Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic suit

Unique ONES After many car models were made in Ghia's Supersonic bodywork, on this occasion we will discuss one car model ever built wearing those bodyworks, namely the Shelby Cobra 427. This car made by this American manufacturer had outstanding performance and was very popular in the world's racing circuits of the 1960s.

This is the 1965 Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic bodywork made by John Willment. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L02hN1)

If you hear Cobra fans talking about the Cobra coupe and they mostly mean the Cobra Daytona coupe (CSX9000) designed by Pete Brock. The car was first bodied in the US by California Metal Shaping and the remaining five in Italy.

These cars are known to have played a key role in Shelby American's quest to win the world's manufacturing championship in 1965. But this is not about the Cobra Daytona coupe mentioned above.

This is one of the six of the famous 1965 Shelby Brock Cobra Daytona coupe. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L02hN1)

It turns out that there is another Cobra coupe bodied in Italy prowling the earth and has a much scarier engine than the Daytona Shelby coupe, the FE 427-inch series. Yes, this model is wearing a big block engine! How did it come about?

The way the car came about was very unique, it happened when a British Ford dealer and racing team sponsor John Willment found something extraordinary in the junkyard, namely an aluminum bodywork of the Ghia Supersonic designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi. As we all know,  it was originally mounted on the Fiat 8V chassis. At the same time they also had some of the Cobra 427's chassis from earlier racing efforts.

This gorgeous creation built of the Ghia's Supersonic aluminum bodywork put on the top of 1965 Cobra 427 chassis by John Willment. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mXcnvk)

Maybe at that time John Willment imagined how beautiful the Cobra 427 would appear in Ghia's Supersonic bodywork. Then he's decided to marry the rest of the Ghia Supersonic aluminum bodywork with the Cobra 427 chassis. 

The hodgepodge car was powered by an engine (not the original 427 engine) but was suitable for that which was prepared by Holman Moody, then combined with twin four barrel carbs and depending on compression and tune conditions capable of producing up to 485 hp.

One of the most recent appearances of 1965 John Willment Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic suit, according to Classic and Sports Car magazine was at a British concours in 2014. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L02hN1)

Some theorize that the 427's chassis tube was extended 5" at the front. And the Supersonic body had to be modified to fit the new chassis. It's rumoured that John Willment lost interest in the project before it was fully completed, but based on the modern looking photos, the car was recently finished.

1965 John Willment Cobra 427 under the Ghia's Supersonic suit uses an engine (not the original 427 engine) but was suitable for that which was prepared by Holman Moody, then coupled with twin four barrel carbs capable of producing up to 485 hp. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L02hN1)

This car has been around for about five decades. At one point, it belonged to a London policeman who's bought it when the price was still under $10,000. Maybe now it has an exorbitant price (estimated could be reach 6-7 digits) if it sold through one of the world's famous auction houses.

We're sorry if the following video contains about the Fiat Supersonic 8V not the Cobra 427.

It would be nice to have one of the beautiful Ghia Supersonic-bodied cars. As we all know, they also build it with Fiat, Jaguar, Aston Martin, and De Soto (Chrysler) mechanics, but this one based on the Cobra 427 has got to be the best-performing version of all. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GTPLANET FORUM | MYCARREQUEST | DELESSENCEDANSMESVEINES ]

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Here's one of the Austrian's reliable scooters

Unique ONES As all we know, the scooter's hey-day was occurred in the 1950s to 1960s throughout the world. This also happens in Austria, as one of the centers of the automotive industry in Europe, although not as big as its neighbor Germany.

Puch RL 125 uses a 2-stroke 125cc engine and was mated to a 3-speed manual transmission system was shifted from the left twistgrip. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/356wG3g)

A while ago we ever discussed before several Austrian scooter brands, such as Colibri from Josef Walter & Co or scooters made by KTM starting from Mirabel, Mecky to Pony. Then there are the scooters designed by Otto Kauba which are also made into several brands from this country.

Puch RL 125 was also known for their moderate performance, with a top speed of around 45 mph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/356wG3g)

It turns out that there is another big name in the automotive world from Austria, namely Puch. For true automotive enthusiasts, you must be familiar with this brand which was quite famous in the 1950s to the 1960s. Well this time we will discuss the figure of a unique scooter which also comes from the Austrian manufacturer.

Puch Motorcycles is one of the oldest manufacturers in Europe, founded in 1891 in Graz, Austria, when Johann Puch & Comp was originally dedicated to bicycle production. As time goes by, besides bicycles, this manufacturer also produces cars, mopeds, scooters, motorbikes and machinery.

The company built their first motorcycle in 1903, and by 1912, the year company founder Johann Puch retired, the factory produced more than 300 motorbikes and cars every year, along with about 16,000 bicycles.

 

After World War II, they built two-stroke off-road and road bikes with 125, 175, and 250cc engines, as well as various scooters and mopeds with smaller engines. It is also known that Puch's machines are widely used by various brands of motorbikes and scooters and some of them are marketed in the United States by Sears Roebuck as Allstate engines.

Puch SR 150 uses a 2-stroke 150cc engine and was mated to a 3-speed manual transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3ocGH6C)

Next to the scooters, this Austrian brand has also ever produced scooters in the 1950s to 1960s, with several models being born from the production line at its factory located in Graz. Until the end of the 1950s, this Austrian manufacturer saw strong sales due to the European public high interest to scooters.

The Puch's scooters have developed a reputation for reliability and are popular for everyday commuting, providing good weather protection and ease of use. Its first scooter model was known as the Puch RL 125 which had a 2-stroke 125cc engine and was mated to a 3-speed manual transmission system was shifted from the left twistgrip. According to some sources, the Puch scooter model bodywork elements were developed in collaboration with the Lambretta maker, although they are not intended for sports use.

Puch SR 150 was delivering better performance of 6 hp rather than 5 hp but retaining three-speeds gearbox. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3ocGH6C)

The Puch's first model scooters went into production in 1951 and were also known for their moderate performance, with a top speed of around 45 mph, was not a problem. The next Puch SR 150 'Alpine' model has a 150cc engine and foot-operation, delivering better performance of 6 hp rather than 5 hp but retaining three-speeds gearbox.

In 1987, the motorcycle division of this brand became part of Piaggio Group and still produces bikes under the name Puch. When the bicycle division of Piaggio, which also included Bianchi Bicycles was sold to the Swedish Grimaldi Industri group in 1997, Puch became part of Cycleurope. In 2011, Austrian entrepreneur Josef Faber took control of the brand, with the 2012 line of bicycles manufactured by Cycleurope in France.

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to these Puch's unique-shaped scooters, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

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 | GDSIT | WIKIPEDIA | CYBERMOTORCYCLE ]

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The only of Its kind, Bizzarrini BZ-2001

ONE-OFF Bizzarrini is the name of a 1960s Italian automaker based in Livorno. The company was founded in 1964 by Giotto Bizzarrini, an engineer who had worked for Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Iso. Long before that, in 1953, young Giotto Bizzarrini had also built his own car based on the Fiat 500 Topolino which became known as Macchinetta.

1993 Bizzarrini BZ-2001. (Picture ftom: http://bit.ly/37HQ1tk)

And it is known that during its short life, this company has produced 3 car models that are quite famous in 1966, namely the 5300 Strada, 1900 GT Europa, and the P538 S. Then there are several models of road cars made specifically for smart customers, including several race cars that take part in racing events such as the 12 Hours Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Unfortunately all the car production of the company has a very low volume, for example the Strada alone only produced 133 units. Maybe that's why in 1969 this company no longer exists. After this brand went bankrupt, Giotto Bizzarrini was still working on some of the ideas that existed in the 1970s. In particular he worked on several examples of a new model called the AMX/3 and several units of the P538 S. 

1993 Bizzarrini BZ-2001. (Picture ftom: http://bit.ly/37HQ1tk)

Until one day in the early 1990s, Giotto Bizzarrini was contacted by an investor named Barry Watkins to return to designing a new super car. was accepted by him, so the World SuperCars, Inc. was formed, since then the car project called Bizzarrini BZ-2001 was officially underway.

Bizzarrini designed the body of this car which consisted entirely of carbon fiber. This sleek new design was sponsored by several different parts manufacturers who also helped with the design. As the driving force, this BZ-2001 uses a 4.9L Ferrari Testarossa V12 engine capable of producing up to 385 hp and 361 lb-ft (490 Nm) of torque, which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission to deliver power to the rear wheels.

1993 Bizzarrini BZ-2001. (Picture ftom: http://bit.ly/37HQ1tk)

The prototype was completed around 1993 and had appeared at various auto shows at that time. Then this car project had attracted the interest of the Indonesian and Malaysian company conglomeration through a holding company called MegaTech to take part in the production process, so that World SuperCars, Inc. plans to make only 25 units and sells for up to the US. $250,000 ($450,925 adjusted). But unfortunately the plan failed because of waning interest of the MegaTech, which was later found to have turned away by taking over ownership of Lamborghini from the American giant Chrysler.

1993 Bizzarrini BZ-2001. (Picture ftom: http://bit.ly/37HQ1tk)

It seems that's not all, it is estimated that the production failure of the Bizzarrini BZ-2001 car is also caused by the price of the car which is considered extreme, some say it may also be caused by the failure of the test drive by Autoweek due to the flying hood incident. However, the 2001 Bizzarrini BZ never progressed beyond a single prototype.

Some time ago (April 2020) LM Classic Cars put a tag of around $ 814,000 for this unique supercar. That price is a lot more than your typical Ferrari Testarossa, but the BZ-2001 is much more unique and arguably better looking. Still it has an incredible price. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TECHEBLOG | THE TRUTH ABOUT CARS | CARSCOOPS ]

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The Croatian's Alfa Romeo Spyder

ONE-OFF In the 1930s, when the automotive world began to move forward, many new innovations and creations were carried out by the automotive industry at that time. Initially, the world community had great enthusiasm so that it raised high expectations in the automotive industry to be able to change the face of the world.

1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider while on display at the Salon Prive Concours d'Elegance 2010. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2M8Cfrn)

Can you imaginated, in the middle of the great depression of the 1930s, they are competing to make and present a vehicle which is then predicted to be a vehicle of the future. It was not surprising that the automotive industry always hailed when they launched something with the frills of future vehicle creations.

At that time there was quite exciting competition among the automotive industry players, and at an Italian automotive manufacturer called Alfa Romeo which was the work place of an Italian designer of Hungarian descent named Vittorio Jano when he got a brilliant intuition. In working on the ambitious new design project, Jano also involved two brothers Gino and Oscar Jankovits (son of an Alfa Romeo dealer in Fiume).

1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider was a clandestine project built to win high-speed races of the 1930s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2M8Cfrn)

As quoted from Wikipedia, the only-one car made by the two brothers was built in 1935 based on a ladder-type chassis, and is powered by an Alfa Romo 6C2300 Turismo engine (no. 700316 in 1934 from a Berlina) so the car called Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider or Croatian Alfa.

1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider is focused on developing more power and placing the engine in a front-engined single-seater. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34Juq1z)

At that time Fiume was annexed to Italy, now known as Rijeka and is part of Croatia. By working in their workshop named 'Lampo,' the two brothers brought Wilfredo Ricart's sketch to life and created a truly beautiful vehicle in between 1934 to 1946. Development of the car continued over several years, until Jano was fired from Alfa in 1937, just prior to the car being finished.

Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider was built in 1935 based on a ladder-type chassis, and is powered by an Alfa Romo 6C2300 Turismo engine (no. 700316 in 1934 from a Berlina). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38A6LSn)

The Jankovits brother kept the Aerospider and had it registered for street use. The car still wears the original Fiume license plates. And in late 1946, when the Yugoslav army invaded their homeland, they fled abroad with their-own vehicle creation (later called 'Croatian Alfa') and sought refuge in Trieste.

Until now, this Aerodinamica Spider car has recorded a number quite prestigious of achievements, as follows;

• It is said to be the first supercar to appear with a 'modern' sports car design.
• It was also known as the first mid-engined car with a central drive (although the Lancia kept a patent for a center-drive design in 1934).
• It is said to be the first car designed to take account of newly developed principles of aerodynamics, to provide low-drag both externally and internally.

This Alfa Romeo roadster was rediscovered in England in 1967. It went back to Italy in 2002 and in 2008, the car was restored to its original purpose of a high-speed racer. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ | MEGADELUXE | ITALIANWAYS ]

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Ares Design Wami Lalique Spyder

Back to vintage cars built with today's technology. As was done by a Modena-based automotive company called Ares Design through its design program called 'Legends Reborn' which was launched in 2018.

Ares Design Wami Lalique Spyder is inspired by 1950s famous roadster such Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder by Frua. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34zqfFC)

As a result, the first is a beautiful car called the Panther ProgettoUno whose design is inspired by the De Tomaso Pantera of the 1970s and has been exhibited at the 2019 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Then the second one was born of the Ares Design's Legends Reborn series, ie Wami Lalique Spyder, an elegant classic-style roadster.

Ares Design Wami Lalique Spyder is inspired by 1950s famous roadster such Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder by Frua. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34zqfFC)

The classic-style roadster is the result of a collaboration between Ares Design and Lalique, a French luxury crystal manufacturer and can be seen since 2018. In general, the appearance of this car is inspired by the design of the roadster that was popular in the 1950s, namely the Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder by Frua.

Ares Design Wami Lalique Spyder is inspired by 1950s famous roadster such Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder by Frua. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34zqfFC)

But what can be seen then there are a lot of designs at play here, starting from the long hood that successfully presents the essence of classics, such as the Jaguar E-Type and C1 Corvette. Meanwhile, the wire wheels and fender vents remind us of the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder.

So far Ares Design has been reluctant to mention what Wami was built based on (if the Panther ProgettoUno was built based of the Lamborghini Huracan), while the body appears to be made of aluminum and carbon fiber, and there is a chromed muffler, bumper and wheels.

Ares Design Wami Lalique Spyder is inspired by 1950s famous roadster such Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder by Frua. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34zqfFC)

For the engine, Ares Design also does not want to reveal the engine used in its roadster. From the circulating images, it will most likely use a manual gearbox and long hood indicating suitable for large-sized engine. 

Then there was some speculation circulating on the internet, starting with the use of the V8 engine which was mentioned as fair enough choice. However, we'll also find it hard to say no to the inline-six high performance or the powerful V12.

Ares Design Wami Lalique Spyder is inspired by 1950s famous roadster such Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder by Frua. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34zqfFC)

Meanwhile for the interior will be decorated with a distinctive two-tone touch with beautiful crystal sprinkles supplied by Lalique, ranging from the center console to the doors. The interior appearence looks more elegant with genuine leather layered, wood accents, and a black and white measuring system complementing the vintage-themed interior. However, Wami still gives off a modern scent with a large touch screen emerging from the dashboard.

"Over time, we started to really appreciate how beautiful and unique the car we co-created with our partner, Lalique," said Dany Bahar, co-founder of Ares Design. "This model is unlike anything we've produced before. The Wami Lalique Spyder would be a pleasure to have." He continued.

Ares Design plans to build only 12 units of Wami Lalique Spyder, but the availability and price are not yet known until today, which obviously won't be cheap. Happy New Year 2021, hopes the prosperity and succses may always upon You next year. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOPGEAR ]

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In the Shadows: XP-700 Corvette, Chevrolet's Hidden Gem

Missing Link - Long before Chevrolet earned its legendary status among American muscle cars, the brand experimented with various car models, some of which have faded into obscurity. One such forgotten gem is the Chevrolet XP-700 Corvette concept car, sandwiched between the 1959 Stingray Racer XP-87 and the 1961 Mako Shark XP-755.

The looks of the Chevrolet XP-700 Corvette in the first year of its existence and used as Bill Mitchell's personal car. (Picture from: ChevyHardcore)

The tale of the XP-700 dates back to 1958 when Bill Mitchell, then Vice President of General Motors Styling, collaborated with the Chevrolet design studio to birth a groundbreaking concept car, the XP-700. According to internal documents, Chevrolet envisioned the XP-700 Corvette as a cutting-edge experimental vehicle that not only showcased novel ideas but also promised to steal the show.

The Chevrolet XP-700 Corvette is featured with a special bubble top roof that was said to eliminate glare, a ventilating system built into the bubble, and a periscope-type rear view mirror to provide a completely unobstructed view of the road behind. (Picture from: ChevyHardcore)

Originally based on the 1958 Corvette, the XP-700 underwent substantial modifications to sport a race car-inspired look. The low hood overhang, broad frontal air scoops, transparent passenger canopy, and snubbed rear quarters transformed it into a futuristic marvel reminiscent of advanced race cars from its era. Initially, the car sported a striking red hue, serving as Bill Mitchell's personal ride for its first year.

The Chevrolet XP-700 Corvette's rear-styling also states is credited with influencing the second-generation Corvette. (Picture from: ChevyHardcore)

One of the XP-700's standout features was its special bubble top roof, installed in October 1959. Crafted from laminated plastic coated with vaporized aluminum, the bubble top aimed to eliminate glare, creating an interior resembling a high-tech terrarium. This transparent canopy, acting as a one-way mirror, also featured a unique rear-styling, influencing the design of the second-generation Corvette.

The Chevrolet XP-700 Corvette uses a small 283 cubic-inch block engine with 230 horsepower under the hood, and is paired with a four-speed manual transmission system. (Picture from: ChevyHardcore)

Inside, passengers faced a metal strut in the center of the canopy with louvered vents, ensuring a comfortable bubble-covered interior through a ventilation system. Despite its avant-garde design, the XP-700 retained its roots with a 283 cubic-inch block engine boasting 230 horsepower under the hood, coupled with a four-speed manual transmission.

The Chevrolet XP-700 Corvette concept car was revealed to the public for the first time at the 4th International Automobile Show in New York before it's gone. (Picture from: ChevyHardcore)

In 1959, the concept car underwent a striking transformation, donning a futuristic metallic silver coat. Finally, the public got a glimpse of this dream car in April 1960 at the 4th International Automobile Show in New York. However, after this grand reveal, the XP-700 seemingly vanished.

According to internal sources, around 1961 and 1962, the XP-700 evolved into the XP-755 Corvette (Mako Shark). There's a peculiar similarity in shape, leading enthusiasts to ponder whether the XP-755 is merely a refined version of the XP-700, with the primary difference lying in the front fascia.😕

The XP-700 Corvette, though largely forgotten, remains a testament to Chevrolet's innovative spirit during an era of automotive experimentation. As automotive enthusiasts delve into the archives, the mystery of the XP-700's disappearance and its connection to the XP-755 Corvette adds an intriguing chapter to the evolution of Chevrolet's iconic lineup. What do you think? *** [EKA [30122020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CHEVYHARDCORE ]

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