DeSoto Adventurer II, one of American-Italian masterpieces of the 1950s

~Jewel of TIME~ Generally, the beauty of the four-wheeled vehicle design will be seen before entering the mass production line and is still a concept. Yes, at the concept stage, usually the car manufacturer gives everything as an effort to studi and find out the extent to which its customers will be interested in the vehicle that is being built.

The DeSoto Adventurer II Coupé Concept by Ghia and launched in the 1954. (Picture from: Silodrome)

For this reason, usually car manufacturers will collaborate with coachbuilder companies in the manufacture and development of a four-wheeled vehicle model so that later it can attract the attention of automotive enthusiasts and then take the benefits to then be applied to the production car later.

1954 DeSoto Adventurer II Coupé Concept built based on the DeSoto Imperial Series S19 chassis. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30NylIM)

As We can see this in a concept vehicle called DeSoto Adventurer II, which is able to look stunning in its elegant red color until today. The concept car was launched in 1954 which is one of the masterpieces ever made by Ghia in collaboration with Chrysler, one of the American automotive giants back in the 1950s. 

The DeSoto Adventurer I Concept was in a show-setting publicity photo. (Picture from: CarStyleCritic)

If you see the name Adventurer II, then maybe you are wondering whether there is the Adventurer I? Yes there is (look here), the mentioned car was built by this American automaker in the early 1950s.....

The DeSoto Adventurer II Coupé Concept by Ghia and launched in the 1954. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Actually, the car concept design is based on the Ghia-owned Supersonic design concept created by one of its automotive designer named Giovanni Savonuzzi, which was later refined by Virgil Exner to accommodate its chassis length and provide more dramatic design touches.

1954 DeSoto Adventurer II Coupé Concept uses a Chrysler Firepower Hemi V8 engine with displacing of 276 cu.in. to spew power of 170 hp. (Picture from: Silodrome)

As quoted from Supercars.net, the car is built on the DeSoto Imperial Series S19 chassis. Meanwhile, as its drivetrain, this concept car uses a Chrysler Firepower Hemi V8 engine with displacing of 276 cu.in. to spew power of 170 horses. This car has unique features such as a sliding sunroof that hides in the trunk area, so that it can give a convertible sensation without all the hassle, as is often the case with cloth-top.

The DeSoto Adventurer II Coupé Concept by Ghia has unique features such as a sliding sunroof that hides in the trunk area. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Until now, this concept car is still considered as one of the top 10 concept cars of all time. This is not surprising, because when it was displayed at an exhibition event in 1954, King Mohammed V of Morocco was very impressed in its beauty and immediately bought it. Since then this concept car has become one of his impressive collection cars. 

After that this concept car underwent many ownership changes and appeared several times in many exhibition events, such as the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance when it was still part of the Blackhawk Collection. Then, it reappeared on the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for the Ghia Styling class under private ownership. And finally in 2012 this concept car was ever offered and sold for over $1.4 million at an auction held by Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale. *** [EKA [10102020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOBLOG | SILODROME | SUPERCARS.NET]

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This is the only British-made Cobra Coupé A98 Le Mans

~ONE Off~ We are back to talking about a classic sports car made by AC Cars, a British car manufacturer who is recorded as having tried its luck in the world famous race event, the 24-Hours of Le Mans in the 1960s. As we know in 1964, the British automaker had built a Cobra Coupé later known as the AC Cobra Coupé A98 Le Mans to compete in the Le Mans race at that time.

This AC Cobra A98 Le Mans created by AC Chief Engineer Alan Turner as a marvellous, handsome, cohesive, masculine sports car featured with demonstrable aerodynamic properties, unfortunately only one was built. (Picture from: GTPlanet.net)

If we take a closer look at its appearance, this one-of-a-kind racing car made by AC Cars designed by AC Chief Engineer Alan Turner looks lower than the Pete Brock-designed Daytona Coupé, but both positioned the driver lower in the cabin. Furthermore, the Turner had also raked the windscreen, created a lower nose section and a longer flowing roof as well as designing the 'eyebrows' over the tops of the wheel arches he claimed to help clean up airflow.

The AC Cobra A98 Le Mans looks lower than the Pete Brock-designed Daytona Coupé, but both positioned the driver lower in the cabin. (Picture from: GTPlanet.net)

The British classic racing car of 1960s features lightweight aluminum bodywork that was built by hand over a steel-tubular framework at AC Cars' production facility in Thames Ditton. Furthermore, this car is powered by a small block of Ford V8 engine with a capacity of 4.7 liters was fed by the Weber 48IDA carburetor so that it can blow power around 355 bhp. 

The AC Cobra A98 Le Mans features lightweight aluminum bodywork that was built by hand over a steel-tubular framework at AC Cars' production facility in Thames Ditton. (Picture from: Primotipo)

In the early hours of June 11, 1964, AC Cars took its Cobra Coupé GT car on to the M1 motorway to do a high-speed test run before the race. This was possible because this car was registered 'BPH 4B,' besides that previously at that time in the country there were no speed restrictions on the highway. 

The AC Cobra A98 Le Mans is powered by a small block of Ford V8 engine with a capacity of 4.7 liters was fed by the Weber 48IDA carburetor so that it can blow power around 355 bhp. (Picture from: Primotipo)

The team's driver, Jack Sears, recorded 185 mph, and unfortunately the national media heard about it, and made the story front-page news. Possibly because of this then the British road authorities sets a speed limit of 70 mph on the highway.

AC Cars took its Cobra Coupé GT car on to the M1 motorway to do a high-speed test run before the race on June 11, 1964. (Picture from: Autocar)

This one-of-a-kind sports car had raced at the 24-Hours of Le Mans 1964, driven by talented British racer Jack Sears with co-driver Peter Bolton. The car’s top-end prowess would help the Thames Ditton crew outgun the rival American Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupés. Meanwhile in the racing, the car was involved in a tragic accident at Circuit de la Sarthe when its tire burst and killed three spectators who were viewing the race from an unauthorized area.

Jack Sears alighting the AC Cobra Coupé A98 after that M1 Motorway morning run. (Picture from: Primotipo)

After the incident, the wreck of Coupé A98 was brought back to the AC headquarters in Thames Ditton and never rebuilt and or raced further ‘in period’. The very significant car was restored by Barrie Baird (the current owner) who negotiated its purchase in 1972. The work took over 12 years, many of you will have seen it at Goodwood and the like after its restoration finished.

To these days, this incredibly rare (one of a kind) 1964 Le Mans car is road registered and still used on British roads. As you can see in a brief clip of it outside the Fennel restaurant near Aberdeen Scotland where they regularly hold V8 Breakfast car meetings. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GTPLANET.NET | AUTOCAR | PRIMOTIPO ]

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It's a shame that the unique Porsche Tapiro had to end tragically

~Forgotten ONES~ Of the many concept cars built on car chassis of Porsche, one of the famous German car brands, only a few are unique and interesting. And one of them could be this Porsche Tapiro which is a car made by Italian coachbuilder ItalDesign in the 1970s. Well, the car name originating from the pig-like herbivorous mammal called tapir.

The Porsche Tapiro Concept designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1970s, and built based on the Porsche 914/6 platform. (Picture from: Motor1)

Reportedly, the design of the 1970s dream car was intentionally built to be extreme both in form and mechanics, but the possibility of mass production was still considered. This Porsche Tapiro was designed during 1970s by Giorgetto Giugiaro, a famous Italian designer from ItalDesign. This uniquely shaped car was the Giugiaro made 4th prototype and has become one of his favorite works to date.

The Porsche Tapiro had a windshield profile that was almost the same height as the hood. (Picture from: Motor1)

As quoted from Wikipedia, Tapiro's design most likely took inspiration from the iconic DeTomaso Mangusta which was also the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro while he was working for Ghia. From its appearance, it can be seen that the Tapiro was built in a 'wedge' shape for the first time in that era, and would be used again in many other car models in the following years, thus becoming a design trend during the 1970s.

The Porsche Tapiro is equipped with a gullwing door type as access to the cabin, not only that, the such unique shape of the door is also applied to the engine compartment. (Picture from: Motor1)

The Porsche Tapiro had a windshield profile that was almost the same height as the hood, and was also equipped with very exotic doors and a hood which was considered such a luxury solution although some people considered it eccentric for the time. Did you know that the Tapiro is a source of inspiration from the legendary DMC DeLorean car?

The Porsche Tapiro featured all those great Giugiaro styling flourishes, such as geometric air-ducting a cheese wedge profile and a futuristic cabin surrounded by an acreage of glass. (Picture from: Motor1)

As seen as, this Porsche Tapiro is equipped with a gullwing design door to be used as access to the cabin, not only that, the such unique shape of the door is also applied to the engine room and luggage room. Even more unique, unlike most concept cars which are only made as models from clay plaster, the Porsche Tapiro is a fully functional vehicle, in other words, this car can be run like an ordinary production version car.

The Porsche Tapiro concept is powered by a mid-mounted inline 6-cylinder 2.4-liter Porsche engine. (Picture from: Motor1)

Well, the Porsche Tapiro, which is 4,060 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and 1,110 mm high, is built based on the Porsche 914/6 platform, and is powered by a mid-mounted inline 6-cylinder 2.4-liter Porsche engine. And the machine is capable of producing 220 bhp of power at 7,200 rpm. The concept was engineered with a five-speed manual gearbox and had an official top speed of 245 kph.

Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio look sadly at the Tapiro remains in the front of ItalDesign HQ in Turin. (Picture from: Motor1)

After completion, this Tapiro concept car was shown for the first time in public at the 1970 Turin Motor Show. As quoted of Motor1, the car subsequently made its US debut at the 5th Annual Los Angeles Imported Automobile and Sports Car Show in 1971. After two years of traveling at various major world's auto shows, the Italian coachbuilder then sold the Tapiro to Waldo de los Ríos, an Argentine composer in 1973, after it made an appearance at the Barcelona Motor Show.

Today the burnt shell of the Porsche Tapiro is on display at the Giugiaro Museum's lawn. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

Some rumors say that the Porsche Tapiro had served as Waldo de los Ríos daily rides until it ended miserably at one terrible incident in Madrid, where most of the car was destroyed after it caught fire. As quoted from Wikipedia, most sources say the cause of the fire was a group of labor activists protesting against the labor policies at the time, who planted a bomb under the Tapiro. The bomb exploded, burning the car but not destroying the chassis.

While other sources said the car was involved in an accident somewhere and caught fire at that time. The car remains were later re-purchased by ItalDesign but never rebuilt, and today the burnt shell of the Porsche Tapiro is on display at the Giugiaro Museum's lawn. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | MOTOR1 | AUTOEVOLUTION | ADRIANFLUX ]

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A unique unusual Ferrari driven by Honda's drivetrain

~Unique ONES~ When you first see this unique car, maybe you will shake the head while asking what car is this? It is not surprising, when there are those who feel astonished by the appearance of this one car modification. Yup, this is the 1981 Ferrari 308 GTBi powered by Honda K-Series engine, or in other words, this is an unusual fusion of an Italian retro supercar and an easily modified Japanese drivetrain.

Here's the StanceWorks 244 GTK is built based on the Ferrari 308 GTBi and was modified in such a way by StanceWorks, including by swapping its engine to the Honda K-Series. (Picture from: SpeedHunters)

Then who is the mastermind behind the unusual modification of the Ferrari 308 GTBi powered by the Honda K-Series engine? He is Mike Burroughs, an automotive activist, infuencer, who is also known as the founder of the automotive website StanceWorks, and this uniquely modification result car was then reintroduced under the name StanceWorks 244 GTK.

The StanceWorks 244 GTK is featured with body kit parts in the form of a splitter, side skirts, bolt-on over fenders, diffuser and big-sized rear wing. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

As quoted of SpeedHunters, this controversial project originated from the complications that had to be faced by Burroughs in maintaining the distinctive originality for his Ferrari 308 GTBi. For example, it is difficult to get spare parts, if any, the price is relatively high. Then it was from here that he started to consider several engine options until he finally chose the Honda K-Series which he thought was very reliable, which combined power potential, abundant spare parts, and easy maintenance.

The StanceWorks 244 GTK's front-fascia is then sweetened by the presence of two square sized Hella lights. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

In short, the Ferrari's default 2,900 cc V8 engine was swapped to an inline 4-cylinder drivetrain with a capacity of 2,400 cc coded K24A2 of the Acura TSX. Then those engine is transversely installed inside the engine bay, which is then followed by a series of high-performance parts to boost its power, ranging from installation of a firm transverse engine mounting, low-profile valve cover of Skunk2, up to the Garrett G42-1200 turbo injection.

Mike Burrough of StanceWorks posed along with his creation, the StanceWorks 244 GTK (in the background) at the Sema 2022. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

With the such drivetrain changes, so the pipes are automatically upgraded by the using aluminum ones to keep the temperature optimally. Besides that, its cooling system is also maximized thanks to the CSF radiator, plus two large sized ventilations on its carbon fiber made hood.

The StanceWorks 244 GTK is powered by an inline 4-cylinder K24A2 coded drivetrain with a capacity of 2,400 cc of the Acura TSX. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

Then what about performance, under standard conditions combined with a 6-speed manual transmission system, the K24A2 unit can deliver a power output of up to 200 hp at 6,800 rpm and a torque of 166 lbs/ft at 4,500 rpm. However, the unit that is carried by the StanceWorks-built 308 GTBi has a performance of up to 1,000 hp or 800 hp more than the standard proportion. Then the potential for that much power is channeled to the rear wheels through Quaife QKE8J 5-speed sequential gearbox.

The StanceWorks 244 GTK's inside featured with a racing cabin layout completed with two Sabelt bucket seats. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

Meanwhile for its body sector, the Ferrari 244 GTK is supplied with body kit parts in the form of a splitter, side skirts, bolt-on over fenders, diffuser and big-sized rear wing. The appearance of the front-fascia is then sweetened by the presence of two square sized Hella lights.

The StanceWorks 244 GTK also has big-sized diffuser and rear wing coupled with Rotiform five-spoke wheels with high-performance Nitto tires that fit nicely on all the axles. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

Furthermore, to support the weight of the body, the H&R suspension springs and custom coilovers are believed to provide improvements in terms of handling and cornering speed of the car. While for the legs, it uses Rotiform five-spoke wheels and is wrapped in high-performance Nitto tires that fit nicely on all the axles.

This unusual modified car that was worked on by StanceWorks for almost 2 years, initially yellow and then turned white, was shown off to public for the first time at the CSF Radiators booth at the SEMA 2022 held in November, 2022. If you want to see the entire work process of this car starting from scratch until now, all of them is presented in the Stanceworkworks Youtube channel. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | STANCEWORKS | SPEEDHUNTERS | MOTORTREND ]

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Here's the first one-of-a-kind V12 front-engined roadster of Ferrari in 50 years

~Special ONES~ The Italian premium car manufacturer headquartered in Maranello, Ferrari through its special division has again launched a special roadster named Ferrari SP51, it is a one-off built supercar, that is based on the 812 GTS and is created for the company’s unnamed Taiwanese customer.

The Ferrari SP51 is one-of-a-kind two-seater roadster built based on the 812 GTS for the Ferrari’s loyal unnamed customer from Taiwan. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

As a one-of-a-kind car model, the Ferrari SP51 is characterized by an exclusive design made as commisoned by the client who will become the car owner. Overall, the manufacturing process for this exclusive car model took about 2 years and during that time, the client was also involved in assessing the design and verification phases.

The Ferrari SP51 was specifically designed and built by the prancing horse's special division, Ferrari Centro Stile led by Flavio Manzoni. (Picture from: Carscoops)

As previously mentioned, this one-of-a-kind car model built based on the Ferrari 812 GTS inheriting also its layout, chassis and engine. Furthermore, the Ferrari SP51 was specifically designed and built by the prancing horse's special division, Ferrari Centro Stile led by Flavio Manzoni. In appearance, this one-of-a-kind car model has a muscular body design mostly made of carbon fiber, including several parts in the interior.

The Ferrari SP51 was took about 2 years in making and during that time, the client was also involved in assessing the design and verification phases. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Then there is a special trim on the hood with the presence of two dynamically framed air inlets. Furthermore, the car exterior is got the finishing touches of three layered of special red color called Rosso Passionale, with a blue and white stripe was inspired by the legendary 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spyder.

The Ferrari SP51 has a muscular body design mostly made of carbon fiber, including several parts in the interior. (Picture from: Otomotif-Tempo)

At the front of the car features specially designed and iconic headlights, the alloy wheels which each spoke feature a diamond-cut finish and these wheels are specially designed for cars that have a carbon fiber wing profile.

The Ferrari SP51 has several white embroidered details, including for the car name, which is found under the car's seat. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

While at the rear, it is dominated by curved shapes coupled with a brake light inserted under the spoiler. Right behind the cabin there are two flying buttresses, combined with two air holes made of carbon fiber. Then there also an extend carbon fiber wing, whose profile folds over the struts.

The Ferrari SP51 has several white embroidered details, including for the Prancing Horse emblem, which is found on head rests. (Picture from: Carscoops)

And in the cabin there are also white and blue stripes (what it looks like to continue similar stripes from its exterior) in between the two seats. Meanwhile, the door panels, underside of the dash and side of the seats are given blue Kvadrat fabric inserts with white cross stitching. There's glossy carbon fiber trim is used throughout the interior to match Nero Momo Opaco elements. Then there are also several white embroidered details, including for the car name and The Prancing Horse emblem, which is found under the car's seats and head rests.

The Ferrari SP51 got the finishing touches of three layered of special red color called Rosso Passionale, with a blue and white stripe. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Remarkably, the Ferrari SP51 aerodynamics development is carried out specifically because it requires a very precise grinding process by involving computer simulations known as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to determine fluid flow patterns. 

The white and blue stripes looks like continues to the Ferrari SP51's interior, in between the two seats. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Furthermore, its dynamic testing was carried out in the wind tunnel to ensure that the overall design goals were achieved which included not only comfort in the cabin, but also the noise threshold and wind flow generated by the car while on driving.

The Ferrari SP51 is powered by a 6.5 liter V12 engine taken from the 812 GTS which is claimed to be capable of spewing peak power of up to 789 hp. (Picture from: Otomotif-Tempo)

Like other Ferrari one-off models, the car engine has not been touched by any modifications. This one-off model still carries a 6.5 liter V12 engine taken from the 812 GTS which is claimed to be capable of spewing peak power of up to 789 hp.

As we all know, the one-off Ferrari SP51 was specially designed for one of company's loyal customers in Taiwan, who is also a prominent collector of Ferrari. This one-of-a-kind car model is also the first V12 front-engined roadster successful produced by the Maranello-based automaker in 50 years. 

Unfortunately, the Italian premium automaker did not give any details regarding to the prices of this one-of-a-kind car model which should be paid by the Taiwanese unnamed customer.😀 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERRARI | CARSCOOPS | ]

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Here's one-of-a-kind American-made Daedalus inspired by European classic sports roadsters

~ONE Off~ Indeed, many people are fascinated by the figure of classic racing cars such the following British-made Aston Martin DBR 1 of 1950s, which is said to have ruled the world's famous racing arenas like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Sebring and others. Because at that time by the manufacturer, the racing car was made in limited numbers. So it's not surprising if its creative fans were inspired to make the copies.

The Daedalus was an American hand-crafted two-seater roadster built by Kris Heil, inspired by Aston Martin DBR 1, Ferrari 250, Jaguar C- and D-Type. (Picture from: JournalClassicCar)

Among the many copies that have been ever made, it turns out that the most famous is the Daedalus which built only one unit by a gentleman from Aptos, California named Kris Heil. From what its look, the immediate reference points are the sensational and curvaceous European sports roadsters that ruled the road at Sebring, Le Mans and high-end tracks around the world in the late 50s and early 60s.

According to its maker, Kris Heil, that the Daedalus was not only directly inspired by the Aston Martin DBR 1 that had won at the 24-Hours of Le Mans 1959, in the first (driven by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori) and second position (driven by Maurice Trintignant and Paul Frére), but that there was a fair amount of styling borrowed from the Ferrari 250, Jaguar C- and D-Type, too.

As you can see, the Daedalus nose was inspired by the Aston Martin DBR-1. (Picture from: JournalClassicCar)

The maker of Daedalus, who is now 70 years old, further tells that he built this gorgeous single-seat car creation in British green racing color in his garage over 11 years, ranging from 2005 to 2016. Besides that he wanted some American heritage in there, too, so it’s powered by the straight-six GMC engine (built from 1952 to 1960) that was frequently hot-rodded back in the day.

Heil who formerly has career as a firefighter, also known race car builder, and honed his classic car building skills from scratch by watching videos only. For the Daedalus, he fabricated the car's aluminum body manually by using an English wheel, which then put on the tube chassis. After finished, the Daedalus managed to become a star when it was exhibited for the first time to the public at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering in 2017 in the custom coachwork category.

As you can see, the Daedalus nose was inspired by the Aston Martin DBR-1. (Picture from: JournalClassicCar)

By considering what happened next, when a nightmare happened, which was then able to arouse sympathy from classic car owners around the world. The incident occurred in August of 2017, while Heil was driving the Daedalus on the freeway, headed for the Danville Concours. It was early in the morning, and practically no one else was on the road. According to Heil, a car came out of nowhere and “crossed five lanes of traffic to punt me in the back at speed and push me into the center divider. I was alive, but every panel was bent, the chassis damaged, the suspension torn off the car.”

The Daedalus got all new interior features that have many comforts including custom leather seats and wool carpeting, part of the rebuild. (Picture from: JournalClassicCar)

It didn't take long after the incident, Heil immediately started on the rebuild of the Daedalus, and took over five years more until now, but the car is finally finished again, only needing a cut and polish. Once finished, the Daedalus looks track ready with all new interior features that have many comforts including custom leather seats and wool carpeting, due to Heil used the accident to fix some things in the car he thought he could improve. The body lines have been refined, and the car has new gold headlamp bezels.

Meanwhile, its drivetrain still to use the 302-cubic-inch GMC straight six, coupled with a modern Tremec five-speed manual transmission. It’s running triple sidedraft Weber carburetors that ride on a manifold fabricated by Heil himself. Then to tame the car speed, it relied on the Wilwood disc brakes all around. 

The Daedalus is powered by the straight-six GMC engine, estimated could put out 280 to 300 horsepower. (Picture from: JournalClassicCar)

Then what about the Daedalus performance? To this day Heil doesn't know yet, but he wanted to ensure it could reach 100 mph smoothly without any complaints or threats to stability. He estimates the car's engine could put out 280 to 300 horsepower, which is plenty to get an aluminum-bodied car weighing just 2,650 lbs to run fast. But the zero to 60 time is up to the next owner.

Based on all of those mentioned above, we could be understood for presenting the Daedalus really requires extra patiences, moreover if the such car creation took up 16 years of your life? It's no wonder if Heil expresses all his feelings, as he said, “I’m tired of it, I’m done with the car. I built it twice.” For this reason, the Daedalus is also said to be sold immediately, at a price no matter how high it is that probably won’t account for 16 years of sweat equity. The money from the sale will be used to finance another Heil's projects that were previously put aside when Daedalus was built. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE DAEDALUS | JOURNALCLASSICCAR ]

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