The unusual BMW 507 Loewy concept car

ONE-OFF Of course, the world's car lovers must be familiar and understand, when asked about one of the characteristics of BMW car models. Just by looking at what is on the front of those car, there's a distinctive kidney-shaped grille, we can find out about. Then when you look at the following classic BMW car, you will not find those typical-griles characteristics are. Who designed those BMW car model?

1957 BMW 507 Loewy Concept designed by Raymond Loewy and built by Pichon et Parat, a Paris-based coachbuilder. (Picture from: Conceptcarz)

The car is the BMW 507 Loewy Concept, which was designed and built by an American French-born industrial designer named Raymond Loewy. Maybe some of you wanna ask, who is he? He was born in France, then spent most of his professional career in the United States from the early 1930s to the late 1950s with his streamlined design style flourished.

1957 BMW 507 Loewy Concept built based on the legendary BMW 507 under totally unusual styles and designs. (Picture from: Conceptcarz)

He is best known as the designer of the current Shell logo as well as the Lucky Strike logo. In the world's automotive, he is indeed famous for his eccentric works and it could be seen on one of his costly experimental design works called the 1941 Loewy Lincoln. Then he was also known as an automotive designer for Studabaker and one of his famous works is Studebaker Avanti. No wonder if some called him as Father of Industrial Design.

1957 BMW 507 Loewy Concept powerd by a a 150 horsepower V8 used dual Zenith carburetors, wore aluminum cylinder heads, had dual exhaust and a four-speed gearbox. (Picture from: BMWBlog)

The story of this concept car began when the designer wanted his own unique BMW 507 and appeared in different styles. So in 1957, he purchased a 507 off the show room floor, removed the body and created his own look for the BMW 507. As we know that the BMW 507 is a very famous car model in the 1950s because one of them was once owned by Elvis Presley while he served as the GI's and stationed in Munich, Germany. 

1957 BMW 507 Loewy Concept was used by by Raymond Loewy as a private vehicle before being donated to the Natural History Museum in LA in the 1962. (Picture from: Conceptcarz)

To make his dream car come true, he sent the 507 chassis  to Sens, southeast of Paris, to make the bodywork as his desires at the Pichon et Parat, a specialist coachbuilding company best known for creating several unique one-off bodies on a variety of chassis in the 1950s. At first glance, if you look at the BMW 507 Loewy concept car from the side, it will be clear where he got the inspiration for his later Avanti. 

1957 BMW 507 Loewy Concept sat on display at the 2013 Peeble Beach Concours. (Picture from: BMWBlog)

Besides that in the BMW 507 Loewy concept car, you will not find any more distinctive features of those Bavarian car, ranging from the grille shape, headlights and so on. It's totally changed. Perhaps what remains is the engine under the hood, which is a 150 horsepower V8 used dual Zenith carburetors, wore aluminum cylinder heads, had dual exhaust and a four-speed gearbox.

After completion, this concept car was exhibited for the first time at the Paris Auto Salon 1957 although there were no plans to put it into production as it was originally intended as a study design only. After the expo, the car is known to be the Loewy personal vehicle and had seen many times to be driven by him in the French Rivera.

And when he flew back to New York, Loewy brought this car along with him, then pinned NY plates on it and drove for several years before donating it in 1962 to the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. The Loewy concept car last appearance in front of the world's automotive public occurred at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ | BMWBLOG ]

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Here's the Ferrari 'Superfast' series before the 812 (Part-3)

Legendary ONES After in the previous part we discussed the first Ferrari model to bear a special name as the Ferrari 410 Superfast which can also be said to be the ancestor of the Ferrari 812 Superfast and several subsequent models launched in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Now we continue the discussion on the next model in this car series ever made by Ferrari.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast has an oval grille, protruding fenders and twin bumpers which were later adopted in the entire Ferrari car line-up in the mid-1960s. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Furthermore, in 1964 the Maranello-based manufacturer then launched the Ferrari 500 Superfast, which is said one of its flagship grand tourer cars as the last Superfast series before the 812 was born in the 2018 and also the last series of the Ferrari 400 and 410 Superamerica. This car also is considered as one of Ferrari's ideal V12 engined cruiser cars with a spacious cabin.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast is considered as one of Ferrari's ideal V12 engined grand tourer ever built. (Picture from: Evo.co.uk)

Like its predecessor in the Superfast series, the car was also built by Pininfarina, due to the price is twice as expensive as the Ferrari 275 GTB, which looks more sporty, and the Ferrari 500 Superfast was unable to get many orders, ie only two units per month produced by the Turin-based coachbuilder during its production time in the 1964 to 1967.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast cabin featured with with adjustable genuine leather seats finished in Connolly tones, grooved headlining to a luxurious wooden dashboard, featuring the latest instruments of its era. (Picture from: Otoblitz.net)

Pininfarina built the car from a plain chassis that was sent by Ferrari earlier to then equip it with the bodywork and interior. The car's body itself is built from a mixture of steel and gets an update from the first version of the 'Aerodynamico' design embedded in the Ferrari 400 line-up.

When you look at the exterior, the Ferrari 500 Superfast features an oval grille, protruding fenders and twin bumpers which were later adopted in the entire Ferrari car line-up in the mid-1960s. One thing that is unique about this car is its distinctive rear end, with an unusually long overhang that combines the semi-fastback design with the Kamm-tail style.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast carries a 5.0-liter Tipo 208 SOHC V12 engine specially designed by Gioachino Colombo. (Picture from: Otoblitz.net)

Despite its relatively large size, the unique element makes the Ferrari 500 Superfast design more elegant than the later Ferrari 330 GT 2 + 2 and 365 GT 2 + 2. Meanwhile, on the interior side, the car is equipped with adjustable genuine leather seats finished in Connolly tones, a large trunk platform, grooved headlining to a luxurious wooden dashboard, featuring the latest instruments of its era.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast only made as much as 36 units during its production time in the 1964 to 1967. (Picture from: Otoblitz.net)

To differentiate it of the Ferrari 330 GT 2 + 2, the Ferrari 500 Superfast is equipped with a 5.0-liter Tipo 208 SOHC engine specially designed by Gioachino Colombo. The engine is capable of generating power up to 400 bhp (298 kW), which is capable of accelerating the car to a top speed of 174 mph or 280 kph. The engine is mated to the four-speed manual transmission system with overdrive.

In total, only 36 units of the Ferrari 500 Superfast were ever built in the 1964-1967 period. Amazingly, if you look at the owner of this iconic sports car there are many famous people at that time such as Prince Bernard of the Netherlands, Shah Reza Pahlevi of Iran, Johnnie von Neumann, Colonel Ronnie Hoare to Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan.

These were the lines of high-performance cars from Ferrari that used the Superfast names long before the last model was born in the 2018 under the name of the Ferrari 812 Superfast. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERRARI | JOURNALCLASSICCARS | WIKIPEDIA | SUPERCARS | EVO.CO.UK ]

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It's the 1st Jawa's (race) cars of the 1930s

Rare ONES This manufacturing company that carries the old brand of Jawa is known to have originated in the Czech Republic and is very famous for its production of two-wheeled vehicles. We have even discussed some of these two-wheeled vehicle products, including Jawa Nanuk, Jawa Cezeta, and most recently Jawa Perak and many others. But did you know that they had also ever built the cars even qualified race cars in the 1930s?

This is Jawa 750 race car, the first Czechoslovakia and Czech made race car was specially built to take part in the 1000 miles of Czechoslovakia in 1935. (Picture from: Evolution.skf.com)

As we all know, the company was founded by Ing. František Janeček who initially produced military equipment until 1927. Then he acquired the Wanderer motorcycle brand owned by a German company called Winklhofer & Jaenicke. So that the Prague-based manufacturer later made their-owned brand was JAWA which was taken by combining the first letters JAneček and WAnderer.

The first Jawa small passenger car called Jawa 700 built in the 1934 under license of DKW Meisterklasse. (Picture from: Nodum.org)

Their first motorcycle was made after the manufacturer obtained a license to produce the Wanderer 500 OHV under their-owned brand in 1929. Four years later the company also managed to get a license for the DKW Meisterklasse car. The Prague-based manufacturer introduced its first small passenger car under their-owned brand called Jawa 700 in 1934, so far the car known as the most famous car label before the war.

Here they are 6 units of the 750 Jawa race cars (3 coupes and roadsters) while in posed shortly after those cars completed to build in front of the factory in Prague in 1935. (Picture from: Auto-Zine.com)

Then what about a race car? Well, as previously mentioned, Jawa had ever made several racing car models and later known as the Jawa 750. The classic race cars of 1930s especially the coupe version, touted as the best Czechoslovakia and Czech made cars not only during the pre-war, but also post-war times.

One of the Jawa 750 roadsters while on action at the 1000 miles Czechoslovakia racing event in 1935. (Picture from: Auto-Zine.com)

As quoted of the Auto-Zine, the race car was specially built to take part in the 1000 miles of Czechoslovakia in 1935, that's famous race at that time organized by the Automobile Club of the Czechoslovak Republic. Reportedly the endurance race covered a total distance of 1,600 km across Prague, Cologne, Germany Brod, Jihlava, Great Meziříčí, Brno, Breclav, Bratislava, and go back, which pilots have completed twice, without a break and in full operation.

Although the Jawa actually wanted to participate in those event since the previous year by using the Jawa 700 race cars (single body with coupe and roadster body). However, approaching the day of competition, then they canceled the participation due to car's engine problems. In the following year, they prepared as many as 6 red-colored race cars, consisting of 3 roadsters and 3 coupes.

The Jawa 750 coupe version sat on display at the Národní Technické Muzeum (National Technical Museum) in Prague, Czech Republic since after its restoration completed in the 2005. (Picture from: Nodum.org)

Then, what is those race car looks like? The Jawa 750 is rather small with a length of only 3,650 mm and very narrow. Its body is made of sheet of metal, formed around a wooden frame. The aerodynamic shape is pleasing to the eye and at glance looks similar to the Bugatti. Being to be a sleek race car is so important, even the Jawa 750 doesn't have mirrors or doorknobs, besides to maintain the weight is also important, the car screen only has one windshield wiper. In terms of weight, the Jawa 750 coupe has a weighs only 705 kg while the roadster version is 5 kg lighter.

The Jawa 750 race car body is made of sheet of metal, formed around a wooden frame and its aerodynamic shape is pleasing to the eye and at glance looks similar to the Bugatti. (Picture from: Nodum.org)

The Jawa 750 race car carries a 750 cc water-cooled two-cylinder two-stroke engine which is actually only capable of producing 26 bhp of power. Then those small engine powers is used to drive the front wheels through the 3-speed manual transmission system. Then what about the performance, it's said that the car can run up to a top speed of 120 kph, while the average speed during the race reaches 83.7 kph.

The Jawa 750 coupe has a weighs only 705 kg while the roadster version is 5 kg lighter. (Picture from: Evolution.skf.com)

Not only that, besides winning the 1000 miles of Czechoslovakia racing event in its class, the Jawa 750 race cars turned out fill the entire podium too! This was enough to make them grab the President's award for most successful team. Unfortunately, the Prague-based manufacturer cannot be defended the titles. Due to the worsening economical and political situation globally, so the event organizer decided to abolish the racing event in the following year.😌

The Jawa manufacturer did not stop there and continued to be involved in the racing world, but this time through their motorcycles. And among the Jawa 750 race cars ever made, today there are several survived cars and is fell into the hands of automotive collectors, unfortunately most of them rot, rust and died. And one of the survived car came into the hands of the Národní Technické Muzeum (National Technical Museum) in Prague in 1992. In the comemmoration of 70th anniversary of its legendary glory, the Jawa 750 race car was restored in the 2005 and revealed to the museum visitors after completetion. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NTM.CZ | AUTO-ZINE.COM | EVOLUTON.SKF.COM | NODUM.ORG ]

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Here's the Ferrari 'Superfast' series before the 812 (Part-2)

Legendary ONES After in the previous part we discussed the first Ferrari model to bear a special name as the Ferrari 410 Superfast which can also be said to be the ancestor of the Ferrari 812 Superfast. Now we continue the discussion on the next model in this car series ever made by Ferrari.

1957 Ferrari 4.9 Superfast by Pininfarina which is technically the same as the 410 Superfast, but without the prominent fins on the back. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

After the Ferrari 410 Superfast, actually the Prancing Horse logoed premium car manufacturer had ever been released the Ferrari 4.9 Superfast in the 1957 as the next Superfast series model and is debutted at the 1957 Paris Auto Show.

1960 Ferrari Superfast II by Pininfarina with the shape reminiscent of a fat airplane wing, featured headlights that retracted into the nose of the body. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

This one off show car was technically the same as the 410 Superfast, but without the prominent fins on the back. Then those car's exterior was given a similar touch of two colors, namely dark blue-green for the whole of its body with the roof on white.

The Ferrari Superfast II by Pininfarina after got a body revision in the 1961 by adding a hood, then the rear fender skirt was removed, and the headlights were moved to the front of the fenders to cover with curved plastic. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

The Superfast series model development continued, this was seen when the prancing horse logoed automotive manufacturer launched the Ferrari Superfast II concept car at the 1960 Turin Auto Show. At that time Ferrari boasted that the car's aerodynamic body design was made in the wind tunnel. Its shape, reminiscent of a fat airplane wing, featured headlights that retracted into the nose of the body.

1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica wore a body revision of the 1961 Ferrari Superfast II as its standard body style minus retractable headlight features. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

The car was revised again during 1961-1962, by adding a hood, then the rear fender skirt was removed, and the headlights were moved to the front of the fenders to cover with curved plastic. This body revision later became the "standard" shape of the 400 Superamerica model.

1962 Ferrari Superfast III by Pininfarina reverted back to wearing rear fender skirts and using retractable headlights. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

The next model, the Ferrari Superfast III, first appeared at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1962. It reverted back to wearing rear fender skirts and still has retractable headlights, featured a more open greenhouse, and had a thermostatically controlled radiator cover. 

1962 Ferrari Superfast IV by Pininfarina has similar appearance with its predecessor, the III but now with four headlights without a cover. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

Subsequently the Ferrari Superfast IV appeared soon after the III, with the general appearance of its predecessor but now with four headlights without a cover. Since the appearance of Superfast IV, the existence of its predecessor Superfast II suddenly disappeared.

1962 Ferrari Superfast IV by Pininfarina is likely built on chassis of the Superfast II and said that the concept car has been sold to a collector in the US. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

So that many believed that the Superfast IV is likely built on chassis of the Superfast II. Reportedly, the Ferrari Superfast IV was never shown at any auto expos, and it is said that the concept car has been sold to a collector in the US.

Furthermore, the Maranello-based premium car manufacturer continued the development of these car series by launching the next 'Superfast' car. Are You wanna see it? Here's the 3rd part of these articles... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JOURNALCLASSICCARS | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA | SUPERCARS | CARSTYLING.RUS | ]

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After unkempt underground for nearly 35 years, now its price has skyrocketed

Unique ONES The following Alfa Romeo-made classic car figure is one of the most popular car models in the 1960s. But now the car in question, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ (Sprint Zagato) has become a scarce item in European countries even the world, to the point that the maker Alfa Romeo is eager to have one of these cars came back in good condition and set to be the part of their legendary car collections.

1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ has a fantastic price after nearly 35 years abandoned at an underground parking lot. (Picture from: Carscoops)

The car was so special for the Italians, because it was considered the most beautiful car ever made and also the highest version of the iconic Alfa Romeo cars that existed at that time. So it is very appropriate for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ to be a special model, apart from having a classic retro 1960s design built by a Milan-based coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Zagato, this tiny car is also known to be iconic and very exclusive because it only produced 217 units.

1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ carries a 1.3 liter four-cylinder engine capable of delivering up to 100 hp of power. (Picture from: JawaPos)

Those 1960s Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ carries a 1.3 liter four-cylinder engine capable of delivering up to 100 hp of power, so it can carry its cutie body running very fast to a top speed of 200 kph. With such performance figures, the car was said to be able to surpass the racing cars with a much larger engine available at the time.

Besides having a powerful engine, it is also mentioned that the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato has a lighter weight and is more aerodynamic than the Veloce Coupe variant. No wonder then that this cutie Alfa Romeo car was used as a racing car, and the results were truly extraordinary, it was once to be a king in many racing events such the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Targa Florio and Nurburgring. Although, in terms of specifications, it could have raced as a standard car, infact it was able to compete with other racing cars at that time.

The evacuation process of the 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ from an underground parking lot in Turin, Italy. (Picture from: MobiMoto)

By looking at all the descriptions above, it is not surprising that the value of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ today is exorbitant due to it reached 6 digits could be even more. This can be seen when in November 2018, as quoted of Carscoops, when there's a 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ was surprisingly found abandoned in an underground parking lot somewhere in Turin, Italy.

Furthermore, it was also quoted and told on the official Facebook page of the Alfa Romeo Giulia & 105-series, that the car was accidentally found in the basement of an old parking lot in a completely original and intact condition so that it is thought to be very attractive to many thick pocket classic car collectors.

Reportedly the Alfa Romeo made classic car belonged to an anonimous mechanic who at that time (in the 1983) could not get it out of those underground parking lot because the parking lift was broken. The findings immediately became a shocking news and made the attention of all classic car lovers immediately fixed on it.

The evacuation process of the 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ from an underground parking lot in Turin, Italy. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Moreover, the 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ kept an interesting story because it has been slept away for over 35 years and never been touched by any maintenance efforts. Of course many people want it. Reportedly, because it was found out that the owner had passed away and had not left any messages or wills regarding the car, then it was handed over to the local government to auction it off.

The Turin city government then auctioned the car on January 31, 2019 and have been sold at the price of €567,000 or more of Rp. 9.7 billions. Wow, for the size of a car found in the basement after 35 years, that figure is, of course, a fantastic price. But, with the big name Alfa Romeo and its history, it looks like this car really deserves to be appreciated that expensive. In your opinion, is it worth the Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ to get such an exorbitant price? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | FACEBOOK ]

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Here's the Ferrari 'Superfast' series before the 812 (Part-1)

Legendary ONES In the lineup of the Ferrari's high-performance cars there is a model series with the special name of 'Superfast', and as the newest car in this series is the Ferrari 812 Superfast. The world's fast car enthutiasts already know that the car is one of the Ferrari icons today thanks to its exotic appearance and performance. However, did you know that the name of 'Superfast' on the 812 mentioned above is not the first.

1956 Ferrari 410 Superfast built based on the Ferrari 410 Superamerica and bodied by Pininfarina with American typical prominent rear tail fins. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Indeed, long before the 812 was born, namely in 1956, the prancing horse logoed premium car manufacturer had been built for the first time a car that carried special name of 'Superfast,' ie Ferrari 410 Superfast and exhibited it at several major automotive expos held in Turin and Paris.

1956 Ferrari 410 Superfast as it won a title of 'Best of Show' at the 1st Pininfarina Concours d'Elegance held in Alassio, Italy in June 2016. (Picture from: Journal.Classiccars.com)

As quoted of SupercarNostalgia, the sports car is built on the chassis and also used the engine of the Ferrari 410 Superamerica (chassis number #0483 SA), by featuring the design elements to reflect Ferrari’s desire to enter the American market in the fifties. 

Then, the project was submitted to Pininfarina to be worked on until it became a real car according to Ferrari's wishes. The result, as you can be seen today a sports car typical of the 1950s with prominent rear tail fins, that said it inspired by the Cadillac, one of the famous American cars at that time.

1956 Ferrari 410 Superfast built as a two-seater sports car with the steering wheel on the left-side. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Ferrari 410 Superfast featured headlights mounted behind streamlined covers, a cantilevered roof with no A-posts and dramatic tail fins that obscured its pointed tail. The front fender air outlets were simplified by having no grille work, and the top had no windshield pillars. Front and rear protection was furnished only by a pair of vertical bumperettes with rubber inserts.

1956 Ferrari 410 Superfast featured headlights mounted behind streamlined covers, a cantilevered roof with no A-posts and dramatic tail fins that obscured its pointed tail. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

It is built as a two-seater sports car with the steering wheel on the left-side. The finished car painted two-tone white and silver with a beige interior. While its cabin equiped a pair of well-padded seats with an armrest in between. The crackle black dash housed three main dials, such a tachometer on the left, a speedometer on the right and a combined oil pressure, water temperature and fuel gauge in the centre. There's also additional switches were housed on a central console that linked the dash and transmission tunnel.

1956 Ferrari 410 Superfast uses a large capacity Ferrari's V12 engine with a 24-plug cylinder head capable of delivering up to 340 hp of power in a tack. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

This classic prancing horse uses a large capacity Ferrari's V12 engine with a 24-plug cylinder head capable of delivering up to 340 hp of power in a tack. This show car not only looks great, it’s a beast so it deserves using the Superfast as its name. As quoted of JournalClassicCars.com, it was noted in 2016 that Robert M. Lee is the current owner of the Ferrari 410 Superfast.

1956 Ferrari 410 Superfast show car not only looks great, it’s a beast so it deserves using the Superfast as its name. (Picture from: GridOto)

Furthermore, the Maranello-based premium car manufacturer continued the development of these car series by launching several next 'Superfast' car models. Are You wanna see them? Here's the 2nd part of these articles... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JOURNALCLASSICCARS | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA | SUPERCARS | CARSTYLING.RUS | ]

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