This custom car is said exquisitely captured the Zora Arkus-Duntov mid-engine Corvette idea

ONE-OFF Nothing is perfect in this world. Well, that's also how the Chevrolet Corvette, which is very famous and even labeled as one of the legendary American muscle cars, is still touted as a sports car that’s about 40 years overdue for a mid-engine layout. Whereas since the beginning this American manufacturer has been experimenting with rear-engined high-performance cars and one of them was the 1964 Chevrolet Corvette GS IIB Concept.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is designed and built by Harlan Motorsport Design to describe what they thought Chevrolet would make if they decided to compete with the Ferrari's, Porsche's, and Ford GT40 in the mid-1960s. (Picture from: RM Sotheby's)

Just like some of the other mid-engined Corvette prototypes previously built by the American manufacturer for decades that did not reach the production line, the Corvette GS IIB was also unable to convince General Motors (GM) top brass as worthied car to be produced. It's no wonder then there are those who's speculated, if this Corvette from the start has been powered with the engine in the back, would be one of the Ferrari-killers along with its compatriot Ford GT40 back the 1960s.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is said exquisitely captured the mid-engined Corvette concept idea of Zora Arkus-Duntov. (Picture from: Silodrome)

As quoted of Silodrome, indeed it isn’t widely known that Chevrolet actually approved a mid-engined Corvette for production in 1977, it was called the Aerovette and was first shown to the public in the New York Auto Show 1970. Unfortunately the person who agreed to this retired in 1977 and the program was later canceled by his successor. After experiencing uncertainty for several years, it was finally approved in 1980 for production.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom has been designed to be very similar in style to the Corvette C2 Sting Ray with the passenger compartment moved forward and positioned the engine directly in front of the rear wheels. (Picture from: Silodrome)

The Corvette that we talked about here is a kind of design study is designed and built by Harlan Motorsport Design, where the automaker wanted to describe what they thought Chevrolet would make if they decided to compete with the Ferrari's, Porsche's, and Ford GT40 in the mid-1960s. As you've seen, the car has been designed to be very similar in style to the Corvette C2 Sting Ray with the passenger compartment moved forward and positioned the engine directly in front of the rear wheels.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is designed and built on the chassis with the power-train in mind, so a dual ladder space frame was shaped from high-strength steel tubing. (Picture from: Silodrome)

As quoted of RM Sotheby's, the handcrafted custom car is described as "the best of the best," at least that's what Kip Wasenko, GM Performance Design Director said, how's this Corvette V7 Twin Turbo exquisitely captured the mid-engined Corvette concept idea of Zora Arkus-Duntov.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom uniquely featured with an industry first "suislide" articulating door system that exhibits absolutely jaw-dropping geometry. (Picture from: Silodrome)

As explicitly mentioned above, the car was purposed built theoretically to be an worthied rival of the Ferrari's, Porsche's and Ford GT 40's of the '60s era. Although this custom Corvette did not actually compete against those iconic cars in certain periods on any racing tracks. Due to it was built and styled in modern era of the 2015, but remained with the spirit of an exciting time in motorsports of the 1960s.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is fitted with race-style seating from Cobra with full Crow harness system. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Then its bodywork is designed and built on the chassis with the power-train in mind, so a dual ladder space frame was shaped from high-strength steel tubing, and completed with Penske Racing supplied the fully adjustable suspensions. Completing the chassis are gigantic six-piston Baer brakes with cross-drilled rotors. While for the legs mounted HRE five-spoke star wheels wrapped in the Michelin's widest production-based tires.

As you can see, leather wraps the original Sting Ray dash humps equipped with Auto Meter gauges. (Picture from: Silodrome)

The Corvette V7 Twin Turbo is described as a pure unique form of sports car, as well as real in function. While entering the cabin, You would be welcomed by an industry first "suislide" articulating door system that exhibits absolutely jaw-dropping geometry. Leather wraps the original Sting Ray dash humps equipped with Auto Meter gauges.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom is powered by a twin turbo Chevrolet LS V8 engine capable of producing power of 1,000 hp and 982 ft lbs of torque. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Furthermore, the cabin is fitted with race-style seating from Cobra with full Crow harness system. Conveniences include power windows, heater and air conditioning. The car was purpose built without any audio system, as the twin turbos 'spooling up' is all that is thought you need to enjoy without interference from any other sounds.

The 1963 Corvette V7 Twin Turbo Custom ever crowned as the winner of the automotive industry's coveted GM Design Award 2015. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Rather than sticking to ’60s era engineering under the surface, it was decided that this unique car built under modern specifications, including is powered by a twin turbo Chevrolet LS V8 engine capable spewing power of 1,000 hp and 982 ft.lbs of torque. This power unit is sent to the rear wheels via a custom-built Mendeola transaxle and displacement is achieved by using Master Shift paddles mounted not far of the steering wheel inside the cabin.

This car also is reported to be the winner of the automotive industry's coveted GM Design Award 2015. After that, the unique car had offered at the Auctions America Fort Lauderdale 2015 event organized by RM Sotheby's. At that time this car was penned with a price of $90,000 - $110,000. Unfortunately, until the auction event ended, the unique Corvette V7 Twin Turbo was not sold.😓 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RM SOTHEBY'S | SILODROME | BEHANCE ]

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Here's the first McLaren road-legal sportscar

THe FIRST If you are a true automotive enthusiast, surely know the following premium car brand, McLaren. Well, the Woking-based company continues to produce exotic super cars until now. And on this occasion will be discussed the first car made by this manufacturer, the McLaren M6GT.

The McLaren M6GT is the first McLaren road-legal car built on the chassis of M6B racing car. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)

And of course you also know the person whose name is pinned on that marque. He is Bruce McLaren, a very special man in the modern automotive world, who was originally known as a reliable racer, he is also a brilliant designer and has many talented engineers around him, so that makes him always ready for any career challenges in his life.

The McLaren M6GT has some quirky features, like manually operated lights that were raised and lowered using finger holes in the leading edge of the pods. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)

So it is not surprising that in 1964 he began designing, building and selling the McLaren racing cars, both the Formula Grand Prix and other sports racing cars ranging from various Can-Am under his own name. In 1967 the McLaren M6 Can-Am model was almost invincible, as the "Bruce & Denny [Hulme]" show dominated this lucrative North American series through 1971. Then he began to draft his main project concept to build an iconic road machine based on his racing cars. 

In early 1970, he prepared a prototype merging one of the empty M6GT bodies with a stock M6B chassis and a Bartz-tuned Chevrolet engine. Registered OBH 500H, Bruce's personal ride had an estimated top speed of 165 mph, and some quirky features, like manually operated lights that were raised and lowered using finger holes in the leading edge of the pods. It was also rather loud, based on this footage shot in Canada in 1971 of another M6GT.

The McLaren M6GT used a rear-mounted standard Chevrolet V8 five-liter engine. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)

For the car's building process, he got an assistance from one of the most reliable chassis builders, John Collins (known for his work with John Wyer and the Ford GT40 project). Literally, the McLaren M6BGT is a semi-civilized Can-Am car that is not at all easy to drive but it was fun to make speed once you are behind the wheel.

The McLaren M6GT able to accelerate from 0 to 100 mph in about eight seconds, and of course with fantastic handling. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)

This car has a wheelbase of 93.5" and uses a rear-mounted standard Chevrolet V8 five-liter engine, that will accelerate from 0 to 100 mph in about eight seconds, and of course with fantastic handling. Besides that the car also featured with four Weber carburetors, forged crankshafts, roller bearing camshafts, Carello rods, aluminum pistons, five-speed Hewland DG 300 transaxle, independent front and rear suspension with fabricated A-arms and coil-over shocks, front and rear anti-sway bars, monocoque chassis with fiberglass panels attached to aluminum bulkheads, Girling ventilated four wheels disc brakes.

Bruce McLaren (1937 - 1970) sits on the wheel of his McLaren-Ford M14A before the start of the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch in Kent on March 1970. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)

After that two further GTS were built by Trojan Cars, which has been franchised by McLaren to build their custom racing cars. While Trojan released a statement that they might market a road-going version of the M6GT. 

Bruce McLaren passed away after hitting a bunker that was used as a flag station at the Goodwood Circuit while testing one of these McLaren M8D Can Am. (Picture from: Pinterest)

Unfortunately the project got shelved forever on June 2, 1970, when Bruce McLaren passed away after hitting a bunker that was used as a flag station at the Goodwood Circuit while testing his M8D Can Am prototype.😢 As we all know, the late Bruce McLaren only managed to drive as far as 1,900 miles of his personal M6GT, and Trojan Cars never got to build the remaining 249 units.

Today, there's came another bad news from the Woking-based manufacturer are experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so it had to mortgage offices, factories and historic car collections. But despite all of that, the world's automotive enthusiasts only able to hope that the company able to keep run well and continues to make happened the Bruce McLaren's vision and ideas. *** [EKA [31052020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROAD AND TRACK] | THIS IS MONEY ]

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Did you know the truly first HD electric motorcyle?

ONE-OFF The appearance of the figure of an electric motorcycle made by Harley-Davidson, an American motorcycle manufacturer named Harley-Davidson Livewire, turned out to bring up facts that may not have been widely known by the public before. The fact states that the development of electric-powered motorcycle technology has actually been carried out for a long time by those Milwaukee, Wisconsin based motorcycle maker.

The truly first electric motorcycle prototype of Harley Davidson named Transitron, built by Steve Fehr teaming up with Brooks Steven back in 1978. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

So it can be said that the development of electric motorcycles which later gave rise to the figure of Livewire is not something new for the American motorcycle maker. The fact is that the existence of electric motorcycles developed by Harley-Davidson had been known around since 1978.  At the time, the American motorcycle maker has managed to develop and build an electric motorcycle prototype called Harley-Davidson Transitron.

Steve Fehr’s original drawing about the first Harley-Davidson electric-powered motorcycle named Transitron of 1978. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

As quoted of CycleWorld, the Harley-Davidson first electric-powered motorbike is built by Steve Fehr of Transitron Electronic Corporation, a Honolulu, Hawaii based company back in 1978. In order to convince the firm of the idea, he started to build one himself. Reportedly, in the development process also involved the famous designer Brooks Steven (known also the designer of Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide).

The instrument panel was mounted to the handlebars, featuring an electric speedometer, a tachometer, and dual ammeters for measuring amps. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

The vintage electric motorbie is built based on 1971 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster, by replacing its original V-Twin OHV 900cc engine to 24V 95A Baldor electric motor while its power taken of 4 batteries, then linked via a primary drive belt mated with a four-speed automatic chain final drive transmission.

Variable-speed electric motor, four-speed automatic transmission, Harley-Davidson Sportster chassis with a 59-inch wheelbase, 33mm XLH fork, Sportster “boattail” seat, and Harley-Davidson drum brakes. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

This vintage electric motorbike is capable of driving up to a maximum speed of about 50 mph (80.47 kph), with an acceleration from zero to 30 mph (48.28 kph) in 6 seconds, and (in theory) could be riden about six hours on a single charged of its four deep-cycle lead-acid batteries. For its own weight carrying about 285 kg or more weight about 75 kg compared to today's Harley-Davidson Livewire.

A series of four deep-cycle lead-acid batteries were said to provide this Harley-Davidson Transitron capable ridden up to six hours. (Picture from: CycleWorld)

As quoted of CycleWorld, that the process of developing this vintage electric motorcycle at the time cost around $70,000, (appox Rp. 989 million). After completion, the antique electric motorbike found in Brooks Steven’s transportation museum in Mequon, Wisconsin, where it stayed until his death in 1995. And in 2014 at the RM Sotheby’s auction at Amelia Island, along with the introduction of the Harley-Davidson LiveWire prototype, the Fehr's electric MK2 Sportster was sold at the price of $ 11,000 or around Rp.155 million.💢

As reminder, the Transitron might not be the electric motorcycle for everyone, at least the LiveWire is fulfilling the legacy of Steve Fehr and Brooks Steven’s work so many years ago. (Picture from: Electrec)

As reminder, the Transitron might not be the electric motorcycle for everyone, at least the LiveWire is fulfilling the legacy of Steve Fehr and Brooks Steven’s work so many years ago. 🤔

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA [04082016] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CYCLE WORLD | ELECTREC ]

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Here's the forerunner of all Toyota's sports cars

Rare ONES Until now, there have been many sports cars made by Toyota Motor Corporation on the global automotive market. It seems that the discussion about the sports car made by this Japanese manufacturer feels incomplete if it has not discussed this classic sports car made by the company. Plus maybe all this time we more often hear that the 1967 Toyota 2000GT as the first Toyota supercar rather than the car that we will discuss this time.

The Toyota Sports 800 (in pictured is 1965 model) is Toyota's first production sports car and produced during 1965 to 1969. (Picture from: IdnTimes)

Well, did you know that two years before that the Japanese manufacturer had launched a sports car model that is more worthy of being called the ancestor of all Toyota sports cars, namely the Toyota Sports 800 which was released by those Japanese company in 1965. Might be you'll asked, what's the reason the car was built at the time?

The Toyota Sports 800 (in pictured is 1965 model) is powered by a two-cylinder boxer-type engine with a very small capacity of only 790 cc which is mounted horizontally, coupled with two carburetors. (Picture from: IdnTimes)

In the era of 1960s, when the Japanese economy was prosperous enough that it sparked the initiative of the country's car manufacturers to make sports cars that were more than just ordinary transportation vehicles. In short, one of the Japanese car manufacturers Honda in 1963 launched its first sports car called the Honda S500.

Here's the Toyota Sports 800 sweet memories when it won the 500 km racing event at the Suzuka circuit back in the 1966. (Picture from: OtoDriver)

Seeing this then sparked the desire of Toyota officials at that time to do the same immediately, namely to produce sports cars. This can be understood as something natural, because a year before the Honda S500 was launch, it turned out that Toyota had displayed and introduced the forerunner of its sports car as the Toyota Publica Sports at the 1962 Tokyo Motor Show.

The Toyota Sports 800 (in pictured is 1965 model) had aerodynamic styling by Shozo Sato, a designer on loan from Datsun, and Toyota engineer Tatsuo Hasegawa. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

This Toyota Publica Sports show car featured with a unique but less practical roof, due to can be shifted backwards to replace the doors as an access in and out of the cabin. After the exhibition, the design of the Publica Sports was again placed on the drawing table to develop further by Toyota's Chief Engineer then, Tatsuo Hasegawa, who was one of the people who played a role in the birth of the Corolla, Celica, Carina and Publica.

The prototype for the Toyota Sports 800, called the Toyota Publica Sports, debuted at the 1962 Tokyo Auto Show. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

One of the interesting things about this sports car design process is that Toyota has to hire designers from other manufacturers, and the hired designer to do those designing jobs was Shozo Sato, who actually worked at Datsun Nissan for a long time and previously known an aircraft designer during the World War 2.

The Toyota Sports 800 (in pictured is 1965 model) appears in a small dimension (perhaps it was to adjust to the posture of the Japanese at that time) so that it doesn't look like a sports car. (Picture from: IdnTimes)

He along with Tatsuo Hasegawa are the most responsible figures for keeping the weight of the sports car which was later known as the Toyota Sports 800 remains lightweight so that it can be driven swiftly while maneuvering on the streets. Besides having a fairly simple and sporty design, the Toyota Sport 800 appears in a small dimension (perhaps it was to adjust to the posture of the Japanese at that time) so that it doesn't look like a sports car.

The Toyota Sports 800 (in pictured is 1965 model) has a fairly light body about 580 kg capable to run up to a top speed of 154 kph, after recieved its engine's bursting power of 45 horse power. (Picture from: IdnTimes)

As for the drivetrain, the Toyota Sports 800 is equipped with a two-cylinder boxer-type engine with a very small capacity of only 790 cc which is mounted horizontally, coupled with two carburetors. This type of engine is considered to provide better stability because the center of gravity is quite low, so the car can go faster and lighter.

1967 Toyota Sports 800 with left-hand drive configuration. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

This can be seen when this tiny Japanese sports car which has a fairly light body (about 580 kg) capable to run up to a top speed of 154 kph, after recieved its engine's bursting power of 45 horse power. Well, in addition to being powerful and relatively light in weight, the Toyota Sports 800 is also known to be very efficient in the fuel using, that's only requires 1 liter of fuel to coverage a distance of 31 km.

1967 Toyota Sports 800 with left-hand drive configuration. (Picture from: LaneMotorMuseum)

This Japanese sports car also has nickname Yota-Hachi (Yota from the Toyota name, Hachi which means 8), was produced between 1965 and 1969, besides being recognized as Toyota's first mass-produced sports car and also known to be the first Japanese car to use the targa roof, which is an aluminum roof that can be removed and stored in the trunk when the driver wants to drive the car without a roof like a roadster.

The Toyota Sports 800 (in pictured is 1965 model) is known to be the first Japanese car to use the targa roof, which is an aluminum roof that can be removed and stored in the trunk. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

During the production period of the Toyota Sports 800, it is estimated that around 3,313 units of the car came out of the Kanto Auto Works factory which was a production partner of Toyota at the time, majority made with right-hand steering configuration and available variants were red, blue and silver. At that time, in addition to the Honda S500, the Toyota Sports 800 also competed with the Datsun Fairlady and the Daihatsu Compagno.

Here's the Toyota Sports 800, that won the 500 km racing event at Suzuka circuit back in 1966 had been restored by Gazoo Racing in 2019. (Picture from: OtoDriver)

The Toyota Sports 800 was quite popular among the young drivers of its time. For Your info, the Toyota Sports 800 itself is actually produced specifically for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), that's why it is very difficult to find this car abroad. As quoted of IdnTimes, there are about 300 units that have a left-hand drive configuration, this unit is reportedly made specifically for American soldiers whose at the time served in the US military base in Okinawa, and of the 300 units only a few were personally sent to US. 

The Toyota Sports 800 has been restored with half of the body being rebuilt with new materials and strengthening the rocker panels and suspension mounts so that return to prime even better than when used in racing back then. (Picture from: OtoDriver)

This car also had a success story in the Japanese motorsport scene at the time. One of them was in the Fuji 24 Hour endurance race in 1967, when the podium positions one, two and three were filled by three Toyota cars with the two leading positions occupied by two 2000GTs and the third occupied by the Sports 800. It's said that those three Toyota cars crossed the finish line in almost the same time.

Nowdays amazingly, 10 percent of total productions still exist until today (off course, most of them was in Japan) and are used as collection cars for automotive lovers or antique car lovers around the world. Many Toyota Sports 800 units that are damaged likely caused of the scarcity of spare parts made the damaged engine couldn't be fixed completely, and then rusting body due to it is made of thin metal. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | LANEMOTORMUSEUM ]

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When a pizza restaurateur succeeds in concocting a sports car

Rare ONES The unique cutie sports car that caught our attention this time is a scarce British-made sports car called the Raffo Belva. This sports car was first introduced in 1996, and is the creation of an Italian-born restaurant owner in Lancashire England named John Raffo. During this time he was known for his Lasagna and was said to have "the best Pizza in Preston". While he enjoys success in the culinary business, who would have thought that his real passion is cars.

The Raffo Belva prototype has conventional doors with a removable roof and built by John Raffo in early of the 1990s. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

This is not surprising, because John Raffo was originally a racer who started racing with Chevron B8 in the early seventies. And as time went by he started making his own kit car. At first he created a modified GTM and then through his company named Raffo Cars started producing cars under the name of 'Raffo Tipos' focused for racing track only. Well, apart from having culinary skills, it turns out that he was also a talented engineer, and the pinnacle of his endeavor is the Belva.

The Raffo Belva feautured with closed-roof gull-wings styled doors coupe coupled with small vents mounted on the side mirrors of the doors. (Picture from: PadFoot.org.uk)

Regarding the name of his car, which feels right and is thick with the Italian auras and styles, Raffo said that it was originally sparked by his wife when watching a Richard Attenborough program about Tigers on television. And when a tiger flashed across the screen, then his wife exclaimed, 'que bella belva,' which roughly means how beautiful it is. And he thought, Belva is a very good name and suitable for his next sports car model.

Interior view of the Raffo Belva sports car. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

Shortly after that he began to design this car. When viewed from its appearance in a design that can be considered a bit retro with certain aspects adopting the existing sports car styles, for example as on the front similar to the Ferrari P4. Another inspiration is also seen in the barrel of the Belva which comes from planes and single-seater cars of the 50s. Besides that, Raffo also has special intentions on the mechanical side as well, where he wants it to be slightly smaller, or about 6-7 inches longer and wider than the Mini. Because according to John Raffo, a small car is actually easier to drive on British roads.

A quarter rear view of the Raffo Belva with gull-wings styled doors opened. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

The prototype construction process began in the early 1990s, starting with scale models and progressing to building bodywork through a wooden-buck and molds. The bodywork uses GRP mounted on a box-section steel frame, with the engine mounted across the center of the rear of the chassis.

The Raffo Tipo 12 is built by John Raffo in mid of the 1980s focused for racing track only. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

Once finished in the form of a full-size car which is then pinned by a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine derived from the Vauxhall Calibra. In terms of appearance, initially this car has conventional doors with a removable roof. Well, the next Belva was a closed-roof gullwing-styled coupe coupled with small vents mounted on the side mirrors of the doors. 

The Raffo Tipo 12 is built by John Raffo in mid of the 1980s focused for racing track only. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

The finished product of Raffo was then sold in kit-car form, and was powered by a Zetec engine with transaxles from Ford Mondeo, not a Vauxhall unit. The steering rack is also taken from the Ford Sierra. While its disc brake system is used at the four corners of the legs connected by steel braided lines.

The Raffo Belva with some custom touches owned by Tony Rogers. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

The kits shipped with the doors and gas struts installed, and glass pre-mounted. The whole assembly was powder coated at the factory. The front suspension was fully independent, with cast aluminum uprights, nylon bushed wishbones, anti-sway bars, and adjustable coil spring dampers. The rear arrangement was of a MacPherson type with steel uprights and adjustable dampening.

The Raffo Belva featured with fully independent suspension in front, with cast aluminum uprights, nylon bushed wishbones, anti-sway bars, and adjustable coil spring dampers. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

While the chassis consisted of a multi-tubular 16 gauge, box-section, steel frame with heavy sill bars and integral roll-over protection. And the body was a single piece tub molding, with separate hood and trunk lid, as well as double skinned gullwing doors. The windshield was a bespoke item and the side-glass was Perspex.

The Raffo Belva powered by a Zetec engine with transaxles from Ford Mondeo, not a Vauxhall unit. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

Despite the modest 135 bhp delivered from its Ford motor, the Belva was a spirited performer because the whole package only weighed 1,680 lbs. Handling was crisp and the steering quick, by virtue of its short wheelbase of just over 7 ft. Thanks to its light weight and slippery aerodynamics, the Belva delivered an acceleration of 0-60 mph under 6 seconds with a top speed of 145 mph.

The Raffo Belvetta or Belva Barchetta was built only one unit back in the 1997. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

During its production period noted as many as 7 units of Belva were ever made by him, in addition to the prototype, as well as a one-off roadster version called 'Belvetta (Belva + Barchetta)' which was built in 1997.

The Raffo Belvetta or Belva Barchetta was built only one unit back in the 1997. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

A few years later John Raffo retired and moved to Italy along with his wife and handed over the car manufacture project to Harlequin Autokits. It is not known if they produced any new cars and in 2005 the project changed hands again. And its current owner Mike Phillips intends to relaunch the car in an enlarged form to accommodate a larger motor and more passenger space.

Unfortunately in January 2016, John Raffo passed away at the age of 79.😢 Although now he would no longer be able to see 'his beautiful beast' will make return. Regardless, it's the best legacy for a passionate and creative man who touched the lives of many people through his works. RIP. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RARECOMPONENTCARS MADABOUT-KITCARS ]

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