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Showing posts with label Sportscar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sportscar. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

One of the coolest Peugeot cars of the 1980s

In the 1980s Peugeot was going through difficult times and was considered to have lost its charisma. As if to answer these allegations as well as proof, Peugeot revealed something fractal, starting with the launch of a convertible sports concept car that should really impress us for a future car called the Peugeot Quasar in 1985. 
1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: Modifikasi)
This French automotive manufacturer's journey continued when in 1988 it launched an attractive concept car named Peugeot Oxia. Implicitly this concept car is inspired by the Peugeot Quasar concept car. And at that time Peugeot had to spend around ₣8 million or around £2 million to build two units of the Oxia concept car.
This concept car bears an unusual name because reportedly the name was taken from an area on our neighbor red planet, Mars called Oxia Palus. As reported from Automobile magazine, Peugeot's head of interior styling at the time, Paul Bracq, seems eager to compare this 1980s Peugeot Oxia concept car to the exoticism of some legendary 1930s cars, by calling it "my idea of a Delage, Delahaye, or Talbot for the 1990s."
1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: AutoCart)
The French car company further describes the creation of the Peugeot Oxia concept car at that time as "the dreamer essence hidden deep in the hearts of modern humans." It was a car that "everyone would like to have but no one else could." In general, this concept car is built using the same platform as the Peugeot's sports car for the Le Mans championship which is equipped with a V6, 286cc, twin-turbo engine so that it can produce about 670 hp at 8,200 rpm and a maximum torque of 535 lb.ft at 4,500 rpm.
1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: AutoCart)
The Peugeot Oxia weighs of 1,377kg is equipped with an intricate transmission system featuring an epicyclic center differential that provides a torque separation of 25% at the front, 75% at the rear, and incorporates a thick Ferguson clutch, plus electronically controlled limited-slip differentials at the front and rear and steering is responsible for a lot of it. The suspension is also double wishbone, not to mention that each gas-filled damper is surrounded by a pair of concentric coil springs.
1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: AutoCart)
Underneath its sleek appearance, the Oxia concept is a mix between Group B rally cars and Group C sports racings. There is an enormous side intake duct adorning its body, while the driver and occupants sit in a large glass canopy accompanied by Clarion's entertainment devices. This car is also equipped with a computer system that is ready to map travel routes, perform standard safety checks, and warn of road and traffic conditions ahead. While at the rear, there are twin megaphone exhaust pipes that can roar loudly when used on the streets.
1988 Peugeot Oxia Concept. (Picture from: Motor1)
At that time, to show their sincerity that Oxia was more than just a show car, Peugeot invited many journalists to go around testing it. With a test driver from tire manufacturer Michelin behind the wheel, the Peugeot super-coupe was able to reach a top speed of 217 mph (348 kph), and reportedly that's a figure far beyond what the French company previously claimed.
Although we will never see it running for real on the road, or even slated to appear in Peugeot's line of racing models and possibly in production cars. However, this can be said to be a historic milestone for Peugeot to re-establish itself as one of the world's automotive top-marques. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JALOPNIK | DRIVETRIBE]
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Monday, October 5, 2020

The Supersonic, the '40s art-deco car model

It's not just this time where people imagine what a future vehicle will look like, it has been done by people for a long time. Even since the late 1930s, long before the future vehicle boom in the 1950s to the 1960s which known as jet-age. 

At the time (the 1930s) the world being widely influenced by art-deco design and people also describe the future always has related those styles. This specific design styled was born after World War I and ended before World War II (ranging from 1920 to 1939).
This is how the Supersonic looked after Laouis Fageol had bought of Joel Thorne and modified in 1948. (Picture from: JustACarGuy)
Art-deco design greatly influences decorative arts such as architecture, interior design, and industrial design, as well as visual arts such as fashion. Not surprisingly, this art-deco design is also applied to motorized vehicles.

Indeed, many vehicle designs from the 1930s with the theme of future vehicles almost entirely carry this style. As an automotive enthusiast, you will certainly remember a future concept car from the late 1930s such as the 1938 Phantom Corsair.
1948 Fageol Supersonic is featured a low-slanting hood and a slide away sunroof over the front seat. (Picture from: Hemmings)
It turns out that there is another one named Fageol Supersonic that carries a similar design but uniquely this car was developed by Louis Fageol, one of the owners of a well-known Twin Coach Company in 1948. Yes, he and his two-brother (Frank and William), are the owner the company specialized in building jet aircraft parts and twin-engined buses under the brand of Fageol.
It was original form of the Fageol Supersonic when it was first built by Thorne Engineering of Burbank, California as a racing car in 1938. (Picture from: Kustorama)
The 'Supersonic' entitled car was originally designed as a racing car by Thorne Engineering, the Burbank, California-based engineering firm owned by Joel Thornton in 1938. It was planned to be used in a land-speed record-breaking event held at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, and became a competitor of a number of big European brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Auto-Union DKW, etc.
Fageol Supersonic as a streamlined race car was constructed to break the land speed record against 😅the Mercedes Silver Arrow and Auto Union land speed cars. (Picture from: Kustorama)
As a vehicle for the land-speed record-breaking, the Supersonic was equipped from the start by Miller's twin-engine. However, the project was forced to stop and neglected due to financial difficulties. And in 1948, the unfinished racing car was sold to Louis Fageol who has later developed it into what it is today.
The Fageol Supersonic is debuted at Indy in 1949 and Wilbur Shaw drove it on a few exhibition laps, during which it reached 125 mph on the straights. (Picture from: Hemmings)
This car is given a streamlined aluminum body, then replaced its original Miller's twin-engine with a single six-cylinder Fageol's bus engine, and featured a low-slanting hood and a slide away sunroof over the front seat. In 1949, Lou Fageol showed his futuristic streamline creation at the Indy.😑

In 1953, the Fageol Supersonic was one of the cars featured in the book entitled 'Trend Book 107 Dream Cars,' and at the time the car has many changes. One of which is the wheelbase of 124 inches, with an overall length of 210 inches. Amazingly, this Fageol's dream car is powered by an aluminum propane power plant capable of generating power up to 275 hp.
The final-shape of Fageol Supersonic as on display at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, California in 2009. (Picture from: Kustorama)
Apparently, Fageol has designed a specially ultra-modern engine with LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) for this car. The engine was a single-overhead-cam engine on 404 cubic inches. According to Fageol, the car is capable of going up to a maximum speed of 150 mph due to its high power to weight ratio and efficient streamlining. At that time, it was known that Louis Fageol regularly used the Supersonic to travel to both California and New York.
The Fageol Supersonic still exists today, since 2009 this car has become the property of Robert DeMars and was loaned to be exhibited at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, California. But unfortunately, the innovative engine created by Fageol is no longer installed in this car. And reportedly those innovative engine was replaced by the Twin Coach six-cylinder bus engine in 1953. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FAGEOL | KUSTOMRAMA | HEMMINGS | JALOPNIK | JUSTACARGUY | FACEBOOK]
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Sunday, September 27, 2020

Meet the most influential Porsche You've never heard of

It could be said, if there weren't any of the following vehicles, maybe Porsche would never have had a racing program, at least, none that were so entrenched from the start. Yes, this car begins with the figure of Walter Glöckler was initially a motorcycle racer and owner of a car dealer in Frankfurt.
The 1954 Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe is the forerunner to the rise of the Porsche in the modern world of racing. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33TSNbI)
By his curiosity about a car, made him able to spend countless hours of tinkering so then led him became an early adopter of a strange kind of new racing car model which is later known as the Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe, a progenitor of Porsche's greatness on the racing tracks.
The 1954 Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe has vertical headlights, including a third one placed in the center beside its rounded headlights in the front. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3j0EJn7)
From its appearance, the Glöckler-Porsche 356 was indeed very different from other Porsche 356s, which began to be produced by this German manufacturer in 1948. Well, shortly after being launched, 6 units were assembled by Glöckler and his team into racing cars from the Porsche and Volkswagen parts.
There's a Porsche badge along with a small-sized Glöckler-logo above the third headlights of the 1954 Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33TSNbI)
The new racing car uses an all hand-hammered aluminum body, so then no wonder the weighs less than 1,000 lbs. Thanks to Glöckler's unique expertise to improve the Porsche design, so it is not surprising that his racing car started to reap great results on the track when it managed to win car races under 1,000cc across Germany in those days.
The 1954 Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe uses a Type 547 quad-cam engine from the 550 Spyder, the same engine that would eventually support the 356 Carrera. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33TSNbI)
When the Glöckler racing cars wandered to many racing tracks at that time continued to make the best achievements, vice versa Porsche experienced different things, the German manufacturer is experiencing financial problems led it had an impact on many aspects. One of them that there is no time and means can be allocated to compete on the racing track. Despite these conditions, previously the Zuffenhausen engineers have been attracted by Glöckler's efforts and already gave him their full support.
The 1954 Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe appears with a simple dashboard that features several instrument panels and a rounded steering wheel. (Picture from https://bit.ly/33TSNbI)
In the 1950s, Porsche's financial condition was slightly improving and stable, the company decided to produce racing cars again. And they then borrow the Glöckler design for the Porsche 550 Spyder racing car to compete in the Le Mans racing event with Helmut Glöckler (Walter Glöckler's cousin) behind the wheel. Well, it could be said this car was the company savior on the racing track at the time.
The 1954 Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe has special features like wheel spats on all four corners. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33TSNbI)
Even though on early Glöckler-Porsche model was considered a somewhat eccentric, at first glance, resembling a bathtub, with a small pillbox bunker to accommodate its driver. But on later models also included features such as wheel spats on all four corners, small chrome grills on the front, and upright headlights.
The window frames of the 1954 Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe were misaligned. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33TSNbI)
Although all of these racing car models have never achieved huge success on the racing circuit or even matched the achievements of the inspired models, clearly today, all of them become something that is very valuable in the hands of collectors.

The story didn’t end there, the Glöckler's seventh model was designed to compete in the 1954 Mille Miglia is considered sleek and beautiful. The car has a panoramic window split down the center, wheel arches cut into the body, vertical headlights, including a third one placed in the center.
The 1954 Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe has a panoramic window split down the center. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32YyESF)
Subsequently, the window frames were misaligned, the door was cut into the roof, and tailfins were added on the rear. The engine provided by Porsche engineer Ernst Fuhrmann was a Type 547 quad-cam from the 550 Spyder, the same engine that would eventually support the 356 Carrera.
Due to production delays, the Glöckler-Porsche 356 Coupe had to miss the starting lineup at Brescia but it was still able to compete in the Liège-Rome-Liège rally, even though it should be limped to cross the finish line due to serious technical problems.

In 2014, this coupe known to be sold privately. And then traveling from one exhibition to another around the globe, so far it able to make Porsche enthusiasts delight, at the same time made them feel surprised as well while to see there's a Porsche badge above the third headlights on something otherwise not similar to the Porsche car model generally. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROAD & TRACK | THE AUTO GALLERY]
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Saturday, September 26, 2020

The 812 Superfast goes into the next level

Maybe you still remember the figure of the Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the great iconic cars ever made by Ferrari, the Italian renowned premium car manufacturer with the prancing horse logoed in the 1960s.

Just to refresh our memory, the Ferrari 250 GTO ('Gran Turismo Omologata' or 'Grand Touring Homologated' in English) is a GT class car is used a V12 Tipo 168/62 Colombo engine and produced from 1962 to 1964 for fulfilling the homologation condition on the  FIA's Grand Touring Car Group 3 category.
Ferrari Omologata is a unique coachbuilt one-off model and is described by the Maranello-based manufacturer as a vibrant evocation of the values that define Ferrari in relation to GT racing. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3i4ZSvc)
In the present context, perhaps in your mind as a speed lover who idolizes the Italian prancing horse species wondering, is Ferrari in officially launching a model like the iconic 250 GTO once again? It seems those whisper echos had reached to the Maranello-based auto manufacturer and tease them to do something.
Ferrari Omologata designed by a variety of subtle nods of design inspired by science fiction, racing heritage, and modern architecture. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3i4ZSvc)
And now here's good news, Ferrari has officially launched its newest model although only one unit is made under the name Ferrari Omologata.

As quoted from Top Gear, this is a unique coachbuilt one-off model and is described by the Maranello-based manufacturer as a vibrant evocation of the values that define Ferrari in relation to GT racing. Also, it said as equally at ease on the road as it is hitting the apex on the track in the hands of a true gentleman driver.
Ferrari Omologata sweeps back to the rear with a new three horizontal transverses 'cuts', while the new rear spoiler is said to offer downforce, and set off the car’s 'aggressive, sporty stance.' (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3i4ZSvc)
This beautiful car was built by a Ferrari's special design team headed by Flavio Manzoni which is made entirely of aluminum, with a flattened oval grille, which tapers up to a rounded section over the front wheel arches. It sweeps back to the rear with a new three horizontal transverses 'cuts', while the new rear spoiler is said to offer downforce, and set off the car’s 'aggressive, sporty stance.'

Furthermore, Ferrari said that the Omologata was made especially under commission of a 'discerning European client' and was completed in about 2 years and had much to express. And among those many things, this Omologata is built on the base of the Ferrari 812 Superfast model where all that's left of 812 is the headlights, windshield, and chassis, while the rest is a variety of subtle nods of design inspired by science fiction, racing heritage, and modern architecture.
Ferrari Omologata uses a 6.5-liter V12 engine that is estimated to be capable of producing 789bhp of power and described as more a transcendental celebration of the internal combustion. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3i4ZSvc)
Even though it uses the same drivetrain as the 812 Superfast, a 6.5-liter V12 engine that is estimated to be capable of producing 789bhp of power, the Omologata's engine isn’t so much a big, powerful engine, and described as more a transcendental celebration of the internal combustion. Unfortunately, there is no performance record yet, although the Italian manufacturer says that this model has tested it on the Ferrari’s Fiorano test track.
Then what should be underlined about this model is the use of a new red color for the livery called Rosso Magma with a dark carbon fiber coating and special racing graphics developed by the Italian premium car manufacturer.

Inside, the leather/fabric seats are electric blue with four-point racing harnesses, and there are metal parts covered with a 'cracked paint' effect on the dashboard and steering wheel, to reflect Ferrari’s Fifties and Sixties GT racers. There is even a 'paint hammer' effect on the doorknobs and the center 'bridge' console. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOP GEAR]
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Thursday, September 24, 2020

One of the most legendary Maserati racing cars of 1950s

After we discussed the latest Maserati MC20 supercar some time ago, on the occasion we will discuss one of the old cars ever released by this Italian manufacturer which is equally beautiful. As you can see today, the Maserati classic race car not only appeared in stunning vintage red, also in good condition.
1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi under commissioned of a wealthy American businessman Tony Parravano. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hzxG3b)
Did you know? This racing car known as Maserati 450S was actually ever driven by Stirling Moss, the most renowned UK' racer back in the 1956 Mille Miglia. Unfortunately in the race, his brakes mysteriously gave out, and the car suffered some nasty damage, but it has been completely restored and is looking amazing today.
1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi is appeared in a new contoured style body. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iUJwqp)
This beautiful car creation started when a wealthy American businessman named Toni Parravano hired Maserati in 1956 to develop a new V8-engined car using the Kurtis Indy chassis. Maserati saw it as an opportunity to revive its project coded Tipo 54 by developing a new engine and use its sport-specific chassis. The original car, which carried the V-6 engine with chassis number 3501, became the testbed for this American-ordered car.
1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi is made tremendous performance by clocked the third-best timing during test at the 1956 Sweden Grand Prix's practice season. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iUJwqp)
Carrozzeria Fantuzzi came into and made a new body with a contoured design. The car also got a longer wheelbase to accommodate its new 5.7-liter V-8 520hp engine. Then the updated vehicle was tested at the Sweden Grand Prix's practice session in August 1956 where the automaker continued to tweak the new chassis and make improvements.
1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi uses a 5.7-liter V8 engine with the power of 520hp. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iUJwqp)
Its appearance was quite surprising and amazed everyone with its tremendous acceleration and top speed. The car clocked the third-best timing in the practice, but the underdeveloped car could not handle the vibrations resonating from the wrong firing order of the engine’s spark plugs. Afterward, the 450S received a new chassis at the Modena factory.
1956 Maserati 450S Prototype by Fantuzzi is claimed its first-ever podium finish at the 1957 Sweden Grand Prix. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iUJwqp)
Furthermore, this car was quickly prepared to take part in the 1956 Mille Miglia racing event with the legendary driver Stirling Moss behind the wheel of the 450S along with Denis Jenkinson as navigator. While in the race, the car suffered a brake failure and had to stop after hitting a tree. The driver and navigator survived without a scratch, but the car had to return to the factory for repairs and further development.
Development continued and in 1957, the new 450S was launched for its maiden race at 1000 km Buenos Aires where it had led the Ferrari twin-cam sports car by 10 seconds. But the car suffered a failed transmission and should be out the race. However, later the car claimed its first-ever podium finish at the 1957 Swedish GP. Sadly, the FIA changed the rules next year, making the 450S ineligible for the Grand Prix.
With a vehicle so rare, RM Auctions can expect anything from $5.5 million to $8 million U.S. dollars back in 2014. It will really take a lot of money along with even more courage to own this unique piece of history. Unfortunately, the car not sold with a high bid of $4,816,350 only.😌 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOP SPEED | RM SOTHEBYSSUPERCARS | AIROWS | REVOLZCARPOLISHING | SIMON CARS | CLASSIC WEEKLY]
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Saturday, September 19, 2020

Another beauty car creation based on the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33

As usual when surfing in cyberspace, there we are again fascinated by the beauty of this racing car when we stop by on Pinterest. What do you think, it's gorgeous right? This is not surprising anymore because this car is built based on the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33.
Look out how beautiful the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona racing car looks! (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2FCrTNl)
Besides being built into this racing car model, it turns out that the Tipo 33 sports car had also been transformed into several other models and that's have discussed before. And a small number of road-going cars were derived from it in 1967, called Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, and become one of the most beautiful and the most sought after sports cars in the world.
Look out how beautiful the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona racing car looks! (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZGr8d2)
As we already know, that Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 was a sports racing prototype built in a limited number used to race by the Alfa Romeo factory-backed team in 1967 and continued development through to 1977. These cars took part for the World Sports Cars Championship, Nordic Challenge Cup, Interserie and CanAm series.

In 1968, Alfa's subsidiary, Autodelta, created an evolution model called 33/2. A road version, dubbed Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was also introduced. At the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Porsche 907 with 2.2L engines were dominating the overall race, but Alfa took the 2-liter class win, with Udo Schütz and Nino Vaccarella; after that, the car was named as "Daytona". Since then this racing car model has been known as the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona.
Look out how beautiful the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona racing car looks! (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hH5mfk)
The win was repeated at the Targa Florio, where Nanni Galli and Ignazio Giunti also took second place overall, followed by teammates Lucien Bianchi and Mario Casoni. Galli and Giunti then won the class at the Nürburgring 1000 km, where the 2.5L version finished for the first time, 4th place in the 3.0L class with Schütz and Bianchi.
Look out how beautiful the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona racing car looks! (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2E8WIZn)
However, in most races, the Alfa drivers were outclassed by their Porsche rivals which used bigger engines. In 1968, the car was used mainly by privateers, winning its class in the 1000km Monza, Targa Florio and Nürburgring races.

At the end of the season, Alfa Romeo had finished third in the 1968 International Championship for Makes. A total of 28 cars were built during 1968, allowing the 33/2 to be homologated as a Group 4 Sports Car for 1969.
Furthermore, with the 33TT12 racing car model, Alfa Romeo won the 1975 World Championship for Makes, and with the 33SC12 the 1977 World Championship for Sports Cars, taking the first place in all eight of the car racing championships. All kinds of racing car models mentioned above are derived by the Tipo 33 as well. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GIRARDO.COM | GASHETKA]
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