The beauty Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept of 1955

Beautiful cars that were born in the 1950s, almost always amaze automotive fans today. Yes, they always look beautiful because convincingly they get top class care from the owners who incidentally are those who know how to treat this kinds of rare items.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept designed by Virgil Exner and built in collaboration between Chrysler and Ghia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2V6YvD7)

The story of this beautiful car began when Virgil Exner decided to leave the American manufacturer Studebaker to join Chrysler's Advanced Design Studio in 1949. So shortly after that was born the Chrysler Falcon as the result the collaboration of Chrysler and Ghia, an Italian coachwork company.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept has similar in size to both its rivals of the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2V6YvD7)

It was a prototype two-seater roadster-style concept car designed by him to built as the Chrysler's model of 1955. This car was never mass produced, but many of the ideas and styling elements of this Falcon concept were eventually used in several other Chrysler car designs. 

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept is equipped with a 276 cubic-inch OHV V8 engine, which can produce up to 170 hp (127 kW) of power and 346 Nm (255 lbs-ft) of torque. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2V6YvD7)

In fact, some of the features that were considered 'advanced' in this era would not appear for many years, such as the open-sided exhaust pipe design, which was only used in the production version of the 1992 Dodge Viper.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept's interior featured a split bench style seat finished in burgundy leather, with a floor mounted shifter for the two-speed PowerFlite transmission and a Nardi wooden steering wheel. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2V6YvD7)

The name 'Falcon' was originally intended to be the name for the new Plymouth Valiant model, but Ford Motor Company first released a production car under the name Ford Falcon, after Henry Ford II made a formal request to use the name.

The open-sided exhaust system is one of advanced features pinned on the Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2V6YvD7)

Designed to be as the base model which has similar in size to both its rivals of the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird. And the Chrysler Falcon is equipped with a 276 cubic-inch OHV V8 engine, which can produce up to 170 hp (127 kW) of power and 346 Nm (255 lbs-ft) of torque.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept is equipped by many of the design and styling elements would later be seen in various other Chrysler vehicles. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2V6YvD7)

The engine is mated to a two-speed automatic transmission and able to make the car had a top speed of about 115 mph, while the zero-to-sixty took about 10 seconds.

While the car's interior featured a split bench style seat finished in burgundy leather, with a floor mounted shifter for the two-speed PowerFlite transmission and a Nardi wooden steering wheel.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept was meant to be a competitor to the Ford Thunderbird and the Chevrolet Corvette. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2V6YvD7)

For a long time, most automakers believed that only one Falcon prototype was produced, which was then taken to various auto shows. However, coachbuilder Ghia, who collaborated with Chrysler, had built three units of the Falcon prototype.

One of the three prototypes is now at the Chrysler Museum. Meanwhile, the second unit was sold to a collector in the US, and the third was sent to Venezuela and remained there for a long time, before returning to the United States. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ.COM ]

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One of the most beautiful Fiat cars ever

Now, We are talking about an unusual designed classic car from Fiat in the 1950s named the Fiat Stanguellini 1200 Spider. This classic car is known to be the work of a renowned Italian automotive designer named Vittorio Stanguellini the owner of Automobili Stanguellini, who was collaborated with the Bertone at the time.

1957 Fiat Stanguellini 1200 Spider is known to be the work of a renowned Italian automotive designer named Vittorio Stanguellini. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3nMKKpn)

As we all knew, later the car was also inspired by some of the most unique and beautiful Bertone's cars of all time, including the Fiat-Abarth 750 Record, Alfa Romeo Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica (B.A.T) 9, to the Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupé. 

The story begins in 1957 when Nuccio Bertone bought a Fiat 1100 Touring Veloce (TV) which had been upgraded to Fiat 1200 specifications and later modified by Stanguellini to improve its performance. The car appears with a Jetsons-like body, which makes it look like a UFO on wheels.

1957 Fiat Stanguellini 1200 Spider is equipped with a 1200 cc OHV straight-4 engine, two Weber carburetors coupled with a 4-speed manual transmission system. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3nMKKpn)

But that's unusual because it was known as the "rocket/jet-age era". The Stanguellini's round nosecone is a really cool detail that enriches the car and gives it a cool sleek shape, and together with the tailfins (borrowed from the BAT car), the car really looks like it's made for someone from outer space to drive.

This two-door convertible beautiful designed concept car is equipped with a 1200 cc OHV straight-4 engine, two Weber carburetors coupled with a 4-speed manual transmission system, hydraulic drum brakes on all wheels, independent front suspension, and rear axle with elliptical leaf springs.

1957 Fiat Stanguellini 1200 Spider is debuted at the 1957 Turin Motor Show and be one of the most beautiful cars to ever wear the Fiat badge. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3nMKKpn)

With only 59 hp of engine power, it is certainly not the right choice for speed fans, because it is neither too powerful nor fast. But quite brilliant, and it must be one of the most beautiful cars to ever wear the Fiat badge.

Only one unit of the Fiat Stanguellini 1200 Spider prototype ever built by Bertone and to be exhibited at the Turin Motor Show, then brought to the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, then sold to an Argentinean owner before being brought to Buenos Aires. Unfortunately, after a few years, the car broke down and left in a barn to rot. But in 1995, this car was found and restored. Then the car was sold at a 2017 RM Sotheby's Amelia Island auction for $ 275,000.

The Fiat Stanguellini 1200 Spider is one of the finest examples of the styling and aerodynamic concept of a sports car of the 1950s. With a turbine-like front grille design, cut-outs behind the front wheels and rear wing, combined with sleek vertical design lights, will make anyone who sees it felt curious. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DRIVETRIBE | ITALIANWAYS ]

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Boyd Coddington Ron Simms Custom One of a Kind Prototype Motorcycle

As automotive enthusiasts, of course, you will know Boyd Coddington and Ron Simms as famous figures who have produced many works in the automotive world. 

As we all know, Boyd Coddington is an American hot rod designer, owner of the Boyd Coddington Hot Rod Shop which produces a wide range of custom forged billet styles made in the USA. 

1996 Boyd Coddington-Ron Simms custom one of a kind prototype motorcycle bodywork is inspired by Boyd Coddington's typical hotrod style. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UDMh4Q)

Meanwhile, Ron Simms is an American custom motorcycle builder, who has been building custom motorbikes for more than 30 years and runs his business, Simms Custom Cycles, in Hayward, California.

Then what if the two of them collaborate to build a motorcycle concept? Yes, these two well-known figures in the automotive world are known to have collaborated to build a concept motorcycle in 1996. 

1996 Boyd Coddington-Ron Simms custom one of a kind prototype motorcycle bodywork is completely made of aluminum. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UDMh4Q)

This concept motorcycle was built to compete with the similar design created by Arlen Ness. And also at that time they planned to build more using the same concept but were constrained by high production costs. 

In our opinion, at glance, the concept design of the collaboration result motorcycle of Boyd Coddington and Ron Simms is reminiscent of the aerodynamic bodywork of the BMW R12 motorcycle made by Louis Lepoix in 1947. It's just our simple visual observation on the Coddington and Simms motorcycle bodywork.

1996 Boyd Coddington-Ron Simms custom one of a kind prototype motorcycle looks even more manly with legs equipped with solid double chrome wheels wrapped with Continental tires. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UDMh4Q)

As we can see, the figure of the collaboration-result motorcycle concept is extraordinary and clearly looks inspired by Boyd Coddington's typical hotrod style. The bodywork on this prototype motorcycle is truly special as it is completely made of aluminum. If the mass production of motorbikes is carried out, the bodywork will be made of fiberglass.

1996 Boyd Coddington-Ron Simms custom one of a kind prototype motorcycle uses a a 103 cu in (1,690 cc) Sputhe V-engine combined with a Sputhe 5-speed kicker transmission system. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UDMh4Q)

This red-painted (called 'Boyd Coddington red') custom motorcycle is powered by a 103 cu in (1,690 cc) Sputhe V-engine combined with a Sputhe 5-speed kicker transmission system and is equipped with a P&M braking system with dual floating front rotors. Furthermore, this motorcycle also has no speedometer, turn signals, and horn. It looks even more manly with legs equipped with solid double chrome wheels wrapped with Continental tires.

1996 Boyd Coddington-Ron Simms custom one of a kind prototype motorcycle. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UDMh4Q)

The bike is 1 of 1 and was sold to a collector in Denver, Colorado from whom the current owner purchased the bike in 2004. It has been ridden mostly around town with an occasional ride ranging in the 130 mile round trip range. The bike has been featured in several magazines and can be found in Ron Simms’ order catalog.

1996 Boyd Coddington-Ron Simms custom one of a kind prototype motorcycle. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UDMh4Q)

Needless to say, this custom motorbike attracts attention wherever it goes. Whenever it is parked, people gather around it even when it is parked next to the newest and most flashy bagger.

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 | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RONSUSSER]

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The monstrous sized motorcycle ever!

Sometimes, the big-motorcycle shouldn't have to be seen from its engine capacity. But, this is huge in real sense. Have you ever imagined before if there were motorbikes as big as a truck? In general, motorbikes have a length of no more than 2 meters and a handlebar span of more than 1.2 meters.

The world's biggest motorcycle ever made called Tower Trike, with a length of 3,078 cm and weighs over 4.9 tons. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35kpIrX)

The motorbikes that will be discussed at this time really represent what we will call the real big-motorcycle. Yes, the size of its body is really big! The motorcycle in question named Tower Trike.

This is a giant motorcycle built by Jim Gesto, a truck entrepreneur who is used many of his times with large vehicles. Unmitigated, the Tower Trike Trike uses a truck chassis as the basis for its development.

As can be seen from a Youtube channel of Biker and Beards which features it as the largest motorcycle to ever run on the highway. Because of its size, this motorcycle has the size of a truck without a body, aka only the frame and engine. This monster trike is 268 cm high and 3,078 cm long and weighs about 4.9 tons. Even though it is the size of a truck, it only has one front tire, so then the American regulations classify it as a motorcycle.

See how big the Tower Trike is when it compared to a normal-sized Harley Davidson motorcycle. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35kpIrX)

The rest, this giant motorcycle also has features like a motorcycle in general, such as handlebars, mirrors, fuel tank, front driver's seat, and passenger seat, then there is also a speedometer. Uniquely, the handlebars used have a mechanism like a car steering wheel and rely on the pedals for the throttles and brakes.

Like motorbikes in general, the Tower Trike also has handlebars, mirrors, fuel tank, front driver's seat, and passenger seat, then there is also a speedometer and tachometer. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35kpIrX)

In order for the monster motorcycle whose legs rely on the Air Glide air suspension to run fast, a Detroit Diesel V-Block Supercharged 6V92 engine is used as a drivetrain, which can produce 335 hp with 1,020 lb-ft of torque. The power is channeled through the Allison HT 740 transmission so that it is able to encourage this motorcycle to go up to 135 kph.

The modifier also added a cross-shaped iron weighing 90 kg on the back of the motorbike. In addition, said as the vehicle's aesthetics of a kind of religious symbol, it also functioned as a roll bar for riders and passengers. For those of You who call Yourself as a real-biker and like big motorbikes as well, You can have this monstrous-sized motorbike for the US. $90,000 (approx. Rp. 1.3 billion) with its building time of about a week (but not including shipping fee to Your garage).

One more thing, if You ride on this big-motorbike, You shouldn't have to be arrogant on the streets. Because the others also have the same rights as You are, while on the streets.

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

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The Abarth's most outstanding car design of the '50s

So far, the public had thought that the Abarth is synonymous with Fiat. The opinion is actually not wrong, as we can see the most of its cars are built based on the Fiat cars, moreover, the brand has also been acquired by that Italian automotive giant to become its subsidiary in the 1971.

1953 Abarth 205 Sports 1100 coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia is displayed for the first time at the 1953 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32gWFUh)

Actually the Carlo Abarth established the auto brand in 1947 as an independent car manufacturer, and not affiliated with any other brands. As we all know, Abarth progressed to become an independent automaker is started with a couple of half-finished Cisitalia 2013 car types, then completing the cars and named the Abarth 204A.

Interior view of the 1953 Abarth 205 Sports 1100 coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mQLzgu)

In 1950, this Turin-based company is managed to make a new chassis and body, then installed  a Fiat 1100 upgraded engine on it and launched as the Abarth 205. However, as the car is considered more expensive than the Ferrari 166, so only three examples (some parties said four units) had ever produced by the company.

1953 Abarth 205 Sports 1100 coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia uses a Fiat's V8 upgraded engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mQLzgu)

Then one unit of the 205 was handed over to the Italian coachbuilder named Carrozzeria Ghia. And those unit then recieving coachwork by Ghia and an engine and transmission developed from the new Fiat 1100-103, but whoever commissioned the coachbuilder to create the Abarth 205 Sports 1100 remains a mystery even to this day.

From this kind of the Abarth 205 (in picture is the 1950 Abarth 205 Vignale Berlinetta) then Ghia constructed the Abarth 205 Sports 1100. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2JBt5Ch)

The unusual car design is believed to have been done by Giovanni Michelotti and was constructed concurrently with the Ghia-bodied Chrysler of the same period. There were some of the design cues from the Ghia-bodied Chrysler also incorporated into this Abarth model include a broad oval grille opening, canopy-like roof element, and wide low posture.

1953 Abarth 205 Sports 1100 sold to Bill Vaughn who later displayed it at the 1954 New York Auto Show as 'Vaughn SS Wildcat'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mQLzgu)

The Italian coachbuilder presented the Berlinetta version for the first time at the Turin Motor Show in 1953 called the Abarth 205 Number Four. Then the Abarth sold to the American singer named Bill Vaughn, who later displayed it at the 1954 New York Auto Show as 'Vaughn SS Wildcat' featured with 'the first overhead camshaft V8 in the USA.'

Vaughn had envisioned that would work with Ghia to produce a small series of this car by using a V8 engine. Although until the end this dream never came true and this car remains the only one that ever existed.

Abarth 1100 Ghia (VIN 205-104), built toghether with her twin based on a Simca Chassis (Simca on the left). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mQLzgu)

The whereabouts of the car ever had not known for several decades, before it was re-discovered in 1982 by Russ Baer in a barn in Ashton, Maryland and ultimately saved by Pat Braden, both of whom helped to preserve the car.

Likewise the next two owners, before entered the care of a collector in 2010 who spent the next five years in a thorough and correct restoration. The work involves researching the authenticity and accuracy of each component. Upon completion, the car was shown at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it won its class and was nominated for Best of Show. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DYLER.COM | CONCEPTCARZ.COM | DRIVETRIBE.COM | CARSTYLING.RU ]

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It's not nearly as fast as it looks

In the 1950s one of the most popular sports vehicle bodywork designs was the barchetta (the Italian word for 'small boat'). The distinctive feature of a barchetta sports vehicle is a small car with a roofless, without provision of a removable or foldable top for weather protection.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept is built in order to celebrate the Bertone's 95th anniversary. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/363pAwc)

To evoke the romance of memories of the past, Style Bertone, a well-known Italian automotive coachbuilder company in 2007 launched a modern barchetta car concept named Bertone Barchetta is inspired by its classic racing cars. As the automotive design house mentioned that the design explicitly cites the Fiat 500 with barchetta bodywork that was made by young Nuccio Bertone in 1947 as a one-off for his personal use in races.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept posed along with its inspiration source the 1947 Fiat 500 Barchetta racing car made by Nuccio Bertone himself. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oWnCGj)

Well, this roofless concept car was created in order to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the company by using the chassis and mechanicals of the Fiat Panda 100 HP tiny car. The decision to adopt a minimalist yet sophisticated car model is perfectly in keeping with Bertone's philosophy, where since its very earliest days, the company has interpreted cars by Italian carmakers with an elegant style always emphasizes their personality and technological content with an unmatched passion for sportiness.

Nuccio Bertone on the wheel of the Fiat 500 Barchetta and his mechanic in a period race who participate with his selfmade racing car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mSOW6S)

Then the choice of the Fiat brand is very natural and emotional because both Fiat and Bertone have historic relationships for more than eighty years and have produced more than 50 highly successful models ranging from concept cars, one-offs, and even production cars.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept is featured with a unique rear-opening scissor-type doors. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oWnCGj)

The Bertone Barchetta concept car is stands out with a bodywork consisting of two hand-beaten aluminum shells joined by a large glass surface that crosses the door. Uniquely, this concept car has rear-opening scissor-type doors (are Bertone's patent), hinged around the rear wheel arch or You might be remembered to Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept that is built by the company in the 2010.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept has an adjustable dashboard with two open-mounted rails painted white also with two seats upholstered in genuine leather. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oWnCGj)

Meanwhile, the front features LEDs, and a closed floating grille is embossed in metalwork. And the back is dominated by framed LEDs. Then there is a small luggage compartment with a cover trimmed in the same genuine leather used for the interior.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept has a small luggage compartment with a cover trimmed in the same genuine leather used for the interior. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/363pAwc)

Then inside, this Bertone Barchetta seen clearly inspired by the 1947 Fiat 500 Barchetta. You can see there are two seats upholstered in genuine leather which are fixed and sculpted directly into the metalwork. Then there's a console between the two seats includes a storage tray and an iPod dock.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept is stands out with a bodywork consisting of two hand-beaten aluminum shells joined by a large glass surface that crosses the door. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/363pAwc)

There's also an adjustable dashboard with two open-mounted rails painted white. The gearshift is worked from a solid billet of aluminum. As the Barchetta racing model, all the driving control mechanisms are exposed. Then the wheels use 20-inch alloy rims covered by Pirelli 225/30R-20 tires. The Bertone Barchetta concept made its debut at the 2007 Geneva International Motor Show.

If the Bertone Barchetta was also intended to run as fast as the 1947 Fiat 500 Barchetta racing car (its source of inspiration), certainly Bertone is not installing a Panda's small 100 hp, 1.4-liter front-wheel-drive engine as its drivetrain. Otherwise, the company still pinned those engine, though infact, the car concept had chances to a supercar. What a pity, it's not nearly as fast as it looks. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET | AUTOBLOG | CARANDDRIVER]

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Mercury XM 800 returning back into its glorious day

The following car is one of the most beautiful show cars ever made by the Ford Motor Company and designed in the Mercury pre-production studio by John Najjar (studio manager) and Elwood Engle (a consultant assigned to Ford by George Walker's design firm). The concept car is later known as the Ford Mercury XM 800 is first appeared at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show.

1954 Ford Mercury XM 800 sat on display at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3e8paYZ)

This car has the gorgeous appearance of a classic American style two-door hardtop sedan. And the man who had important roles in pushing the XM 800 basic design into the Mercury lineup as a second car that was also meant to compete with the cars made by the rival companies such Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac was the head of the Lincoln-Mercury Division at the time, Benson Ford.

1954 Ford Mercury XM 800 sat on display at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3e8paYZ)

The body of this car is made of fiberglass and is 5 inches wider than the usual production car model made in 1954. The interior offers four bucket seats, each separated by a stationary armrest. And one of the characteristics of the Mercury XM 800, is dominantly glass use that allows the car passengers to see almost 360 degrees around.

1954 Ford Mercury XM 800 sat on display at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oGCUyU)

Although the XM800 was never intended to be a production car, turn-out its profiles such as forward-slanted hooded headlights, sleek covered front wheels, canted taillights that blend nicely with the rear bumper and exhaust are reinterpreted onto the 1956 Lincoln. The XM-800's style also features a concave front grille, wide windshield, and flat-type door handles. Furthermore, for the drivetrain, this concept car uses a 5.112 cc or 312 cubic inch engine which is combined with the Ford-O-Matic transmission system to deliver about 266 PS of power to the rear wheels.

1954 Ford Mercury XM 800 sat on display at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3e8paYZ)

During 1954 and 1955, the concept car had traveled to various exhibitions and also briefly appeared in the 1954 20th Century Fox production 'Woman's World' titled-movie. Then in 1957, Ford Motor Company gifted the concept car to the University of Michigan's Automotive Engineering Lab, as training material and inspiration for future car designs. Unfortunately, after that the Mercury XM 800's fate dimed when it stranded for years (some said almost ten years) in a farmer's barnyard in a small rural town about 50 miles west-side of Detroit.

Its fate changed suddenly in the 1980s, when Dan Brooks, a classic car enthusiast, discovered and restored every part of the car, including bolts and nuts. Finally, the figure of the XM 800 concept car re-appeared in public and was sat on display nicely among the modern cars on display at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Now, the Mercury XM 800 is known to be one of the collections of the Bortz Dream Car Collection and considered one of the most attractive concept cars and could be sold for the US $ 429,000 (approx Rp. 3.85 billion) in an auction event. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | AUTOBLOG | ROD AUTHORITY]

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One-off Exner Jr. SIMCA Special Roadster

This is one and the only car that was born from the magic hand scratches of Virgil Exner Jr., a well-known American automotive designer that has used as his thesis when completing the Master's program at the University of Notre Dame, France in 1955.

The unique-styled SIMCA Special designed by Virgil Exner Jr. as his thesis when completing the Master's program at the University of Notre Dame in 1955. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37NaFIU)

This rear double-wings car body that resembles a batmobile is made of fiberglass and worked on by Virgil Exner Jr. himself at the Dual-Ghia assembly plant. This unique car building work was carried out on a 1950 Fiat 1100 chassis which was purchased with the help of Paul Farago, a Dual-Ghia's engineer.

The used 1950 Fiat 1100 car mechanically was a SIMCA which later in this project functioned as a donor for the chassis and mechanical parts. As information, the SIMCA is a French car manufacturer founded in 1934 by Fiat. The construction work of this unique car carrying a  SIMCA-Fiat's 1,200 cc, 4 cylinder engine lasted about 3 years (1956 to 1959).

Finally, the one-off Virgil Exner Jr unique car creation named SIMCA Special has finished being built and its visual debut featured on the pages of the American magazine 'Road & Track' in April 1959 and then for the first time the car's physical form can be seen and touched in the SIMCA's booth at the 1959 Paris International Motor Show.

The unique-styled SIMCA Special built based on the used 1950 Fiat 1100 car mechanically was a SIMCA which later in this project functioned as a donor for the chassis and mechanical parts. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37NaFIU)

After that, this car was sold to a Chrysler dealer who showed it off for years in their showroom. In 1965, the car was purchased by one of Exner's associates named Beau Hickory. And during Hickory's care, the car got the addition of the Opel's panoramic and central cockpit arch windscreen.

Then the car's ownership changed after Hickory sold it to a fanatic fan of French cars in America. But in 1985, Hickory found the car in a neglected condition and the engine had been swapped for a Datsun B210's 1,200 cc, 4 cylinder engine. Then he decided to purchase it back and did restoration work on this car at once.

While in Beau Hickory care, the unique-styled SIMCA Special got the addition of the Opel's panoramic and central cockpit arch windscreen. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37NaFIU)

And after the restoration process was complete, the car was driven by Beau Hickory for years around San Francisco. Although the engine has been swapped, the rest of the car retains much of Exner Jr.’s original styling cues. And during that time, the SIMCA Special roadster car received good publications and was featured in, among others, the Motor Trend, Vanity Fair, Men's Health and Self.

Initially, the unique-styled SIMCA Special uses a SIMCA-Fiat's 1,200 cc, 4 cylinder engine before swapped with a Datsun B210's 1,200 cc, 4 cylinder engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37NaFIU)

In early 2005, the car was offered for sale at auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bidding reached $185,000 but was not enough to satisfy reserve. In 2007, it returned to auction, this time on the east coast at the Kruse auction in Hershey, where it sold for $550,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

In 2012, the car is scheduled to cross Mecum's auction block where it is offered at No Reserve. It was put up for sale in the USA by Dana Mecum’s at its "25th Original Spring Classic Auction", which took place on May 15-16, 2012. Do You know the Mecum's auction results above? If does, let's Us know through the comment section below. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ.COM | CARSTYLING.RU | JOURNAL.CLASSICCARS.COM | WIKIPEDIA]

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