One of the world's iconic classic cars named the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL which has a hallmark that is the door was open upward like a flutter of seagull wings, familiarly called Gullwing.
The car was first introduced in February 1954 at the New York International Motor Sport Show. This car was made by carrying a futuristic shaped that was aerodynamic in its time and based on the W198-coded chassis platform.
The late Mr. BJ Habibie posed with his special Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing.' (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2mfJWiw)
According to data from the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, this Mercedes Gullwing uses an 6-cylinder inline Mercedes-Benz M198 engine with a capacity of 2,996 cc which is capable of producing a maximum power of 221 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm.
Then those engine power channeled to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission system.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe with its iconic gullwing door type is displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2lNrP3a)
The amounts of power above is able to make it run to the top speed numbers reaches of 250 kph. And also made the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' has acceleration capability from 0 to 100 kph in 7.4 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL uses a very lightweight a tubular pipe chassis, which is only 50 kg. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2kvtfPH)
This engine is also really special because it has used a mechanical direct injection fuel supply system which is the result of cooperation with Bosch. Then the oil circulation system also uses dry sump model. The goal is that the oil supply continues to work optimally when the car is doing an extremely cornering.
The cabin of Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe decorated by an elegant bright-red color. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2kvtfPH)
Yes, for the car made in the 1950s of course the performance is quite impressive. Moreover, this Mercedes Gullwing uses a very lightweight chassis, which is only 50 kg. The chassis are made of tubular pipes and assembled like a cage. These chassis-shaped is makes the sides doesn't have door hinge holders as usually found in the cars in general. And that's why its door is open upward like a flutter of seagull wings.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe is one of the most sought after cars by the world's antique car collectors. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2kvtfPH)
At present the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing,' is one of the most sought after cars by the world's antique car collectors. Reportedly, the car in good condition might be able to has a price ranges between 1 to 2.5 million US. dollar or around Rp.14 to 35 billion. Even it's very difficult to find, when there's a collector who willing to sell it.
Rear view of Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe with its iconic gullwing door type is displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2lMqY2Q)
At the time, this car was only produced as many as 1,400 units and about 1,100 of them were sold in the United States while the rest were spread throughout the world.
Although classified as the super rare cars, but in Indonesia these Mercedes Gullwing are owned by several automotive collectors and one of them is owned by a former of the 3rd President of the Republic of Indonesia, the late Mr. BJ Habibie with a special plate number 'B 300 SL'.
(We deliberately wrote this article as a homage for the late. Mr. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie who has passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, 18:05 at the Central Hospital of Army 'Gatot Subroto,' Jakarta.
The automotive passions of the late Mr. BJ Habibie on the German cars can be seen of the Mercedes-Benz car rows that lined up neatly in his garage, including the Mercedes Gullwing. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2kdjwNC)
Our deepest condolences to his family and to the all of Indonesian nation. May You rest in peace, SIr. And may Almighty Allah grant You the best places by His side. We will always remember all your services to Indonesia and the worlds.)*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]
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The name of Wiesmann GmbH. itself might be quite strange even in the ears of the world's car enthusiasts. The German automotive company was founded by two brothers Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann in 1988.
At first the company made an open roof conversion for some BMW car models and then launched its first car-made, the Wiesmann Roadster MF3 in 1993. Then the company made various types of cars with the BMW engines before it went slowly into bankruptcy in 2014.
A teaser image of the up comming new Wiesmann sports car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L0bUIV)
Recently, these German automotive company announced to re-producing the latest sports cars as a sign of their revival.
As quoted of the Dutch automotive site AutoRAI, Wiesmann has released a teaser photo showing a retro-style car with the Wiesmann characteristic grill taken at the company factory in Dulmen, Germany.
From the teaser image released, the German auto company wanted to show the new sports car candidates to bring a strong character with an aerodynamic design and of course still carries a classic impression as its earmarks.
The Wiesmann's first car called Wiesmann Roadster MF3 launched in 1993. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Uc9wBT)
Overall the car looks similar to Wiesmann's last model, the MF4-CS which was launched in 2013 with a 4,000 cc V8 BMW's engine that produces power of 420 hp, it can go from 0-100 kph in 4.4 seconds and able to run up to the top speed of 293 kph.
Furthermore, Wiesmann mentioned this new model was built with a completely new design along with the application of the best technology and materials. The company also said that the sports car is intended to enter the luxury vehicle segment with the Bavarian-typical sports car performance.
The Wiesmann's last production car named Wiesmann GT MF4-CS launched in 2013. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2zrC0hr)
Until
now there has been no official statement from the German company, but
it has announced previously in the 2017 that the car mentioned above
will use the BMW M engine.
There's no certainty which BMW engine will be applied as well. From rumors
circulating, the 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo S63 engine as used on the BMW
M5 model that been chosen to be applied onto it. Those engine produces
power of 592 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque on the standard model,
while on the BMW M5 Competition has an increased power output up to 617
hp.
Below is a video of the Wiesmann Roadster:
And related to those sportscar debut, most likely will take a moment at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, but there's no Wiesmann name on the list of the schedule that has been published and announced in the event's official press conference. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTORAI] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
This car is the first and rarest Porsche car and named the Porsche Type 64 coupe. This classic car was built taking its base from the VW Beetle and was designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche himself. And the first Porsche Type 64 was completed in 1939.
Initially, the car will be used on the road racing championship from Berlin (Germany) to Rome (Italy). But, the 2nd World War broke out on September 1, 1939, which was marked by the invasion of German troops to Poland. So that the race event was canceled.
Porsche Type 64 was the first Porsche car completely built in 1939, and designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche himself. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/31NHmj5)
In total, only three units of the Porsche Type 64 were ever made, and during WW2 those cars were in the hands of Porsche family, except the car with the chassis number 1 which was destroyed in an accident in 1939. The remaining two units then used as private vehicles of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and his son Ferry Porsche during the war periods.
Unfortunately after the wars over, the car with chassis number 2 was found the US soldiers who then cut the roof and used it up to damage. While car with chassis number 3 managed to survive in the hands of Ferry Porsche. When the Porsche automotive company was established in 1948, Ferry Porsche himself put the Porsche's writing on the front of the car and since then it known as the first car to use a Porsche emblem.
Interior and dashboard view of 1939 Porsche Type 64. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZfsI6C)
When the first production car (Porsche 356) came out from the Porsche auto factory in 1948, the Porsche Type 64 was no longer needed and it was sold to an Austrian racer named Otto Mathe who used the car to race and save it until his death in 1995. And in 1997 the car changed hands again to Otto Mathe's friend who also known as a famous Porsche specialist named Thomas Gruber.
Porsche Type 64 uses 1,100 CC engine which has also been upgraded to produce power around 32 and 40 hp. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZfsI6C)
And the car that will be auctioned by RM Sotheby's auction house at Monterey Car Week 2019 in California, United States is a car that uses chassis No. 38/41 which is also said to be the purest ever. And to promote the car's auction, RM Sotheby asked the Pikes Peak champion and also filmmaker Jeff Zwart and Patrick Long, Porsche racer to drive the car and video it and then auction it at the 2019 Monterey Car Week.
Well, one of the locations for making these 80-year-old car videos is at the Willow Springs Raceway circuit. In his confession, Long was impressed and felt that the car being so modern and praised engineering skills prowess of Dr. Porsche's. According to Long, the character of the Porsche Type 64 is similar to the modern Porsche 911, not only from the shape but also from the weight distribution, aerodynamics and efficiency. He also admitted that when sitting behind the driver, he felt the seat position was like a fighter pilot's seat.
The Type 64 chassis is indeed made from the base of the WV Beetle, but it has been strengthened and uses a 1,100 CC engine which has also been upgraded to produce power around 32 and 40 hp, compared to the Beetle of only 23.5 hp. It's not much indeed, but the car's weight is only about 618.7 kg.
This Porsche Type 64 is considered the most important car in the history of those German automotive manufacturer because without this car there would be no Porsche 356, 911 and the brand with the most racing wins.
Unfortunately, RM Sotheby's doesn't provide a price estimate but the car is predicted to be the world's most expensive Porsche classic car. However, as quoted from Motorauthority, this car is estimated can be sold at a price of around US. $20 million (around Rp. 250 billion). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORAUTHORITY]
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This is a concept car concept that was created to celebrate Pininfarina's 70th anniversary and also represents Testarossa which represents the Ferrari's iconic model designed by the same Italian famous auto design house, so it was named the Ferrari Pininfarina Rossa.
Ferrari Pininfarina Rossa concept car made for celebrated Pininfarina's 70th anniversary in the 2000. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2N3p4Go)
In addition to paying homage to the past, and also giving sneak previews for the future, for example with the rounded taillights which in a few years later were applied on the Ferrari Enzo.
This inspiring concept car was designed by Ken Okuyama, a well-known automotive designer while he still worked for Pininfarina and the same figure behind the birth of Kode 57 and Kode 0, two unique cars which were first introduced in 2016 and 2018.
Ferrari Pininfarina Rossa concept car built by taking basis of the Ferrari 550 Maranello and designed by Ken Okuyama. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2N3p4Go)
As some of our readers have shown, there are some similarities between Kode 57 or k.o 57 and Rossa. The Kode 57 looks more like a futuristic version of the Rossa concept with a sharpened design and more aggressive appearance, thanks to more plump front fascia and a large rear diffuser.
Ferrari Pininfarina Rossa concept car still using the same engine of the 550 Maranello, ie a naturally aspirated V12 engine with capacity of 5.5-liter mated with six-speed manual transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2N3p4Go)
Back to the Pininfarina Rossa concept, which was made purely as a showcar. And this concept car was built by taking the basis of the Ferrari 550 Maranello. And still using the same engine, a naturally aspirated V12 engine with capacity of 5.5-liter and capable of spewing power up to 478 horsepower (362 kilowatts) at 7,000 rpm and peak torque of 419 pound-feet (568 Newton-meters) available from 5,000 rpm.
All the power is then channeled to the rear wheels through the six-speed manual transmission system and controlled by a gated shifter which immediately reminds us of the Ferrari Testarossa.
Ferrari Pininfarina Rossa concept car capable of reaching a top speed of about 186 mph (300 kph). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MinOQa)
Yes, with the same drivetrain as the 550 Maranello, the Rossa concept is almost as fast as the donor car, which is capable of reaching a top speed of about 186 mph (300 kph / 298 km), down by 13 mph (21 kph / 21 km). But unfortunately the prancing horse logoed auto manufacturer did not reveal details about the car acceleration performance from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph), but likely that this concept has a slower acceleration performance than 550 Maranello which takes around 4.4 seconds.
Ferrari Pininfarina Rossa concept car was first introduced to the public at the Paris Motor Show 2000. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2N3p4Go)
And this Rossa concept car was first introduced to the public at the Paris Motor Show 2000. Because Rossa is only a concept car and is not intended for mass production, and so the Kode57 spiritual successor cars is planned to be assembled in five examples, and the first model has been sold to the famous American boxer Floyd Mayweather at a pretty fantastic price of $ 2.5 million (Rp.33,087 billion).
Maybe if we now look at for a moment the Rossa, then maybe what comes to mind is the Monza SP2 speedster, a special car similar in philosophy with Pininfarina’s Rossa set to go into limited production. Where along with the Monza SP1, both are part of the new Icona Series, so you can rest assured there are going to be more prancing horses that’ll look back at the company’s illustrious past. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | SUPERCAR.NET]
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In its history, Ferrari is one of the Italian premium car manufacturers known to be very fond of creating special products, which are found in the LaFerrari lineage. One of the most extreme cars ever produced by the prancing horse logoed manufacturer is the F50, which were also the last car to actually use a V12 engine taken from a Formula 1 race car as its power source.
One of Sultan Brunei's rarest collection cars, known as 1998 Ferrari F50 Bolide. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OT34AV)
This Ferrari F50 was made in limited number, ie as many as 349 units, and was deliberately created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ferrari in 1995. But among the F50 models there was also a custom-made model made for special customers dubbed as Ferrari F50 Bolide. As we all knew, Ferrari clientele is full of celebrities, engineers, oligarchs, pop culture faces and, of course, the government officials with an impeccable reputation. One of the Ferrari's special customer is the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is a well-known person not only for his beliefs but also for his impressive car collection. Unofficial sources say that the Sultan's collection consists of 2,500 different vehicles and other says more than 7,000 units. So the exact amount no one knows.
1998 Ferrari F50 Bolide seems clear that a completely different body shell was fitted to stock F50 internals. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TrGXjq)
Obviously, the Sultan of Brunei has a hobby to collecting scarce cars. Thus, it is not surprising that he is one of the oldest and most respected Ferrari clients. Some sources assure that he is the one for whom this unique F50 Bolide was created. When Ferrari officials presented the limited-edition F50 models, company’s reps said that it is Formula 1 race car that can drive on public roads, with headlights that could lighten all the path and with specific amenities like CD player and windscreen wipers.
1998 Ferrari F50 Bolide had a rear-wheel-drive, thunderous twelve-cylinder engine and 6-speed mechanical gearbox. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2YJ76jR)
This expressive Ferrari model with Formula 1 bolides had just one similarity. Ferrari F50 chassis was made out of carbon fibre, and a twelve-cylinder engine had a few ingredients borrowed from Ferrari 641. That is the only way how you can link Ferrari F50 to Formula 1. When Ferrari decided to stop the F50 model production in 1997 then a year after, the Ferrari F50 Bolide was born from the Maranello-based company. Next to nothing is known about the ultra-secretive Bolide project. However, based on the very few pictures that exist, it appears that the car was completely transformed. In fact, it seems clear that a completely different body shell was fitted to stock F50 internals. Technically, it did not differ much from his predecessor and donor Ferrari F50. It still had a rear-wheel-drive, thunderous twelve-cylinder engine and 6-speed mechanical gearbox. The biggest changes were visible in the exterior and a little bit in the interior.
The biggest problem was that there is no clearly information from the prancing horse logoed manufacturer itself. Most claims are just speculations. But, looking at F50 Bolide appearance, you can firmly say that the Sultan of Brunei wanted to add his personal Ferrari collection cars with a figure would remind him to a F1 racing car. According to unofficial sources, the estimated cost of this project was around €2,000,000 in the time.
This car also said became one of the most mysterious cars ever made. Due to nobody ever saw the car running on the highways, or even on displayed on automotive expo. Only several photos on the internet that shown the car was existed. Alas, we'll probably never know. Might be, it will be kept forever in the Sultan of Brunei's garage. Who knows? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DYLER | COMPLEX] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Ferrari, one of the Italian automotive companies was famous with the speed of its production cars. Turn out, the Maranello based company also ever made a superfast boat. The superfast boat later given a name Ferrari 'Arno XI' Hydroplane known the only one superfast (hydroplane) boat in history powered by Ferrari's engine and also managed to capture the world's attention in early of 1950s.
1953 Timossi-Ferrari Racing 'Arno XI' Hydroplane on action. (PIcture from: http://bit.ly/2TkDcw6)
It all began in 1951, when the initiator and also the first boat owner, Achille Castoldi told to his friends who are two Ferrari F1 racing car drivers, each named Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi about his intention to make a Ferrari-engined superfast boat. These two famous racing drivers helped Castoldi to buy one Ferrari engine which will then be used specifically on Castoldi's upcoming superfast boat.
In the process, turn out Enzo Ferrari agreed to be directly involved in this project, overseeing every step in the making and testing of the engine. Even the Ferrari's Head of Engine Design in the time, Aurelio Lampredi and all of his engineering crews involved directly in the project.
1953 Ferrari Racing 'Arno XI' Hydroplane was using a similar engine mounted on the Ferrari Tipo 375 racing car. (PIcture from: http://bit.ly/2Z436tC)
And then the superfast boat started to build in 1952, and intentionally made to break the world's speed record. It is not surprising due to the Ferrari-made boat was using a similar engine mounted on the Ferrari Tipo 375 racing car.
Yes, this boat uses a Ferrari's 12 cylinders engine with 5.5 liter of capacity. The Ferrari engine initially produces 350 bhp of power. However, after several early tests and also races in early 1953 seems that its abilities can be further improved.
Left side view of 1953 Timossi-Ferrari Racing 'Arno XI' Hydroplane. (PIcture from: http://bit.ly/2MaasWb)
Although the boat was actually able to run more than 100 mph, Enzo Ferrari requested that the boat's engine be modified so that it could use methanol so the compression ratio could be higher.
Then he also added twin superchargers and a pair of four-choke typed large carburetors. As a result, the engine able to spew off more than 500 bhp of power. It is not surprising if the boat later has a historic gait in the speed record, all thanks to those Ferrari engine.
And in 1953, this single-seater superfast boat managed to set a new world's record for the 800 kilogram class at Lago d'Iseo, Italy with a speed of more than 149 mph. And those speed record has not been broke until now.
1953 Timossi-Ferrari Racing 'Arno XI' Hydroplane exhibited next to 1951 Ferrari Tipo 375 at Ferrari's Museum to show the Ferrari's dominance both on land and water. (PIcture from: http://bit.ly/2MauFeE)
And now the superfast boat is being prepared to commemorate its 70th anniversary, and its engine restoration work is being carried out at the center of technical facility of those prancing horse logoed company called the Ferrari Classiche. After being restored later in the early fall of this year, the boat will be scheduled to go on a world tour to show to the Ferrari fans all-over the world.
Milton Verret, an Austin businessman and known as the currently owner of 1953 Timossi-Ferrari Racing 'Arno XI' Hydroplane. (PIcture from: http://bit.ly/2MauFeE)
"We imagine ourselves as one of Ferrari's leading engineers, and can work on a number of similar components that are assembled and designed by Enzo Ferrari himself," said the currently boat owner, an Austin businessman named Milton Verret.
"As a special and rare Ferrari collector, no one can beat a racing boat which used a Ferrari's engine prepared for F1 racing car. With the direct involvement of Enzo, you can have a functioning machine that is fought for by most car racing enthusiasts. That is its specialty," he added.
For information, since 2012, Arno XI Hydroplane has been borrowed from Verret for the benefit of two world-famous Ferrari museums in Italy to show the Ferrari's dominance both on land and water. In the museum, the Arno XI superfast boat exhibited next to the Ferrari Tipo 375 racing car that won the 1951 British GrandPrix in Silverstone, England... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOBLOG]
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The Lamborghini and Ferrari are certainly familiar brands in the world's automotive industry. Both are from the same country, namely Italy and the products produced are also similar, ie fancy speeding cars.
Initially there was only Ferrari which was an Italian automotive company founded by Enzo Anselmo Ferrari in 1929. Until in the year of 1964, when Ferruccio Lamborghini managed to launch his first car made known as Lamborghini 350 GT series. And since that day known as the beginning of rivalry between Lamborghini and Ferrari.
The Lamborghini and Ferrari both are Italian famous premium auto makers and also known as rival one each other in the world's automotive industry since the 1960s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZSu44e)
As we all know, at beginning Ferruccio Lamborghini himself was a successful entrepreneur through his tractor maker company. In the time, he was getting richer and able to buy various types of classy speeding cars and one of them was the Ferrari 250 GTE which was used for fun only.
A disassembled Ferrari 250 GTE at the Lamborghini Museum (might be Ferruccio personal car owned relating to stories surrounding the founding of the Lamborghini car company back in the 1960s. It began when he complained to Enzo Ferrari regarding this car clutch.)(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZXxymm)
Once upon the time, Ferruccio brought his Ferrari 250 GTE back to its maker, Ferrari. He came with a complaint, that the car purchased should get a better transmission system.
But what he got precisely a kind of challenge because Enzo Ferrari said that he was just a tractor maker and didn't know anything about race cars. After that, Ferruccio Lamborghini took a decision to come into play in the race car market to rival those prancing horse logoed auto company.
Lamborghini 350 GT was the first Lamborghini production model and known also as the first rival for Ferrari's. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OKNqap)
And many consider it only as a form of channeling anger after feeling offended by Enzo Ferrari words to him. And sure enough, then he founded a car manufacturing company that was named Automobili Lamborghini based in Sant'Agata Bolognese in 1963.
Lamborghini 350 GT was debuted at the 1964 Geneva Auto Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OMHMEJ)
To answer the Ferrari's challenge and at the same time realize his ambition, and then he asked Giotto Bizzarrini (the person who designed most of the Ferrari engines at the time) to join his company. He also invited Giampaolo Dallara and Giampaolo Stanzani, two technicians who were considered has promising talents and test driver Bob Wallace.
1963 Lamborghini 350 GTV was a Lamborghini prototype and forerunner of its first production model named Lamborghini 350 GT. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2GVIGsn)
Shortly after, in May 1963 Lamborghini successfully launched the its first concept car prototype and given a name the Lamborghini 350 GTV. The prototype used a Bizzarini's 3,500 cc V12 engine that produces 320 hp. And those all-aluminum alloy V12 engine mated to a 5-speed manual ZF transmission system. And the 350 GTV completed to build and debut on October 1963 in the Turin Auto Show.
Lamborghini 350 GTV was very sleek and streamlined, with a very low hood that incorporated one of the better pop-up headlight designs of all time. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZQ2Gnv)
Before that Dallara and Stanzani quickly realized that the 350 GTV was not properly designed for mass production. Then both working in parallel on two projects that would result in the production 350 GT. They made many revision on Bizzarini's engine and chassis for street use. And in March 1964, after 5 months after the debut of the GTV in Turin, the "redesigned GTV" now called Lamborghini 350 GT was debuted at the Geneva Auto Show.
Lamborghini 350 GTV used a Bizzarini's 3,500 cc V12 engine that produces 320 hp of power. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZQ2Gnv)
It was greeted with sufficient enthusiasm so that Ferruccio decided to proceed with production in May 1964. This first Lambo's 2-door coupé body manufactured by Milan's Carrozzeria Touring who used their patented 'Superleggera' method of construction to fix aluminium alloy panels directly to a tubular structure. This Lamborghini 350 GT car has a wheelbase measuring 2,550 mm with front and rear track axles measuring of 1,380 mm, 4,640 mm length, width 1,730 mm and 1,220 mm of high.
This car has many features such as an aluminum body design and some of the body panel even has steel, and already has applied independent four-wheel suspensions, differential salisbury as well as a vacuum servo that is assisted by a round disc brake girling. This car has an acceleration from 0 to 100 kph (60 mph) can be done in 6.8 seconds and even its maximum speed can reach 254 kph (158 mph).
At that time these Italian raging bull logoed auto company was only made those 350 GT as many as 120 units before replacing it with the Lamborghini 400 GT in 1966. And many 350 GTs were subsequently fit with the larger 4.0 litre engine used in the 400 GT. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA]
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The Chevrolet Corvette name has always been known as an American muscle car, with a body design that is no less muscular and has always been a dream car in the land of its birth.
It's just that, the charm of the Chevrolet Corvette's flagship V8 engine is apparently not enough to hook any consumers on the Blue Continent, due to the European-style cars is considered have more beautiful designs.
Chevrolet Corvette Rondine concept car by Pininfarina. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2YsrEN3)
Therefore, in 1963, the Chevrolet Corvette C2 had to undergo a makeover to be more pleasing to the eyes of European consumers.
As a result, Chevrolet collaborated with the famous Italian car designer house which used to design Ferrari and another premium cars, Pininfarina, and gave birth to the Pininfarina Chevrolet Corvette 'Rondine' (pronounced 'Ron-din-ay') coupe concept. And the car was unveiled at the 1963 Paris Motor Show.
Unlike the original Corvette with a fibreglass body, the Rondine was made of steel. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2YsrEN3)
In the process practically unchanged chassis and frame, it still had a standard 5.4-litre V8 engine mounted in front that produced 360 horsepower and was paired with a four-speed manual transmission system.
Unlike the original Corvette C2 which has a fiberglass body, while Pininfarina Rondine has a steel exterior, so that the weight increases, and the control changes completely. The front overhang is longer, and the Corvette's distinctive pop-up lights are gone, and the rear doesn't look anything like the original car, and is leaning like a Fiat 124.
Because the responses were quite diverse, Chevrolet was reluctant to continue Pininfarina Rondine to the production table and is now the only one ever made to reside in the Corvette museum. The one-off Rondine sold for $1.2m (before commission) at an auction event in 2008. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCE | DRIVE TRIBE | MOTORIOUS]
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