One of the most legendary Maserati racing cars of 1950s

After we discussed the latest Maserati MC20 supercar some time ago, on the occasion we will discuss one of the old cars ever released by this Italian manufacturer which is equally beautiful. As you can see today, the Maserati classic race car not only appeared in stunning vintage red, also in good condition.

1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi under commissioned of a wealthy American businessman Tony Parravano. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hzxG3b)

Did you know? This racing car known as Maserati 450S was actually ever driven by Stirling Moss, the most renowned UK' racer back in the 1956 Mille Miglia. Unfortunately in the race, his brakes mysteriously gave out, and the car suffered some nasty damage, but it has been completely restored and is looking amazing today.

1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi is appeared in a new contoured style body. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iUJwqp)

This beautiful car creation started when a wealthy American businessman named Toni Parravano hired Maserati in 1956 to develop a new V8-engined car using the Kurtis Indy chassis. Maserati saw it as an opportunity to revive its project coded Tipo 54 by developing a new engine and use its sport-specific chassis. The original car, which carried the V-6 engine with chassis number 3501, became the testbed for this American-ordered car.

1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi is made tremendous performance by clocked the third-best timing during test at the 1956 Sweden Grand Prix's practice season. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iUJwqp)

Carrozzeria Fantuzzi came into and made a new body with a contoured design. The car also got a longer wheelbase to accommodate its new 5.7-liter V-8 520hp engine. Then the updated vehicle was tested at the Sweden Grand Prix's practice session in August 1956 where the automaker continued to tweak the new chassis and make improvements.

1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi uses a 5.7-liter V8 engine with the power of 520hp. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iUJwqp)

Its appearance was quite surprising and amazed everyone with its tremendous acceleration and top speed. The car clocked the third-best timing in the practice, but the underdeveloped car could not handle the vibrations resonating from the wrong firing order of the engine’s spark plugs. Afterward, the 450S received a new chassis at the Modena factory.

1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi is claimed its first-ever podium finish at the 1957 Sweden Grand Prix. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iUJwqp)

Furthermore, this car was quickly prepared to take part in the 1956 Mille Miglia racing event with the legendary driver Stirling Moss behind the wheel of the 450S along with Denis Jenkinson as navigator. While in the race, the car suffered a brake failure and had to stop after hitting a tree. The driver and navigator survived without a scratch, but the car had to return to the factory for repairs and further development.

Development continued and in 1957, the new 450S was launched for its maiden race at 1000 km Buenos Aires where it had led the Ferrari twin-cam sports car by 10 seconds. But the car suffered a failed transmission and should be out the race. However, later the car claimed its first-ever podium finish at the 1957 Swedish GP. Sadly, the FIA changed the rules next year, making the 450S ineligible for the Grand Prix.
With a vehicle so rare, RM Auctions can expect anything from $5.5 million to $8 million U.S. dollars back in 2014. It will really take a lot of money along with even more courage to own this unique piece of history. Unfortunately, the car not sold with a high bid of $4,816,350 only.😌 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOP SPEED | RM SOTHEBYS |  SUPERCARS | AIROWS | REVOLZCARPOLISHING | SIMON CARS | CLASSIC WEEKLY]

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The weirdest Ghia rear-engined people carrier vehicles ever made

The unique four-wheeled vehicle that will be discussed this time is one of the motor vehicle concepts developed by several talented automotive designers who have worked in the famous Italian coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A.

1959 Ghia Selene concept designed by Tom Tjaarda, and Sergio Sartorelli under the direction of Luigi Segre of the Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZYIxh9)

This company was previously known for its collaboration with Chrysler and Alfa Romeo, and in 1959 presented to the public a concept car named Ghia Selene. This concept car was developed by Tom Tjaarda, a talented American designer who was working for the Turin-based coachbuilder, and Sergio Sartorelli under the direction of Luigi Segre.

It is a unique-shaped "people carrier" means with super slim forward controls that contain 3 rows of seats inside. The first row is located on the front overhang, and the front wheel covers are located between the first and second-row seats facing the rear. The model was repeatedly exhibited and won over many with its elegance and originality of the layout solution.

1959 Ghia Selene Concept of the Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A. sat on display at the Polytechnic Museum after the Italian company left it in Moscow in 1962. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3kzT4aw)

And in 1962, the Tom Tjaarda-designed model was brought to Moscow as part of the Italian industrial exhibition held in Sokolniki at that time and placed right in the Fiat's exhibition area. On the opening day, May 28, 1962, the Soviet Union leader at the time, Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev attended and took a look at the Italian company booth where in particular, the Fiat leadership showed him a model of their future automobile plant in Togliatti, a motor city in Russia.

The steering wheel and dashboard view of the 1959 Ghia Selene concept by the Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZYIxh9)

During the exhibition, there was a meeting between Italian designers represented by the Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A. designers with a group of Soviet Union designers led by Yuri Aronovich Dolmatovsky, known as the developer of rear-engined passenger cars such as the legendary 1951 NAMI 013 and 1955 NAMI 050 "Belka."

On the last day of the exhibition, the Italian delegation decided to leave the Selene model in Moscow with a memorial plaque read, 'The model of the car "Selena" was designed and manufactured by the artistic design organization Ghia (Turin, Italy). It was presented in 1962 to the designers of Soviet experimental passenger cars of the carriage type as a sign of the unity of technical ideas and friendship.'

Interior view of 1959 Ghia Selene concept by the Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A. with two-pair rear-seats facing each other. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZYIxh9)

At first, this car model was decided to be stored at the Polytechnic Museum and since then it has never been seen and maybe the wanderings ended up in a dusty warehouse. And in 1968 Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky wrote a beautiful lyrical "Song of two beautiful cars". It mentions the name, Selene. Since there were no other cars with this name, we can safely say that the poet was referring to the model of the Ghia company.

In the late 1990s, Selene was back on the trail and was clearly nowhere to be found. Or it would be easier for someone to say that the model was disposed of, instead of digging up the exhibit from under a layer of dust.

1959 Ghia Selene concept of the Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A while on display at the Fiat booth of the Sokolniki Industrial Exhibition in Moscow back in 1962. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3kE8Mla)

As a result, both in the domestic and foreign press releases, there is information about the "irrevocable loss of the famous creation of Tom Tjaarda." But what the surprise and joy when a tow truck casts Selena's familiar silhouette from the dark basement to the light. Armed with photographs from 1962, the model was carefully examined. 

There is no doubt that this is her. The same interior with intricate veins on the upholstery of the seats, the same "space" dashboard, the same sharply defined taillights. Unfortunately, the steering wheel and the corporate nameplate, wheels with white sides have been lost. But most importantly, Selene is back. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE PETROLSTOP | ANDONISCARS]
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One-off weird-shaped Tasco

When we talk about unique shaped vehicles, it will never end. Why? Because as long as there are enough creative people in this world who keep creating things for various purposes, so long as it is also something unique there will always be. Well, on this occasion we will discuss a unique vehicle that was made in the 1940s and looks very different from most four-wheeled vehicles that existed at that time.

1948 TASCO prototype designed by Gordon Buehrig on display at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35NM9GE)

Originally, this four-wheeled vehicle was made by The American Sports Car Company and later coined 'TASCO,' which is its acronym. It is designed by a German designer named Gordon Buehrig, inspired by the WWII fighter planes. 

As an automotive designer Gordon Buehrig in his portofolio was the person who responsible for the design work of some of the most popular cars at that time, namely the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg  designs, including the stunning coffin-nosed Cord 810/812 and the Auburn 851 Speedster.

From its appearance, this car is clearly inspired by the design of an airplane, where it can be seen on the roof which applies the T-top roof design and the layout of the instrument panel on the dashboard. In particular, the T-top roof design was later patented by the designer in 1951.

1948 TASCO prototype in one of its original outings back in the 1950s. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35NM9GE)

The car which only made one unit as a prototype can be described as a unique-shaped car with a long hood and a short deck, grand-tourer-like proportions, but then the designer gives a touch of the unique aerospace DNA into the design.

While the interior of this odd-shaped car has 2 seats that can accommodate 2 people in it and has a dashboard design and instrument control panel that is very similar to an airplane. And when you are in the cabin it feels as if you are in the cabin of an airplane.

1948 TASCO prototype  has a dashboard design and instrument control panel that is very similar to an airplane. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35NM9GE)

As quoted of Motor City Garage, this strange car was done in one ambitious TASCO project but never never progressed beyond this single running prototype by Beuhrig and a handful fellow stylists including Virgil Exner and Bob Bourke while working for Studebaker. 

They hauled the 1939 Mercury from the South Bend junkyard to supply the Tasco chassis and drivetrain. Then built the body at the Derham body workshop in Pennsylvania, which used extensive aluminum construction with fiberglass front wheel covers with one of the unique features is the pair of plexiglass roof panels that can be lifted, which we now refer to as T-Tops. 

Right front view of 1948 TASCO prototype designed by Gordon Buehrig on display at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35NM9GE)

Well, the T-Top roof design which later became famous in the 1960s when GM applied the roof design to its 1968 Corvette models. This then made those American manufacturer sued by Buehrig for using it on its model. Unfortunately, he was paid very little for his patent and it became almost a trademark for Corvettes.

Fully detailed 1948 Tasco quarter-scale model at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35NM9GE)

Quoting from the same source, indeed the Tasco prototype looked strange in terms of aesthetics at the time, on which directly also acknowledged by the designer by calling his awkward car 'my Edsel.' 

Now this prototype evetually found its way into the possesion of Nevada car collector Richie Clyne, who later donated it to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. While the car cannot be called a success in any real sense, it doesn't make it any less attractive, and it makes a great addition to the collection. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE RICHEST | AUTOBLOG | MACS MOTOR CITY GARAGE]

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Another beauty car creation based on the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33

As usual when surfing in cyberspace, there we are again fascinated by the beauty of this racing car when we stop by on Pinterest. What do you think, it's gorgeous right? This is not surprising anymore because this car is built based on the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33.

Look out how beautiful the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona racing car looks! (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2FCrTNl)

Besides being built into this racing car model, it turns out that the Tipo 33 sports car had also been transformed into several other models and that's have discussed before. And a small number of road-going cars were derived from it in 1967, called Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, and become one of the most beautiful and the most sought after sports cars in the world.

Look out how beautiful the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona racing car looks! (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZGr8d2)

As we already know, that Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 was a sports racing prototype built in a limited number used to race by the Alfa Romeo factory-backed team in 1967 and continued development through to 1977. These cars took part for the World Sports Cars Championship, Nordic Challenge Cup, Interserie and CanAm series.

In 1968, Alfa's subsidiary, Autodelta, created an evolution model called 33/2. A road version, dubbed Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was also introduced. At the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Porsche 907 with 2.2L engines were dominating the overall race, but Alfa took the 2-liter class win, with Udo Schütz and Nino Vaccarella; after that, the car was named as "Daytona". Since then this racing car model has been known as the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona.

Look out how beautiful the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona racing car looks! (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hH5mfk)

The win was repeated at the Targa Florio, where Nanni Galli and Ignazio Giunti also took second place overall, followed by teammates Lucien Bianchi and Mario Casoni. Galli and Giunti then won the class at the Nürburgring 1000 km, where the 2.5L version finished for the first time, 4th place in the 3.0L class with Schütz and Bianchi.

Look out how beautiful the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona racing car looks! (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2E8WIZn)

However, in most races, the Alfa drivers were outclassed by their Porsche rivals which used bigger engines. In 1968, the car was used mainly by privateers, winning its class in the 1000km Monza, Targa Florio and Nürburgring races.

At the end of the season, Alfa Romeo had finished third in the 1968 International Championship for Makes. A total of 28 cars were built during 1968, allowing the 33/2 to be homologated as a Group 4 Sports Car for 1969.

Furthermore, with the 33TT12 racing car model, Alfa Romeo won the 1975 World Championship for Makes, and with the 33SC12 the 1977 World Championship for Sports Cars, taking the first place in all eight of the car racing championships. All kinds of racing car models mentioned above are derived by the Tipo 33 as well. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GIRARDO.COM | GASHETKA]

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Unique pre-war streamlined three-wheeler record breaker

We can see the pre-war period (around the 1930s) as one of the milestones in which has recorded that automotive technology experienced significant progress after the automotive industry players at that time began implementing aerodynamic principles to support the speed and stability of motorized vehicles when running on the street or on the race track.

No, it’s not a car, neither a computer mouse. It's a three-wheeled vehicle named Auto-Union DKW-Kahrman 600cc made in 1935. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2E0h8Uk)

Indeed, at that time, the world's automotive was also in the middle of the excitement of competing with each other to be the fastest on the racing track. And then it triggered competition among major countries in the world's automotive, especially in mainland Europe and America. And one of the countries that are also competing and the most ambitious is Germany.

The black & white photo colorized of the 1935 Auto-Union DKW-Kahrman 600cc. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2E0h8Uk)

In this country, the motorized vehicle racing euphoria also invited interference from the political forces in power at that time to influence and steer the automotive industry in there to create the fastest vehicle to fulfill the ruler's ambition to be the best in the world. By 1934, Hitler and his propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels were eager to use all aspects of international sporting activity in service of their fascist state, which included car and motorcycle racing.

A very rare photograph of Adolf Hitler inspecting the DKW factory. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZDcdjS)

BMW and DKW were the two-companies benefitted from the huge money flow supplied by the Nazi government, and both factories used the money boost to make radical technical changes to their cars and motorcycles. DKW was part of Auto Union by 1932, a German giant automotive manufacturer, with DKW by then the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

As all we know, the Auto Union racing cars were one of the most powerful and exotic GP cars ever, and their competition with the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Alfa Romeo is straight in line with the DKW motorcycle story. BMW at the same time developed their 328 sports-racer, an incredibly competent and beautifully designed car, considered an all-time classic.

Looking like a letter to the future, the DKW streamlined record-breaker without its canopy, which badly affected handling​. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZDcdjS)

As a logical consequence of receiving Hitler's cash at that time, the racing teams and record-breaking of the two manufacturers were under the control and supervision of the Nazi government, so it is not surprising that their drivers and riders in mandatory wore and used various Nazi attributes. So that it gives the impression to the rivals that they are all Nazis. Although in fact, not all of them were supporters of the Nazi fascist government.

The DKW streamlined-shape designed record-breaker three-wheeler without its canopy, while stopped on the pitstop​. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZDcdjS)

It seemed as if there was an agreement between BMW and DKW at that time to stay off each other's racing turf, as DKW focused on 250cc and 350cc GP racing and record-breaking, while BMW concentrated on 500cc racing and absolute World Speed Records.

At the time, BMW is perhaps better known for their BMW WR750 speed record motorcycles in 1936, while DKW as equally at the forefront of the new science of streamlining and engine development, having pioneered the Schnurle-loop scavenge system on their two-stroke engines, and the use of superchargers with twin-piston combustion chambers, so the blowers didn't simply push the fuel mix straight out the exhaust pipe.

The 1935 Auto-Union DKW-Kahrman 600cc with its full streamlined bodywork​. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZDcdjS)

It is known as well that at that time DKW was developing record-breaking racing vehicles with 250cc and 350cc engines alongside their Auto Union GP cars. The vehicle has appeared in a fabulously compelling bodywork with astonishing speed and sophistication, as it was developed in a wind tunnel (something they could afford with Nazi cash).

The BMW three-wheeled record-breaker with its full streamlining, which was more stable than the DKW bodywork​​. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZDcdjS)

Uniquely, there's a vehicle made by DKW in the three-wheeled vehicle platform. It is not known whether it is included in one of the categories of vehicle classes that are competed in addition to motorbikes (two-wheeled vehicles) and cars (four-wheeled vehicles). 

It seems later than BMW (broke the agreement for a while) by developing an almost similar three-wheeled vehicle with an airplane-shaped design and is believed to be more stable than the DKW model. But unfortunately, it isn't known whether all of these future look three-wheeled vehicles are able to complete its mission to break the records.😉 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CAR-DAY.RU | THEVINTAGENT.COM | TRIUMPHTALK.COM]

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Do you ever see this Ermini's barchetta?

If we look at the figure of this beautiful classic car, at first glance, we will immediately remember the famous car brands like Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, etc. However, if you look at the front grille, which has the 'E' emblem firmly imprinted on it, you might immediately wonder; what is the brand of this beautiful sports car? 

1948 Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa is a two-seater barchetta bodied by Morelli. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ikCafo)

This is the Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa. It is a 2-seater barchetta bodied by Morelli and manufactured in 1948. Ermini? Maybe some of us rarely know or even don't know about this Italian brand. Let's talked about it. 

During the years just after the Second World War, there were plenty of small sportscar manufacturers in Italy producing cars for the many road races that were organized. The most popular was the 750 and 1100 cc classes and the cars were often based on mass-produced components from Fiat.

1948 Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa was the first car built by Pasquono Ermini for compete in various racing events. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bMKMc3)

One of the smallest of these manufacturers, often derogatorily referred to as "Etceterini" to distinguish them from the more familiar names like Ferrari and Maserati, must have been Ermini from Florence. But still, it was successful enough to be remembered today.

The brand owned by Ermini Automobili, an Italian automotive company is founded by Pasquino Ermini, a Florence engineer who learned his trade as a mechanic and driver during the 1920s and '30s with the Squadra Materassi and its Bugatti and Talbot cars. Following the war, he built his first car, a combination of a (heavily modified) Fiat 1100 chassis and an Alfa Romeo 2500 engine. With this, he competed in various events.

1948 Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa is a combination of a (heavily modified) Fiat 1100 chassis and an Alfa Romeo 2500 engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bK4JjZ)

He then decided to produce his own engine, choosing to enter the then-popular 1100 class. The result was a twin-cam 1094cc unit which emerged in 1947, one of the first twin-cams in that class. It immediately proved successful and was sold to many competitors, who fitted it to a variety of cars, usually either based on the 1100 or with a chassis by Gilco.

Bodies were supplied by numerous coachbuilders. In 1949 Ermini began building complete cars, with his 1100 DOHC engine, the chassis by Gilco, and the bodywork by Tofani. The early 1950's saw the Ermini 1100 as the car (or engine for those who chose to fit it to different chassis') to have. Tofani was unable to meet the demand, and so Motto and Morelli were used to producing the bodies.

Rear three quarter of the 1948 Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35oxO35)

In 1953 Ermini introduced a new engine. Still a DOHC 1100 it now had an aluminum block and five main-bearing crankshafts. Around 20 engines were built and were fitted to cars by Ermini themselves (with a chassis designed by Gilco, Scaglietti, Morelli, and Frua (designed by Michelotti).

Even though it looks small, the work of this Italian automotive manufacturer still exists today. Yes, this company still continues to produce cars and engines for various purposes, especially racing needs. And its last production sports car was Ermini 686 'Seiottosei' which was exposed to the public at the 2014 Geneva International Motor Show. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ERMINI AUTOMOBILI | SUPERCARS.NET | COACHBUILD.COM | RITZSITE.NL | CARS A-Z]

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