The unique Loewy Lincoln of the 1940s

ONE-OFF Today, French-born American industrial designer Raymond Loewy is remembered as the Father of Industrial Design, who was involved in many industries including automotive between the 1930s and the late 1950s with his streamlined design style flourished which sometimes seemed outlandish and unusual to the common pepole.

1941 Loewy Lincoln built designed by Raymond Loewy, built based on the 1941 Lincoln Continental convertible and bodied by a Philadephia-based coachbuilder named Derham Body Co. (Picture from: Hemmings)

We cannot find any records stating when he began experimenting with those streamlined shapes, which led him to the pinnacle of accomplishment as an automotive designer with eccentric and unusual shapes. It's just that, in the early 1940s, when Raymond Loewy decided to build a car for his personal use, which was a vehicle suitable for traveling between many of his remote residences, later known as the Loewy Lincoln.

1941 Loewy Lincoln featured many unique styling touches, including shortened front fenders, redesigned grille and hood, custom bumpers, removable Plexiglass top, opera windows, and a fin below the trunk. (Picture from: Coachbuild)

Then he purchassed a Lincoln Continental Convertible which he would use as his dream car basis. Why was the choice fell on those American car figures? Because, he tought that the Continental convertible was a classy and stylish car at that time. Although in the process of later work, the car should lose all its elegance, which was replaced by an agglomeration of eccentric and uncommon shapes.

The 1940s dream car designed by Raymond Loewy is built on a chassis taken from the Lincoln Continental also keeps its V12 engine as its drivetrain. Then to realize his car, then he sent those Lincoln's chassis dan engine to the Philadelphia-based coachwork named Derham Body Company to construct the car bodywork under the style created by himself and called as the 'solid-top Victorian" style.

1941 Loewy Lincoln featured many unique styling touches, including shortened front fenders, redesigned grille and hood, custom bumpers, removable Plexiglass top, opera windows, and a fin below the trunk. (Picture from: PBase.com)

A letter from Derham confirmed their ability to "Rework the lower windshield, rework door glass in keeping, make town car style canopy over front seats, upholster the solid top interior above belt line in cloth, reworking front fender design similar to style indicated on sketch, close up standard radiator vents and re-arrange...with extras added. Furthermore, the car's interior is actually quite pleasant, all-surfaces of seats inside the cabin are covered by the light colored fabrics make the rear feel open, and of course, the front resembles the Clairière Viosin.

1941 Loewy Lincoln's interior has a gold-plate dashboard accents, and all-surfaces of seats inside the cabin are covered by the light colored fabrics make the rear feel open. (Picture from: Desert-Motors.com)

As quoted of Hemmings, after it was finished, he liked it very much. It was also stated that he had another, identical aside from paint, built for his first wife, Viola. We thought, that these Loewy Lincoln cars were built as many as 2 units with the same shape but different colors where each car was later used by Loewy and his first wife. Unfortunately, the Viola's car disappeared many years ago, but the original Loewy survived for refurbishment in 2007, and was sold for $451,000 by the Gooding & Co. in an auction event of the 2008 held in Scottsdale.

1941 Loewy Lincoln's body was lowered six inches over the frame and the special top helps to create one of the most elegant Lincolns of the prewar era. (Picture from: Desert-Motors.com)

However in between 1946 to 2007, the car underwent several changes. Early photos showed a series of tangential rings forming the grille, dual antennas on the engine cover, distinct bumpers with the overriders and, most importantly, Continental-style spare tires on the rear, with another unique rear bumper. Neither of them survived today. In contrast, the small front grille features one center ring with Studebaker-style bullets, and the spare is completely gone - in its place are the odd, shortened center fin and reworked rear valance.

Given Loewy's habit of tinkering with his designs and longevity, it's possible that he's the one who changed it, not the next owner. Today the Loewy town car resides as one of the Richard Driehaus Collections. Wanna see the next eccentricity of Raymond Loewy on Lancia, Cadillac, Jaguar, and BMW.  *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES  | CONCEPTCARZ | FABWHEELSDIGEST | HEMMINGS ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

A remnant of the glory of the Gladiator GTS of the '50s

Unique ONES You might be remember to the Cadillac Die Valkyrie or the Studebaker Scepter Concept. All these 2 classic cars known to be the Brooks Stevens design results and have unique shapes in comparison to the existing cars of the era. And on this occasion, we will again present another unique car which is also the design work of those famous American industrial designer, namely the Gaylord Gladiator Sports-Touring.

The prototype of the Gaylord Gladiator Sports-Touring is designed by Brooks Stevens, bodied by Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn and debuted at the 42nd Paris Auto Salon in the 1955. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

As quoted from the sites of The Makes That Didn't Make It, the car was deliberately built as the grandest embodiment of James and Edward Gaylord's dream car or it could be said such the dream manifestation, if money is no longer a problem. As it is known, the Gaylord brothers are the heirs to a fortune built on their father’s hairpin invention. They are also known as true automotive enthusiasts who mourned over the collapsing of the great marques at the time, such as Bugatti and Delahaye, Duesenberg and Stutz.

The Gaylord Gladiator Sports-Touring ('production version') is also of historic significance in that it featured the very first automotive retractable hardtop model. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

And at the same time in the 1950s to 1960s era, it was the heyday of the European manufacturers's modern GT car's in the global market and also raced swiftly dominated various world-renowned racing events, made the American muscled cars with boundless power, seem like powerless and should be pull over from the global competition’s harshness.

The prototype of the Gaylord Gladiator Sports-Touring appears with exposed front wheels and the P-100 gargantuan 'twin' headlights. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

As we all knew, each had its appeals, each its drawbacks. But the Gaylord brothers wanted it all, namely a car with capable performance to compete on the LeMans or Monaco circuits, while still able to carry its occupants in comfort over the finest streets of Paris or New York. Since then, they began looking for who could build the world's most advanced, spectacular and exclusive luxury grand tourer sports car (as they desire above), later the car is named the Gaylord Gladiator.

The Gaylord Gladiator Sports-Touring 'production' version appears with enclosed front wheels and conventionally-sized "quad" headlights. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

To make the dream car into a reality, they went to the famous Wisconsin's auto designer Brooks Stevens, and then the designer gave his ideas about grandiose grilles and huge headlamps, recalling the features of prewar grand touring cars. In short, at that time the Gaylord brothers agreed with those Stevens' designs, and the car is also of historic significance in that it featured the very first automotive retractable hardtop model.

The Gaylord Gladiator Phaeton design proposal by Brooks Stevens, as the four doors model but never made it.. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

And after the completion of the design process, the Gaylord brothers handed over the car construction to Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn, a Ravensburg, Germany based coachbuilder company. It's planned that the Gladiator will be produced in 2 different models, namely 2-door and 4-door models (this model was never made) with a production capacity of 25 units per year. The first Gladiator Sports-Touring debuted at the 42nd Paris Auto Salon in the 1955.

On the wood dash, there are the "Gaylord" branded customized VDO gauges with the Gladiator's sword motif, stared out at the awestruck driver. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

At that time, the Gladiator would be sold at the price ranging of $17,500 per unit (or the equivalent of 4 Corvettes). Although expensive, there are several buyers on list for the Gladiator, including the deposed Egyptian King Farouk and several Hollywood stars such Dick Powell, Grace Kelly, William Holden, etc. It seems that the high price of the car (which was two times of the most expensive Cadillac at the time, the stunning El Dorado Brougham) was quite comparable to its quality and sophisticated chassis design so that no other car could match it.

The Gaylord Gladiator Sports-Touring's cockpit was trimmed in the finest leather and burled wood, plus the real chrome accents were everywhere. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

The Gaylord brothers designed a very strong chrome-molybdenum tubular chassis, using coil springs and A-arms for the front suspension and a beam axle with leaf springs for the rear. The suspension made extensive use of rubber and the passenger compartment was virtually impervious to shock from rough road surfaces while maintaining unparealled handling and cornering ability for the time.

The Gaylord brothers designed a very strong chrome-molybdenum tubular chassis, using coil springs and A-arms for the front suspension and a beam axle with leaf springs for the rear. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

Not to mention, there were so many luxury abounded within the car. The cockpit was trimmed in the finest leather and burled wood, plus the real chrome accents were everywhere. On the wood dash, there are the "Gaylord" branded customized VDO gauges with the Gladiator's sword motif, stared out at the awestruck driver. Even the spare tire was presented on a tray with chrome rails which slid out from a hatch in the lavishly chromed rear end. The steering effort itself could be controlled by a hydraulic servo unit from the driver's seat.

The Gaylord Gladiator Sports-Touring 'production' version used a 305 hp Cadillac V-8 engine connnected to a Hydra-Matic four speed transmission. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

Reportedly there were only 4 cars ever built, and the prototype appears with exposed front wheels and the P-100 gargantuan 'twin' headlights. While the other 3 of "production" versions have enclosed front wheels and conventionally-sized "quad" headlights. It's said that the original fender/headlights style was dropped for production apparently because of roadway debris while the enclosed wheel wells featured illumination.

The Gaylord Gladiator Sports-Touring 'production' version used a 305 hp Cadillac V-8 engine connnected to a Hydra-Matic four speed transmission. (Picture from: Chrisinmotion.com)

What about the power? The Gaylord Gladiator's prototype powered by the most powerful engine available at the time, ie a 365-cid Chrysler Hemi V-8 engine which also used in the gorgeous 1955 Chrysler C-300 (the first 300 hp production vehicle), but the production versions used a 305 hp Cadillac V-8 engine connnected to a Hydra-Matic four speed transmission. 

 

Even though the car has a quite hefty weight almost 4,000 lbs, but You should never doubt its performance numbers, it can accelerate from rest to 60 mph in just 8 seconds (the numbers is quite spectacular for that day) and can be lauched to top speed up to 120 mph easily.

As qouted of Chrisinmotion.com, the existence of the 4 Gaylord Gladiator cars ever saw the light of day today, in which two units of the Gaylord Gladiator were seen together on display at the Early American Museum in Silver Springs, Florida, although it appears to have shut down.

One is now on display at the Zeppelin Museum in Frederichshaven, Germany, where it was unveiled in May, 2018. And the other unit is in the hands of private owner in Arizona, Ralph Carrungi, and is the subject of the excellent video above, which details just how stunning this car is. In our opinion,  the Gaylord Gladiator deserved included on the short list of the most extraordinary cars ever made. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MAKESTHATDIDNTMAKEIT | MYCARQUEST | CHRISINMOTION ] 

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Here's the Ferrari 'Superfast' series before the 812 (Part-3)

Legendary ONES After in the previous part we discussed the first Ferrari model to bear a special name as the Ferrari 410 Superfast which can also be said to be the ancestor of the Ferrari 812 Superfast and several subsequent models launched in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Now we continue the discussion on the next model in this car series ever made by Ferrari.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast has an oval grille, protruding fenders and twin bumpers which were later adopted in the entire Ferrari car line-up in the mid-1960s. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Furthermore, in 1964 the Maranello-based manufacturer then launched the Ferrari 500 Superfast, which is said one of its flagship grand tourer cars as the last Superfast series before the 812 was born in the 2018 and also the last series of the Ferrari 400 and 410 Superamerica. This car also is considered as one of Ferrari's ideal V12 engined cruiser cars with a spacious cabin.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast is considered as one of Ferrari's ideal V12 engined grand tourer ever built. (Picture from: Evo.co.uk)

Like its predecessor in the Superfast series, the car was also built by Pininfarina, due to the price is twice as expensive as the Ferrari 275 GTB, which looks more sporty, and the Ferrari 500 Superfast was unable to get many orders, ie only two units per month produced by the Turin-based coachbuilder during its production time in the 1964 to 1967.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast cabin featured with with adjustable genuine leather seats finished in Connolly tones, grooved headlining to a luxurious wooden dashboard, featuring the latest instruments of its era. (Picture from: Otoblitz.net)

Pininfarina built the car from a plain chassis that was sent by Ferrari earlier to then equip it with the bodywork and interior. The car's body itself is built from a mixture of steel and gets an update from the first version of the 'Aerodynamico' design embedded in the Ferrari 400 line-up.

When you look at the exterior, the Ferrari 500 Superfast features an oval grille, protruding fenders and twin bumpers which were later adopted in the entire Ferrari car line-up in the mid-1960s. One thing that is unique about this car is its distinctive rear end, with an unusually long overhang that combines the semi-fastback design with the Kamm-tail style.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast carries a 5.0-liter Tipo 208 SOHC V12 engine specially designed by Gioachino Colombo. (Picture from: Otoblitz.net)

Despite its relatively large size, the unique element makes the Ferrari 500 Superfast design more elegant than the later Ferrari 330 GT 2 + 2 and 365 GT 2 + 2. Meanwhile, on the interior side, the car is equipped with adjustable genuine leather seats finished in Connolly tones, a large trunk platform, grooved headlining to a luxurious wooden dashboard, featuring the latest instruments of its era.

The Ferrari 500 Superfast only made as much as 36 units during its production time in the 1964 to 1967. (Picture from: Otoblitz.net)

To differentiate it of the Ferrari 330 GT 2 + 2, the Ferrari 500 Superfast is equipped with a 5.0-liter Tipo 208 SOHC engine specially designed by Gioachino Colombo. The engine is capable of generating power up to 400 bhp (298 kW), which is capable of accelerating the car to a top speed of 174 mph or 280 kph. The engine is mated to the four-speed manual transmission system with overdrive.

In total, only 36 units of the Ferrari 500 Superfast were ever built in the 1964-1967 period. Amazingly, if you look at the owner of this iconic sports car there are many famous people at that time such as Prince Bernard of the Netherlands, Shah Reza Pahlevi of Iran, Johnnie von Neumann, Colonel Ronnie Hoare to Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan.

These were the lines of high-performance cars from Ferrari that used the Superfast names long before the last model was born in the 2018 under the name of the Ferrari 812 Superfast. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERRARI | JOURNALCLASSICCARS | WIKIPEDIA | SUPERCARS | EVO.CO.UK ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Here's the Ferrari 'Superfast' series before the 812 (Part-2)

Legendary ONES After in the previous part we discussed the first Ferrari model to bear a special name as the Ferrari 410 Superfast which can also be said to be the ancestor of the Ferrari 812 Superfast. Now we continue the discussion on the next model in this car series ever made by Ferrari.

1957 Ferrari 4.9 Superfast by Pininfarina which is technically the same as the 410 Superfast, but without the prominent fins on the back. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

After the Ferrari 410 Superfast, actually the Prancing Horse logoed premium car manufacturer had ever been released the Ferrari 4.9 Superfast in the 1957 as the next Superfast series model and is debutted at the 1957 Paris Auto Show.

1960 Ferrari Superfast II by Pininfarina with the shape reminiscent of a fat airplane wing, featured headlights that retracted into the nose of the body. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

This one off show car was technically the same as the 410 Superfast, but without the prominent fins on the back. Then those car's exterior was given a similar touch of two colors, namely dark blue-green for the whole of its body with the roof on white.

The Ferrari Superfast II by Pininfarina after got a body revision in the 1961 by adding a hood, then the rear fender skirt was removed, and the headlights were moved to the front of the fenders to cover with curved plastic. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

The Superfast series model development continued, this was seen when the prancing horse logoed automotive manufacturer launched the Ferrari Superfast II concept car at the 1960 Turin Auto Show. At that time Ferrari boasted that the car's aerodynamic body design was made in the wind tunnel. Its shape, reminiscent of a fat airplane wing, featured headlights that retracted into the nose of the body.

1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica wore a body revision of the 1961 Ferrari Superfast II as its standard body style minus retractable headlight features. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

The car was revised again during 1961-1962, by adding a hood, then the rear fender skirt was removed, and the headlights were moved to the front of the fenders to cover with curved plastic. This body revision later became the "standard" shape of the 400 Superamerica model.

1962 Ferrari Superfast III by Pininfarina reverted back to wearing rear fender skirts and using retractable headlights. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

The next model, the Ferrari Superfast III, first appeared at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1962. It reverted back to wearing rear fender skirts and still has retractable headlights, featured a more open greenhouse, and had a thermostatically controlled radiator cover. 

1962 Ferrari Superfast IV by Pininfarina has similar appearance with its predecessor, the III but now with four headlights without a cover. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

Subsequently the Ferrari Superfast IV appeared soon after the III, with the general appearance of its predecessor but now with four headlights without a cover. Since the appearance of Superfast IV, the existence of its predecessor Superfast II suddenly disappeared.

1962 Ferrari Superfast IV by Pininfarina is likely built on chassis of the Superfast II and said that the concept car has been sold to a collector in the US. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

So that many believed that the Superfast IV is likely built on chassis of the Superfast II. Reportedly, the Ferrari Superfast IV was never shown at any auto expos, and it is said that the concept car has been sold to a collector in the US.

Furthermore, the Maranello-based premium car manufacturer continued the development of these car series by launching the next 'Superfast' car. Are You wanna see it? Here's the 3rd part of these articles... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JOURNALCLASSICCARS | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA | SUPERCARS | CARSTYLING.RUS | ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.