Wild ONES When talking about Japanese car brands, we will immediately mention Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Nissan, Mazda, Daihatsu, Mitsubishi, Isuzu or maybe Subaru. This is understandable because all those Japanese brands are very well known by the public throughout the world.
This Mitsuoka Orochi looks cool and stylish using the Liberty Walk's widebody kit, while appeared at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon as the show car of a Japanese aftermarket lights maker, Sphere Light. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
But did you know that Japan also has many other car manufacturers and one of them is Mitsuoka Motor. Well, it is one of many small Japanese car companies, and is well known for building unique cars with unconventional styling, some of which are modern while others imitate the look of American, European and particularly British retro cars of the 1950s and 1960s.
The first Mitsuoka Orochi Concept unveiled at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show and built based on the Honda NSX platform. (Picture from: Automobiles-Japonaises)
Mitsuoka Motor is also known as the main distributor of the retro-classic TD2000 roadster in Japan. It could be said that Mitsuoka Motor is primarily a custom design coachbuilder, customizing production cars, e.g., the Nissan March, and replacing various aspects of the bodywork for sale worldwide.
The Mitsuoka Orochi Nude Top convertible version is unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Shown. (Picture from: Automobiles-Japonaises)
As time went by, the company then paved the path for its-owned sports car which became known as the Mitsuoka Orochi when in 2001 the company created a sports car concept based on the Honda NSX platform and launched for the first time at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, then followed by unveiling its convertible version named the Orochi Nude Top at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show.
The Mitsuoka Orochi Kabuto Concept is unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and retained the Orochi's basic construction, but has been fitted with carbon fiber panels, a body kit, and a rear spoiler. (Picture from: Automobiles-Japonaises)
As quoted of Wikipedia, the name of this sports car made by Mitsuoka Motor is inspired by a Japanese legendary mythological creature named Yamato no Orochi (an eight-headed and eight-tailed dragon/serpent). Uniquely, not only the name is inspired by those legendary mythological creature, it turns out that the design of the two-seater sports car as well. So it is not surprising that the car's design looks very out of the box, and always able to take our sights to it. Well, something unusual, almost always able to take our sights to it.
The Mitsuoka Orochi Zero known as a cheaper alternative to the Orochi due to it had fewer metal-plated accessory parts, synthetic leather, and reduced soundproofing around the engine to reduce costs. (Picture from: Pinterest)
As quoted of Car and Driver, as its name indicates, the Mitsuoka Orochi has reptilian design with the headlamp and rear combination lamp have a design motif of piercing eyes that transfix the prey. The air intake something eerie on the front bumper eerily suggests the upper and lower jaws of a python, poised to strike the prey with sharp fangs.
The Mitsuoka Orochi Gold Premium has both an additional front and rear spoiler and modified variable note exhaust system with four tail pipes as opposed to two on the standard Orochi and is unveiled in the 2010. (Picture from: Wikiwand)
Although it looks weird and quirky to some, who also sometimes give negative reviews related to its appearance. However it is in accordance with the the company mission, as stated by Susumu Mitsuoka, the President of Mitsuoka Motor said that the Mitsuoka Orochi was designed to be a prestigious car that would attract everyone's attention. If the Orochi passes on the road, it will certainly make other vehicle drivers or people directly turn their heads to see it and frown due to its very unusual design.
The Mitsuoka Orochi Final Edition is known as the final model after the company announced the Orochi discontinued in 2014 and in order to celebrate its production run. (Picture from: TopSpeed)
If its appearance can distract people when they see it, then what about its performance? Under Mitsuoka Orochi's hood lies an unspectacular 233-hp six-cylinder with capacity of 3.3-litre mounted at the stern and mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, in fact that's the same engine of the fifth-generation Toyota Camry. So by such those engine power could be made Orochi accelerates from rest to 100 kph in about 6 seconds. Well, in terms of performance Mitsuoka Orochi was mediocre as it considered not too impressive, but not too slow.
The Mitsuoka Orochi Seven Eleven Evangelion Limited Edition has unique multi-coloured paint scheme appearance inspired by Evanglion, one of Japanese anime series of the 1990s and built based on the Gold Premium platform. (Picture from: Kumparan)
Due to in each production series, Mitsuoka Orochi is always produced in limited quantities, namely between 5 to 20 units. Besides that, these Mitsuoka Motor's sports cars were produced in a relatively short time, namely between 2006 and 2014. Thus, it is not surprising that the car population (estimated there're 400 units ever made) is very limited and rare. Let's take a look at the Orochi sports car series ever made by the automaker company based in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan.
The Mitsuoka Orochi Devilman is built in collaboration with Go Nagai, the creator of a popular Japanese anime titled Devilman Crybaby and unveiled in 2018. (Picture from: Auto-Versity.ru)
The Mitsuoka Orochi first edition launched in 2006/2007 named Orochi Kabuto, and released 5 units only. Then the next series, namely Orochi Zero which was launched in 2008, only made as many as 20 units per-year. Furthermore in 2010 Mitsouka Motors launched the Orochi's next series, namely Orochi Gold Premium only 20 units. Continued in 2014 the Japanese manufacturer decided to launch next edition of the monster, namely Orochi Final Edition, in only 5 units.
In that year Mitsuoka Motors also once made another one unit of these car series with an appearance inspired by Evanglion, one of Japanese anime series of the 1990s and was named 7-Eleven Evanglion Limited Edition. As the finale edition of Mitsuoka Orochi is Orochi Devilman made in 2018 in collaboration with Go Nagai, the creator of a popular Japanese anime titled Devilman Crybaby.
Tried to Come Back Maybe you still remember the BMW i8 hybrid sports car which after nearly six years of production, it was officially retired in April 2020. And until now BMW has no plans to build any successor. Of course, for those of you who have already fallen in love with the i8, this is bad news.
The Taraschi Berardo is a retro-modern hybrid coupe designed by Andrea Quartieri which was mentioned as a tribute to Berardo Taraschi and to mark the return of a small Italian racing squads named Squadra Corse Taraschi in motorsports. (Picture from: alVolante)
Hold on and don't worry, there's still a little good news for you, the BMW i8 sports car is still given a chance to live, and reemerged in a classic style to mark the return of a small Italian racing squads named Squadra Corse Taraschi in motorsports.
The Taraschi Berardo built based on the chassis of this modern hybrid coupe BMW i8. (Picture from: Otosia)
The mentioned car is designed by Andrea Quartieri, was later given the name Taraschi Berardo, which was mentioned as a tribute to Berardo Taraschi. For those of you who don't know, of course you will immediately ask, who is he? For your information, he is an Italian businessman who had started his career at a young age as a racer after establishing a motorcycle repair shop.
1953 Giaur 750 Sport Champion from Team 1-Off, one of Taraschi's most successful competition cars, and taken by the Taraschi Berardo maker as the inspiration sources. (Picture from: Motor1)
During the 2nd world war his motorbike workshop was forced to close and after the war was over it was reopened. But at the time he has a new interest in cars that makes him then shift the focus and studied all aspects (mechanics and frames). In short, since then he went on to develop and product a series of sports and competition cars during the 1950s and 1960s through his company named Officina Meccanica Berardo Taraschi.
The
Taraschi Berardo bodywork featured with rounded front and rear fenders,
prominent curved lines on the hood, oval-shaped headlights, redesigned
grille, and a longer body. (Picture from: Taraschi)
The naming of the car after the Italian businessman has also reportedly been approved and initiated by Berardo's son, Tazio Taraschi, and even the project is supported by the Squadra Corse Taraschi, a team known to have provided a lot of advice and technical assistance including spare parts to the automotive collectors who owned the original Berardo Taraschi made cars.
To get its current form as the Taraschi Berardo, the BMW i8 should be completely overhauled, leaving only its dramatic butterfly-style doors. (Picture from: alVolante)
As we all know, the BMW i8's latest reincarnation is debuted at the Automobile Museum of Turin in October 7, 2020, emerged as a retro modern hybrid sports coupe. Well, to transform into a new figure of Taraschi Berardo, the donor car must be customized and refurbished by combining retro style with modern plug-in hybrid technology.
Then inside the Taraschi Berardo's cabin, we can see the expanse of luxurious interior decorated with layers of high-quality wood and leather. (Picture from: alVolante)
By design, this i8's latest reincarnation is inspired by the 1953 Giaur 750 Sport Champion from Team 1-Off, one of Taraschi's most successful competition cars ever made. To that end, the BMW i8 donor car should be completely overhauled with aluminum body panels made by hand over the donor car chassis.Therefore the new car bodywork featured with rounded front and rear fenders, prominent curved lines on the hood, oval-shaped headlights, redesigned grille, and a longer body. So that in the end, You will not look at all the initial form of the BMW i8.
Not only that, the BMW i8's digital dashboard, air vents, and 8.8-inch screen have been retained as well, but the center console has been redesigned. (Picture from: DrivingYourDream)
However, there is one original detail of the BMW i8 is preserved, ie the dramatic butterfly-style doors. Then inside the cabin, we can see the expanse of luxurious interior decorated with layers of high-quality wood and leather. Not only that, the i8's digital dashboard, air vents, and 8.8-inch screen have been retained as well, but the center console has been redesigned.
The Taraschi Berardo has got an output increase of up to 420 hp, even if desired the automaker can also increase the power to 470 hp and 520 hp. (Picture from: alVolante)
While the original BMW i8 produced 374 hp spewed out by its hybrid powertrain (consisting of a turbocharged 1.5 liter inline-3 engine coupled with electric motor), the new car has got an output increase of up to 420 hp. Even if desired the automaker can also increase the power to 470 hp and 520 hp.
It's not known how many cars will be made, the automaker only says will make it in small numbers editions. Just like other premium hand-built cars, this i8's retro style customized sports car also has a high price tag. For your information, the Taraschi Berardo is said to be priced around €800,000 (about $940,473), which is almost seven times more expensive than the standard BMW i8. Wow!! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TARASCHI | CARBUZZ | CLASSICDRIVER | DRIVINGYOURDREAM | TUNINGBLOG.EU | ALVOLANTE | MOTOR1 ]
Thunderstorm At the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed event which took place in West Sussex, England some time ago, it was seen that there was a unique electric-powered car attracted attention of the audience present at that time. Besides it has a unique shape similar to the Batmobile in 1992 Batman Returns movie but in a smaller version.
The
McMurtry Spéirling is an innovative electric-powered single-seat fan car has been unveiled by British firm McMurtry at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed. (Picture from: Autocar)
It turns out, the mentioned car above named McMurtry Spéirling has good performance too, no wonder if it has claimed the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb record with Ex-Formula 1 driver Max Chilton behind the wheel, and knocking the Volkswagen ID R from the top position with a 39.08sec run.
The
McMurtry Spéirling has claimed the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb
record in 39.08sec run with Ex-Formula 1 driver Max Chilton was at the
wheel. (Picture from: Evo.co.uk)
This one seater small electric-powered car specifically for racing track purposed, is launched for the first time in 2021. And related to the car's name of Spéirling which means 'thunderstorm' in Irish. The mentioned car above is developed by the British startup company named McMurtry Automotive founded in 2016 by Irishman Sir David McMurtry. Besides its unique design, the Spéirling is also equipped with various technologies that make it attractive.
The
McMurtry Spéirling is also fitted with the prototype F1-style steering wheel, the only other controls appear. (Picture from: Evo.co.uk)
The first is the downforce technology used, as you can see this car does not have a spoiler at the rear (but in the 2022 model attached large spoiler at rear). This is because the Spéirling uses fan technology that presses down on the back. Not just a regular fan, but a special 80 horsepower fan that provides maximum downforce without the need to go fast. The fan can also be adjusted in speed via the pedal shifter in hand to adjust the desired downforce.
As a race car, the McMurtry Spéirling was built into a light weight car, with majority its body made of carbon fiber, so no wonder the car weighs less than 1,000 kg. (Picture from: Autocar)
The presence of its fan system causes this car has sound like a jet also. Making it as one of the electric cars with the loudest sound. As a race car, the McMurtry Spéirling was built into a light weight car, with majority its body made of carbon fiber, so no wonder the car weighs less than 1,000 kg or 1 ton.
The McMurtry Spéirling featured with advanced downforce technology by using a special 80 horsepower fan adjusted in speed via the pedal shifter in hand to adjust the desired downforce. (Picture from: AutomotiveDaily)
This McMurtry Spéirling unique car powered by an electric motor capable of producing 1,000 horsepower, this car has a power-to-weight ratio of 1 hp/kg. That's amazing considering this car has to carry the weight of the battery placed around the driver. That much power is channeled entirely to the rear wheels because this car uses a RWD (Rear-wheels drive) configuration coupled with a 60 kWh battery. This combination can make it go from 0 to top speed at 300 kph in just 9 seconds.
With such astonishing speeds, the McMurtry Spéirling can be used on track for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour before needing to be recharged. But that's not a problem because this car has a 600 kW quick charge technology. As for normal road use with WLTP standards this car can reach 563 km. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MCMURTRY AUTOMOTIVE | WIKIPEDIA | AUTOCAR | AUTOMOTIVEDAILY ]
Weird ONES Sometime ago we've found there's a Fiero thought itself would be Enzo, weird isn't? As we all know that the Ferrari Enzo is a very rare and expensive supercar that only real multimillionaires or billionaires can buy. However, for very different money, (if it sold), you can own the unique Pontiac Fiero, which disguised itself as the famous Italian supercar, and dubbed the Fierri or Fiero 'Enzo'.😀
This unique Fierri Enzo car creation built based on 1986 Pontiac Fiero and inspired by Ferrari Enzo. (Picture from: CarAkoom)
Might be for some it seems unique and pretty good in its new guise. Unfortunately, the same opinion cannot be said by others, especially for those true Ferrari loyalists. For them, it's terrible car looks, as in their opinion that's an ugly replica or copy of the Ferrari Enzo. Uniquely, with its somewhat strange appearance, in fact many parties are curious about it, then invites the car owner in various media, for example it has become a frequent guest on several YouTube channels.
The 1986 Pontiac Fiero was a donor car for a weird-ugliest replica of Ferrari Enzo dubbed as the Fierri. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
The car received mixed reviews and notoriety by showing off at the exclusive Quail 2019 A Motorsports Gathering in Monterey, winning the Concours d'Lemons Worst in Show award, and was even featured in an episode of Jay Leno's Garage. So actually this car is made only for jokes as seen on the Car Bros's Youtube channel.
This unique Fierri Enzo car creation known to use a fiberglass body kit featured with some kind of a scissor-style doors. (Picture from: Cars&Bids)
As quoted of CarAkoom, it is not known when and who made the car, only mentioned was built a few years ago. Then the car that is known to use a fiberglass body kit plugs on the Fiero chassis, and powered by an 2.8-liter V6 engine of Fiero capable to burst power of 140 ponies and torque of 230 Nm coupled with 4-speed automatic transmission. So don't be fooled by the V12 sticker on the body and the engine cover mockup placed under the glass panel made what you see through the rear window as if a V12 engine.
As quoted of Cars & Bids, it has been owned by the seller since 2015 and has driven only 1,600 km in that time. However, there are many differences in the condition of Fierri when appearing in an episode of Jay Leno's Garage with its condition when offered to auction. Let's see the Jay Leno's Garage video below:
For example, this car failed an emissions test at its last service due to high NOx levels and cannot be registered on public roads in California. In addition, the car's direction indicators and high beams do not work, the rear lights do not turn on when the headlights are on, the trunk is not fixed, the body trim is poorly fitted, the front panel is sagging, and the body is scratched.
This unique Fierri Enzo car creation grown fame for its appearances on the CAR BROS YouTube channel and winning the Concours d'Lemons Worst in Show award. (Picture from: Cars&Bids)
But still, in recent years, some maintenance work on this unusual car has been carried out by the owner. So, for example, new gaskets and exhaust manifold studs were installed, oil and air filters, brake and coolant were replaced, and a catalytic converter was installed.
But one thing is clear that the one who bought this car will have to tinker with this “anti-show car” a lot before getting behind the wheel and, pressing the gas pedal, causing “laughter and tears” of onlookers on the streets of his hometown.
This unique Fierri Enzo car creation is powered by a fake V12 engine, which is an original 2.8-liter V6 engine of Fiero capable to burst power of 140 ponies and torque of 230 Nm. (Picture from: Cars&Bids)
Maybe one day there was a shift in the perception of the car which in the end considered it one of the most beautiful sports cars ever made. But when?😉 What is certain is that the weird Fiero 'Enzo' has now been sold by Cars & Bids back in the 2020 for $5,001. Hey here is another unique car based of Fiero called the Stalker. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CAR BROS | PATREON | CARAKOOM | CARTHROTTLE | AUTOEVOLUTION | CARS&BIDS ]
Rare ONES We could only shake our heads when we saw this car for the first time on the monitor screen while surfing the internet. How come? To be honest, it could be said that's a kind of an unusual and rare car under the name of McLaren we've ever seen. As usually a McLaren emblemed car always have the connotation of a luxurious and glamorous supercar, that can only be owned or driven by those few can afford such extravagance.
1990 Pontiac Turbo Grand-Prix ASC-McLaren variant that featured tuning and updates from the iconic British automaker. (Picture from: Autoblog)
Uniquely, in the past the existence of this car allowed you to get behind the wheel of a legitimate McLaren without having to drain your bank account. Well, in the 1989 and 1990, there's the Pontiac Grand Prix was offered in a limited edition ASC-McLaren variant that featured tuning and updates from the iconic British automaker.
1990 Pontiac Turbo Grand-Prix ASC-McLaren is powered by a 3.1-liter V6 engine plus a turbocharger that gives such injection of 65 horsepower for a total of 205 ponies and 225 lbs-ft of torque, coupled with four-speed automatic transmission. (Picture from: Autoblog)
As its name suggested, the car is the result of a partnership between American Specialty Cars-McLaren (ASC-McLaren) and Pontiac. It should be noted that the McLaren name here is not associated with the McLaren Formula 1 team or even the iconic McLaren road cars, instead the McLaren connection that stems from the arm of the automaker's powertrain engineering department.
1990 Pontiac Turbo Grand-Prix ASC-McLaren package was priced at $5,000 which brought a series of cool 1980s technology into the Grand Prix's interior, some of which could be said to be very advanced for the time. (Picture from: Autoblog)
The standard Pontiac Grand Prixis powered by a 3.1-liter V6 engine plus a turbocharger that gives such injection of 65 horsepower for a total of 205 ponies and 225 lbs-ft of torque, coupled with four-speed automatic transmission system for channeling the engine powers to the front wheels. The power output numbers is modest by today's standards, and even that's not outrageous by 1990's standards either, but the car has a good enough acceleration capability from still to 60 mph of around 7 seconds.
At that time the ASC-McLaren package was priced at $5,000 which brought a series of cool 1980s technology into the Grand Prix's interior, some of which could be said to be very advanced for the time. The car gets a heads-up display and a digital display on the dashboard.
1990 Pontiac Turbo Grand-Prix ASC-McLaren has soft bucket seats at the front and rear with a distinctive pear shape. (Picture from: Autoblog)
The steering wheel must be familiar to anyone who remembers the high-end Pontiacs of those days, with the entire center of the wheel filled with buttons instead of the airbags we see today. The car has soft bucket seats at the front and rear with a distinctive pear shape. Many sources peg production numbers between 2,500 and 3,500 units, so the car is relatively rare compared to its mass-produced Pontiac counterparts.
As quoted of Autoblog, examples of this rare coupe rarely surface for sale, so it’s surprising to see this low-mile 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix ASC-McLaren on eBay at the priced of $19,351 and this one’s got just 17,746 miles on the clock too, and appears to be in excellent condition. It’s had just two owners and no reported accidents.
The seller notes a little surface rust from the car being in storage so long. As if you compared to the GM cars of this era tended to deteriorate quickly, so a bit of surface rust shouldn’t be a huge issue. The latest info, the listing has ended on June 24, 2022 and the car has been sold.😅 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOBLOG | EBAY ]
Rare ONES You may still remember to Isdera, an auto brand that existed in the 1990s owned by a German company called Isdera AG (Ingenieurbüro für Styling). The company itself was a small automotive company based in Leonberg (before moved to Hildesheim), Germany, although not as big as the Bugatti or Lamborghini, Isdera has managed to create a stir (though not big enough) in the supercars world in the 1980s up to 1990s..
The
Isdera Spyder 036i is a stylish roofless sports car that are believed
secretly built by the Isdera AG. and was first launched in 1987. (Picture from: ExclusiveCarRegestry)
As quoted of Silodrome, the company was founded in 1982 by an automotive designer and engineer named Eberhard Schulz, who had earlier designed the 1969 Erator GTE and the 1978 Mercedes-Benz CW311 concept car. Departing from his disappointment, when Mercedes-Benz was reluctant to produce the CW311, then Schulz decided to set up his own company in order to build his own car.
The Isdera Spyder 036i is known to be an updated version of the Isdera Spyder 033i as in pictured which had been unveiled previously in 1982. (Picture from: Amian-Cars)
Among the cars made by the German manufacturer, it turns out that there
is a model that is no less unique than other models. And here is the Isdera Spyder 036i, a stylish roofless sports car that are believed secretly built by those German company and was first launched in 1987.
The exterior of the Spyder 036i is dominant using sharp wedge-shaped corners to penetrate the air beautifully. (Picture from: ExclusiveCarRegestry)
As we all know the first Isdera Spyder033i is launched in 1982, would join the Imperator 108i which was the CW311 that was realized in production form in 1984. It also had a tubular steel frame but with a roof and powered by a 5.0-liter Mercedes-Benz V8 engine, then followed by Spyder 033-16 in 1986, and Spyder 036i in 1987.
The interior of the Isdera Spyder 036i has two-seats are finished in black leather with red piping. (Picture from: ExclusiveCarRegestry)
This Spyder 036i could be said an updated version of the Spyder 033i which had been unveiled previously in 1982, and is produced up to 1989. While seen from its designs, the car obviously takes inspiration from its Italian counterparts to build a German supercar that rivals all others.
In the front of the Isdera Spyder 036i's driver gets only a large tachometer fronted by a simple three-spoke steering wheel with the speedo and other primary instruments are housed in the large center stack. (Picture from: ExclusiveCarRegestry)
The exterior of the Spyder 036i is dominant using sharp wedge-shaped corners to penetrate the air beautifully. Apart from that, this car will be perfect for high speed corners and road racing situations as the aerodynamics will keep it firmly on the ground.
The
Isdera Spyder 036i is powered by a mid-mounted Mercedes-Benz M103 inline-six with a displacement of 3.0 liters, power is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transaxle. (Picture from: ExclusiveCarRegestry)
The Isdera Spyder 036i features with a tubular steel spaceframe chassis with a lightweight fiberglass body, and is powered by a mid-mounted Mercedes-Benz M103 inline-six with a displacement of 3.0 liters, power is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transaxle.
In that year Mitsuoka Motors also once made another one unit of these car series with an appearance inspired by Evanglion, one of Japanese anime series of the 1990s and was named 7-Eleven Evanglion Limited Edition. As the finale edition of Mitsuoka Orochi is Orochi Devilman made in 2018 in collaboration with Go Nagai, the creator of a popular Japanese anime titled Devilman Crybaby. 
