S with racing livery no. 33 has a special historical moment of being the first race car used by Juan Manuel Fangio at the La Sarthe circuit back in the 1950. (Picture from: Carburando)

The story of Gordini's mechanical adventures with Simca cars dates back to 1937, when he got the nickname of 'Le Sorcier,' after succeeded in presenting an extraordinary car capability compared to the initial performances of the engines by using the low-cost parts implemented. And later, he applied it onto the Simca 5 and Simca 8 to double their power, allowing these cars to compete with the much more luxurious and powerful models.

All of it thanks to light and resistant tubular chassis and satisfactory, albeit empirical, aerodynamics, the Simca-Gordini are at the top of their class in a number of competitions and sometimes even figure prominently in the general rankings in endurance races. due to good engine reliability. On the other hand, at Le Mans, there was no success and the abandonment was almost systematic.

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S with racing livery no. 33 of Juan Manuel Fangio sat on display at the Museo Juan Manuel Fangio in Balcarce, Argentina. (Picture from: Wikimedia)

After the war, all hopes were high and Gordini imagined creating his own cars without going through the transformation of Simca models. During the late 1940s, while using the mechanics of Simca, he produced competition cars that rivaled the best brands of the time. He even hired a young Argentinian racing driver named Juan-Manuel Fangio.

From several sources on the Internet is stated that the racing car is built by Gordini as many as 20 units, and still powered by the Simca 8's 1200 engine block which has increased to 1,220 cc then 1,430 cc. And one of them (with the racing livery No. 33) was driven by a legendary Argentinian racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio, on his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S with racing livery no. 33 is powered by the Simca 8's 1200 engine block which has increased to 1,220 cc then 1,430 cc. (Picture from: Carburando)

At the time, Fangio alternated with José Froilán González the driving of an experimental car that Amadeo Gordini prepared especially for the occasion, the 20S, a coupe as peculiar as its origin: true to his style, Gordini thought about it and built with previous prototype components, but also of street vehicles, which Simca sold at its dealerships. 

Unfortunately, in the race held at the Circuit de la Sarthe, the Simca Gordini 20S racing car driven by Fangio and González could not finish the race and had to give up after completing 95 laps. This may be due to Gordini play too many board at once. Sometimes in Formula 1, then in Formula 2 or sometimes at the 24 hours of Le Mans, the mechanics are exhausted and the results in the race are affected, so that Simca ends up withdrawing its support. Gordini does not give up and, on the verge of ruin, he is forced to play the tightrope walk with his budget.

Unfortunately, in the race held at the Circuit de la Sarthe, the Simca Gordini 20S racing car driven by Fangio and González could not finish the race and had to give up after completing 95 laps. (Picture from: Carburando)

Gordini maintained this until 1956 and in 1957, after the Naples Grand Prix, he threw in the towel, drawing a line on the sports team. He then crosses paths with Pierre Dreyfus, boss of Régie Renault, who offers him a collaboration. The result is a line of cars which begins with the Dauphine Gordini, then continues with the Renault 8 Gordini, then the Renault 12, Renault 17 ... He also collaborates with Jean Rédélé for Alpine in the development of cars participating in Le Mans, equipped with engines modified by "The Sorcerer".

At 75, he decided to retire but kept a workshop in the Paris region which allowed him to satisfy his passion. He's passed away a few weeks before his 80th birthday, leaving behind an epic that can only leave admiration when one is a car enthusiast. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | QUIRKYRIDES | MUSEOFANGIO | AUTOCROISEES | CARBURANDO | CARLOOK.NET ]

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