~Special ONE~ One model made by BMW which has a relatively short circulation in the automotive world is the BMW Z8 which was launched by those German manufacturer in the early year of 2000s. Due to its fairly short time existencies, so that some of its devotees do not have time to enjoy its unique physical form.
The SVE Oletha Coupe built by Smit Vehicle Engineering to accommodate some of enthusiasts wishes to make coupe-styled of BMW Z8. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
That's why then a third party called Smit Vehicle Engineering built the modified SVE Oletha Coupe to accommodate some its enthusiasts wishes. Actually, this car isn't really a fitting copy of the BMW Z8, but the impact is evident, and the creation is stunning and sleek to look at.
The SVE Oletha Coupe produced by Smit Vehicle Engineering as a modern interpretation of the BMW Z8 in coupe style. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Unfortunately, the automaker doesn't reveal what the Oletha is based on. Although, we can expect the modified car to be based on the BMW E86 Z4. Although there’s no mention of the Z8, the Oletha’s carbon fibre composite body quite clearly takes inspiration from the short-lived Chris Bangle-designed roadster, itself an homage to the old 507. In addition, according to car maker, the SVE Oletha Coupe weighing about 3,090 lbs (1,401 kg).
The SVE Oletha Coupe built by Smit Vehicle Engineering based on the BMW E86 Z4. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
Judging from its appearance, it can be seen from the shape of the rear window and the greenhouse that it looks identical, and the location of the fuel filler cap is the same, right behind the passenger door. However, Oletha removed almost every reference to the BMW E86 Z4 with the stunning bodywork that turned this coupe model into a unique car.
The SVE Oletha Coupe is powered by a 450 horsepower V8 engine hiding under the hood. (Picture from: CarThrottle)
This modified car is powered by a 450 horsepower V8 engine hiding under the hood. The engine features custom carbon fiber and stainless steel intake manifolds and Inconel exhaust components, with the engine pairing to an H-pattern six-speed manual gearbox. Power is sent to the wheels through a limited slip differential mechanism.
The SVE Oletha Coupe removed almost every reference to the BMW E86 Z4 with the stunning bodywork that turned this coupe model into a unique car. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
Furthermore its stopping power provided from AP Racing brakes system with lightly forged Radi-CAL calipers and fully floated rotors. While the legs use 4 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires to wrap the monoblock forged five-spoke wheels.
The SVE Oletha Coupe built no more than 100 units, beside that customers can also request a bespoke build, which includes a choice of materials, colors and textures. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
Furthermore, regarding the interior, the automaker said that this car will have a driver-focused cockpit and be decorated with the best materials. Regarding the seats, customers can choose between an adjustable eight-way touring seat or a carbon fiber composite sport seat.
SVE will make no more than 100 units, beside that customers can also request a bespoke build, which includes a choice of materials, colors and textures. The starting price for the car is $450,000, although presumably, the later inline-six version will be a bit less. In addition, the company accepts any special requests apart from additional engineering and design work. Oletha looks like a modern intepretation of the BMW Z8 in coupe style. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SVE | IDMOTOR1CARTHROTTLE ]
~Unique ONE~ Perhaps some of us now rarely hear this sports car brand. TVR. Yes, it is a brand that is owned by an automotive manufacturer from England that once had a hey day in the past in the 1960s until the late 1970s and is still active until today.
1964 TVR Griffith 200 racing version (white colored) on the left and 1965 TVR Griffith 200 on the right. (Picture from:ClassicDriver)
Among the many cars that have ever been made there is a sports car that is quite inviting admiration from automotive enthusiasts in the world.
The car is known as TVR Griffith 200, a lightweight fiberglass sports car. In the United States, this car is known as the Griffith Series 200.
1964 TVR Griffith 200 racing version (white colored) on the left and 1965 TVR Griffith 200 on the right. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
This car can be said to be 'tiny but powerful' with the TVR Grantura Mk III chassis. This car was recorded only made as many as 192 units at the TVR factory near Blackpool, England, before being sent to New York and modified by an American famous auto modificator, Jack Griffith.
Rear view of 1965 TVR Griffith 200 and 'white colored' 1964 TVR Griffith 200 racing version in distance. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
In the United States, TVR Griffith 200 is equipped with a 4.7-liter Ford V8 engine, that's the same engine used by the famous AC Cobra 289. Those machine is capable of producing up to 200 hp of power.
By using those bold combination between its great power (200 horsepower), a light weight and a short wheelbase (only 3.6 meters), makes the TVR Griffith 200 to be a 'feared' figures and respected as well in its class. *** [EKA [25112018] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSIC DRIVER | PETROLICIOUS]
~Unique ONE~ As a matter of course, if currently the world's automotive is filled with various unique forms of vehicles, due to We're living in the free world. So there're plenty creatives minds whose made them. They were not limited coming from big-named manufacturers, but also small businesses and even individuals.
The Marcotte Vision 3 appeared in style of a striking unique two-seater sports coupe, known designed and built by Kenneth Marcotte back in 1988. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
Well, usually a unique automotive work will be something very special if it is produced by small businesses or individuals. It's because the maker usually only have and purely rely on their minds to be creative, but are limited in terms of facilities and finances. So to realize this work, they are required to try even more harder to overcome these limitations.
The Marcotte Vision 3 featured with a durable moulded fiberglass symmetrical body, that mounted on a 1969-1977 Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle or Karmann Ghia chassis. (Picture from: AutoPuzzles)
The following is the Marcotte Vision 3, one example of such many unique automotive works. The car mentioned above is appeared in style of a striking unique two-seater sports coupe, and it's known produced by a small kit car maker workshop based in Lemont, Illinois owned by Kenneth Marcotte. While some other sources said, it built by American Coachcraft Corp. (meanwhile we have no valid info said that is the name of Kenneth Marcotte's workshop).
The Marcotte Vision 3 is clearly seen has some kind of a unique crease that runs from the middle of its nose to the top of the roof. (Picture from: FiberClassic)
As you can see from its appearance, this unique American-made kit car is thick with 1970s wedge style influenced by several 1970s General Motors show cars to ones built by Italian coachbuilder such as Frua and Fissore. There's even a bit of Citroen in its aesthetic, to this author's eye.
The Marcotte Vision 3 also equipped with front and rear molded contoured bumpers, hidden pop-up headlights and blinkers, a safety glass windshield, and tempered glass side and rear window. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
Although carrying the distinctive style of the 1970s, this unique car from the Lemont-based kit car maker was started to build in 1988 based on the humble VW Beetle like many other custom-built cars of the period. Its large semi-monocoque body added considerable width and length to the car, at least visually. As quoted from RareComponentCars, this uniquely shaped car was built in a very limited number, namely as many as 3 units in coupe style only.
The
Marcotte Vision 3 featured with a spacious, ultra-quiet interior with
textured interior panel appointments, a custom instrument panel, and
support consoles. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
The Marcotte Vision 3 featured with a durable moulded fiberglass symmetrical body, that mounted on a 1969-1977 Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle or Karmann Ghia chassis. While its engine compartment is enlarged to accommodate a variety size of engines (the car model in the picture is thought to have a Porsche 914 1.7-liter engine).
The
Marcotte Vision 3 provided 2 spacious storage areas on the front and rear. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
Uniquely, it's also equipped with front and rear molded contoured bumpers, hidden pop-up headlights and blinkers, a safety glass windshield, and tempered glass side and rear windows, no wonder if this kit more than met the Vehicle Safety Commission regulations of its day.
The
Marcotte Vision 3 has enlarged engine compartment to accommodate a variety size of engines (the car model in the picture is thought to have a Porsche 914 1.7-liter engine). (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
Other features included a spacious, ultra-quiet interior with textured interior panel appointments, a custom instrument panel, and support consoles. Not only that, this car also provides large doors that makes it easy to access into the interior, a functional air scoop on both sides, and 2 large storage areas on the front and rear.
The Marcotte Vision 3 has a large semi-monocoque body added considerable width and length to the car, at least visually. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
At the time, the Lemont-based kit car maker offered the Marcotte Vision 3 regular kit for around $4,995, with options bringing the price up to $5,250. Besides, a fully assembled version is reportedly also ever offered by the maker. Now, it is estimated that the price may have twice or tripled than before, due to the rare existence of the unit. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RARECOMPONENTCARS | FIBERCLASSICS ]
~Rare ONES~ Maybe you are wondering, why did we make the title of the article like that? This is intentional because to show how rare the following BMWcar models are. So it's likely that very few people know about it or see it passing by on the streets today.
If you've never heard or knew of them, that's not surprising, because those models might be produced in limited numbers, or even made only one unit, and you can imagine that the chance to actually drive one is pretty rare.
1. BMW 507
As we all knew, BMW
is a name that is known throughout the globe and stands for Bayerische
Motoren Werke, also known as Bavarian Motor Works in English. And the BMW 507 was a special roadster built between 1956 and 1960. The 507 was conceived by an American engineer, who urged BMW to make a roadster to compete against the likes of not only the Mercedes-Benz 300SL but also the less expensive Triumph and MG roadsters of the era.
BMW complied and used the 501 and 502’s platform to build one of the most gorgeous cars out there, fitted with a 3.2-liter V8. Well, only 252 units were ever made, even one of these roadsters was owned by Elvis Presley while he was serving his mandatory military service in Germany. No wonder if the 507 left a legacy that has lasted to this day in the form of the Z3, Z4, and Z8.
2. BMW 700 RS
Here is another rare BMW models in the speedster-style called BMW 700 RS. This historical model is the vehicle that pulled out the company from the brink of financial ruin and set it back on solid footing to continue in the building of its legacy. The car featured a rear engine placement which was a little on the underpowered side, but it was constructed with a light weight, coming in at just 1,350 lbs.
And reportedly that, the 1960 RS is among the most valuable and rare of these 700-line. It featured a chassis of tubular steel framing with a hand built aluminum body that was more aerodynamic than earlier models. This is the hand built racing version that came without seat belts and weighted in at just 830 lbs versus the already light 1,350 of the regular 700s. This is including the 40-liter fuel tank filled to capacity. Production of the BMW 700s ran from 1959 through November of 1965 with a total of 188,000 sold prior to the end of the production run, with the RS version being the fully cherried racing example.
3. BMW 700 (Colani)
In 1963, Luigi Colani, a renowned German-born Swiss designer made a breakthrough by designing the world's first road sports car with a self-supporting plastic bodywork on the chassis of the BMW 700 subcompact car and introducing it at the Lotus racing team launching event of the 1963 championship. In addition to the car's bodywork architecture, the Colani prototype features a slim body with a drag coefficient of Cx = 0.22.
The BMW 700 Colani weighs 440 kilograms, so despite the mini 700 cc 32 horsepower engine, this sports car can accelerate to 200 kilometers per hour. The project caught the attention of the public, even at the time surprising the Bavarian automaker. Unfortunately, the innovative concept car did not managed to get into production line, as the car is made one unit only.
4. BMW Hurrican
The main thing we could be seen on the BMW Hurrican concept car of 1964 was the absence of BMW's typical twin kidney grilles, and made this car looks different from other BMW's models. The Hurrican prototype was conceptualized by a group of students at Palatine Master School for body and vehicle in Kaiserslautern. This model could be said the best models in its era, although adopted many famous car styles of the 1960s.
As you can see, the windshield was taken from the Ferrari 250 LM, taillights inspired by the Fiat sport spider, sign lights taken from Jaguar, and over all the car is similar to the Mazda Cosmo. The car is powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, and last exhibited at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2007.
5. BMW 2800 Spicup (Bertone)
The BMW 2800 Spicup was a daring prototype that built as both a spider and a coupe and designed by Stilo Bertone and Marcello Gandini for BMW. The car completed with several unique features such true of the motorized flaps on the semi-hidden headlights, and also preserved BMW’s ‘double kidney’ pattern in the front, but with subtle cushioned inserts with two-tone green on green upholstery on the dashboard, seats, and carpet to match the exterior finishing under similar matched green color as well.
The BMW 2800 Spicup is powered by 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine produced 170 horsepower and was mated to a 4-speed manual transmission that drove the rear wheels, and was debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 1969, but it never reached into production version.
Those are five BMW car models that you may not have known before. If there are other BMW cars that also included into this category, don't hesitate to let us know...😀 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLINGRU | MONEYINC | VEIKL ]
~Rare ONE~ Still reviewing the Corvette, one of American muscle cars like many we've discussed before. Well, in this occasion, we would like to talk about the Corvette C3 L88 was no less famous than previous ones. This model is known as the last generation of Corvettes developed under the leadership of Zora Arkus-Duntov as Chevrolet's Chief Engineer and one of the rarest of its kinds as well.
The Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe began as a limited-edition package on the C2 spearheaded by the Father of the Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov. (Picture from: TopCarRating)
As quoted of the Mecum, this model is built based on the Mako Shark II Concept designs (no wonder they both have a similar shape), and includes into the Corvette C3 family that produced in between 1968 to 1982. The car features its iconic and unforgettable styles of the 1960s era, coupled with the outstanding performance of its V8 engine, so it's undeniable if the Corvette C3 was one of the most desirable sports cars of all time.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe dubbed as “The Camouflaged Soldier”, is a very rare, unrestored example which had once auctioned by Mecum Auctions in Seattle back in the 2015. (Picture from: Mecum)
As we all knew, the Corvette C3 has several engine options ranging from the 7.4-liter LS5, LS6 and LS4, of course any die-hard C3 fan will agree that the 7.0-liter L88 427 cubic-inch engine is top-notch. The L88 began as a limited-edition package on the C2 spearheaded by the Father of the Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov. Officially, the L88 produced 435 horsepower from the factory.
The Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe were produced from 1967 to 1969 and during the transition from the C2 Stingray to the C3 body style. (Picture from: TopCarRating)
But in real life, the car produced somewhere between 540 and 580 horses, good enough for 11-second quarter-mile times and even while raced at Le Mans, Dick Guldstrand had took the car to set a new record speed on the Mulsanne straight at 171.5 miles per hour. When the C3 hit the market in 1968, the L88 package remained on offer with only 116 were ever built for the 1969 model year, of 216 total over three years (1967 to 1969), though it now produced a claimed 430 horsepower, placing it below the L71 and L89 packages despite its clear superiority.
The heart of the L88 package came in the form of a 427 ci V8 that was built using forged internals, solid lifters, aluminum cylinder heads, and an uprated camshaft. (Picture from: TopCarRating)
The automaker provides the Corvette C3 L88 with a variety of standard features such as Soft Ray tinted glass, leather interior, front fender grille, telescopic tilt steering wheel to an alarm system. Alarm? Yep, the alarm system turned out to have been applied by Chevrolet exclusively in the 1960s on several Corvette models.
The Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe produced somewhere between 540 and 580 horses, good enough for 11-second quarter-mile times. (Picture from: TopCarRating)
However, nowadays finding a Corvette C3 powered by an L88 engine in a neat and original condition turned out to be quite difficult, at least until this Corvette C3 L88 dubbed 'The Camouflaged Soldier' was found. This 1969 Chevrolet Corvette C3 L88 coupe is also equipped with specifications beyond the factory's original features like a faint black racing line that runs from the tip of the hood.
This Fathom Green colored Corvette is not only a small piece of American automotive history, it is also a rare masterpiece as this rare C3 L88 had once auctioned by Mecum Auctions in Seattle back in the 2015. Regardless of whoever the current owner who is managed to get it at the auction that would surely make his car collections even more glamorous. Well, how much its current price? Is it true if someone says the price is around seven digits? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MECUM | HOTCARS | CARSCOOPS | HAGERTY ]
~Sports LEGEND~ Every automotive brand must have the legendary model of their own, there are even some brands that have more than one model that is included in the legendary category. In our opinion, usually one car model gets the legendary label if it has a such unique design then makes an extraordinary sales record that has never achieved before, or has won racing events, or able to achieve another special records within a certain period of time.
Volvo P1800 produced by Volvo start in 1961 due to the automaker company wanted to give a slightly more dynamic brand image. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
Well on this occasion, we would like to discuss about one of the legendary car models that was once owned by the Swedish car brand, Volvo back in the 1960s. And the story begins back in the 1950s, when those Swedish automaker company wanted to give a slightly more dynamic brand image and it was for this reason they then decided to do something about it by adding a coupe model later named Volvo P1800 to their sedan and family car lineup.
Volvo P1800 was the first variant produced in UK by Pressed Steel and Jensen Motors. (Picture from: MartinFromKent's Twitter)
But to produce a coupe which is always almost identical to a sports car was a new experience for Volvo, considering they have never made it before. Well, this became such a kind of tough challenge for those Swedish brand. For the design, they went to study with its experts whose at that time were mostly Italian. In short, the Swedish manufacturer came to Pietro Frua's workshop in Turin to develop classic and elegant bodywork appeared with a long snout and small cockpit which adorned by two massive and striking fins at rear.
Volvo P1800 S was the second variant made in Sweden for production control effectiveness reason started in 1963. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
As for the platform and mechanics sector, Volvo chose the Amazon 120, a longitudinal engine with a rear-wheel drive scheme and a rigid axle at the rear. However, to apply such engine, the wheelbase must be shortened by 14 cm, as a result, the 1.8 liter engine is capable of spitting out about 100 hp of power. Over the years during its production period, the engine power also evolved to 130 hp along with increasing displacement to 2 liters in 1969, and using the injection system.
Volvo P1800 S is powered by a longitudinal 1.8 liter 100 hp engine with rear-wheel drive scheme and a rigid axle at the rear. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
After that another problem arose because Volvo did not yet have the facilities to produce it, so in 1961 when the P1800 model was approved for production, the entire production process was carried out by a third party. Initially Volvo submitted the entire bodywork process including painting and final assembly to Karmann Gmbh. a German company based in Osnabrück, but they turned it down. Finally, the whole process was entrusted to be done by Pressed Steel and Jensen Motors, in England.
Volvo P1800 E was the third variant started to production in 1970, and changed its drivetrain. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
However, in 1963, the Swedish manufacturer decided to cease the previous production method because it was deemed unsatisfactory due to logistical problems as well as the final quality of the materials and the final product. Therefore, the company chose to return all production processes to Sweden, and changed the model name to Volvo P1800 S.
Volvo P1800 E is known as the variant powered by a 2 liter engine with fuel injection system. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
During more than 10 years of production until 1973, Volvo has produced several variants of this model with a total production of 47,492 units, ranging of the Volvo P1800 produced in the UK, then continued with Swedish-made, the Volvo P1800S. Then there is the Volvo P1800 E known as the variant powered by a 2 liter engine with fuel injection system.
Volvo P1800 ES was the fourth variant started to production in 1972 with a quite strange two doors station wagon style accompanied by an all glass rear-door. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
In 1972, there's new variant with a quite strange bodywork is launched, and known as the Volvo 1800 ES. This model carries a sleek two doors station wagon style accompanied by an all glass rear-door. Could it be said that the 1800 ES model is successful model in sale, so the company produced it as many as 8,077 units during its two years of production until 1973.
Volvo P1800 ES is known as the most successful variant in sale, so the company produced it as many as 8,077 units during its two years of production until 1973. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
The Swedish-made sports coupe reaches its peak of popularity when it appears in the British television series "The Saint" starred by famous actors Roger Moore, and was produced from 1962 to 1969 in six seasons with a total of 118 episodes. In those TV series the Volvo P1800 was used as the Simon Templar's car.
Volvo P1800 Cyan is known the modern version of P1800 made by the automaker's racing division to commemorate the glory day of the model. (Picture from: CNET)
~Modern Interpretation~ It doesn't just stop there, in 2020 to commemorate the glory of the Volvo P1800, the Swedish manufacturer has revived its legendary model in a modern version named Volvo P1800 Cyan through Cyan Racing, its racing division (formerly known as Polestar). Now, this Volvo sports car legend is powered by a 2,000 cc turbocharged 4-cylinder engine capable of producing around 413 hp and 455 Nm of torque. The engine power is then transfers to its rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission system. Unfortunately, there's no performance numbers came out.
Volvo P1800 Cyan is powered by a 2,000 cc turbocharged 4-cylinder engine capable of producing around 413 hp and 455 Nm of torque.(Picture from: GridOto)
In addition to having a high-performance engine, this modern version of Volvo P1800 was a good looking, where the surface of the Volvo P1800 body is layered with a mixture of carbon fiber and high quality steel. So by using a such high-quality materials like this, the modern version of the Volvo P1800 has a very light weight, which is only 990 kg. Then as you could be seen, its legs is equipped with overhauled suspension couled with two-way dampers, then it wore the 18-inch wheels and are wrapped in high-performance tires from Pirelli P Zero. Cool, right?
As quoted of CNET, the Swedish company plans to make it in a limited number of only 100 units. While for a single unit of the Volvo P1800 Cyan to be sold start at price of $700,000 (approx Rp.10.448 billions) Although the price is expensive, it seems suitable and comparable to other high-end retro vehicles. Are You interested? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CYANCARS | CNET | ID.MOTOR1 | MARTINFROMKENT' TWITTER ]
SVE will make no more than 100 units, beside that customers can also request a bespoke build, which includes a choice of materials, colors and textures. The starting price for the car is $450,000, although presumably, the later inline-six version will be a bit less. In addition, the company accepts any special requests apart from additional engineering and design work. Oletha looks like a modern intepretation of the BMW Z8 in coupe style. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SVE | IDMOTOR1 CARTHROTTLE ]
