A gorgeous Italian job on American muscle car

ONE-OFF - The Chevrolet Corvette, an iconic American muscle car, has always captivated enthusiasts with its muscular design and powerful V8 engine. However, its appeal in Europe was limited due to preferences for sleeker European-style cars.

Chevrolet Corvette Rondine concept car by Pininfarina. (Picture from: DriveTribe)

In 1963, Chevrolet recognized the need to attract European consumers and embarked on a transformation journey for the Corvette C2. Teaming up with renowned Italian design house Pininfarina, known for its work with Ferrari and other luxury brands, Chevrolet introduced the Pininfarina Chevrolet Corvette 'Rondine' coupe concept at the 1963 Paris Motor Show.

While retaining the original chassis and 5.4-liter V8 engine producing 360 horsepower, the Pininfarina Rondine underwent significant aesthetic changes. Unlike the fiberglass body of the original Corvette C2, the Rondine featured a steel exterior, altering its weight distribution and handling characteristics.

Unlike the original Corvette with a fibreglass body, the Rondine was made of steel. (Picture from: DriveTribe)

The redesign eliminated the Corvette's distinctive pop-up lights and elongated the front overhang, giving it a unique appearance reminiscent of European grand tourers. Despite these modifications, the response to the Rondine concept was mixed, leading Chevrolet to reconsider its production feasibility.

Interior of Chevrolet Corvette Rondine. (Picture from: DriveTribe)

Ultimately, the Pininfarina Rondine remained a one-off prototype, residing in the Corvette museum as a testament to Chevrolet's experimentation with European design influences. In 2008, it fetched a staggering $1.2 million at auction, highlighting its significance in automotive history.

While the Rondine may not have entered mass production, its legacy endures as a symbol of Chevrolet's endeavor to adapt to global market preferences while staying true to its American heritage. With its fusion of Italian elegance and American muscle, the Pininfarina Chevrolet Corvette 'Rondine' remains a timeless masterpiece appreciated by enthusiasts worldwide. *** [EKA [09082019] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCE | DRIVE TRIBE | MOTORIOUS]

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Rare Gems: It's only the 1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser

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⛔ Hidden GEMS 💣 - The following article is about Mercury, a brand of mid-priced automobiles produced by American manufacturer Ford Motor Company from 1938 to 2011, was created by Edsel Ford in 1938 to bridge the gap between Ford and Lincoln model lines. Its main competitors were Buick and Oldsmobile from General Motors, as well as DeSoto and Chrysler from Chrysler Corporation.

The 1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser, constructed by Ghia at a cost of $80,000, significantly influenced and propelled the styling of the all-new 1957 Mercury line. (Picture from: Carscoops)

During the 1950s, Mercury showcased a series of impressive concept models that captured the attention of automotive enthusiasts worldwide. Notably, the Mercury XM 800 debuted in 1954, followed by the Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser in 1956, which polarized American car enthusiasts with its innovative design.

The 1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser show car while sat on display at the 1956 Cleveland Auto Show. (Picture from: Motorcities.org)

Led by John Najjar, the Ford Motor Company design team initially named the concept car the Mandalay in 1954. Jack Reith, a Ford executive, recognized its potential and advocated for further development. The team, including Elwood Engel, Gene Bordinat, Don DeLaRossa, and Larry Shinoda, joined to refine the design.

The front end of the 1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser featured a sculpted grille with twin jet pods and included attractive transparent roof panels that could be raised or lowered for both drivers and passengers. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Crafted by Ghia of Italy at a significant cost of $80,000, the 1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser became a symbol of show car styling that influenced the all-new 1957 Mercury line. Despite Ford Motor Company's vision of it as an experimental car anticipating future automotive needs, the 1957 Mercury faced challenges in the market.

The 1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser' cabin boasted four bucket seats with two-tone leather upholstery. (Picture from: Carscoops)

The 1956 Mercury XM-Turnpike Cruiser featured a unique transparent roof panel and a plastic "butterfly" top, offering a blend of futuristic design elements. Its front end showcased a sculpted grille with twin jet pods and V-shaped taillights, alluding to its innovative styling direction.

The 1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser powered bya a 312 CID Y Block V8 engine and Merc-O-Matic transmission. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Inside, the show car boasted four bucket seats with two-tone leather upholstery, powered by a 312 CID Y Block V8 engine and Merc-O-Matic transmission. Its debut at the 1956 Chicago Auto Show marked it as a "preview of the future."

The 1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser's rear-end adorned with a unique V-shaped taillights, alluding to its innovative styling direction. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Over the years, the show car endured storage and damage until restoration enthusiast Tom Maruska acquired it in 2017, investing significantly to restore it to its original condition. Maruska's dedication reflects the enduring appreciation for automotive design history.

In essence, the 1956 Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser remains a pivotal chapter in automotive design, embodying innovation and timeless styling that continues to inspire admiration among enthusiasts and historians alike. *** [EKA [09112020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | CARSCOOPS | MOTORCITIES.ORG | KUSTOMRAMA ]

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Breaking Boundaries: The Austin Zanda Concept Car by Harris Mann

Study Design - Concept cars have always fascinated car enthusiasts worldwide with their futuristic designs and advanced technology. Among these innovative creations is the Austin Zanda, a product of British Leyland that debuted in 1969 and quickly became a symbol of cutting-edge design.

The Austin Zanda is a compact sports car concept showcasing Pressed Steel's advanced CAD design techniques and featuring innovative elements like the transverse engine layout borrowed from the Austin Maxi. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

The Austin Zanda's story begins in 1968 when British Leyland's styling studio, led by Roy Haynes and Harris Mann, embarked on a groundbreaking journey. This marked the birth of the Zanda, a compact sports car concept showcasing Pressed Steel's advanced CAD design techniques and featuring innovative elements like the transverse engine layout borrowed from the Austin Maxi.

The Austin Zanda Concept made its debut at the prestigious 1969 British and New York Motorshows, earning praise for its groundbreaking design and incorporation of modern materials such as glass-fibre reinforced polyester. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

Harris Mann, already renowned for his work on iconic models like the Allegro, Princess, and TR7, brought his visionary talent to the Austin Zanda. Despite the mixed reception of some of his earlier designs, Mann's ability to create captivating and unconventional automotive forms was evident in the Zanda's bold and boundary-pushing design.

The Austin Zanda Concept marked Harris Mann's earliest venture into wedge-shaped designs, epitomizing, as another British Leyland advert noted, the future of automotive design. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

The Austin Zanda debuted at the esteemed 1969 British and New York Motorshows, lauded for its pioneering design and use of modern materials like glass-fibre reinforced polyester. It was among stylist Harris Mann's earliest wedge-shaped designs, symbolizing, as another British Leyland advert put it, the shape of things to come. This not only highlighted Mann's creativity but also British Leyland's dedication to pushing automotive design boundaries.

The Austin Zanda Concept stands as a testament to Mann's visionary talent, proudly displayed at the Motor Heritage Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

Mann's success with the Zanda did not go unnoticed, earning him recognition within British Leyland's senior management circles and leading to future projects like the ADO 21. Today, the Austin Zanda stands as a testament to Mann's visionary talent, displayed proudly in the Motor Heritage Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

The Austin Zanda's legacy serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of innovative automotive design and honors designers like Harris Mann who dared to reimagine the automotive landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | ALLCARINDEX | BRITISHMUSEUM.CO.UK ]

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The Forgotten Ghia's touch: The Sleek and Powerful Oldsmobile Thor Concept

Rare ONES - Automotive design is a thrilling arena where imagination and ingenuity intertwine, giving birth to vehicles that defy conventional norms. While enthusiasts often celebrate the iconic sports cars from major brands, it's the contributions of third-party entities like Ghia that inject a rebellious charm into the automotive narrative. One such remarkable creation was the Oldsmobile Thor, unveiled at the 1967 Turin Motor Show, a testament to Ghia's prowess in design innovation.

The Oldsmobile Thor unveiled at the 1967 Turin Motor Show, a testament to Ghia's prowess in design innovation.. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

Commissioned by Bill Mitchell at General Motors, the Oldsmobile Thor was a brainchild of Ghia's design studio, built upon the robust chassis of the Oldsmobile Toronado – then the largest and most potent front-wheel-drive model of its time. Giorgetto Giugiaro, during his tenure at Ghia, lent his visionary touch to the project, shaping a vehicle that embodied sleekness and power within its design ethos.

The Oldsmobile Thor was conceived by Giorgetto Giugiaro during his time at the Ghia design studio, utilizing the sturdy chassis of the Oldsmobile Toronado. (Picture from: Express Cars UK)

The Oldsmobile Toronado, preceding the Thor, marked a pivotal moment in American automotive history as the first front-wheel-drive car since the Cord in 1937. Giugiaro's design expertise, evident in the Thor's elongated elliptical form, seamlessly integrated with Tom Tjaarda's subsequent design cues, added layers of sophistication and dynamism to the final product.

One of the standout features of the Thor is its front-wheel-drive configuration, which houses a powerful 7-liter, naturally aspirated V8 engine under a streamlined hood. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

One of the Thor's standout features is its front-wheel-drive configuration, housing a robust 7-liter, naturally aspirated V8 engine under a streamlined hood. The frontal perspective, with its understated grille and cleverly concealed double headlamps, exudes an aura of elegance while hinting at the powerhouse within.

The classic American 2+2 layout of the Oldsmobile Thor boasts ample space and comfort, featuring a driver-centric cockpit with intuitive instrumentation that embodies the era's blend of functionality and luxury. (Picture from: VWVortex)

Inside, the Oldsmobile Thor boasts a classic American 2+2 layout, offering ample space and comfort. The driver-centric cockpit, adorned with intuitive instrumentation, reflects a blend of functionality and luxury characteristic of its era. Despite the design innovations, the Thor retained the essence of the Toronado, with minor adjustments like a shortened wheelbase to enhance agility. 

Apologies, as this car is rare, we couldn't find any related videos. However, you can enjoy this video featuring a rendered 2024 Oldsmobile Toronado.

The Oldsmobile Thor's legacy extends beyond its debut, as it found a resting place at the De Tomaso factory museum until 2004, showcasing its enduring appeal to automotive enthusiasts and historians alike. This timeless creation by Ghia continues to inspire future generations of designers and enthusiasts, bridging the gap between innovation and heritage in the ever-evolving automotive landscape. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | CARSTYLING.RU | LOTUSESPRITTURBO | VWVORTEX ]

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Reviving Glory: The Mercury XM 800's Return to Prominence

⛔ Hidden GEMS 💣 - The mid-1950s witnessed a pivotal era in American automotive history, marked by a fierce determination among manufacturers to craft sports cars rivaling their European counterparts. Notable among these aspirations were the Ford Thunderbird, GM Corvette, and Kaiser Darrin, alongside the hidden gem of automotive ingenuity—the Mercury XM 800 along with its sibling, the Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser concepts.

The 1954 Ford Mercury XM 800 was crafted in Ford Motor's Mercury pre-production studio by visionary designers including John Najjar (studio manager) and Elwood Engle (consultant from George Walker's design firm). (Picture from: RodAuthority)

Designed within Ford Motor's Mercury pre-production studio by visionaries like John Najjar (studio manager) and Elwood Engle (consultant assigned to Ford by George Walker's design firm), the XM 800 debuted at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show, captivating audiences with its futuristic allure. Constructed by Creative Industries in Detroit, this concept car stood as a testament to Mercury's pioneering spirit in automotive design.

The 1954 Ford Mercury XM 800 boasted distinctive features such as forward-slanted hooded headlights, concealed front wheels, and a sleek rear design adorned with slender, canted taillights. (Picture from: Conceptcarz)

The XM 800's distinctive features included forward-slanted hooded headlights, covered front wheels, and a sleek rear design with slender, canted taillights—a motif later echoed in the 1956 Lincoln. Its aesthetics were further elevated by a concave front grille, a wide wraparound windshield, and flush-type door handles, all ensconced in pearlescent white and copper tones for a timeless appeal.

The 1954 Ford Mercury XM 800's interior showcases an aviation-inspired design, complete with a wide wraparound windshield and flush-type door handles, all in pearlescent white and copper tones, creating a timeless appeal. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

Furthermore, for the drivetrain, this concept car uses a 5.112 cc or 312 cubic inch engine which is combined with the Ford-O-Matic transmission system to deliver about 266 PS of power to the rear wheels. 

The 1954 Ford Mercury XM 800 powered by a 5.112 cc or 312 cubic inch engine which is combined with the Ford-O-Matic transmission system to deliver about 266 PS of power to the rear wheels. (Picture from: RodAuthority)

While the XM 800 never entered mass production, it was envisioned as a contender against Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac, underscoring its potential as a second Mercury car line. However, shifts in strategic planning, including the emergence of the Ford Edsel, led to the XM 800 remaining a visionary concept rather than a commercial reality.

The 1954 Ford Mercury XM 800 while sat on display at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. (Picture from: RodAuthority)

The XM 800 transcended the automotive world, featuring briefly in the 1954 film "Woman's World" and becoming a sought-after collectible via miniature versions in cereal boxes by the F & F Mold Company. Later, it was housed in the University of Michigan's Automotive Engineering Lab before finding a permanent place in the prestigious Bortz Dream Car Collection. This journey underscores its enduring legacy in automotive history, with experts considering it one of the most attractive concept cars, valued at around $429,000 (approximately Rp. 3.85 billion).

In 2012, the XM 800 concept car re-emerged, elegantly displayed among modern vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show. From conception to rediscovery, the Mercury XM 800 embodies innovation, inspiring generations of automotive enthusiasts and designers with its timeless design excellence and creative spirit. *** [EKA [04112020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | AUTOBLOG | ROD AUTHORITY | CONCEPTCARZ ]

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Exploring the Legacy of the Chevrolet Astrovette Concept Car

Study Design Car - The 20th century saw a surge in automotive creativity, notably in concept cars that redefined design and engineering. Among these gems was the Chevrolet Astrovette, a concept that left a lasting impression with its futuristic allure and aerodynamic prowess.

The Chevrolet Astrovette concept was perceived as an aerodynamic experiment due to its sleek lines, hinting at its wind-cheating capabilities. (Picture from: MacsMotorCityGarage)

Born from a 1968 Corvette, powered by a robust 427 CID big-block V8, and equipped with a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, the Astrovette wasn't just any car. It emerged from the vibrant minds at GM's design studios, a testament to relentless innovation. Its debut in 1968 sparked fascination and discussions among car aficionados.

The Chevrolet Astrovette concept stands as a symbol of historical ingenuity, displayed in the esteemed GM Heritage Collection and honored at prestigious automotive venues. (Picture from: Corvsport)

Initially perceived as an aerodynamic experiment, the Astrovette's sleek lines hinted at its wind-cheating capabilities. However, experts like Karl Ludvigsen labeled it a "pseudo-aerodynamic study," emphasizing its aesthetic focus over pure aerodynamics.

The Chevrolet Astrovette concept powered by a robust 427 CID big-block V8, and equipped with a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. (Picture from: Corvsport)

Under the visionary guidance of GM's Bill Mitchell, the Astrovette underwent striking changes. Extended front and rear sections gave it a sharp, dynamic profile. Additional features like rear fender skirts and a racing windscreen enhanced its aerodynamic charm, while meticulous details like flush wheel covers completed the look of a speed demon.

The Chevrolet Astrovette's cabin is adorned in medium blue, maintaining its stock appearance except for the addition of a racing steering wheel. (Picture from: MacsMotorCityGarage)

Despite its radical exterior, the Astrovette's interior retained much of the Corvette's essence, with a touch of Italian finesse in the steering wheel. Its pearl white finish, adorned with Corvette insignias, earned it the endearing nickname "Moby Dick" within GM's design circles.

The Astrovette's pearl white finish, embellished with Corvette insignias, earned it the affectionate nickname 'Moby Dick' among GM's design circles. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

The influence of the 1968 Chevrolet Astrovette transcended its conceptual origins. Design cues from the Astrovette influenced production models, notably seen in the restyled front bumpers and tail ends of subsequent years.

Design cues from the Chevrolet Astrovette influenced later production models, evident in the restyled front bumpers and tail ends of subsequent years. (Picture from: Corvsport)

While debates linger regarding its aerodynamic efficiency, the Astrovette's impact on automotive design remains undeniable. Today, it stands as a symbol of past ingenuity, showcased in the GM Heritage Collection and revered at prestigious automotive venues.

The Chevrolet Astrovette serves as a timeless reminder that automotive innovation isn't just about functionality but also about pushing boundaries and sparking imagination. Its legacy continues to captivate generations, highlighting the enduring allure of concept cars in the automotive world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CORVSPORT | MACSMOTORCITYGARAGE | WIKIPEDIA ]

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