~Unique ONES~ Those are a slightly twisted song lyrics from the theme song of the comedy-sitcom about a four- man band, The Monkees. For those of you who had been one of their fans in the 1960s and 1970s, you might remember and memorize their songs. And for sure you will also remember the bright red Monkeemobile that looks like an exaggerated caricature of a convertible, but it cannot be denied that it is also one of the most famous custom cars ever made to date.
The Monkeemobile built based on the 1966 Pontiac GTO by Dean Jeffries known also as one of the most famous custom cars ever made to date. (Picture from: Flickr)
Even though at the beginning of the development of this custom car, it had invited controversy for the brand owner did not like the custom car by Dean Jeffries named the Monkeemobile built based on the 1966 Pontiac GTO. Even though it appears with its nose and tail stretching more than a foot each, in fact the Monkeemobile can still be recognized as just like a mutated result Pontiac GTO.
The Monkeemobile is powered by a 389 cubic-inch V8 drivetrain coupled with hydramatic automatic transmissions. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Just look at there're four exhaust tips poking up on each sides just behind the front wheels, and a huge blower shooting out of the front hood. At the rear, the trunk has been hollowed out to make room for a curved bench seat, and a giant canvas top stretches across the shebang like an early 1900's Ford Model T. There's even a drag-style racing parachute installed. How's strange the final form of this car.
The Monkeemobile's front features a split two-piece windshield, coupled with front fenders, exaggerated tail lamps more than a foot each. (Picture from: HotCars)
So how did a Pontiac GTO change look drastically into a Monkeemobile, maybe it's one of those coincidence cases. By then creator Dean Jeffries was already an established name in the customization world of America, after having appeared with pinstriping Indy cars and even the Porsche 550 Spyder where James Dean died. It was Jeffries who painted "Little Bastard" on the back of the ill-fated car.
The Monkeemobile featured with a giant canvas top stretches across the shebang like an early 1900's Ford Model T. (Picture from: HotCars)
It was Dean Jeffries also who formed the aluminum skin of the Carroll Shelby's first Cobra, and he also crafted the original Black Beauty for The Green Hornet. Therefore it is not wrong if then he is contracted by Universal Studios to provide a hero car for The Monkees. In short, Jeffries purchased two basic 1966 Pontiac GTO convertibles, each powered by a 389 cubic-inch V8 drivetrain coupled with hydramatic automatic transmissions.
The Monkeemobile featured with the fake blower on top of the V8 rather than swapping it out for the real thing. (Picture from: HotCars)
Jeffries built the first car only in 10 days to complete, while the second one took four. The car number one will be used as a television car, and the second as a promotional vehicle, and each got slightly different final touche. For example, the GMC 6-71 supercharger sticking out of the hood of the Monkeemobile rammed so much power into the engine that the car was practically undrivable.
There's even a drag-style racing parachute installed on the Monkeemobile' rear. (Picture from: Flickr)
The second Monkeemobile, used for promotional events, had the weight added to the trunk, while the rear suspension removed so as to create the crowd-pleasing wheel mounts. The TV show cars only have blower shells attached; a four-barrel carburetor will provide all the power it needs.
No one could have predicted the success of The Monkees, who would become legends in 1967, they outsold The Beatles and Rolling Stones, even both were combined! Dean Jeffries continued to customize cars for Hollywood but somehow never got the public recognition he deserved.
The Monkees comprising Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davy Jones, while posed along with the Monkeemobile. (Picture from: JimsWorldAndWelcomeToIt)
What's more, when the show finished, he passed up the option to buy Monkeemobilesfor $1,000. George Barris bought the second of the two, used it as a promotional vehicle for many years, and sold it at a Barrett-Jackson auction in 2008 for almost $400,000.
Like other famous custom cars he has nothing to do with (such as the Ghostbusters Ectomobile), Barris may not claim to have created the Monkeemobile, but he doesn't actually correct anyone who makes those assumptions. A consummate self promoter, Barris was met with much acclaim while Jeffries continued to work. It was a source of bad blood between them.
Micky Dolenz (the last of The Monkees members) posed along with the Monkeemobile during at the Retro Con 2022, April 8, 2022. (Picture from: Retrocons)
As for the original TV show car, it accompanied The Monkees on their world tour. Somehow, ended up being left behind in Australia. Then it appeared in Puerto Rico, where it was briefly used as a hotel limousine. The story goes that the car was repainted pink, no one seems to know how it stranded in the Caribbean.
Then the Puerto Rican government confiscated the car due to unpaid tax issues and put it up for auction. In 1992, an anonymous buyer paid the $5,000 minimum bid to redeem the car, then shipped it to New York. It was restored to its former glory and reunited with The Monkees in 1997, and was used in a television special on ABC.
Today the two Monkeemobiles still occasionally go out to important car shows, and are occasionally driven. There it was, rolling down the road. And, as you might expect, both are still able to show everyone they meet with the funniest sights and not a few people still feel amused by their existence. Hey...hey...they're the Monkees, and people say they're still monkeying around....*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DRIVING.CA | HOTCARS | BARRET-JACKSON | RETROCONS | WIKIPEDIA ]
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~Rare ONES~ Of all the weird cars ever known, maybe you do not know intimately the following car. Well, the mentioned car was the Alfa Romeo 1900 C52 'Disco Volante'. It is a concept car series with production starting from 1952 with the body was built on a tubular space frame.
Disco Volante in English means Flying Saucer. This name arose because the car' shape resembles a flying saucer design imagination. For information, the 1950s was an era when people were dreaming can be walked on the moon and outer space. This car had been debuted at the 1953 New York Motor Show.
Rear side view of 1952 Alfa Romeo 1900 C52 'Disco Volante'. (Picture from: VintageEveryday)
The design of Alfa Romero 1900 C52 was very futuristic in that time and like not came from the Earth. This is because when making this car the Alfa Romeo in collaboration with Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera were develop the car's designs in the wind tunnel facility to actually get a very low wind resistance.
Front three-quartered of 1952 Alfa Romeo 1900 C52 'Disco Volante Fianchi Stretti'. (Picture from: RMSothebys)
This aerodynamic shape made a top speed of 220 kilometers per hour (140 mph) possible. Just three 2-litre open-top examples were initially built, one of which was converted into a coupé with a fixed roof in 1953. With the other, the Alfa engineers modified the bodywork to give it "slim hips". The Italian name "fianchi stretti" is still used today for this variant. There was even a 3.5-liter version made for Juan Manuel Fangio.
Front three-quartered view of 1953 Alfa Romeo 1900 C52 'Disco Volante' Coupe. (Picture from: Squadra Alfa Romeo Madeira)
None of these automobiles ever attained to the status of truly successful racing cars although they were tried a few times, with one victory having been taken at the Gran Premio Supercortemaggiore. According to some the design of the Jaguar E-type has some design cues similar to the Disco Volante.
The Alfa Romeo 1900 C52 is built on top of the all-new frame structure tubular space frame and using a slightly tuned 1900 engine (1,997 cc) now producing 158 bhp (118 kW) is made of aluminum material. The unique 3.5-liter car is preserved in the Museo nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin; two 2.0-liter prototypes are preserved in the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese and are regularly used in classic car races. *** [EKA [13012020]| FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | SUPERCARS.NET | VINTAGEEVERYDAY | RMSOTHEBYS ]
~Forgotten ONES~ If only we could turn back the time, and as automotive enthusiasts who like unique vehicle looks, we intend to go back to 1998, to be precise, to the Geneva Motor Show which was held in that year. What do you want to see there? It was at the exhibition that it was shown for the first time the Pickster touted as a dream, a provocation, pure undoubtedly of Bertone for its innovative spirit, and a new way of looking at the automobile.
The Pickster touted as a dream, a provocation, pure undoubtedly of Bertone for its innovative spirit, and a new way of looking at the automobile. (Picture from: Autoweek)
In appearance, this concept vehicle has an appearance that carries a hybrid design, namely a half of coupé saloon and pickup. As you can see, from the front, the Pickster looks like a charming C-segment saloon with narrow headlights is full of aggressiveness, and the radiator grille, after a deeper analysis, resembles characteristic BMW kidneys.
The Pickster was designed by Luciano D'Ambrosio in 1997, and presented for the first time on Bertone booth at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: Motor1)
Moving on, we can see high-placed side mirrors and a little awkward creases on the sides. Only two people could fit in the short cabin, because the rest of the body was occupied by the cargo space, finished with a spectacular spoiler with interestingly arranged rear lights. Its dimensions are imposing: 480 cm long, an
impressive 197 cm wide and 136 cm high. Its yellow paintwork underlines
its originality.
The Pickster looks like a charming C-segment saloon with narrow headlights is full of aggressiveness, and the radiator grille, after a deeper analysis, resembles characteristic BMW kidneys. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
It could be said that's highly imaginative result presents an extreme design with complex surfaces wrapping the wings in a muscular sheath. An aggressive streamlined frontal view gives it an edgy, sporty feel. The tail features a loading space characterised by ground-breaking intuition, thanks to the spoiler which closes off the space and also performs an aerodynamic function.
The Bertone Pickster's interior reflects design creativity and all the work which went into the fittings, and once more show the car's originality with blue-colored leather and aluminium trims. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
As mentioned above, it presented for the first time on Bertone booth at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show, the Pickster was designed by Luciano D'Ambrosio in 1997. This car is said to be inspired by El Camino, a similar vehicle made by the American manufacturer Chevrolet. As the base, it used was that of the BMW 528, featuring rear suspensions which occupy little space and are perfect for the development of a pick-up.
On the dashboard the instrumentation is towards the top, with the addition of the screen of the Magneti Marelli navigation system. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
It also said that the concept car created in only three months was also thanks to the availability of complete mechanical components, all BMW-produced starting from the engine, a six-cylinder 24 valve 3.2-liter with an output of 320 hp. And lastly the big 21-inches wheels, with Michelin PAX tyres which will go the distance even with a puncture.
The Bertone Pickster powered by a six-cylinder 24 valve 3.2-liter BMW 528' engine with an output of 320 hp. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
The interiors reflect design creativity and all the work which went into the fittings, and once more show the car's originality: leather and aluminium trims, seats with small, fixed cushions but adjustable seat-backs. On the dashboard the instrumentation is towards the top, with the addition of the screen of the Magneti Marelli navigation system.
The Bertone Pickster concept vehicle has an appearance that carries a hybrid design, namely a half of coupé saloon and pickup. (Picture from: 6SpeedOnLine)
However, there was something odd about its appearance at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show because cars with designs like this were usually not very popular in Europe. Although the design of the vehicle brought by the Pickster is said to be a blending idea of the very American concept of the pick-up with the spirit of European GT.
The Bertone Pickster dimensions are imposing about 480 cm long, 197 cm wide and 136 cm high under yellow paintwork underlines its originality. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
And usually this design concept is likely to succeed in America or other parts of the world such Australia, etc which are very dependent on pickup or truck type vehicles. So it's no wonder, if after the exhibition the Pickster by Bertone has not moved from its position as a prototype without ever entering the production line.
After Bertone declared bankruptcy in 2014, there was an auction of company assets. Among the items sold was the historical Carrozzeria Bertone Collection, made up of 79 items, including this Pickster concept. All-those collections were purchased at the auction by the Automotoclub Storico Italiano and is on display at the Volando Museum, conveniently located at Milan’s Malpensa Airport. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | 6SPPEDONLINE | AUTOKULT.PL | GTPLANET | CARSTYLING.RU | AUTOWEEK ]
~Extinct ONES~ Before Chrysler Corporation made the Cordoba advertised by Ricardo Montalban in the 1975. Apparently earlier in 1970 already existed the other ones known as the Cordoba de Oro Concept was a radical statement of the "fuselage" look then popular with cars wearing the Pentastar, and also its name corrected the Dodge Deora’s bad Spanish. Fresh concept...
The Cordoba de Oro Concept was a radical statement of the "fuselage" featured with very wedge-shaped concept. (Picture from: Forcbodiesonly)
As we all know that for many years Chrysler displayed several show cars, and in 1970 the American car manufacturer showed a very wedge-shaped car concept, called the Cordoba de Oro. The wedge design became popular with auto designers in the late 1960s, and would eventually make it to the high-end market in the 1980s with the DeLorean DMC-12, the Lotus Esprit, and the Lamborghini Countach.
The Cordoba de Oro Concept shown for the first time at the 1970 Chicago Auto Show. (Picture from: Forcbodiesonly)
This car was designed by Elwood Engel and featured a cantilevered roof with no A-pillars. The fact, this kind of car model was originally pioneered byVirgil Exner which was applied to the 1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept which had sunk together with the Andrea Doria more than decades before. And Exner’s successor as Chrysler styling chief Elwood Engelre-applied such this kind of cantilevered roof with minimal A pillars on this Cordoba de Oro.
The Cordoba de Oro Concept was designed by Elwood Engel and featured a cantilevered roof with no A-pillars. (Picture from: Forcbodiesonly)
As an automotive designer, Engel is remembered mostly for his work on Chrysler’s turbine cars and
his muscle car designs, the latter of which include the 1968 Dodge
Charger (his 1966 Charger prototype bears some resemblance to the Cordoba de Oro), the 1970 Dodge Challenger, and the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda.
The Cordoba de Oro Concept did have a common concept car gizmo that’s become a common feature on today’s cars such as an experimental, grille-shaped headlights. (Picture from: Forcbodiesonly)
The Cordoba de Oro was built on the standard Chrysler wheelbase of 124 inches, Though all the publicity photos of the car seem to have been in black and white, but this snapshot taken at the 1970 Chicago Auto Show explains the car’s real skin such its name which looks gorgeous in a shimmering gold tint.
The Cordoba de Oro Concept's seats were trimmed in gold leather to match the car’s exterior, and developed by Allied Chemical that had an integrated lap and shoulder belt system. (Picture from: Forcbodiesonly)
The interior featured novel adjustable pedestal bucket seats developed by Allied Chemical that had an integrated lap and shoulder belt system. The seats were trimmed in gold leather to match the car’s exterior. It’s not clear if it was of the soft Corinthian type.
The Cordoba de Oro Concept also featured with a thermostatically controlled air intake, coupled with a camera and tv monitor that replaced the conventional rear view mirror. (Picture from: Forcbodiesonly)
The Cordoba de Oro did have a common concept car gizmo that’s become a common feature on today’s cars such as an experimental, grille-shaped headlights, a thermostatically controlled air intake, coupled with a
camera and tv monitor that replaced the conventional rear view mirror.
The Cordoba de Oro Concept also has an early air bag prototype for a demonstration-purposes-only. (Picture from: Forcbodiesonly)
Another safety system tested on the Cordoba de Oro was an early airbag prototype. They even worked on a demonstration-purposes-only airbag that deployed much slower than normally, but for some reason that was never shown to the public.
Unfortunately, the drivetrain that powers this concept car never been known.😥 Besides that, its whereabout is also unknown? Might be this concept car has decomposed by crusher machine as its final fate after all its displaying sessions in various the world's major exhibitions were over.😢 Is there another possibility? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FORCBODIESONLY | THETRUTHABOUTCARS | STORY-CARS | WEARETHEMUTANTS | CARSTYLING.RU | CLASSICCARS.FANDOM | WIKIPEDIA ]
~Extinct ONES~ Indeed, there is not much information regarding this Mercedes-Benz made concept vehicle, although in fact this was the first contact those German automotive manufacturer had with the rotary piston engine, aka the Wankel engine, shortly after the less known SLX project was discontinued in 1966.
From the late 1960s through the 70s, Mercedes-Benz engineers worked on an experimental Wankel engine technology program, and this was possibly the first car to be used as the C101 test mule of 1968. (Picture from: mb143.ru)
The story begins in 1961, when discussions about the new engine concept of the rotary piston engine came more and more to the fore at Mercedes-Benz top brass circles. At the time, numerous intense discussions about the new engine concept based on the idea of Felix Wankel, brought up the pros and cons, when it came to the possibility of realizing it in those days.
In short, Mercedes-Benz decided to conclude a license agreement with Felix Wankel that allowed the use of his engine. At the same time, the company should be researched to develop the rotating combustion engine, and the first thoughts came to fruition internally as to which cars would be equipped with the Wankel engine in the future.
The C101 Wankel-engined test mule did its first test drive at the Hockenheimring on July,15 in 1969. (Picture from: mb143.ru)
Although the Mercedes-Benz technicians mastered a number of technical hurdles and developed forcefully, they did not succeed in handling the major difficulties such as ostensibly the high fuel consumption and the poor exhaust gas values.
As quoted from Nasshan, the company was made a decision that the new engine should be tested for the first time in a small sports car in the end 1968. The project internally name was the abbreviation C101. The car was powered be a three-disc engine with a displacement of 600 cc each and a total output of 280 hp.
The C101 Wankel-engined test mule which physically like it was a weird sports car with flat bed at rear. (Picture from: mb143.ru)
And the Mercedes-Benz crew did the first test drive at the Hockenheimring on July,15 in 1969. Actually, the car's shape that was the first to undergo a test drive related to the C101 project has never been seen officially until today. Even in various official documents from the manufacturer bearing the three-pointed star logo was never shown off its shape.
The 1968 C101 successor known as the Mercedes-Benz C111 research car series, ie 1969 Mercedes Benz C111-I (left), 1970 Mercedes Benz C111-II (middle), and 1969 Mercedes Benz C111-I first prototype (right) posed together. (Picture from: Pinterest)
Thankfully we currently live in modern times full with sophisticated gadgets so we can immediately find out. As seen in a few documentation photos scattered in internet today, the car that was originally used as a test mule to carry the Wankel engine is somewhat unique and seems sober, which physically like it was a weird sports car with flat bed at rear.
Presumably test drive was the
first step to public for the until then secret development. This then invites curiosity of a professional photographer from Leica-Studio Wörner to came to the race track on this particular day, then took several phenomenal photos of this such weird looking Mercedes-Benz prototype.
Then related to its current mysterious whereabouts, it looks like the original car was either scrapped or further developed its design for later project of C111. At least that's the only logical reason to explain about its whereabouts. What do you think? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MB143.RU | AUTOWP.RU | NASSHAN ]
~Forgotten ONES~ The sportscar makers in the 1960s was being in transition era to shift from the front-mounted drivetrain layout towards to the mid-mounted ones. As we all know, the realization of those idea into reality was first pioneered by the small-time Italian company ATS through the ATS 2500 GT in 1963, while others like Lamborghini directly applied it to its production versions of sportscars, the Miura in 1966.
The Mercedes-Benz SLX prototype while sat on display at the Techno Classic in Essen back in 2019, as it clearly visible is the questionable style feature of the large rear air intake. (Picture from: Roarington)
Meanwhile, many other automakers also apply it to their racing cars that compete in various world-renowned races, such as Ferrari were already racing using its mid-engined 250 LM racers, Porsche with its 904 and Ford later joined on the fun with 1964's GT40. So where was Mercedes-Benz at that time? As history tells us, Mercedes-Benz wanted a seat at the table to kick back and relax away from the serious business of producing the world's best luxury sedans. But is it really so?
The Mercedes-Benz SLX featured with a sleek body with arched fenders, pop-up headlights, and an oversized three point star on the nose, and in pictured while sat on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. (Picture from: Roarington)
As quoted from Roarington, the real fact is not so, Mercedes-Benz management at that time had also thought in that direction, considering since the company retired after the tragedy at Le Mans back in 1955, only the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' known as the last-remaining triumphed symbol of this German's three-pointed star company in the world's motor sports arena. By taking inspiration from the sportscar makers mentioned above, the German company top brasses decided to study in advance what styling, as well as what technology should be adopted by a Mercedes-Benz rear-engined sports car dedicated to road use.
The evolution of the first SLX idea in 1965 began with a 1:5 scale model. Here, the designers Paul Braq (right) and Giorgio Battistella who created the model. (Picture from: Roarington)
By 1962, Mercedes-Benz was seriously handled the notion of building a mid-engined sports car, and pointed Paul Braq, who had designed the Pagoda and Giorgio Battistella, an Italian designer once worked for OSI the Turin-based coachbuilding company to design the car. In terms of style, creating a model that could rival to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
legendary model was a tough tasks. The distinguishing element of this
model is the mass distribution, with a shorter nose and a longer,
tapered tail to accommodate the engine.
The very smooth line of the SLX with its generous front fenders made possible by moving the engine to the rear. (Picture from: Roarington)
The
car also introduces several innovations, including pop-up headlights
and a bumper which is integrated into the car body wraps all the way
around the vehicle on the sides and rear, coupled with its massive front
grilles were dubbed as the most Mercedes part of the prototype. On the contrary, what it's definitely not a Mercedes is the rear with massive side air intakes and a slightly arrow-shaped tail. Later, the car was called the Mercedes-Benz SLX Concept, and was intended to be featured in a tier
above the SL in Mercedes-Benz's lineup.
The model of the SLX in the wind tunnel with the classic “wool tufts” that confirm the efficiency of the design. (Picture from: Roarington)
It turned out that it took more than four years to turn the design sketches into a 1:1 scale model featured with a sleek bodywork, and shown an extraordinary wind-tunnel test results. After finishing in 1966, they presented to the board. Unfortunately, they had no luck, despite positive tests in the wind tunnel, the board turned down the design, only because there was a change in the technical direction of the company which, in those years, was more concentrated on innovative forms of engines such as the Wankel.
The Mercedes-Benz SLX posed alongside the C111 models that took over between 1969 and 1978. (Picture from: Roarington)
More sadly Mercedes-Benz to opted out of the project entirely, without ever thinking about adapting the car model to those innovative Wankel engine. Instead, they decided to put all-their resources into developing the new C101 followed then C111 projects in the 1969. Since that day the SLX was shelved as a design study, but the rolling chassis still exists within the Mercedes-Benz Museum until today.
Can you imagine how the performance would be if the Mercedes-Benz SLX was fitted with an engine equivalent to an LS V8 coupled with a ZF transaxle at time. Maybe it will be exciting to see this car run fast and cross the finish line of the 24-Hours Le Mans race as a winner back then in the 1960s. Who knows?
Although this visionary project was shelved, but in fact, it paved the way for a series of prototypes that have played a real role in the development of the brand as we will see in subsequent future models as you can see recently on the Mercedes-AMG ONE. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROARINGTON | SECRET-CLASSICS | TOPSPEED | OBSCURE_CARS_DAILY ]
Today the two Monkeemobiles still occasionally go out to important car shows, and are occasionally driven. There it was, rolling down the road. And, as you might expect, both are still able to show everyone they meet with the funniest sights and not a few people still feel amused by their existence. Hey...hey...they're the Monkees, and people say they're still monkeying around.... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DRIVING.CA | HOTCARS | BARRET-JACKSON | RETROCONS | WIKIPEDIA ]
