The world's electric cars is currently going very fast in development. Where many the world's manufacturers are competing to present this zero emission car. However, it turns out that the presence of environmentally friendly electric-powered four-wheelers has been pionered since the early 20th century.
The Helvezzia Tipo-6 concept is designed by Alex Baldini as one of the designers of the Alfa Romeo Giulia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oz9HVX)
As reported from Carscoops, although electric-powered vehicles have been developed over 100 years ago. However, due to several factors, such as the discovery of large petroleum reserves around the world, so it made the price of oil is very cheap. So it was not surprising that vehicles with internal combustion engines were commonplace and electric powered vehicles was not a wise choice at the time.
The Helvezzia Tipo-6 concept is featured a large chrome grille up front and also carried an open-wheel design. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oz9HVX)
Of course, the condition is very contradictory when compared to the current situation, where there has been a significant decline in world's oil reserves which makes prices tend to fluctuate erratically (not to mention the increasingly strong environmental issues in global forums). Thus making the production of conventional-engined vehicles threatened. This of course makes automotive manufacturers have to rack their brains to find alternatives to their production vehicles. And the eco-friendly electric-powered vehicles are one of the most relevant and logical answers today.
The Helvezzia Tipo-6 concept has a shape similar to classic race cars from the 1940s. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oz9HVX)
As if to combine those two different conditions as mentioned above in one frame of times and shapes, a designer presented an electric-powered racing car concept called the Helvezzia Tipo-6 which was looks inspired by the early 1930s racing cars. It is known that the concept car is the work of Alexander Imnadze Baldini, a designer who was also involved in the Alfa Romeo Giulia designing process.
The Helvezzia Tipo-6 concept is equipped with one classic racing bucket seat, a three-spoke steering wheel that houses three different gauges and a set of switches. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oz9HVX)
According to the designer, the vehicle has been designed as a racing car, although it can also be used on public roads. At a glance, the concept car resemblanced in design to classic racing cars such as the Alfa Romeo Tipo B, Alfa Romeo 2900 Scuderia Ferrari and others, but has utilized the power of the electric motors. The concept car featured a large chrome grille on the front, and has an open wheel design with a set of thin racing tires and one spare tire side-straped.
The Helvezzia Tipo-6 concept has an open-wheel design and is sports a set of thin tires, along with a spare wheel strapped to the side. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oz9HVX)
With the status of the low, slender and very cool racing car, the Helvezzia Tipo-6's cabin seems only has one classic racing bucket seat equipped with a three-spoke steering wheel which has three different gauges attached on it, and is also equipped with a set of instrument panels attached to its simple dashboard.
The Helvezia Tipo-6 concept is sports low, slender, with tapered back and very cool. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/36QiMnb)
Do not expect performance data such as 0-100 kph acceleration times, and the top speed of this concept car, because the designer doesn't include any data about it and all that is known only is the powertrain is the electric motors. So, it's clear that the Helvezzia Tipo-6 is just a design study that won't go into production, but as far as we're concerned it can be made and realized. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | TECHZLE ]
The older the more expensive. It seems that is what deserves to be pinned on the row of classic cars that can still perform excellently in various world automotive events. The same is the case with the Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark II Ghia Supersonic Coupé, which refuses to retire in old age, even survives in its condition as it is, plus the price is still expensive.
1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk.II Ghia Supersonic Coupe (chassis: AM300/1131) while sat on display at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3of9AP9)
The coupé-styled Aston Martin car is even more enchanting after receiving a magical touch from Carrozeria Ghia, one of the famous Italian coachbuiders. As we know that the Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark II was built by the British manufacturer starting in 1956 and is a continuation model of the previous Mark I model which began production in 1953. Reportedly, the Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark II model was made as many as 4 units only at that time.
1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk.II Ghia Supersonic Coupe
(chassis: AM300/1131) with a long and sharp windshield; a curved nose that forms a straight belt line, ending with a small flaming tail fin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/36B2KgZ)
And in the same era coachbuilder Ghia was also being developing a car's coachwork style design that became known as 'Supersonic.' The design was first pinned on the figure of the Conrero-tuned Alfa Romeo 1900 racing car which later participated in the 1953 Mille Miglia classic racing event.
1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk.II Ghia Supersonic Coupe
(chassis: AM300/1131) with a long and sharp windshield; a curved nose
that forms a straight belt line, ending with a small flaming tail fin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/36B2KgZ)
The 'Supersonic' coachwork design was originally proposed by Giovanni Savonuzzi, as a car with a long and sharp windshield; a curved nose that forms a straight belt line, ending with a small flaming tail fin intended to resemble a jet afterburner; and the cockpit is low as glass.
1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk.II Ghia Supersonic Coupe
(chassis: AM300/1131) uses a 2 cylinder, 2,922 cc, DOHC engine able to spew power of 182 bhp and torque of 247 Nm. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3of9AP9)
Since then, many of the best cars from world-renowned manufacturers sent to the Ghia's headquarters in Turin to get a touch of the 'Supersonic' coachwork design, that's also includes the Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark II car. One of just four DB2/4 Mark IIs with the chassis number AM300/1131 supplied to Italian coach-builders. Here it received the striking 'Supersonic' style coachwork that was also fitted to Fiat, Chrysler and Jaguar chassis in the same period.
1956
Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk.II Ghia Supersonic Coupe (chassis: AM300/1131)
while sat on display at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3of9AP9)
The first owner of the unique Supersonic-styled Aston Martin was French-born American racing driver Harry Schell. It was debuted and sat on display at the Turin Show in 1956 but had disappeared from view until it resurfaced at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours following a complete restoration. Although the windshield snapped in transport, the one-off Aston won second in class. Amazingly the field also featured two units Supersonic-styled Fiat.
The exotic car's latest news is when the world's famous auction house, RM Auctions sell it at the Art of the Automobile auction event on November 12, 2013. At the time the car is managed to sell at a price of the US. $2,310,000 (approx Rp.19.3 billion). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVERS | MOTOR1 | ULTIMATECARPAGE ]
Have you ever heard of the classic Italian sports car produced by Maserati from 1972 to 1983 named Maserati Merak. We bet You know it. As the world's automotive fans, off course You know this Maserati's sports car of the 1970s.
The Maserati Merak sports car is produced ranging from 1972 to 1983. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2L0gSrF)
At that time, the Maserati Merak sports car competed with the Lamborghini Urraco and Ferrari Dino 308. While the name is actually not related to the beautiful exotical feathered bird species in Indonesia called 'merak' ('peacock' in English). As quoted from Dkclassiccars.dk, the naming is taken from a star lied in the constellation Ursa major.
The Maserati Merak sports car is uses a dashboard and part of the interior that was adopted from Citroën SM, on models produced before 1976. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2L0gSrF)
Maserati Merak (Tipo 122) was born as a 'wedge' designed sports car that has distinctive sharp lines on the body, and it reminds us of the best cars of the 1970s. The sports car was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign, it is also known as the sibling of Maserati Bora (another Maserati's sports car) that built from 1971 to 1978 and uses a 4,700cc V8 engine.
The Maserati Merak sports car is uses a 3.0 L V6 engine capable of spewing up to 192 PS (142 KW; 190 bhp) of power. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2L0gSrF)
The Merak sports car was designed for the first time during Citroën's ownership of the Maserati (1968-1975), and uses a 3.0 L V6 engine capable of spewing up to 192 PS (142 KW; 190 bhp) of power. This V6 engine was also used by Citroën SM. In addition to the 3,000 cc version, Merak also has a V6 variant with a capacity of 2,000 cc, which is labeled Merak 2000GT. This engine version is capable of bursting power of 168 bhp (125 KW) with dimensions of 122 cubic inches.
The Maserati Merak sports car has more balanced front-rear weight distribution than the Bora. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2L0gSrF)
The advantage of the V6 engine using on the Maserati Merak makes production costs lower, besides that it also gives a little space for the the rear seats placement. Physically, the sports car has an elegant design and is fairly futurist in its time. The Maserati Merak is also featured with a characteristic of 1970s cars, namely the pop-up headlight, besides uses a dashboard and part of the interior that was adopted from Citroën SM, on models produced before 1976.
In addition, Merak's handling is better because of its lighter body weight, with a more balanced front-rear weight distribution than the Bora. Aesthetically, despite sharing the same bodyshell, the Maserati Merak looks quite different from the Bora, especially in the opened rear support design.
Unfortunately, Maserati Merak is not very well known in the classic car market. Because, its V6 configuration engine is fairly small besides that for 11 years, Maserati has produced the sports car in quite a large number, which is around 1,830 units worldwide. And currently, the price of the Maserati Merak in good condition is around €50,000 (approx Rp.700 millions). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MASERATI ]
This time we will discuss an old concept car with a very futuristic appearance that appeared long before its time. Yes, the car shape is enough to make people amazed when they first saw it in 1948 in Paris, France. Although, it’s not particularly revolutionary in the way it works.
1948 Panhard Dynavia designed by Louis Bionier has a very futuristic appearance that appeared long before its time. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33yy8ux)
In general, when it says French, and if it refers to the automotive world, people will usually immediately remember those country's famous brands such as Citroen, Renault, and Peugeot. However, it is rare for anyone to know about a brand like the Panhard, because the car in question was the Panhard Dynavia, that made its debut at an auto expo in Paris, France.
1948 Panhard Dynavia designed by Louis Bionier through a simple teardrop shape inspired of the aircraft fuselage. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33yy8ux)
In the late 1940's, people were excited and fascinated by the future, because they envisioned streamlined pods autonomously driving on suspended highways, taking to the air as they pleased. Although they are very far from that goal in terms of technology and feasibility, one thing that is famous in this era is visionary and bold design.
1948 Panhard Dynavia designed by Louis Bionier while sat on display at the Exposition des Concept Car (Chateau de Compiègne) held in January, 2020. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mGKOXy)
It seems that's what the engineers at the Panhard factory did when they gave birth to the Dynavia with a futristic appearance beyond its time. Like most of the post-war streamlined cars, in general they took inspiration from the aviation industry. And Louis Bionier, the Dynavia concept car designer (like many other vehicles of the era) look like succeeded to make a stunning car design through a simple teardrop shape.
1948 Panhard Dynavia designed by Louis Bionier featured simple dashboard with modern instrument panel layout and massive wheel steering. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ojp9W5)
The 650 kg weighed concept car uses a 610cc double cylinder boxer engine that can generate 28 hp of power to drive the front wheels through the four-speed manual gearbox. The Dynavia which wasn’t much but still a bit more than the Dyna X, Panhard's other model (with not less unique looking). Thanks to a combination of aerodynamics and low weight, by those 28 hp engine power could get the car run up to a top speed of 131 kph (80 mph), which was about 18% faster than what the Dyna X could do with the same drive-train.
1948 Panhard Dynavia designed by Louis Bionier uses a 610cc double cylinder boxer engine that can generate 28 hp of power to drive the front wheels through the four-speed manual gearbox. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33yy8ux)
Besides having a unique simple teardrops shape, it turns out that there are other uniqueness attached to this car is a single floodlight sat at the center of the car’s nose, while the headlamps (Cibié 'zero dazzle' units) were located in tubes in the fenders, where they projected flat beams through slots.
At that time this streamlined car was developed by Panhard up to the prototype stage and made only 2 units. Then one unit is known destroyed in an accident, while the rest we can see in the Cité de l'Automobile, in its home country, France. . ***[EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | MACHINE OF GRACE ]
Now we bet you are wondering what Ferrari is this and why have I never heard of this car before? Also, what is Nibbio? And isn't Zagato one of the Bond villains? Well, hold a minute folks, We will clarify all your questions and provide with you more insight as well.
2007 Ferrari 599 GTZ Nibbio Zagato built based on the 599 GTB by Zagato. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Jtivxp)
Nibbio is the Italian word for 'eagle', isn't it strange that a Ferrari has an eagle or vice versa? So no wonder if it bring up some kind of the car's identity distraction when someone passes and looks at it while saying, "Erm is this a Ferrari or Nibbio?" or ''Oh, it's Nibbio but not Ferrari."
2007 Ferrari 599 GTZ Nibbio Zagato built based on the 599 GTB by Zagato. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Jtivxp)
And the name Zagato comes from Uno Zagato who in 1910 started a design and coach-building workshop in Italy. He created some of the most iconic designs in history and worked with many automotive manufacturing companies. Zagato also designed many racing cars. Recently they started designing one-off cars for individual customers by incorporating a double bubble roof as their signature.
2007 Ferrari 599 GTZ Nibbio Zagato built based on the 599 GTB by Zagato. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Jtivxp)
Back in 2007, when Zagato commisioned by discerning gentleman to turn the standard version of Ferrari 599 GTB into one of the most exclusive automobiles on earth and as the result here's the Ferrari 599 GTZ Nibbio Zagato. Under the hood, the 599 GTZ Nibbio Zagato has the same drivetrain as the standard 599 GTB, 6.0-liter, naturally aspirated, V-12 that churns out 612 hp and 448 pound-feet of torque.
2007 Ferrari 599 GTZ Nibbio Zagato built based on the 599 GTB by Zagato. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Jtivxp)
There are only nine cars have ever been built, of which eight have Ferrari's F1 paddle gearshift. And the car in discussed here is the only car in the world comes in a two-tone paint described as Blue Cavallino with a dark blue body and a white roof. This is a fascinating look for the car and makes it stand out and immediately catches the eye.
Now the interior is stock from Ferrari but upholstered by Zagato in this beautiful blue-colored leather. It just makes the car feel extra rich and opulent. You would be forgiven for mistaking the big bitch of this sports car to be a luxury sedan.
Even in 2006, the gorgeous car is noted as the most powerful road-going Ferrari ever built. And as quoted from DriveTribe, not long ago the car is sold at a pretty fantastic price of US $1.5 million in 2019. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DRIVETRIBE ]
This is one of ItalDesign's lively pieces that was presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show called the Alfa Romeo Brera concept. The concept car is intended as a proposal that is right on target and worthy included in the Alfa Romeo's lineup.
2002 Alfa Romeo Brera concept designed by ItalDesign and presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HPNkMc)
It can say that's quite different for the Alfa Romeo Brera concept in 2002 is praised for presenting it like the stars at the Geneva Motor Show, it assumed will have a real future in the brand from which it was originally created.
The car concept presentation was carried out while the Alfa Romeo brand being on looking the car figure to replace the 156. As we all knew, the model was relaunched by the brand in 1997. And in the same time, ItalDesign often shows its intentions through a concept, meanwhile here in the case, it presented as a coupe.
2002 Alfa Romeo Brera concept designed by ItalDesign and presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HPNkMc)
For the beauty of the concept, the powerful 400 hp V8 engine is in the front center position, and the door is distinguished by its vertical opening, with the hinge located at the bottom of the door. Its style will attract the public, hopely also the management of Alfa Romeo.
2002 Alfa Romeo Brera concept designed by ItalDesign and presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HPNkMc)
ItalDesign won the contract for the new design of the 159 model. Meanwhile in passing the GTV and Spider replacements were signed by Brera and Spider by Pininfarina.
2002 Alfa Romeo Brera concept designed by ItalDesign and presented at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HPNkMc)
The Brera presentation is almost entirely conceptual, in proportion to the transverse drive architecture and more adequate interior space for rear passengers.
Unfortunately for Alfa Romeo, the styling will be presented with a platform that is often seen as not in line with the character expected of the car model, mainly because there is too much mass. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LEBLOGAUTO ]
