Reborn Precision - Even in an age dominated by electrification and software-defined driving, there’s still a special thrill in seeing a familiar silhouette return to the spotlight. That feeling began some time ago, when a mysterious teaser circulated and hinted at a new project from JAS Motorsport. Recently, the company finally revealed the name behind that long-rumoured creation: Tensei, a Japanese word meaning “rebirth.”It’s a fitting title for a collaboration between JAS and Pininfarina — Honda’s longtime motorsport partner joining forces with Italy’s renowned design studio to revisitthe Mk1 Honda NSX, a car forever linked to Ayrton Senna and the purity of early-1990s engineering.
The JAS Tensei is built on an original first-generation NSX chassis, a deliberate choice that preserves the structural essence of the legendary model. (Picture from: JASMotorsport)
The project starts from an authentic place: eachTenseiis built on an original first-generation NSX chassis, a deliberate choice that preserves the structural essence of the legendary model. From this foundation, Pininfarinaconstructs an all-new carbon-fibre body using advanced composite manufacturing techniques. The exterior keeps the original car’s compact mid-engined stance but expresses it with updated proportions, sharper surfacing, and significantly refined aerodynamics. Airflow has been completely re-evaluated using motorsport-grade simulations to enhance cooling efficiency, increase stability, and reduce drag — all while maintaining a form that still resonates with the spirit of the 1990 icon.
The JAS Tensei, set for a 2026 unveiling, emerges as a modern reinterpretation of the iconic NSX, offering a renewed yet authentic character in an era rapidly shaped by new technologies.(Picture from: TopGear)
Beneath the sculpted carbon fibre sits a powertrain that honours Honda’s engineering roots. JAS Motorsport has developed a naturally aspirated V6 inspired by the C30A architecture of the original NSX, tuned for high responsiveness, linear delivery, and a wide rev range that rewards enthusiastic driving. This engine sends power to the rear axle through a six-speed manual gearbox, a conscious decision to retain the analog, mechanically connected feel that made the first NSX so admired. It reflects JAS’s stated philosophy that Tensei should blend modern capability with a driving experience rooted in direct engagement rather than electronic filtering.
The JAS Tensei exterior keeps the original car’s compact mid-engined stance but expresses it with updated proportions, sharper surfacing, and significantly refined aerodynamics. (Picture from: JASMotorsport)
The influence of JAS’s three decades of competition work is just as evident in the chassis. The suspension, steering, and braking systems draw from the brand’s touring car and endurance racing development, integrating lightweight forged aluminium parts, carbon-composite elements, and competition-grade damping. These choices aim to deliver precise handling, consistent braking, and confident behaviour on both road and track. Inside, Pininfarina applies a driver-focused redesign using leather, Alcantara, and exposed carbon fibre. The cockpit embraces contemporary ergonomics while keeping analog instrumentation and a clean, decluttered layout that mirrors the philosophy of the original NSX.
The JAS Tensei carries a sculpted carbon-fibre body over a powertrain that honors Honda’s engineering roots, featuring a naturally aspirated V6 developed by JAS Motorsport and inspired by the original NSX’s C30A architecture.(Picture from: JASMotorsport)
For JAS Motorsport, Tensei represents a major milestone: the company’s first street-legal vehicle after more than 30 years dedicated exclusively to racing. Each example will be hand-assembled in limited numbers at JAS’s Arluno facility, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship as much as performance. With the official unveiling scheduled for 2026, the Tensei stands as a modern interpretation of a beloved supercar — neither a mere recreation nor a nostalgic echo, but a thoughtful renewal of a machine whose character still resonates in a world rapidly shifting toward new technologies. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JASMOTORSPORT | JASMOTORSPORT IN X | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | TOPGEAR | TIME ATTACK MANILA IN FACEBOOK ]
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Aero Brilliance - There’s something magical about the way early racing prototypes captured the imagination of an era—when every curve, every bolt, and every drop of fuel carried the dreams of innovation. Among the many brilliant ideas that roared through the 1960s, few represented French ingenuity quite like the Panhard CD. It wasn’t just another sports car—it was a daring statement by engineer Charles Deutsch, who set out to prove that aerodynamic design and clever engineering could outshine raw horsepower.
The Panhard CD was a daring statement by engineer Charles Deutsch, who set out to prove that aerodynamic design and clever engineering could outshine raw horsepower.. (Picture from: Les Belles Mécaniques d'hier et d'aujourd'hui In Facebook)
After parting ways with his long-time collaborator René Bonnet in 1961, Deutsch joined forces with Panhard, a brand already known for its quirky yet technically advanced vehicles. What emerged from this partnership was the Panhard CD, a sleek, lightweight coupe designed not just for speed, but for efficiency. Beneath its futuristic curves lay a humble 1,100cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine—tiny by racing standards—but what the CD lacked in displacement, it made up for in brains. The body was shaped like a drop of water, its long, tapering tail minimizing drag to levels that even modern designers would admire.
One of the most captivating representations of this engineering achievement is the 1962 Panhard CD built as chassis number 108. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
The results were astonishing. In 1962, a similar model stunned the racing world at Le Mans by winning its class, finishing 17th overall, and taking home the coveted “Index of Performance” award. That recognition wasn’t about brute speed—it was about balance, endurance, and efficiency. Averaging more than 143 km/h with such a small engine, the CD proved that intelligence could indeed triumph over sheer muscle.
The Panhard CD brochure outlines the car’s technical specifications in detail, capturing the innovative engineering and purpose-built character behind its creation. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
One of the most fascinating examples of this engineering marvel isthe 1962 Panhard CDwith chassis number 108. This very car was the first of its kind, created as a showpiece for the Paris Auto Salon. There, it drew remarkable attention—reportedly gathering around 800 purchase requests from visitors captivated by its futuristic allure. But its story didn’t end under bright exhibition lights. It later served as one of the cars presented to the FIA for homologation, solidifying its link to the legendary Le Mans racing program.
The Panhard CD carries the same blend of simplicity and precision that defined 1960s race cars, presenting it all with a purposeful clarity that reflects its lightweight racing spirit. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
Its owner, André Guilhaudin, had a deep personal connection to the car’s legacy. Guilhaudin was one of the brave drivers who piloted a similar CD to victory at Le Mans in 1962. When he acquired this chassis in 1995, much of the restoration work had already begun, including repairs to the delicate plastic body. He later had the car refinished—its French Racing Blue coat shining brilliantly, whether or not it matched the original hue. What mattered most was that the spirit of the CD had been preserved.
The Panhard CD powered by the advanced Panhard M10S engine, featuring aluminum timing gears, balanced pistons, and upgraded valves. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
Inside, the car carries the same blend of simplicity and precision that defined 1960s race cars. Guilhaudin had custom bucket seats made to fit his driving position, allowing him to handle the lightweight machine with comfort and control. The original seats were carefully stored for restoration, along with a rare CD dual carburetor setup and a gearbox with longer ratios—details that highlight just how much thought went into this small but mighty racer.
The Panhard CD, finished in a brilliantly shining French Racing Blue that may or may not mirror its original hue, ultimately stands out because its true spirit has been faithfully preserved. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
Mechanically, the car is powered by the advanced Panhard M10S engine, featuring aluminum timing gears, balanced pistons, and upgraded valves. Even the exhaust and front axle have been meticulously renewed. These twin-cylinder engines, despite their modest size, were technological gems—featuring roller bearings and torsion valve springs, innovations that gave them a character all their own.
The Panhard CD is shown from a rear three-quarter view while on display at the Festival Automobile International 2011, highlighting the elegance of its long-tail aerodynamic shape. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
With its aerodynamic body boasting an incredible drag coefficient as low as 0.12 in race form—a figure that still amazes engineers today—the Panhard CD remains a marvel of efficiency and design. Weighing only about 1,200 pounds, it embodied the purest philosophy of motorsport: to do more with less. | gSd7DCIzkl4 |
Today, this prototype stands not only as a piece of racing history but also as a reminder of what creativity can achieve when guided by purpose and passion. Whether seen gliding around a vintage circuit or admired in a museum, the Panhard CD continues to whisper the same message that Charles Deutsch believed in over sixty years ago: that great ideas, no matter how small the engine behind them, can travel farther than anyone dares to imagine. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | CARJAGER | BRINGTRAILER | ARTCURIAL | WIKIPEDIA | LES BELLES MECANIQUES D'HIER ET D'AUJOURD'HUI IN FACEBOOK ]
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Windsculpt Elegance - In the mid-1930s, the world was beginning to see speed and elegance as two sides of the same coin. Airplanes were growing sleeker, trains more streamlined, and the idea of “cutting through the wind” became a symbol of modernity itself. It was in this atmosphere of technological optimism that one of the most forward-looking cars of its time took shape: the Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica. More than just a vehicle, it was a sculpted vision of the future — born from the creative mind of Pininfarina and powered by Lancia’s relentless pursuit of innovation.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica. (Picture from: CarsFromItaly — original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
At its core, the Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica was built upon the advanced
Aprilia chassis, already known for its technical sophistication. But what truly made it a marvel was the way its body seemed to glide effortlessly into one cohesive shape. In an era when most automobiles still wore their engineering like armor — with visible joints, sharp corners, and separated panels — this creation dared to think differently. Pininfarina envisioned a form where every curve had purpose, every line had motion, and the entire car appeared to flow as one continuous piece of art.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica.(Picture from: CarsFromItaly— original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
That flowing design was more than aesthetic indulgence. It represented a radical rethinking of how air interacts with a moving object. The body’s smooth transitions, the integration of the mudguards, and the softened edges were all crafted to let wind slip past rather than fight against the car. The elongated roofline — famously described as “like a drop of water” — was not only poetic but deeply functional. Nature, as it turned out, was the best aerodynamic engineer. Inspired by the organic perfection of water’s shape, Pininfarina created a car that minimized drag long before wind tunnels became a standard part of automotive design.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica.(Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani— original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
One of the most daring innovations was the use of Plexiglas for the curved windscreen and side windows. In the 1930s, curved glass was still a dream for manufacturers, yet Pininfarina wasn’t one to wait for technology to catch up. Plexiglas, a lightweight and moldable alternative, opened new doors for design flexibility. The result was a front profile that blended seamlessly into the bodywork, giving the car a futuristic smoothness rarely seen at the time. The same material extended to the rear, offering a panoramic continuity that was both functional — reducing wind resistance — and visually striking.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica.(Picture from: CarsFromItaly— original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
Between 1936 and 1937, several iterations of the Aprilia Aerodinamica emerged, each one subtly refining the idea. Some versions featured a bolder Lancia grille, while others experimented with fully recessed headlights, a detail that contributed to its sleek, uninterrupted face. Later designs even incorporated a second rear window for better visibility, although this was soon removed to preserve the purity of the roofline. Even the wheel covers went through transformations, all in pursuit of the perfect aerodynamic balance between form and function.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica.(Picture from: CarsFromItaly — original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
Pininfarina’s work with the Aprilia Aerodinamicawent far beyond a single prototype. The car became a manifesto for a new era of automotive design — one that understood beauty not as ornamentation, but as the natural outcome of intelligent engineering. Its influence rippled through decades, shaping how designers approached the relationship between air, motion, and aesthetics. Nearly a century later, the Aerodinamica still resonates as a milestone where design met innovation, reminding us that vision and courage can transform even the most utilitarian machine into a moving work of art. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | CARSFROMITALY | CARSTYLING.RU | CCDISCUSSION ]
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Enigmatic Craftsmanship - In a world where automotive design constantly swings between digital precision and nostalgic homage, there occasionally appears a machine so raw, so unapologetically human, that it seems to have escaped the sterile assembly line entirely. The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 customis one such creation — a car that feels less like a product and more like a sculpture that somehow decided it wanted to move. Its first public appearance came not through glossy press releases or concours exhibitions, but through grainy photos shared by astonished internet users. What began as a curious Reddit post soon turned into a rabbit hole of speculation across 914World and other Porsche forums, as enthusiasts tried to piece together the story behind the shimmering ghost of brushed aluminum and obsessive craftsmanship.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom drew attention while on display at the 2013 Goodguys Car Show in Del Mar, California. (Picture from: DrivingLine)
Beneath that alien exterior lies what many believe to be the skeleton of a Porsche 914, the quirky mid-engine sports car born from a 1960s collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen. The original 914 was small, light, and mechanically unpretentious — characteristics that have long made it a darling among builders seeking to reinvent classic engineering. Yet this particular example doesn’t merely tweak or restore; it reinvents. The body, forged entirely by hand, tradesthe 914’sboxy utilitarian shape for fluid, futuristic lines that appear almost aerodynamic in motionless form. The aluminum skin, hammered and welded into sweeping curves, captures every glint of light like liquid metal. Where most builders hide their welds beneath layers of paint, this creator left the surface naked — a living record of labor, imperfection, and confidence.
The
mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom roofline has been chopped,
giving it the posture of a prototype racer, while the vented nose and
recessed headlights evoke the boldness of 1970s endurance machines.(Picture from: ATBGE in Reddit)
The car’s personality radiates through its brutal simplicity. No chrome ornaments, no glossy finish — just metal, proportion, and intent. Its stance is wider and lower thanthe stock 914, suggesting that significant chassis surgery has taken place beneath the skin. The roofline has been chopped, giving it the posture of a prototype racer, while the vented nose and recessed headlights evoke the boldness of 1970s endurance machines. Observers have compared its shape to the Ferrari 512 BB or the De Tomaso Pantera, but its industrial finish sets it apart. The surface feels more aerospace than automotive, more workshop than showroom, as though the designer sought to merge the discipline of an aircraft engineer with the soul of a sculptor.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom, forged entirely by hand, transforms the 914’s once boxy form into a fluid, futuristic sculpture of hammered aluminum that seems to flow like liquid metal even at rest.(Picture from: Pinterest)
Because no official documentation has surfaced, the mechanical heart of the car remains a matter of educated guessing. Builders who tackle projects of this scale often turn to mid-engine powertrains with real punch — Chevrolet small-block V8s for brute strength, Porsche flat-six units for heritage, or modern Honda K-series engines for balance and reliability. Given the car’s proportions and its aggressive cooling layout, it likely hides either a flat-six or V8, supported by a strengthened tubular frame to compensate for the aluminum body’s reduced rigidity. Whatever the setup, it’s safe to assume the result delivers more excitement than the humble four-cylinder the 914 left the factory with.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom, with no official specs known, is thought to house a flat-six or V8 engine supported by a reinforced tubular frame for strength and balance.(Picture from: CarPorn in Reddit)
What truly fuels the intrigue, however, isn’t the hardware — it’s the mystery behind it. For years, online sleuths have tried to uncover the car’s origins, and one name continues to surface: Chris Thompson at his workshop in South California. A video featuring a convertible with nearly identical design cues credits Thompson as the builder, suggesting he may have been the visionary behind this striking creation. Some enthusiasts believe this bare-metal 914 was his personal experiment — a one-off masterpiece entirely hand-formed from aluminum over a Porsche 914 chassis. | VCZuf-lKGWo |
Others suspect the car has evolved through multiple hands and iterations since its original build. Yet even with these clues, the story remains hazy. Was Thompson a metal artist exploring the boundaries of automotive sculpture, or an engineer translating precision into raw form? In the world of bespoke builds, such quiet anonymity is hardly unusual; some of the most remarkable cars ever crafted began life not in studios or factories, but in workshops fueled by passion, solitude, and imagination.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom has long fueled intrigue not for its hardware but its unknown origins, with evidence pointing to South California builder Chris Thompson, whose workshop and past convertible project share its unmistakable design DNA.(Picture from: 914World)
Understanding why this creation resonates requires revisiting what the Porsche 914 represents. For decades, it was the misfit of the Porsche family — mid-engined yet modest, nimble yet often overshadowed by its 911 sibling. But that same underdog status made it a blank canvas for reinvention. Builders across generations have seen in it an opportunity: a platform light enough to experiment with, but pure enough to express imagination without limits. From restomod projects like Luke Ray’s reinterpretation to wild V8 swaps and electric conversions, the 914 has evolved into a cult object of creative freedom. The bare-metal variant merely pushes that legacy to its farthest, most fearless edge. | B04ndNFFWQc |
There’s something poetic about a car whose identity is unknown yet instantly unforgettable. It reflects a truth that extends beyond the garage — that beauty and innovation can thrive in obscurity, that obsession itself can be a kind of signature. In a time when most vehicles are born from CAD files and corporate committees, this raw aluminum 914 reminds us what happens when a single human vision shapes steel with nothing but persistence, intuition, and a hammer. It is not just a car rebuilt; it is an idea reborn — proof that artistry still breathes beneath the surface of modern engineering.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom stands as a reminder that even in an era of CAD precision and corporate design, true artistry can still be hand-forged from raw aluminum through vision, persistence, and craft.(Picture from: 914World)
If anyone out there happens to know more about this car — its origins, its builder, or its hidden story — feel free to share your insights in the comments below. Information in this article is based on publicly available sources, forum discussions, and community observations, and some details about its background remain unverified. After all, mysteries like this deserve to be solved together by the community that keeps the spirit of automotive creativity alive. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | 914WORLD | SPEEDHUNTERS | WIKIPEDIA | CARPORN IN REDDIT ]
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Aero Alchemy - There was a certain magic in postwar automotive design—a moment when engineers and artists began to look beyond function and explore the emotional potential of metal and glass. It was an era where racing technology met futuristic styling, and concept cars became rolling sculptures rather than simple previews of production models. During the height of the Jet Age, Italian coachbuilders embraced this spirit in collaborations with Alfa Romeo, most notably Bertone’s BAT series and Pinin Farina’s Super Flow lineage. Few machines embody that spirit as vividly as the Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Super Flow Series, a quartet of evolving design studies shaped by Pinin Farina between 1956 and 1960. Together, they reveal not only the shifting aesthetics and technologies of their time, but also how creativity can flourish even when born from the remnants of a canceled racing program.
The 1956 Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Super Flow I. (Picture from: Carrozzeria-Italiani)
Muscle Legacy - When the roar of an American muscle car breaks through a quiet afternoon, there’s no mistaking the sound of power. Few vehicles capture that spirit quite like the 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. Emerging at the dawn of a new decade, this machine represented both the end of an era and the beginning of something bolder—a perfect blend of vintage charm and raw performance that still turns heads today.
The 1980 Camaro Z28 represented both the end of an era and the beginning of something bolder—a perfect blend of vintage charm and raw performance that still turns heads today. (Picture from: Kmandei3 in X)
The 1980 Z28’s exterior design is a celebration of precision and presence. Its bronze metallic paint gleams under the sun, highlighting the factory Z28 striping that runs confidently along its body. Unlike the flashier T-Top models of the time, this hardtop version carries a solid, cohesive look that enhances its muscular stance. Every line and curve feels intentional, crafted to emphasize power and motion, a true reflection of Chevrolet’s artistry from the Van Nuys, California assembly plant.
The 1980 Camaro Z28 showcases an exterior that celebrates precision and presence, with bronze metallic paint gleaming under the sun and factory Z28 striping running confidently along its body.(Picture from: Frans Verschuren in Flickr)
Inside, the Z28 offers an interior that feels both classic and surprisingly refined. The original Oyster cloth upholstery pairs perfectly with bucket seats and a center console, while the factory gauges and tilt steering column remain as sharp and functional as ever. Though upgraded with a Kenwood Bluetooth system for modern convenience, the cabin retains its authentic soul—clean, comfortable, and undeniably vintage. Every feature, from power windows to rear defog, operates with the kind of reassuring smoothness only a well-preserved car can offer.
The 1980 Camaro Z28 presents a solid, cohesive design that enhances its muscular stance, with every line and curve intentionally crafted to emphasize power and motion as a true reflection of Chevrolet’s artistry from the Van Nuys, California assembly plant. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Beneath the hood, the transformation from beauty to beast becomes clear. The heart of this Z28 is a powerful 383-cubic-inch stroker engine, paired with a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission that invites the driver to command every gear. Enhanced by Edelbrock aluminum intake, 4-barrel carburetor, ceramic headers, and MSD ignition, the car delivers a symphony of controlled aggression. It’s the kind of setup that turns a once modestly quick Camaro into a genuine performance icon.
The 1980 Camaro Z28 powered bya a 383-cubic-inch stroker engine, paired with a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission that invites the driver to command every gear. (Picture from: ClassicCars)
Supporting that performance is a suspension and braking system engineered for confidence. Power steering and front disc brakes provide responsive handling, while Bilstein shocks and a 10-bolt 3.73 limited-slip rear axle keep the ride planted and predictable. The factory 15-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires not only complete the car’s period-correct look but also deliver the grip needed to harness all that power with poise.
The 1980 Camaro Z28 features a classic yet refined interior, combining original Oyster cloth upholstery, bucket seats, a center console, and sharp, fully functional factory gauges with a tilt steering column. (Picture from: ClassicCars)
This particular Camaro Z28 stands as a remarkable survivor of its time. From its original tags and manuals to its rust-free bodywork, every inch of this vehicle tells the story of care, craftsmanship, and respect for heritage. Even after decades, it maintains the personality and confidence that made the Z28 badge so legendary.
The 1980 Camaro Z28 enhances its performance with a suspension and braking system engineered for confident, responsive handling. (Picture from: Barrett-Jackson)
Driving this car today feels like traveling through time. The low rumble of the engine, the smooth shifts of the manual gearbox, and the firm grip of the steering wheel bring back the pure joy of analog driving. It’s not just about speed—it’s about sensation, the thrill of connection between driver and machine that modern cars too often forget. | sqMq4m2wEK0 |
For those who appreciate more than just horsepower, the 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 represents a living legacy of power, style, and American muscle heritage. It embodies an era when cars were built with heart and driven with purpose—a timeless reminder that true performance isn’t just measured in numbers, but in the way it makes you feel every time the engine comes to life. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | STREETMUSCLEMAG | KMANDEI3 IN X | MUSCLECARCENTER IN FACEBOOK | CLASSICCARS ]
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Plastic Pioneer - During the post-war boom of the 1950s, innovation swept across industries like wildfire. Materials were evolving, engineering was advancing, and companies were racing to reinvent how things were made—from home appliances to entire vehicles. Amid this period of rapid change, one American company, Marbon-Chemical, was making waves with a remarkable plastic known as Cycolac. Originally intended for boat hulls and appliance casings, this unique ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) plastic had the potential to do much more. The real question was—could it revolutionize the way cars were built?
Italian coachbuilder OSI built a stylized version of the CRV in 1966, featuring clear headlight covers, a hood air scoop, and a trunk bulge. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
Marbon-Chemical certainly believed so. Eager to broaden the horizons for Cycolac and tap into the booming automotive market, the company made a bold move in the early 1960s: they decided to create their own car. But this wasn’t just about style or speed—it was about proving that plastic could be more than just a trim piece.
Centaur Engineering's workers put the finishing touches on the first CRV prototype just prior to its' debut in January 1965. (Picture from: C-We)
To bring their vision to life, Marbon teamed up with Centaur Engineering, a specialist in crafting racing cars. Led by the innovative designer Dann Deaver, the collaboration gave birth to five futuristic prototypes under the nameCRV—short for Cycolac Research Vehicle.
The CRV prototype was a two-seater roadster with a wrap-around windscreen, and based on the Centaur racecar tubular frame chassis. (Picture from: C-We)
Each CRV prototypewas a bold expression of what the future could look like if metal bodies were replaced with lightweight, moldable plastic. From CRV-I to CRV-V, these cars weren't just showpieces; they were rolling proof-of-concept vehicles aimed at stirring the interest of major car manufacturers. Their sleek forms and surprising durability demonstrated how Cycolac could be a legitimate contender for more than just dashboards and grille surrounds.
The CRV prototype was first displayed at the SAE convention in Detroit in January 1965. (Picture from: C-We)
The fifth prototype, the CRV-V, was the one that took Marbon's dream international. In 1966, it was sent to Europe under the care of Guus Biermann, an employee at Marbon's Dutch branch. His mission was simple: showcase the CRV to Europe's most innovative automakers and coachbuilders. One weekend stop at OSI (Officine Stampaggi Industriali)’s design center near Turin, Italy, marked the beginning of a new phase in the CRV’s journey. But fate had other plans—an unauthorized test drive by an OSI employee ended in a rollover accident that left the CRV-V nearly destroyed.
This Italian version of the CRV was initially infused with Renault Gordini engineering by Alpine before being returned to OSI for final assembly.(Picture from: Story-Cars)
Rather than abandon the project, Marbon and OSI joined forces to rebuild. They used the same ABS body shell technology, with Marbon producing the panels and shipping them to France. There, Alpine—famous for their collaboration with Renault and racing heritage—stepped in. They infused the vehicle with Renault Gordini engineering and then passed it back to OSI for final assembly. The result was a reimagined version of the CRV: one that stood at the intersection of French performance and American innovation.
The 1966 Alpine Marbon CRV was a reimagined model that blended French performance with American innovation.(Picture from: Story-Cars)
This revamped CRV wasn't just confined to test tracks. It took center stage at major auto fairs across Europe, including in Paris, London, and Frankfurt. Biermann once again took the wheel of this promotional effort, showcasing the vehicle’s innovation to crowds of industry insiders and curious onlookers. But as interest gradually waned, the tour came to a quiet close. The CRV was returned to storage, placed in a Dutch warehouse just north of Amsterdam.
The 1966 Alpine Marbon CRV by OSI took center stage at major auto fairs across Europe, including in Paris, London, and Frankfurt.(Picture from: Story-Cars)
Still, all was not in vain. The CRV's greatest legacy emerged not on the auto show floor but behind the scenes. The project’s techniques and ideas caught the attention of Citroën, who acquired the production rights. This pivotal move led to the birth of the Citroën Méhari—a production car featuring a full ABS body.
The CRV project's innovative techniques and ideas caught Citroën's attention, leading to their acquisition of the production rights and the creation of the Citroën Méhari with its full ABS body. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
While the Méhari had a more utilitarian design, its roots traced directly back to the lessons and methods developed during the CRV experiment. The plastic used in both cars, Cycolac, proved capable of more than just structural integrity—it could be chrome-plated, molded in large sections, and used in ways that resembled boatbuilding more than traditional car manufacturing.
The current condition of the 1966 Alpine Marbon CRV by OSI prototype is very poor and requires a complete restoration to bring it back to its former glory. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)
The Alpine Marbon CRV might not be a household name, but it marked a turning point. It wasn’t just a prototype—it was a signal that the material boundaries of car design could be pushed further than ever before. With the combined creativity of Marbon, Centaur, OSI, and Alpine, this bold project stretched the definition of what a car could be. Even if it didn’t become a commercial success, the CRV left behind something far more valuable: the courage to innovate, and a clear glimpse into an automotive future shaped not by steel alone, but by plastic dreams with real-world impact. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | STORY-CARS| WIKIPEDIA | C-WE ]
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For JAS Motorsport, Tensei represents a major milestone: the company’s first street-legal vehicle after more than 30 years dedicated exclusively to racing. Each example will be hand-assembled in limited numbers at JAS’s Arluno facility, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship as much as performance. With the official unveiling scheduled for 2026, the Tensei stands as a modern interpretation of a beloved supercar — neither a mere recreation nor a nostalgic echo, but a thoughtful renewal of a machine whose character still resonates in a world rapidly shifting toward new technologies. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JASMOTORSPORT | JASMOTORSPORT IN X | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | TOPGEAR | TIME ATTACK MANILA IN FACEBOOK ]
