The Samurai race car story from banned to be hero

Banzai....! Hino Motors, Ltd., or more popularly known as Hino, it's a Japanese multinational company that produces diesel engines, trucks, and buses. The company is headquartered in Hino, Tokyo, and founded in 1942. And since 1973, the company has been transformed into one of the major manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty trucks in Japan and is part of Toyota today.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai never be raced at the 1967 Japanese Grand Prix, after was disqualified and banned of the race event by the JAF due to it did not have sufficient ground clearance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

Although known as a truck maker, it turns out that this Japanese manufacturer had produced passenger car models in the 1960s. (See Hino's pasengger car). Besides that, in the same era it turned out that this Japanese manufacturer also ever had involved in the racing world with a race car called the Hino (BRE) Samurai.

The racing car was the result of a collaboration between the Hino Motors with the Brock Racing Enterprise (BRE) owned by Peter Brock, the famous American racing car designer. He was also known as the man who designed the legendary Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe.

Pete Brock while driving the Hino Coupe 1300cc and won the 1966 Times-Mirror race at Riverside Raceway. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

Before Brock started his career in the Japanese auto racing with Hino (BRE) Samurai, turn out he ever had great success while driving the Hino Coupe 1300cc and won the 1966 Times-Mirror race at Riverside Raceway along with another Hino's BREs finished in second.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai's timeless front-end still looks good today. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

As quoted from mycarquest, this unique racing car was created by BRE with the help of the great Troutman-Barnes team. The sleek and gorgeous hand made, low drag aluminium body ensured the Samurai made the most of its rather small 1.3L GR100 4-cylinder Contessa powerplant. Nevertheless the twin Mikuni-Solex carbureted unit still belted out a healthy 110 horsepower, then an amazing figure for such a small engine.

The power was handled through a bespoke 5-speed manual transmission. As a result of BRE’s clever engineering and packaging, the finished car only weighed a lively 530 kg (1170 lbs). Considering these figures, the car looked to be a worthy competitor in the JAF 1300 class.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai race car initially used a 1,300 cc 4-cylinder Hino Contessa engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai pictured on
the November 1967 cover of Road&Track
magazine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

Initially, Brock had a vision to enter this car in the 1967 Japanese Grand Prix and even aspired brought it to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Unfortunately, the Japan Automobile Federetion (JAF) as the race organizers later disqualified the car due to it did not have sufficient ground clearance. Despite the failed venture, BRE’s lovechild got its fair share of attention not long after being denied its racing career, by featured on the November 1967 cover of Road & Track magazine. 

The project was eventually disbanded then Pete Brock contracted by Toyota to developed a mid-engined 2L Toyota's prototype, and soon the Nissan Fairlady Z also got his hand touche. The Hino Samurai race car was later known to be bought by Terry Hall and brought it to America to race in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing event. At the American sports car club racing championship, the Samurai raced in Class C Sports Racing, but unfamiliarity with its mechanicals lead to setup issues and poor reliability. 

After that Hall sold the Samurai to former Porsche class competitor Ron Bianchi. At this time, the side windows of the car had also been removed, and the nosecone suffered minor damage from the impact. Bianchi also faced the same problem as the previous owner, due to ignorance of the Samurai's engine ins and outs.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai built with a tubular frame to support a highly aerodynamic aluminum body. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZizsPG)

Many mechanics come and go to handle this race car but the results were none, and always has the mechanical mishaps happened to it. Finally, Bianchi consider forming his own team whose members consisted of those who had reliable expertise. The team members are John Hamilton known as a former Mercedes-Benz motorsport development engineer, Paul Albertson who had been part of Cosworth's race engine department, Paul White known as tire specialist.

Together with the team members then Ron Bianchi tried to give a new breath to the Hino Samurai, but it was not easy. In one race the brakes failed, then the next time out an oil line sprung a leak, killing the engine, then a new throttle cable snagged, over-revving the engine and grenading it yet again. Problems keep coming, as if this racing car remains wild and difficult to understand.

The 530kg-weighted Hino (BRE) Samurai race car mounts its 110 hp engine in the mid-rear position. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rTO5oH)

Finally with the help of a friend specialized in cam construction finally solved the engine issues, then Paul Albertson was finally able to safely extract the desired power. With the engine sorted, and John Hamilton having resolved the braking problems.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai's movable ring airfoil predated Ferrari's F40 by over 20 years. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3blIkK7)

While for the car's handling problems, Bianchi then contacted Red LeGrande, who was known to be involved in the chassis fabrication process of the Samurai commissioned of Peter Brock. Then he discussing with Red to solved matters, and decided to completely remodel the rear suspension. After that Paul White adjusted the tire compounds and pressures accordingly. 

 

After all the team members have managed to solve their respective problems, the Samurai began to record reliable times in competitive times. On another occasion, the race car comfortably won its class. Over the next four years, the Samurai never be finished lower than fifth.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai race car waiting in the paddock, waiting to win another race. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

And when Ron Bianchi decided to retire from racing, Samurai managed to give him and the team about 25 winning trophies, 12 awards for second place and 2 trophies of the club racing championship. After that the Hino (BRE) Samurai idled in the garage, at that time Bianchi started receiving calls from its creator. Peter Brock had learned of Ron's ownership of the Samurai, and wanted to buy it back. In several discussions, they finally agreed on the price of the car.

However, Brock didn't hold onto the car for long, because he later sold it to Satoshi Ezawa, a wealthy Japanese collector. As if it wasn't enough to have Hino (BRE) Samurai physically, the last owner of the Hino Samurai having learned of Bianchi's adventures with the Samurai, he wanted to know in minute detail just how Ron has turned the aborted project into a proven race winner. His curiosity even led him to visit Ron Bianchi in person. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BRE | MYCARREQUEST | DRIVETRIBE ]

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Sony Vision-S Concept Car

Let's WAIT! A year ago, the Sony Vision-S electric-powered car was the star at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 in Las Vegas, United States. And recently, Sony back on stage at the same event this year and at the same time surprised the public through the news of its concept car was already road tested in Austria. But unfortunately the car cannot be bought by anyone, not even by the  millionaires or the crazy rich person.

Sony Vision-S electric-powered vehicle prototype on display at the CES 2020 held in Las Vegas. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3qiUxVT)

No wonder many people thought and suspected that the Sony's car will be mass produced. Because several similar technology companies such as Apple and Microsoft are also heading towards the autonomous vehicle trend.

As quoted from Car and Driver, on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, in fact that the Vision-S car is Sony's way of establishing itself is part of thevautonomous driving era or it could be said as well the Sony Vision-S Concept was designed to see and test the performance of their technology.

Sony Vision-S electric-powered vehicle prototype while on public road testing in Austria. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rR1uxN)

Through a spokesperson, Sony said that it would not mass produce the Vision-S. "At this time, we have no plans to mass produce or sell vehicles," said a Sony spokesman who was not identified.

"Our strength is in imaging and sensors, we aim to contribute to safety and reliability in autonomous driving, while providing great experiences that take advantage of entertainment in the mobility space," he added.

To support self-driving technology, Sony currently uses 40 points, and four of which are lidar. The number of sensors will directly increase the ability of 360-degree technology awareness. Currently the Vision-S already has a level 2 self-driving system, but soon Sony will upgrade it to level 4.

Sony Vision-S electric-powered vehicle prototype while on public road testing in Austria. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3phtnxt)

For your information, the Sony Vision-S was built in collaboration with a German manufacturer, Magna Steyr. The same company had ever produced the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4. Besides that Sony also collaborates with other well-known brands in the electronics world such as Bosch, Continental, Nvidia and Qualcomm.

To support the Sony Vision-S as a purely electric-powered four-wheeled vehicle weighing of 2,350 kg, the propulsion comes from a pair of 200 kW electric motors, for a total of 400 kW (536 hp). The power is capable of accelerating the car from still  to 100 kph in just 4.8 seconds, and a top speed of up to 240 kph. Not bad at all.

In order to dampen all the shocks caused by road conditions as well as the driving comfort factor, the Sony Vision-S uses the air suspension at the front and double-wishbone at the rear. The electric-powered car is equipped with four tires with the profiles of 245/40 and 275/35, which are attached to the 21-inch rims, while for the braking system entrusted to the Brembo's. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARANDDRIVER | 3NIONS ]

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The first Costin-bodied Lister to be powered by Chevrolet race car

Unique ONES The world's racing car history has always been decorated with many remarkable four-wheeled vehicles which were specially made and designed by many capable designers and engineers based on science and technology according to its era. As the result, not infrequently from those R&D process there's a vehicle is born that looks unique and amazed many people while said, 'How come?'

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner was designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin, and powered by the Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

The unique-shaped racing cars began to appear a lot in the racing season of 1950s and have continued until now. And one of them is the cynical-gazed Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner race car of the 1959 and had a fierce performances on the circuits. It's said that the Lister Costin Chevrolet race car represented a new direction for the British Brian Lister's car maker company through the slippery streamliner body was designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin, and powered by the Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner is instantly recognizable by its low, streamlined bodies, which shows a striking difference from the previous Lister's 'Knobbly' design with its large wheel arches. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

As we already know, that Frank Costin is a former engineer at the de Havilland Aircraft Company and also known as one of the leading minds at adapting aircraft aerodynamics to racing cars. Previously, he had worked for Lotus on an advanced bodywork development project for the Lotus Mark VIII. If You wanna see several of Costin-designed cars, here they are ie the 1957 Maserati 450S Costin-Zagato Coupe, and 1970 Costin Amigo.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner has extraordinary abilities so that it becomes the holder of the highest Top Speed among its Lister-badged brethren. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

And in 1958, he was hired by Brian Lister to develop a new, more aerodynamic body for the Lister car. Reportedly, as part of the agreement between those two men that mentioned if Frank Costin designed a body for the 1958 car, so he would be allowed to design an entirely new frame for it. It's the first car to be powered by a Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine. In appearance, the Costin-designed race car is instantly recognizable by its low, streamlined bodies, which shows a striking difference from the previous Lister's 'Knobbly' design with its large wheel arches.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner 1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner's cockpit has a single seat, a steering wheel on the right side and a 4-speed gearbox. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

As quoted of DriveTribe, the OHV Corvette V8 engine is well mounted behind the front axle for optimal weight distribution and the top is covered with 8 mesh-covered velocity stacks that serve as an air cleaner. Then, its exhaust exits into long-tube headers that run to tubular mufflers on either side of the car, and there’s a rear-facing scoop on the bonnet to ensure plenty of cool air to feed the American V8.

For the car construction, most Lister cars of the time used a similar tubular ladder chassis, a de Dion rear axle, and inboard drum brakes (but with a few exceptions). The body is made of lightweight aluminum with a tiled front hood to allow track side mechanics to have plenty of access to the engine room, and the cockpit has a single seat, a steering wheel on the right side and a 4-speed gearbox.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner's cockpit has a single seat, a steering wheel on the right side and a 4-speed gearbox. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

The Costin designed car is also touted as a streamliner prototype which is famous for being more aerodynamically slippery than other Lister designs. Besides that, the 1959 car has extraordinary abilities so that it becomes the holder of the highest Top Speed among its Lister-badged brethren, this is understandable partlly due to the use of the latest American V8 engine.

And in 1959, the car with the chassis number of BHL 121 was purchased in new by John Ewers, and also raced on several circuits during that season at Crystal Palace (as number 64), Silverstone (as number 1), and in the following year at the Goodwood B.A.R.C. Members’ Meeting (number 98), where he enters a Whitsun Cup and Whitsun handicap race.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner is real one-of-a-kind, and could be provided a front-running entry at many of the prestigious historic motoring events on its hey day. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

Then in 1960, the Lister's race car was then sent to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), because it was bought by Mr. Jimmy de Villiers, who had it campaigned in Africa by driver John Love. After a lengthy stay in sub-Saharan Africa, the BHL 121 found its way to America, where it's raced extensively on the west coast. Eventually the car was brought back to England after finished a comprehensive restoration by Canepa Design, a company based in California.

And throughout 2015 and 2016, the car had seen to public while driven by its owner in that time to be raced at the Goodwood Revival in 2015 and 2016, the Goodwood Members' Meeting 2015, and the Donington Historic Festival 2016. After that in the 2019, the car had been known to be offered through the Fiskens in London. This is real one-of-a-kind, and could be provided a front-running entry at many of the prestigious historic motoring events on its hey day. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FISKENS | SILODROME | DRIVETRIBE ]

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Ferrari Aliante Barchetta Concept

Concept ONLY It seems that today, the Ferrari became some kind of a guarantee for certainity of the best exotic premium four-wheeled vehicle which is offering fierce performance as well. So it is not surprising that the prancing horse sports car enthusiasts are also special people who certainly have abundant treasures whose willing to spend much their money to have it.

The Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano which is intended to pay homage to the past generations of sports cars. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

It's like a masterpiece created from a neat blend of millions of premium components with the touch of the great talents of designers and engineers at its Maranello-based factory. Well, it also indicates that not just anyone capable to create a beautiful car design concept worthy of wearing the Ferrari's prancing horse emblem on the hood.

The following neat design concept of a prancing horse logoed sports car was the personal work of a Spanish automotive designer named Daniel Soriano. This imaginary sports car figure created by him is named the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta, which is intended to pay homage to the past generations of sports cars.

Right left side of the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

Currently, Daniel Soriano working as as Concept Surface Designer at the Swedish's car brand, Volvo. The designer said that the car design background just because he thinks most modern cars that exist today are like soulless machines with more resemblance to electrodomestics than real cars.

He further said that all of this depends on performance figures, thus a great car cannot be measured or calculated. So with this car is the embodiment of his desire to make something pure, light and simple. The concept is based on the Ferrari Aliante project worked by Daniel Soriano along with Arun Kumar and Magnus Grettve for the 2011 IED and presented at the Ferrari World Design Contest.

Here's instrument cluster view of the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

After seven years, he decided to update the design as a personal challenge to evaluate his growth as a designer with many professional experience in Lamborghini, Volvo, Polestar and others. Eventually he decided to redesign and remodel the car from scratch, dubbing it the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta.

Bird eyes view of the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

The concept car structure built of a carbon fiber monocoque with integrated seats. The body integrates a number of some active aerodynamic elements including  big scoops, spoiler and diffuser and there are no doors, no windows and no roof.

Rear view of the Ferrari Aliante Barchetta concept car designed by Daniel Soriano. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36GZRLc)

Then the designers proposed that the concept is powered by a compact, high revving naturally aspirated inline V12 engine coupled with independent throttle bodies, manual gearbox and has no electronic driving aids.

If this concept car be realized into a real car, then you can imagine when it runs on the streets, it will give a typical premium roadster driving sensation that pampers the two occupants with gentle breeze of winds combined with fierce pounding of its V12 engine. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARBODYDESIGN ]

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Elation Freedom, 2022(?)

Concept ONLY The development of electric-powered super vehicles is increasingly attracting the interest of players in the automotive industry, both old players and new players. This is also done by an American automotive startup company named Elation Hypercars.

The Elation Hypercars has revealed the Freedom, its first production hypercar set to launch in a few years’ time with gasoline and electric powertrains to choose from. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3jdDrpO)

The company was founded in 2014 by three founders, namely Carlos Satulovsky, Mauro Saravia, and Pablo Barragan with a simple vision. They would build a hypercar which could capture the singular feeling of purist driving: elation.

The Elation Freedom electric-powered hypercar uses a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, no wonder its weighs around 3,637 lbs or around 1,650 kilograms. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

Six years later, the dream has become a reality. Well, recently there's a hyper electric-powered vehicle was successfully created by this American startup company and named Elation Freedom. And it's also said that the California-based startup will be the first American local company to produce a luxury electric-powered hypercar for the United States market.

The Elation Freedom hypercar presents a fighter jet-inspired cockpit inspired inside its cabin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

This extraordinary electric-powered vehicle was made by Carlos Satulovsky and Mauro Saravia, assisted by the company's tecnical division whose have many experienced experts of the Formula One, and other European racings, as a result this car is claimed to have various advantages.

The Elation Freedom hypercar has gullwing doors and also a fairly large-sized wing on the back. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

By using a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, it's no wonder the Freedom weighs around 3,637 lbs or around 1,650 kilograms. However, without the motor or battery pack, the weight drops to 2,850 lbs. 

When viewed its exterior, as quoted of Carscoops, this electric-powered hypercar has quite striking looks because it has gullwing doors and also a fairly large-sized wing on the back.

The standard variant of the Elation Freedom electric-powered hypercar will use three electric motors producing up to 1,414 hp of power. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

If You entering the cabin, the hypercar presents a fighter jet-inspired cockpit inspired. It is equipped with the digital instrument cluster, plus with a minimalist-looking middle section that's entirely made of carbon fiber. In addition, the potential customers are given the chance to choose materials to cover the car's cabin, ranging from premium genuine leather, precious metals, to gemstones.

The standard variant of the Elation Freedom electric-powered hypercar costs around the US. $2 million or Rp. 28 billion. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

The hypercar base model will have three electric motors producing up to 1,414 hp of power. Not only that, the California-based company also plans to offer an additional electric motor so that this car has a maximum power of 1,903 hp. With its maximum power, the car able to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 1.8 seconds, and run up to its top speed of 418 kilometers per hour. Wow!

Then to support its performance, this hypercar is also equipped with two options T-shaped lithium-ion battery packs, each with a capacity of 100 kWh and 120 kWh. So the electric-powered hypercar is claimed to be able to run as far as 483 km to 644 km according to the battery pack it uses.

Rear view of the Elation Freedom hypercar. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3roXhBv)

One more thing, if you are not happy enough with the electric drivetrain, then the Elation Freedom will offer You another variant called Elation Freedom Iconic Collection that uses an Audi-sourced 5.2 litre V10 engine which able to spew power up to 750 hp and 664 Nm of torque. 

The engine power will be channeled to the four wheels through the 7-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox. Unfortunately, the car's performance becomes little bit slow, with 0-60 mph acceleration time of 2.2 seconds and a top speed of only 221 mph. But as far as we know, that performance figures still includes the hypercar capabilities. This indicates that the Freedom Iconic variant still deserves to be said as a hypercar.

Regarding the price, the American startup company mentions that the Freedom standard variant costs around the US. $2 million or Rp. 28 billion, while the Freedom Iconic variant is priced at $ 2.3 million or Rp.32 billion. But there’s no mention of when to expect deliver. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ELATION HYPERCARS | CARSCOOPS | MOTORTREND | TOPSPEED ]

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De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby MkV Prototype

ONE-OFF In the 1960s there were two big names in the automotive world, Alejandro De Tomaso and Caroll Shelby who were known to have worked together. Both of them have similar backgrounds were former racing drivers turned automakers with almost the same philosophy of making European light cars with excellent handling and adding a hefty American V8 drivetrain.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype was the only one ever made. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

De Tomaso and Shelby worked together in at least two car projects which was later transformed into the De Tomaso Sports 5000 and De Tomaso P70 prototypes. However, after the failure of the P70 project, the two later separated, as it is known that Shelby managed the Ford GT40 Le Mans program and De Tomaso developed his own car which later known as the Mangusta.

The "Shelby MkV" badging on the grille and unusual paint scheme are indicators that this is no ordinary Mangusta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

As quoted of Carscoops, the original Mangusta car design was done by Giorgetto Giugiaro when he was still working at Carrozzeria Ghia and was originally intended to be a model for the new Iso Rivolta car. For some reason, Iso's boss at the time Renzo Rivolta rejected the design and then Alejandro De Tomaso immediately bought the design for his own use. He later named it as the 'Mangusta,' an Italian word for 'mongoose.'

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype is finished in bright red with white racing stripes, a rear spoiler, side scoops and "Shelby MK V" badging. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

The mongoose is the only animal that hunts, kills and eats cobras. It is not known whether the car naming has anything to do with Caroll Shelby, who at that time appeared with a car brand called Shelby Cobra. Or maybe with the Manguta name, De Tomaso wants to show the competition between himself and Shelby.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype was a well-equipped vehicle with air conditioning and power windows, leather seats, and ample instrumentation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

Uniquely, in the De Tomaso Mangusta car development, it again involved the Caroll Shelby name when the car was sent to the United States for evaluation by Ford, one of the American car manufacturers. At that time, the car, which was named De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V, was painted, given the distinctive Shelby badge and was predicted to be the successor of the famous Ford GT40 Mark IV. However, after being examined by the Ford executives and was decided to reject the car design.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby Mark V Prototype cabin features a black leather interior with a gated shifter for rowing gears, controls for the power window lifts and air conditioning. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

The De Tomaso Mangusta made its first public appearance at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, shortly after the car returned from America. It is believed that only one De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby MkV was ever built, then the De Tomaso Mangusta production version was made as much as 401 units between 1967 and 1971. The car sits on a steel backbone chassis with a load-bearing and uses a rear-mid mounted Ford V8 engine.

The De Tomaso P70 steel backbone chassis, a modified version was used on the Mangusta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

For the engine, it is known that there are 2 types of V8 engines used in the De Tomaso Mangusta cars, namely the 208 cu.in. engine which was originally used on models produced for the European market, while for the American model used the 302 cu.in. But in later production cycles the entire car was fitted with a 302 cu.in engine. In addition, the car is also equipped with the independent front-rear suspensions, disc brakes on all four corners, rack and pinion steering, and a five-speed ZF transaxle to send the engine power to the rear wheels.

Beneath the rear gullwing hatches resides a Boss 302 Ford engine, professed to be built by Shelby American, and is fitted with finned "DeTomaso" valve covers and a current jackshaft to operate the alternator and standard air conditioning compressor. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

The car's interior is described as comfortable for people under 6 feet tall and a little tight for those above it. It was a well-equipped vehicle with air conditioning and power windows, leather seats, and ample instrumentation. As well as the stunning good looks of the Mangusta, perhaps the most famous of which is the gullwing bay rear door which both opens to offer excellent engine access on both sides.

The Mangusta has unusual engine bay lids that can both open fully to give excellent access. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3r6Ytcs)

And it given a distinctive livery of red with white racing stripes and carrying the Shelby MkV bathing front and rear, indicates that the car is a unique piece of automotive history that many don’t know about. If you are a true automotive enthusiast and dreaming of a truly valuable car, then this one is the right choice.

Especially considering the high prices of the original Ford GT40 and Shelby Cobras. Now you have the opportunity to own it or even just to see it at the Mecum Auction list. And reportedly the De Tomaso Mangusta Shelby MkV prototype car will be sold at auction with prices ranging from the US. $ 300,000 to $ 350,000. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | SILODROME | MECUM AUCTION ]

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