Russia, with its past as a part of the Soviet Union, always keeps many exciting things and stories. For example, the discovery of an old car with eight tires might be one of them. Yes, there's an unusual shaped classic vehicle was found in somewhere of Russia. How not, physically those vehicle has eight wheels.
Unusual eight-wheeled Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicle (AATV) created in the 1950s by the Design Bureau of the Chelyabinsk tractor hydraulics plant. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2mOqeuL)
As quoted from Carscoops, this vehicle was first known through photos uploaded by a user of Russian social media, VK, and reported by Russia Beyond.
From all of those photos we can see the figure of an eight-wheeled vehicle with a worn faded metal body as if it originated from the post apocalyptic era like depicted in the 'Bethesda: Fallout 76' fiction game. But actually this vehicle created at the Soviet era back in the 1950s in Chelyabinsk.
The vehicle weighing in at 600 kg and has compact dimensions with a length of 4,530 mm, a width of 1,900 mm and a height of 1,490 mm. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2mOqeuL)
Although it has eight wheels, but surprisingly its weight is only 600 kg. The secret of the light weight is thank to use of aluminum panels that is applied to the body and and (they say) the chassis too.
Beside that the vehicle has dimensions were no bigger than a sedan in general. Just imagine, the vehicle has a length of only 4,530 mm, width of 1,900 mm and height of 1,490 mm with four wheels each on the left and right.
Its light weight secret is thank to use of aluminum panels that is applied to the body and and (they say) the chassis too. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2mOqeuL)
It was further reported that the vehicle had capability of an Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicle (AATV) driven by all-wheel-drive (8x8), which means it is capable of operating on lands or waters. It was also mentioned that the vehicle was built in the 1950s by the Design Bureau of the Chelyabinsk tractor hydraulics plant of Russia.
It said the vehicle had capability of an Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicle (AATV) with all-wheel-drive (8x8). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2mOqeuL)
Unfortunately, not much information is known about this amphibious vehicle apart from its all-wheels-drive system plus components taken from the GAZ-M20 'Pobeda.' Furthermore, the report did not mention whether the vehicle was in good condition or vice versa.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | DESIGN YOU TRUST | RUSSIA BEYOND] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Did you ever heard about the Vespa Kongo classic scooters? For those of you the scooter fans from abroad may be feel strange due to have never been heard or known the existence of this classic Vespa scooter type before. But for the Indonesian scooter fans, of course, most of them are already knew and familiar to those Vespa Kongo (or 'Congo' for English spelling) scooters name.
Vespa Ausburg VGLA/B aka Vespa Kongo is a state award scooter to several groups of the Indonesian Peacekeeping Forces who served in Congo, Central Africa back in the end 1950s to early 1960s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2o5cywb)
Besides having a distinctive shape, it turns out that the antique scooter holds a priceless historical value for Indonesian, and also said has its own prides for those who are lucky able to own it. This Vespa scooter model emerged and gained popularity back in the early of 1960s.
Several member of the Indonesian Peacekeeping Forces proudly posed with their Vespa Kongo in the 1960s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2oED8wa)
History of the Vespa Kongo name
Actually there are some nicknames that are circulating in Indonesian society about this Vespa scooter model besides the 'Kongo,' including the 'Vespa Telur' (mean 'an egg' in English) because it has oval-shaped side fender like an egg, then there's also called it as 'Vespa Ndog Kentus' which means the same as an egg.
Several member of the Indonesian Peacekeeping Forces proudly posed with the Vespa Kongo in the 1960s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2oGthFZ)
The designation of the Vespa Kongo itself comes from the name of the country where several groups of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia/TNI) known as the Indonesian Garuda Contingent (Kontingen Garuda/KONGA) were assigned in the late 1950s and early 1960s. At that time they got the task as the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces from Indonesia in Congo, Central Africa under the mission of the UNOC (United Nation Operations for Congo).
Vespa Kongo was assembled at the Vespa GmbH Augsburgone of the Vespa factories in Augsburg, Germany. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2nSPf8T)
Front view of the legendary Vespa Kongo of the 1960s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2o0ZOGR)
Well, this Vespa scooter models were then given to the members of the Peacekeeping Forces as a form of appreciation from the Indonesian government for their services in Congo. Another sources said that besides these Vespa scooters there're also other forms of appreciation like the money and also sewing machines.
It was also reported that the Vespa Kongo scooters were distributed based on the military rank, namely for those who had higher rank to get the green colored Vespa 150 cc scooters (Vespa Ausburg T150/4 (type 332, 4-speed) VGLB, while the soldier with lower rank got the Vespa 125 cc (Vespa Ausburg T150/4(type 332, 3-speed) VGLA in yellow or blue colored.
The Vespa Kongo starting known in the Indonesian scooter market back in the 1963, as a Vespa scooter model belonging to ex-Kontingen Garuda-2 (1960-1961) and Garuda-3 (1962-1963) members, but there is no certain source yet whom said whether the members of the Kontingen Garuda-1 also received the same scooter prizes (due to they assigned to Egypt back in the 1956).
Vespa Ausburg T150/4 (type 332, 3-speed) VGLA aka Vespa Kongo only exist in Indonesia for the scooter models in between 1960 to 1963. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2o0ZOGR)
Let's move to the next discussion about the Vespa Kongo destinctive marks. (Continued to Part-2).
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops......
(This
article was deliberately created in order to commemorate the 74th
anniversary of the Indonesian National Army (Tentara National
Indonesia/TNI) on October 5, 2019.) Remain as the Guardian of Our beloved Indonesian homeland with all the heart. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOMPAS | OTOFREAK | MOTOPLUS | OTOMANIA | VESPA]
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Sometimes you come across a vehicle, whether on the road or online, that blows your mind. Over the past century, you can see the creativity of scooter designers increasing as new models are produced, each more wonderful than the one. But, it feels incomplete when we talk about motorized vehicles (in this case a scooter) if we don't include Japan in them.
1968 Fuji Rabbit S-301, a vintage Japanese scooter with 125cc displacement. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2nKnJKf)
Yes, Japan is one of the countries in East Asia which since the beginning of the 20th century has also been known as one of the world's giant automotive industry countries. And apparently, Japan has also produced many classic scooters that can be said to be cool in their hey days.
After in a number of articles we have discussed the row of classic scooters produced by countries in Europe and America, then on this occasion will be discussed about the cool classic scooters that have been produced by Japan.
1. Fuji Rabbit S-1 Series
By looking at the world's automotive history, before Piaggio and Innocenti produced their first scooter there were already several similar scooter products made by other companies. One of them is the Fuji Rabbit S-1 Series.
1946 Fuji Rabbit Superflow S-1 series uses a 135cc engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ncfBld)
Initially, the scooter-making company was a fighter-making company during the 2nd World War named Nakajima Aircraft Co. which produced various types of military aircrafts. And since 1945, the company was dissolved and reformed as Fuji Sangyo Co., which only concentrated on producing all the needs of civil transportation.
And in 1946 was born the company's first scooter given the name of Fuji Rabbit S-1 Series. Yes, six months before the Italian companies Piaggio and Innocenti began their first 'Vespa' and Lambretta scooter productions, the Japanese company had produced their scooters.
Fuji Rabbit S-1 Series scooter was inspired by this US-made scooter named 1938 Powell Streamliner. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ncfBld)
The Fuji Rabbit scooter design was inspired by the Powell scooter model made by the Southern California-based automotive company named Powell Manufacturing Company (PMC).
1960 Fuji Rabbit Superflow S601 sold only in North America market. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ncfBld)
Fuji Rabiit S-1 Series uses a 135cc engine. Uniquely, this scooter was not sold in the Asian automotive market at the time, but was more famous in the North America countries. The Fuji Rabbit began to enter the American market in 1957 with the Fuji Rabbit Superflow S601 series that carrying the 200 cc engine and around 74,694 units sold at the time.
Unfortunately, this Japanese scooter trip did not last long. After running 22 years, the Japanese company ceased the scooter production in 1968. Then, under the named of Fuji Heavy Industries after reformed in 1953 and the company succeeded to create its first car product named Subaru 1500 a year later and continued in penetrating the world's automotive market and successfully survived to date.
2. Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-10
After the 2nd World War ended, it could be said the scooters usually are used to help reconstruct the country which have been devastated by the war. Yes, long before it was known as the world's famous car manufacturer, Mitsubishi also made the scooters.
1946 Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-10 powered by a 112cc 4-stroke side-valve air-cooled single-cylinder engine developing 1.5 PS. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n63p5C)
In fact, the scooter once had a chance to reap success for more than 10 years. In fact, this scooter is one of the 240 original Japanese vehicles released by The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan. Even one of the Silver Pigeon scooters has been dedicated to the Emperor of Japan in 1948.
The first version of the Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-10 scooter imported directly from the United States by an engineer at General Motors named Kojiro Maruyama. He had bought a scooter back with him from America. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was so impressed, then invited him to join and start work on a Japanese-made scooter version. The Mitsubishi scooter production start from 1946 and was finally ceased in 1963.
For 17 years, there are at least 17 scooter models offered. However, that does not mean the company release a facelift version of the scooter once a year. Hence, in 1960, there were 5 new variants released, namely C-111, C-200, C-300, C76, and C110. Still in the same year, again the company was presented a new variant of the C-300.
Thus, the type of engines were offered also varies, ranging from 112cc, 125cc, 143cc, 175cc 2-stroke, 175cc 4-stroke, 192cc 2-stroke, 192cc 4-stroke, up to 200cc. In fact, the biggest engine ever made reaches 210cc with 2-stroke and 4-stroke configurations.
Of the various models circulating over 17 years, there were 463 thousand units of Mitsubishi's scooters have been sold. And as the best-selling variant is the 1960 Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon C-200 scooter with the sales figures reaching 38,000 units.
3. Honda Juno K
Honda debuted its first scooter named Honda Juno K in January 1954. At that time, in Japan's domestic scooter market was dominated by 2 other famous scooter products, namely Fuji Rabbit and Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon. Although coming up as a challenger, Honda did not want half measures in developing its first scooter.
1954 Honda Juno K has been provided with some pretty good details, name it the self-starter, height windscreen and the turn signal positioned near the windscreen. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n4OCZ4)
By design, the Honda Juno K is often referred to as a "future" scooter figure. Why? Because the Honda's scooter has been provided with some pretty good details, name it the self-starter, height windscreen that able to protect the rider from the wind exposure and its turn signal positioned near the windscreen. And when examined, Juno actually looks like a Tourer-Scooter.
1954 Honda Juno K is the second vehicle in the world to apply the Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) bodykit after the 1953 Chevy Corvette applied it a year earlier. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2m1F1SI)
Besides that, the Honda Juno K was the first scooter to apply the Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) bodykit, the newest vehicle body material at that time. And the Honda Juno K is the second vehicles in the world to use this unique body material, having been applied for the first time in the 1953 Chevy Corvette or a year earlier.
1954 Honda Juno K used a single cylinder 4-stroke OHV engine with a capacity of 189 cc, and coupled with the 3-speed transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2nblz5S)
In the engine sector, the Honda Juno K is also no less classy than other Japanese scooters. In fact, the scooter has the most qualified power among the scooters at the time. This Honda's first scooter used a single cylinder 4-stroke OHV engine with a capacity of 189 cc, and coupled with the 3-speed transmission system. The power amount reaching of 9.0 horse power at 5,500 rpm and capable of running up to the top speed of 70 kph.
Well . . One thing to note. Although the Honda Juno K carries various advantages that even exceed its time. The scooter actually failed to gain success in the Japanese scooter market. Yes, the Honda's first scooter was considered too expensive, the engine often overheat quickly and the weight is relatively hefty compared to the scooters in general at that time. (Wanna see the French-made classic scooters.)
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CATAWIKI]
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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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