It's a shame that the unique Porsche Tapiro had to end tragically

Forgotten ONES - Of the many concept cars built on car chassis of Porsche, one of the famous German car brands, only a few are unique and interesting. And one of them could be this Porsche Tapiro which is a car made by Italian coachbuilder ItalDesign in the 1970s. Well, the car name originating from the pig-like herbivorous mammal called tapir.

The Porsche Tapiro Concept designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1970s, and built based on the Porsche 914/6 platform. (Picture from: Motor1)

Reportedly, the design of the 1970s dream car was intentionally built to be extreme both in form and mechanics, but the possibility of mass production was still considered. This Porsche Tapiro was designed during 1970s by Giorgetto Giugiaro, a famous Italian designer from ItalDesign. This uniquely shaped car was the Giugiaro made 4th prototype and has become one of his favorite works to date.

The Porsche Tapiro had a windshield profile that was almost the same height as the hood. (Picture from: Motor1)

As quoted from Wikipedia, Tapiro's design most likely took inspiration from the iconic DeTomaso Mangusta which was also the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro while he was working for Ghia. From its appearance, it can be seen that the Tapiro was built in a 'wedge' shape for the first time in that era, and would be used again in many other car models in the following years, thus becoming a design trend during the 1970s.

The Porsche Tapiro is equipped with a gullwing door type as access to the cabin, not only that, the such unique shape of the door is also applied to the engine compartment. (Picture from: Motor1)

The Porsche Tapiro had a windshield profile that was almost the same height as the hood, and was also equipped with very exotic doors and a hood which was considered such a luxury solution although some people considered it eccentric for the time. Did you know that the Tapiro is a source of inspiration from the legendary DMC DeLorean car?

The Porsche Tapiro featured all those great Giugiaro styling flourishes, such as geometric air-ducting a cheese wedge profile and a futuristic cabin surrounded by an acreage of glass. (Picture from: Motor1)

As seen as, this Porsche Tapiro is equipped with a gullwing design door to be used as access to the cabin, not only that, the such unique shape of the door is also applied to the engine room and luggage room. Even more unique, unlike most concept cars which are only made as models from clay plaster, the Porsche Tapiro is a fully functional vehicle, in other words, this car can be run like an ordinary production version car.

The Porsche Tapiro concept is powered by a mid-mounted inline 6-cylinder 2.4-liter Porsche engine. (Picture from: Motor1)

Well, the Porsche Tapiro, which is 4,060 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and 1,110 mm high, is built based on the Porsche 914/6 platform, and is powered by a mid-mounted inline 6-cylinder 2.4-liter Porsche engine. And the machine is capable of producing 220 bhp of power at 7,200 rpm. The concept was engineered with a five-speed manual gearbox and had an official top speed of 245 kph.

Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio look sadly at the Tapiro remains in the front of ItalDesign HQ in Turin. (Picture from: Motor1)

After completion, this Tapiro concept car was shown for the first time in public at the 1970 Turin Motor Show. As quoted of Motor1, the car subsequently made its US debut at the 5th Annual Los Angeles Imported Automobile and Sports Car Show in 1971. After two years of traveling at various major world's auto shows, the Italian coachbuilder then sold the Tapiro to Waldo de los Ríos, an Argentine composer in 1973, after it made an appearance at the Barcelona Motor Show.

Today the burnt shell of the Porsche Tapiro is on display at the Giugiaro Museum's lawn. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

Some rumors say that the Porsche Tapiro had served as Waldo de los Ríos daily rides until it ended miserably at one terrible incident in Madrid, where most of the car was destroyed after it caught fire. As quoted from Wikipedia, most sources say the cause of the fire was a group of labor activists protesting against the labor policies at the time, who planted a bomb under the Tapiro. The bomb exploded, burning the car but not destroying the chassis.

While other sources said the car was involved in an accident somewhere and caught fire at that time. The car remains were later re-purchased by ItalDesign but never rebuilt, and today the burnt shell of the Porsche Tapiro is on display at the Giugiaro Museum's lawn. *** [EKA [2501202] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | MOTOR1 | AUTOEVOLUTION | ADRIANFLUX ]

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Volkhart V2 Sagitta: The Forgotten Aerodynamic Marvel Ahead of Its Time

Streamlined Legacy - What is this car? How come it looks so weird? Those are the exact questions that might pop into your head the first time you lay eyes on the Volkhart V2 Sagitta. With its teardrop silhouette and streamlined design, it almost looks like a prop from an old science fiction movie. But this isn't some futuristic prototype from a forgotten film—it's a real car, built more than 75 years ago, and its story is more fascinating than its strange appearance lets on.

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta was the 2nd prototype designed by Kurt C Volkhart and Baron R König von Fachsenfeld based on the Volkswagen Beetle 1st generation aka the KdF Wagen Typ 60. (Picture from: ClassicCarWeekly.net)

At a glance, the Volkhart V2 Sagitta might seem like an oddball, but when you look closer at its foundation, things start to make sense. The car was developed using the chassis of the very first Volkswagen Beetle, officially known as the KdF-Wagen Typ 60. This was a wartime car, produced between 1937 and 1944, and was the seed from which one of the world’s most iconic vehicles would grow.

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta formerly known as the Luftwaffe 'courier car' due to it developed and built as a part of the Luftwaffe's need before the war for a small, fast and agile courier car. (Picture from: Bonham)

While most enthusiasts are familiar with the Porsche 356 as the pinnacle of performance based on the Beetle platform, the V2 Sagitta predates it in both vision and execution. Back in the late 1930s, Germany's Luftwaffe was on the hunt for a light, nimble courier vehicle—one that could be fast, efficient, and easy to maintain. That’s where Kurt C. Volkhart entered the scene. He was an engineer with a deep understanding of aerodynamics, something that wasn’t yet a major focus in car design.  

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta is offered accommodation for 4/5 passengers inside its cabin, but never came close to series production. (Picture from: Hemmings)

His early project, the V1, was a two-seater sports car powered by a rear-mounted 1,172 cc Ford Eifel engine with only 32 bhp of power. It never made it beyond the prototype phase, but the idea of a slick, aerodynamic machine stuck with him. 

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta when undergoing aerodynamic tests conducted by Volkswagen in its wind tunnel back in the 2011, produced a drag coefficient of 0.217 over a frontal area of 2.10 square meters. (Picture from: Hemmings)

After World War II, Volkhart picked up where he left off, this time with some financial help from a company called Sagitta. What came next was the V2, a one-of-a-kind aerodynamic experiment built on a wartime VW Beetle chassis (with number 2-033683). The body, made entirely of lightweight aluminum, was shaped by Baron Reinhard Koenig-Fachsenfeld, a visionary in the world of streamlined car design. Construction was handled by Helmut Fuchs and later finished by Hans Daum’s workshop, both based in Germany.

The Volkhart V1 small two-seater sports coupe came out in the end of 1930s, and powered by a rear-mounted 1,172 cc Ford Eifel engine with only 32 bhp of power. (Picture from: Hemmings)

Underneath that sleek body was a 1.1-liter, rear-mounted flat-four engine producing just 24 horsepower. Modest on paper, yes, but thanks to its incredibly efficient design, the car could reach speeds of up to 88 mph—faster than the early Porsches of the time. And despite its compact footprint, it could squeeze in four to five passengers, showing that Volkhart was thinking about practicality just as much as performance.

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta has inlets at the front, could be for the cabin ventilation, front brake cooling, horn, or a front mounted oil cooler. (Picture from: Hemmings)

What really set the V2 Sagitta apart, however, was its aerodynamic brilliance. The car was tested in Volkswagen’s wind tunnel in 2011, decades after it was built, and the results were astonishing. It recorded a drag coefficient of just 0.217—still on par with some of the best modern designs today. To put that into perspective, that’s better than most current-day sports cars, and lightyears ahead of anything else in the 1940s.

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta is powered by a rear-mounted 1.1-liter flat-four good for 24 horsepower and a top speed of 88 mph. (Picture from: Hemmings)

Sadly, the V2 never went into production. Volkswagen refused to supply more chassis, and without a solid production plan, the project faded into obscurity. Only one unit was ever made, and it had a strange life afterward.  

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta has a fan sucking air through that grille under rear window as for its engine cooling (although this 24 hp engine actually doesn't need much cooling). (Picture from: Hemmings)

It was sold to Hugo Tigges, a man who had provided materials during the car’s construction. He used it as his daily driver for six years before abandoning it in a garden in 1953. Two years later, Helmut Daum, son of one of the original builders, stepped in to rescue and preserve what was left.

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta' last appearance in public under British racing green color was happened at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012. (Picture from: Madle.org)

Over time, the car was restored, repainted, and passed between owners before ending up with Austrian Porsche collector Walter Traxler. Its last known public appearance was at the 2012 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where it turned heads in a fresh silver coat after being returned to its original color from a previous repaint in British racing green.

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta' last appearance in public under British racing green color was happened at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012. (Picture from: Madle.org)

In early 2023, news surfaced that the Volkhart V2 Sagitta would be auctioned by Bonhams at an event in Paris, with an estimated price tag between €1.8 million and €2.6 million. Yet, in a surprising twist, the car was withdrawn before the sale could take place, leaving its future hanging in uncertainty once again.😥

The Volkhart V2 Sagitta is more than just a quirky piece of automotive history—it’s a glimpse into a lost path of design innovation. Built at a time when speed, beauty, and function rarely intersected in car design, it stood apart as a bold attempt to push boundaries. Today, it remains one of the rarest and most unique examples of what might have been, had things gone just a little differently.. *** [EKA [24032023] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICCARWEEKLY.NET | BONHAM | HEMMINGS | ULTIMATECARPAGE ]

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Tracing the Evolution from Jaguar D-Type to E-Type: Key Developments Revealed

Missing LINK - The Jaguar D-type and its successor, the E-type, stand as two of the most iconic creations in Jaguar's history. These models not only reflect Jaguar’s rich automotive legacy but also marked the brand's dominance in the racing world. In the mid-1950s, Jaguar's D-type achieved significant success, particularly at the renowned 24-Hours of Le Mans. From 1955 to 1956, Jaguar's racing prowess was unmatched, and the D-type was instrumental in securing back-to-back victories. 

The 1960 Jaguar E2A Prototype is a scaled up development mule built with the chassis made of steel, not monocoque aluminum as in the E1A. (Picture from: Pinterest)

The Ford Cougar II: Ford’s Lost Rival to the Corvette

Phantom Challenger - The following article briefly tells about the rivalry that really happened between the two American automotive giants General Motors and Ford Motor Company through the automotive products produced by both of them.

The Ford Cougar II Concept is built by Ford Motor Company intended to be an equal rival model of the Chevy Corvette. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)

The story begins when GM through its subsdiary marque, Chevrolet launched a design change of the Corvette sports car in the early 1960s, which at that time immediately caught the public's attention because of its good performance. Off course it made Ford top brass felt challenged to create an equal rival.

The Ford Cougar II Concept is featured an aerodynamic coupe styling bodywork, offered a great interior design plus retractable headlights. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)

Then they called the company's engineers for immediately devised a plan. In short, the engineers produced this interesting concept such the Ford Cougar II Concept, which featured an aerodynamic coupe styling bodywork, offered a great interior design plus retractable headlights and was also called one of three-X car concepts, along with the Ford Allegro and Ford Mustang II.

The Ford XP Bordinat Cobra is a concept car creation of Ford Motor Company collaborated with Carroll Shelby back in the 1963. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)

By design this Cougar II Concept is very similar to another concept car called the Bordinat Cobra, associated with Gene Bordinat, Ford's Vice President of Styling then, and the man behind the creation of these two great concept models. Well, the mentioned Cobra Roadster, which is one of the collaboration result cars of Ford Motor Company with Carroll Shelby, turned out to be warmly welcomed when it was introduced to the public, and many consumers really enjoyed the great styling. It's said that Ford never liked the eggshell-thin aluminum body of the Cobra, so it designed a coupe style similar to the Corvette and had one made.

The great looking Ford Cougar II fastback concept design built with a fiberglass body under finishing touches of a candy apple red color. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)

Furthermore, both are also built on a Shelby Cobra legendary chassis, only the Cougar II Concept is powered by a Ford small block 260ci V8 engine. This great looking fastback concept design built with a fiberglass body under finishing touches of a candy apple red color, in which its bodywork was created and built by Ford designers, Ken Spencer and Ray Behmer.

The Ford Cougar II Concept is powered by a Ford small block 260ci V8 engine. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)

While many historians and automotive enthusiasts have argued that the Cougar II Concept looked like a Corvette and deserved to be an equal rival for those Chevy's sports car, on the contrary Ford engineers at the time thought the car would be too expensive to produce. 

So then the blue oval logoed company chose to be more focus on the Mustang project whose its production version is still could be seen until today, and left the Bordinat Cobra and the Cougar II Concept models dusty in the warehouse. Later, both of them were donated to the Detroit Historical Museum. 😢 *** [EKA [27102022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORCITIES | THEGENTLEMANRACER | HEMMINGS | BURRITODETODO ]

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Seen Dodge Firearrow Concept series

Unique ONES - In the intriguing world of automotive design, the collaboration between America and Italy has produced some truly remarkable cars, and one shining example is the Dodge Firearrow Series.

1954 Dodge Firearrow II (left) posed along with the 1954 Dodge Firearrow IV (right). (Picture from: VintageRaceCars)

Conceived in the early 1950s by Virgil Exner, the design chief at Chrysler Corp, and crafted by the esteemed Turin-based coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia, these concept cars stand as a testament to the fusion of style and innovation. Now, let's us talking about those Firearrow concepts as follows;

1. Dodge Firearrow I

In 1953, the first Firearrow concept came out of Chrysler's advanced styling studio and was a dummy. Later, three Firearrows followed led to Dual Ghias. The Firearrow I was a true roadster and painted in Red and Gray, while the interior was yellow with maroon piping. Its wheels were full wheel covers and the bodyside molding wrapped all of the ways around the car and has dual headlights.

1953 Dodge Firearrow I Concept sat alongside with Abarth Fiat 1100 (Ghia) at the 1953 Turin Motor show. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)

The Dodge Firearrow, a sleek, 34-inch-high sports roadster, is a new 'idea' car of the Dodge Division, hand-crafted by Ghia of Turin, Italy. At that time, William C. Newberg, president of Dodge, says that certain design features of the experimental body may well be reflected in future Dodge production models, but there are no present plans to produce the Firearrow.

1953 Dodge Firearrow I Concept was designed by the Chrysler Corp design chief in the time, Virgil Exner and built by Carrozzeria Ghia. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)

The car is shown for the first time on November 12, 1953, at Chrysler Corporation's annual new car press party in Detroit. And today, it is on display at Petersen’s Museum although the seats are now brown.

2. Dodge Firearrow II

The second series of roadster-styled concept car of Dodge itself is built on a 119-inch chassis and equipped with a Red Ram Hemi (241 cubic inch engine) combined with a four-speed Gyro-Torque semi-automatic gearbox, so then the car is claimed to be capable of spewing power up to 150 horsepower.

1954 Dodge Firearrow II Concept appeared with different front and rear sections than the previous model. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

It painted in yellow and looked a lot like Firearrow I, except the body side molding didn’t wrap around the car, chrome wire wheels replace the full hub caps, single headlights replaced the dual, and Firearrow I’s split bumper was changed.

Rear three-quarter view of the 1954 Dodge Firearrow II Concept. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

But, it retained the two-seats behind the dashboard and striking frameless windshield when it appeared in 1954.

3. Dodge Firearrow III

In 1954, the two-seat Firearrow Sport Coupe appeared and proclaimed as the third series of the Dodge's models. As with the earlier roadster, the metallic blue coupe was essentially a 1954 Dodge.

1954 Dodge Firearrow III Sports Coupe shown at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance. (Picture from: Supercars.net) 

Dual headlights returned and now flanked a concave grille cut with narrow verticals. It also featured with the crash protection front and rear was provided by modest bumperettes. A wraparound backlight gave the Sport Coupe a particularly rakish aspect.

Rear three-quarter view of the 1954 Dodge Firearrow III Sports Coupe. (Picture from: Supercars.net) 

The third in a series of four unique Firearrow concept cars made, it has been said that this concept car had the skillful blending of the best ideas from Europe and the American design studios of Virgil Exner and brought an entirely new kind of beauty with a look of poised power.

4. Dodge Firearrow IV

The fourth series of Firearrow convertible arrived late in 1954. Despite being the series' first four-seater model, it shared many styling cues with the previous Sport Coupe model, or can be said, it was basically a soft-top version of the coupe.

1954 Dodge Firearrow IV four-seater convertible concept car and share the same design as the previous sports coupe version. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

The Dodge Firearrow IV was the only road-legal concept car that was actually prepared to enter the production line and adorn many car shows in the United States in 1954. And if you look at the specifications, this concept is similar to the Firearrow II which was also designed by Exner and built-in Turin by Ghia on a 119-inch chassis by using the same drivetrain.

1954 Dodge Firearrow IV convertible leather interior's with a black and white diamond pattern. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)

The concave grille returned, though it now carried a grid treatment instead of the coupe's slim verticals. As for the convertible's leather interior, as it was a diamond pattern done in hard-to-ignore black and white, it was definitely an acquired taste. Additional sizzle was provided by the car's bright red body.

Rear three-quarter view of the 1954 Dodge Firearrow IV four-seater convertible. (Picture from: Automotivereport)

Although these timeless creations, though never mass-produced, continue to captivate the hearts of automotive enthusiasts, serving as a reminder of the innovative spirit that defined an era. The Dodge Firearrow series stands as a testament to the boundless creativity and collaboration that can emerge from the marriage of American and Italian automotive design.. *** [EKA[13072020] [24092021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | AUTOWEEK | SUPERCARS.NET ]

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Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000: The Record That Never Was

Space Spoon - Discovering the stories behind unique and rare vehicles from the past often leads to some fascinating discoveries. One such vehicle is the Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000, a concept car that came to life in 1962. Built by Vignale, an Italian coachbuilder, this one-of-a-kind car was based on the Fiat 600D platform. The car's striking design immediately captures attention, with a shape that resembles a teardrop, or "goccia" in Italian, a form that was highly favored by designers during that era due to its aerodynamic efficiency.

1962 Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 is built based of the Fiat 600D based design prototype with a massive 'fish-bowl' windscreen. (Picture from: Twitter)

In the 1950s and 60s, the teardrop design was at the forefront of aerodynamic studies. It was considered the most efficient shape for managing airflow, and this principle was applied by various automakers. Vignale had previously explored similar design ideas with the Abarth 750 Coupe Goccia in 1956, a collaboration with Giovanni Michelotti. The Sperimentale 1000 took these concepts even further, showcasing a distinct and futuristic appearance that was meant to push the boundaries of automotive design.

1962 Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 sat on display at the Turin Auto Show 1962. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

The Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 is not just another concept car; it is a masterpiece that combines art and engineering. Its most prominent feature is the massive "fish-bowl" windshield, which wraps around the front of the car, offering a panoramic view similar to modern-day sunroofs. The smooth, aerodynamic design continues with the faired-in headlights, which are tucked behind Plexiglas to reduce air resistance. The front bumpers, shaped like bullets, add to the car's sleek profile, while the sharply cut-off tail, a hallmark of Kammback design, ensures that the vehicle slices through the air with minimal drag.

1962 Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000's wraparound windscreen was absolutely enormous, while the glass roof very much similar the current's panoramic sunroofs. (Picture from: Drive-my.com)

At the rear, the car's design continues to impress with a series of cooling ducts that not only add to its visual appeal but also serve a functional purpose by providing air to the rear-mounted engine. The Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 was equipped with a 1,000 cc engine, an upgrade from the original 767 cc engine, thanks to the efforts of the Turin-based ZM tuning company. This enhanced engine, combined with the car's lightweight and aerodynamic form, was intended to make it a record-breaking vehicle. Although Vignale claimed a Cd figure of just 0.25, which would have made it one of the most aerodynamically efficient cars of its time, there is no evidence to suggest that any record attempts were actually made.

Inside the cabin of 1962 Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000, there're two futuristic-themed seats with three gauges are mounted into a wooden instrument panel, housed in a binnacle extending forward to the base of the windshield. (Picture from: Drive-my.com)

Inside the cabin, the Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 continues to impress with its futuristic design. The car features two seats with a unique, aircraft-inspired wraparound headrest on the passenger side. The wooden instrument panel is home to three gauges, housed in a binnacle that extends to the base of the windshield. The seats themselves are anatomically shaped, with unusual grip handle extensions, adding to the car's avant-garde aesthetic. Interestingly, the spare wheel is stored behind the seats, a practical yet stylish solution that adds to the car's overall uniqueness.

1962 Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000's wraparound windscreen was absolutely enormous, while the glass roof very much similar the current's panoramic sunroofs. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

The Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 made its debut at the 1962 Turin Auto Show, where it immediately caught the attention of automotive enthusiasts and designers alike. Initially, the car featured conventional wheel arches, but by the time it was shown again at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1963, it had undergone slight modifications. The wheel arches were now faired-in and covered with spats, likely a result of further aerodynamic experiments conducted by Vignale.

This one-off concept car represents a remarkable chapter in automotive history, blending innovative design with engineering prowess. Its unique appearance, combined with the cutting-edge technology of its time, makes the Vignale Record Sperimentale 1000 a true icon. As we look back on this incredible vehicle, it serves as a reminder of the endless possibilities that arise when creativity and innovation come together in the world of automotive design.*** [EKA [09122021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DRIVE-MY.COM | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | CARSTYLING.RU | QUIRKYRIDES ]

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