RareONES You may still remember our article about the Alfa Romeo 412 Spider Vignale racing cars of 1950s that said have never been used to race. Well, our discussion this time is also related to those 1950s rare racing cars, because it was a donor for a car project called Nardi Raggio d’Argento(Silver Ray) which was built in 1960. How come?
The one-off Nardi Raggio d'Argento (Silver Ray) was designed by Giovanni Michelotti, and built by Carrozzeria Vignale based on the rare Alfa Romeo 412 Spider racing car. (Picture from: CarrozzeriaItaliani)
This car project was initiated by Enrico Nardi, founder and CEO of Officine Nardi which begins by dismantling of Bonetto Alfa 412 racing car for parts to be used in the project. Furthermore, the one-off Nardi Ray Silver was designed by Giovanni Michelotti.
The
one-off Nardi Raggio d'Argento (Silver Ray) is part of the 'Raggio' series created by Nardi himself in the 1950s after the construction of two model of Blue Rays, consisting of Raggio Azzurro I and II. (Picture from: SportsCarDigest)
As quoted from Carrozzeria Italiani, this car is also known as the Plymouth Silver Ray which is part of the Ray series created by Nardi himself in the 1950s after the construction of two model of Blue Rays, consisting of Raggio Azzurro I and Raggio Azzurro II by Carrozzeria Vignale based on a design by Michelotti.
Enrico Nardi (on the left), and Giovanni Michelotti (on the right) while posed in front of the Raggio d’Argento, the finished car was shipped to William Simpson in September of 1961. (Picture from: CarrozzeriaItaliani)
Even though it uses the chassis from Alfa Romeo, it turns out that the Silver Ray is powered by an V8 engine of Plymouth Golden Commando coupled with an automatic transmission system. For that then required modifications to the entire front of the chassis. This was initially seen as impossible, but Nardi insisted on doing this complicated job.
The one-off Nardi Raggio d'Argento (Silver Ray) was
designed by Giovanni Michelotti, and built by Carrozzeria Vignale based
on the rare Alfa Romeo 412 Spider racing car. (Picture from: CarrozzeriaItaliani)
The machine is capable of spraying power up to 350 ponnies and with all that is in the performance of this car is expected to be able to give it a maximum speed of about 140 mph. While, this 1960s Vignale-made car built on a tubular chassis with some of the suspension is by modified Alfa Romeo coil spring units at the front and semi elliptic springs at the rear, with brakes are discs on all four wheels.
This is the number plate attached to the one-off Nardi Raggio d'Argento (Silver Ray), so it is thought that this car is currently still in the United States. (Picture from: SportsCarDigest)
In short, the car which was commissioned by an American client named James Simpson was finally completed and shipped to America in 1961. And it is known that the Silver Ray was about the last of the cars bearing Nardi's name.
Last photo of the one-off Nardi Raggio d'Argento as published in VeloceToday archives, November 21, 2103. (Picture from: VeloceToday)
Seems at this point, Nardi could clearly see that his company's future lay in aftermarket parts not just steering wheels. Reportedly, the car's current whereabouts is unknown.😢
RareONES As previously discussed by many world automotive enthusiasts, that in the late 1950s and early 1960s, there're many sportscar of plastic-bodied relatively affordable GTs entered the UK's market with brands such as Elva, Lotus, Marcos, Peerless, Reliant, Rochdale, Turner, and TVR in which all vying to be the master of the automarket in such class.
1958 Tornado Typhoon Roadster is supported by Ford powertrain and was marketed with affordable prices at launched. (Picture from: Market-Bonham)
And one of them that is not so well known is Tornado, which entered the fray in 1957. And the man behind it was Bill Woodhouse, who is narrated to set up the company after found the car kit he bought was so badly built, he struggled so desperately to finish it.
1958 Tornado Typhoon Sportsbrake featured with a fiberglass station wagon superstructure replacing coupe's detachable hardtop. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
Since then he resolved to produce something under his own autobrand that would be made to a much higher standard, for the reason then he partnered with his colleague Tony Bullen to estabilish an automaker company called Tornado Cars Ltd back in 1957, based in Mill End, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, England.
1961 Tornado Tempest (435 WNO) 1000cc sat on display at the Sywell Classic 2018. (Picture from: Flickr)
In short, the company's first production was launched in the 1958 called the Tornado Typhoon is supported by Ford powertrain and was marketed for less than £250 in roadster and shooting-brake styles. It is believed that between 300 to 400 of the Typhoon car, both complete and kit form, were produced and sold to the public.
1960 Tornado Competition Tempest 2 seater powered by an 997cc S4 OHV engine. (Picture from: Flickr)
The company's second model called the Tornado Tempest which replaced the Typhoon was launched in 1960. In appearance it was not actually a new design, only the Typhoon was updated to use the Ford Anglia 105E engine and Triumph Herald running gear. Even though all of these cars were produced with high quality standards and sold at affordable prices, they still could not change public opinion which looked at the Typhoon and its successor Tempest have an awkward appearance. During its production periods as much as 15 units for all Tempest bodies including 2 seater, 2 seater coupe, 4 seater, 4 seater coupe and shooting-brake.
1961 Tornado Talisman Coupe (owned by Bill Woodhouse) is a modern and attractive looking four-seater coupé. (Picture from: BelowTheRadar)
All of the above seemed to have started to change when the company launched the Tornado Talisman in late 1961 as the third model. So this can also be said to mark the company's new era beginning. In appearance, the Talisman is a modern and attractive looking four-seater coupé that is manufactured to high standards, is still relatively affordable prices. In standard form, Tornado Talisman' power came from a Ford Classic 1,340 cc engine with a pair of twin-choke Weber carburettors, also had the option with the powerplant built by Cosworth.
In standard form, the Tornado Talisman' power came from a Ford Classic 1,340 cc engine with a pair of twin-choke Weber carburettors, also had the option with the powerplant built by Cosworth. (Picture from: BelowTheRadar)
The company also provided two options to the prospective buyer, in which they could choose a kit priced at £875 (to avoid paying purchase tax), or a ready-made car priced at £1,259 while at that time the Lotus Elite has priced of £1,949, the Jaguar XK150 was £1,665, and the Triumph TR3 is only £991. Throughout 1962 the company enjoyed the sweet success of Talisman's high sales figures, and said 186Talismans had been made, thus financing the racing passion of Bullen and Woodhouse, both of whom were keen amateur racers.
However, it seems that the winds of change began to blow at the end of 1962, when Tornado Cars began experiencing financial difficulties and forced the couple to look for investors. At one point Colin Chapman was reportedly interested in acquiring the company, but he didn't because he hit financial problems of his own at the time. Due to the lack of investors, Tornado Cars underwent voluntary liquidation in 1963.
The company was later purchased by amateur racer John Baekart who opted for a strategy of cutting production and expanding the tuning side of the business. However, it seems that Baekart's efforts were also fruitless until he finally gave up in 1964, since then Tornado Cars really went out of business and dissapeared from the automotive market for good. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BELOWTHERADAR | AUTOCAR | MARKET-BONHAM | STORY-CARS | LANEMOTORMUSEUM ]
RareONES What is this car? How come it looks so weird? Those are the words that might come out the first time you see the shape of this classic car. Frankly, we have also never known before if a vehicle like this ever existed and still survives to this day.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta was the 2nd prototype designed by Kurt C Volkhart and Baron R König von Fachsenfeld based on the Volkswagen Beetle 1st generation aka the KdF Wagen TYpe 60. (Picture from: ClassicCarWeekly.net)
Actually, the car named Volkhart V2 Sagitta is not too strange enough, if viewed from the basis of what the car was built. Well, actually this car was built based on the Volkswagen Beetle 1st generation also known as the KdF Wagen Type 60 which was produced between 1937 and 1944.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta formerly known as the Luftwaffe 'courier car' due to it developed and built as a part of the Luftwaffe's need before the war for a small, fast and agile courier car.(Picture from: Bonham)
For your information, the most famous performance car based on the Volkswagen Beetle, of course the Porsche 356, but before that there were other cars which not many people know about is the Luftwaffe 'courier car' (thus the name of the car originally) at that time. How come?
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta is offered accommodation for 4/5 passengers inside its cabin, but never came close to series production. (Picture from: Hemmings)
As quoted from Bonham, the story began when the Luftwaffe needed a fast small car that would serve as a courier vehicle, while at the same time being light, reliable, cheap to build and simple to maintain. At that time, there's a German designer who understood aerodynamics named Kurt C Volkhart was partnered to design the car. Why should he?
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta when undergoing aerodynamic tests conducted by Volkswagen in its wind tunnel back in the 2011, produced a drag coefficient of 0.217 over a frontal area of 2.10 square meters. (Picture from: Hemmings)
In short, Volkhart had long ago recognised that performance could be improved by careful aerodynamic design, toward the end of the 1930s, he had come up with a small two-seater sports car called the V1, and powered by a rear-mounted 1,172 cc Ford Eifel engine with only 32 bhp of power. Unfortunately, it never went beyond the prototype stage.
The Volkhart V1 small two-seater sports coupe came out in the end of 1930s, and powered by a rear-mounted 1,172 cc Ford Eifel engine with only 32 bhp of power. (Picture from: Hemmings)
Development continued but was stopped later caused of the war, and the project would not resurface until 1947. At the time, Volkhart secured financial support from Sagitta to continue his aerodynamic sports car work, by building a teardrops-shaped prototype called V2 based on an early Volkswagen Beetle (technically a wartime KdF 60) chassis (with number 2-033683).
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta has inlets at the front, could be for the cabin ventilation, front brake cooling, horn, or a front mounted oil cooler. (Picture from: Hemmings)
And its slippery aluminum body was designed by Baron R König von Fachsenfeld, who would later produce many streamlined designs for several German automaker. While the construction of its aluminum body was entrusted to Helmut Fuchs in Niederwenningern, Ruhr, with additional work by Hans Daum's body shop.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta is powered by a rear-mounted 1.1-liter flat-four good for 24 horsepower and a top speed of 88 mph. (Picture from: Hemmings)
It has one of the lowest coefficients of drag ever recorded for a road car, while its power is supplied by a rear-mounted 1.1-liter flat-four good
for 24 horsepower. This little thing was good for 88 mph, which was
faster than the first Porsches. Not only that, the new V2 offered accommodation for 4/5 passengers but never came close to series production, not the least because Volkswagen refused to provide chassis.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta has a fan sucking air through that grille under rear window as for its engine cooling (although this 24 hp engine actually doesn't need much cooling). (Picture from: Hemmings)
As for the aerodynamic factor both Volkhart's prototypes, modern aerodynamicists later recalculated the V1's likely drag coefficient as 0.30, but when the V2 was tested in Volkswagen's wind tunnel in 2011 it was found to be 0.217, as good as the very best of modern designs. Wow, that's recent surprise of the Volkhart V2 Sagitta for us!!!
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta' last appearance in public under British racing green color was happened at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012. (Picture from: Madle.org)
Only one example of the V2 Sagitta was built in 1947; it was purchased by Hugo Tigges, who had supplied the raw materials necessary during its construction. It was used by him as a daily rides for six years before abandoned languish in the garden back in the 1953. Only in 1955, Helmut Daum (son of the aforementioned Hans Daum) had permission to move this abandoned V2 car for further restoration.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta' last appearance in public under British racing green color was happened at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012. (Picture from: Madle.org)
Over the following decades, it was rebuilt and repainted several times, and finally the car finding its home with an Austrian Porsche collector named Walter Traxler. Its last appearance in public was happened at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012. The last restoration process done shortly after the expo, which brought it back to its original silver color (from an British racing green repaint).
ForgottenONES As far as we know, Italy is a country that has a lot of automotive manufacturers ranging from the biggest and famous to the unpopular and the unknown ones. Of the many Italian car manufacturers that have ever existed, maybe the following Italian manufacturer's name is one that you have never heard of or known before.
1972 Lombardi FL1 built based on the Lancia 2000ie by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi, but never saw production. (Picture from: LotusEsprit)
The company mentioned above was Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi, an Italian automaker firm was founded after the war over in 1947 by an Italian engineer whose also known also a WWI pilot veteran named Carlo Francesco 'Francis' Lombardi in Vercelli.
1959 Fiat 600 Lucciola 4-door saloon model by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi. (Picture from: CarTrader)
As qouted from DailyTurismo, as the coachbuilder, his works has a wide range of models, were influenced by the American car styles. He began to build family-type cars with wooden paneling during 1947 to 1950, based on Lombardi experiences in building aircraft by using the same materials. For this, it uses frames from the Fiat, and Lancia.
1959 Fiat 850 Lucciola4-door saloon model by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi. (Picture from: Wikimedia)
At that time this Vercelli-based company also made several Coupe and Cabriolet types based on the Fiat 500C and 1100E frames. Then the company made a 4-door saloon model based on the Fiat 600 called Lucciola in 1959, and then also built based on Fiat 850.
1963 Fiat 2300 Papal Limousine by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi known also as the first 'true' Popemobile. (Picture from: Pinterest)
Furthermore in 1962, Francis Lombardi expanded its production models of several versions of the limousine, and it been done in simply by extending the frames of many different cars, such as the Fiat 1400, 1500, 1800 and 2300 and also the Lancia Flavia. These cars were generally equipped with an extra row of seats that allowed capacities of between 7 and 8 passengers with the wheelbases were generally lengthened by about 550 mm.
1964 Fiat 850 Coccinella by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi, and debuted at the 1964 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: CarrozzieriItaliani)
As quoted from Carrozzieri Italiani, the Vercelli-based automaker became famous by building a limousine with a glass roof for Pope Paul VI based on the Fiat 2300 in 1963 (known also the first 'true' Popemobile). While at the 1964 Turin Salon, Lombardi presents a two-seater coupe based on the Fiat 500, called Coccinella.
1964 Fiat 500 Libellula by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi. (Picture from: CarrozzieriItaliani)
While at the same year the Francis Lombardi company presented also a spider called Libellula based on the Fiat 850. Well, besides that the company is also continuing to build 2-doors coupe model with a capacity of four passengers based on the Fiat 1300/1500.
1967 Fiat 850 Spider Monza by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi, debuted at the 1967 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: Pinterest)
This model was later replaced by a similar, though different, concept that used the frame and mechanics of the Fiat 124. At the 1967 Turin Salon, Lombardi displayed a new Fiat 850 Spider Monza. It was a two-seater equipped with a fabric roof, equipped with alloy wheels and a wooden steering wheel.
1970 Fiat 500 My Carwas the greatest commercial success models of Carrozzeria Francis Lombardiduring 1970s with an annual production of about 6000 units. (Picture from: Wikimedia)
Optionally it could be equipped with a modified Giannini engine that offered an additional 6 hp. The carrozzeria’s greatest commercial success models during 1970s was the luxuriously appointed Fiat 500 My Car with an annual production of about 6000 units.
The Fiat 850 Grand Prix is a small two-seater coupe by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi started 1968 to 1972, and known also marketed under several other brands such as OTAS dan Abarth. (Picture from: CarrozzieriItaliani)
Followed by its most significant model was a small two-seater coupe called Fiat 850 Grand Prix, and produced during the periods of 1968 to 1972. It also known marketed under several other brands such as OTAS and Abarth.
Then Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi continued to focus on modifying cars, building coupes based on another Fiat platforms had the result of the one-off 4-door sedan called the Fiat 128 Star, which was then followed by producing similar model named the Fiat 128 Smart. Reportedly the Vercelli-based company also built several cars based on the German brand NSU.
1971 Fiat 128 Star 4-door sedan by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi, and debuted at the 1971 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: CarrozzieriItaliani)
At the 1972 Turin Salon, the company presented the Lombardi FL1, a two-seater coupe prototype built based on the frame of the Lancia 2000ie, and claimed could reach a 125 mph in 2 litre engine and 140 mph with the larger V6. That model has dimensions of 4,210 mm in length, width of 1,700 mm and height of 1,130 mm, besides has an approximate weight of 800 kg.
1972 Lombardi FL1 by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi, and debuted at the 1972 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: CarrozzieriItaliani)
CutieONES As we all know that as one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers, Bugatti has a very long history since the first time this company was founded by Ettore Bugatti in 1909. And if we examine the huge diversity of Ettore Bugatti's design works, could be said that's one of the most impressive achievements of the famed engineer.
The Bugatti Type 68 was not only small in size, but also driven by small engines, reportedly intended to facilitate those less well-heeled Frenchmen to own a Bugatti's branded cars. (Picture from: ClassicAndSportsCar)
Despite whatever events unfolding around him from the turmoil of war, the loss of his talented heir Jean, up to the German occupation of his Molsheim factory, Ettore remains as prolific and bright as ever. Well, from his drawing board at the new office in Levallois-Perret, Paris, where many brilliant ideas keep coming out, then put down in sketches, and followed by setting up a series of plans to turn them into reality for this great marque continuity during those turbulent times.
The Bugatti Type 68 built in 1940 featured with a two-seater coupe body style inspired by the legendary Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic. (Picture from: ClassicAndSportsCar)
As quoted from ClassicAndSportsCar, the heart of these ideas is a series of new engines, ranging from a single-cylinder unit to mount on a bicycle, up to an eight-cylinder, 62 liter marine powerplant. Well if we talk about Bugatti as players in the automotive world, then the main focus at that time was none were more fascinating than the Bugatti Type 68, which was not only small in size, but also driven by small engines.
The Bugatti Type 68 was powered by a 318 cc, 4 cylinder, 16 valve 2 over-head cams petrol engine with a maximum burst of power of 48 hp. (Picture from: ClassicAndSportsCar)
Some said that Ettore was sympathetic at that time to facilitate those less well-heeled Frenchmen to own a Bugatti's branded cars.😉 How could it be? Unfortunately, so far there's no related infos about it. But for sure, these tiny cutie cars made by Bugatti
were each only powered by an engine with a capacity of under 400 cc. And
with such those engines, you can be sure that the bursts of power it
produces are also small, so don't expect that the Type 68 will go fast like a rocket on a race track.
The Bugatti Type 68 also featured with a unique gull-wing door as the access to its cabin. (Picture from: ClassicAndSportsCar)
Well, when viewed from the size of these Type 68 engines, it's clearly that's very different from the line of machines produced by Bugatti today. However, this could be gave additional insight to us, it turns out Bugatti does not always produce fast cars with powerful big-engines, the fact in the past this Molsheim-based automaker had also produced a kind of cars that are not only small in size, but also driven by small engines.
However, this designation does not reveal whether Ettore Bugatti intended the production of Type 68 small cars or rejected the gullwing version. (Picture from: ClassicAndSportsCar)
At first, Ettore Bugatti built one prototype only, the first generation Bugatti Type 68 with a coupe body style inspired by the legendary Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic back in the 1940. However, in the 1942 he had time to make the Type 68 in cabriolet model as the second model called Bugatti Type 68B. So no wonder if the engines installed on the 2 cutie car models are also slightly different but still under 400 cc.
The Bugatti Type 68B is featured with a two seater cabriolet body style, and known as the second model built in 1942. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
As quoted from Bugattipage, the first generation Bugatti Type 68 was powered by a 318 cc, 4 cylinder, 16 valve 2 over-head cams petrol engine with a maximum burst of power of 48 hp. While for the second one Type 68B used a 369.5 cc, 4 cylinder, 8 valve 2 over-head cams petrol engine, there's not much data can be revealed from this model. Still from the same source, both Bugatti Type 68 models have a wheelbase of 2.2 meters, with a total body weight of around 400 kg.
The Bugatti Type 68B was powered by a 369.5 cc, 4 cylinder, 8 valve 2 over-head cams petrol engine. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Now, try to compare it with one of Bugatti's current products, such as the 2010 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport which is powered by a V12 engine with a capacity of 8,000 cc. This machine is capable of spitting out power as much as 1,100 hp. So that it can deliver the Veyron Super Sport accelerates from rest to 100 kph in just 2.4 seconds. Meanwhile, penetrating a distance of 402 meters takes 9.9 seconds only with a speed of around 234.6 kph. Wow!!!
Unfortunately with the death of Ettore in 1947, the Type 68 project lost focus as Roland and new director Pierre Marco revived car production with the Type 101, a thinly disguised pre-war Type 57. We're sorry if the video above is not related at all to the Bugatti Type 68, instead about the legendary Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BUGATTI | CLASSICANDSPORTSCAR | BUGATTIPAGE | ]
In short, the car which was commissioned by an American client named James Simpson was finally completed and shipped to America in 1961. And it is known that the Silver Ray was about the last of the cars bearing Nardi's name.
