~Jet&Rocket Inspired~ If we look at this one car, we could be seen the thick unique impression since beginning. How not, this car very clearly looks like a glinting alien craft floating above the ground featured with the sharp nose, the sweptback lines and clear double-bubble canopies. No wonder there are still people who ask, was it a spaceship, a plane, a jet-powered car?
This is the Thunderflite custom car built by Dean 'Dino' Arnold based of 1961 Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: Barrett-Jackson)
Uniquely the custom car named the Thunderflite was not made by the car manufacturer, otherwise the brainchild of noted custom builder Dean 'Dino' Arnold, who has done more than a thousand modifications to the Ford Thunderbird of 1961 up to produce one of the most successful custom cars ever and shown up for the first time at the SEMA event back in 2008.
The Thunderflite custom car has unique appearence inspired of the the GM's futuristic prototypes of
the '50s and '60s. (Picture from: Design-Dautore)
Don't be fooled! To most of the people seeing it for the first time, they probably thought it was a real vintage dream car rather than a modern custom. Besides due to it looks like has just been dusted off and shined up after being left for more than 40 years, also thanks to every detail pinned seem coming from the correct periods.
The Thunderflite custom car has debuted at the 2008 SEMA Show and crowned as 2008 Best of SEMA show by Popular Mechanics Magazine, voted in Top 12 Coolest Cars at SEMA 2008. (Picture from: PopularMechanics)
This unique concept car could be instantly recognizable thanks to its double-bubble canopy, 'chrome effects' paint and sweeping tailfins, it's clearly could be seen that the Thunderflite draws its inspiration from the American automaker futuristic prototypes of
the '50s and '60s.
The Thunderflite custom car has a very contrasting color combination of chrome color and accents with red-leather are covered the seats, dashboards and others. (Picture from: Design-Dautore)
As quoted of the Street Machine, the automaker said that he tried to capture what it was like in the '50s and '60s when the American automaker such GM and others built their dream cars and with the help of his late wife Suzie, then he sketched it on a napkin, while to finalize the design, then he collaborated withDon Johnson.
The Thunderflite custom car has unique hallmark of double-bubble canopies such the Batmobile-esque. (Picture from: Design-Dautore)
Well, as the future car design in general made in the 1950s and 1960s were strongly inspired by the rampant of jet technology and space travel. So naturally, the car's design followed concepts such as the Pontiac Club de Mer, Oldsmobile Golden Rocket and Buick Centurion of 1956.
The Thunderflite custom car is powered by a chromed-out 4,948 cc engine connected to a modified automatic transmission system. (Picture from: Barrett-Jackson)
The unique custom car is painted with a stunning Chrome Effects by House of Kolors, and powered by a chromed-out 4,948 cc engine connected to a modified automatic transmission, plus a fully independent suspension with the Air Ride technologies computerized system.
The Thunderflite custom car could be instantly recognizable thanks to its double-bubble canopy, 'chrome effects' paint and sweeping tailfins. (Picture from: Design-Dautore)
Meanwhile on the interior carried out by Deluxe Auto Interiors, which has a very contrasting color combination, where chrome color and accent are seen adorning the instrument panel, gear rod, door trims and handles, also some parts of the steering wheel, while the rest were dominated by red-leather are covered the seats, dashboards and others.
The Thunderflite custom car could be instantly recognizable thanks to its double-bubble canopy, 'chrome effects' paint and sweeping tailfins. (Picture from: UltimateHotWheels)
As qouted of TheBidWatcher, while at an auction event hosted by Barrett-Jackson of Orange County back in 2010, the Thunderflite custom car sold for around $85,800 (approx Rp.900 millions), and today maybe the price will be even higher.
That's no wonder, because in addition to having a very attractive appearance, this custom car has won many awards such 2008 Best of SEMA show by Popular Mechanics Magazine, voted in Top 12 Coolest Cars at SEMA 2008, and took 2nd Place at the 2009 Grand National Show in Pomona, Ca. Voted 1st in Class at Albuquerque, New Mexico Super Nationals and one of the top 9 in show by Rod & Custom at Darryl Starbirds 45th Annual car show in Tulsa, OK. Voted first in class at Autorama World of Wheels in Kansas City, Mo.
Meanwhile builder of the ThunderFlite Dean "Dino" Arnold was inducted into Darryl Starbirds Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame in Grand Lake, OK. He was also named Builder of the Year. Car has also been in Rod & Kulture magazine, Street Rodder magazine, Drive magazine, Rod & Custom magazine, Car Kulture Deluxe magazine, ol'Skool Rodz magazine and SEMA magazine. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WHICHCAR.COM.AU | BARRETT-JACKSON | DRIVETRIBE | AUTOBLOG | DESIGN-DAUTORE | POPULARMECHANICS.COM ]
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~The Rarest~ Back to the 1990s when the automotive world known to spill a lot of exotic four-wheeled vehicle models. And among the many exclusive car models produced at that time, there was a special commissioning vehicles for the Sultan of Brunei. Today, despites many years have passed by, the Sultan of Brunei's car collection still remains an interesting legend to talk about.
This is one-of-a-kind Ferrari FX outside Brunei (in pictured the car no. 4) was purchased by Dick Marconi, and now sat on display at his automotive museum in Southern California. (Picture from: Supercars)
And reportedly the Sultan of Brunei has more than 5,000 (some says 7,000) custom-made cars under various well-known brands like Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Aston Martin, etc. And it could be said that no luxury brand was absence in the garages of the Royal Family of Brunei garages, all hidden in the luxuriant South-East Asian forest.
The Ferrari FX is a limited car model specially built by Pininfarina based of Ferrari Testarossa as many as 7 units for the Sultan of Brunei in the 1995. (Picture from: WikiCars)
Especially for exclusive vehicles that wore the Prancing Horse badge that was built commissioned for the Sultan of Brunei, we're noticed, there are several models that not widely known by the public to date, such as the Ferrari F50 Bolide, Ferrari Mythos, and Ferrari F90 Speciale.
The Ferrari FX (in pictured the car no. 4) has the new body made of aluminum and, where possible, carbon fibre was used for panels such as the hood, doors and wheel wells. (Picture from: Supercars)
Another Ferrari car model which is also not widely known by world automotive enthusiasts specially made for the Sultan of Brunei back in the 1995. At the time, the Sultan of Brunei commissioned the well-known legendary Italian coachbuilder company Pininfarina to design seven one-of-a-kind Ferrari models called the Ferrari FX.
The Ferrari FX (in pictured the car no. 4) is lushly appointed with a sweeping two-tone interior and focuses on the red and green paddles that sit behind the Momo steering wheel. (Picture from: Supercars)
Like most Ferrari car models that were built commissioned for the Royal Family of Brunei at that time, the exclusive car built by Pininfarina in the 1995 also based on the foundations of the production cars of the date to support newer and sometimes better bodies, interiors and drive trains.
The Ferrari FX (in pictured the car no. 4) had a tuned engine coupled with seven speed, electro-hydraulic gearbox complete with manual clutch adjustments located on the center console developed by the Williams F1 team. (Picture from: Supercars)
As quoted of Supercars, the Ferrari FX is a limited series of cars based on the Ferrari Testarossa. The project (and the cars as well) once had shown by Sergio Pininfarina to Gianni Agnelli (CEO of Fiat) who commented; lucky to have such clients.
The Ferrari FX (in pictured the car no. 4) has specifically converging unusual lines at the back, but look more flowing and balanced compared to the chunky F512. (Picture from: Supercars)
The car had a tuned engine coupled with seven speed, electro-hydraulic gearbox complete with manual clutch adjustments located on the center console developed by the Williams F1 team, it's said able to make the car run up to top speed of 300 kph. Wow!
Each car started life at the Pininfarina's assembling lines has the new body was fitted to the Ferrari Testarossa 512 superstructure. It was fabricated out of aluminum and, where possible, carbon fibre was used for panels such as the hood, doors and wheel wells. To accommodate the revised rear end, a new exhaust was manufactured which now leads us to believe the engine itself may have been upgraded. Even if the engine is stock, the lighter body and transmission have to offer much better performance.
To accommodate the revised rear end of the Ferrari FX (in pictured the car no. 4), a new exhaust was manufactured which now leads us to believe the engine itself may have been upgraded. (Picture from: Supercars)
Although at the time, the Pininfarina's styling isn't the most photogenic from the front, but good proportions and a particularly pleasing rear end save the design. Specifically, converging lines at the back are unusual ones, but look more flowing and balanced compared to the chunky F512. A distinct rear hood with Plexiglass rear window is unlike any Pininfarina-made car ever, having small port holes that reveal its flat-12 drive train below. Curiously, there is a unique engine crown that has the only the FX script ever found on this car.
A distinct rear hood of the Ferrari FX (in pictured the car no. 4) with Plexiglass rear window is unlike any Pininfarina-made car ever, having small port holes that reveal its flat-12 drive train below. (Picture from: Supercars)
Inside, the FX is lushly appointed with a sweeping two-tone interior and focuses on the red and green paddles that sit behind the Momo steering wheel. Other interesting details include an emergency shut-off button, aluminum door handles, a transmission control panel between the two seats and a plaque which calls out the 'unique pininfarina design for the Royal Family of Brunei'. The FX's feature is left untouched, and still includes its classic Sony tape player, one fit for a billionaire.
For the reason we did not know, the Sultan stopped his influx of cars and anything else expensive when the fourth car from the seven cars built was still being in the finishing process at the Williams. The dark blue colored car with the chassis no. 103396, was then purchased by an American supercar enthusiasts Dick Marconi to be one of his car colections on display at his automotive museum in Southern California.
And this is one-of-a-kind Ferrari FX outside Brunei, as well as become an evidence of its existence in the world (since the beginning of the FX model is the secret project and not included in the recognized model ever made by Ferrari and even Pininfarina). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MARCONI MUSEUM | SUPERCARS.NET ]
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~The One~ When you talk about the cars that use W16 construction engines, maybe you will think of the name Bugatti Veyron or Chiron. But before the Bugatti duo came to the fore, it turned out that there was one car that previously used a W16 engine as well and is known as one of the first supercars made by Audi.
The Audi Rosemeyer concept car was created to pay tribute to the Auto Union Silver Arrows (German: Silberpfeil), driven by the legendary German racer, Bernd Rosemeyer. (Picture from: Audi)
So, let's not be curious, let's get acquainted with the Audi-made concept car named the Audi Rosemeyer. As quoted of Motor1, the Audi Rosemeyer concept was first exhibited to the public at the Autostadt Building, Wolfsburg, Germany on June 1, 2000 ago.
"The Audi Rosemeyer introduced at
Autostadt, Wolfsburg is not a ready-to-drive prototype. Also this
concept car was not made to enter the production line," explained Audi at the time.
2000 Audi Rosemeyer concept posed along with its ancestor racing car, the Auto Union Silver Arrows. (Picture from: GridOto)
The Audi Rosemeyer concept car was created as a tribute to the Auto Union (the forerunner of Audi) race car called the Auto Union Silver Arrows (German: Silberpfeil), driven by the legendary German racer, Bernd Rosemeyer. This can be seen from the Audi Rosemeyer's grille which is intentionally made to resemble that one attached on the Silver Arrows.
2000 Audi Rosemeyer is powered by a large displacement, mid-mounted W16 engine, which develops 700 hp and featuring Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Likewise, the car naming is taken from the last name of those German legendary racer, Bernd Rosemeyer as a form of respect. Furthermore if you look in more detail, you might think that the Rosemeyer concept at first glance looks a bit like the Bugatti Veyron. The reason is, the Audi Rosemeyer concept car looks to have a grille design that is somewhat similar to the typical Bugatti grille.
The Audi Rosemeyer Concept doesn't have any other color on the body, and only presented in typical aluminum color. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Then the design line of the Audi's concept car also when aligned with the Veyron also at first glance looks similar. Perhaps what makes the Rosemeyer different from the Bugatti Veyron is seen in its rims and five rounded headlights.
The interior of the Audi Rosemeyer features retro and modern design in total harmony made of materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum as one of the hallmarks of the racing car style of the 30s. (Picture from: Supercars)
As quoted of Motor1, if you look closely, the front view of the Audi Rosemeyer concept car looks like a face with an anxious and sad expression, even though it actually has great power. This concept car is powered by an 8 liter naturally aspirated W16 engine that produces power of 710 horsepower and a maximum torque of 760 Nm.
There is something strange about the Audi Rosemeyer, it has no rear view mirrors instead two cameras located on the roof which are able to see around through the monitor screen inside the cabin. (Picture from: Carthrottle)
For your info, this is the same engine unit that is now used in the Bugatti Chiron after having many modifications. You can imagine the performance of this machine, the beasty power came out from the engine is then channeled to all-wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Design similarities between the Audi Rosemeyer concept (above) and the Bugatti Veyron (below). (Picture from: GridOto)
For those of you who are curious about the Audi Rosemeyer overall appearance, you can immediately watch the following video:
If asked about its performance, the Audi Rosemeyer concept is claimed to be able to be driven up to a maximum speed of 350 kph. Unfortunately, this Audi-made concept car wasn't be mass-produced due to the Audi Rosemeyer concept car was not created for the sake of a super car. The Audi Rosemeyer was built to commemorate the legendary Silver Arrows. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUDI | IDMOTOR1 ]
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~Storm's Means~ Have you ever heard and know about K-Speed? This is a Bangkok-based modifier or builder is indeed a hobby of making motorcycles that have a futuristic and anti-mainstream look. For some people, the custom motorcycle may look sloppy and eccentric, but as usual the K-Speed custom motorcycle always has a strong character.
This Honda BROS 400 Custom Motorcycle built by K-Speed is a futuristic-looking café racer with the appropriate name ‘Future Storm’. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
Like the figure of this neo cafe racer-style custom motorcycle, plus the base alone might sound very strange to us, namely the Honda Bros 400 aka Honda NT400. This was a low-end motorcycle used to be less interested in the market because of its underpowered performance.
Honda Bros 400 in Stock Condition. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
But who doesn't want it if after experieced one makeover prosceses, the Honda Bros looks like this and called the Honda Bros 400 'Future Storm'. As we can see, the most modifications occurs in the body sector and the rear frame.
A Bangkok-based workshop called K-Speed have turned an outdated Honda BROS 400 into an evil-looking and futuristic custom café racer. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
K-Speed uses aluminum plates to make a new fork guard up to the stern. Everything is made into one piece, like a tank connecting to the stern which looks like a street fighter motorcycle. Likewise for the fork guard, making our memories lead to the futuristic Japanese Gundam anime cartoons or the Star Wars' Stormtrooper.
The fuel tank is slightly smaller than the original and flows perfectly to the new single leather-wrapped seat. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
And of course this one body component that makes it able to steal of attention while on the streets. Not to forget the belly pan fairing is also quite large under the engine which makes it look more muscular. In order to keep it looking solid but concise, K-Speed deliberately makes some components seem hidden.
This
Honda BROS 400 Custom Motorcycle built by K-Speed have custom-built body panels that are kept is a silver finish as a contrast to the all-black bike. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
If we look at the front at a glance we will not see where the main lights are until we look at the top of the tires. In addition there are also the Motogadget's M-Blaze turn signal mounted under the handlebars and the back of the belly pan fairing.
From the rear, the design looks almost empty with just the wide wheel, black finished chain parts and the small custom tail lights. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
Then for the finishing, gray and black were chosen which were given clear doff. This color choice seems to strengthen the theme as well as firm curves on the whole body similar to the Gundam.
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 | K-SPEED | OLDNEWSCLUB ]
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~FLYing Car~ To celebrate a legendary car model anniversary, the car manufacturers sometimes do something unusual but still have a connection with the model. We can see this when the French manufacturer Renault celebrates the 60th anniversary of its legendary Renault 4L model.
Renault teamed up with TheArsenale to create an electric flying car called the Air4 to celebrate the legendary Renault 4L's 60th anniversary. (Picture from: TheArsenale)
For your information, actually Renault 4L was a simple, efficient and versatile four-wheeled vehicle made between 1961-1992. Amazingly, the Renault's iconic car from has sold more than 8 million units in more than 100 countries in a period of 30 years.
In the context of the anniversary of the legendary model, Renault unmitigated intends to make a futuristic flying car by using the Renault 4L as the model and called 'Air4'. To realize this desire, the French automotive manufacturer then collaborated with an American automotive design house, TheArsenal which is touted as 'the ultimate brand dedicated to the future of mobility.'
The Renault 4L (in pictured 1978 model) was a simple, efficient and versatile four-wheeled vehicle made between 1961-1992. (Picture from: GesaInTech)
The collaboration between Renault and TheArsenale is not only about making flying cars, but has a very special value. Because this will make young people feel how to drive an iconic car, but not on the road, but flying.
The Air4 flying car concept is made entirely of carbon fiber and is also designed to have dynamic capabilities for flight by using four propellers. (Picture from: AnakTeknik)
This is actually if you look deeper, it is in line with the concept of the automotive world in the future, where everything is fast and comfortable. Yes, it can't be helped, the roads are now crowded with vehicles and jammed everywhere, so flying cars can be one of the new breakthroughs for Our world today.
As mentioned above that The Air4 retains the retro design of the legendary Renault 4L and at first glance it looks far from the design language of a modern car. Physically, when compared to its classic conventional four-wheeled model, the Air4 is made entirely of carbon fiber and is also designed to have dynamic capabilities for flight by using four propellers.
The fact is that all of the work on the Air4 flying car concept was carried out at the first
European' technology park at Sophia Antipolis, Côte d'Azur, France. (Picture from: AnakTeknik)
In the design, the engineers from TheArsenale always do it with full calculation in order to get satisfactory results. Another interesting fact is that all of the work on the Air4 was carried out at the first European' technology park at Sophia Antipolis, Côte d'Azur, France.
The Air4 flying car concept is driven by an electric motor powered by a 22,000 mAh lithium polymer battery pack with a total capacity of 90,000 mAh. (Picture from: Motor1)
From a technical point of view, the Air4 is driven by an electric motor powered by a 22,000 mAh lithium polymer battery pack with a total capacity of 90,000 mAh. The maximum duration of flight is one of the matrices that needs to be considered so as not to run out of battery in the flight. Until now, flying car makers (Renault and TheArsenale) have not stated yet about how long the Air4 can float in the air with minimum power.
The Air4 flying car concept will be on display at the Atelier Renault on the Champs Elysées in Paris, France, from November 29, 2021 through the end of the year. (Picture from: TheArsenale)
The unique flying vehicle relies on a horizontal top speed of 26 m/s during flight with a tilt angle of 45° to a maximum incline of 70°. The Renault Air4 is capable of flying as high as 700 meter with a takeoff speed of 14 m/s, but is held at 4 m/s for safety reasons, and a landing speed of 3 m/s. As you could be seen, the Air4 flying car concept itself has 4 propellers on each corner and offers a maximum vectorial thrust of 380 kilograms, or 95 kg per propeller.
For 60 years, the Renault 4 has been driven by ordinary people who make it extraordinary. It is a car that symbolises adventure. It’s simple, practical, useful and as modern as it is retro. All drivers will tell you, it allows you to travel differently. That is to say, to live an adventure.
The Air4 led us to 'some kind of traveling different' which also mean the Renault 4 is ready for its greatest adventure yet under the slogan 'Where TheArsenale and Renault are going, They don't need roads'. Today, the Air4 flying car concept will be on display at the Atelier Renault on the Champs Elysées in Paris, France, from November 29, 2021 through the end of the year. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RENAULT | THEARSENALE | MOTOR1 ]
Meanwhile builder of the ThunderFlite Dean "Dino" Arnold was inducted into Darryl Starbirds Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame in Grand Lake, OK. He was also named Builder of the Year. Car has also been in Rod & Kulture magazine, Street Rodder magazine, Drive magazine, Rod & Custom magazine, Car Kulture Deluxe magazine, ol'Skool Rodz magazine and SEMA magazine. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WHICHCAR.COM.AU | BARRETT-JACKSON | DRIVETRIBE | AUTOBLOG | DESIGN-DAUTORE | POPULARMECHANICS.COM ]
