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

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

The Stola's Monotipo Concept derived of Fiat Barchetta

Tiny & Unique Indeed, Gruppo Stola as an Italian coachbuilder company does not have a name as famous as its compatriots such as Pininfarina, Zagato and others. However, when viewed from the works, it is not inferior to those famous coachbuilders.
The Stola Abarth Monotipo Concept is built as one-off sportscar concept by Gruppo Stola, and was designed by retired Pininfarina designer Aldo Brovarone. (Picture from: UltimateCarPages)
Well, in the 1990s, Stola had launched several interesting concept vehicle designs. One of them have also been discussed before here, such as the Fiat Dedica, a custom-made Fiat Barchetta of 1996 dedicated for a former those Italian giant automaker boss, Giovanni Agnelli.
The Stola Abarth Monotipo Concept's retro-styled body is made completely of composite materials, clearly displaying Stola's capability of handling this exotic material(Picture from: UltimateCarPages)
And two years after those custom made Fiat Barchetta launched, the Turin-based coachbuilder company is launched one-off sportscar concept named the Abarth Monotipo Concept and was intended to showcase Stola's craftsmanship rather than to be a fashion statement. 
The Stola Abarth Monotipo Concept has unique upwards swinged doors at the touch of a hidden switch(Picture from: UltimateCarPages)
Like the 1996 Dedica, the Abarth Monotipo was designed by retired Pininfarina designer Aldo Brovarone, a close friend of Stola managing-director Alfredo Stola.

The car has unique upwards swinged doors at the touch of a hidden switch, while the roof comprises of a long, sweeping aerospace-developed Plexiglass roof panel. Fiat's close relationship with Stola allowed them to licence the "Abarth" tag, and also pinned its traditional 'scorpion' badges at the front and rear.
The Stola Abarth Monotipo Concept also has unique the roof comprises of a long, sweeping aerospace-developed Plexiglass roof panel(Picture from: ItaliaSpeed)
The interestingly retro-styled body is made completely of composite materials, clearly displaying Stola's capability of handling this exotic material. Even more impressive is the perfect finish of the bodypanels. All transparent parts are not made of glass but of Isoclima Polycarbonate, which is also used in the aerospace industry, so no wonder if the Abarth Monotipo weighted just 880 kilos.
The Stola Abarth Monotipo Concept is powered by slightly tuned four-cylinder turbo 2,0-liter engine of Lancia Delta Integrale(Picture from: TopCarRating)
While the drivetrain mounted on the slightly stretched Barchetta chassis is a four-cylinder turbo 2,0-liter engine, the same one that used by the Lancia Delta Integrale. Slightly tuned, it is good for a decent 330 hp at 6,500 rpm coupled with 5-speed manual transmission system.
Those engine power then transferred to the front axle. It was able to do acceleration from zero to 100 kph in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 290 kph, and to tame those high speeds, so the Monotipo is fitted with the same vented Brembo discs as found on the Ferrari F50.

As quoted of Italiaspeed, the Italian company made just one Abarth Monotipo and launched for the first time at the at the 1998 Turin Motor Show. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ULTIMATECARPAGE | SUPERCARS.NET | GTPLANET.NET | ITALIASPEED ]
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Thursday, November 18, 2021

Here's a lonesome beauty Zeder Z-250

ONE-OFF We are interested to know more while seeing this fairly beautiful car shaped on the Pinterest pages. Besides having a beautiful shape, it turns out that its unusual name factor also sparked the desire to get to know the figure of this car more closely. After surfing and searching in the internet, finally we're knew that the car's name comes from the name of the person who designed it, Frederick Zeder Jr.
1953 Zeder Storm Z-250 concept car by Frederick Zeder Jr. and bodywork by Bertone. (Picture from: OldConceptCars)
 Who is he? He is the son of Frederick Zeder who is known as one of the Three Musketeers of Chrysler's engineering team, or the early engineering team that had an important role in the early days of the American car manufacturer previously known as Studebaker.

Like Carol Shelby, the young Zeder had matured in the automotive racing world before serious getting involved into the car design, he was also obsessed with creating a sports car that could become a serious competitor to Jaguar and Ferrari cars both on the racing track and streets.

What's the idea? As quoted from DriveTribe, his dream car is a dual purpose sports car only with just a simple switch on the car's body can be converted from racing use and street use. So then was born the Zeder Storm Z-250.
1953 Zeder Storm Z-250 concept car while on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. (Picture from: ReddIt)
It turns out that in the making of this beautiful car also involved the famous Italian coachbuilder Bertone, it's not surprising if the car was known as one of numerous Bertone's designs in the 1950s. Besides that, there are also many people who know it as the Dodge Storm Z-250, due to the concept car uses the Dodge's mechanical elements.
1953 Zeder Storm Z-250 concept car interior featured with a brown colored steering wheel, the same nuanced dashboard that consisted by several sporty instruments panels and two genuine-leather covered bucket seats. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)
In fact the car was designed independently by Fred Zeder Jr. along with the great engineers at that time such as Carl Breer, Gene Cassaroll, Hank Kean and John Butterfield to be proposed as a Chrysler's grand coupé. After completing the design then Zeder Jr. commissioned the Italian master craftsmen Bertone to build the car bodywork. And the result is a beautiful American sports car with a touch of an Italian flare.
1953 Zeder Storm Z-250 concept car uses a Dodge HEMI V8 engine which is capable of producing 260bhp of power and making acceleration performance from 0 to 60 in just 7.5 seconds. (Picture from: Roeteveechie.org)
The model reflects the Bertone style of the period, with particular attention to the lines and design of the American car, especially with regards to the long streamlined front bonnet, smooth wings and imposing horizontal radiator grille.

The car built on a rigid tube frame chassis it was intended to be a dual-purpose sports and racing car. When raced the comfortable touring body currently fitted could be removed by unscrewing four bolts and replaced with an ultra light 150 pound fiberglass body.

As the driving force, the Storm Z-250 uses a Dodge HEMI V8 engine which is capable of producing 260bhp of power and making acceleration performance from 0 to 60 in just 7.5 seconds. Meanwhile the car's other components such as brakes, suspension and steering rack are also taken from some other Chrysler vehicles.
If the Zeder Storm Z-250 would have gone into production it would have competed with the Ford Thunderbird, Chevrolet Corvette and the Kaiser Darrin. (Picture from: OldConceptCars)
It is said that this car was originally planned with a 2 + 2 composition, but when the bodywork was to be built the Italian coachbuilder, a Bertone designer suggested to Zeder Jr. to turn it into a 2 seater sports car. He was interested to try it and then the 2-seat sportscar Z-250 was realized with satisfying results. The car had run some testings on the famous Fiat roof test track in Turin, and was also presented at the 1953 Turin Auto Show to a great reception
.

Zeder Jr. was delighted by the enthusiastic reception of the Italian audience for his car, then he brought it back to the US to offer it to Chrysler in the hopes that the American manufacturer would be interested in producing the car.
However, after arriving in the US, it turned out that Chrysler refused because the Storm Z-250 was considered too expensive and not profitable for the company. Though Zeder Jr. could have offered his car to others, but he wasn't do that due to the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird had made debuts. So he gave up on his dream of producing the dual purpose racer and put the only-one built concept car into his garage.😢

After being rejected by Chrysler, this car was seen several times on display at various institutions and events. In fact, with such exquisite style and potential, it's sad that the car was never produced. In our opinion, this car actually deserves to be a serious competitor for the Corvette, Thunderbird, Jaguar, even Ferrari at the time.😒 *** [EKA [02122020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JALOPNIK | OLDCONCEPTCARS | DRIVETRIBE
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Monday, November 15, 2021

This was the 240Z's potential rival made by the Australian automaker

Ready to Fly Australia, a country which is located in the southernmost part of the planet Earth, turn out also has a long history in the world's automotive, although now the country's automotive industry is almost no longer seem vibes like before. Despite that, as we all know, the land of kangaroos once had Holden, an automotive brand that was quite well known throughout the world.
If the Holden Torana GTR-X could be entered into production line back in the 1970s, it would be a potential rival to the Datsun 240Z. (Picture form: ClassicDriver)
As quoted of Manofmany, the Australian automotive company stopped all local production in 2017. These days, the brand imports its vehicles from plants in Germany, Canada, and the USA. Nevertheless, models like the Holden Commodore (which delivers reliable performance at an affordable price) remain the stuff of legend.
The Holden Torana GTR-X concept is built in 1970 based on the relatively traditional Torana GTR XU-1 coupé. (Picture form: ClassicDriver)
Besides that, this Australian manufacturer also had a mid-sized car called the Holden Torana (the name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning "to fly") which was produced between 1967 and 1980. Throughout the 1960s to 1970s the reverberation of sports cars trend seemed to have succeeded in influencing the interest of this Australian manufacturer to develop the sports cars.
The Holden Torana GTR-X concept designed with a pointed nose, steeply raked windscreen and pop-up headlights also fitted with advance technology at the time such 4-wheel vacuum assisted disc brakes, retractable seat belts, foam filled fuel tank and electric windows. (Picture form: ClassicDriver)
In short, then Holden Torana GTR-X concept car was born, initially, was seriously considered for production in the early 1970s. The concept car is built based on the relatively traditional Torana GTR XU-1 coupé, the concept was not only given a ground-up redesign using in-vogue features (a pointed nose, steeply raked windscreen and pop-up headlights), but also featured with advance technology at the time.
The Holden Torana GTR-X concept has the long-grain black vinyl wrapped interior to complete two cozy racing-style seats, a three-spoke steering wheel and also a dashboard full of gauges and buttons. (Picture form: ClassicDriver)
As qouted of Wikipedia, the GTR-X had a fibreglass body appeared into a wedge-shaped 1970s typical styles including a hatchback rear access, and the prototype cars had LC Torana GTR XU-1 mechanical components.
The Holden Torana GTR-X concept is powered by a 3.05-litre Torana GTR XU-1 straight six engine. (Picture form: CarStyling.ru)
The GTR-X looks similar to the iconic sports cars of the 1970s, such as the Maserati Khamsin, Ferrari 308 GT4, Lotus Esprit, and Mazda RX-7, and according to the automaker the 1,043 kg weighted sports car concept capable to run up to a top speed of 210 kph.
The Holden Torana GTR-X concept had a fibreglass body appeared into a wedge-shaped 1970s typical styles including a hatchback rear access. (Picture form: ClassicDriver)
Besides having a beautiful and simple body made of fiberglass, and this is the first car made by Holden to be fitted with four-wheel disc brakes. However, unlike the previous Hurricane concept car also made by this Australian manufacturer, the GTR-X concept is still potentially feasible for production.
The Australian automaker making a lot of promotional materials during the development time of the Holden Torana GTR-X concept to attarct potential customers. (Picture form: ClassicDriver)
At that time Holden made three prototypes and seemed serious enough to work on the project by making a lot of promotional materials to attract potential customers if the car was produced. However, in the end, the domestic market was deemed too small to cover all the expenses associated with the car's production process.
If it was produced, the shapely Australian-made sports car might have made quite a rival for the likes of the Datsun 240Z. Today, one of the Torana GTR-X sports car can be found at the Holden's headquarter in Melbourne,  while another two prototypes were destroyed.😞 Wanna see the Holden retro magic touch named the 'EFIJY Concept' *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | WIKIPEDIA | MANOFMANY | CARSTYLING.RU ]
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Sunday, November 14, 2021

A Fiat Barchetta derivative custom car specially dedicated to Giovanni Agnelli

Never Seen It After some time ago we have discussed a concept car named the Fiat Scia Concept which is the forerunner of today's Fiat Barchetta. And on this occasion, we will discuss another concept car that is no less beautiful than the Scia Concept earlier.
1996 Fiat Dedica Prototipo (in pictured: sat on display at the 2017 Salon Automotoretro Torino) was dedicated to the former Fiat President Giovanni Agnelli. (Picture from: Flickr)
This beautiful roofless car is one-off prototype built by Gruppo Stola named the Fiat Dedica (an Italian word mean 'Dedication') based of Aldo Brovarone's designwork back in 1996. The designer is a retired designer who used to work with Pininfarina until 1988 and a good friend of Alfredo Stola, managing director of Gruppo Stola.
1996 Fiat Dedica Prototipo built by a Turin based company Stola based of Aldo Brovarone's designwork. (Picture from:
ClassicDriver
)
Gruppo Stola was a Turin-based company founded in 1919. At the beginning, its core business was concentrated on style models and concept cars for the main manufacturers. Related to the car concept, beside known as the first ever prototype made by Stola under its own brand, the Dedica name comes from the fact that the car was dedicated to the former Fiat President Giovanni Agnelli.
The Fiat Dedica Prototipo project was the first in a series of about twenty prototypes made by Stola from 1996 to 2006. (Picture from: Pinterest)
The Dedica roffless car was built on the basis of the Fiat Barchetta known as one of the legendary spyders of the nineties and features a souped up 2 liter engine from the Coupé Fiat 16V Turbo. This engine capable to spew power up to 262 bhp, which gives the 1,020 kg car a topspeed of 270 kph and an accelaration from zero to 100 kph in 5.8 seconds.
1996 Fiat Dedica Prototipo's interior is slightly changed when compared to its donor, where the center console is removed, and there are no switches for windows or ventilation. (Picture from: Carsthatnevermadeitetc)
When compared to its donor car, the interior is slightly changed, where the center console is removed, and there are no switches for windows or ventilation. This is not surprising as the window is cut to 20 cm so that it cannot be lowered while the two air vents are replaced by additional dials. The steeringwheel, pedals and turqoise leather seats are by Momo.
The Fiat Dedica Prototipo project is powered by 2 liter engine from the Coupé Fiat 16V Turbo and capable to spew power up to 262 bhp, which gives the car a topspeed of 270 kph and an accelaration 0-100 kph in 5.8 seconds. (Picture from: Pinterest)
As for the legs, such the six-spoke rims made by Tecnomagnesio wrapped in the Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, and equipped with the Brembo's 4 airvented brakes which are ready to provide a capable speed deacceleration. (Sorry if the video below doesn't talk about the Fiat Stola Dedica Prototipo).
Uniquely, not only was the aim to produce a 1950's sportscar, but also made using no prepressed sheetmetal but only cardboard templates were used for direct modelling the bodywork, making the car 16 cms wider than its donor.

A nice tough is the top of the dashboard which features the bodycolor of the car: a concept that was used for the prototype barchetta, but didn't make it into the final product! There are no plans for production of any kind. The car is registered with Italian plate and papers and it is road legal. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FIATBARCHETTA | CLASSICDRIVER | CARROZZIERI-ITAIANI  ]
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Saturday, November 13, 2021

The beauty Geneve had never seen the light of the day

Staycation in Suburb Interest in the beauty of a place will sometimes also lead to romance that hopes to be remembered forever. We think there are many such things that automotive manufacturers do in development and production. No wonder if then there're many motorized vehicles were born which were named according to the place somewhere that considered to inspire them.
Opel GT/W Geneve was a one-off experiment, a pretty fastback which was specially constructed for Opel’s stand at the 1975 Geneva Auto Show. (Picture from: 95Octane)
And the possibility of the beauty of Lake Geneva is what inspired Opel, one of the famous German automotive manufacturers when giving the name of one of its concept cars which was born in 1975. The car in question was the Opel GT/W Geneve, litterally it's a beautiful 2-seater concept car developed by the German manufacturer after they launched Opel GT back in 1965, and the car first seen at the 1975 Geneva Motor Show.
Opel GT/W Geneve is 2-seater sports car concept is designed to be powered by an rotary Wankel engine, that's why the car was later given the designation GT/W instead of the regular GT. (Picture from: 95Octane)
As qouted of 95Octane, uniquely this 2-seater sports car concept is designed to be powered by an rotary Wankel engine, that's why the car was later given the designation GT/W instead of the regular GT. But unfortunately before it could be entered into Opel's line production, General Motors as the counterpart stopped the Wankel engined sports car project and since then it stucked as the prototype only.
Opel GT/W Geneve was well received when debuted in Geneva although it was still a fiberglass bodied sports car rolling mockup(Picture from: 95Octane)
In appearance this car looks similar to its American cousin, the previously published Corvette Two-Rotor, designed in Warren Michigan but built in Italy by Pininfarina. However, this Opel GT/W Geneve has hidden headlights, which are most likely the result of variation designs made by Opel designers. At any rate, the car was well received when debuted in Geneva although it was still a fiberglass bodied sports car rolling mockup. 
Opel GT/W Geneve rolling prototype is powered by a mid-mounted Opel Diplomat's 5,354 cc V8 engine and is said to be capable of generating power of 230 horsepower, so it can take the car running to a top speed of about 145 mph(Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)
Furthermore, as qouted of the AdrianFlux, the car seen here (the bright orange version) is powered by a mid-mounted Opel Diplomat's 5,354 cc V8 engine and is said to be capable of generating power of 230 horsepower, so it can take the car running to a top speed of about 145 mph.

Although only a concept vehicle that was never produced, the Opel GT/W Geneve has given us an overview of the efforts that have been made by this German car manufacturer to develop the Corvette with a touch of European style. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ADRIANFLUX | LOTUSESPRITTURBO | 95OCTANE ]
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021

One of world’s most-coveted Ferrari-built racecars

Beloved ONES The Dino has become one of the most coveted, desirable and significant cars built by Ferrari throughout the builder’s history. Named after Enzo Ferrari’s son who passed in 1956, the Dino is unique in its design, history and inspiration alike.
1966 Ferrari Dino 206 Spyder Coupe was announced in 1965 as a contender for the 1966 2-litre sports car class. (Picture from: Driving.ca)
The car when racing in its heyday was top of its class, and today it has been recognized as one of the most beautiful cars Ferrari or any other company has built. The Ferrari Dino 206 Spyder Coupe was announced in 1965 as a contender for the 1966 2-litre sports car class. It followed the 166 P prototype of 1955, with its V6 engine enlarged to 1987cc. Ferrari SEFAC officially raced the Dino against the factory and privateer Porsche 906s.
1966 Ferrari Dino 206 Spyder Coupe was powered by what could have been one half the P3’s 4-litre V12. (Picture from: VintageMotorSports.ca)
The 206 was powered by what could have been one half the P3’s 4-litre V12. In the center of the car was a bespoke Dino V6 engine that reached peak power at 9000 rpm. Initially, Ferrari planned to produce 50 examples of this car for homologation purposes, but industrial unrest in Italy with resulting labor problems halted production of these cars.
1966 Ferrari Dino 206 Spyder Coupe planned to produce 50 examples, but due to civil unrest in Italy and labour problems, only 18 of these beautiful race cars were ever completed. (Picture from: Driving.ca)
Various versions of the 2-liter engine were used. The initial V6 was fitted with three Weber 40 DCN 2 carburetors which were replaced on the later models by Lucas fuel injection. Cylinder heads varied with either 12, 18 or 24 valves having single or dual spark.

Along with a large variety of engines, the bodywork on the 206 varied from car to car. Most of the 206’s came as a spider version with the roof section completely removed. Piero Drogo was responsible for the design of body which was crafted by his company, Carrozzeria Sports Cars.
Only 18 206s were completed with limited racing success. Much of the design cues were carried through to the Dino 206 road car, but it lacked much of the race-bred design elements found in the 206 Spyder Coupe. *** [EKA [29112020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS | FINECARS | BARCHETTA | DRIVING ]
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Monday, November 8, 2021

Unique and rare of French-made Matra M530

Weird ONES France has always been known as one of the pioneering countries of the automotive industry since from the mid-20th century. And the country consistently remains the third largest automaker in the world. This great nation is the home of well-known brands like Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, and some other great brands like Bugatti.
1967 Matra Sports M530A is built on a steel frame with a polyester body and also features a center machined layout and designed by the former Simca designer named Philippe Guédon. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
And this is one of the French's forgotten car manufacturers, namely Matra. In the 1960s this French manufacturer had success with the Matra Djet and the following car called the Matra 530 (or M530) is intended as its successor. It was a sports car built by the French's Matra engineering team, which was created for ordinary consumers who wanted a sports car, but didn't really like racing.
1967 Matra Sports M530A which was called by Jean-Luc Lagardere (CEO of Matra) in 1965 as 'voiture des copains' or  'car for friends', and intended as the successor to the Matra Djet. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
In 1965, CEO of Matra at the time, Jean-Luc Lagardere decided to develop a more adaptive sports car for non-racing consumers, which he called as 'voiture des copains' or 'car for friends', and intended as the successor to the Matra Djet. And as the result is the Matra M530 designed by the former Simca designer named Philippe Guédon.
1970 Matra Sports M530LX has received a Michelotti's special touches with targa roof. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
Like its predecessors, the M530 is built on a steel frame with a polyester body and also features a center machined layout. However, to accommodate the new 2 + 2 configuration, and the most adequate engine and boot layouts, various machine options were then tried.

In the end, a 1,699 cc V4 high compression engine from the Ford Taunus was used, which was mated to the Ford Taunus 15M TS' 4-speed manual gearbox. This combination turns out to be quite compact and fits snugly between the rear seat and the boot, and while from the engine it can make the car to a top speed of 109 mph or 175 kph.
1970 Matra Sports M530LX has the slightly redesigned dashboard to give more knee space, and repositioning the ignition key. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
The first Matra 530 model (labeled Matra Sports M530A) was introduced to the public on March 7, 1967 at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show. And after a month in production, then the Matra 530 added minor modifications including gives a chrome layer on the bumper, the dashboard a slightly redesigned to give more knee space, and repositioning the ignition key to facilitate access into the production process.
1970 Matra Sports M530LX body design which is said to look very avant-garde. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
The most striking features of the Matra 530 are the targa roof design, pop-up lights and others, especially the body design which is said to look very avant-garde. Even on the early Matra 530 models, the engine bay can be accessed by opening the acrylic-made rear glass.
In 1970, the Matra Sports M530LX model was introduced and appeared with a minor redesign of the Matra M530A which has received a Michelotti's special touches. The most notable change of this model is the rear (now made of the real glass that opens with a spring like the hatchback model) and the front bumper has a slightly update.
1971 Matra Sports M530SX does not have a targa roof and pop-up headlights; instead, there are four fixed headlights mounted on the front. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
A year later, in October 1971 to be precise, the French auto manufacturer introduced a low-cost version of the Matra 530 called the Matra Sports M530SX. The 530SX does not have a targa roof and pop-up headlights; instead, there are four fixed headlights mounted on the front. The only color options available are orange and white, and the model also feature a black bumper instead of a chrome bumper like the LX model.

Eventually all production of the Matra 530 model was ceased in 1973, with a total of 9,609 units of cars (consisting of 2,062 units of 530A, 4,731 units of 530LX and 1,146 units of 530SX) that had rolled out of their factory production lines in France. *** [EKA [31012021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]
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