This '50s future car ever had three names at once

As we all know, in the 1950s, automotive industry players competed with each other to attract the attention of customers and then buy their production cars. Various ways have been done including by making several exhibition cars intended to lead public opinion regarding the technological advances they have achieved at that time and create trends so that they have the opportunity to dominate the automotive market.

1952 Lincoln Continental 1950-X is the first Ford's dream car with a tagline 'Car of Tomorrow'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ixoME4)

This is also done by Ford Motor Company, one of America's well-known car manufacturers which are known to have launched a lot of cars for sale around the world. As quoted from Carstyling.ru, the first dream car ever made by this American manufacturer may be worthied give to a car launched in early 1952, this car was originally named Lincoln Continental 1950-X and was also given the tagline 'Car of Tomorrow,' but then changed to Ford X-100 in 1953. And the name changed again to Lincoln Typhoon in 1957.

1952 Lincoln Continental 1950-X was also intended as a pilot model being studied for the development of a future practical five-passenger sedan. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ixoME4)

In addition to compensating its rival compatriots General Motors (GM), which was also at that time to be making its dream car model, the car was also intended as a pilot model being studied for the development of a future practical five-passenger sedan. Turn out, the car's torpedo style also inspired the birth of later models such as the Ford Thunderbird in the 1960s and many other models.

1953 Ford X-100is dubbed as 'laboratory on wheels,' was functioned like a laboratory for the manufacture of new features that later might be included into the production cars'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/36xi4vr)

Well, at that time the 'concept car' term did not exist yet, and then Ford called it a 'laboratory on wheels,' where this car was functioned like a laboratory for the manufacture of new features that later might be included into its production cars. Initially the car was made on a model scale to be tested in wind tunnels where the results are then used as important clues for future trends or products.

1953 Ford X-100 has 50 innovative features, including moisture-sensitive cells on the roof, which automatically closes plastic sliding roof panels, etc. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/36xi4vr)

Ford claims to have included as many as the first of 50 innovative features on this car, including moisture-sensitive cells on the roof, which automatically closes plastic sliding roof panels, a built-in hydraulic jacking system, heated seats and telephones, finally becoming commonplace. Others, such as the variable volume horn and in-car electric shaver, never really caught the attention of the public, etc.

1953 Ford X-100 has a sleek cockpit features an instrument panel with gauges clustered around the driver and a row of controls on the dashboard similar to the airplane throttles. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3d1wXHv)

In appearance, this car shows how the curved windshield merges with the top of the clear dome. And in anticipation of using the car in sunny weather, just above the front seat is attached a non-dazzling, low heat transmission section that can be mechanically pulled into the leather covered canopy.

The prototype is built on a 1952 production Lincoln chassis with a wheelbase of 123 inches, which was worked out in dramatic style by Ford's advanced design team that included Joe Oros, John Najjar and Elwood Engel. The sleek cockpit features an instrument panel with gauges clustered around the driver and a row of controls on the dashboard similar to the airplane throttles.

1953 Ford X-100 was fitted with an upgraded Lincoln 317.5 cubic inches V8 engine, which able to spew power of 300 horses. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3d1wXHv)

It is known that this car measures over 221 inches in length and 81 inches in width, with comfortable seating and offers a spacy enough room for two passengers. The top features a clear plexiglass half roof that can retract in and out of the upper pocket which operates automatically via an electric motor and a rain sensor.

1957 Lincoln Typhoon. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3izHQBx)

The car was fitted with a Lincoln V8 engine, typically displacing 317.5 cubic inches and producing 160 hp, upgraded to 300 hp via traditional hot rod techniques, including a free flowing exhaust manifold and a dual long range tube air purifier. One of the high-performance modes of the early 50s that a number of V8s tried was the five-carburetor intake manifold which the Ford dubbed the "Multi-Plex".

A fully functional prototype was produced and exhibited at various auto shows in America and Europe in 1953 as part of the automaker's 50th anniversary celebrations (the Ford Motor company was officially founded on June 16, 1903.) This car also became a movie-star when it acted in a Hollywood movie entitled 'A Woman World' in 1954. Finally in 1958, when its stint as an exhibition car ended, the car this was donated to the Henry Ford Museum, where it lives to this day. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THEHENRYFORD.ORG | CARSTYLING.RU | MACMOTORCITYGARAGE.COM]

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The Vespa 98 'Serie 0' classic scooter replica made in Indonesia

Having a legendary scooter such the Vespa 98 'Serie 0' (the first scooter model made by Piaggio in 1946) is like a dream, and many scooter enthusiasts in the world are eager to have. However, to make it happen is not easy, because it is constrained by the scarcity factor and the fantastic price. Especially for those ordinary people who always have financial limitations like Me and You.😉

Replica of Vespa 98 'Serie 0' built handmade by an Indonesian builder named Hery Widodo. (Cautions: This is just a replica, not a real one.) (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3nuOmNG)

How's not. As quoted in our previous article, in early 2017 there was an original Vespa 98 'Serie 0' being offered at a Catawiki's auction event with a price range of $268,150 - $348,600 or the equivalent of Rp.3.5 - 4.5 billion at that time. Look, it's a fantastic row of numbers, right? Although in the end, the highest bidder was below the desired price range above, which was around $195,748 or approx Rp.2.6 billion only. From this, we can see that not just anyone can own the first scooter model made by Piaggio.😢

Replica of Vespa 98 'Serie 0' uses a 2-stroke 150cc engine taken of the Indonesian commonly used Vespa Super 150 scooter model of 1970s. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3nuOmNG)

Then what about those of us who want to own a scooter like this? Maybe the solution for us is limited to have a replica only was okay. So on this occasion, we will take you to see an Indonesian craftsman who specializes in making replicas of the Vespa 98 'Serie 0.'

He is Hery Widodo, a Banyumas-based craftsman who has been making replicas of the legendary Piaggio's scooters since 2018. Amazingly he made a the scooter replica by handmade from scratch (except for the tires and rims) which is forged manually by using a 1.2 mm galvanized plate for the whole of bodies while a 1.5 mm-plate for its chassis.

Starting with the production of the iconic Vespa 98 scooter in 1946, and for more than 70 years of the Piaggio's journey in the world's automotive industry, it turns out has produced hundreds of models. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34CJ1uW)

As quoted from Motorplus-Online, Hery Widodo told how he started to build the replica scooter business of his owned. Initially in 2012 he casually posted the process of making a Vespa 98 replica on his Facebook page. He further said that at that time the entire manufacturing process was carried out only based on images without having the correct sizes. Unexpectedly then he was contacted by Vespa Italia and sent him the manual.

Even though now, he has the correct sizes, he cannot be careless in the manufacturing process, because according to him the process of making the replica scooter has a high level of difficulty and requires a high level of accuracy as well. All parts were custom made by hand, ranging from the handlebar, seats, headlights, front fenders to the gear stick.

Replica of Vespa 98 'Serie 0' parts such the horns and electrical switches, they are made as similar as possible to the original but with a slightly larger size and placed on the right handlebar. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3nuOmNG)

While the engine used for the replica is not a similar 98cc engine, but has been swapped with the larger one of 150cc capacity  taken of the Indonesian commonly used Vespa Super 150 scooter model of 1970s and mated with the four-speed manual transmission system. To make it look similar to the original scooter, so on the replica pinned a gear stick as is generally installed on motorized vehicles in the 1940s for gear shifting.

On some parts of the body of Vespa 98 'Serie 0' replica looks unpainted, aka left to look like cans and only the front fender, the right-left of the bodies, a little parts that near the fuel-cap and under the seat were painted. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3nuOmNG)

Then for another parts such the horns and electrical switches, they are made as similar as possible to the original but with a slightly larger size and placed on the right handlebar. While the seats are wrapped in genuine leather and also made as closely as possible with the 1940s Vespa 98 scooter models.

Because it carries the theme to be similar to the original Vespa 98 scooter, on some parts of the body of this replica it looks unpainted, aka left to look like cans. The part that is touched by the paint is only the front fender then the right-left of the bodies, a little that near the fuel-cap and under the seat. Besides that there's another slight drawback, due to this replica uses a larger engine that makes it look like not fit and protruding out of the right-side of the body. It could be that makes it look uncool, for those of you who like something colorful.

But at least when we return to the original purpose of making this replica, the first, it is made as closely as possible to the original Vespa 98 'Serie 0,' and most importantly of all, its price might be affordable with our pocket.

Indeed, this Vespa 98 replica much cheaper bro! It said to cost you only $4,891 or Rp. 71 million (source). If you're interested to have one, please contact Hery Widodo at his workshop in Jl. Raya Jatilawang no 32 Banyumas Purwokerto, Central Java - 53174.👈

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORPLUS-ONLINE | MOTORCUSTOM]

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One of the coolest Peugeot cars of the 1980s

In the 1980s Peugeot was going through difficult times and was considered to have lost its charisma. As if to answer these allegations as well as proof, Peugeot revealed something fractal, starting with the launch of a convertible sports concept car that should really impress us for a future car called the Peugeot Quasar in 1985. 

1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

This French automotive manufacturer's journey continued when in 1988 it launched an attractive concept car named Peugeot Oxia. Implicitly this concept car is inspired by the Peugeot Quasar concept car. And at that time Peugeot had to spend around ₣8 million or around £2 million to build two units of the Oxia concept car.

This concept car bears an unusual name because reportedly the name was taken from an area on our neighbor red planet, Mars called Oxia Palus. As reported from Automobile magazine, Peugeot's head of interior styling at the time, Paul Bracq, seems eager to compare this 1980s Peugeot Oxia concept car to the exoticism of some legendary 1930s cars, by calling it "my idea of a Delage, Delahaye, or Talbot for the 1990s."

1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: AutoCart)

The French car company further describes the creation of the Peugeot Oxia concept car at that time as "the dreamer essence hidden deep in the hearts of modern humans." It was a car that "everyone would like to have but no one else could." In general, this concept car is built using the same platform as the Peugeot's sports car for the Le Mans championship which is equipped with a V6, 286cc, twin-turbo engine so that it can produce about 670 hp at 8,200 rpm and a maximum torque of 535 lb.ft at 4,500 rpm.

1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: AutoCart)

The Peugeot Oxia weighs of 1,377kg is equipped with an intricate transmission system featuring an epicyclic center differential that provides a torque separation of 25% at the front, 75% at the rear, and incorporates a thick Ferguson clutch, plus electronically controlled limited-slip differentials at the front and rear and steering is responsible for a lot of it. The suspension is also double wishbone, not to mention that each gas-filled damper is surrounded by a pair of concentric coil springs.

1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: AutoCart)

Underneath its sleek appearance, the Oxia concept is a mix between Group B rally cars and Group C sports racings. There is an enormous side intake duct adorning its body, while the driver and occupants sit in a large glass canopy accompanied by Clarion's entertainment devices. This car is also equipped with a computer system that is ready to map travel routes, perform standard safety checks, and warn of road and traffic conditions ahead. While at the rear, there are twin megaphone exhaust pipes that can roar loudly when used on the streets.

1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: Motor1)

At that time, to show their sincerity that Oxia was more than just a show car, Peugeot invited many journalists to go around testing it. With a test driver from tire manufacturer Michelin behind the wheel, the Peugeot super-coupe was able to reach a top speed of 217 mph (348 kph), and reportedly that's a figure far beyond what the French company previously claimed.

Although we will never see it running for real on the road, or even slated to appear in Peugeot's line of racing models and possibly in production cars. However, this can be said to be a historic milestone for Peugeot to re-establish itself as one of the world's automotive top-marques. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JALOPNIK | DRIVETRIBE]

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The Supersonic, the '40s art-deco car model

It's not just this time where people imagine what a future vehicle will look like, it has been done by people for a long time. Even since the late 1930s, long before the future vehicle boom in the 1950s to the 1960s which known as jet-age. 

At the time (the 1930s) the world being widely influenced by art-deco design and people also describe the future always has related those styles. This specific design styled was born after World War I and ended before World War II (ranging from 1920 to 1939).

This is how the Supersonic looked after Laouis Fageol had bought of Joel Thorne and modified in 1948. (Picture from: JustACarGuy)

Art-deco design greatly influences decorative arts such as architecture, interior design, and industrial design, as well as visual arts such as fashion. Not surprisingly, this art-deco design is also applied to motorized vehicles.

Indeed, many vehicle designs from the 1930s with the theme of future vehicles almost entirely carry this style. As an automotive enthusiast, you will certainly remember a future concept car from the late 1930s such as the 1938 Phantom Corsair.

1948 Fageol Supersonic is featured a low-slanting hood and a slide away sunroof over the front seat. (Picture from: Hemmings)

It turns out that there is another one named Fageol Supersonic that carries a similar design but uniquely this car was developed by Louis Fageol, one of the owners of a well-known Twin Coach Company in 1948. Yes, he and his two-brother (Frank and William), are the owner the company specialized in building jet aircraft parts and twin-engined buses under the brand of Fageol.

It was original form of the Fageol Supersonic when it was first built by Thorne Engineering of Burbank, California as a racing car in 1938. (Picture from: Kustorama)

The 'Supersonic' entitled car was originally designed as a racing car by Thorne Engineering, the Burbank, California-based engineering firm owned by Joel Thornton in 1938. It was planned to be used in a land-speed record-breaking event held at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, and became a competitor of a number of big European brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Auto-Union DKW, etc.

Fageol Supersonic as a streamlined race car was constructed to break the land speed record against 😅the Mercedes Silver Arrow and Auto Union land speed cars. (Picture from: Kustorama)

As a vehicle for the land-speed record-breaking, the Supersonic was equipped from the start by Miller's twin-engine. However, the project was forced to stop and neglected due to financial difficulties. And in 1948, the unfinished racing car was sold to Louis Fageol who has later developed it into what it is today.

The Fageol Supersonic is debuted at Indy in 1949 and Wilbur Shaw drove it on a few exhibition laps, during which it reached 125 mph on the straights. (Picture from: Hemmings)

This car is given a streamlined aluminum body, then replaced its original Miller's twin-engine with a single six-cylinder Fageol's bus engine, and featured a low-slanting hood and a slide away sunroof over the front seat. In 1949, Lou Fageol showed his futuristic streamline creation at the Indy.😑

In 1953, the Fageol Supersonic was one of the cars featured in the book entitled 'Trend Book 107 Dream Cars,' and at the time the car has many changes. One of which is the wheelbase of 124 inches, with an overall length of 210 inches. Amazingly, this Fageol's dream car is powered by an aluminum propane power plant capable of generating power up to 275 hp.

The final-shape of Fageol Supersonic as on display at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, California in 2009. (Picture from: Kustorama)

Apparently, Fageol has designed a specially ultra-modern engine with LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) for this car. The engine was a single-overhead-cam engine on 404 cubic inches. According to Fageol, the car is capable of going up to a maximum speed of 150 mph due to its high power to weight ratio and efficient streamlining. At that time, it was known that Louis Fageol regularly used the Supersonic to travel to both California and New York.

The Fageol Supersonic still exists today, since 2009 this car has become the property of Robert DeMars and was loaned to be exhibited at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, California. But unfortunately, the innovative engine created by Fageol is no longer installed in this car. And reportedly those innovative engine was replaced by the Twin Coach six-cylinder bus engine in 1953. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FAGEOL | KUSTOMRAMA | HEMMINGS | JALOPNIK | JUSTACARGUY | FACEBOOK]

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A real beauty 'Demon Rouge' of the 1950s

It is undeniable that the 1950s are called the world's automotive heyday, this can be seen from there're so many beautiful vehicle designs born by the skilled hands of automotive designers and engineers like a maestro with his expertise to make dreams and inspirations into one of the masterpieces, which's not only beautiful, unique, futuristic or even perhaps strange according to the public view at that time.

1954 Fiat 8V 'Demon Rouge' Coupe re-bodied by Vignale and designed by Giovanni Michelotti. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33itq4r)

Can you imagine, if a car that initially appears mediocre, after getting their touch of magic immediately turn into a car that can attract admiration from those who see it? Even though sometimes, what is presented in public is a car with a wacky and unique shape. Yes, the works still can make the head of yours turning around at them while saying, what kind of car is that?

1954 Fiat 8V 'Demon Rouge' Coupe by Vignale and designed by Giovanni Michelotti. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3id7prS)

Like today, when you're looking at the 'Demon Rouge' ('Red Devil' in English), that began its life as Fiat 8V then re-bodied in 1954 by Vignale, an Italian coach-building house under the direction of the famous automotive designer Giovanni Michelotti. Then becoming some kind of an extremely unique and distinctive masterpiece, which is always interesting to be noticed.

1954 Fiat 8V 'Demon Rouge' Coupe by Vignale and designed by Giovanni Michelotti. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3id7prS)

The Fiat 8V ('Otto Vu' in Italian) is a sports car is built by Fiat and launched in 1952 in order to participate in the Mille Miglia racing event. The car uses an eight-cylinder engine and has a quite expensive price tag of $6,000 in America, almost twice as much as a Jaguar XK120. Those Fiat 8V was built by the Italian auto company only 114 units, and some of them dressed up by Zagato, Ghia, and Vignale coachwork companies.

At the time, Vignale offered various bodies for the 8V, such as five coupes, one spider, and one coupe Corsa were built. As one of the last models, the aggressive-looking Fiat 8V 'Demon Rouge' was presented in 1954. And today, certainly, there's no such car ever made by them anymore. It becoming rare and be one of the most sought-after cars in the world.

As we've been seeing on the internet through many sites like coachbuild.com, carstyling.ru, jalopnik.com, and others, we haven't found yet a car that can considerably be said is more unique and strange than this wonderful car that's full of a nice blend of '50s styling cues. There're distinctive fins, wraparound front and rear windows, two-tone paint, inset front headlights, and a chrome strip or two.

1954 Fiat 8V 'Demon Rouge' Coupe re-bodied by Vignale and designed by Giovanni Michelotti. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33itq4r)

Perhaps you will ask, where's the Michelotti's creativity and inventiveness on this 'Démon Rouge'? You could be seen it on the semi-circular, vertical rear window under the extended roofline that's one of the most striking details. It was an aerodynamic trick intended to keep the rear window clean and dry during heavy rainfall. Those similar designs would later be applied to the Ford Anglia and the Citroën Ami.
The roof itself is largely made of Plexiglas, to give the impression of an open car. The door handles are ingeniously incorporated into the rear pillars. The car doesn't have any bumpers and the headlights pinned inside the chrome-accented grille.

The 8V 'Demon Rouge' sports car had many achievements, such as in 1955 the design won the first prize in the 'Coppa Campione d'Italia' Concours d'Elegance. Nearly fifty years later, in 2004, the car won the 'Best of Show' prize at the Concours d'Elegance at palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn, the most prestigious motorcar event in the Netherlands.

But surely you can think of a coach-built car that's wackier than this. What's the weirdest custom cars you've ever seen? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COACHBUILD.COM | CARSTYLING.RU | JALOPNIK.COM | HISTORICAUTOPRO.COM]

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The Weitz X600, a weird fashioned Camaro-based custom car

Usually, the world's fashion is not too far from the world's automotive, almost like two sides of a coin. Many fashion designers like the cars, for example, Karl Lagerfeld once had made his own BMW 750, André Courrèges did a cool Matra Bagheera, Paul Smith a stripy Mini while Ralph Lauren regularly exhibits his super shiny car toys and many others.

1979 Weitz X600, a unique one-off roadster made by a British company called Mallalieu Cars specially designed by Albrecht Goertz commissioned by John Weitz. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33cyJCr)

But what if the world of fashion is really applied to a four-wheeled vehicle. Whether could it be said the fashion icon or fashion victim? Look at this sinister-looking custom Camaro was commissioned by one of the great men in the world's fashion in 1979.

1979 Weitz X600 built based on the chassis of a brand new 1979 Camaro Z-28 which used all of its engineerings but clothed in a dramatic new aluminum body. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33cyJCr)

That's John Weitz, who's fame with menswear in the sixties and seventies and even liked cars too. He was a regular competitor in the Vintage Sports-Car Club (VSCC) and owned plenty of nice sports cars ranging from Allard, Ferrari, Healey to Corvette. The only things he doesn't have are unique items, like the cars that no one else has.

For this matter then he made preparation to make it, once upon the time then he asked John DeLorean for advice on sports car design. But DeLorean had other ideas and answered casually, 'I don't design pants, you don't design cars' and then walked away. Weitz didn't care, and finally, he went to Albrecht Goertz to design a two-seat sports car. Although, in the end, it came up largely penned by himself.

1979 Weitz X600 has unusual sinister-looking headlights and a special-shaped front grill resembled the mouth. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33cyJCr)

The car was based on the chassis of a brand new (1979) Camaro Z-28 which used all of its engineerings but clothed in a dramatic new aluminum suit. Then he found out that his custom car coachbuilding cost was expensive in America. Then he sent and built it in rural Northamptonshire done by a British company called Mallalieu Cars.

And from the side, the Weitz X600 with long flowing lines, but came with hard edges, plus also emphasized by a red trim line. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3cQ841u)

In December 1979, the Camaro-based sports car was completed and sent back to America. For Weitz, it was like getting a cool Christmas gift when he picked it up at the Kennedy International Airport. The car was christened Weitz X600, with ‘X’ for experimental and ‘600’ for the address number of Weitz's office in the Madison Avenue, New York.

The sinister-looking sports car was of a most unusual design with long flowing lines, but came with hard edges too, emphasized by a red trim line. The car was shown a few times in both the US as in Mexico and Japan. On one occasion, Weitz even had said that he had plans for a limited series and set a price at around $60.000 each. But it never happened, the X600 remains a one-off.

The Weitz X600 sports car is on s 108-inch wheelbase and weighs in at 2,300 lbs with its original GM's 350-cu.-in. V8 engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33cyJCr)

Then suddenly it become a mystery after John Weitz died in 2002, no one knows what happened to the car. And lastly, the 1979 Weitz X600 roadster was seen  in 2018, when it is included one of a Don Smith's private car collection to be auctioned at a fundraising event in Terre Haute, Indiana. After the auction event, back into mystery. Do you have any idea, where's the car now? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COACHBUILT]

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