This is one of ItalDesign's lively pieces that was presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show called the Alfa Romeo Brera concept. The concept car is intended as a proposal that is right on target and worthy included in the Alfa Romeo's lineup.
2002 Alfa Romeo Brera concept designed by ItalDesign and presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HPNkMc)
It can say that's quite different for the Alfa Romeo Brera concept in 2002 is praised for presenting it like the stars at the Geneva Motor Show, it assumed will have a real future in the brand from which it was originally created.
The car concept presentation was carried out while the Alfa Romeo brand being on looking the car figure to replace the 156. As we all knew, the model was relaunched by the brand in 1997. And in the same time, ItalDesign often shows its intentions through a concept, meanwhile here in the case, it presented as a coupe.
2002 Alfa Romeo Brera concept designed by ItalDesign and presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HPNkMc)
For the beauty of the concept, the powerful 400 hp V8 engine is in the front center position, and the door is distinguished by its vertical opening, with the hinge located at the bottom of the door. Its style will attract the public, hopely also the management of Alfa Romeo.
2002 Alfa Romeo Brera concept designed by ItalDesign and presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HPNkMc)
ItalDesign won the contract for the new design of the 159 model. Meanwhile in passing the GTV and Spider replacements were signed by Brera and Spider by Pininfarina.
2002 Alfa Romeo Brera concept designed by ItalDesign and presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HPNkMc)
The Brera presentation is almost entirely conceptual, in proportion to the transverse drive architecture and more adequate interior space for rear passengers.
Unfortunately for Alfa Romeo, the styling will be presented with a platform that is often seen as not in line with the character expected of the car model, mainly because there is too much mass. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LEBLOGAUTO ]
The Dino has become one of the most coveted, desirable and significant cars built by Ferrari throughout the builder’s history. Named after Enzo Ferrari’s son who passed in 1956, the Dino is unique in its design, history and inspiration alike.
1966 Ferrari Dino 206 Spyder Coupe was announced in 1965 as a contender for the 1966 2-litre sports car class. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fLdFY5)
The car when racing in its heyday was top of its class, and today it has been recognized as one of the most beautiful cars Ferrari or any other company has built.
The Ferrari Dino 206 Spyder Coupe was announced in 1965 as a contender for the 1966 2-litre sports car class. It followed the 166 P prototype of 1955, with its V6 engine enlarged to 1987cc. Ferrari SEFAC officially raced the Dino against the factory and privateer Porsche 906s.
1966 Ferrari Dino 206 Spyder Coupe was powered by what could have been one half the P3’s 4-litre V12. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33p9htb)
The 206 was powered by what could have been one half the P3’s 4-litre V12. In the center of the car was a bespoke Dino V6 engine that reached peak power at 9000 rpm. Initially, Ferrari planned to produce 50 examples of this car for homologation purposes, but industrial unrest in Italy with resulting labor problems halted production of these cars.
1966 Ferrari Dino 206 Spyder Coupe planned to produce 50 examples, but due to civil unrest in Italy and labour problems, only 18 of these beautiful race cars were ever completed. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fLdFY5)
Various versions of the 2-liter engine were used. The initial V6 was fitted with three Weber 40 DCN 2 carburetors which were replaced on the later models by Lucas fuel injection. Cylinder heads varied with either 12, 18 or 24 valves having single or dual spark.
Along with a large variety of engines, the bodywork on the 206 varied from car to car. Most of the 206’s came as a spider version with the roof section completely removed. Piero Drogo was responsible for the design of body which was crafted by his company, Carrozzeria Sports Cars.
Only 18 206s were completed with limited racing success. Much of the design cues were carried through to the Dino 206 road car, but it lacked much of the race-bred design elements found in the 206 Spyder Coupe. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS | FINECARS | BARCHETTA | DRIVING ]
The name Maserati is already familiar in the world of sports cars. This supercar manufacturer from Italy certainly has a long history in the construction of its production cars. Well, one of the most iconic is the Maserati Bora even though it struggled in times of crisis and didn't have the chance to become the perfect racing car, at least the Bora is a milestone as the Maserati's first mid-engine supercar.
The Maserati Bora is the Maserati's first mid-engine supercar. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Ja85CF)
The car that named after a wind (Bora being the wind of Trieste) appeared in public for the first time at the 1972 Geneva Auto Show is said to have taken inspiration from the Maserati Boomerang Concept, a previous Giorgetto Giugiaro prototype masterpiece that also featured a 4,700 cc DOHC V8 engine but had been discontinued for uncertain reasons.
1972 Maserati Boomerang Concept by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign Giugiaro. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/362TqC3)
It is not surprising that Maserati Bora is called a Boomerang clone model due of has similar designs. The Maserati Bora first launched of the Modena-based car manufacturer was a mid-engined V8 coupe which was first sold in 1971 until finally discontinued in 1978. As of their time, the Bora could be classified as supercars competed with the Lamborghini Miura.
The Maserati Bora featured two
kinds of the mid-mounted V8 engine, ie 4,7-liter made started in 1971
and 4.9-liter version started in 1973. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Ja85CF)
It must be admitted that its initial form was not as handsome as Ghibli but its maximum speed reached 275 km/hour. Even the year of his birth is considered the peak of Maserati glory. The Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Bora powered by a 4.7-liter V-8 engine, and used Citroen legs.
The Modena-based manufacturer, Maserati produced the Maserati Bora with a total of 564 units. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Ja85CF)
The car also is trying to bring the Maserati into the modern era, and now these cars are rare. The Modena-based auro-manufacturer is produced the Maserati Bora with a total of 564 units. The car immersed by a 4.7-liter engine is more than half of Bora's production or as 289 units in 1971 to 1978, and the rest around 275 units are made started in 1973 to 1978 by using a 4.9-liter engine.
The Maserati Bora appeared in public for the first time at the 1972 Geneva Auto Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Ja85CF)
Although it wasn't made in the first year, the 4.9 liter engine version is certainly more powerful. It is capable of producing 330 horsepower which is channeled to rear-wheel drive via a five-speed manual transmission.
In May 2020, there's someone who sold this rare car with quite well-maintained body paint, the interior was still neat, the cabin still looked original, typical of 70s Italian cars. From the odometer, it can be seen that Maserati Bora has only traveled around 10 thousand kilometers and was being offered at a price of $139,000 (approximately Rp.2 billion). Are You interested? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MASERATIUSA | WIKIPEDIA | DRIVE-MY | CLASSICDRIVER | CLASSIC | CAROLENASH ]
When we talk about the sports car from Abarth, of course, there will be many names that will appear along with it. This time we are talking about the Abarth Zagato 1000 classic car that was specially made by Abarth in collaboration with Milan-based coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Zagato.
1960 Fiat-Abarth 1000 Bialbero by Carrozzeria Zagato. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3nJFDX9)
Yes, this is one amazing model which is an evolution of the 750 Coupé figure Zagato designed in the late 1950s to win the 1960 Compasso d'Oro. This automobile quoted weight at the kerb is 570 kg, and has a 2 door coupé with a rear located engine powering the rear wheels.
1960 Fiat-Abarth 1000 Bialbero by Carrozzeria Zagato. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/333H5Mf)
As we all knew that the first Fiat
600-based Abarth to be fitted with the larger 982 cc development of the
600 engine was the Zagato-bodied Berlinetta, similar in appearance to
the 750 and 850 Monza models.
1960 Fiat-Abarth 1000 Bialbero by Carrozzeria Zagato. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/333H5Mf)
And shortly after that, a legendary car named Fiat-Abarth 1000 Bialbero "Record Monza" had been launched and was first shown at the October 1960
Paris Motor Show. Later it added to the Lucca Public Car List in August 1961.This car launch marks the appearance of the first model of the Abarth 1000 racing cars.
It's
powered courtesy of a naturally aspirated engine of 1 litre capacity coupled with the Weber twin carburetors and a 9.3 to 1 compression ratio help reach this considerable output for the engine.develops 91 bhp (92 PS/68 kW) of power at 7100 rpm, and maximum torque of 104 N·m (77 lb·ft/10.6 kgm) at 5500 rpm. This unit features double overhead camshaft valve gear, 4 cylinder
layout, and 2 valves per cylinder.
The car is claimed top speed is 205 kph (127 mph). A bewildering variety of slightly different bodystyle elements appeared over the years, with covered and uncovered headlights, different engine lids, taillights, and window arrangements, as well as a later long-tailed design which also received a longer nosecone.
Since these cars were largely handbuilt and often to order, it is hard to say what is original and what may have been modified after many years of competition. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | ITALIANWAYS | CARFOLIO ]
As we have seen, the 2nd World War brought enormous devastating consequences to mankind, the destruction of infrastructure everywhere, which then led to the world's economic recession which reduced the quality of life of the world's population. All of this has had a very significant impact on the Italian industrial society, especially the automotive industries, so they should be turning their brain and have the best efforts in such a way in order to survive.
1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva Coupé designed by Franco Scaglione of Bertone while on display at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2KlQSGN)
This was also done by Alfa Romeo who drastically revised their line-up. In a matter of years, their production must be willing to shift from expensive car models to small family salons. What has not changed and has been maintained is the beautifully designed DOHC engines, which still shared many principles with the Vittorio Jano designed engines of the 1930s. After dominating in the Formula 1 racing of the first two years of the 1950s (1950 and 1951), the Milan-based automotive manufacturer withdrew from high profile racing events.
1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider designed by Franco
Scaglione of Bertone while on display at the 2015 Techno Classica. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2KlQSGN)
And the Alfa Romeo engineers continue to strive to make simple racing cars but have powerful performance. By using the 1900 Saloon engine and spaceframe chassis, the engineers succeeded in designing a small sportscar racer which became known as the 'Disco Volante' (which means 'flying saucer'). A total of six cars ever been built, all with slightly different Touring designed bodywork, and powered by a three-liter, six-cylinder 6C 3000 CM, the Alfa Romeo was brief and successful in various sportscar races at the time.
1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva Coupé designed by Franco
Scaglione of Bertone while on display at the 2004 Retromobile. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2KlQSGN)
As the efforts to relive their heyday in the 1930s, Alfa Romeo engineers also began designing a 'two-liter supercar', which could be driven fast by their customers on the road. The basis of this new car is the spaceframe chassis, which is also used on the Disco Volante while its power comes from the two-liter version of the 1900 engine, fitted with hemispherical combustion chambers. Like many contemporary Formula 1 racers, this car was equipped with a DeDion axle at the rear.
1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider designed by Franco
Scaglione of Bertone while on display at the 2015 Techno Classica. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2KlQSGN)
Then Franco Scaglione of Bertone was commissioned to design its lightweight body to fit the extremely short 'Sportiva' chassis. The Scaglione comes with a very innovative design, which incorporates a very low air intake then he penned up both the Spider and Coupe designs. Many later design clues were also found in his design for the Giulietta Cabriolet prototype, which unfortunately was never produced.
In the end, only four units were made in 1954, two coupés and two spiders also referred to as the Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva or Alfa Romeo 1900 Sports. Rare road test results showed that the Sportiva would have been a very capable road racer, at that time only surpassed by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and the Ferrari 340.
What is Scaglione said about these rare cars? Of the many beautiful cars designed by Franco Scaglione, he later recognized that the Sportiva Coupé was one of his favorites. Today a metallic silver coupé and a red spider are part of the Alfa Romeo Museum (Museo Storico Alfa Romeo) collection. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HERITAGE | WIKIPEDIA | ULTIMATECARPAGE.COM]
What a weird car willing to be talking about right now? Is this a real car? At first glance, many said that the shape was impractical because this car absolutely has no doors. Then how can we access the cockpit? Of course, it is a real car, and You can hop into the car's cockpit via a sliding glass roof. But at least its unique design was enough to illustrate that this is a futuristic car design with advanced features that are said to be inspired by the beauty of women's curves.
The Adams Brothers M-505 Probe 16 / Durango 95 from A Clockwork
Orange, on display at the Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition held at the
Design Museum of London from April 26 until September 17, 2019. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35wOzsK)
This unique car that has sexy body curves was built by Adams Brothers, a British-based automotive manufacturer and is owned by the two brothers of former Marcos automotive designer named Dennis Adams and Peter Adams. This sexy car is named Adams Brothers Probe 16 and known to be built in limited numbers, only 3 units in the 1969 as 'an investigation into extremes of styling' with an internal code M-505.
The Adams Brothers M-505 Probe 16 / Durango 95 from A Clockwork
Orange built as 'an investigation into extremes of styling'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3pxjnS5)
As time went by, the Adams Brothers M-505 better known as the Durango 95, but that has nothing to do with the Dodge Durango. Yes, actually this sexy car was born long before the Dodge Durango model was existed. And the name mentioned above is just a fictional name given after this unique-shaped car appeared in Stanley Kubrick's film titled A Clockwork Orange in 1971.
The Adams Brothers M-505 Probe 16 / Durango 95 from A Clockwork Orange is powered by a mid-mounted Austin 1800 upgrade engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3pxjnS5)
This car designer said, that the design of this car is partly inspired by the curves of the female body. However, it is not known to what extent it inspired the designer when they started designing this car. Can you assess it? Furthermore, this sexy British car is powered by a mid-mounted Austin 1800 upgrade engine. So, this unique car is about 34 inches tall and uses wheels measuring 10" at the front while 13" at the rear.
And the three units of the produced car consisted is known that the first car with chassis number AB/2 with a license plate MJO 145H was sold to Jimmy Webb, an American songwriter. The second one with chassis number AB/3 with a plate number PWV 222H was sold to Jack Bruce, the bassist of the band Cream who then gave it to co-band member of Bruce & Laing, Corky Laing as a birthday present. The third, with the AB/4 chassis, has a JFB 220H license plate owned by Robin Gibbons. Those three cars are still in existence today with different owners. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE DRIVE | CARBUZZ | WIKIPEDIA | BONHAM ]
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The Porsche sports car is one of the cars that has a fairly high price, that's not counting if the car in question is one of the rare cars like the Porsche 550 Spyder. Yes, one of the original Porsche 550 Spyder RS cars is sold for ₤ 4,593,500 or the equivalent of Rp. 80 billion in the Bonhams Goodwood Revival 2016 auction event. These prices far exceed the auction result of the same car model with the sky blue color ex Jerry Seinfeld, which is sold at the prices of $ 5,335,000 or approximately Rp. 70.5 billion in March 2016.
This gorgeous Porsche 550 Sypder 'Selfish' is the work of restoration and modification from John and Edison Sarkisyan auto workshop named S-Klub. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35zegcf)
The expensive prices of those Porsche 550 Spyder mentioned above are understandable because this model is included one of the rarest car models where the German automotive manufacturer only built it in a limited number of 90 units plus it had a series of prestigious achievements in various racing events in the 1950s. So, today only certain circles especially the multi-millionaires can afford to have the scarce model of Porsche 550 Spyder, while others can only dream.
Porsche 550 Spyder 'Selfish' has a driver's seat placed in the middle. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3puwiEd)
However, this does not prevent automotive enthusiasts, especially those who really love those legendary Porsche models from realizing their dream of owning a Porsche 550 Spyder, even though it is only a replica. And recently there was a replica of the legendary Porsche car named the Porsche 550 Spyder 'Selfish.' Uniquely, this car is dressed in such a way with various attractive features such as the single-bucket seat to the gold-plated engine. Wow.
The Porsche 550 Spyder 'Selfish' uses a Volkswagen Type 4 inline four-cylinder engine which in some parts is gold-plated. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3puwiEd)
This gorgeous Porsche 550 Sypder is the work of restoration and modification from John and Edison Sarkisyan auto workshop named S-Klub. In terms of appearance, the Porsche 550 Sypder attracts enough attention thanks to its neat details and preserved classic aura. The exterior appearance of this car uses the color from the Toyota-Lexus color palette named Mystic Brown hue. Then there are custom rims that are in the Fuchs classic design style, but these have a slightly sunken layout to create a more modern look.
The gold accents attached to the machine up to the legs of the Porsche 550 Spyder 'Selfish' looks more neat and fancy. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3puwiEd)
Looking at the cabin of the Porsche 550, it also looks neat with the orange nuanced touches. The car builder uses orange genuine leather to cover the cabin, trunk space, and bottom of the front cargo cover and also inserted a touch of plaid fabric with a matching color to the interior behind the driver's seat.
Other minor touches include the Selfish badge of the car's name, in a font similar to the original "Spyder" emblem. Another part that is no less classy is the driver's seat layout which has been changed to the middle position so that this car can accommodate only one person in its cabin. This fits the name of the car, Selfish, and also makes it more unique.
Not only that, but luxury also radiates from behind the hood of this old-school sports car, where You can find the gold accents attached to the machine up to the legs so that it looks more neat and fancy. The one-seat Porsche 550 Spyder is powered by a Volkswagen Type 4 inline four-cylinder engine, which was swaps its original 2,600cc engine. So, the power amount of 200 hp given out by the machine, is considered enough to bring the 590 kg-weighted vehicles running on the road. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARBUZZ | SXDRV | DRIVETRIBE]
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For those of you who have been watched a film titled 'Ford v Ferrari' is premired last year (November 2019) and seems to be familiar with the Ford GT40, it is the first American car able to beat Ferrari in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance racing arena. Before the Ford GT40 got the nickname 'Ferrari Killer,' it turns out that the story of the mighty car's birth was also fun to be discussed.
Part of Ford's 1966 Le Mans podium, 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II with its racing livery #2. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UoxlHE)
The story begins in the early 1960s, when CEO of Ford Motor Company at that time, Henry Ford II felt curious about whether his company could compete in the world of international motorsport. Then Henry Ford II declared his ambition of winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance racing championship as a first step, because he considered the race was the most competitive racing event at the time.
As we know, in the 1960s, the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race was always dominated by European car brands such as Ferrari, Porsche and Alfa Romeo. And among these brands the most dominating at that time was Ferrari, so the boss of the American manufacturer was interested in buying those prancing horse logoed auto manufacturer in the hope that his racing program would be successful.
Part of Ford's 1966 Le Mans podium, 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II with its racing livery #5. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32I0oua)
It seems that Henry Ford II is not unrequited, it turns out that Enzo Ferrari was also attracted by the offer from his American colleague, and then both of them decided to hold a meeting to discuss the takeover of the Italian company by the Ford Motor Company. But unfortunately the meeting did not go well and ended in failure, because Enzo Ferrari firmly rejected one of the points in the contract which stated that Ferrari also had to hand over its racing division to the American manufacturer.
Shortly after, Enzo Ferrari and his staff immediately left the meeting room, even though Henry Ford II had flown all the way to Italy and prepared millions of dollars for the deal. Of course, Henry Ford II was very upset and disappointed, upon his arrival America, he immediately gathered his staff in a room and emphatically conveyed his main goal at that time is participated the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance racing event only to beat Ferrari!
To achieve its main goal, the American car manufacturer then estabilished its European headquarter in London under the name of Ford Advanced Vehicles, and one of the reason for that to be closer to its rival based in Maranello, Italy. Finally in 1964, the racing car that was predicted to beat Ferrari was finished to be built and introduced under the name of the Ford GT40.
Interior view of 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II with its racing livery #1. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3pvmfyU)
The first generation Ford GT40 is equipped with a 4,700 cc V8 engine, which is similar to that used in the Lola GT and Lotus 29 racing cars, but has been modified to give it a better performance. In 1964, the Ford GT40 finally able to meet its rival Ferrari 275P directly at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Apparently those days were not the Henry Ford II and his team's lucky days, because none of the three of Ford GT40 units that entered the race arena able to complete the race and touch the finish line. On the other hand, Ferrari managed to be the winner of those race event, again Henry Ford II's team was beaten by the Italian's prancing horse team. For a momment, the Ford GT40 starting to be considered and touted as a 'failed' project by the public.
Once again they returned to America sadly, and upon arrival at the house Henry Ford II looked for the right way to solve this problem, and soon he decided to team up with Caroll Shelby who is well known for his performance in Daytona endurance racing. It wasn't long after Carol Shelby worked on the Ford racing team and found many problems within the first generation Ford GT40, such as in the engine, aerodynamics, gearbox, and many more. After being modified by Shelby, finally the latest generation of Ford GT40 was born and known as the Ford GT40 MK II.
Now, the Caroll Shelby-made Ford GT40 is uses a V8 engine which previously had 350 hp, after being upgraded to 450 hp. As a warming up as well as the preparation before entering the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Ford GT40 competed in the Daytona 2000 endurance race held in February 1965. From this event, a glimmer of hope began to emerge, after it was driven hundreds of kilometers non-stop, the Ford GT40 managed to become the winner of the prototype class.
In the following year, the Ford GT40, piloted by Ken Miles and Bruce McLaren, also won other endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. But what has been waiting, and of course, is the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1966 is a means of proving that the Ford GT40 is no longer 'fragile' anymore.
The historical moment when the Ford team finished 1-2-3 with three (#2, #1 and #5) of its GT40 racing cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1966. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3lyuIib)
At the endurance race event of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, three Ford GT40 units were seen leading the race in the early rounds, followed by the Ferrari 330 behind them. But when the race entered the night, the Ferrari 330 racing car could overtake the three Ford GT40 units in front of it and lead the race until the next day. And while the Ferrari 330 was leading the course of the race suddenly had crashed due to a tire burst and made the day a lucky day for the Ford team.
Immediately the three Ford GT40 units returned to lead the race and were able to maintain the 1-2-3 position until the finish flag was raised. This achievement proves that all the efforts of the board of directors of the American manufacturer, especially Henry Ford II and his racing team, to be able to build a racing car that can beat the Italian prancing horse Ferrari were not in vain and ultimately bear sweet results, so that the 'Ferrari Killer' title deserves to be carried by the Ford GT40.
Amazingly, after the Ford GT40's victory in 1966, the Italian's prancing horse never won again in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In contrast to Ford, who managed to become the defending champion at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966 to 1969 together with its Ford GT40 racing cars.
Although initially the Ford GT40 was a prototype car specifically made for racing purposes, finally a new road-legal car called the Ford GT was born in 2005 which is also a directly-breed of the Ford GT40. The advantages of this new road-legal car is equipped with a V8 supercharged engine. So that the Ford GT is claimed to be had nice performance numbers of 0-100 kph acceleration in under 3.8 seconds, and the top speed can reach a number of 328 kph! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SILODROME]
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Of course you still remember the Ferrari 308 GT Rainbow prototype made by the famous Italian automotive design house, Bertone in 1976 for Ferrari. At first glance, the prancing horse prototype model has a similar design to the mid-engined targa style sports car called the Fiat X1/9.
And it turns out that the designs of those two car models were actually designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone. Furthermore, only the Fiat X1/9 entered the Fiat production line from 1972 to 1982, then the production continued by Bertone from 1982 to 1989. Meanwhile, the Ferrari 308 GT Rainbow did not fare well and should stop at the prototype stage only.
Besides being powered by a mid-mounted transverse engine, the car also applied in a rear-wheel drive configuration, it turns out that the Fiat X1/9 is also famous for its quite slick handling capabilities, then has also a retractable unique headlight, a removable hardtop, and a storage compartment at the front and back.
The X1/9 exterior design also nicely featured with the long flat bonnet design with centered indentations, large front overhangs, a wedge shape with a prominent C-pillar roll-over ring and elegant curved lines along the body, so made it looks very distinctive, and always able to be attention center to those everyone who looks at it.
As mentioned earlier the X1/9 design was engineered by Marcello Gandini of Bertone automotive design house. Initially the sports car was scheduled to debut at the 1972 Turin Motor Show, but was later delayed for several weeks, to avoid clashing with the launching scheduled of the new Fiat 126 citycar.
Finally, the launch of the Fiat X1/9 coincided with its test ride in front of the mass media in late November 1972, by taking place on the Sicily roads which were also known as the host of a popular road racing event at the time called the Targa Florio.
The Fiat X1/9 is equipped with a 78 cubic-inch S4 engine with a capacity of 1,290cc, mated to a 4-speed manual transmission system. The engine is capable of generating power up to 73 hp (54 kW), which provides a good start for accelerating from 0-60 mph in 12.2 seconds, before reaching speeds of 100 mph or 160 kph.
Then after nearly 18 years the Fiat X1/9 was produced by both Fiat and Bertone, finally its production was stopped in 1989. It seems that these sportscar was successfull in the world's auto-market, because during the production period, a total of 140,500 cars were released from the Fiat production line, while 19,500 units were produced by Bertone. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOMOBILEMAG]
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It can say that's quite different for the Alfa Romeo Brera concept in 2002 is praised for presenting it like the stars at the Geneva Motor Show, it assumed will have a real future in the brand from which it was originally created.
It can say that's quite different for the Alfa Romeo Brera concept in 2002 is praised for presenting it like the stars at the Geneva Motor Show, it assumed will have a real future in the brand from which it was originally created.
The car concept presentation was carried out while the Alfa Romeo brand being on looking the car figure to replace the 156. As we all knew, the model was relaunched by the brand in 1997. And in the same time, ItalDesign often shows its intentions through a concept, meanwhile here in the case, it presented as a coupe.
