ONE-OFF For those of you who have the opportunity to visit the automotive museum of the famous German car manufacturer Porsche in Stuttgart, you may have seen this unique sports car. There is only one that has ever been made by Porsche.
The 996-generation Porsche 911 is the only-one 911 model produced by Porsche with an original bullet-proof body. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
The car mentioned above is the Porsche 996 (the Porsche's internal designation for its 911 model produced from 1997 to 2006 ). It might be this is one of the least interested Porsche products. Maybe because the appearance of the "eye egg" headlights that look strange, had a kind of reliability problems, or because of the application of a different type of water cooled engine from its predecessor.
The 996-generation Porsche 911is capable of withstanding the burst of the NATO's 9 mm caliber bullets
from pistols and SMGs and bullets from 44 Magnum revolvers. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
But whatever the reason, the 996-generation Porsche 911 is ready to surprise everyone. Today, one-of-the-kind-car has become one of the rare collections of the Porsche Museum, because the 996-generation Porsche 911 is the only Porsche 911 produced by Porsche with an original bullet-proof body, which is not the result of third-party modifications.
The 996-generation Porsche 911 ia installed a layer of 20mm thick bullet-proof glass materials named Dyneema. (Picture from: Total 911)
The bullet-proof bodied Porsche 911 started as a special project to fulfill a customer's special order for the Stuttgart-based automaker to build the bullet-proof bodied Porsche 911 in the mid-1990s. Answering the request, then Porsche built the mentioned car in question by using an early version of the Porsche 996 Carrera in Dragonfly Turquoise Metallic color which was taken directly from the production line as a donor car.
This is because as a composite material, Dyneema is able to absorb
bullet energy of 15 times stronger than bullet-proof steel of the same
weight. (Picture from: CarBuzz)
Then, the Porsche's engineering team installed a layer of 20mm thick bullet-proof materials that was made specifically for the 996-generation Porsche 911. The German automaker chose the Dyneema as a bullet-proof coating. This is because as a composite material, Dyneema is able to absorb bullet energy of 15 times stronger than bullet-proof steel of the same weight.
The 996-generation Porsche 911 is powered by a 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine capable of pumping power up to 296 hp and 350 Nm of torque. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
Uniquely, the interior of this car is then made exactly the same as the standard production car except the sunroof is removed. As a result, a package of cabin options remains available such as a high-end audio system, electric heated seats and cruise control. The exterior appearance of the bullet-resistant Porsche 911 996 Carrera also looks the same as the standard version of the normal Porsche 911 996 Carrera. So it's almost hard to differ if the body panels are bullet-proof panels.
The 996-generation Porsche 911 bulletproof model look the same as the standard version of the normal Porsche 911 996 Carrera. (Picture from: Total 911)
From the results of tests carried out by Porsche, it has been proven that the 996-generation Porsche 911 is capable of withstanding the burst of the NATO's 9 mm caliber bullets from pistols and SMGs and bullets from 44 Magnum revolvers. As a consequence of using decay-resistant body panels, the car becomes heavier. Well, when compared to the normal 996 Carrera which weighs around 1,317 kg, this bullet-resistant version weighs 2,722 kg.
Meanwhile for the drivetrain, the bullet-proof bodied Porsche 911 still uses its original engine, ie a 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine capable of pumping power up to 296 hp and 350 Nm of torque. Unfortunately, this particular project had to end with only one car ever being made as there was no longer any demand from the consumers. This may be due to the high cost of production.😥 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | THE DRIVE | AUTOEVOLUTION | TOTAL 911 | CARBUZZ ]
ONE-OFF When we talk about the 2000s iconic SUV, nothing is more phenomenal than the Hummer H1 and H2 SUT (the civilian version of the Humvee). The story of the Hummer begins with the figure of an American military tactical vehicle called the HMMWV (High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle) or Humvee which made history when it acted in the conflict in Panama in 1989 and the Gulf War in 1991. The success of the Humvee then prompted the presence of its civilian version under the name Hummer which also succeeded in creating the perception of an ideal SUV.
Fiat Oltre is built in collaboration with Iveco, and inspired by the American Hummer SUV. (Picture from: Otomotif)
The Hummer's success story then inspired the Italian automaker giant Fiat to make a similar SUV. Whereas so far Fiat is better known as the compact car manufacturer, does not mean that they never made the 4x4 SUVs, even one of their production cars named Fiat Campagnola AR 76 is used by the Italian Army. In short, the Italian company managed to build a Hummer-like SUV concept called the Fiat Oltre and is debuted at the 2005 Bologna Motor Show.
Fiat Oltre is based on the Iveco LMV military vehicle platform (which is also the
collaboration result of Fiat and Iveco which is prepared for the FCLV
procurement for the British and Italian militaries). (Picture from: TopGear)
So how was the Oltre look like at the time? The Oltre's appearance really like a Hummer or some say it looks like a Lamborghini LM002. What do you think? The Fiat-made SUV concept appears as a large-sized off-road car that has special cruising capabilities. Although it is called a concept car, the Oltre is actually more worthy of being a "show car" because it is able to fascinate the world's automotive audiences through a tremendous cross-country capability.
Fiat Oltre concept appears as a large-sized off-road car that has special cruising capabilities. (Picture from: TopGear)
Seeing from its history, to build the Oltre, the Italian automotive manufacturer collaborated with another compatriot car manufacturer, Iveco. As it is known that Iveco is a specialist in producing large vehicles such as trucks and vans. The Oltre is based on the Iveco LMV military vehicle platform (which is also the collaboration result of Fiat and Iveco which is prepared for the FCLV procurement for the British and Italian militaries).
Fiat Oltre is powered by an Iveco's common rail 3.0 liter turbo diesel engine, which
is capable of spitting out power of up to 185 hp and torque of 456 Nm. (Picture from: TopGear)
It's no wonder that the technical aspects of the Fiat Oltre are very similar to the Iveco LMV ((Light Multirole Vehicle), such as its dimensions (4,870 mm long, 2,200 mm wide, 2,050 mm heigh, and 3,230 mm wheelbase), the cruising ability (incline gradient of 40%, climbing gradient of 80%, ground clearance of 500 mm, and fording depth of 850 mm).
Fiat Oltre's cabin can accommodate 4-5 passengers, in which are also featured with
several comfort features such as the sports seats and multimedia
devices. (Picture from: TopGear)
Furthermore, the Fiat Oltre is powered by an Iveco's common rail 3.0 liter turbo diesel engine, which is capable of spitting out power of up to 185 hp and torque of 456 Nm and is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission system, so it capable to make car run up to a top speed of 130 kph. Similar to the Hummer, the Fiat Oltre is also equipped with a permanent 4WD system and independent suspension with adjustable height features plus a locking differential to maximize its off-road cruising capability.
Fiat Oltre is also equipped with a permanent 4WD system and independent suspension
with adjustable height features plus a locking differential to maximize
its off-road cruising capability. (Picture from: TopGear)
Meanwhile, the Oltre's cabin can accommodate 4-5 passengers, in which are also featured with several comfort features such as the sports seats and multimedia devices. Unfortunately, Fiat canceled the Oltre mass production. According to the Top Gear, the fact is that the market for cars like the Hummer or vehicles for military purposes is very small. So it is not profitable for Fiat to mass produce Oltre, because the production cost is too large which is not proportional to the small market share. As a result, the Fiat Oltre can now only be history for Fiat.
It's just that the opportunity to the Fiat Oltre revival is wide open. The reason is, Fiat is one of the automotive subsidiaries under the FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) flag, so does the legendary American SUV manufacturer, Jeep. So that it is possible to share technology in between the two companies that makes the Italian company more sophisticated in making SUVs. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOPGEAR ]
Modern CREATIONs What is this? We were blown away when we've first saw this car on a Youtube video (on 11:12 to 12:20). This super car figure may look unusual for the current era. How not the shape that actually reminds us of the 1960s classic racing cars, but in reality the car was built in today's modern era. Then with full curiosity we started to find out the information about the super car on the internet.
The Fi GTP-13 Supersports car is built in house more than 8,000 hours of work by Rudolf and Alexander Fillafer in Winklern, Austria. (Picture from: GTP13)
It turns out that the unique car mentioned above is the Fi GTP-13, whose made by an Austrian father and son named Rudolf and Alexander Fillafer, although at first we thought it was made in America. Rudolf Fillafer is a teacher meanwhile his son, Alexander Fillafer is an aeronautical engineer.
The automaker estimates the value of this Fi GTP-13 Supersports car at around of one million euros. (Picture from: GTP13)
As quoted of GTP13, this unique-shaped car story began, when the father, Rudolf Fillafer was a teenager back in 1968 stumbled upon a tiny picture of a prototype race car in a motorsports magazine. It was the Ford P68 F3L, designed and built to race at the sportscar world championship at the time. To him, the appearance of the car in the picture was the essence of beauty, competitiveness and low-drag aerodynamics.
The exterior design of the GTP-13 is meant to recall the timeless beauty of it's historic precursor, the Ford P68 F3L. (Picture from: GTP13)
It is undeniable that in the 1960s, there many such race cars were found. They are the result of an extraordinary and beautiful engineering design of all time, made without the use of wind tunnels and computer-aided design. Today they are commonly called supersportscars. They will remain cherished and invaluable icons of history.
This is Rudolf Fillafer's dream car of 1968 Ford P68 F3L, then inspired the supersport car he built along with his son Alex and named the Fi GTP-13. (Picture from: Mad4Wheels)
The memory of the Ford P68 F3L came back to the fore, when Rudolf Fillafer visited the legendary Festival of Speed in Goodwood, England. As he stood in one of the grandstands, suddenly the Ford F3L passed by with it's roaring DFV Cosworth engine. He describes the event as the same enchanting sight he has cherished in his memory for 33 years.
Rudolf Fillafier behind the wheel of the Fi GTP-13 along with his son Alexander Fillafier while on the test track back in the 2016. (Picture from: Kaernten.orf.at)
There she was a race car with its quirky radiator scoop, gull-wing doors, low profile (ducked into the airflow) and surrounded by the roaring of her eight-cylinder engine. Actually he really wants to have it. Due to the price is very expensive, he can only keep the desire to have the Ford's race car in the heart.
The Fi GTP-13's cockpit design, much effort was focused on reviving the timeless, elegant style of the 1960's supersportscars. (Picture from: GTP13)
Then he tries to find another ways to make his teenage dreams come true. In short, Rudolf and his son Alexander Fillafer decided to build by themselves a unique sports car inspired by the Ford P68 F3L. After wading through more than 8,000 hours of work in house they finally managed to make Rudolf's teenage dream come true, namely a unique sports car.
The Fi GTP-13 Supersports car is powered by a Ford Windsor's V8-SB Dart Aluminium block engine coupled with the Quaife ZFQ five speed (5+1R) gearbox. (Picture from: GTP13)
All of the building work for the GTP-13 was carried out in Winklern, Austria including manufacturing the car's parts ranging from the self-molded carbon fiber bodywork to the exhaust system, rims, aluminum chassis and even the smallest screws. While the V8 engine used to drive the car is taken from the Ford Windsor (a V8-SB Dart Aluminium block) could be spewed power of 600 hp. The engine's power is transmitted to the rear wheels by a Quaife ZFQ, which is a synchronized, handshifted five speed gearbox.
The Fi GTP-13 sealed cockpit bodywork is made of vacuum moded Kevlar-honeycomb
reinforced GFRP, Epoxy matrix and built on aluminium and steel sheet
metal based monocoque design chassis. (Picture from: GTP13)
At first glance, the GTP-13's exterior appearance reminds us of the figure of the 1968 Ford P68 F3L race car, of which there are only three left in the world. The streamlined silhouette of the American dream car sparked Rudolf Fillafer's passion for this sports car in his youth. Furthermore, he emphasized that's a brand new car, neither a replica.
In 2019 the GTP-13 was approved for road use by the Austrian government,
thus allowing you to drive it on the streets while in Europe (or at
least in Austria). (Picture from: GTP13)
The GTP-13 sealed cockpit bodywork is made of vacuum moded Kevlar-honeycomb reinforced GFRP, Epoxy matrix and built on aluminium and steel sheet metal based monocoque design chassis. The automaker says that the GTP-13 took about 7 more years from the idea to the first test drive. Well, in the fall of 2016, they only could be carried the GTP-13 to the test track for the first time.
In 2019 the GTP-13 was approved for road use by the Austrian government, thus allowing you to drive it on the streets while in Europe (or at least in Austria). The automaker estimates the value of this sports car at around of one million euros. It is not yet clear whether there will be another self-made product made in Carinthia.
The only question is whether there those of You who is willing to pay the price for this car. What is clear is that the automaker guarantees the availability of spare parts if anyone is interested in making them. If you wanna have this unique-shaped sports car, contact the automaker here. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GTP13 | KAERNTEN.ORF.AT | AUTOPUZZLES | GT40S ]
One, Two, & Three Well, let's go back to our discussion about sports cars from the 1970s which have looks that may be rarely known by automotive enthusiasts today. And what will be discussed this time is an one-off concept car is built on the chassis of a car made by the French manufacturer called Matra.
The Matra Laser concept car by Michelotti had some minor design changes and a less conspicuous silver paint scheme when shown at the Montreal Auto Salon 1972. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Matra? If there are some of today's automotive enthusiasts who have never known or even heard of the name of the French manufacturer, that's okay and no big deal due to the French brand has not existed in the global automotive market for a long time ago.
As quoted of Wikipedia, Matra (an acronym for Mécanique Aviation Traction) a French manufacturer (whose previously famous for its aeronautical and weaponary products) and then also known that later known to be involved in the automotive industry when the company for the first time is joined to race at the Formula 1 World Championship 1968 in one fully racing season.
When it was first debut at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, the Matra Laser concept car appeared in the yellow colored body scheme. (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)
The peak of its motorsport involvement came just a year later, when the magnificent Matra designed MS80 race car and is used under the livery of the Tyrrell-Ford racing team won the Constructors Championship at the Formula 1 World Championship 1969 with Jackie Stewart as the driver of those race car also brilliantly winning the trophy of the World's Champion's title.
Along with its efforts in the Formula 1 racing events, the company also started producing road legal sports cars by itself, following the acquisition of Automobiles René Bonnet. The company's first-developed car product in 1967 and named the Matra M530 (the car's name inspired by the company's R530 surface-to-air missiles). Then the look of this model received a subtle facelift in the 1970 from the famous Italian automotive designer, Giovanni Michelotti.
The Matra Laser concept car by Michelotti also provided spacious cabin for two occupants. (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)
At almost the same time, the collaboration between Matra and Italian designers was also carried out during the construction of a one-off concept car called the Matra Laser in 1971. Although often underestimated and overlooked among the more popular 1970s concept cars, it turns out that the French's one-off concept car still has a style that can hold people's attention almost 50 years after its debut.
Speaking of cars made by Matra, actually before the French manufacturer produced its first production model of M530 and the Laser concept car, it turn out back in the 1965, the company also had made a one-off sports car called Matra Djet by taking over the René Bonnet's car project
The Matra Laser concept car by Michelotti is sitting just 1080 mm tall, the Laser had chunky door sills designed not
only to increase structural rigidity, but also to channel cool air to its engine behind. (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)
At glance the 1970s typical wedge styled concept car has a similar appearance at rear to an iconic American car named DeLorean DMC-12 that was born a decade later. This concept car is built on the chassis of the Matra M530 mid-engine sports car, which in posture has a very low height of only 1,080 mm.
In order to support its bodywork strength and the cooling system to distribute its 1,700 cc V4 engine heat, this car also has a very wide side sill and is equipped with the gull-wing door styles like those of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL had.
The Matra Laser concept car by Michelotti is powered by the Ford's 1,700 cc V4 engine stowed away behind the passenger compartment. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
The Matra Laser concept car was appeared in yellow in its first debut to public at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show and continued was shown at the Montreal Auto Salon 1972 after had some minor design changes and a less conspicuous silver paint scheme. Then one-off concept car was inducted into an automotive museum collection before seemingly disappearing forever in 1999.
As qouted of the ClassicDriver, even Michelotti’s son Edgardo tried in vain to trace the car for 10 years, considering it to be such an integral part of his father’s legacy. The unique French-made gull-wing door type concept car was miraculously seen at the 2nd Tokyo Concours D'Elegance back in the 2009. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OLDCONCEPTCARS | WIKIPEDIA | CLASSICDRIVER ]
Modern CREATIONS Normally a classic vehicle in its original condition always had became a special attraction for automotive enthusiasts, but if a classic vehicle is then modified in such a way that it appears in modern styles, indeed made it become more interesting.
1971
De Tomaso Pantera modified into a more stylish and modern looks sports
car by The Ringbrothers and Nike back in the 2013 dubbed as the ADRNLN. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
Let's take a look at the ADRNLN, a modification result car worked by the Ringbrothers on the De Tomaso Pantera of 1971. As we could be seen beneath the unique, if divisive, exterior, is a Seventies muscle icon packing some serious punches to transform it into a modern styled supercar. How not, Jim and Mike Ring of The Ringbrothers have dedicated more than 5,000 hours in building the car, in collaboration with Nike who designed the interior.
1971
De Tomaso Pantera modified into a more stylish and modern looks sports
car by The Ringbrothers and Nike back in the 2013 dubbed as the ADRNLN. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
It's clear that The Ringbrothers rebuilt every panel on the 'ADRNLN', by refining and updating all the Pantera's rare classic elements. As a result, the car has a lower and wider stance than the standard Pantera, which is further enhanced with larger wheel arches as well, including the headlights have been integrated and modernized with assertive lines.
1971
De Tomaso Pantera modified into a more stylish and modern looks sports
car by The Ringbrothers and Nike back in the 2013 dubbed as the ADRNLN. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
Subtle design curves like small wheel flares and custom rocker panels with brake cooling ducts adorn the Pantera's steel monocoque body, which has been finished off in BASF's Glasurit 90-Line paint system, delivering the signature Ringbrothers look. Finally, the engine bay received some added accenting courtesy of products from Hose Candy.
1971
De Tomaso Pantera modified into a more stylish and modern looks sports
car by The Ringbrothers and Nike back in the 2013 dubbed as the ADRNLN. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
Meanwhile, the original Pantera's 351 hp engine has also been replaced with The GM's 600 hp LS3 eight-cylinder engine coupled with Holley's electronic fuel injection system. The power of engine is channeled through a five-speed ZF transmission, while the double-stainless steel exhaust is done by the Flowmaster. For the legs by the modifier then pinned the HRE 'S101' three-piece forged wheels wrapped with the Nitto Invo's tires with stopping power produced by the Baer six-piston calipers at each corner.
1971
De Tomaso Pantera modified into a more stylish and modern looks sports
car by The Ringbrothers and Nike back in the 2013 dubbed as the ADRNLN. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
The interior designed by the innovation skunk works at Nike, in which they give a touch of two-tone colors by using high-quality genuine leather for a cockpit design that is more focused on driving pleasure. The Nike's design team so added a waffle design to the pedals and other transmission parts, and created a pair of suitable foothold for the 'ADRNLN'.
As qouted of the Barrett-Jackson sites, the De Tomaso Pantera 'ADRNLN' is debuted at the 2013 SEMA event and sold at the 2015 Scottsdale auction event at a pretty fantastic price of $300,000. Unfortunately, the ADRNLN could not surpassed the company's most expensive car had ever been auctioned off, ie the Ford Mustang 'Dragon', which sold for $346,000 (approx Rp. 4.4 billions).😉 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE RINGBROTHERS | CLASSICDRIVER | DESIGNBOOM | BARRETT-JACKSON | GTSPIRIT ]
Unique ONES Previously, Luigi Chinetti's name was closely associated with the Ferrari's cars, because he was an exclusive importer and distributor of pracing horse-logoed cars for North America in the 1960s to 1970s, but he had one desire that had not been fulfilled, namely to build his own car.
The NART Zagato is a sports car designed by Luigi Chinetti Jr. and built in 1970 under independent brand of NART in the collaboration with GM and Zagato. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
As qouted of MotorTrend, after years of success as an exclusive Ferrari dealer in the US and as the founder and the owner of the famous racing team NART (North American Racing Team), finally Chinetti decided to engineer his own car designed by his son in 1968.
After completion the one-off prototype of the NART Zagao was shown at the Turin Motor Show 1971. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
For this reason, he then collaborated with General Motors (GM), one of the US automotive giants and the Italian coachbuilder company Zagato. In short, then this joint venture succeeded in designing a sports car which later known as the NART Zagato, where some parts of the joint venture car is took of several the GM's cars and then Zagato realized it into the real world according to its plan.
1970 NART Zagato is basically a heavily modified Cadillac is built on a chassis that was
started its life as a Cadillac Eldorado which has been rearranged to
move the 472 cu-in V-8 and FWD transaxle to the rear. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
If you look closely at the appearance, the car is basically a heavily modified Cadillac is built on a chassis that was started its life as a Cadillac Eldorado which has been rearranged to move the 472 cu-in V-8 and FWD transaxle to the rear. And the NART Zagato is advertised as having gotten an upgrade so that its engine can shoot up to 400 hp, from previously according to the GM factory specifications the power was only up to 375 hp.
1970 NART Zagato is basically a heavily modified Cadillac is built on a chassis that was
started its life as a Cadillac Eldorado which has been rearranged to
move the 472 cu-in V-8 and FWD transaxle to the rear. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
Some other features took from several other GM's cars can be seen in its taillights borrowed from the Pontiac GTO and the dashboard, steering column and four-wheel disc brakes from Cadillac. Despite its size, the car's weight remains low thanks to the extensive use of aluminum in its construction.
After completion the one-off prototype of the NART Zagao was shown at the Turin Motor Show 1971. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
After completion the one-off prototype was shown at the Turin Motor Show 1971. At the time, although Chinetti began taking orders and already had two revised designs on the drawing board, the US auto giant GM unexpectedly withdrew from the partnership, due to several delays in the project as well as the declining economy since 1969.
Since being left by GM, the car project has practically fallen into a mess and the end the car never entered the production line, while the only completed prototype stayed in the Chinetti family's possession until 1987, then it was sold to a collector in Illinois, who had it fully restored. After that, its whereabouts became a mystery for decades, and reappeared in 2008 on an eBay page that was hailing from Brussels, Belgium under a price tag of $25,000. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORTREND ]
Meanwhile for the drivetrain, the bullet-proof bodied Porsche 911 still uses its original engine, ie a 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine capable of pumping power up to 296 hp and 350 Nm of torque. Unfortunately, this particular project had to end with only one car ever being made as there was no longer any demand from the consumers. This may be due to the high cost of production.😥 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | THE DRIVE | AUTOEVOLUTION | TOTAL 911 | CARBUZZ ]
