The Diamante, the most valuable Hemi muscle car

ONE-OFF Just as the sparkle of a diamond is always able to attract the interest of its enthusiasts, it is also known among automotive lovers that there is the car models that deserves to be likened such it. Well, of the many beautiful and unique cars were present in the automotive world today, maybe not many shine like diamonds.

1970 Dodge Diamante Concept named as the "Most Valuable Mopar on the Planet" ever by Mopar Magazine in the 2012. (Picture from: JustACarGuy)

And one of the classic cars considered to have diamond-like appeal is an elegant, classic 1970 Dodge concept car that is so pretty, makes it look worthy of its name as the Dodge Diamante Concept, which 'diamante' is a Spanish word for "diamond".

1970 Dodge Diamante Concept built based on the Dodge Challenger convertible with the highest choice ever made as the triple black model with the first Hemi E-Body frame ever built. (Picture from: JustACarGuy)

As quoted from Moparwiki, even in 2012 this four-wheeled diamond, which was named by Mopar Magazine as the "Most Valuable Mopar on the Planet" ever. Born to greatness, this model started out as the Dodge Challenger convertible with the highest choice ever made as the triple black model with the first Hemi E-Body frame ever built.

1970 Dodge Diamante Concept was first appearance as the Yellow Jacket, intended to test the possibility of producing a car to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette and debuted at the 1970 Detroit Auto Show. (Picture from: AutoInfluence)

The donor car was sent to Syntex, Inc. in Dearborn where it was made into a mildly customized 2-seater and painted orange. Then, it was given the name of Yellow Jacket and intended to test the possibility of producing a car to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette.

1970 Dodge Diamante Concept was first appearance as the Yellow Jacket and seen that the shape borrowed heavily from the previous concept car Duster1, which was a Targa style 2-seater built on a 383 Plymouth Road Runner. (Picture from: MoparWIKI)

It clearly seen that the shape borrowed heavily from the previous concept car Duster1, which was a Targa style 2-seater built on a 383 Plymouth Road Runner. Besides appearing in orange, the Dodge-owned show car model was fitted with a unique shaker hood and made its debut at the 1970 Detroit Auto Show.

1970 Dodge Diamante Concept's new appearance updated with a longer nose and scooped hood and re-debuted at the 1971 Detroit Auto Show under a new heavy pearl white. (Picture from: MoparWIKI)

This made a small splash for the accessories, but after months of touring the orange paint started showing it's defects, the silver basecoat was showing through in many areas. Since the car was look so similar to the 1970s Challenger now in showrooms and on the streets all over the US, and it being less than overwhelming on the show circuit.

1970 Dodge Diamante Concept uses an 'elephant' 426 Hemi engine which can be spewed the power of 1,000 horsepower, along with 950 lb-ft of torque. (Picture from: MoparWIKI)

Then the car repainted to a heavy pearl white, and updated the car's shape with wider front fenders, a sloping hood replacing the shaker, and a pointed nose that was similar look to the 1969 Dodge Daytona and 1970 Plymouth Superbird. So, the low hood and pointed nose required shortening the radiator; and the wider fenders required converting the power brakes to manual. Then the car was shown back at the 1971 Detroit Auto Show under a new name as the Diamante.

The Diamante continued to tour the show car circuit through out the 1970 and 1971 before it was retired. Chrysler placed the car into storage for several years before it was finally auctioned off in 1978. The car eventually found its way into the hands of noted Mopar restoration specialist and collector Steve Juliano. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MUSCLECARANDCORVETTENATIONALS | MOPARWIKI | BANGSHIFT | JUSTACARGUY | AUTOINFLUENCE | HOTROD ]

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Lotus Eleven, one of the greatest race cars of the 1950s

Legendary ONES This time we will discuss one of the Lotus's racing cars which often wins the world racing championship series. As is well known that Lotus, one of the British automotive brands, has long been involved in the various world racing arenas. Its Team Lotus name was well-known in the Grand Prix Formula-1 racing events over more 30 years ranging the 1960s to 1990s (and perhaps until today).

This stunning 1956 Lotus Eleven proves less is more at the 1956 - 1957 Le Mans. (Picture from: http://yhoo.it/2OEjrBi)

And much earlier, in the 1950s (precisely 1956) Lotus was also noted for being successful in endurance racing events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the classes of 1100 and 1500 through its Lotus Eleven. The race car intended to replace and continued its predecessor triumph in the racing event, the Lotus Nine of 1955.

Initially, the Lotus's race car developed from the Mk-1 through the Mk-10 by combining lightweight structures with slippery bodywork and ample power has always been the DNA of the once small car company from the North of London.

The 1956 Lotus Eleven is designed by Collin Chapman and its unusual bodywork was work of Frank Costin. (Picture from: http://yhoo.it/2OEjrBi)

And for the 1956 season, Colin Chapman, the founder as well as CEO of Lotus continued his line of lightweight sports cars with the Lotus Mk-11. It became the most successful Lotus’s sports car and ever had manufactured as 270 examples and raced at many top international racing events.

The Lotus Eleven's unusual bodywork was the work of Frank Costin who created a low-drag shape which also added rigidity to the chassis. Gone were the stability fins from previous Lotuses, and for night driving two recessed night lights were sometimes included.

The 1956 Lotus Eleven's interior has simple seats in red finished, dash fascia nicely finished. (Picture from: http://yhoo.it/2OEjrBi)

Like it predecessors, the Lotus Mk-11 was fitted with a variety of engines which usually included Coventry Climax engines ranging from 750 to 1500cc. The cars also varied in specification with some having a DeDion axle instead of the swing type used for amateur drivers.

The 1956 Lotus Eleven was fitted with a variety of engines which usually included Coventry Climax engines ranging from 750 to 1500cc. (Picture from: http://yhoo.it/2OEjrBi)

Colin’s lightweight principles combined with Costin’s low-drag body to become an instant success on the track. The Lotus Mk-11s held the speed record at Monza and provided fierce competition in the 750cc, 1100cc and 1500cc classes. The car’s best moment came when a FWB-engined example took the 1100cc class victory at the 24 Hours of LeMans.

For the 1957 season the Lotus Eleven was slightly upgraded to include a front wishbone suspension and an upgraded chassis and driveline. The car known as Lotus Eleven S2, is built as 104 units. This helped it repeat its feat at Le Mans, as well as take 1957 Sebring 1100cc class. Moreover, the 1957 Le Mans winning recorded an unforgettable moment where all the four of the Lotus Elevens finished together in formation. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MEDIA LOTUS CAR | LBILIMITED | NEWSYAHOO | WIKIPEDIA | SUPERCARS | CONCEPTCARZ | CARSGUIDE ]

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The lost Fiat-OSCA 1500 Bertone

It's GONE This time we are in Italy, a beautiful country in Europe which is known for its long and legendary automotive history. Like stars in the sky, countless beautiful cars were produced by the country's renowned and talented experts. Some are still well maintained today, but some are unknown. And one of the Italian beautiful cars whose its existence is unknown is the 1959 Fiat-OSCA 1500 by Bertone.

1959 Fiat-OSCA 1500 Berlinetta by Bertone while sat on display at the Turin Auto Show 1959. (Picture from: ItaliAuto)

As it is well known that OSCA (Officine Specializzate Costruzione Automobili - Fratelli Maserati SpA) is an Italian racing and sports car manufacturer founded by the Maserati brothers in 1947 at San Lazzaro in Savena, Bologna, and sadly the company closed in 1967.😢 Its name is usually shortened to OSCA or Osca.

1959 Fiat-OSCA 1500 Berlinetta design clearly saw has a strong American influence on its style with a typical tail "fin". (Picture from: RuoteClassiche)

The beginning of OSCA's involvement with Fiat dates back to the late 1950s, when the Italian carmaker was looking for a reliable and brilliant partner to equip its newest convertible to compete with the rival's talented and highly respected spider called Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

1959 Fiat-OSCA 1500 Berlinetta is designed by the legendary automotive designer, Franco Scaglione while he worked for the Bertone. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

Then the Italian automaker decided to collaborate with OSCA and the result was the OSCA 1500 Spider powered by a four-cylinder dual-axle drivetrain, which would later manufacture by Fiat under license. It was like a gift that would bring some subsidies to the Maserati brothers' company which at that time had always been lack of money and fortune as their long careers in the world's automotive.

When launched for the first time and exhibited in the Turin Motor Show 1958, the Fiat-OSCA 1500 Spider was accompanied by the Fiat-OSCA 1500 GT, a coupe-shaped prototype designed by Pinin Farina that was no less beautiful.

1960 Fiat-OSCA 1500 Spider is intended to build as the rival for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. (Picture from: BresciaCar)

A year later in the 1959, amidst the busy schedule of the company, in presenting several 1500 convertible versions, they also gave Bertone, another renowned Italian coachbuilder opportunity to present the Fiat-OSCA 1500 Berlinetta. The car was known as the creation of the legendary automotive designer, Franco Scaglione with the appearance looked like a typical American muscle car.

Indeed, overall of the car design clearly saw  has a strong American influence on its style, that's a commonplace was not felt only in the auto industry, but in all sectors of production at that time. As it is known that in the late fifties the automotive tastes of the Americans were specifically marked by a tail "fin" and later this was nicely adopted by the talented designer of those Italian coachbuilder to this Fiat-OSCA 1500 figure.

1958 Fiat-OSCA 1500 GT, a coupe-shaped prototype designed by Pinin Farin. (Picture from: AutoVerCity)

The Bertone's Fiat-OSCA 1500 was presented for the first time at the Turin Motor Show 1959. The car showed the trends of its time, with its fashionable side-cuts coupled with a sleek and thin profiles, with an overall style of the two seater berlinetta reminiscent of neat fusion between the typical Italian and American designs. Video below was not about the Fiat-OSCA 1500 Bertone but the Fiat-OSCA 1500 Spider.

But unfortunately, after the event, the gorgeous car was never put into the production line of the Italian company and its whereabouts are tragically unknown to anyone, as if it just disappeared (gone with the wind), even the photos or pictures that existed and circulated in cyberspace are also not many.😭 Its fate is similar to the 1966 Titania Veltro GTT 1500 Coupe (Intermecanicca), known also as the other Franco Scaglione's beautiful car creations. Or wanna see the last OSCA race car.😒

And if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to this marque, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIWAND | RUOTECLASSICHE | ITALIAUTO | ALLCARINDEX | ARCHIOPROTOTIPO | COACHBUILD | CARSTYLING.RU | MOTORLEGEND | CLASSICCARCATALOGUE ]

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It's modern style reinterpretation as the tribute to the 1970 Alpha Romeo Montreal legendary model

Unique ONES A car designing that reflects the accolades of its predecessors and makes it look modern is no easy feat, but Luca Serafini has done it good through his latest creation called the Alfa Romeo Montreal Vision GT.

2020 Alfa Romeo Montreal Vision GT concept designed by Luca Serafini. (Picture from: Motor1.com)

He stated, that is intentionally created as a tribute to the Italian manufacturer's history, as well as gave a modern looks to a classic model such the Montreal that is considered one of those Italian brand the best achievement milestones in the 1970s era.

1970 Alfa Romeo Montreal uses as the inspiration sources of the Alfa Romeo Montreal Vision GT Concept. (Picture from: Piston.my)

Through a radical concept design display, the modern figure of the Montreal Vision GT cannot be underestimated. This can be seen in the design of the front which features a series of chrome accents on the headlamps, to give the futuristic vehicle an aggressive face. Then the traditional Alfa Romeo triangular grille resembles the large NACA duct on the hood, instantly reminiscent of the original Montreal of the 1970s.

2020 Alfa Romeo Montreal Vision GT concept designed by Luca Serafini. (Picture from: Motor1.com)

Visually, the front fascia has an attractive design, and the concept design is much more classic and efficient than the original. From the side you can see the selection of large diameter rims and tires with an intricate chrome design, as well as four small horizontal vents just behind the door, in tribute to the six vents used by the original Montreal, and positioned in the same area.

2020 Alfa Romeo Montreal Vision GT concept designed by Luca Serafini. (Picture from: Motor1.com)

Submiting his work on Behance, Serafini reveals that his father once owned Montreal. “Back in 1986 my father bought a shiny orange Alfa Romeo Montreal. All originals except exhaust system, come from Ansa Marmitte. I remember the night he came home with an irregular V8. He parked at the back in the garage. The smoke was rising and the first thing I saw was the red taillights and chrome exhaust, "he was quoted as saying by Carscoops.

Luca Serafini said that his work reminded him of how he felt when he saw his father's car for the first time. "I stare at her. Muscular dynamic and aggressive. Looking at her now I can't feel the same way when I was a kid. So it's been almost 10 years I wanted to give a quick look into the future and feel again about those moments. And finally this is the Vision dress. GT. It's not about stylistic choices or functional engineering. I'm trying to create something that can subjectively bring me back as a kid. Something on four wheels that makes you say, WOW!" *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | MOTOR1 | BEHANCE ]

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Here's the 1955 Bugatti Brown weird appearance

Many amazing things related to the automotive world are around us which able to make us and many people amazed while we've first seen them. Something extraordinary can be interpreted as the work of geniuses in their fields.

1955 Bugatti Brown is built by an Anglo-French sculptor named James-Jacques Brown based on the 1938 Bugatti T57S chassis and while on display at the InterClassics 2015 held in Brussel. (Picture from: Automag.be)

This also happened to us, when surfing in cyberspace and found out there's an unusual-shaped Bugatti. Yes, in the time we browsed the Google search results and drove us at a minor Japanese site called Minkara, we were amazed to see the car figure in there, especially when we found out that the car was built based on the rarest Bugatti's models.

1955 Bugatti Brown built by James-Jacques Brown and is sat on display at the Autoworld in Brussel. (Picture from: Mr. Wouter Bregman's photo on Flickr)

Well, as an automotive enthusiast, of course you have understood and knew that Bugatti is one of the most famous premium car brands and has a long history in the automotive world. Even we all also know that the Bugatti T57S was the rarest models of those French's brands.

1955 Bugatti Brown built by James-Jacques Brown and is sat on display at the Autoworld in Brussel. (Picture from: Undiscoveredclassic.com)

As quoted of Historicautopro site, the unique modified car mentioned above was built based on the old-1938 Bugatti T57S chassis with an aerodynamic-styled bodywork made of polyester resin by an Anglo-French sculptor named James-Jacques Brown in 1952 and later known as the Bugatti Brown. 

1955 Bugatti Brown built by James-Jacques Brown and is sat on display at the Autoworld in Brussel. (Picture from: Undiscoveredclassic.com)

James-Jacques Brown (October 22,
1918 – December 21, 1991). (Picture
from: Auto-Satisfaction.be)

Upon completion, then the unique stylish car was introduced to the public for the first time at the 1955 Salon de l'Automobile de Paris. In the time could be said that the car received great applaused by the audiences during the event.

After that James-Jacques Brown was in his prime as an artist, continuing his work as a painter and sculptor by using the fiberglass and exhibiting his works around the globe. Until in between 1969 and 1975, when he found the fact that polyester resin had a deleterious effect. Then slowly but sure, his conditions changed drastically, had serious health problems, and sank into depression so he was no longer able to work properly. And finally, he died at the end of 1991.

 

As quoted of the sites of Auto-Satisfaction, and Historicautopro, the Anglo-French artist built 2 cars using in such bodywork (on chassis #57645 and #57723), which was originally for commercial purposes (but never became a reality).

1955 Bugatti Brown built by James-Jacques Brown and is sat on display at the Autoworld in Brussel. (Picture from: Postwarclassic.com)

Unfortunetely, only 1 unit is known in existence, while the other unit is unknown. But from some old photos, we can be knew what is the figure of the car that has been considered missing. And from the same photos we can also seen the difference when compared to the still existed car today is laid on the front air intake and windshield wipers.

This was probably the second unit of the 1955 Bugatti Brown built by James-Jacques Brown. (Picture from: Auto-Satisfaction.be)

This makes the unique Bugatti condition languish and neglected. When it found in the 1980s, the Bugatti Brown's body laid roten in the backyard of a restoration workshop in France, without the original chassis. After the recovery process is completed, then it's taken to Autoworld Brussel to be displayed there with no machine and leaning on tubular structures (some said, it was a VW's floorpan).

The 1955 Bugatti Brown was found neglected in the 1980s at the backyard of a restoration workshop in France. (Picture from: Prewarcar.com)

As quoted of the InterClassics site, the unusual styled Bugatti car was last exhibited at an automotive event titled the InterClassics which held in Brussels back in the 2015. Now if you are interested and wanted to see it, please come to the Autoworld in Brussels, Belgium.

The 1955 Bugatti Brown was found neglected in the 1980s at the backyard of a restoration workshop in France. (Picture from: Prewarcar.com)

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to these unique-shaped Bugatti Brown or if You know the existence of the second Bugatti Brown unit, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MINKARA | HISTORYCARPRO | AUTO-SATISFACTION | INTERCLASSICS | AUTOMAG | PREWARCAR | ITALIANCAR | AUTOPUZZLES | UNDISCOVEREDCLASSICS | POSTWARCLASSIC | FLICKR ]

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The Vallelunga sportscar in the next level development

Unique ONES After successfully producing the De Tomaso Vallelunga exclusively in 1964, it seems that it did not automatically make the Modena-based car manufacturer stop here, the company continues to work to develop the sportscar further. Even more, the Italian company is interested in getting involved deeply into the world of racing, which by chance at that time was excited by the emergence of a number of advanced engineered racing cars carried out by many major and minor automotive manufacturers and privateers.

1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 Ghia Spyder aka Competizione 2000 race concept car built based of the De Tomaso Vallelunga. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37BBMpp)

That is what made the Alejandro De Tomaso owned car manufacturer want to develop a spyder-styled race car model based on its Vallelunga sportscar which was initially called the Sports 1000 and is designed to run the Ford engines of between one and two-litres under the hood. To realized its plans, the Modena-based company made contacts and signed collaborations with several well-known Italian coachbuilders at that time such as Ghia and Fantuzzi to build a racing concept car as mentioned above.

1. Ghia-bodied race concept car

The first Ghia-made racing concept car model for De Tomaso was completed in December 1965, initially called as the De Tomaso Sport 1000 Ghia Spyder (chassis 2022) and made its debut at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, and won the "The Best Car Design" award, due to it looks really good even today. This can be seen in the roadster's low, open body has the large wheel arches. Its bodywork harmony is not compromised by the bulky headlights, as is the custom of today's designers, and is placed right beside the front grille.

1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 Ghia Spyder aka Competizione 2000 has the large wheel arches not compromised by the bulky headlights, and is placed right beside the front grille. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37zktoO)

The concept car was originally powered by a 1.6 litre four cylinder Ford 120E engine or known as a tuned version of the 104 hp powerplant used in the De Tomaso Vallelunga coupled with the 4-speed manual transmission system built inside a Volkswagen's case with Colotti's gear sets. While the legs, it uses 13-inches wheels equipped with double wishbone and coil springs at all four corners, with uprights sourced from the Triumph suspension.

1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 Ghia Spyder's cockpit featured by basic flat top dash housed an array of instrumentation and a standard wood-rimmed Vallelunga steering with 2 bucket seats. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3kljH4l)

The cockpit was suitably bereft of any superfluous equipment. Two bucket seats were trimmed in black vinyl but there was no other upholstery to speak of. The basic flat top dash housed an array of instrumentation and a standard wood-rimmed Vallelunga steering wheel was employed. For marketing reasons, De Tomaso always said that the car was equipped with a Flat 8 cylinder 2-litre De Tomaso engine and changed the wheels to 15-inches size  then called it as the De Tomaso Competizione 2000.

1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 Ghia Spyder aka Competizione 2000 originally powered by a 1.6 litre four cylinder Ford 120E engine, but for marketing reason later, De Tomaso said the car uses a Flat 8 cylinder 2-litre its owned engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37zktoO)

After its appearance at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, De Tomaso retained the Competizione 2000 until 2004. At this point the firm went into liquidation and chassis 2002 was sold to an Italian collector and underwent a comprehensive restoration.

2. Fantuzzi-bodied race concept car

The second model, the Fantuzzi-bodied Sport 1000/66 (chassis VL 1609) called De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder and fitted in 1966, it features one of only handful of survivors of the 15 BRM P80 engines built for shown off at the Turin Auto Show 1966 event, but unveiled two weeks earlier.

1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder was on action at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3saUFaH)

As mentioned above, the roadster is modified by the factory to use a 998cc BRM Formula 2 engine (129bhp at 9,750rpm) and ancillaries, new engine subframe, straight through exhaust, fuel tank, wider three-spoke De Tomaso Formula 3 wheels by Campagnolo, smaller diameter steering wheel and front-mounted header tank.

1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder powered by a 998cc BRM Formula 2 engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZyrzG1)

The rear bodywork was modified with flared fenders and an opening for the exhaust pipe on the tail facia. The rear deck had cut outs for the trumpets, a filler cap and heat exchanger for the electrical system.

1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder after finished a comprehensive restoration done by Motorvation, an UK's automotove workshop before attended for the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3qLe8hG)

Uniquely, even though the car is designed as a racing car, in reality it has never been used for racing in any circuits. The spyder-styled race concept car was kept at the factory until the clearance sale which took place in 2004 when it was sold to an English collector who sold it again to his compatriot collector in 2007.

1966 De Tomaso Sports 1000 BRM Fantuzzi Spyder's rear bodywork was modified with flared fenders and an opening for the exhaust pipe on the tail facia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZyrzG1)

The Fantuzzi-made race concept car still in highly original condition, it was brought back to full running order in time for the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOKULT.PL | WIKICARS.ORG | FLAVIAENDACHET | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA.COM | CARSTYLING.RU | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI.COM | IN2MOTORSPORTS.COM | SUPERCARS.NET ]

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