Weird ONES As a coachbuilder company, Carrozzeria TouringSuperleggera has a very good business relationship with Automobili Lamborghini, because the Lamborghini 350 GT, which we know as the first car to come out of those Italian bull cage was the result of their work in 1964.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is worked by a Milan-based coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera in the 1965. (Picture from: LamboCars)
The Milan-based automotive company was founded by Felice Bianchi Anderloni in 1926, and has become renowned for its beautiful design and patented 'superleggera' construction method. Unfortunately its age was not long, the company went out of business in 1966.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is built based on the 400 GT chassis has been shortened of 10 cm. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
Before going out of business, the Milan-based company had time to show their two new cars, namely the Fiat 124 Convertible, and the Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II at the 1966 Turin Auto Show.
If you look closely, it turns out that the Carrozzeria Touring-made 400 GT Flying Star II was contemporaneous with the Lamborghini 3500 GTZ which was built by another Milan-based coachbuilder company, Carrozzeria Zagato whose design was done by Ercole Spada, because both were built in 1965.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II appears with angular body lines, as well as a controversial roof design, making it look like a station wagon rather than a sports car. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
The Flying Star II car project was carried out by a team led by Carlo Anderloni, son of the founder of the Touring company. The car is built on a chassis that is 10 cm shorter than the 400 GT standard version. The car is powered by a front-mounted V12 engine coupled with 5-speed all-synchromesh differential which capable spewing out 320 hp of power and torque of 276 lbs.ft.
In general the car shape is unique, strange, and unusual. As quoted of CarStyling.ru, the Lamborghini Flying Star II appears with angular body lines, as well as a controversial roof design, making it look like a station wagon rather than a sports car (or known as a shooting brake). Besides that, the size is disproportionate and very large if it is intended for only two people inside the car plus their luggages.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is powerd by a front-mounted V12 engine coupled with 5-speed all-synchromesh differential. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
Of course, the appearance like that was beyond expectations of Ferrucio Lamborghini and the other board of directors. They thought that's a bad and dissapointed results. When presented at the Touring's factory, the Flying Star II appeared using Borrani's 15-inches wire wheels, but when it appeared at the Turin Auto Show were replaced with the new cast magnesium alloy wheels of Campagnolo.
Although that's a disappointing result, but it's remained to be recorded in the production log-books as the last car design that came out of the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera before closed the doors in 1966. After four decades the company in hibernation periods, so then in the 2006 the Milan-based coachbuilder company was revived.
And in 2008, Carrozzeria Touring again introduced its masterpiece creation called the A8GCS Berlinetta at the Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance event that year as a prototype of a V8-engined supercar under the trident emblem of Maserati. That's
a phenomenal work and crowned as 'the most beautiful supercar
of the year' at the Automobile International Festival 2009 held in Paris.*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBOCARS | SHARONOV | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET ]
As it turned out, the feud momment of him with the Enzo Ferrari owned company was the beginning of a success story for Peter Monteverdi along with his own brand. In 1963, he was only 29 years old, he decided to leave the the prancing horse's prestige in search of his personal glory. The feud was prompted when the Maranello-based company requested to prepay for the supply of 100 cars he ordered.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 is a supercar built based of an updated Monteverdi-ONYX chassis and is powered by an Ford DFR V8 engine. (Picture from: Box26)
As is well known, that the Monteverdi, a Swiss automotive brand that can grow to be big, certainly cannot be separated from the figure of Peter Monteverdi, a Binningen businessman who continued the Ferrari, BMW, Lancia and Roll-Royce dealership business started by his father.
According to some unconfirmed rumors, among the 100 cars ordered by Monteverdi there are several models of the Ferrari 250 GTO, which is included as the most iconic car ever produced by the Maranello-based manufacturer. There is also a mention of 100 cars also including some examples of the 250 GTO models, even someone said that's all orders for that year.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 while sat on display at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. (Picture from: Box26)
Peter Monteverdi did not pay for his order in advance as Ferrari wanted, so the partnership with the famous Italian brand was broken off. Monteverdi was not discouraged and took advantage of the experience he had accumulated since the late 1950s, when he started selling the kit cars under the brand of MBM (Monteverdi Binningen Motors), it made in small series by buying the components in the UK.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 is built as many as 3 unit which is consisted 2 running prototypes and rest non running show car. (Picture from: Box26)
Since then Monteverdi decided to make and produce cars under his own brand. Several sports car models such as the Monteverdi Hai 450SS and others have been produced at his plant in Binningen, Switzerland. As is well known, that Peter Monteverdi really loves the world of racing, because he himself is a former racer who has raced up to the Formula 1. Years after years, in 1992 to be exact, by his Formula 1 racing experiences then inspired him to create the supercar called the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1.
This Monteverdi's Formula 1 racing DNA supercar is built on an updated Monteverdi-ONYX chassis and is powered by a Ford DFR V8 engine which is also mounted on the Formula 1 racing car, and that's supercar whose owes its name to the engine power of 650 ponies with 390 Nm of torque.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 used Ford DFR V8 engine capable burst power of 650 hp and 390 Nm of torque. (Picture from: Box26)
The Binningen-based car manufacturer considered the development of its supercar at the time as the closest to the Formula 1 racing cars, and the Monteverdi plans to build it as the limited edition. But in reality only two prototypes were actually completed between 1992 and 1995, currently both of them is sat on display at the Monteverdi Museum in Lucerne and also seen frequently fill in the great world's expo halls such the Geneva Motor Show, etc.
Then for its performance, the bright red colored supercar is theoretically said to have the ability to run up to a top speed of 335 kph, while its sprint 0-100 kph capability done in 3.0 seconds and 0-200 kph in 8.0 seconds. This Swiss-made supercar has a length of 4.55 meters, 1.96 meters wide, and heigh only 1.05 meters. Then there is one advantage that the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 has, namely its low weight which is only about 850 kg, which is a very low numbers if compared to rival supercars at that time, which were much heavier, and less powerful.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. (Picture from: Box26)
When the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 was finished being developed, it was already milling around on the European major cities streets its glamourious potential rivals such as the Ferrari F40 (478 hp for 1,235 kg) and Lamborghini Diablo (492 hp for 1,500 kg). However, if the Hai 650 F1 were really to enter the production line, certainly it would become a serious market protagonist, given that the F40 pony of the Maranello-based breeder and the Diablo of the Sant'Agata Bolognese based bull's cage are the most iconic supercars of the time.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. (Picture from: Box26)
In addition to the two red colored bodywork prototypes, actually there is the third one with a gray-purple colored body, known as non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. So, it's said that the third one was built by Monteverdi to be the show car for promotional purposed only.
Peter Monteverdi passed away in 1998 as well as closing the entire of his adventure series in the automotive world and left the great legacy through his auto brand to bring the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 as the last high performance car that he made. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BOX26.CH | WIKIPEDIA ]
THe Most ONES The French automotive manufacturer, Citroën has been famous for its teardrop body design cars that give it a unique look. And one of them we can see on its classic model, Citroën DS, while the 'DS' comes from the 'deesse' (the French mean 'goddess'). Its name implies, as the goddess, besides being beautiful, of course, she also has strength and power.
The Citroën DS has beauty appearance, turn out the car is very far surpassed other
cars at that time in terms of automotive technology innovation and
overall performance. (Picture from: Hagerty)
Indeed, besides it has beauty appearance, turn out the car is very far surpassed other cars at that time in terms of automotive technology innovation and overall performance. Even in the early of its born, the Classic & Sports Car Magazine also had titled it "the most beautiful car ever made," after conducting a poll that involved 20 world-class car designers including Giorgetto Giugiaro, Ian Callum, Roy Axe, Paul Bracq, Leonardo Fioravanti, and others.
The Citroën DS has the futuristic lines captured the public imagination and by the end of the day an astonishing 80,000 orders had been taken. (Picture from: CintaMobil)
Indeed, there are some cars that stand out and beat each others due to the superiority of one factor alone such as technology, appearance or performance. However, only the Citroën DS, which was first introduced in 1955, was able to combine the three pillars simultaneously. Even after several decades since it was first born, in fact it is still difficult to beat the various innovations it has inherited.
The Citroën DS made its first appearance at the 1955 Paris Salon de l'Automobile (Paris Motor Show). (Picture from: CintaMobil)
This beautiful car made its first appearance at the 1955 Paris Salon de l'Automobile (Paris Motor Show). At that time, the visitors of the expo were immediately fascinated to see this Citroën made car featured various innovations that were far beyond its time. Not surprisingly, before the closing ceremony of the event, the Citroën's representative at the event recorded more than 80,000 reservation orders for the car. That's a remarkable record that lasted nearly 60 years, before being surpassed in March 2016 by the Tesla Model 3 with 180,000 reservations.
The Citroën DS has an aerodynamic body that has an air resistance coefficient (Cd) of 0.34 which can only be rivaled by the 1980s sedans. (Picture from: CintaMobil)
One of the important factors for the beauty of the Citroën DS iis thanks to the briliant hand touches of the French designers Flaminio Bertoni and André Lefèbvre. Before becoming the car designer, Flaminio Bertoni was a sculptor. After he was working for Citroën for many years, he used his imagination as a sculptor to produce several legendary works including the Traction Avant (1934), 2CV (1948), H van (1947), and Ami 6 (1961).
The Citroën DS has an aerodynamic body that has an air resistance coefficient (Cd) of 0.34 which can only be rivaled by the 1980s sedans. To achieve its Cd of 0.34, the Citroën engineers applied a smooth design and also minimized body protrusions. Not to forget, they hid the air ducts, installed rear wheel cover panels, made body curves that "flow" and the windows have minimal air resistance.
The Citroën DS's interior consisted front seats, rear seats, B pillar coverings, top grab handles, door
cappings, door panels including chrome trims, sleeve for air vent under
dashboard. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
The Citroën DS's drive system is front wheel drive similar to the Citroën Traction Avant by utilizing an engine and transmission system mounted longitudinally in front. While the bodywork, Citroën engineers use a mixture of materials such aluminum (hood), glass fiber (roof), steel (body panels, frame). One more thing, its steel monocoque frame has adopted the crumple zone special designs.
The Citroën DS featured with the hydraulic system for suspension, clutch and transmission operations. (Picture from: CintaMobil)
In most conventional vehicles at that time, the hydraulic system was only used for the brake and power steering systems. However, things are different when embedded in the Citroën DS, where the hydraulic system is applied to the suspension, clutch, and transmission systems. In order for the hydraulic system to function optimally in the suspension, clutch, and transmission, an engine-driven hydraulic pump is used which can produce a pressure of 17.2 MPa (2,490 psi).
The use of a hydraulic suspension system (hydropneumatic) also functions as an automatic self-leveling system and variable ground clearance which at that time was quite innovative and helped the Citroën DS to perform extreme maneuvers, resulting in excellent control and providing extraordinary suspension comfort (often called the "magic carpet").Prior to the Citroën DS, the hydropneumatic suspension had been in service and was pioneered by the Citroën Traction Avant 15CV-H.The hydropneumatic suspension created by Paul Magès allowed the Citroën DS to go fast on rough roads that were often found in France at that time.
Another excellent features was pinned on the Citroën DS such the directional headlight, in which high beam headlights (inside) are connected to the steering wheel via cables and can glance up to 80-degrees. (Picture from: CintaMobil)
Another
excellent feature, the directional headlight that is installed on this
car. Although actually Citroën wasn't the first car applied for the such feature, it was
the Tucker 48 'Torpedo'.
However, Citroën was the first car manufacturer to market adaptive
headlights into mass products. In late 1967, Citroën released the
facelifted version of the 1968 DS model year by Robert Opron (also designed the 1970 Citroën SM and 1974 Citroën CX). The 1968 Citroën DS has a more streamlined design of four headlight units inside a glass canopy.
The Citroën DS was produced in long periods between 1955 and 1975 with sedan, wagon, and convertible (such in pictured) models. (Picture from: CintaMobil)
The
high beam headlights (inside) are connected to the steering wheel via
cables and can glance up to 80-degrees. While the low beam headlights
(on the outside) are not adaptive, they are equipped with a
self-leveling feature to reduce pitching symptoms caused by acceleration
and braking so that the lighting is always stable. Adaptive headlights
allow the driver to see the conditions around the car while driving
through winding roads while speeding at night.
The Citroën DS is the first car to use an Inboard disc brake system to make maintenance easier and minimize potential problems . (Picture from: CintaMobil)
The Citroën DS became one of the world's first cars to apply a disc brake system on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear wheels. While other cars at that time still relied on a drum brake system for all wheels. What is unique is that the front disc brakes of the Citroën DS are placed in the engine compartment (in-board disc brakes), not attached to the wheels such the conventional cars in general. This simplifies maintenance and minimizes potential problems. A few years later, the innovation was re-used by many military vehicles such as the HMMWV (Humvee) and the Toyota Mega Cruiser.
This Citroën-made car had gone down into one part of the historical momment when it became the life saver of Charles de Gaulle,
then President of France from an assassination attempt that occurred on
August 22, 1962, at Le Petit-Clamart near Paris by a veteran of the
Algerian colonial war named Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry.
At that time President De Gaulle survived and managed to escape the
assassination attempt even though the presidential Citroën DS (standard
version) was recieved by dozens of 9 mm caliber bullets which caused the
body to have holes and flat the tires.
The French President Charles de Gaulle on the Citroën DS presidential car was hailed to the public at the side of the roads.(Picture from: CintaMobil)
Despite
having experienced its four wheels skid, the driver managed to speed up
the presidential car to get away from the scene. You can imagine that
without the hydropneumatic suspension system, it is certain that the French
presidential car should be roll-over after several SMG bullets hit the tires.
After the incident, Charles de Gaulle vowed only to use the
Citroën cars.
The French Citroën DS presidential car is recieved by dozens of 9 mm caliber bullets which caused the body to have holes and flat the tires in the assault back in the 1962. (Picture from: CintaMobil)
The Citroën DS was produced in long periods between 1955 and 1975 with sedan, wagon, and convertible body models, the car was also known as one of the French luxury cars at the time, and is still considered the most unique car ever produced to date. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HAGERTY | CARSTYLING.RU | FRENCHCLASSICS ]
Weird ONES Look this extraordinary car was designed and built in 1965 for the 15th Hartford Autorama expo and was originally named 'Autorama Special'. The car's unique aluminum-made body was designed by Ben Delphia and the construction was handled directly by the Californian automotive genius, Gene Winfield.
1965 Winfield Reactor is built in 1965 for the 15th Hartford Autorama expo and was originally named 'Autorama Special'. (Picture from: RikHoving@Fotki)
Besides making this unique car, Gene Winfield is very well known as the person responsible for some very unique vehicles used both on the Hollywood's big screens and American TVs, such as the Spinner flying car for the Blade Runner, and even the Robocop's 6000 SUX legendary car, etc.
1965 Winfield Reactor's unique aluminum-made body was designed by Ben Delphia and the construction was handled directly by the Californian automotive genius, Gene Winfield. (Picture from: Patrick McDowell@Pinterest)
As qouted of HistoryGarage, this futuristic car body is handcrafted from welded aluminum to cover a steel tubular frame mounted on the Citroen DS modified chassis and powered by an air-cooled flat-6 turbocharged engine of the Chevrolet Corvair.
1965 Winfield Reactor is sat on display with futuristic styled interios. (Picture from: BubbleMania)
Due to the the Corvair engine's profile is low and allowing the hood to be made in a low and elongated position, and presenting an attractive cabin access featured with scissor doors and a flip-up windshield/roof, as well as several other unique features such as the hood, headlights that hidden, all of which can be operated by remote control.
1965 Winfield Reactor is powered by an air-cooled flat-6 turbocharged engine of the Chevrolet Corvair. (Picture from: Conceptcarz)
The car became famous after appearing in a number of Hollywood's medias, such as in March 1968, taken role in the Star Trek TV series of the 54th episodes entitled 'Bread and Circuses,' in which the figure of this unique car was told as a car made on the 892-IV planet (the inhabitants call it Magna Roma) and advertised as the 'Jupiter 8' and after looking at the car, that almost seems believable.😀
1965 Winfield Reactor is sat on display at the Pebble Beach 2017 Dream cars. (Picture from: Darrell Williams@Pinterest)
Furthermore, a series of other quite impressive TV careers have also been carried out by this unique car, such as when taken role as a "dream car" in one episode of the Bewitched's TV serial, and even had been dressed with big hairy ears and tails to transform into the Catmobile in an episode of Batman's TV serial in the 1966.
1965 Winfield Reactor may be able to make the claim that it is actually the first car attached with scissor doors 3 years early before the Alfa Romeo Bertone Carabo. (Picture from: Richard Spiegelman@Flickr)
No wonder its figure became very famous, due to it is often surrounded by the Hollywood's celebrities who want to take pictures with it. After several owners, Gene Winfield bought back the car in 1995 which later changed its name to the 'Winfield Reactor'.
Interestingly, the car may be able to make the claim that it is actually the first car attached with scissor doors. As the automotive world knows that the scissor door feature was first embedded in the Alfa Romeo Bertone Carabo concept car of 1968. Now after looking at these pictures now, you may also agree with us that the Reactor which is 3 years earlier than the Carabo was the first vehicle to apply those features.
As quoted of Jalopnik, the Winfield Reactor is still existed today, as part of the Starbird's National Rod & Custom Car Museum in Oklahoma, if you want to confirm for the scientific journal that the Reactor car's door did qualify as the first scissor door attached on the car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JALOPNIK | BUBBLEMANIA | CONCEPTCARZ | STARTREK | HISTORYGARAGE ]
Before going out of business, the Milan-based company had time to show their two new cars, namely the Fiat 124 Convertible, and the Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II at the 1966 Turin Auto Show. 
And in 2008, Carrozzeria Touring again introduced its masterpiece creation called the A8GCS Berlinetta at the Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance event that year as a prototype of a V8-engined supercar under the trident emblem of Maserati. That's
a phenomenal work and crowned as 'the most beautiful supercar
of the year' at the Automobile International Festival 2009 held in Paris. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBOCARS | SHARONOV | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET ]
