The tale about the Round Doors Roll

Legendary ONES It becomes something interesting to discuss, when there is a classic car that is touted as one of the legendary models made by the famous brand of Roll-Royce. As we know that in addition to producing super luxury vehicles, Roll-Royce is also known as an aircraft engines manufacturer.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

By hearing the brand name, some of us will immediately imagine it is a luxury vehicle. It is undeniable that the British brand has been synonymous with luxury vehicles for a long time. Various models have been launched by the British brand and all of them are labeled luxury and are always side by side with kings, state leaders, nobles, and millionaires who are known and registered as the users.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

For your information, the brand has a special characteristic attached on every its car products, the bonnet ornament sculpture called the Spirit of Ecstasy. It is in the form of a woman leaning forwards with her arms outstretched behind and above her. Billowing cloth runs from her arms to her back, resembling wings.

One model that bears the title of the most beautiful Rolls-Royce car ever graced our eyeballs is the 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll Actually, this is not the original car made by the British automotive manufacturer, but has undergone a bodywork overhaul carried out by Jonckheere Carrossiers,  a coachbuilder company of Belgium (the company still exists today as VDL Jonckheere).

In our opinion, the 1925 Jonckheere coupe could be compared to the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic which also looks like carries a similar design because it originates from the era of 1920s and 1930s as well.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

Indeed, custom coachbuilding in the 1920s and 1930s has become a self-expression form for the rich and famous make their owned vehicles looks unique and special. Well, in the hands of the Belgium coachbuilder, the 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I standard model experienced a drastic bodywork change into what is arguably the most ominous Rolls-Royce coachwork ever created.

The 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll uses the typical Phantom I straight 6 restored engine (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2O7tT4i)

As qouted of thetruthaboutthecars.com, initially this car started its life as 1925 Phantom I model with the stately Hooper cabriolet body, but was never delivered to its original Detroit purchaser for unknown reasons. Instead, it was later sold as a new car to Raja of Nanpara in northern India. After that, the Phantom I passed through several more owners before making its way to Belgium in 1932. Two years later the car found itself at the Jonckheere Carrossiers workshop undergoing an extensive makeover.

 

As quoted from heacockclassic.com, the fashionable aerodynamic fastback body fitted on the Phantom I today is undoubtedly inspired by the luxury French chassis and coachwork from designers such as Jacques Saoutchik, Joseph Figoni, and the house of Letourneur et Marchand. Some of the elements attached to this exotic coupe suggest that the Jonckheere Carrossiers have done something different in modifying a  Roll-Royce car and not many other designers or coachbuilders of the day had done.

Look how beautiful chrome and woodwork proudly displayed on the dashboard inside the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2O7tT4i)

At the time, there's very few designers considered (even dared) to modify the traditional Roll-Royce vertical grille, but look at what the Jonckheere did by a more streamlined profile for the new Phantom's body, coupled with a pair of bullet-shaped headlamps, flowing fenders and a long vertical tail fin under the boot lid finish off the sleek contours. That's an exotic touch and significantly made it appeared very different from the original Roll-Royce Phantom I model.

While others are still experimenting with oval doors, Jonckheere has boldly applied the unique, large round doors which operate flawlessly as the passenger access into one of the rows of seats. However, this round shape present an issue for operating windows. The solution was to fabricate a two piece window that simultaneously split like scissors down into the door.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

This car is nearly 20 feet long, so it can be called the largest 2-door coupe ever existed. Too bad a few years later the Jonckheere's workshop caught fire leaving all work records destroyed, so it remains unknown who commissioned or designed this one-of-a-kind automotive masterpiece.😭

Although this car is not a favored design by most die-hard Rolls-Royce enthusiasts, but throughout the existence of this car in the world, countless achievements have been made by it in winning over the Concours d’Elegance judge’s hearts.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

Before the 2nd World War, the car landed in the United States after passed through several other owners. Reportedly, it was fell into disrepair due to negligence of the owner, but fortunately it was found again in the 1950s but in near derelict condition. This car was later acquired by Max Obie, an East Coast entrepreneur and early classic enthusiast. 

The car is refurbished by him and painted it gold with several pounds of actual gold flake added to the paint for maximum visual impact. After that the Round Doors Roll lived its life as a show car spiced with fake rumours, which was said once owned by King Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor. Max Obie's trick seems to have succeeded in attracting the press interest to expose the car and make it a money-making machine for him through much like a freak show.😒

After that the car went through several owner changes, culminating in the early 1990s, when a Japanese collector bought it at an auction for around $1.5 million. In the 2001, the Petersen Automotive Museum bought it for an unknown price in 2001.

For those of you who are still curious whether the Round Doors Roll is really a real car, You should come to see it on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE TRUTH ABOUT CARS | LEITHCARS | HEACOCKCLASSIC ]

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De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby MkV Prototype

ONE-OFF In the 1960s there were two big names in the automotive world, Alejandro De Tomaso and Caroll Shelby who were known to have worked together. Both of them have similar backgrounds were former racing drivers turned automakers with almost the same philosophy of making European light cars with excellent handling and adding a hefty American V8 drivetrain.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype was the only one ever made. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

De Tomaso and Shelby worked together in at least two car projects which was later transformed into the De Tomaso Sports 5000 and De Tomaso P70 prototypes. However, after the failure of the P70 project, the two later separated, as it is known that Shelby managed the Ford GT40 Le Mans program and De Tomaso developed his own car which later known as the Mangusta.

The "Shelby MkV" badging on the grille and unusual paint scheme are indicators that this is no ordinary Mangusta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

As quoted of Carscoops, the original Mangusta car design was done by Giorgetto Giugiaro when he was still working at Carrozzeria Ghia and was originally intended to be a model for the new Iso Rivolta car. For some reason, Iso's boss at the time Renzo Rivolta rejected the design and then Alejandro De Tomaso immediately bought the design for his own use. He later named it as the 'Mangusta,' an Italian word for 'mongoose.'

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype is finished in bright red with white racing stripes, a rear spoiler, side scoops and "Shelby MK V" badging. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

The mongoose is the only animal that hunts, kills and eats cobras. It is not known whether the car naming has anything to do with Caroll Shelby, who at that time appeared with a car brand called Shelby Cobra. Or maybe with the Manguta name, De Tomaso wants to show the competition between himself and Shelby.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype was a well-equipped vehicle with air conditioning and power windows, leather seats, and ample instrumentation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

Uniquely, in the De Tomaso Mangusta car development, it again involved the Caroll Shelby name when the car was sent to the United States for evaluation by Ford, one of the American car manufacturers. At that time, the car, which was named De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V, was painted, given the distinctive Shelby badge and was predicted to be the successor of the famous Ford GT40 Mark IV. However, after being examined by the Ford executives and was decided to reject the car design.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype cabin features a black leather interior with a gated shifter for rowing gears, controls for the power window lifts and air conditioning. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

The De Tomaso Mangusta made its first public appearance at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, shortly after the car returned from America. It is believed that only one De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby MkV was ever built, then the De Tomaso Mangusta production version was made as much as 401 units between 1967 and 1971. The car sits on a steel backbone chassis with a load-bearing and uses a rear-mid mounted Ford V8 engine.

The De Tomaso P70 steel backbone chassis, a modified version was used on the Mangusta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

For the engine, it is known that there are 2 types of V8 engines used in the De Tomaso Mangusta cars, namely the 208 cu.in. engine which was originally used on models produced for the European market, while for the American model used the 302 cu.in. But in later production cycles the entire car was fitted with a 302 cu.in engine. In addition, the car is also equipped with the independent front-rear suspensions, disc brakes on all four corners, rack and pinion steering, and a five-speed ZF transaxle to send the engine power to the rear wheels.

Beneath the rear gullwing hatches resides a Boss 302 Ford engine, professed to be built by Shelby American, and is fitted with finned "DeTomaso" valve covers and a current jackshaft to operate the alternator and standard air conditioning compressor. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

The car's interior is described as comfortable for people under 6 feet tall and a little tight for those above it. It was a well-equipped vehicle with air conditioning and power windows, leather seats, and ample instrumentation. As well as the stunning good looks of the Mangusta, perhaps the most famous of which is the gullwing bay rear door which both opens to offer excellent engine access on both sides.

The Mangusta has unusual engine bay lids that can both open fully to give excellent access. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

And it given a distinctive livery of red with white racing stripes and carrying the Shelby MkV bathing front and rear, indicates that the car is a unique piece of automotive history that many don’t know about. If you are a true automotive enthusiast and dreaming of a truly valuable car, then this one is the right choice.

Especially considering the high prices of the original Ford GT40 and Shelby Cobras. Now you have the opportunity to own it or even just to see it at the Mecum Auction list. And reportedly the De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby MkV prototype car will be sold at auction with prices ranging from the US. $ 300,000 to $ 350,000. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | SILODROME | MECUM AUCTION ]

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Here's the two-wheeled artwork of PapnMam Modified

ONE-OFF The presence of various forms of artwork is like a magnet that can always attract enthusiasts to enjoy it. And works of art don't have to be present in general forms such as paintings, sculptures or others. Yes, works of art could also be realized in the form of motorized vehicles. This is like what was shown by a Semarang-based modification workshop called PapnMam Modified at the Kustomfest 2020 annual event which was held in December 2020 in then.

The Honda GL-400 Custom is built by the Semarang-based workshop called PapnMom Modified while on display at the Jogja National Museum in the Kustomfest 2020 annual event. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

It's gorgeous, that is an expression that came out when watching this neat Honda GL-400 Custom motorcycle made by the Semarang-based modification workshop on display at the Kustomfest 2020 event at the Jogja National Museum. How's look? You could be seen a custom motorcycle figure comes with a minimalist design blend in a futuristic concept, making it appear like a modern contemporary work of art.

The Honda GL-400 Custom is built by the Semarang-based workshop called PapnMom Modified and from the Honda GL400 only the engine is taken, the rest is made by hand. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

As quoted from Otomotifnet, the only-one custom motorbike was built by the Semarang-based modification workshop for more than 1 year (1 year 2 months to be exact) since 2019, with the initial concept of a café racer, and over time many changes have occurred up to its final result carries a futuristic concept as seen today.

The Honda GL-400 Custom body and chassis made by hand and using the origami technique. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

The motorbike modification project began when the motorbike owner intends to build his Honda CB-400, then changed his mind after getting a hunk of the Honda GL-400's longitudinal configuration V-Twin engine unit. And Hendra Cahyono as the bike builder of PapnMam Modified gave a lot of design input to Noval Mustapha, the motorbike owner while working on the modification project.

The PapnMam Modified's Honda GL-400 Custom fuel tank uses a separate, futuristic chassis model. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

As for your information, the Honda GL-400 is a 400cc variant of the Honda GL-500 Silver Wing, a touring motorcycle that uses an innovative Honda CX500 engine with uncommon based technology and was rarely used in its time. Apart from adopting a longitudinal V-Twin engine, it is also equipped with liquid cooling, electric starter, shaft drive, modular rims and two CV-type carburetors which are set to reduce emissions.

The cafe racer concept clamp handlebar is the main controller of the PapnMam Modified's Honda GL-400 Custom. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

Then the machine is placed on a frame and chassis made with the 'origami' technique. The technique applied on the bike is not 'origami' in real mean (Japanese's paper folding art), instead by manually assembling the chassis made of metal plates one by one, which previously had made the patterns on the yellow cardboard on the scale of 1 : 1.

The Honda GL-400 Custom is installed with a Keihin Carburetor which is added with a custom square velocity stack. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

And according to the builder, the method will simplify the process to apply onto the real chassis. Only by transferring the cardboard motif to the metal plate then assembling it into one complete chassis. Then by using the same method also applied by the motorbike builder on the body making process. The work ranging from the fender, fuel tank to the radiator cover. The thin and hollow frame in the center creates a dynamic and artistic impression. Then followed by a stern that seemed to be seen only as a thin sheet.

Inside the Honda GL-400 Custom exhausts is embedded a handmade valvetronic system to help reduce sound. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

And the one off modified GL-400 bike is also equipped with axle drive as standard, that's seems to have its own difficulties while in the installing process. The distance between the engine holder and the arm must be made precisely, for the reason then the builder should be redesigned the default swing arm, and must not be made too long or short in order to be installed optimally.

The Honda GL-400 Custom has a plaque with the serial number 001/001 which indicates the motorcycle is only one in the world. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

The next difficulty occurred when the rear drum was made, because the original motorcycle used tires with a maximum size of 120 inches, while the modified motorcycle used 160-inch tires so that it was not possible to shift the axle. And the solution taken by the motorcycle maker is to shift the engine position about 1cm to the right. Besides the body, there many parts on the modified motorbike are no less eccentric, such the front and rear drum are made of T6 dural aluminum material which is combined with aftermarket rim spokes and wrapped by a pair of the slick tires of Dunlop.

The Honda GL-400 Custom used the redesigned swing arm and shifted the engine position 1 cm to the right so that Dunlop 160" slick tire can be installed at rear. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

The engine was left relatively standard, because according to the manufacturer when it was first received it was fully rebuilt and he only made a new pair of the chrome layered exhausts. To reduce the exhaust sound then the builder added an electronic valve or valvetronic. The exhaust's valvetronic system was made by himself with a servo that uses a car's power window dynamo whose its cover is made of metal so that it is heat resistant.

The Honda GL-400 Custom is built by the Semarang-based workshop called PapnMom Modified while on display at the Jogja National Museum in the Kustomfest 2020 annual event. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mnr5PM)

When the modified motorbike is half-made with the engine installed, the builder done a series of the tests is carried out for 3 weeks to 1 month. The goal is to make sure all components are safe and working perfectly. As the finishing, the builder does not give the color to the body, only whitewashed with clear coat. As if proudly showing the metal lines on the body. As the result, the one off modified GL-400 motorcycle has became a star in the Kustomfest 2020 event and lots of compliments had been pointed to it during the show.

And maybe one day, this gorgeous motorcycle seen by the Petersen Automotive Museum to become one of the motorozed vehicle art works on display. In our opinion, this modified motorcycle has a high artistic taste that is reflected during the manufacturing process. And what do you think?

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 | PAPNMAM MODIFIED ] 

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BMW R18 'Spirit of Passion' by Kingston Custom

Recently BMW Motorrad teamed up with one of the famous German motorcycle modificators, Dirk Oehlerking in one modification project over the BMW R18 known as most expensive BMW's motorcruiser into a work of art. As it is known that Dirk Oehlerking is a famous motorcycle modifier from the Kingston Custom modification house.

BMW R18 'Spirit of Passion' by Dirk Oehlerking of Kingston Custom. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3iOk9He)

The Dirk Oehlerking's style of modification is unique and most of the motorbikes he modifies look like works of art instead of motorbikes. This can also be seen in one of his works made on the BMW R18, a premium motorcycle is sold all over the world with a pretty fantastic price tag, starting from the US. $ 17,495 (or approximately Rp. 969 million).

BMW R18 'Spirit of Passion' by Dirk Oehlerking of Kingston Custom. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3a8C9s8)

Indeed, the German motorcycle manufacturer deliberately asked Dirk Oehlerking to modify the most expensive cruiser motorcycle their made. As they also have asked to several other famous modifiers such as Roland Sands and Bernhard Naumann to do the same modification project over the BMW R18 motorcycle last year.

BMW R18 'Spirit of Passion' by Dirk Oehlerking of Kingston Custom. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3a8C9s8)

"When I accepted this challenge, I didn't make many modifications because the bike was already very beautiful and perfect," said Dirk Oehlerking. Indeed, he did not made much changes over the BMW R18 motorcycle. Especially in the chassis and body of the motorcycle. However, the most controversial is the Kingston Custom typical additional large-sized fairing.

BMW R18 'Spirit of Passion' by Dirk Oehlerking of Kingston Custom. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3iOk9He)

The Kingston Custom typical fairing appearance is indeed close related with the art deco style. In order to give the BMW typical touches, Dirk Oehlerking installed the BMW typical kidney grille on the large-sized fairing in the front. An the end, the color choice of black makes a perfect blend between the shape of the motorcycle and the new fairing.

2020 RSD X BMW R18 Dragster by Rolland Sands Design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3ojFWrp)

Another part that changed was the muffler. In this BMW R18 motorcycle modification project, Dirk Oehlerking uses his signature muffler to keep it in sync with the new big-sized fairing. In terms of design, the BMW R18, entitled 'Spirit of Passion' by Dirk Oehlerking is not too drastic compared to the modifications made by Roland Sands and Bernhard Naumann.

2020 Blenchmann BMW R18 by Bernhard Naumann. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3iOk9He)

As we all know, that the French-famous motorcycle builder and modificator, Roland Sands notably transformed the bike into a special dragster bike called  RSD X BMW R18 Dragster while the Austrian modificator Bernhard Naumann made The Blechmann R 18. Well, from the appearance alone, the style differences between the three BMW R18 motorbikes already can be seen clearly. So what could you be said about the three creation motorbikes of them?

But it could be said that Dirk Oehlerking's distinctive touch was what succeeded in making people curious about this motorcycle. "BMW Motorrad's trust in me is the best thing I have ever felt until today," said Dirk Oehlerking at one of his statements.

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 | KINGSTON CUSTOM | AUTOBLOG | BMWBLOG | ROLLANDSANDS ]

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The lost French's Stella scooter

It's GONE So far, automotive products have come and gone. Over time, if automotive products from the past can survive the journey through time, then make it something that is considered classic and has high economic value. 

However, there are also many automotive products that are only seen for a moment or cannot last after that, as if they just disappear. They then invite curiosity and curiosity from us or maybe other automotive enthusiasts.

The Stella scooter presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1951, and marked the brand's entry into the motorized world. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iypUZL)

Like the classic scooter figure that had aroused our curiosity. Does anyone know? What is this gorgeous scooter name? Some called it Stella, and said it was made in 1951 by French company. (In our sight) at first glance it is similar to the Aldimi scooter brand of Belgium.

Then we tried to find information about this unique scooter among scooter lovers on Facebook. And based on the information we received from Jean-do DuCreusot Et Jacotte, a member of the Scooters of Germany Group on Facebook, which stated as follow, 'A French prototype called STELLA , shown by STELLA, a bicycle-moped builder located in Nantes (west coast). Few informations of the Salon de Paris 1951, tells us that it must (should) be based on a German Till Riedel scooter, 150 cc twin Riedel engine, with French homemade elegant body.... just this prototype appears in the French scooter story....'

The Stella scooter is built based on the German's Riedel Till scooter. The Till scooter while on role in the 1950 German's movie titled "Schwarzwald mädel" (The Bride of the Black Forest). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3o8uq20)

It didn't stop there, we later also managed to find information related to the scooter mentioned above on a site in French named the Moto-Collection.org. As they wrote, that's the Stella scooter shown off at the Paris Motor Show (Salon de Paris) in October 1951. It was a French company scooter creation built based on the German's Riedel Till scooter.

The only one scooter under the Stella-brand built by the Nantes-based company with the same name that famous for its bikes, as the French company attempted to enter the world of scooter. On the event, as we could be seen the Stella scooter shown off in front of the French's rooster symbol and the range of the brand's bikes.

The rear of the Stella scooter is adorned with a superb double tail, inspired by the American Cadillac cars. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iypUZL)

It is assumed that all of its single-arm front and rear suspension chassis are taken directly from the Till and it comes with the choice of the Riedel 125 single or 150 twin engine. It could be said that's a fine exercise in style and an engine full of promise, with its elegant Cadillac-style double-tailed. But, the French scooter has no luck, it only live for the duration of the show. Since then no one know its existences. What a pity! 😞

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to the French's Stella unique-shaped scooter, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article. Wanna see another unique French scooter called Proto Delaplace.

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 | MOTOCOLLECTION.ORG | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | SCOOTERS OF GERMANY GROUP ]
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The lost Czechoslovakia' classic Ferrari-like sports car

It's GONE After the end of the 2nd World War, it didn't immediately end all conflicts between existing countries. Its condition slowly and surely then ushered into the Cold War era. Well, at that time what happened was not a war in the real sense but an ideological competition between the United States and the Soviet Union in fighting for the influence of countries in Europe, resulting in two major groups of supporting countries, namely the Western bloc and the Eastern bloc.

The Tatra JK 2500 in original condition as a two-seater coupe designed and built by Július Kubinský in between 1951 to 1955. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

Not only that, the Cold War era which began since the 1950s also affected all countries in the world, especially in Europe. At that time, the Eastern bloc countries had governments affiliated with communism because they were strongly influenced by the Soviet Union. This in turn caused all aspects of life in these countries to be tightly controlled by the communist government, including the machinery and motor vehicle manufacturing sectors.

It is not surprising that the Czechoslovakia's communist government (a country located in eastern Europe which is included in the Eastern bloc) considers everything of the Western bloc's neighboring countries including sports cars or grand tourers is something prohibited because it is incompatible with the communist government. Not only that, many domestic similar motorized vehicles developments have always failed and abondoned due to state intervention.

The Tatra JK 2500 chassis with front axle taken from the German's KdF Type 82 "Kubelwagen" military vehicle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

You can be seen on the 1969 Škoda 110 Super Sport or even older one such the Škoda 1100 OHC of the 1950s, all of them are those country's beautiful concept car examples wasn't ever produced because didn't have permission from the communist government. The same thing happened to a beautiful concept car called the Tatra JK 2500 which is designed and made by Július Kubinský, an automotive designer who worked at the Karosa bus factory in Brno in the first half of the 1950s.

At first, the Tatra JK 2500 uses a six-cylinder DOHC Alfa Romeo sat behind the oil and water coolers. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

The Tatra JK 2500 designer is known to have years of experience working on other cars, including those built on the basis of the KdF Type 82 "Kubelwagen" military vehicle which was widely used in the country after Nazy lost in the 2nd World War, and he has also designed and built the Mono JKs racing cars with Alfa Romeo and BMW engines for a few the country's bonafide Grand Prix racer in Brno shortly after the 2nd World War ended.

The Tatra JK 2500's rear axle of the De Dion type with torsion bars to ensure the the car's two rear wheels have the same deflection at all times. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

And for Július Kubinský, the Tatra JK 2500 concept car was the ninth car of he had ever built. He began to outline plans for a steel tube frame chassis based around the Tatra T603A V8 engine in 1951. The chassis construction and entire parts of the car was done by hand by Kubinský in his spare time. In order to speed up the development process of the car, he took directly many parts from the German KdF Type 82 military vehicle such as the front torsion beam axle and the steering linkage.

The Tatra JK 2500's body frame was made of wood and steel tubes and done by the local coachbuilder Jan Heger. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

At the rear, there is a De Dion axle, which has a differential that is firmly attached to the chassis of the car, with two swing axes called the De Dion tube. In short, this is meant to ensure the the car's two rear wheels have the same deflection at all times, somekind of independent suspension in today vehicles. If one wheel experiences unevenness, the other wheel will also tilt, but remain in contact with the asphalt. And if both wheels experience unevenness at the same time, for example the car passing through the bumpy road, it is this tube that ensures that they have the best contact with the road.

A typical feature of the original Tatra JK 2500 Coupe was the small rear window. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

Because at the beginning of its development, the JK 2500 was designed to carry a powerfull V8 engine under the hood. However, at that time the engine was very difficult to find, so for the time being, a 2.5-liter inline Alfa Romeo six-cylinder engine was installed, which could provide up to 90 horsepower combined with the Alfa Romeo's four-speed manual gearbox. 

Július Kubinský posed along with his supersport Tatra JK 2500 coupe in 1958 at Kopřivnice in 1958. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

And after trying hard, finally he found an air-cooled V8 engine with a capacity of 2.5 liters which was taken directly from the Tatra 603, then those engine installed under the hood of the JK 2500, but still using the Alfa Romeo's manual gearbox after some parts had to be modified and intermediate parts had to be made to fasten the Italian gearbox, but they fit in the end. Even large radiators can be thrown away because that the new engine is an air-cooled one and so a spare wheel can be placed there instead.

 

Besides that there's the hot air features which is needed especially in winter to heat up the car' cabin, is came out behind the windshield and supplied directly by the engine. However, the exhaust was considered insufficient, and then the chrome vents were placed behind the front wheels to help remove hot air from the engine. 

The Tatra JK 2500 supersport coupe uses an air-cooled V8 engine with a fan from Praga V3S. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

And due to the engine is the reason why this car was later named Tatra even though the car's actually did not come from those Czechoslovak car factory and was misunderstood sometimes. The car name then was followed by the initials of the maker, ie JK and the figure 2500 in turn refers to the car's engine capacity in cubic centimeters.

A spare wheel fit in front of the air-cooled eight-cylinder of the Tatra JK 2500 supersport coupe. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

Meanwhile there are two fuel tanks with a capacity of 30 liters each are mounted onto the chassis and placed behind each of the rear wheels. The car's rear overhang isn't exactly small, with the wheelbase of 2,300 mm and a length of 4,050 mm. In comparison, Favorites have a wheelbase of more than 2.4 meters. And what about its weight? The JK 2500 has an empty weighs of 1,160 kg and the weight distribution ratio is 51:49 on the front and rear axles.

By the completion of the lower part of the Tatra JK 2500 chassis, then the beautiful body of the car was done by Július Kubinský and assisted by local coachbuilder Jan Heger by creating the wooden superstructure on which the handcrafted body panels would be placed. As for the legs, initially using the 16-inches in diameter classic wire wheels and coupled with the drum brakes taken from the Lancia Aurelia B20.

The Tatra JK 2500 supersport coupe with a compact-sized V8 engine and the Tatra inscription in 1958. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

The works on the car construction was entirely completed in 1955, and it was appeared in the January 1956 issue of the World of Engines magazine and the article was entitled with the evocative title "We Also Do It". Unfortunately, its appearance on the magazine was not followed by a physical exhibition until two years later.

At the invitation of Tatra's management, Július Kubinský and his JK 2500 car were came and visited the company's headquarters in Kopřivnice in 1958. The public response was very positive, prompting Tatra officials to propose an initial production of 5 samples. In short, the car was in Kopřivnice for two weeks for a performance upgrading process, and as result, the JK 2500 engine was able to spew a full 140 horsepower, like the Tatra 603 on which also uses the same engine under the hood.

Tatra JK 2500 after used the upgraded eight-cylinder by Tatra, new fifteen-inch alloy wheels were installed and the air vents were added to the front fenders in 1958. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39ukpHf)

At that time, new fifteen-inch alloy wheels were installed in the car, with a row of holes that functioned to channel cooling air to the drum brakes while driving. The new wheels have a smaller diameter than the original, but are said to be more effective. And in the road tests done by the Tatra's test drivers, this car was able to pace to a top speed of 200 kph, likely making it the fastest car in the country in the time.

Despite the positive test results, the car production never been done. Allegedly, internal pressure within Tatra and the heavy hands of the communist government were one of the main factors behind the Tatra JK 2500 project's abandonment, as a flashy sports car clashed heavily with the sober image they wanted to exude.

The Tatra JK 2500 supersport coupe with a V8 engine and was able to pace to a top speed of 200 kph, likely making it the fastest car in the country in the time. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3oKTRI9)

Disappointed, Július Kubinský back home to Brno and worked at the Karosa bus factory. He still owns and drives the Tatra JK 2500 Coupe for approximately 13 years under normal operation, and in 1971 Kubinský sold the car. After that the car immediately seemed to disappear and until today no one knows to whom he sold it.

Unfortunately, the Czechoslovakia best car has ever seen, and the result of 4 years of hard work seems to have dissipated into smoke and disappeared without a trace. Since its creator has long since passed away, one can only hope that the beautiful Tatra JK 2500 will soon be found hiding some where in a remote forgotten warehouse, and eagerly awaiting a careful restoration to its former glory.

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to the lost east bloc' classic Ferrari-like sports car called 1955 Tatra JK 2500, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOFORUM | AUTOMOBILEREVUE | DRIVETRIBE | WIKIPEDIA ]

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