Maybe all this time you know the Ferraris as a sportscar with a sensational and sexy appearance, so that you might not recognize the figure of this classic Ferrari car. Indeed, this Ferrari sports car is one-of-a-kind in the world, and is called Ferrari Uovo, or Ferrari 166MM/212 Export ‘Uovo' for its full name.
1950 Ferrari 166MM/212 Export ‘Uovo' has shown off at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2YTkgqv)
Yes, indeed Ferrari Uovo has a unique looks and styling, or can be said to be eccentric.This car is a one-off project from an Italian coachbuilder named Carrozzeria Fontana, and based of a Ferrari 166MM classic car platform, after it crashed in its first attempt its original buyers, the Marzotto brothers, decoded to rebuild it in this form. And the result is a unique car shaped like an egg, or 'Uovo' in Italian.
Front three quarter of 1950 Ferrari 166MM/212 Export ‘Uovo.' (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30vZUUs)
And sculptor Franco Reggiani who was the mastermind behind its special bodywork, and creating a shape he likened to that of a plane without wings. The good-looker raced for the first time in 1951 and powered by a 1.56-liter gasoline engine that produces up to 186 horsepower (138 kilowatts) of power and had a miliage of more than 341 miles (550 kilometers).
Dashboard view of 1950 Ferrari 166MM/212 Export ‘Uovo.' (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30vZUUs)
Armed with the bodywork and aerodynamic drivetrain made the Uovo very competitive and took part in the Mille Miglia and Giro di Sicilia in 1951, where the car had the chance to lead the race, before it being damaged and finally unable to continue the race.
Rear right side view of 1950 Ferrari 166MM/212 Export ‘Uovo.' (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30vZUUs)
If at that time Uovo did not experience severe damage, of course, most likely this car will be the winner in the two prestigious racing events, and maybe the results will be different. So maybe Ferrari will build more of these cars in the future. Even so, this classic Ferrari is still an historic iconic car, and makes it a special model for Ferrari collectors.
And in August 2017, this car has been auctioned by RM. Sotheby's at an auction event at Moterey, California. Initially this car expected to sell at a price of US. $ 7 million, but in fact this car finally sold at a price of US. $4.5 million at the time and recorded as one of the world's most expensive cars. WOW!! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUN | INDEPENDENT] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
It seems that the partnership between Aston Martin and Zagato is getting more intimate. Recorded since the 1950s, the two companies collaborated to build extraordinary vehicles. But now the pair's latest project could be among their best. Recently the Aston Martin presented a more detailed rendering of their upcoming models named the Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato and classic Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato continuation. And both models are ready to be produced in the next few months..
Latest rendering images of Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato and DB4 GT Zagato continuation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XzLaa9)
These new renderings are an upgrade over what the company released earlier in March. Here, we can see the the Superleggera-based DBS GT Zagato borrows the same general form as its production siblings, but now with a more prominent grille to give way to the Aston's massive twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 engine to be laid down under the hood.
Assuming the same power setup carries over, the DBS GT Zagato can have 715 horsepower (553 kilowatts) and torque of 663 pound-feet (900 Newton-meters) on tap. Additional upgrades can be seen in the slimmer headlights, A more defined hood line, and gold-tinged 20-spoke wheels.
Latest rendering images of Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato and DB4 GT Zagato continuation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XzLaa9)
According to the Chief Creative Officer of the Aston Martin Lagonda, Marek Reichman said that the car is not only focused around beauty but drama too. He further said, the dynamic grille gives Aston Martin an opportunity to provide the car with two very different identities. When parked, DBS GT Zagato will almost look like it's resting, but with the rear of the car still looking muscular and ready for action.
Latest rendering images of Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato and DB4 GT Zagato continuation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XzLaa9)
The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato continuation model will join the DBS GT Zagato production, both available in 2020. The first comes full of classic displays, then a straight-six engine capable to produce 380 hp (283 kW) of power, a four-speed manual transmission system with a limited-slip differential, and power in the rear wheels.
Reichman added that it was important for him and their team to deliver something as beautiful as the original DB4 GT Zagato and he felt that they had achieved it with this model and he couldn't wait to see it in metal.
Both of these beauties will go on sale next year but their population will be limited. The British premium auto company says just 19 samples will be made for worldwide at a cost of around £6 million ($7.5 million) for the pair. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | THISMONEY]
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The modern electric vehicles era does not mean making fans of classic retro cars stop to end with their unique hobbies. A number of companies look at this as a future business opportunity by providing an electric drive system that can be adopted by classic cars as a substitute for their old-rusty engines.
Now, this 1949 Mercury Coupe able to run in silence thanks to its new electric motors. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2RCd9zU)
For an example is Zelectric Motors which provides a modern electric-powered drive system to be installed on the 'ordinary' cars. Besides Zelectric Motors, apparently there is a Los Angeles-based company named Icon, which through its Derelict program that takes classic vehicles in almost every era to be transformed into a more practical and more modern car, without changing the outer appearance to maintain the character that it possesses.
The
battery control section and Tesla modules are wrapped in aluminum
casing and are designed in such a way as to resemble the V8 engine
configuration. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NbqsbU)
As a result, it becomes a vehicle that is very contrasting, rusty on the outside but can glide quickly without noise and pollution. And this time Icon took the base of the 1949 Mercury Coupe as their 'victim'. This vehicle was taken from the original owner in the Southern California region. The exterior is left as it is, which looks like it just came out of a dusty warehouse after several decades of silence.
Nevertheless Icon seriously handles the interior behind the rusty body. All parts of the body stripped down, and replace all components made of rubber. Previously, Icon carefully adds silencer and combining the body parts of the vehicle without repainting.
Icon followed the same pattern of "new equipment, classic looks" inside, using vintage-appropriate fabrics and leathers. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NbqsbU)
The chassis section was updated through assistance from Art Morrison Enterprises as well as replacing old braking system with the Brembo braking devices. While the biggest modification is of course done on under its hood. Yes, the old engine was removed and replaced with an electric drive system whose design was assisted by two electric vehicle solution companies named Stealth EV and Zelectric Motors.
Those two supporting companies decided to use two electric motors without transmission. As a result the latest project named '1949 Mercury EV Derelict' is able to spew a total power of 400 hp (298 kW) with a maximum torque of 637 Nm. The car's electricity supply is taken from Tesla battery with a capacity of 85 kWh which makes these classic car can be driven as far as 150 to 322 km. And its maximum speed can touch the number of 193 km/hour.
Icon has strived to update key pieces of this 1949 Mercury Coupe while keeping the exterior look true to age. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NbqsbU)
The battery module is deliberately spreaded around the vehicle with the aim for better distribution of weights. This car is equipped with a CHAdeMO 125A fast charge plug pinned behind the front license plate holder, plus a Tesla Supercharger plug located behind the cover of the original fuel-cap.
What is quite amazing is the display behind the hood. The battery control section and Tesla modules are wrapped in aluminum casing and are designed in such a way as to resemble the V8 engine configuration. Even the parts of the cable are deliberately wrapped in woven cloth to stay true to the vintage look.
The same pattern is also applied to the interior through classic fabrics and leather. While other interior fittings also carry the 'new equipment with a classic look' theme. While to open and close the car's windows are now more practical with the addition of power window. Meanwhile to activate it by using the old window lever so as not to ruin its classic impression. Likewise with digital instruments that are deliberately made with a classic looks, including the buttons that are still made in the old-school style.
And Icon has been shown off these classic Mercury EV at the 2018 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas held on November 6 to 8, 2018. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ICON | NEW ATLAS]
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The world automotive market share is enlivened by various types of cars, one of which is a sports car. Although very familiar with its name, but not many people know the ancestral figure of the sports car. The world's oldest sports car is known as the Vauxhall 'Prince Henry' Sport Torpedo which produced by Vauxhall, a British auto manufacturer in between 1911 to 1914.
Many highly regarded historians claim the Vauxhall 'Prince Henry' Sport Torpedo is the first ever sports car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WPeOYD)
As quoted from the Mirror.co.uk pages, in its time the Vauxhall Sport Torpedo was able to drive at a speed of 129 kph (80 mph). Those performance numbers are obtained from its 4-cylinder four-litre monoblock engine capable of spraying power up to 25 bhp. At that time the automotive technology was in its infancy and the average road car would be lucky to hit half of the speed produced by this car.
The Vauxhall Prince Henry Sports Torpedo was capable of a top speed of more than 129 kph (80 mph). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WPeOYD)
Perhaps because of those car's quick performance so that many highly regarded historians claiming the Prince Henry is the first ever sports car. Or in other words, it earned the moniker because it was essentially a re-bodied racing car, capable of being driven at high speeds while carrying four people and a boot-load of luggage.
The vintage car is to be sold for the first time in almost 50 years. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WPeOYD)
However, it is not known for certain availability at the beginning of production, but in the intervals of several years the availability of the ancestors of sports cars in the world has been depleting. Even today there are only seven units left and become one of very rare automotive products.
This was a time that technology in cars was in its infancy. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WPeOYD)
This car was developed by Vauxhall's engineer named Laurence Pomeroy, was given coachwork by Hoskison Ltd from Birmingham and was delivered new to the T.W. Badgery, a keen cyclist and businessman who works in the leather industry in Worcester.
The open-top Vauxhall was given coachwork by Hoskison Ltd of Birmingham and delivered new to T.W. Badgery. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WPeOYD)
Mr. Badgery ran the Vauxhall on castor oil second pressings from his leather factory and kept it until 1931, by which time the car enthusiast and his chauffeur, Witts, had clocked up an impressive 140,000 miles.
Its impressive performance was sourced from a 4-litre engine which developed 25bhp. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WPeOYD)
Then the ownership of this car turned to Laurence Pomeroy Jr, whose dad was the famous Vauxhall designer and engineer who came up with the Prince Henry and He kept it until his death in 1966.
While the last owner of the car was known as Reg Long, an engineer from Lincolnshire who bought it in 1970 and died early in 2016. During the 46 years Mr Long owned the car, it has been driven around Europe and featured in numerous books and magazine features.
And finally, the 1914 Vauxhall 'Prince Henry' Sport Tornado was auctioned by the Bonhams auction house in London, England in 2016. At that time the car that was considered very rare was offered start at a price of £500,000 or Rp.8.8 billion. And reportedly, the car had sold for £516,700 (Rp.9.4 billion). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BONHAMS | MIRROR.CO.UK]
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For those of you who may still be confused with the 'scooter' term and what is the difference with an ordinary motorcycle. The definition of 'scooter' is a type of two-wheeled vehicle or motorcycle with a frame that is one with the body (monocoque) so that its rider has a special platform to put his feet.
Unique shaped scooters (in pictured: Unibus scooter) from the past. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2UyYDZB)
Perhaps when it was first shown to the public in the past, its shape was not as we know it now. And maybe you will ask about how unique the shape of the scooter was when it first began to be developed in the past. Here're unique shaped of pioneered scooter was built in early 19th up to 20th centuries;
1. Hildebrand und Wolfmuller
Scooter design began to develop since 1914, but long before there's a German manufacturer named Hildebrand und Wolfmuller had pioneered the first model of scooter in early nineteenth century. But the Hildebrand und Wolfmuller models are not well developed due to the complexity of the design, including the rear wheels which are driven directly by the engine piston as well as on the steam locomotives.
This is Hildebrand und Wolfmüller motorcycle was brought by an Englishman named John C. Potter in 1893 and later known as the first motorcycle in Indonesia. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Nwfrq1)
But amazingly, this German-made scooter was the figure of a motorcycle that first stopped in Indonesia (at that time still called the Dutch East Indies) which was imported directly by a British named John C. Potter in 1893. (Here's the full story).
2. Auto-Fauteuil
In 1902, a French manufacturer made a scooter named Auto-Fauteuil which is often regarded as one of the forerunners of the modern scooter. Unlike today's scooters, Auto-Fauteuil scooters drive the rear wheels with a chain system, just like an ordinary motorcycle. Its trademark is the rider's seat adopts a (house) chair model with arms and backrests.
Auto-Fauteuil 1908 model "Tour" 490 cc, water cooled, single frame. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2UR5VwD)
And the story behind the creation of this scooter is also quite unique, it all began when the French factory named Georges Gauthier and Cie. in Blois, Loir-et -Cher, which is actually an auto-parts manufacturer tried to make a scooter.
The scooter manufactured between 1902 and 1922 and the presence of these scooters was quite attention-grabbing in the eyes of the bikers of the era. At first the power units were supplied by De Dion Bouton, but by 1906 Gauthier used his own engines. These engines could be ordered in several capacities, with magneto or battery and coil ignition and engines could be air-cooled or water cooled.
3. Autoped
Then the first generation of scooters was marked by the appearance of Autoped in 1915. The Autoped was an early motor scooter or motorized scooter manufactured by the Autoped Company of Long Island City, New York from 1915 to 1921.
To ride the Autoped had a unique way, namely the driver stood on a platform with 10-inch tires and operated the machine by pushing the handlebars forward, while for braking, the driver must pull the handlebars towards the rear.
The engine was an air-cooled, 4-stroke, 155 cc engine over the front wheel. The bike came with a headlamp and tail lamp, a Klaxon horn, and a toolbox. Developed during wartime and gasoline rationing, it was quite efficient, but was not widely distributed and used (for example, used by traffic police officers).
4. Unibus
Next unique scooter is a scooter from England which is also included in the first generation scooter category. The scooter was named Unibus, ie a scooter produced by a British company called Gloster Aircraft Co. and before producing scooters, this British company founded in 1917 had been producing airplanes which were used during the first world war. And at the end of the war which was precisely in 1920, the company decided to switch to producing two-wheeled vehicles, namely Scooters.
Unibus scooter as display at the Jet Age Museum in Gloucestershire, England. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2DuB6Ds)
This unique scooter designer is Harold Boultbee who is also an engineer at those British manufacturing company. In its heyday, Unibus was a scooter that used a fairly sophisticated engine so many people at that time dubbed it "The Car On Two Wheels". The Unibus scooter uses a 2-stroke one-cylinder air-cooled engine with a capacity of 270 cc. These engine is capable of producing power up to 2.5 horsepower, which then delivers the power to the rear wheels through the two-speed manual transmission system. Then the legs that allow this scooter to roll on the road are a pair of 16-inch wheels.
With engine specifications that are fairly sophisticated at that time, of course it is not surprising that the selling price becomes expensive. Especially by carrying out an elegant design, then at that time, Unibus was considered a masterpiece. But as a result of the high price of these scooters, made it unsold on the market. So finally in 1922 the production was stopped. And for 2 years producing Unibus scooters, the British manufacturer only made 100 units. And if you currently feel interested and want to see this Unibus scooter figure, then you are advised to come up to the Jet Age Museum in Gloucestershire, England.
So far, if we hear the name Vespa, then what comes to mind is a classic two-wheeled scooter with a cute rear, but there are still many who do not know that actually Piaggio, a renowned scooter manufacturer from Italy once produced a mini four-wheeled vehicles (which is common called a micro car or city car) by using the same brand as the scooter product, ie the Vespa in 1957 and marketed in the period between 1959 and 1961.
This tiny car figure is known as the Vespa 400, and is produced by a French automotive manufacturer called ACMA (Ateliers de Constructions de Motos et Accessoires) with a design patent from Piaggio Italia. This French manufacturer is also known to have produced a military version of the Vespa which was named the Vespa 150 TAP or The Bazooka Vespa in the early 1950s. These Vespa 400 has two variants, namely Lusso and Turismo.
Drawer that serves as a place to put the battery on the front. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KYt0ZP)
This tiny car is armed with an air-cooled two-cylinder 393 cc two-stroke engine. The engine's own character is square, which is a bore x stroke 63mm x 63mm and of course it has a balanced character between the top and bottom turns. Then the compression ratio is very low at only 6.4: 1 (which allows the use of fuel with low octane values or below 90).
This mini car has a capacity of 4 passengers, but the rear is still too small for adults. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KYt0ZP)
While the engine placement on the back, while for the space in the front can be used to put things. The power produced by the engine reaches 18 horsepower. And the power is then sent to move the rear wheels through a 3-speed manual transmission system. and able to deliver this car running up to speeds of 80-90 kph. Yes, that is indeed enough power for a micro car, especially in the 50s.
This 393cc capacity engine is capable of producing up to 14 horsepower of power. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KYt0ZP)
Then the model itself still reflects the Vespa's distinctive design ie compact and simple. The uniqueness of this car is on the door hinges in the middle pillar, the direction of opening the door automatically. Unlike the usual cars that exist today. The roof also uses a canvas model that can be opened when you want to enjoy the panorama.
The interior as is usually a micro car is only available two seats at the front, and a cushion for small children to sit on the back. So ideally this car can carry 2 adult passengers and 2 small children. Physically, this micro car is wider than the Mercedes Smart which can only be carried two people inside.
There are approximately 20 thousand cars produced in the first two years and finally in 1961 the car production was stopped, while Piaggio did not disclose the reason for the production halt. But at least the micro car Vespa 400 has proven that the Italian manufacturer Piaggio is also able to produce transportation other than scooters. *** [EKA | FROMVARIOUS SOURCES | OTOSIA]
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