Weird ONES This time we're going to talk about the story of the forgotten Porsche 911 HLS. Maybe you will ask, how can this happened to one of the Porsche 911 models? As we all knew the 911s are widely known to the world's automotive enthutiats to be one of the most successful models ever made by the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer.
The unique bright green colored Porsche 911 HLS futuristic racing coupe with folding roof (due to lighting conditions the car looks yellow in this picture) is designed by the students of the automotive engineering department of Aachen University. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Before we start talking about it, we will ask you, 'Have you ever heard about the Porsche 911 HLS?' We'll be sure you've never heard about this Porsche sports car before. That's okay, considering a big manufacturer like Porsche, over the years had built a lot of concept cars, most of which are beautiful and very cool.
The most intriguing design characteristic of the Porsche 911 HLS was the hinged cockpit canopy looks integrating perfectly into the body just like it truly belonged there. (Picture from: Rennlist)
And it's a natural thing that there are some of the concepts considered as the fail ones, then over the time forgotten and lost to history. And the Porsche 911 HLS is one of those considered fail concept cars, that's why now the model considered as one of the forgotten Porsche models. Perhaps the most interesting (and odd as well) about the Porsche 911 HLS is the fact that the Stuttgart-based automaker didn't build it by themselves.
The
Porsche 911 HLS bodywork made out of aluminum, which even includes the rear louvers and Targa bar. (Picture from: Rennlist)
According to the Rennlist, the car started its life as an ordinary Porsche 911 (some say it was the model of the 1964), which was then sent to the automotive engineering department at Aachen University by Porsche in 1966. So that the students of the Aachen University could made it as the futuristic racing coupe with folding roof. The concept car seems to take some inspiration from the legendary Porsche 904 racing car and its rear engine cover, which could be seen as a kind of retractable roof.
The Porsche 911 HLS left rotten outside the body shop for over 40 years, after got no blessing of the Porsche top brasses for further development stages. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
At the first, the students came up with a series of design sketches on paper before mocking up a mini model of the car. After that they started making a new body for the 911 out of aluminum, which even includes the rear louvers and Targa bar. As you can see here, the most intriguing design characteristic of the HLS was the hinged cockpit canopy looks integrating perfectly into the body just like it truly belonged there.
This forgotten and left outside for four decades, the Porsche 911 HLS concept car was almost lost to history. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Since the Porsche has the true racing blood in its veins, it could be seen from the arrangement of the instruments on the dashboard were pinned on the right (while the steering wheel on the left). Once all bodywork is completed, the the car sent to the Hans-Leo Senden (HLS)coachbuilder in Würselen, Germany which also explains the model name came from. Here its bodywork was refined and given the bright green color and the lettering of 'Porsche HLS' in black letters on both sides.
The
Porsche 911 HLS wreckage while on display at the 2015 Techno Classic in Essen, Germany with the plans to restore it to its original condition. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Unfortunately, the slightly eccentric styled racing coupe as the result of the students' hardwork failed to get the Porsche top brasses approval in the Zuffenhausen headquarters.😭 Since then the concept car was simply parked outside the bodyshop, left there for over 40 years until Manfred Hering, the 911 expert was asked whether he could restore the long-forgotten Porsche concept to its original condition. At that time, Hering did not accept the request for the concept car restoration, instead wanted to buy it in such a condition. In short short, finally the unique 911 HLS concept car wreckage has become his.
And the concept car wrekcage had displayed at the 2015 Techno Classic in Essen, Germany with the plans to restore it to its original condition. At least as close as possible, because the main problem is the scarcity of spare parts for the only-one-of-a-kind model such this Porsche 911 HLS concept car so not easy to find ones which is certainly very different with existed today.🙏
Today, after almost 6 years, we haven't heard any words about the 911 HLS, but we hope that Hering has remained consistence with his plan to bring this interesting and unique part of Porsche's history back to life. And if we has any luck, the car could be seen again by us someday, looking just like it did the day those proud students finished its construction. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | POPULARMECHANICS | ROADANDTRACK | RENNLIST | AUTOMANIA.LIFE ]
Real StalkerIf we look at the figure of the following car, of course, initially it isn't easy to guess. Besides it was rare to shown to public, the car also having an unusual appearance if traced to general sports cars. Yes, at first glance it looks like a Lamborghini, while at the front it has a grille similar to a BMW, but if we seen to the back similar to a Corvette.
The unique shaped car named 'Stalker' is built by Jim Michaud based on the 1984 Pontiac Fiero. (Picture from: RCNMag)
And with an appearance like that, if it was a work of art, then the car can be said such as Pablo Picasso's work of art whose known for his use of 'found art' in creating sculptures out of ordinary objects. So what car is this actually?
Jim Michaud's Stalker applied the position of the steering wheel is in the middle (like the McLaren F1 has), so the the car driver will be flanked by 2 passenger seats on the left and right sides. (Picture from: Fiero.nl)
Well, as quoted of the RCNMag, this unique looking mid-engined car is the one-off model made by an American car modifier named Jim Michaud of Phoenix, Arizona. He employed a similar technique on this menacing one-off design called the Stalker.
The 'S' emblems is pinned in front hood of the Jim Michaud's Stalker. (Picture from: RCNMag)
In the first You may imagined that the car was built on the Lamborghini Diablo chassis, given its appearance which is said to be similar to the car made by the Italian raging bull manufacturer. But who would have thought that the unique car was actually built on the 1986 Pontiac Fiero's chassis is extended nearly a foot in lenghth, and then converted to a center-steering setup.
Jim Michaud's Stalker's bodywork resembled as a Diablo replica, but modified in such a way on the back by combined with a 2002 Corvette rear section and coupled with the Toyota Celica GT headlights on the front. (Picture from: RCNMag)
As previously mentioned, the car made by Jim Michaud has the bodywork resembled as a Diablo replica, but modified in such a way on the back by combined with a 2002 Corvette rear section and coupled with the Toyota Celica GT headlights on the front.
Uniquely, inside the cabin also used cut-down truck footrests on the passanger's sides might be for convenience purpose. (Picture from: RCNMag)
Due to the position of the steering wheel is in the middle (like the McLaren F1 has), so the the car driver will be flanked by 2 passenger seats on the left and right sides. Uniquely, inside the cabin also used cut-down truck footrests on the passanger's sides might be for convenience purpose. The custom air cleaner for the 350 Chevy is fabricated from two-inch exhaust tubing.
It seems that the Jim Michaud's Stalker is still powered by the Pontiac Fiero engine, which
is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Iron Duke engine only poked out 92
horsepower. (Picture from: RCNMag)
Your eyes might deceive you in another way: Even though the photos seem
to show several versions of a customized exotic, each with a different
color of paint, it’s actually the same vehicle in each shot. Depending
on where you stand and how the sun is shining, it can appear to be
copper, violet or indigo. So it’s not only a shape-shifter, but a
chameleon as well.
Jim Michaud's Stalker has a unique chameleon color that able to make the car color as copper, violet or indigo. (Picture from: RCNMag)
But unfortunately there is no information about the engine, from the pictures it seems that the car is still powered by the Pontiac Fiero engine, which is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Iron Duke engine only poked out 92 horsepower (sorry if wrong).🙏 Or maybe some of you know the engine used by this car and willing to write it in the comments column below.👍 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RCNMAG | EXOTICCARCOLLECTION ]
Once UponA Time Italy, besides being known as the country of pizza origin which is famous for its hospitality and exotic natural beauty. The country also has many automotive manufacturers with so many talented technical talents. No wonder, if the country gave birth to so many exotic cars.
The Puma GTV 033-S was the 3rd series of the GTV sports car made in 1985. (Picture from: Autobelle)
Those exotic Italian cars are indeed famous for their design and performance. Besides being produced by well-known automotive manufacturers, there are also those made as kit cars. In our opinion, the kit car is one of the modern automotive products that is rarely highlighted in Italy, so we rarely know of its existence there.
Did you know, there's an Italian company called Stabilimento Puma Roma or Puma that has been in the industry for a long time. The story of this company stems from the interest of its founder named Adriano Gatto (born in 1943) to a unique styled vehicle called the Dune Buggy when traveling to the United States in 1965. In short, then he imported the Dune Buggy in assembly box to later modify it on his father's estate in Ronciglione, Central Italy.
The Puma GTV 033 was the 2nd series of the GTV sports car made in 1983. (Picture from: Reezocar)
What is the Dune Buggy? As quoted of Wikipedia, a dune buggy (also known as a beach buggy) is a recreational motorized vehicle first emerged and popular in America with large wheels, and wide tires, designed for use on sand dunes, beaches, roads or desert recreation.
Here, not all parts of this American vehicle were re-assemblied and installed by him, it turned out that there were some parts that he considered inappropriate is reshaped by hand and later printed into real fiberglass pieces. When it's finished, then he took his assembled buggy around the city of Rome to attract public attention. Until one day, at the request of his friend who forced him to sell the vehicle.
The company's first made car named Puma Gatto Spiaggia built in 1968. (Picture from: Puma Club Italia)
As if he didn't want to lose the momentum, when he found out that the vehicle was well received by the public, he decided to import the new buggy kits and then assemblied it into a new Italian-made buggy named 'Puma Gatto Spiaggia'. From here, there was a lot of consumer demand for his new buggy came in, then in 1968 he decided to found a new company called Puma based in Rome.
In addition to producing the Italian version buggy, the company also makes sports and off-road cars, all of which are built based on the VW Beetle chassis. Throughout this Italian company's business times, it was noted that several interesting sports cars had been made. For example in 1973, shortly after moving to a new factory in Via Nomentana, Adriano Gatto proposed a new dune buggy model named the Puma GT or Puma Gatto which took its name for its rougher lines than the previous model.
The Puma GT or Puma Gatto built in 1973 which took its name for its rougher lines than the previous model. (Picture from: Puma Club Italia)
The new Puma GT has a more modern look, has an almost wedge-shaped front and has a downward movement designed to increase front end grip, with partially recessed headlights and a more angled windshield.
The Puma GTV was the 1st series of the GTV sports car made in 1978 powered by an 1,200
cc Volkswagen engine which has been upgraded by Domenico Lombardi to
1,385 cc for increased its performance, but had no luck. (Picture from: Puma Club Italia)
And in the 1978, the company made a sports car called the Puma GTV which was designed by Richard Oakes under licensed of Nova. The sports car is built on the Volkswagen platform also powered by a 1,200 cc Volkswagen engine which has been upgraded by Domenico Lombardi to 1,385 cc for increased its performance, but it doesn't live up to expectations regarding the car's sporty style.
The Puma GTV was designed by Richard Oakes under licensed of Nova and also has unique features such as the access into the cockpit is looks similar to the Nova Eagle has. (Picture from: Tumblr)
This car has unique features such as the access into the cockpit is looks similar to the Nova Eagle has, which is hinged to the glass base, with the roof and windshield raised and rotated forward, thus allowing access into the passenger compartment. There are about 100 units ever made and now there are 52 units left only.
1982 Puma Ranch inspired by the American Jeep Wrangler by exploiting a German-made engine that is mounted uniquely on the rear, while the trunk is in the front. (Picture from: Puma Club Italia)
While in 1982, the Italian company had released an American Jeep likened car named Puma Ranch. This an off-road purposed vehicle is indeed inspired by the Jeep Wrangler by exploiting a German-made engine that is mounted uniquely on the rear, while the trunk is in the front.
Then the GTV model was continued in 1983 with the launch of the Puma GTV-033, which was marked by different bodywork coupled with the engine changes with an 1,186 cc 4 cylinder boxer engine taken from Alfa Sud.
The Puma GTV 033 was the 2nd series of the GTV sports car made in 1983 powered by an 1,186 cc water-cooled 4-cylinder boxer engine of the Alfa Romeo Alfasud. (Picture from: Puma Club Italia)
In appearance, this car looks to have a shorter nose than the first series with the headlights hidden inside the body almost resembling the front of the Puma GT. Then the rear looks more square with the sides no longer rounded at the bottom, but forming a new angle inspired by the side skirts of racing cars at that time.
The Puma GTV 033-S was the 3rd series of the GTV sports car made in 1985 powered by an 1,186 cc water-cooled 4-cylinder boxer engine of the Alfa Romeo Alfasud. (Picture from: Puma Club Italia)
It turns out that the second series did not get a good response, because the public still prefers the rounded lines of the first series. Then in 1985, Adriano Gatto returned to using a longer nose and rectangular headlights to be closer to the original GTV style, and this GTV's new version is called the Puma GTV 033-S.
The Puma Boxer 90 electric-powered sports car built in 1990 and had shown off at the Bologna Motor Show. (Picture from: Puma Club Italia)
On the other hand, the 1.186 cc water-cooled 4-cylinder boxer engine from Alfa Romeo Alfasud is preferred over the air-cooled Volkswagen engine. And thanks to the higher power spewing made the car's performance became more powerful, so the GTV 033-S remained in production until 1991.
The one-off Puma 248 built in 1993 by using a newly designed chassis and is powered by an 1,700 cc 16V engine from the Arese company. (Picture from: Puma Club Italia)
Besides that during the 1980s, the company made several Dragsters and continued in the 1990, it is produced an electric-powered car called the Puma Boxer 90 and had shown off at the Bologna Motor Show. Then there is the Puma 248, which the company produced only one unit in 1993. The car is built on a newly designed chassis and is powered by an 1,700 cc 16V engine from the Arese company with an upgraded leather interior.
2004 Puma Tiger electric-powered microcar is said suitable to fulfill the needs of people living in big cities. (Picture from: Puma Club Italia)
Although in
their heyday, these Puma made cars were quite popular in Italy, this
can be seen by the frequent appearance of these cars taken role in the
circulated domestically movies in that country. But unfortunately in 1993, when the Italian laws at that time were increasingly stricted toward the Kit-Cars, effectively blocking the activities of small manufacturers like Gatto's Puma company. Then he was closed his business and sold the 'Puma' brand to Ford, due to he could not afford the exorbitant costs of homologation and the complicated bureaucracy when producing his own car models.😭 So, that's why the kit car makers was rarely seen or could be said had no existed in Italy today.😭
Today, Adriano Gatto and his son Gianluca remain existed in the world's car manufacturing, but this time with an electric-powered minicar called the Puma Tiger, a microcar is said suitable the needs of people living in big cities. In fact, in the April 2013 issue of Quattroroute magazine, the new Italian-made microcar project is being prepared for production at the historic Puma plant in Rome.
For now we've known and seen the Italian-made kit-cars even if only from pictures and videos. And hopefully this article could be inspired in many Your works in the future.👀 Ciao..!*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PUMA CLUB ITALIA ]
Unfortunately, the slightly eccentric styled racing coupe as the result of the students' hardwork failed to get the Porsche top brasses approval in the Zuffenhausen headquarters.😭 Since then the concept car was simply parked outside the bodyshop, left there for over 40 years until Manfred Hering, the 911 expert was asked whether he could restore the long-forgotten Porsche concept to its original condition. At that time, Hering did not accept the request for the concept car restoration, instead wanted to buy it in such a condition. In short short, finally the unique 911 HLS concept car wreckage has become his.
