Streamlined Legacy - What is this car? How come it looks so weird? Those are the exact questions that might pop into your head the first time you lay eyes on the Volkhart V2 Sagitta. With its teardrop silhouette and streamlined design, it almost looks like a prop from an old science fiction movie. But this isn't some futuristic prototype from a forgotten film—it's a real car, built more than 75 years ago, and its story is more fascinating than its strange appearance lets on.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta was the 2nd prototype designed by Kurt C Volkhart and Baron R König von Fachsenfeld based on the Volkswagen Beetle 1st generation aka the KdF Wagen Typ 60. (Picture from: ClassicCarWeekly.net)
At a glance, the Volkhart V2 Sagitta might seem like an oddball, but when you look closer at its foundation, things start to make sense. The car was developed using the chassis of the very first Volkswagen Beetle, officially known as the KdF-Wagen Typ 60. This was a wartime car, produced between 1937 and 1944, and was the seed from which one of the world’s most iconic vehicles would grow.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta formerly known as the Luftwaffe 'courier car' due to it developed and built as a part of the Luftwaffe's need before the war for a small, fast and agile courier car.(Picture from: Bonham)
While most enthusiasts are familiar withthe Porsche 356as the pinnacle of performance based on the Beetle platform, the V2 Sagitta predates it in both vision and execution. Back in the late 1930s, Germany's Luftwaffe was on the hunt for a light, nimble courier vehicle—one that could be fast, efficient, and easy to maintain. That’s where Kurt C. Volkhart entered the scene. He was an engineer with a deep understanding of aerodynamics, something that wasn’t yet a major focus in car design.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta is offered accommodation for 4/5 passengers inside its cabin, but never came close to series production. (Picture from: Hemmings)
His early project, the V1, was a two-seater sports car powered by a rear-mounted 1,172 cc Ford Eifel engine with only 32 bhp of power. It never made it beyond the prototype phase, but the idea of a slick, aerodynamic machine stuck with him.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta when undergoing aerodynamic tests conducted by Volkswagen in its wind tunnel back in the 2011, produced a drag coefficient of 0.217 over a frontal area of 2.10 square meters. (Picture from: Hemmings)
After World War II, Volkhart picked up where he left off, this time with some financial help from a company called Sagitta. What came next was the V2, a one-of-a-kind aerodynamic experiment built on a wartime VW Beetle chassis (with number 2-033683). The body, made entirely of lightweight aluminum, was shaped by Baron Reinhard Koenig-Fachsenfeld, a visionary in the world of streamlined car design. Construction was handled by Helmut Fuchs and later finished by Hans Daum’s workshop, both based in Germany.
The Volkhart V1 small two-seater sports coupe came out in the end of 1930s, and powered by a rear-mounted 1,172 cc Ford Eifel engine with only 32 bhp of power. (Picture from: Hemmings)
Underneath that sleek body was a 1.1-liter, rear-mounted flat-four engine producing just 24 horsepower. Modest on paper, yes, but thanks to its incredibly efficient design, the car could reach speeds of up to 88 mph—faster than the early Porsches of the time. And despite its compact footprint, it could squeeze in four to five passengers, showing that Volkhart was thinking about practicality just as much as performance.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta has inlets at the front, could be for the cabin ventilation, front brake cooling, horn, or a front mounted oil cooler. (Picture from: Hemmings)
What really set the V2 Sagitta apart, however, was its aerodynamic brilliance. The car was tested in Volkswagen’s wind tunnel in 2011, decades after it was built, and the results were astonishing. It recorded a drag coefficient of just 0.217—still on par with some of the best modern designs today. To put that into perspective, that’s better than most current-day sports cars, and lightyears ahead of anything else in the 1940s.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta is powered by a rear-mounted 1.1-liter flat-four good for 24 horsepower and a top speed of 88 mph. (Picture from: Hemmings)
Sadly, the V2never went into production. Volkswagen refused to supply more chassis, and without a solid production plan, the project faded into obscurity. Only one unit was ever made, and it had a strange life afterward.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta has a fan sucking air through that grille under rear window as for its engine cooling (although this 24 hp engine actually doesn't need much cooling). (Picture from: Hemmings)
It was sold to Hugo Tigges, a man who had provided materials during the car’s construction. He used it as his daily driver for six years before abandoning it in a garden in 1953. Two years later, Helmut Daum, son of one of the original builders, stepped in to rescue and preserve what was left.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta' last appearance in public under British racing green color was happened at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012. (Picture from: Madle.org)
Over time, the car was restored, repainted, and passed between owners before ending up with Austrian Porsche collector Walter Traxler. Its last known public appearance was at the 2012 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where it turned heads in a fresh silver coat after being returned to its original color from a previous repaint in British racing green.
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta' last appearance in public under British racing green color was happened at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012. (Picture from: Madle.org)
In early 2023, news surfaced that the Volkhart V2 Sagittawould be auctioned by Bonhams at an event in Paris, with an estimated price tag between €1.8 million and €2.6 million. Yet, in a surprising twist, the car was withdrawn before the sale could take place, leaving its future hanging in uncertainty once again.😥
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta is more than just a
quirky piece of automotive history—it’s a glimpse into a lost path of
design innovation. Built at a time when speed, beauty, and function
rarely intersected in car design, it stood apart as a bold attempt to
push boundaries. Today, it remains one of the rarest and most unique examples of what might have been, had things gone just a little differently.. *** [EKA [24032023] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICCARWEEKLY.NET | BONHAM | HEMMINGS | ULTIMATECARPAGE ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Phantom Challenger - The following article briefly tells about the rivalry that really happened between the two American automotive giants General Motors and Ford Motor Company through the automotive products produced by both of them.
The Ford Cougar II Concept is built by Ford Motor Company intended to be an equal rival model of the Chevy Corvette. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)
The story begins when GM through its subsdiary marque, Chevrolet launched a design change of the Corvette sports car in the early 1960s, which at that time immediately caught the public's attention because of its good performance. Off course it made Ford top brass felt challenged to create an equal rival.
The Ford Cougar II Concept is featured an aerodynamic coupe styling bodywork, offered a great interior design plus retractable headlights. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)
Then they called the company's engineers for immediately devised a plan. In short, the engineers produced this interesting concept such the Ford Cougar II Concept, which featured an aerodynamic coupe styling bodywork, offered a great interior design plus retractable headlights and was also called one of three-X car concepts, along with the Ford Allegro and Ford Mustang II.
The Ford XP Bordinat Cobra is a concept car creation of Ford Motor Company collaborated with Carroll Shelby back in the 1963. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)
By design this Cougar II Concept is very similar to another concept car called the Bordinat Cobra, associated with Gene Bordinat, Ford's Vice President of Styling then, and the man behind the creation of these two great concept models. Well, the mentioned Cobra Roadster, which is one of the collaboration result cars of Ford Motor Company with Carroll Shelby, turned out to be warmly welcomed when it was introduced to the public, and many consumers really enjoyed the great styling. It's said that Ford never liked the eggshell-thin aluminum body of the Cobra, so it designed a coupe style similar to the Corvette and had one made.
The great looking Ford Cougar II fastback concept design built with a fiberglass body under finishing touches of a candy apple red color. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)
Furthermore, both are also built on a Shelby Cobra legendary chassis, only the Cougar II Concept is powered by a Ford small block 260ci V8 engine. This great looking fastback concept design built with a fiberglass body under finishing touches of a candy apple red color, in which its bodywork was created and built by Ford designers, Ken Spencer and Ray Behmer.
The Ford Cougar II Concept is powered by a Ford small block 260ci V8 engine. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)
While many historians and automotive enthusiasts have argued that the Cougar II Concept looked like a Corvette and deserved to be an equal rival for those Chevy's sports car, on the contrary Ford engineers at the time thought the car would be too expensive to produce.
So then the blue oval logoed company chose to be more focus on the Mustang project whose its production version is still could be seen until today, and left the Bordinat Cobra and the Cougar II Concept models dusty in the warehouse. Later, both of them were donated to the Detroit Historical Museum. 😢 *** [EKA [27102022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORCITIES | THEGENTLEMANRACER | HEMMINGS | BURRITODETODO ]
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Postwar Reverie - The years following World War II were filled with a strange mix of exhaustion and optimism. Factories that once served military needs began searching for new identities, and engineers were suddenly free to imagine objects meant not for survival, but for living. In that brief, hopeful window, some of the most unconventional machines ever conceived took shape. One of them was the Moto Major 350, a motorcycle born from postwar ambition and creative freedom, and one that still feels remarkably alive in today’s design-driven era.
The vintage-styled 1947 Moto Major 350 prototype still enchanting until today. (Picture from: MotoRiderUniverse)
Unveiled in 1947, the Moto Major 350 immediately stood apart from conventional motorcycles of its time. Designed by Turin-based engineer Salvatore Maiorca, the bike ignored exposed mechanical honesty and instead embraced flowing form. Its silhouette placed it in the same visual conversation as rare experimental machines likethe Killinger & Freund from 1938 or Louis Lucien Lepoix’s customized BMW R12, yet the Moto Major carried a personality entirely its own—more organic, more daring, and unmistakably futuristic.
The 1947 Moto Major 350 is voted as the Best of Show Motorcycles at the Concorso Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2018. (Picture from: TheVintagent)
The origins of this motorcycle are closely tied to Aeritalia, an aerospace company based in Turin and a subsidiary of Fiat. Developed inside Aeritalia’s aerodynamic research facilities, the Moto Major was fully funded as an experimental project, reflecting Fiat’s curiosity about entering the two-wheeled market. This was not Fiat’s first flirtation with motorcycles; a decade earlier, it had explored scooter concepts that predated models like Piaggio’s MP5 Paperino. The Moto Major, however, pushed far beyond experimentation and into radical design philosophy.
From every angle, the Moto Major is stunning and compelling. The sole prototype remains in original and unrestored condition.(Picture from: TheVintagent)
What continues to enchant enthusiasts decades later is its bodywork, which feels less engineered and more sculpted. The steel shell wraps almost the entire motorcycle, leaving only the wheels, headlamp, and handlebars visible. Its form has often been compared to marine life, with smooth, cephalopod-like curves and intricate detailing. Even the silencer resembles a flattened fishtail, reinforcing the organic theme while creating a visual balance rarely seen in motorcycles, vintage or modern.
A cutaway view of the 350 single-cylinder of Moto Major, and showing the steering system, inline single-cylinder motor, shaft drive, and fuel tank under the saddle.(Picture from: TheVintagent)
Beneath the dramatic exterior lies equally unconventional engineering. The Moto Major 350 used a vertically oriented, liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine, with two radiators discreetly integrated into the fairing and fed by airflow from the front. Controls were partially concealed, with a hand shifter emerging through the bodywork, while the handlebars remained exposed, creating a subtle tension between enclosure and rider connection.
The Moto Major has twin fishtail exhausts hide a secret with only one side is functional, another one is a dummy for aesthetic balance purposes only.(Picture from: TheVintagent)
The exhaust layout added another layer of visual theater. Twin fishtail outlets extended from the rear, even though the 350 cc version technically required only one exhaust pipe. The second was purely decorative, included solely to preserve symmetry. This decision perfectly captured the philosophy behind the Moto Major—engineering logic existed, but it willingly bowed to aesthetics when necessary.
The handlebars move in a slot in the bodywork, between the speedometer and a steering damper knob.(Picture from: TheVintagent)
Perhaps the most advanced idea was hidden within the wheels themselves. The body functioned as a self-supporting monocoque hull, allowing the fairing to sit extremely close to the wheels. Suspension was not placed between the chassis and wheels, but inside the wheels, between the rims and hubs. Maiorca adapted concepts he had previously explored in aircraft design, reviving the almost-forgotten idea of elastic wheels and pushing motorcycle engineering into uncharted territory.
The Moto Major’s in-wheel suspension uses 12 compressed rubber disc per wheel for suspension, to provide a nominal 50cm of travel.(Picture from: TheVintagent)
Despite the excitement it generated—including a planned collaboration with Pirelli and a sensational public appearance at the 1948 Milan Salon—the Moto Major 350
never entered production. Costs, complexity, and shifting priorities
quietly ended the dream. Today, the sole surviving example rests with the Hockenheim Museum Archive, preserved rather than restored due to its delicate and irreplaceable components. Its recognition as Best of Show Motorcycle at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este confirmed what many already felt: the Moto Major 350 is not just a relic, but a timeless expression of how bold imagination can outlast the era that created it.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops.... *** [EKA [07032020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE VINTAGENT | BIKEEXIF | MOTORIDERSUNIVERSE ]
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Forgotten Glamour - A remarkable vehicle does not always become famous, and some of the most fascinating creations in automotive history spend decades hidden from public memory. During the golden age of scooters in the 1950s and 1960s, countless designs emerged from both established manufacturers and passionate independent builders. Among them was an exceptionally rare Italian scooter known as the Linto Marilina, a machine whose elegance was inspired by one of the most iconic women of the twentieth century, Marilyn Monroe.
The 1954 Linto Marilina while on display in front of Marilyn Monroe's picture at the Salon Moto Légende 2019. (Picture from: CafeRacerClub.org)
Dreaming Car - Maybe you were one who had ever watched the classic television cartoon series The Jetsons, which tells the story of a family living in a futuristic era filled with flying cars and sleek, space-age inventions. When you take a look at this next car—featured on the QuirkyRides account on X—it’s hard not to feel like one of those imaginative dreams has leapt out of the screen and into real life.
The 1957 Galileo Concept is a truly stunning example of jet-inspired automotive design from the 1950s, capturing the bold imagination and futuristic spirit of the era in a way that few other show cars ever have. (Picture from: QuirkyRides)
This car is the Galileo Concept, and since it first appeared in public in 1957, it has left a lasting impression on those who encounter it. Bold, experimental, and undeniably retro-futuristic, the Galileo Concept still manages to spark admiration today, decades after its debut. What makes it even more fascinating is the man behind the machine—a little-known American named Joseph Galileo. Though his name doesn’t appear in the history books beside famous car designers, his story is every bit as intriguing.
The 1957 Galileo Concept was built from the ground up by Joseph Galileo using a 1949 Ford chassis and a custom fiberglass body—a daring choice at a time when the material was still considered experimental. (Picture from: UndiscoveredClassics)
Joseph Galileo was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran who served during its transformation into the United States Air Force. His journey into automotive innovation began in the late 1950s, an era when jet planes and space travel had captured the world's imagination. Inspired by this wave of technological excitement, Galileo picked up a pencil and started sketching. His vision?A car that looked and felt like it belonged in the age of jets and rockets.
The 1957 Galileo Concept features a uniquely crafted design with jet-themed front intakes that perfectly embody the bold, futuristic styling trends of the 1950s. (Picture from: Motor1)
Building such a dream from scratch is no easy feat. Galileo began with a 1949 Ford chassis and constructed the rest of the car’s body from fiberglass—a material that was still fairly experimental at the time. He handcrafted the molds himself using wood and plaster, shaping every curve and line with his own hands. The car featured striking gullwing doors and a front bumper styled like a jet intake, giving it a true 1950s futuristic flair. Powering this wild creation was an Oldsmobile “Rocket” V8 engine—a name that couldn’t have been more fitting for the concept.
The 1957 Galileo Concept is built on the sturdy frame of a 1949 Ford and showcases a custom fiberglass body, meticulously handcrafted by Joseph Galileo himself to bring his futuristic vision to life. (Picture from: Motor1)
Despite his dedication, the car was never fully completed. The interior remained unfinished, and a few exterior elements were also missing. Sadly, Galileo passed away in 2010, never getting to see his vision fully realized. It was more than a car—it was the physical expression of one man’s dream to bring the future into the present.
The 1957 Galileo Concept is powered by an Oldsmobile 'Rocket' V8 engine, a fitting choice that not only delivered impressive performance for its time but also perfectly complemented the car’s bold, space-age theme.(Picture from: Motor1)
In 2018, the Galileo Concept quietly changed hands after being listed by Undiscovered Classics, a dealership known for showcasing rare and forgotten vehicles. While the sale price remains a mystery, what’s more important is the hope it carries: that someone out there, perhaps the new owner, might one day finish the work Galileo started and share it with the world. | 8OgnW3Xo8E8 |
For now, the Galileo Concept stands as a reminder of a time when imagination had no limits, when even an unknown veteran could dream of the stars—and almost reach them with fiberglass and a V8. It’s a car not just built with tools, but with vision, heart, and a passion that defied convention..😐 *** [EKA [04122021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | UNDISCOVEREDCLASSICS | QUIRKYRIDES | UNDISCOVEREDCLASSICS IN INSTAGRAM | HEMMINGS | MOTOR1 ]
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Space Spoon - Discovering the stories behind unique and rare vehicles from the past often leads to some fascinating discoveries. One such vehicle is the Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000, a concept car that came to life in 1962. Built by Vignale, an Italian coachbuilder, this one-of-a-kind car was based on the Fiat 600D platform. The car's striking design immediately captures attention, with a shape that resembles a teardrop, or "goccia" in Italian, a form that was highly favored by designers during that era due to its aerodynamic efficiency.
1962 Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 is built based of the Fiat 600D based design prototype with a massive 'fish-bowl' windscreen. (Picture from: Twitter)
In the 1950s and 60s, the teardrop design was at the forefront of aerodynamic studies. It was considered the most efficient shape for managing airflow, and this principle was applied by various automakers. Vignale had previously explored similar design ideas with the Abarth 750 Coupe Goccia in 1956, a collaboration with Giovanni Michelotti. The Sperimentale 1000 took these concepts even further, showcasing a distinct and futuristic appearance that was meant to push the boundaries of automotive design.
1962
Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 sat on display at the Turin Auto Show
1962. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)
The Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 is not just another concept car; it is a masterpiece that combines art and engineering. Its most prominent feature is the massive "fish-bowl" windshield, which wraps around the front of the car, offering a panoramic view similar to modern-day sunroofs. The smooth, aerodynamic design continues with the faired-in headlights, which are tucked behind Plexiglas to reduce air resistance. The front bumpers, shaped like bullets, add to the car's sleek profile, while the sharply cut-off tail, a hallmark of Kammback design, ensures that the vehicle slices through the air with minimal drag.
1962 Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000's wraparound windscreen was absolutely enormous, while the glass roof very much similar the current's panoramic sunroofs. (Picture from: Drive-my.com)
At the rear, the car's design continues to impress with a series of cooling ducts that not only add to its visual appeal but also serve a functional purpose by providing air to the rear-mounted engine. The Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 was equipped with a 1,000 cc engine, an upgrade from the original 767 cc engine, thanks to the efforts of the Turin-based ZM tuning company. This enhanced engine, combined with the car's lightweight and aerodynamic form, was intended to make it a record-breaking vehicle. Although Vignale claimed a Cd figure of just 0.25, which would have made it one of the most aerodynamically efficient cars of its time, there is no evidence to suggest that any record attempts were actually made.
Inside the cabin of 1962 Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000, there'retwo futuristic-themed seats with three gauges are mounted into a wooden
instrument panel, housed in a binnacle extending forward to the base of
the windshield. (Picture from: Drive-my.com)
Inside the cabin, the Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 continues to impress with its futuristic design. The car features two seats with a unique, aircraft-inspired wraparound headrest on the passenger side. The wooden instrument panel is home to three gauges, housed in a binnacle that extends to the base of the windshield. The seats themselves are anatomically shaped, with unusual grip handle extensions, adding to the car's avant-garde aesthetic. Interestingly, the spare wheel is stored behind the seats, a practical yet stylish solution that adds to the car's overall uniqueness.
1962 Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000's wraparound windscreen was absolutely enormous, while the glass roof very much similar the current's panoramic sunroofs. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)
The Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 made its debut at the 1962 Turin Auto Show, where it immediately caught the attention of automotive enthusiasts and designers alike. Initially, the car featured conventional wheel arches, but by the time it was shown again at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1963, it had undergone slight modifications. The wheel arches were now faired-in and covered with spats, likely a result of further aerodynamic experiments conducted by Vignale.
This one-off concept car represents a remarkable chapter in automotive history, blending innovative design with engineering prowess. Its unique appearance, combined with the cutting-edge technology of its time, makes the Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 a true icon. As we look back on this incredible vehicle, it serves as a reminder of the endless possibilities that arise when creativity and innovation come together in the world of automotive design.*** [EKA [09122021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DRIVE-MY.COM | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | CARSTYLING.RU | QUIRKYRIDES ]
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Forgotten Gems - For many of us, the world of motorsport history often highlights the giants—Ferrari, Porsche, Alfa Romeo—leaving many unsung stories buried beneath the roar of the mainstream. But every now and then, an obscure name resurfaces, hinting at a tale filled with ambition, rebellion, and ingenuity. One of those names is Aguzzoli, and behind it lies a creation so distinct, so full of character, it deserves to be remembered: the Aguzzoli Condor.
The Aguzzoli Condor MK2 was a 1964 prototype race car commissioned by Giovanni and Sergio Aguzzoli, designed by Franco Reggiani and built by Piero Drogo with a focus on both performance and artistic form.(Picture from: AutoHistory.Blog.Hu)
Rolling Fantasy - Indeed, in the 1950s to the late 1960s, automotive enthusiasts around the world—especially in America and Europe—were treated to a golden age of imagination. Car shows weren’t just exhibitions; they were playgrounds of futuristic fantasies. Walking through rows of concept vehicles, visitors often found themselves stunned, mumbling phrases like, "What is that?" or wondering aloud if these radical creations could actually run like normal cars. It was a time when car design knew no limits, and nothing embodied this spirit more than one of the rarest and most extravagant automotive creations of the era: the 1960 DiDia 150.
Currently, the 1960 DiDia 150 sat on display at the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Minnesota after donated by its owner Bobby Darrin in 1970. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
This car wasn’t born in a corporate design studio or crafted by a legendary carmaker. Instead, it was the vision of Andy DiDia—a fashion designer, not an automotive engineer—who spent seven painstaking years bringing this dream machine to life. From 1953 to 1960, he invested not just effort, but also a jaw-dropping $93,647 into the project, an amount that would translate to a fortune today. But this was never about money—it was about building a car that looked like nothing else on the road.
The 1960 DiDia 150, a unique-shaped dream car built by Andrew 'Andy' Di Dia for seven years long time and cost of $93,647. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)
And DiDia absolutely succeeded. The DiDia 150 is more than just a car—it’s a moving sculpture. Clad in a deep, metallic red finish made from no fewer than 30 layers of paint mixed with real diamond dust for extra sparkle, it instantly draws attention. Its body, hand-formed from soft aluminum, flows with curves and angles that resemble something more airborne than land-based. Its oversized tail fin—more commonly found on boats or aircraft fuselages—stands as a bold signature, declaring this is not just a car, but a flight of fancy frozen in metal.
The 1960 DiDia 150 is originally powered by a 365 cubic-inch Cadillac engine, later replaced by a 427 cubic-inch high-performance Ford engine. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)
The innovations didn’t stop at the surface. The car featured hidden headlights and swiveling taillights that moved as the car turned, further enhancing its dramatic flair. Its interior was just as ambitious, if not more. There are four plush seats, each complete with its own ashtray, cigarette lighter, and built-in radio speakers—luxuries that felt borderline futuristic at the time. The dashboard was a spectacle on its own, equipped with large aircraft-style levers to control the heating, air conditioning, and defroster. It was less like sitting in a car and more like stepping into a private jet’s cockpit.😁
Inside the cabin of the DiDia 150 has squared steering wheel resembling a superellipse and there's a row of large levers like those of an airplane to control the air conditioning, heating and defroster on the dashboard. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)
The design quirks kept coming. A glass-covered rear cockpit and a squared-off steering wheel that mimicked the shape of a superellipse added to the feeling that theDiDia 150 was designed not just to transport, but to mesmerize. Built on a 125-inch wheelbase, it originally ran on a 365 cubic-inch Cadillac engine. However, in later years, it received a serious upgrade with a high-performance 427 cubic-inch Ford engine—giving this visual marvel the power to match its presence.
The 1960 DiDia 150 is featured in a metallic red color that is made of 30 layers of paint with real diamonds sparkled. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)
Only one DiDia 150 was ever made, making it as exclusive as it is eccentric. Its sole example eventually caught the eye of Bobby Darin, a popular singer and actor of the time. Darin didn’t just drive it—he showcased it in films and appearances, further fueling its mythos. Eventually, he gifted the car to the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1970, where it remains preserved as a symbol of unrestrained creativity in automotive history.
The DiDia 150 was never meant to blend in—it was made to stand out, to challenge perceptions, and to celebrate what could happen when passion overrides practicality. In an age where cars are often shaped by wind tunnels and algorithms, it's refreshing to look back at something so wildly imaginative. The DiDia 150 isn’t just a car; it’s a dream on wheels—a reminder that sometimes the best ideas come from outside the garage. *** [EKA [17102020] [10112021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ | WIKIPEDIA ]
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In early 2023, news surfaced that the Volkhart V2 Sagitta would be auctioned by Bonhams at an event in Paris, with an estimated price tag between €1.8 million and €2.6 million. Yet, in a surprising twist, the car was withdrawn before the sale could take place, leaving its future hanging in uncertainty once again.😥
The Volkhart V2 Sagitta is more than just a
quirky piece of automotive history—it’s a glimpse into a lost path of
design innovation. Built at a time when speed, beauty, and function
rarely intersected in car design, it stood apart as a bold attempt to
push boundaries. Today, it remains one of the rarest and most unique examples of what might have been, had things gone just a little differently.. *** [EKA [24032023] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICCARWEEKLY.NET | BONHAM | HEMMINGS | ULTIMATECARPAGE ]
