After presenting a rarely seen sportscar figure named 1970 Costin Amigo a while ago, and on this occasion we will again present the unique sportscar figure that once existed and perhaps will never be seen again because until today its existence is unknown.😢
1966 Titania Veltro GTT 1500 Coupe (Intermeccanica) was shown for the first time at the 48th Salon de Turin in 1966. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2BHFr8B)
And the sports car that will be discussed on this occasion is the Titania Veltro GTT 1500 Coupe, the only one sports car prototype ever made in 1966 by an Italian automotive company called Intermeccanica based on a design created by Franco Scaglione, the Italian renowned automotive designer at the time. As an automotive designer, he was very famous at the time, so it is not surprising that many cars in his design work have become legendary car figures to this day.
1966 Titania Veltro GTT 1500 Coupe (Intermeccanica) also featured longitudinal slots in the hood as air extract. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2BHFr8B)
Yes, from Franco Scaglione's magical hand touch had given birth many legendary car designs such as the 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe which is the first concept car from a series of the B.A.T. (Berlina Aerodinamica Technica) car models, and then the most beautiful car ever, Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale which made its debut for the first time on August 31, 1967, and many others.
1966 Titania Veltro GTT 1500 Coupe (Intermeccanica) dubbed as one of Franco Scaglione’s most inspired designs. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2BRsLvN)
This one-off prototype of the Titania Veltro GTT 1500 Coupe also known as 'Hairy One', and was shown for the first time at the 48th Salon de Turin in 1966. It appeared very elongated with a diminutive Vanwall-esque air intake, and also featured longitudinal slots in the hood as air extracts. And under its front hood lies a British Ford 106E engine, that made it able to run up to top speed was nevertheless 124 mph.
1966 Titania Veltro GTT 1500 Coupe (Intermeccanica) used a British Ford 106E engine, that made it able to run up to top speed was nevertheless 124 mph. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2BRsLvN)
As quoted in the book titled 'Intermeccanica: The Story of the Prancing Bull' on-page of 66, the Titania Veltro sportscar did teach Franco Scaglione a lot about the emerging science of aerodynamics. Curiously, many automotive experts said that the car was similar to that of another great aerodynamicist, Englishman Frank Costin's Amigo of 1970. Both were aesthetically too long in the wheelbase, neither made it commercially, but both excelled aerodynamically by using production engines.
1966 Titania Veltro GTT 1500 Coupe (Intermeccanica) appeared very elongated with a diminutive Vanwall-esque air intake. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2BHFr8B)
As mentioned before, this car has never been made into a production model by the Italian 'prancing bull' logoed car manufacturer, and sadly until now it is unknown where it is. And once again, strangely, there is not a single note that records and informs when and where this one-of-a-kind sports car was lastly seen.😢 Video below was not about Titania Veltro but another unique car designed by Franco Scaglione.👼
Many great cars that once triumphed while competing on the circuit were never seen again for a long time. So that not many people nowadays know the shape any more especially the achievements it had achieved in its heyday. And only a few of them ended their racing career just to sit silently in the corner as a display item in the museum or a collection of rich automotive enthusiasts.
1970 Costin Amigo number 6 of the 9 ever documented one and comes with the special air intakes fitted for the Le Mans race. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31STGBU)
The Costin Amigo was one of them. It's a lightweight sports car built in the United Kingdom in the 1970s and was designed by Frank Costin (one of the founder of the Marcos (automobile) company) and built-in Little Staughton, Bedfordshire.
This car is considered by many, to be Frank Costin's greatest design and styling elements of almost every car of the period can be seen in this one car. Aerodynamics is pure science and Frank Costin was the best of his generation, his CV including the World Championship winning Vanwalls of the late 1950s.
Interior view of the 1970 Costin Amigo number 6 of the 9 ever documented one. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31STGBU)
Its 2-liter engine and running gear came from the Vauxhall VX 4/90, but its plywood monocoque frame and aerodynamic fiberglass body gave it a top speed of 137 mph (220 kph), and a quoted 0-60 time of 7.2 sec. And reportedly only eight (or nine, depending on the source) of the cars were ever sold.
1970 Costin Amigo number 6 is fitted with its original Blydenstein 2.3 liter Vauxhall Dry sump rally spec engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31STGBU)
This is the most famous of all Costin's being effectively their Works Car. It was driven at Le Mans in 1971 in the 3-hours race (not the legendary 24 Hours) by Brian Hart and Paul Pycroft de Ferranti and also by the legendary Gerry Marshal who won in the car at Thruxton in 1971.
1970 Costin Amigo also has a split-circuit braking system and a Getrag 5 speed gearbox, driving through a limited Slip Differential. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2O6EYzm)
The car on the picture above is number 6 of the 9 documented Amigo and is fitted with its original Blydenstein 2.3 liter Vauxhall Dry sump rally spec engine. It also has a split-circuit braking system and a Getrag 5 speed gearbox, driving through a limited Slip Differential. Sitting on Carmona alloys this is a superb car to drive and comes with the special air intakes fitted for the Le Mans race.
It was driven by several top drivers of the period. In the late 1980s, the car was sent to Bill Blydenstein by Paul Pycroft for a total rebuild which was well documented in many motoring magazines. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | MOTORBASE.COM | COACHBUILD.COM | SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS]
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For a moment we go back to the late 1980s, at that time the Italian famous coachbuilder named Italdesign launched a sports car model named Italdesign Aztec. This unique stylish sports car designed by the renowned automotive designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro and introduced for the first time at the Turin Motor Show 1988, the sports car was deliberately created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of those famous Italian automotive design house.
The Italdesign Aztec designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and introduced for the first time at the Turin Motor Show 1988 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the famous Italian coachbuilder. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gKPR6j)
Unlike sports cars in general, where the Aztec is equipped with two unique seats because the driver and passenger are placed separately, thus both need to communicate electronically. Uniquely, this sports car combines the speedster body style with a partially removable protective part in the arrangement of the gullwing-styled doors.
The Italdesign Aztec is equipped with two unique seats because the driver and passenger are placed separately, thus both need to communicate electronically. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gKPR6j)
As a source of energy, Italdesign Aztec is equipped with an Audi turbocharged engine mated to a 4-wheel-drive system that comes from the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. The Audi's 2,226 cc five-cylinder DOHC engine is capable of producing power of around 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp), that's a bit less than its '250 HP' badge on the wing.
The Italdesign Aztec is powered by an Audi 2,226 cc five-cylinder DOHC turbocharged engine mated to a 4-wheel-drive system that comes from the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gKPR6j)
The Aztec has a very futuristic style gesture with many future features. The car has control panels on both sides of the aluminum body panel on the back. After entering certain codes into the panel, information, and about the performance status of the car along with certain functions can be accessed via voice (for example to open its pop-up headlights, hydraulic jack, fire extinguisher, to a compressor to inflate the tires).
The Italdesign Aztec combines the speedster body style with a partially removable protective part in the arrangement of the gullwing-styled doors. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gKPR6j)
Then in the cabin, Italdesign Aztec interior is wrapped in luxurious genuine leather with a group of separate instruments for passengers shaped like a steering wheel, which displays important information about the car and contains damper controls as well as communication tools along with time controls.
The Italdesign Aztec has a very futuristic style gesture with many future features including some of them can be accessed via voice. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gKPR6j)
Amazingly, it turns out that this sports car has applied a satellite navigation system equipment located in the middle of the dashboard (positioned more towards the driver). Indeed, the design is clearly seen that the sports car was inspired by space technology that was being rife in the time, while the glass on the wings inspired by LeMans races that highlight the motorsport aspect.
Besides that, the sports car also has an adequate luggage compartment, while the carbon fiber rear wing is optimized for downforce and there is also the roll-bar installed for driver and passenger safety.
The Italdesign Aztec's big-sized rear wing is optimized for downforce and also the roll-bar for driver and passenger safety. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gKPR6j)
According to some sources, there were only 18 units of the Italdesign Aztec have been built, of which the original planned production was 50 units (although some sources state the total production as "less than 25 units").
And in 1990, one of these sports cars had also appeared in one of the scenes of the horror-science fiction movie titled 'Frankenstein Unbound,' as a computer-controlled futuristic car owned by the film's protagonist, Dr. Joe Buchanan. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]
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Alfa Romeo often collaborates with various designers to make their concept cars, like they did in 2010. To celebrate Alfa Romeo's 100th birthday and Pininfarina's 80th. The two then collaborated to realize a beautiful car named Alfa Romeo Pininfarina 2uettottanta, which was read by duettottanta.
Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept by Pininfarina is debuted at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Y6dfo5)
The 2uettottanta concept car is Pininfarina's vision of how the next generation Alfa spider car should be. Besides that, the 2uettottanta represented the culmination of a long-standing partnership between the two Italian companies and paid tribute to the iconic '60s Duetto roadster.
Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta is Pininfarina's vision of how the next generation Alfa spider car should be. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Y6dfo5)
How to spell the name of this concept car often causes confusion. The first character is not 2 as it is often considered but the capital letter D as written in the Renaissance. However the name has a meaning: 2 refers to a two-seat configuration, 2uetto for the influence of the classic Alfa Romeo Duetto model and ottanta is '80' in Italian (for how many years Pininfarina has been coming up with such stunners).
Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept inside is spacious and comfortable. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Y6mgxA)
This concept car looks beautiful and elegant with the appearance of red bodywork inspired by the typical Alfa Romeo paint. Meanwhile, 2uettottanta has a width of 1,797 mm (70.7 in), length of 4,212.6 mm (165.9 in), the height of 1,280 mm (50.4 in), and has a wheelbase of 2500 mm. And the faces of the 2uettottanta concept, in particular, is not such a dramatic departure from current Alfa Romeo thinking. And from the side, and the rear, the surfaces are smooth, soft, flowing.
Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept, in particular, is not such a dramatic departure from current Alfa Romeo thinking. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Y6mgxA)
This car is equipped with an elongated turbocharged 1,750 cc four-cylinder engine, a power plant that evokes memories of the 1750 Veloce from 1968, one of many versions originating from the famous "Osso di Seppia" (Cuttlefish). Power is sent to the rear wheels via the TCT box. Another little jewel is the new design for the lever of Alfa's DNA adaptive chassis system.
The Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept won the Car Design Award of the Year for the best car design in 2010 in the concept car category at the Geneva Motor Show. And this concept later inspired the birth of the latest generation of Alfa Romeo Spider for the American and European markets in the future. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | CARSTYLING.RU]
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Maybe so far many people think that the car model that applied the gullwing door-type in the 1950s to 1960s was the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. But did you know that there are also American-made cars that have used the gullwing door-type. The car is the Ford Cougar 406, a concept car made in 1962 by Ford one of the leading American car manufacturers.
1962 Ford Cougar 406 designed by Dean Jeffries and uses a new 406 cubic inch V8 engine developed 405 horsepower and 448 pound-feet of torque. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fgb2Mv)
The D-523 "Cougar" was an experimental Ford built on a Thunderbird chassis, with fuel injection. This car was designed by Dean Jeffries in Gil Spear’s studio in 1954, largely by Samsen. And the Cougar concept car itself is Ford's answer to the 'wave' of sports cars from Europe, and will initially be positioned above the Mustang and Thunderbird, to compete with the best cars from outside the US.
The Ford Cougar 406 was debuting at the 1962 Chicago show. This futuristic concept car featured top-hinged, electrically operated gull-wing doors like the iconic German car mentioned above. Further, its new 406 cubic inch V8 engine developed 405 horsepower and 448 pound-feet of torque.
1962 Ford Cougar 406 featured top-hinged, electrically operated gull-wing doors. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fgb2Mv)
In 1963, Ford Cougar 406 had become a star when it was used by director David Swift for the movie version of the Frederick Brisson's Broadway famous comedy-drama, titled 'Under the Yum Yum Tree,' starring by Jack Lemmon, Carol Lynley, Dean Jones, Imogene Coca and Paul Lynde. On the movie, the concept car was appeared in the gorgeous 'Candy Apple Red' color.
The existence of this concept car is now unknown. But there's an updated info, as quoted from Kustomrama that they received an email from Terry W in September, 2018. According to Terry, the Cougar is currently located in Detroit, Michigan; "The owners name is Joe Moridian. I know he owned it up until at least 5 years ago, and probably still does. It is a somewhat well known fact here in the Detroit area. However, I don't believe anyone has seen the car in many years." *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | MYCARQUEST | KUSTOMRAMA]
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One of the most famous annual racing events in the world held from the 1920s to the 1950s was the Mille Miglia. It was an open race that covered more than 100 km in Italy. Even from this event, many legendary cars were born which later inspired modern concept cars today.
This can be seen in one of the legendary cars made by BMW in 1937 namely BMW 328 Mille Miglia 'Buegelfalte' which had competed and also won various prestigious races at that time such as Mille Miglia, Le Mans, and others.
BMW 328 Mille Miglia 'Buegelfalte' was produced in 1937. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UFYXaM)
And over time, it turns out that in modern times like today, the German automotive manufacturer is noted to have made several concept cars based on the legendary racing cars mentioned above, such as;
1. 2006 BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia
This BMW concept car was deliberately built to commemorate a remarkable moment when the BMW 328 Touring Coupé won the racing event in 1940. And this concept car managed to steal the attention through its shape which is an adaptation of the design of the figure of the legendary classic BMW 328 Mille Miglia when it was introduced to the public on May 10, 2006.
The concept car uses the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) bodywork and built on the BMW Z4 M Coupe chassis. Amazingly it turns out that the concept car also has fairly impressive innards. How not, this concept car is equipped with a straight-six 3.2 liters engine similar to the E46 M3 model, so it is not surprising that the car is capable of spewing power of 340 horsepower.
Rear three-quarter of the 2006 BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37dTKwJ)
For the interior sector, the Mille Miglia Coupe concept is truly a fusion of the classic style of 328 with the Z4, which certainly gets modern touches. The material used is only three kinds including thin Stainless Steel, Untreated Cowhides, and Lycra fabric. To commemorate those legends car, in some interior surfaces there is a symbol made using laser technology.
2. 2011 BMW 328 Mille Miglia Homage
This BMW 328 Hommage comes in the appearance of a roofless two-seat concept car and was made to commemorate of the 75th anniversary (in 2011) of the legends BMW 328 racing car that has the remarkable achievement as the holder of the highest average speed at the Mille Miglia legendary race event in Italy.
The concept car is based on the Vision Connected Drive roadster design study that has been shown previously by the German manufacturer at GIMS 2011. In order to emerge its retro-futuristic styled fusion, the BMW designer took certain elements from the original 328 model, such as a sleek design, vertical grille double, leather straps on the hood, wheel style, double windshield, and doorless.
Rear three-quarter of the 2011 BMW 328 Mille Miglia Homage. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3f9jxcp)
And most of the exterior and interior are made of plastic materials that are reinforced with carbon fiber so that BMW claims this car is very lightweight and more stable than made of aluminum. It's noted, the carbon fiber reinforced plastic materials which are also ever used on BMW M6 and M3 models.
Then specifically in the interior, it looks like its two-seat also have a retro touch with the same materials used for the interior include carbon fiber, leather, and aluminum. Then there's a six-inline engine with a capacity of 3.0 liters was seen under the hood with the power burst estimated of 340 horsepower. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BMW GROUP | SUPERCARS.NET]
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During the 90s, the SZ was only known by connoisseurs and people from the industry. It didn't get much attention and people that knew it was very critical. Mainly because of the looks.
The SZ was renowned for three things: exotic design, superb handling, and remarkable drivability. These qualities made its owners proud and satisfied. Being a limited edition with only 1,036 units built also helped to raise its classic car status today.
1990 Alfa Romeo Sprint Zagato (SZ) is a collaboration result of Alfa Romeo Centro Stile and Zagato. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gummGn)
But also because the performance wasn't very impressive compared to its competition. However, with time passing by and taste and opinions evolving, more and more people have caught themselves liking the design for different reasons which has caused a significant rise in the model's value.
1990 Alfa Romeo Sprint Zagato (SZ) is a rear-wheel-drive motor vehicle, with its motor placed in the front, and a 2 door coupé. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gummGn)
It was the last real crazy design, except some very rare models such as the 8C or the Disco Volante. It had one of the best sounding V6s ever produced by Alfa Romeo and a very good weight distribution combined with the use of modern materials back then. The interior just was the cherry on top.
The car presented here has an excellent and complete history, has been generously maintained, and just got a fresh service and interior/exterior detail to give the Rosso Alfa paint the glow it deserves.
1990 Alfa Romeo Sprint Zagato (SZ) is used a single overhead camshaft, 3 liters naturally aspirated 6 cylinder Busso engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3gummGn)
The Alfa Romeo SZ is a rear-wheel-drive motor vehicle, with its motor placed in the front, and a 2 door coupé body designed by Alfa Centro Stile. Power is supplied by a single overhead camshaft, 3 liters naturally aspirated 6 cylinder Busso engine, with 2 valves per cylinder that develop power and torque figures of 207 bhp at 6200 rpm and 245 N·m at 4500 rpm respectively.
The engine delivers its power through to the wheels by means of a 5-speed manual transmission. Quoted weight of 1,256 kg only. It is said to be able to achieve a top speed of 245 kph. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ZAGATO CARS | CARFOLIO | CLASSIC DRIVER | AUTOZINE]
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If you think that the Ferrari FF is the first Ferrari 4-wheel drive vehicle? That's not quite right and should be corrected, in fact, the Ferrari 408 4RM is the first Ferrari species that adopts a 4-wheel drive system.
1987 Ferrari 408 4RM is the first Ferrari species that adopts a 4-wheel drive system. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3cIC8Ls)
The Italian premium car manufacturer built the 408 4RM with two main aims. First and foremost it would act as a car test bed to explore future production technologies. Secondly (and more speculatively) Ferrari was keen to procure the kind of consultancy work that helped drive profits at Porsche and Lotus.
The Italian firm reasoned that the Ferrari-branded engineering division could rival the best in the business and the 408 4RM was commissioned to demonstrate their state-of-the-art design capability. As we all know, this car is specifically built for the study design purposes only in 1987.
Two examples were completed. The first (70183) came with a pressed stainless steel monocoque. The second (78610) and a spare were formed from aluminum honeycomb chemically bonded with epoxy resin. The initial aluminum variant was manufactured in collaboration with Canadian firm Alcan.
Both types came with detachable front and rear subframes and a 2550mm wheelbase. And the 408 4RM signaled Ferrari's first crack at reinventing four-wheel drive with a complex, hydraulically operated system.
1987 Ferrari 408 4RM used a rear-mid-mounted, quad-cam, four-liter V8 was good for 300bhp. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2z4swfG)
It would have been a bit of a corker, we think. Ferrari was truly on form at that stage and there are signs of that genius in the 4RM, too. A rear-mid-mounted, quad-cam, four-liter V8 was good for 300bhp, and it was dry-sumped to keep the oil where it needed to be in the corners. And, considering it was propelling just 1,340 kilos, it'd be pretty brisk, to say the least.
Finally, the 4RM boasted fully independent, dual-wishbone suspension front and rear, plus a four-wheel-drive system, which would have made for quite the B-road belter indeed. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA | TOPGEAR]
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Alfa Romeo is indeed famous for having cars that have great appeal, even arguably very sexy, surpassing the Ferrari & Lamborghini! In the row of Alfa Romeo's beautiful concept cars, there are Alfa Romeo TZ3, Alfa Romeo 4C, Alfa Romeo Brera, and the most legendary, Alfa Romeo Scighera.
The Alfa Romeo Scighera concept car built and designed in 1997 as a collaboration result between Alfa Romeo and the famous design bureau Italdesign. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2WOANgO)
That's probably the design that doesn't suit most tastes. However, many car design observers assume that the Scighera, designed by Italdesign, one of the famous Italian design bureaus is one of the most beautiful car designs in the world. Great is not it?
The Scighera, which was first introduced in 1997 and built based on Alfa Romeo 164, and uses a chassis and body from a combination of aluminum composite and carbon fiber, thus making Scighera has a relatively lightweight, which is only 1,447 kg. This lightweight was obtained with exotic designs such as unique door and window openings, which then made many people captivated at that time (and until now, maybe!)
1997 Alfa Romeo Scighera concept car built uses a chassis and body from a combination of aluminum composite and carbon fiber, thus making it has a weight of only 1,447 kg. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2WOANgO)
At that time, when Alfa Romeo and Fabrizio Giugiaro from Italdesign made Scighera, they wanted to make it the mainstay supercar of the Alfa Romeo brand, which at that time its prestige as a sports car manufacturer began to fall.
To fulfill this purpose, Alfa Romeo then installed a 3,000cc V6 TwinTurbo mid-mounted engine taken from the modified Alfa Romeo 164. The engine has a quite impressive capability at the time, namely bursts of power up to 400hp at 7,500rpm.
The Alfa Romeo Scighera GT looks fierce with a more aggressive body design, full of sponsors' stickers, a giant GT Wing, and the use of Sparco Cromodora's super-lightweight alloy wheels. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2WOANgO)
But for now, maybe a burst of power of 400hp is considered standard for the sportscar. Although it has a standard power, the Schigera can accelerate from 0 to 96kph in just 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 300kph. This impressive performance is obtained in addition to the light bodyweight and aerodynamics, also because the sports car applies a 4WD drive system taken from the Alfa Romeo 155.
The Alfa Romeo Scighera GT also included as one of the participants of the NFS Hot Pursuit III racing game simulation. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2WOANgO)
The appearance of the racing version? Although Alfa Romeo and ItalDesign do not plan to include Scighera in the production line, in order to further stick their impression as a supercar, then Alfa Romeo made a racing version of this car which was later given the name Scighera GT to enter in a famous racing game, NFS Hot Pursuit III.
This car looks fierce with a more aggressive body design, full of sponsors' stickers, a giant GT Wing, and the use of Sparco Cromodora's super-lightweight alloy wheels, making the Scighera GT equals with the Ferrari P4/5 Competizione, as a serious-made racing concept car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1]
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