The only one Italian-made Corvette

As already known that the name of the Chevrolet Corvette always known as an American muscular car, with a body design that is not less muscular and always be dreamed in its homeland. However, the charm of the V8 engine's Chevrolet Corvette mainstay just seems not enough to attract consumers in Europe, where the typical European car has a more beautiful design.

1963 Pininfarina Rondine Coupe made taken base of Chevrolet Corvette C2. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2jFF6th)

Then in 1963, one Chevrolet Corvette C2 had to undergo a makeover to be more pleasing to the eyes of Europeans. The result, Chevrolet in cooperation with Pininfarina, a famous Italian automotive coachbuilder that used to design a Ferrari, which later gave birth to the figure of Pininfarina Rondine Coupe.

Rear side view of 1963 Pininfarina Rondine Coupe. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2jFF6th)

Unlike the Corvette C2 which has a body made of fiberglass, Pininfarina Rondinne has a metal made exterior, which makes its weight so increase, and control is also changed completely. The car's front overhangs are more longer, and the Corvette's typical pop-up lights are eliminated, and on the back there is nothing resembling to the original car, and it is more like a Fiat 124.

Inside, the car has a stock dashboard and seats, but attention to detail around the doors is exceptional. The door jams themselves are chromed and decorated panels are fitted. The greenhouse is quite bright due to the white leather upholstery and a large wraparound rear windscreen.

Because seeing the car's view which then triggered a fairly diverse responses, and finally made Chevrolet was reluctant to continue Pininfarina Rondine to the production line and now the only one ever made was sitting peacefully at the Corvette museum. *** [EKA[20092017] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET]

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One of the unique retro concepts made by Pininfarina

One of the most interesting concept cars ever made by the famous Italian automotive design house, Pininfarina, is the one they built in early 1956, named Nash Rambler Palm Beach. It has a striking appearance, the Palm Beach is a new sports car concept and is a perfect replacement for the Nash-Healey model. And the Nash Rambler Palm Beach was introduced in early 1957, but unfortunately, it was never mass-produced.

1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach by Pininfarina. (Picture from: OldCarConcept)

Uniquely, instead of being a mere "show car", Palm Beach turned out to be a prototype that made as a fully functional vehicle and can be driven normally, where's the car should be made its production version shortly after the car introduced to the market.

The Nash Rambler Palm Beach is built on a wheelbase of 101.5 inches, with a height of only 49.7 inches, a width of almost 68 inches and an overall length of 176 inches. The exterior of Palm Beach features a round central air intake surrounded by two unique oval-shaped air holes.

Left side view of the 1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach by Pininfarina. (Picture from: OldCarConcept)

Its front looks were so elegant and combined with stylish plastic headlights. These lines are meticulously carved and don't use a lot of chrome, which when compared with other cars of the era, makes Palm Beach look so unique and futuristic.

Interior view of the 1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach by Pininfarina. (Picture from: OldCarConcept)

Despite being a sports car, Palm Beach has plenty of room for two passengers and plenty of room for luggage. All major mechanical components, including the start system with the popular clutch pedal, come from Rambler with a wheelbase of 100 inches. This clutch pedal system replaces the starter button below the clutch pedal.

Engine view of the 1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach by Pininfarina. (Picture from: OldCarConcept)

And its engine, Nash Rambler Palm Beach relies on a six-cylinder flathead engine capable of producing power of 82 hp at 3,800 rpm, with 138-ft.lbs of torque at 1,600 rpm. Because the low hood does not allow enough space to accommodate the manufacturer's size carburetor, and Weber's carburetor is used instead.

The Palm Beach's interior is laid out nicely, featuring individually adjustable bucket seats, covered with cowhide with large cushions placed between them. Large map bags are placed at each door, while a long, thin gearshift lever is mounted on the floor, operating a three-speed manual transmission.

The Nash Rambler Palm Beach is actually a very interesting luxury sports car concept, unfortunately, when the car finishes its debut, the American Motors Company (AMC) which has acquired Rambler is no longer interested in showing sports cars in their vehicle lineup. Palm Beach eventually became a show car that AMC brought to various auto shows as an additional attraction, but it never put it into the production line. *** [EKA[26112021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OLDCONCEPTCARS]

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Here's the almost forgotten Iso's unique GT car

~Nice blend~ Before the 2nd World War, Renzo Rivolta already had a successful fridge manufacturing business named Isothermos. And in the 1940s, the company's business sector turned to the production of scooters under the Iso brand. In the motorized vehicles production then developed into the production of the small-engined bubble car called Isetta in between 1953 and 1955 (although the production under licensed in other countries continued until 1964).

The Iso Grifo 90 was appeared with a sleek body lines and intended to mark the Iso's brand reviving in the 1991. (Picture from: OldCarConcept)

Although there is a delay in the production of the next car. It seems that the company has been steady in a four-wheeled vehicle production sector which at that time was producing very different cars named Iso Rivolta, which appeared as a rear-wheel drive salon, two-doors, four seats, is powered by the Chevrolet-owned V8 OHV engine with a capacity of 5,359 cc. The car was designed by Giotto Bizzarrini with a bodywork carried out by Carrozzeria Bertone and had been set to be a trend for the future of the ISO brand.

The Iso Grifo 90 is designed by Marcello Gandini with the chassis and powertrain developed by Gian Paolo Dellara. (Picture from: OldCarConcept)

Not long after, the company's factory based in Milan made the Grifo model, then the Fidia appeared in 1967. The last production car from Iso was the Lele. In 1966 Renzo Rivolta, the man behind the company passed away and his son Piero took the company's control.😭

The Iso Grifo 90 has certain changes to the interior so that the potential customers would feel like they were sitting in a very special car. (Picture from: OldCarConcept)

Entering the 1970s, the company made a bad move, when deciding to race in the Formula One with Frank Williams, it was an improper decision because carried out when the company's financial condition was not good due to the global situation at the time was in the middle of the oil crisis. The combination of these events caused the fall of the Iso brand in 1975.

The Iso Grifo 90 prototype is based on the Corvette C5 Z06 with the aluminium body was fitted to a tubular steel chassis frame, so it weighs only 1,200 kg. (Picture from: OldCarConcept)

In the late 80s, Piero Rivolta and Piero Sala thought the time was right to introduce the brand back into the market with a new GT. He contacted Gian Paolo Dallara to develop its chassis and powertrain and Marcello Gandini to design its outline, which clearly showed all the styling cues of the 90s. The model was named Iso Grifo 90. The prototype was presented to the press in 1991 and it was meant to be produced in a limited series starting from 1994.

The Iso Grifo 90 prototype is powered by a front mounted turbocharged 5.7-litre Chevrolet V8 engine (tuned by Callaway). (Picture from: OldCarConcept)

What was actually presented, though, only just a prototype, with neither an engine nor a normal interior. Not even the wheels on the car could spin. However, a lack of funds forced the automaker to suspend project development. 

Since then the car model hasn't been seen the daylight until in 2007, when the mock-up for the original model is found by Federico Bonomelli, the owner of the "Mako-Shark" multi material producer which also known as the Iso Rivolta collector and decided to produce the car. Together with his brother, he redesigned the car and got approval from Piero Rivolta to produce 12 units of the Iso Grifo 90.

Federico Bonomelli posed along with one of the classic and rare cars of his owned, the Iso Grifo 7Litri. (Picture from: AutoClassMagazine)

The new prototype is based on the Corvette C5 Z06 with the aluminium body was fitted to a tubular steel chassis frame, so it weighs only 1,200 kg. It powered by a front mounted turbocharged 5.7-litre Chevrolet V8 engine (tuned by Callaway) with 490 hp driving the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox coupled with the Brembo's brake system and differential locking. The car was predicted to exceed 300 kph and need a mere 4.5 seconds to reach 100 kph.

The rolling prototype of the Iso Grifo 90 was completed in 2010. However, the economic crisis hit at the time, made the initial enthusiasm for the project had waned, so Federico Bonomelli decided not to build 12 cars of the rest. It seems that the Iso's modern GT car model is very unlucky, and had biggest problem is the unsuitable time.😐 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARTYPE | OLDCONCEPTCARS | AUTOCLASSMAGAZINE | CURVES-MAGAZIN | CALLAWAY | DYLER ]

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The most beautiful car of the 21st centuries

One thing that is noteworthy from the beauty of a four-wheeled vehicle can be seen when the vehicle perfectly represents the soul of the maker. Maybe the sentence is too cliche, in short, how can we as ordinary people see those beauty? Now, let's get a look one of the most beautiful cars of the 21st centuries as follow;

The Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring awarded a title of the "Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year" by a panel comprised of designers, car experts and former Formula 1 driver Alain Prost on the sidelines of the Automobile International Festival 2009 event in Paris. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

As we all know, that one of the most beautiful cars of the 21st centuries is Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta designed and built by Carrozzeria Touring Supeleggera, an Italian coachbuilder company based in Milan in 2008. It was a light and compact two-seater sports car and debuted at the 2008 Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este.

The Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring awarded a title of the "Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year" by a panel comprised of designers, car experts and former Formula 1 driver Alain Prost on the sidelines of the Automobile International Festival 2009 event in Paris. (Picture from: ArchiiDesiign)

As quoted of Motortrend, the awarding of the title of 'the most beautiful supercar of the year' was carried out by a panel comprised of designers, car experts and former Formula 1 driver Alain Prost on the sidelines of the Automobile International Festival 2009 event in Paris based on the voting results of more than one million viewers of the Eurosport television network. The viewers' choices at the time included the Bugatti Sport Veyron, BMW 750i and Lotus Evora.

The Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring awarded a title of the "Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year" by a panel comprised of designers, car experts and former Formula 1 driver Alain Prost on the sidelines of the Automobile International Festival 2009 event in Paris. (Picture from: ArchiiDesiign)

That choice seems right on target, because it's the A8GCS was initially developed as a showpiece for the company to advertise their manufacturing capabilities. This beautiful car was built by Carrozzeria Touring based on the Maserati Coupé GranSport. All the process done by the special team headed of Louis de Fabribeckers (also known as the Touring' head of design). As the car' design aimed for a balance between the front end and rear flanks, and a soft aggressiveness.

The Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring awarded a title of the "Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year" by a panel comprised of designers, car experts and former Formula 1 driver Alain Prost on the sidelines of the Automobile International Festival 2009 event in Paris. (Picture from: ArchiiDesiign)

The design stays to the true Carrozzeria Touring' heritage, while its coachbuilder is said to be inspired by the classic long snouted Isotta Fraschini and Lancia Flying Star figures. In the making process into a modern design vehicle, the Carrozzeria Touring relies on smaller front and rear overhangs, a prominent front grille and two graceful horizontal body lines.

The Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring awarded a title of the "Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year" by a panel comprised of designers, car experts and former Formula 1 driver Alain Prost on the sidelines of the Automobile International Festival 2009 event in Paris. (Picture from: ArchiiDesiign)

And with a design such this, it seems Touring wants to continue the tradition of the legendary Maserati' long-nosed cars such as the A6GCS/53 of the 1950s. Meanwhile, the styling details like the minimalist chrome trim and classic wire wheels give the car a distinctive retro vibe, while also not being unnecessarily nostalgic.

Glancing to the car' dimensions, the Touring Superleggera A8GCS Berlinetta is 4.2 meters long and only 1.2 meters high and 2.5 meters of wheelbase. The Touring's beautiful sports coupé is powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine capable spewing power of 400 horse power. And for the weight of car itself, exactly such the engineers initially planned, ie the finished car' weight of 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) or 180 kg (400 lbs) lighter than the Maserati GranSport. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOURINGSUPERLEGGERA | MOTORTREND | DRIVETRIBE | ]

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One of the 1960s weird looking Lamborghinis

As a coachbuilder company, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera 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 ]

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One of the Multi-Millionaire's supercar

Competition continues to make the car faster. Not only involves a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Bugatti, other brands also continue to emerge to fight them, one of which is Laraki Motors. This is not a supercar you will see too often in your life – or there are even bigger chances you won’t ever see it in metal and gasoline flesh anytime during your lifetime. So, we should all feast our eyes on these photos, as we can never have too many small series fancy supercars.

Laraki Epitome Concept on The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://www.inautonews.com/)

Laraki Motors was founded in Morrocco but is now based in California, hence the Pebble Beach unveiling and the sheikh pleasing design ushered by the Abdesslam Laraki designer/founder of the company. The company recently showed their newest concept car, the Epitome Concept. And the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance event is visited by rich people from around the world chosen as the debut of this concept car.

Front three quarter view of Laraki Epitome Concept. (Picture from: http://www.inautonews.com/)

Epitome basic concept is the C6 Corvette chassis using carbon fiber body panels and an aluminum chassis on his body, which can reduce the car weight of 1,270 kilograms (2,799.87 lbs) so that the car can compete in the same class with the Bugatti Veyron.

Interior view of Laraki Epitome Concept. (Picture from: http://www.gtplanet.net/)

Power used to propel the car came from the Chevrolet engine with 7.0 liters of capacity. Modified small block engine with twin-turbocharged. Initial force reached 1,100 to 1,200 hp.

Rear three quarter view of Laraki Epitome Concept. (Picture from: http://www.inautonews.com/)

However, the concept actually features two fuel tanks — one for standard pump gas, and another for 110 octane racing fuel. And, with a single button push the ECU will be remapped and the car will use fuel from both tanks to push out the maximum estimated rating of 1,750 horsepower.

But to get this car, the millionaire must dug deep enough their pockets. Because Laraki will sells the cars that is produced only 9 units at the high price, about U.S. $ 2 million (or approx Rp. 20.67 billion). "His reaction was more than expected," said Laraki as quoted by USA Today. *** [EKA(24082013) | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INAUTONEWS | USA TODAY]

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The Last Fully Italian Lamborghini

In the automotive world, the high price would not be a problem for some billionaire collector. There are many rare cars are made ​​in limited quantities, and one of them is the Lamborghini Pregunta which is a concept car in 1998. If you've never heard of him, it is not surprising, because Pregunta was limited to only one unit and you can imagine that the chance to actually drive one is pretty rare.

1998 Lamborghini Pregunta. (Picture from: http://www.autodrome.fr/)

This particular prototype was designed by the French Carrosserie Heuliez. Many believe it to be the last fully Italian Lamborghini supercar. As we know, the take over of Lamborghini by Audi, at the end of 1998 translated in a brutal discontinuation of another exciting project such as the "Canto", then in the middle of its develoment, and that could also have become the "super-Lamborghini".

Front view of 1998 Lamborghini Pregunta. (Picture from: http://www.autoblog.com/)

This supercar prototype was presented at the 1998 Paris Motor Show, followed shortly after by an appearance at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. While all the other models in Lamborghini's lineup were named after famous bulls, but this supercar concept got a simpler name: "pregunta" is the Spanish word for "question."

Front-left side view of 1998 Lamborghini Pregunta. (Picture from: http://www.autodrome.fr/)

Designed with low ground clearance, Lamborghini Pregunta designed with F1 racing technology. And just like any other Lamborghini cars, this car can also speeding fast. Pregunta is made ​​based on Diablo chassis with a V12 engine capable of spewing power of 520 hp, and said to be capable of running up to 333 kph (206 mph) and make Pregunta faster than its donor, the Diablo which can reach a top speed of 322 kph (200 mph).

Rear-left side view of 1998 Lamborghini Pregunta. (Picture from: http://www.autoblog.com/)

Also, when compared to the Diablo, the Pregunta features a lighter and more straight forward rear-wheel-drive structure, and the radiators have been moved to the front. The concept also uses technologies seen on Formula 1 cars, including: Dassault stealth external paintwork plus the dynamic air intakes (from the Dassault Rafale jet fighter). It was designed to be a convertible with the option to create a closed Berlinetta layout (Berlinetta means 'small sedan' or more precisely, 'coupe'). The exterior is finished in a silver paint job with a blue interior.

The Pregunta equipment uses the latest devices particularly the formula-1-type dashboard by Magnetti-Marelli, the Cristine navigational aid by BCI, the CD stereo equipment by Alpine who also supplies the screens for the rear view system, the 4-point self-winding seat belts by Schrott, the fibre optical atmospheric lighting by DGA and the steering wheel by Classic Board. According to recent news, this concept car will be sold at a price of € 1.6 million (about $ 2.1 million at the current exchange rate). *** [EKA(06012014) | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTODROME | AUTOBLOG]

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Many believed that the following unique car was an alien-made

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 ]

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