The 1950s space age car prototype of Packard

Unique ONES - Indeed, if we talk about the beautiful cars that have been made by world car manufacturers, it will never end. Especially if the car bears the big name of an American automotive manufacturer and is supported by a beautiful touch of Italian automotive designers It seems like it has become a guarantee, that the car will succeed in attracting the world's automotive enthusiasts.

1956 Packard Predictor concept was known as a collaboration result between Packard Motor Car Company with Carrozzeria Ghia. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

This can be seen in the figure of the Packard Predictor concept car which is a four-seat concept car was known as a collaboration result between Packard Motor Car Company, an American automotive manufacturer with Carrozzeria Ghia, a well-known Italian coachbuilder. This concept car was designed by designer Richard Teague and built by the Turin-based coachbuilder, under the supervision of Packard design chief Bill Schmidt in mid-1956.

1956 Packard Predictor concept debuted at the 1956 Chicago Auto Show. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

The Predictor concept car is built on a Clipper chassis that is extended to 222 inches, with a width of 85 inches, height 54.125 inches, and weighs 2,721 kg. It has an exterior appearance inspired by the spacecraft that was popular at that time and has also inspired many other four-wheeled vehicles. Then this futuristic concept car is also powered by a 352 cubic inch OHV V8 engine, which is capable of producing 260 hp of power and 380 lbs.ft of torque.

1956 Packard Predictor concept sat on display at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana, United States. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

And the Packard Predictor also has various advanced features of its time, including curved-designed windshields that cover the front to the sides, recessed headlights, terraced fenders with hood and rear deck, with a curved, box body. In addition, Predictor also featured retractable panels for its roofs and rear windows.

The wheel steering and dashboard view of the 1956 Packard Predictor concept. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

Whereas in the interior, the Predictor offers all the technological comfort and luxury, by pinning the Packard's push-button Ultramatic transmission, then there's the button panel to open-close the roof, to adjusted and rotated as desired the seat with changeable materials (one side of the leather, while the other made from fabric).

1956 Packard Predictor concept is powered by a 352 cubic inch OHV V8 engine, which is capable of producing 260 hp of power and 380 lbs.ft of torque. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

Ghia completed the project in an amazing 90 days, just in time for the Predictor to debut at the 1956 Chicago Auto Show. As a result, a perfect and awesome concept car that appeared in a blend of typical styles of an American muscle with Italian elegance.

Although it looked very futuristic and invited the enthusiasm of many people at that time, Packard was unable to bring the Predictor concept into its production line, due to the financial problem befell the Studebaker-merged company a few months before the concept car completed.

Fortunately, the Packard Predictor prototype had been built in advance, so that the real shape can be seen today. Today, this concept car is still in good condition and You can see it on display at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana, United States. *** [EKA [10052020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DEZO'S GARAGE | CONCEPTCARZ ]

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Replica of 1946 Tucker Torpedo Prototype II

We are still talking about the past cars with unique shape and one of them is Tucker Torpedo, which is one of the great what-if stories of automotive history. Preston Tucker hoped to revolutionize the industry with a car unlike any other on the road at the time. However, due to various problems, he only managed to build 51 vehicles before closing the shop.

This replica car was built by Roy Tucker and taken of the 1971 Buick Riviera as the car basic. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2L6WSk2)

To get rid of any confusion here, this is not the real production Tucker 48 sedan that now sells for at least a million bucks. It’s a one-off-build after one of the sedan’s early concept sketches proposed by Alex Tremulis in December 1946, called the Tucker Torpedo Prototype II that inspired by an early concept drawing of the Tucker Torpedo by George Lawson.

An early version of the Tucker Torpedo designed by George Lawson, Preston's Chief Designer at the time before he replaced by Alex Tremulis. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35DnxOw)

This replica car was built by Roy Tucker (no relation to the original Preston Tucker) with taken of the 1971 Buick Riviera as the car basic which has been almost completely modified using parts from LaSalle, Pontiac, and many were made specifically to match the original design.

A Tucker Torpedo design proposal by Alex Tremulis. This design was based on George Lawson's design but incorporated some improvements. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2SDVeu4)

This replica car tried to reproduce the previous prototype from 1946 which actually featured a strange nose and adopted a trident shape that was at a glance similar to the Studebaker's nose, flanked by a fender that spins independently with the wheel, each also carrying a headlight.

Headlamp on the nose only works for a high beam. In addition to this, you will see a specially made rear end, with elaborate side exhausts, fins, wheel covers, and additional ventilation. Then there is a small hinged part on the roof meant to open to avoid hitting your head when in or out.

A rear three-quarter view of another Alex Tremulis design study. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35DnxOw)

This replica car is not entirely similar to the original design there are still striking differences, such as the position of the car's driver. If the original concept made by Alex Tremulis (from a sketch drawing) shows the position of the driver in the middle, but in this replica, the position of the driver is the same as in a car which is generally located on the left.

Besides the car's replica looks to appear with a more dominant boxy design (perhaps due to built on the basis of the 1970s car), while the original concept with a more rounded shape in accordance with the 1940s design trends and had no middle-fin. Well, this isn't the perfect match, but it's definitely one of the weirdest and coolest vehicles a collector can have.

Rear three-quarter of the replica of 1946 Tucker Torpedo Prototype II. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fqv7k8)

Having completed an exterior tour of the Torpedo, inside you’ll find a full vinyl upholstery, classic three-spoked steering wheel, front seats that swivel sideways for easier access, roof sides that open up for the same reason as well as a built-in radar detection system, which might need an update to work with today’s technology.

The car is fitted with a 455 cubic inch (7.5 liters) Buick V8 gasoline engine mated to an automatic transmission, said to work like a charm most of the time. However, the owner says a tune-up would be useful along with a higher capacity alternator. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | VINTAGE NEWS | GMAUTHORITY | KUSTOMRAMA | AUTO YAHOO ]

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Thom Taylor's Frankenstude

The car owner always wants to change the appearance of their car that is no longer attractive, out of date, and so on. Usually, they collaborate with the builders to realize these desires. This also happened to an old Studebaker owned by Thom Taylor.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude's body constructed by Greg Fleury. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Szg2mu)

He began to draw his first sketch in 1990 for heavily customized that will be done on his-owned Studbaker which is considered to be the most outrageous, and ridiculous car. The idea was originally inspired by the Larry Erickson designed CadZZilla, which was built by Boyd Coddington.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude was a 4-wheel drive car used the GMC AWD components in the front and early Corvette's parts in the back to make an independent suspension with disc brakes. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Szg2mu)

Thom Taylor took the design sketches of the car which was later given the name Frankenstude to Boyd Coddington, but he took a pass. Fortunately, he found Steve Anderson who was keen on having a radical car, slowly but surely the car project began to materialize.

The car body construction was carried out by rod constructor Greg Fleury who combined the body from the 1948 Starlight Studebaker, took the nose and hood from the 1951 model, used the front fender from the 1950 model while the rear fender was taken from the 1947 Studebakers.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude used the tuned Chevrolet L-98 350-cid V8 engine mated with he GM 700R4 automatic transmission system and installed it onto the custom tube frame. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Szg2mu)

Then for the car's power source used the tuned Chevrolet L-98 350-cid V8 engine that able to produce power up to 400 horsepower. Greg then combined the engine with the GM 700R4 automatic transmission system and installed it onto the custom tube frame.

The HOTROD magazine listed Thom Taylor's Frankenstude in its "Top 100 Hot Rods That Changed the World" list. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Szg2mu)

Thom's vision was to make Frankenstude as a 4-wheel drive car, so Greg used the GMC AWD components in the front and early Corvette's parts in the back to make an independent suspension with disc brakes.

Moving into its interior, the dashboard components are also built from scratch. And all interior works are also carried out by several specialists. Then its body was painted by the House of Kolor in Custom Purple color.

Thom Taylor's Frankenstude got 17-inch wheels and one of a kind steering wheel both custom made by Boyd Coddington. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2YvBqNe)

The car got 17-inch wheels and one of a kind steering wheel both custom made by Boyd Coddington. Uniquely, the car's doors are built to first move away and then turn vertically like in scissor-style ones.

Besides that, many parts were made from scratch to match the design that Thom had made. The process of working on the body of the car takes approximately 2 years while solving technical problems of approximately 5 years. Indeed, working on this project requires a lot of time.😑

When Frankenstude was shown in public for the first time, it immediately makes a hit. Even the famous magazine HOTROD listed this car in its "Top 100 Hot Rods That Changed the World" list. No wonder why. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AMCARGUIDE]

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The concept cars built based of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale chassis (Part-2)

We continue talking about beautiful concept cars built on the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale chassis. After previously discussed 3 concept cars made by Pininfarina.

1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale recognized as one of the world's most beautiful cars. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1aDPLe)

Then here is another concept car built on the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale chassis, which was carried out by other Italian coachbuilders such as Italdesign who produced a concept car called the Alfa Romeo Iguana and the other is Bertone with a car called Alfa Romeo Carabo in 1968, and 1976 Alfa Romeo Navajo. 

Here are the three concept cars:

1. Alfa Romeo Iguana 

The Iguana project would be Ital Design’s third creation and Alfa Romeo wanted the car to debut in late October 1969 at the Turin Salon and the car built based on the chassis number of 750.33.116, Giugiaro’s ‘Iguana’ appeared more practical and viable for production than those efforts by Bertone and Pininfarina.

1969 Alfa Romeo Italdesign Iguana Concept by Italdesign was debuted at the 1969 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3cWAVQB)

At its leading edge, the nose incorporated a full-width opening and traditional Alfa Romeo grille. The upper surface housed retractable headlights and a discretely integrated spoiler at the base of the windscreen. Large glass panels were used including for the roof and rear quarters. They lent an unusually airy feel to the cockpit.

1969 Alfa Romeo Iguana Concept's rear deck, tail fascia, and wings were all heavily vented to improve cooling. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VDzQHw)

Its second spoiler was located above the base of the rear window and formed part of an unconventionally high tail. The rear deck, tail fascia, and wings were all heavily vented to improve cooling.

2. Alfa Romeo Carabo
The 1968 Alfa Carabo concept marked a revolutionary stage in supercar design made by Stilo Bertone, with its hydropneumatic-powered scissors doors and multi-colored one-way glass windows.

1968 Alfa Romeo Bertone Carabo designed by Marcello Gandini and built on the 33 Stradale chassis by the Stilo Bertone. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rJbaoy)

The car was designed by Marcello Gandini, and the Carabo (which means 'beetle') was unveiled in October 1968, at Porte de Versailles in Paris. It was based on the chassis of the mid-engined V8 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale and mean as an experimental design aimed at solving aerodynamic issues while the car was driven at high speed.

1968 Alfa Romeo Bertone Carabo was unveiled in October 1968, at Porte de Versailles in Paris. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/15M30aC)

And its engine capable made 230 hp of power at 8,800 rpm, which made the car possible to achieve a top speed of 250 kph (155 mph).

3. Alfa Romeo Navajo
Besides the Carabo above, the same chassis was used to make a concept car that was named Alfa Romeo Navajo and also made by Stilo Bertone.

1976 Alfa Romeo Bertone Navajo designed by Nuccio Bertone and built on the 33 Stradale chassis by the Stilo Bertone. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bSGHmd)

The Navajo concept car is designed by Nuccio Bertone with a futuristic and fantastic exterior design touch, both in character and color inspired by the most popular fictional science-fiction series in the late 1970s titled 'Battlestar Galactica.'

1976 Alfa Romeo Bertone Navajo was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1976. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bSGHmd)

This concept car has a body that is entirely made of fiberglass. Armed with a 2.0-liter V8 engine, its power reaches 230 hp. This car was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1976.

And Alfa Romeo Navajo became the last concept of the series of concept cars based on the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale chassis, including Italdesign Iguana, Bertone Carabo, and a trio of Pininfarina concept cars. And like nearly all the 33 Stradale concepts, once its show career was over and retained by Alfa Romeo for their Museo Storico in Arese, Italy.*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | SUPERCAR NOSTALGIA | DRIVETRIBE]
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It's not a cartoonish-made vehicle

As we all know that the period after the end of the 2nd World War is described as a difficult time. Yes, in the first years after the war ended, the world economy was destroyed and stagnant. So, can be explained briefly, at that time people couldn’t afford to buy a car.

1947 Volugrafo 'Bimbo 46,' a small-sized car made by a Turin-based Officine Meccaniche Volugrafo. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VZO1pg)

This then triggered the birth of many brilliant out of the box ideas, for the sake of the creation of a four-wheeled vehicle that was affordable by the people at that time. And one of them is a four-wheeled vehicle made by an Italian company named Officine Meccaniche Volugrafo.

Donald Duck's character drives speed a red car in a scene of Walt Disney's cartoon series. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2W3QPBx)

Of course, the name of the Turin-based company is very closely related to the birth of the pioneer scooter design for Fiat, another Italian automotive company in 1938. Just for information, the Fiat prototype scooter was present (but never been massed-production) long before the Piaggio and Innocenti scooters made.

Front view of an Italian-made louse-likened cutie car called 1947 Volugrafo 'Bimbo 46'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VZO1pg)

Back to the louse-likened cutie car, it was called the Volugrafo "Bimbo 46". Even though it seems to have just jumped off the page of a comic book or cartoon movie, it was not drawn by cartoonists. It was one of the four-wheeled vehicles designed after World War II ended to meet the needs of the many people who yearned for movement but couldn’t afford much.

Interior view of an Italian-made louse-likened cutie car called 1947 Volugrafo 'Bimbo 46'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VZO1pg)

Seeing a photo of it, at first, you might think it is a scale model or toy. Or maybe you've ever watched the Walt Disney's Donald Duck cartoon series, wherein some scenes in the film, Donald Duck was seen riding an almost similar-shaped car while traveling around. But in fact, this is a real car and has nothing to do with the cartoon series.

Left side view of an Italian-made louse-likened cutie car called 1947 Volugrafo 'Bimbo 46'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VZO1pg)

The cutie car designed by Claudio Belmondo and made by Volugrafo in 1946. The cutie car equipped with a 125cc four-stroke engine has no doors and no reverse (if needed, you get out and maneuver the car). With a weight of around 125 kg, this car is relatively light for the size of a four-wheeled vehicle and can run up to a top speed of 60 kph.

An ad-brochure of 1947 Volugrafo 'Bimbo 46'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VZO1pg)

This cutie car has a length of only two meters, equipped with two seats, four pedals (brakes, accelerator, clutch, and kick-starter), stick shift at the driver’s left, one driving wheel, and chain drive. Instead of shock absorbers, it uses simple leaf springs to make bumpy rides feel a bit more comfortable.

And when you drive on it, then an unexpected and fun sight will be shown while rides along a country-side road. You might look like a movie star is on the action in a cartoon movie. 😄 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALIAN WAYS]
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The concept cars built based of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale chassis (Part-1)

Now we talking about beautiful cars made by Alfa Romeo which is also famous in the 1960s, namely Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, this car known as a road-legal version of the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 racing car. At that time, this car was also recognized as one of the world's most beautiful cars. This car model was built as many as 18 units from 1969 to 1971.

1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is one of the most sought classic cars in the world. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1aDPBy)

As we all knew, five units of 33 Stradales were made into concept cars by three Italian coachbuilders, such as Pininfarina which built 1968 Alfa Romeo P33, 1969 Alfa Romeo 33/2 Coupé Speciale, and 1971 Alfa Romeo Cuneo (made in the same chassis as the Roadster P33).

Right side view of 1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1aDPLe)

As well as two other concepts built by Italdesign named Alfa Romeo Iguana and the other is Bertone with a car called Alfa Romeo Carabo in 1968, and 1976 Alfa Romeo Navajo.

And here are 3 concept cars made into concept cars by Pininfarina.

1. Alfa Romeo P33 Roadster

The first car produced was the Alfa-Romeo P33 Roadster which was built in 1968 and was first displayed at Turin Motorshow in November 1968. This concept car uses a V8 mid-mounted engine.

1968 Alfa Romeo Pininfarina P33 Roadster was debuted at the 1968 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Y9voSA)

The P33 Roadster featured a wedge-shaped design, a large overhead spoiler, or aerofoil positioned just behind the cockpit and "beetle-wing" doors, and the car was painted in white with the interior and aerofoil in brown.

2. Alfa Romeo 33/2 Coupé Speciale

The next car is the Alfa Romeo 33/2 Coupé Speciale or commonly known as 33.2. The car was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1969. One design that stands out is the pop-up lights and hydraulic butterfly doors. 

1969 Alfa Romeo Pininfarina 33/2 Coupé Speciale was debuted at the 1969 Paris Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2zz9nSR)

This 2-door beautiful coupé was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti and said that the design was influenced by the Ferrari 250 P5 concept shown a year earlier at Geneva. 

1969 Alfa Romeo Pininfarina 33/2 Coupé Speciale with its hydraulic butterfly doors opened. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2zz9nSR)

And the 33/2 Coupé Speciale is based on the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale chassis No. 750.33.115 and bore a striking yellow paint.

3.  Alfa Romeo Cuneo

It is thought P33 Roadster's body was later removed by Pininfarina and replaced with the 33 Spider Cuneo design that debuted in January 1971 at the Brussels Motor Show. The Alfa Romeo 33 Spider Cuneo was a Paulo Martin-designed concept used a fully functional 230 horsepower 2-liter V8 engine and weighs just 1,400 lbs. 

1971 Alfa Romeo Pininfarina 33 Spider Cuneo Concept was debuted at the 1971 Brussels Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2KDJ7ZO)

It was shaped like a racing powerboat and sported an aerofoil just behind the cockpit that also served as a roll bar and oil radiator. The headlights were grouped into a single cluster on the bonnet, with a similar cluster at the rear enclosing the tailpipes.
Despite the remarkable end result, the bodywork was dismantled shortly after the show over. (Jump to the next part.) *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | OLD CONCEPT CARS | DRIVETRIBE

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One of the most beautiful Ferrari species of the 1960s

Various forms of beautiful concept cars were born and had been made the world's automotive enthusiasts fascinated by its beauty to this day. Usually, it can be done if those automotive-creations as a collaboration result between automotive manufacturers and design houses. 

1968 Ferrari 250 P5 Berlinetta Speciale designed by Leonardo Fioravanti and debuted at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VEGEEz)

And one example is the beautiful sports car named Ferrari 250 P5 Berlinetta Speciale which appeared for the first time at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show and known built as a collaboration result between Ferrari and its compatriot coachbuilder, Pininfarina.

1968 Ferrari 250 P5 Berlinetta Speciale was constructed on a P4 chassis and used a mid-mounted 3-liter V12 engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bGFvCj)

The car concept was designed by a Pininfarina's 29 years old designer named Leonardo Fioravanti and has features many design elements that appeared on later Ferrari models. 

The 1968 Ferrari 250 P5 Berlinetta Speciale's interior was dominated in red and black colors. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kzw7Es)

No wonder, due to the concept was intended to study aerodynamics, form, and potential future designs. It was a love-or-hate design with some enjoying it while others having strong negative reactions.

1968 Ferrari 250 P5 Berlinetta Speciale also has a glass-covered its mid-engine and styling that was low and curvy. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2KC2q5B)

The car was constructed on the Ferrari 330 P4 chassis and used a mid-mounted 3-liter V12 engine. And uniquely, the P5 featured the gull-wing doors which are something unusual for a Ferrari to this day.

1968 Ferrari 250 P5 Berlinetta featured the gull-wing doors which are something unusual for a Ferrari until now. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bGFvCj)

And the car also has a glass-covered its mid-engine and styling that was low and curvy. Most Ferraris nowadays have a pane of glass over its engine but back in 1968, it was seen as revolutionary.

The concept then inspired the Pininfarina to build another prototype with an almost similar shape called the Alfa Romeo 33/2 Coupé Speciale and debuted a year later in Paris. And it's proven, the collaboration between the two companies remains lasting until now. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOP SPEED | CONCEPTCARZ | CLASSIC CARS FANDOM | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA ]

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