The one-off Duesenberg Model D

When we talking about 'tastes,' maybe each era has its own tastes. This also seems to apply in the world's automotive. If at this time, the rich automotive enthusiasts might prefer to have the Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Bentley, Ferrari, and Lamborghini branded cars to raise their social status. But in the era of the 1920s until the early 1930s, the world's celebrity vehicle tastes of the world fell on Duesenberg branded cars that carried innovative high-performance machines to raise social status in society at that time.

1966 Duesenberg Model D prototype built based on Virgil Exner's design and constructed by Carrozzeria Ghia. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33f3BjQ)

Indeed, at present, the Duesenberg brand is rarely heard especially with its many unique sport and body features. The emergence of the Duesenberg Model D is intended to remake it being a star that would shine in the mid-1960s. The car is known to be made based on the brainchild of former Chrysler Chief designer Virgil Exner. which was later built by Carrozzeria Ghia, one of the leading Italian car body companies in 1966.

The Exners's Duesenberg sketch for Esquire. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33f3BjQ)

The concept was originally conceived by Fritz Duesenberg (son of Augie Duesenberg), and Milo Record, a promoter of the Indianapolis area, to make a flagship model in early 1964. This car will have a roar of a 500 cubic inch engine capable of spewing power of up to 500 horsepower and sit at an extra-long wheelbase.

The steering wheel and dashboard view of Duesenberg Model D prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33f3BjQ)

The car which then uses Chrysler's 440 cubic-inch V8 engine that capable of producing power of 425 horsepower. The assembly process is planned to take place in Indianapolis with initial plans to be built around 200 to 1000 units and its future plan include the convertible version. 

Rear side view of Duesenberg Model D prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33f3BjQ)

And the car's initial body style is a four-door sedan with a cabin full of luxurious touches including the option of built-in television and mini-bar inside. The standard equipment of this car includes climate control A/C, automatic pilot, and AM/FM radio. Surely the price tag will last far beyond the reach of ordinary people at around $20,000, more than double the most expensive Cadillac model at the time.

After that, the order was confirmed (it's believed that around 50 orders were received) to be ready to be rolled as a production model, but unfortunately, Duesenberg's extinct dream never came true. And the prototype car that has been completed is still the only one that has been made and displayed in the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum for almost 36 years without ever having one production model. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ | HEMMINGS]

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Seeing Lambo Athon concept that we've never been known before

It turns out that the Tesla Cybertruck was not the first vehicle to apply an unusual shape. At least the shape of the front fascia that is almost similar to the pull of sharp and tapered lines turned out to have also been a trend in the automotive industry in the 1970s to early 1980s.

Lamborghini Athon Concept by Bertone appeared with the front fascia designed in the pull of sharp and tapered lines. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39UzGjy)

Apparently, this also invited the interest of Lamborghini to design and make a concept car in 1980, which was named the Lamborghini Athon Concept. Like not wanting to lose from the others, the Italian car manufacturer which is famous for producing supercars has also once offered a radical concept and was named after an ancient Egyptian sun god.

Lamborghini Athon Concept by Bertone uses a 3-liter V8 engine, which is capable of spraying power of 260 horsepower only. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39XZhrT)

During the late 1970s, Automobili Lamborghini was having financial difficulties and slowly went into bankruptcy and made some car enthusiasts were surprised when the dream car was introduced. Indeed, not many people know about this Lamborghini concept car. For his time, the Athon's unique figure looked very futuristic. This Athon concept car was made based on  Lamborghini Silhouette P300 which was produced between 1976 and 1979 as many as 55 units.

Inside the cabin of Lamborghini Athon Concept by Bertone featured the futuristic-styled steering wheel and panels, so made it is one of the attractive futuristic sports car designs at the time. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WiAcUy)

Yes, the raging bull logoed premium car manufacturer then collaborated with its compatriot coachbuilder company Bertone to create a tapered-designed and accompanied with the futuristic-styled panels in its cabin, so made this Lamborghini concept car is one of the attractive futuristic sports car designs at the time.

Lamborghini Athon Concept by Bertone was designed by Marc Deschamps, Marcello Gandini’s successor, and introduced at the 1980 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WiAcUy)

But unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work due to the Athon isn't as fast as other Lambo models. Although the car concept uses a 3-liter V8 engine accompanied with the 5-speed manual transmission system, which is only capable of spraying power of 260 horsepower. With those engine powers, the car could reach top speeds of 70 miles per hour and could go from 0-60 in 7.3 seconds. So the car then made only one.

If you pay close attention, the steering wheel design of this car looks as if it is floating. All of that thanks to the accuracy of the design, if at a certain angle the steering wheel looks floating. In addition, the car gear lever also has a unique shape such as the folding knife handle, there's also a touchscreen instrumental panel and even a phone.

If you are wondering what happened to the Athon, it was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s in 2011 and managed to fetch €347,200 ($392,700). At that moment, the car was in "absolutely original condition" and hopefully it remains the same to this day. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | THE THINGS | THE AUTOBODY REVIEW]

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The three Bugatti’s secret concept cars now revealed

Like most carmakers in general, especially in the early days of the modern automotive industry, Bugatti also developed experimental vehicles and prototypes to explore many possibilities, from future design directions up to expanding the range of their vehicle lines. Most of these efforts are carried out in secret, both from the public or media.

These are 3 Bugatti’s secret concept cars. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3b3nxJb)

However, occasionally they also share the secret exploration plans that never materialize for many reasons. And now, Bugatti is opening information about several concept cars that they've been worked on in the past that should have been given birth to new production cars but in fact, have not proceeded to the production line. Yes, they were stopped just in the concept or even made it only as a prototype model.

1. Bugatti Veyron Barchetta

The first Bugatti concept that had never been seen before was Bugatti Veyron Barchetta, which was created by the Bugatti's head of design department, Achim Anscheidt in 2008. This gorgeous vehicle creation is made based on the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse but is decorated with new roofless bodywork and windshield like a speedster.

2008 Bugatti Veyron Barchetta Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WlqAZ9)

Interestingly, some of the features that appeared on this concept car especially the headlamps features that now are look embedded in the Bugatti Divo which are built in limited numbers and based on the current Chiron.

But Bugatti's top executive reportedly was reluctant to adopt the car model due to similar to the Lamborghini limited edition model that launched at the time. This is understandable because both premium automotive manufacturer Bugatti and Lamborghini are in the same parent company, the Volkswagen Group.

2. Bugatti Atlantic Concept

A few years after the Bugatti Veyron Barchetta was executed, the French manufacturer then envisioned the three best models by designing two new concepts. Where one to be placed under the Bugatti Chiron and the other one to be placed above the hypercar which is focused for record-breaking only.

2015 Bugatti Atlantic Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WlqAZ9)

The first one is the Bugatti Atlantic Concept which was made in 2015 as a modern interpretation of the legendary car of 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic. And the French manufacturer spent over 18 months for developing the Atlantic Concept by using some technology taken from the Porsche Taycan project, which came to be known as Mission E.

Initially, this concept car was scheduled to be launched at Pebble Beach that year, but there was chaos known as 'Dieselgate' which ensnared Volkswagen Group then the car debut was canceled.

3. Bugatti W16 Coupe Rembrandt

Then came the most ambitious concept of all, named the Bugatti W16 Coupe Rembrandt. The supercar is described as a front-engined GT car with an 8,000 cc quad-turbo W16 engine which is also the Chiron engine and able to spew power up to 1,500 horsepower.

2018 Bugatti W16 Coupe Rembrandt. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WlqAZ9)

The design is seen borrowing from the Bugatti Veyron Barchetta, such as the headlamps, and in some parts also displays several elements that were later could be found in the Bugatti La Voiture Noire, especially in the LED taillights.

The biggest obstacle in developing and marketing the Bugatti W16 Rembrandt Coupe is its selling price which can reach the US $20 million or around Rp.275 billion per unit that exceeds the Bugatti La Voiture Noire prices known as the most expensive production car today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | TOP GEAR]

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The newest muscle Batmobile

The latest Batman's movie titled 'The Batman' is planned to be released on June 25, 2021, where the handsome actor Robert Pattinson will play as Bruce Wayne, known as Batman when he becomes a superhero who defends the Gotham City from organized crime.

This is what the latest Batmobile looks like in 'The Batman' movie. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TN27KU)

But what raises the curiosity of The Batman movie is, whether the Gotham City superhero will continue to use his flagship car named the Batmobile. Yes, of course the Batmobile will always be used, but only its form will be different.

This is what the latest Batmobile looks like in 'The Batman' movie. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TN27KU)

As quoted from Screenrant, the Batmobile used by Robert Pattinson seems to be an American muscle car known as 1970 Plymouth Barracuda which had a modification process. And also reportedly, the car modification process was included in the drivetrain which is a mid-mounted twin-turbo engine seemingly a V-8, though some on social media are seeing a fifth coil pack on each side that would make it a V-10.

This is what the latest Batmobile looks like in 'The Batman' movie. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TN27KU)

From the photo, the turbos locates in between the roll cage and bodywork in the back and you'll find two snails with short exhaust pipes expelling waste gases directly into the atmosphere.

🦇🏎 #TheBatman pic.twitter.com/qJFNprk1ut

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) March 4, 2020

Of course this will be a question, why the Batmobile uses an American muscle car? Apparently, The Batman movie will be set in the 1990s, where the director wanted to show in the movie when Bruce Wayne was young and the beginning as Batman.
Not only modifying a classic car into the Batmobile, and in the movie, Bruce Wayne is also seen sewing his own costume. Therefore, do not expect too much that the Batman will be very cool looking like the Batman who had appeared in the Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice or Justice League. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCREENRANT | THE DRIVE]

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A weird look 1950 BMW-Veritas Convertibles by Spohn

This was the first time we've heard the 'Veritas' auto brand, it might be a little strange for ours today. But in fact, the name was the German automotive company name founded by 3 individuals who worked at BMW shortly the 2nd World War was over. 

The one-off 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aO70Zy)

As quoted from Conceptcarz, the company was founded by Ernst Loof, Georg Meier, and Lorenz Dietrich. All three of these individuals brought a wealth of experience. Meier had won the 1939 motorcycle Tourist trophy and Loof was also a motorcycle champion. Loof’s resume included a management position in BMW’s sports department and Dietrich had worked for the BMW Company as well.

The one-off Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn is constructed in 1949 and finished in 1950 for an American Airforce Pilot who was living in Germany. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33virmI)

After World War II came to a close, these three individuals began modifying and building vehicles based on BMW components. Since the Allied Forces occupying Germany restricted engine manufacturing to a maximum of one liter, customers would bring their own drivetrain, which would be installed at their Hausern factory.

This kind of 1949 Veritas Scorpion Cabriolet is believed to have been returned to Hermann Spohn for modifications into its form as we look today. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2U0duOe)

From 1948 to 1950, the Veritas was the two-liter car to beat on the European racing scene. The Veritas-BMW Hemi six-cylinder engine and four-speed transmission outclassed and outran the competition during these years, collecting 30 victories and eight National Championships. This unique Spohn-bodied version is certainly a most unique Veritas. The SP-90’s dramatic tail fins and long hoods are unique among all other Veritas models. 

The one-off 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn in the original 'barn find' condition. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2W7yo0C)

In 1949, the Veritas Company introduced a road-going Komet coupe which was little more than a racing Veritas RS made street legal. This was soon followed by a coupe, cabriolet, and sports roadster body styles. The bodywork was performed by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn of Ravensburg, known for their work on Maybach chassis. The engines were from BRMW in either stock or modified 326 units or powerplants from the 328. Since BMW did not allow the use of their name on cars not of their manufacture, the vehicles were rebadged as Veritas.

The steering wheel and dashboard view of the one-off 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn in the original 'barn find' condition. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2W7yo0C)

This unique look of 1950 BMW-Veritas was the work of Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn by using design inspiration from Harley Earl's Le Sabre concept car. It is an all-original example that is believed to have been returned to Spohn for modifications which included the installation of fender skirts and upper grille assembly in the nose and believed the car was constructed for an American Airforce pilot living in Germany.

Rear side view of the one-off 1950 Veritas SP90 Convertible by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn in the original 'barn find' condition. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33virmI)

This car was secluded in the late Lee Hartung Collection for over 50 years. Lee purchased the car in the early 1960s from R.J. Mrofka. Mrofka’s brother had brought the car to the United States from Germany in 1959. It remains in ‘as found’ condition, with only a mechanical rebuild.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Lee Roy Hartung Collection auction presented by Auctions America. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $195,500 including the buyer's premium. Today the car sits unrestored in the Wheels Through Time Museum collection, one of the only non-US built vehicles at the museum. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ | THE GENTLEMAN RACER | ROUTEVECCHIE]

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The last Bugatti Type 101 by Virgil Exner

As stated in the previous article, regarding the rise of the French premium car manufacturers in the post-war period. At that time the manufacturer in difficult times and tried to regain a place of honor in the world automotive industry through its famous model, Bugatti Type 101.

The 1965 Bugatti Type 101C Ghia was was designed by Virgil Exner and built by the Italian coachbuilder Ghia. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TR4c79)

These models were built using the basis of the legendary Bugatti Type 57 Pre-War model. In total there were 7 chassis of Type 57 Pre-War built and bodied by three different coachbuilders, such as Gangloff, Guilloré, and Antem before the company sank into bankruptcy.

Sketch of the Bugatti Type 101C Ghia is made by Virgil Exner. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2vGRcct)

The last Type 101 was designed by Virgil Exner then built by the Italian coachbuilder Ghia atop the legendary Type 57 Pre-War chassis with the chassis number of 101-506 and later known as Bugatti Type 101C Ghia. It was exhibited at the 1965 Turin Motor Show in an attempt to revive the brand, but financing could not be arranged and production plans were scrapped. In the end, the car sold to Exner, and he owned the car for many years.

This Bugatti Type 101C Ghia was exhibited for the first time at the 1965 Turin Motor Show in an attempt to revive the brand. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2vGRcct)

It all began in December 1963, when Virgil Exner in Esquire published a series of seven design proposals to revive classic cars (mostly Americans) drawn according to modern tastes. Where four models in-between successfully transformed into a full-size car by Virgil Exner himself, namely Stutz Blackhawk, Duesenberg Model D, Mercer-Cobra and this Bugatti Type 101C Ghia.

The 1965 Bugatti Type 101C Ghia also featured the sporty high-class dashboard. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2vGRcct)

For the Bugatti case, he then sent the chassis he bought in 1961 to Ghia, to realize the car figure in accordance with his previous design. Then at the Ghia atelier, the Type 101 chassis were shortened by a full 460mm and the steel bodywork with Virgil’s design was placed on it with only minor changes, namely the side-mounted exhaust pipes and raked windshield (which gave place to a tasteful split windscreen).

The 1965 Bugatti Type 101C Ghia used a slightly updated version of the 3,257 cc straight-8 supercharged engine, producing around 200 hp. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2vGRcct)

After 6 months of work, the work was completed presented at the 1965 Turin Motor Show, at that time there were 50 buyers signed up for the car, and said Elvis Presley the most notorious among them.

The rear-design of 1965 Bugatti Type 101C Ghia is also very "sexy," with the slim and high rear end. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2vGRcct)

Unfortunately, Exner fell into financial problems before the production could start and the project was aborted, the car is taken as a part of the payment for debts. Exner was obliged to sell the car to Thomas Barett III, who after that sold it to Irving Tushinsky and subsequently to Mr. Anderson. 

The Blackhawk Behring Museum bought it in about 1984 and sold it in December 1988 to General William Lyon, its current owner who also owns the famous Type 10 Petit Pur-Sang, the first real Bugatti which Ettore built in the basement of his house while working as a manager for Deutz, two years before the foundation of his factory. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTO.HOWSTUFFWORKS | DRIVETRIBE | WIKIPEDIA | CARSTYLING.RU | ALLCARINDEX | SPECIALCARSTORE]

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The story of Bugatti post-war comeback with its Type 101

Despite the company glory years of success during the 1920s and 1930s, both on and off the racing track, turn out Bugatti should be entered into difficult years postwar in the long and exhaust disarray. It started when a tragedy happened, Ettore's heir, talented and creative Jean Bugatti, died in a tragic testing accident in 1939, making them all feel sad and devastated. At the same time, the company was ruined apart physically, managerially and financially as a result of the raging of the 2nd World War in Europe.

The one-off Bugatti Type 101 'Berline' with the chassis number 101.500 is designed by Louis Lepoix and then constructed by the German coachbuilder, Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aunMwK)

While Ettore Bugatti himself was isolated in Paris shortly after war's end. He was judged a belligerent by the postwar French government because of his Italian citizenship and stripped of his property. The climax, when he died in 1947, at only age 58, split everything that could be recovered from the Bugatti's enterprise into two camps along the lines of the families of his two marriages.

The prototype of Bugatti Type 101 'Berline' 4-doors saloon was built based on a prewar chassis of Type 57. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aunMwK)

Meanwhile besides families, workers, and designers who previously had worked under the guidance of Le Patron to the onset of the war felt that's also were their responsibilities to help the company to get out of these difficult times and seem had spurred them to make the allure Bugatti automobile emerged again and respected in the world's automotive.

This early model of Bugatti Type 101 'Berline' 4-doors saloon with the chassis number of 101-500 was only one unit ever built and now sat on display at the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39An5lz)

Under the leadership of Ettore's youngest son, Roland and assisted by Bugatti General Manager, Piere Marco who was also known as a former company's racer tried to blow some new life into the family company after Le Patron died. Shortly after, the Bugatti Type 73 powered by a supercharged one-liter engine is made and displayed at the 1947 Paris Salon de l'Automobile but it gains less attention and noted as one of the unsuccessful car models.

The Bugatti Type 73 powered by a supercharged one-liter engine is made and displayed at the 1947 Paris Salon de l'Automobile. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aCowA0)

Finally, they decided to make a new model. Actually, the French company was not build one, but more than one on six (some said seven) chassis of prewar Type 57 and called it under the same name the Bugatti Type 101 and built by four different coachbuilders, ie Gangloff, Guilloré, Antem, and Ghia. As quoted by Coachbuild, the first known as the prototype, its design is done by Louis Lucien Lepoix and then the German coachbuilder, Hermann Spohn (Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn) is contracted for the execution in 1950. There is a mismatch of data, when some said it build by Alphonse Guilloré. Then who actually built it? Who knows?

1951 Bugatti Type 101 Guilloré Coupe with the chassis number of 101-502. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Q2milt)

As we mentioned above, it is built based on a prewar chassis of Type 57 and then had a minor design change by Lepoix and became the prototype of Type 101 series produced by Bugatti's coachbuilding partner with less good quality and weird look as it is. It's known only one unit ever built in this body configuration. This one-off car still existed until today and displayed at the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse.

As quoted from Wikipedia, after the prototype finished and then on the chassis number of 101-501 and 101-503 made as the Type 101 Coupe and Cabriolets by Gangloff. Followed by the chassis number of 101-502 built as another Type 101 Coupe by Coach Guilloré.

At the 1950 Paris Salon de l'Automobile, Bugatti showed two examples of Type 101, a Coupe (up) and Cabriolet (below) with the chassis number of 101-501 and 101-503, both clothed by Gangloff, a Swiss/French coachbuilder. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2xqVZz9)

The next car was built one of a kind with the chassis number 101-504. The coupe was bodied by Antem in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris for shown off at the 1951 Paris Salon de l'Automobile. This new model was largely based on a similar brilliant prewar Type 57, including the 3.3-liter dual-overhead-camshaft inline eight-cylinder engine and semi-independent front and live rear axle suspension.

This Bugatti Type 101 cabriolet with the chassis number of 101-503 was bodied by Gangloff. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TAlvur)

The car is also equipped with a Cotal pre-selector gearbox, it is the only example of Type 101 with this dramatic coachwork. Its coachwork, however, was thoroughly modern, a full-width streamlined envelope creation that owed only Bugatti’s trademark 'horseshoe' radiator grille to its prewar design heritage It brilliantly presented in black over red, and the Bugatti Type 101 Van Antem coupe has been preserved over the years by its succession of noted owner-collectors.

This Bugatti Type 101 with the chassis number of 101-504 was bodied by Antem in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris for shown off at the 1951 Paris Salon de l'Automobile. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IsX2AM)

There were only six copies of these made at the time. It was displayed together with the Gangloff drop head coupe before returning to Molsheim, where it was eventually registered for driving on the road and likely used by Rene Bolloré, the next husband of Ettore Bugatti’s widow Geneviève Delcluze.

This Bugatti Type 101 had once owned by the famous Hollywood star Nicolas Cages. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aCoWWV)

After that this legendary car repeatedly changed the owners, starting from Gene Cesari, Robert C. Stanley, Bill Harrah known became the next owner before being bought by Jacques Harguindeguy. From here the car was then sold to the famous Hollywood star Nicolas Cages.

This Bugatti Type 101 was bodied by Antem in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris and sold to an unknown buyer at the prices of the US. $616,000 in one auction event held by RM Sotheby at Monterey on August 20, 2011. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aCoWWV)

Subsequently, it was in the noted collection of Gene Ponder and later entered the John O'Quinn Collection in 2008. In the end, the car was sold to an unknown buyer at the prices of the US. $616,000 in one auction event held by RM Sotheby at Monterey on August 20, 2011.

And finally the last of Bugatti Type 101 was designed by Virgil Exner then built by Italian coachbuilder Ghia in 1965 on the chassis number of 101-506. 

It represents an elegant car of a revered French marque, although it ever lay dormant for the next four decades before the introduction of the stunning EB110 in the 1990s, then there's the breathtaking Veyron followed by the most recently the Chiron and the most expensive models like La Voiture Noir and many other.

Overall, it seems that all the revival efforts mentioned above do not bear fruit and finally the French car manufacturer was sold to Hispano Suiza in 1963. And once again the ownership of this company changed hands in July 1998 to the German automotive giant Volkswagen. Until now the company is owned by the German automotive company Volkswagen Group as a division of Volkswagen France. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COACHBUILD | CONCEPTCARZ | MADLE.ORG | RMSOTHEBYS]

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The unique torpedo-likened car of the 1960s

You are certainly familiar with an Italian designer named Giovanni Michelotti, who works more as an independent designer and has designed many famous vehicles from various world-renowned automaker brands. 

1968 DAF 55 Siluro designed by Giovanni Michelotti made its first debut at the 1968 Geneva Motorshow. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39myrJQ)

One of the concept vehicles ever designed by him is the DAF 55 Siluro (the name derived from an Italian word which roughly means 'Torpedo'), due to the car has a unique design with long sloping silhouette lines that runs on both sides of the exterior and hood.

1968 DAF 55 Siluro has a unique design with long sloping silhouette lines that runs on both sides of the exterior and hood. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)

The DAF 55 Siluro made its first debut at the 1968 Geneva Motorshow and has not seen in public since then until the last appearance at the 2005 AutoRAI held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Yes, after being sat silently for almost 37 years, The car was later re-appeared as memorabilia for Giovanni Michelotti, who was known to have died suddenly in 1980.

The steering wheel and dashboard view of 1968 DAF 55 Siluro. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)

Before starting to design this Siluro, Michelotti had worked as a consultant for the Dutch automotive company, DAF. During his work, he is known to have designed cars made by Dutch manufacturers such as DAF 44 and 55.

1968 DAF 55 Siluro is used 1,108 cc inline four-cylinder engine coupled with DAF's unique Variomatic Transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)

One of the most remarkable features embedded in the figure of this tiny sedan is an automatic transmission system called Variomatic Transmission, which allows the car to run at the same speed in forward or reverse conditions.

The DAF Siluro is built based on the DAF 55 Coupe platform with a capacity of four passengers, used a 1,108 cc inline four-cylinder engine, capable of producing power of 50 bhp at 5,000 rpm. This engine is combined with DAF's unique Variomatic Transmission system.

Rearview of 1968 DAF 55 Siluro. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)

DAF manufacturing production has stopped a few years ago. When it was rediscovered, Siluro was in poor condition and needed a lot of repairs. Because many of the Siluro parts were made by Michelotti, restoring this prototype car became a pretty heavy task. However, thanks to generous sponsors, DAF Siluro was finally returned to its original condition.

At present, DAF Siluro's unique car is stored and displayed permanently at the DAF Museum, which is located at Tongelresestraat 27, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | UNIQUE CARS AND PARTS]

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