This is the Koenigsegg unique hypercar for family-oriented rich couple

Although the Geneva International Motor Show 2020 was canceled, but the well-known hypercar manufacturer from Sweden, Koenigsegg stay presented in Geneva to unveil its newest unique hypercar figure named Koenigsegg Gemera which was officially introduced as a family hypercar due to its cabin filled 4 comfortable seats. The hypercar also claimed has abundant power despite carrying a slightly little than regular hypercar engine.

Koenigsegg Gemera was officially introduced as a family hypercar due to its cabin filled 4 comfortable seats. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3awXw54)

Gemera is the first model of the Koenigsegg that has a four-seat configuration, which is referred as the Mega-GT. This car can also be referred as a hypercar for family not only because of its 4-seats configuration, but also has a large luggage capacity.

The Swedish premium car company says that the concept of this car has been thought of by Christian von Koenigsegg (the company CEO and founder) since 2003, when his first son was born. At that time he thought about how to stay'n close with the family while driving in a hypercar. Finally the idea was realized in the figure of the Koenigsegg Gemera.

Koenigsegg Gemera claimed has abundant power despite carrying a 3-cylinder twin-turbo 2.0 liters engine dubbed 'Tiny Friendly Giant (TFG) and connected to a revolutionary hybrid-drive system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3awXw54)

Not like the 2 + 2 format is usually applied on a sports car or grand tourer in general, Gemera has two seats in the back that can accommodate two adult passengers to sit comfortably. Uniquely, passengers, especially those who sit in the back seats do not need to bow when entering or exiting the cabin, because this hypercar is equipped with a pair of very long dehydral-type doors.

Koenigsegg Gemera has two seats in the back that can accommodate two adult passengers to sit comfortably. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3awXw54)

On the back seats are also equipped with four cup holders, wireless charger for smartphones, and the infotainment system with 21-inches screen in the middle. The relief of cabin space for the passengers in this car, thanks to its 3,000 mm wheelbase long, which also offers more dynamic performance when maneuvering.

This Swedish premium car manufacturer installed a 3-cylinder twin-turbo 2.0 liters engine dubbed 'Tiny Friendly Giant (TFG),' which has applied advanced three-valve technology. Yes, although only has three cylinders, but this engine is capable of producing power up to 600 hp and 600 Nm of torque.

Koenigsegg Gemera is able to produce power reaching up to 1,700 horsepower and 3,500 Nm of torque. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3awXw54)

Overall the Gemera's powertrain uses a hybrid plug-in system, that accompanied by the electric motors that able to provide extra power output of 1,100 hp. So in total, Gemera is able to produce power reaching up to 1,700 horsepower and 3,500 Nm of torque. So making it able to accelerate from 0-100 kph in 1.9 seconds with a top speed of more than 400 kph.

And while the car using the electric motors alone, it can be run up to 300 kph in a distance as far as 50 km. The Swedish company even claims Gemera as the hypercar with the lowest CO2 emition level, even almost as clean as the full electric-powered car.

As mentioned above, that Gemera has luggage storage in the back that able to contain three cabin-sized suitcases. This spacious trunk is because this car uses a relatively smaller engine unit in the hypercar class.

While the price of the Gemera is estimated to reach US $1 million or equivalent to more than Rp.14 billion. Uniquely, despite the Gemera made in limited numbers, which is only 300 units, but said is to be the largest-number hypercar models produced by Koenigsegg ever. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOENIGSEGG]

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The story of Bugatti post-war comeback with its Type 101

Despite the company glory years of success during the 1920s and 1930s, both on and off the racing track, turn out Bugatti should be entered into difficult years postwar in the long and exhaust disarray. It started when a tragedy happened, Ettore's heir, talented and creative Jean Bugatti, died in a tragic testing accident in 1939, making them all feel sad and devastated. At the same time, the company was ruined apart physically, managerially and financially as a result of the raging of the 2nd World War in Europe.

The one-off Bugatti Type 101 'Berline' with the chassis number 101.500 is designed by Louis Lepoix and then constructed by the German coachbuilder, Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aunMwK)

While Ettore Bugatti himself was isolated in Paris shortly after war's end. He was judged a belligerent by the postwar French government because of his Italian citizenship and stripped of his property. The climax, when he died in 1947, at only age 58, split everything that could be recovered from the Bugatti's enterprise into two camps along the lines of the families of his two marriages.

The prototype of Bugatti Type 101 'Berline' 4-doors saloon was built based on a prewar chassis of Type 57. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aunMwK)

Meanwhile besides families, workers, and designers who previously had worked under the guidance of Le Patron to the onset of the war felt that's also were their responsibilities to help the company to get out of these difficult times and seem had spurred them to make the allure Bugatti automobile emerged again and respected in the world's automotive.

This early model of Bugatti Type 101 'Berline' 4-doors saloon with the chassis number of 101-500 was only one unit ever built and now sat on display at the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39An5lz)

Under the leadership of Ettore's youngest son, Roland and assisted by Bugatti General Manager, Piere Marco who was also known as a former company's racer tried to blow some new life into the family company after Le Patron died. Shortly after, the Bugatti Type 73 powered by a supercharged one-liter engine is made and displayed at the 1947 Paris Salon de l'Automobile but it gains less attention and noted as one of the unsuccessful car models.

The Bugatti Type 73 powered by a supercharged one-liter engine is made and displayed at the 1947 Paris Salon de l'Automobile. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aCowA0)

Finally, they decided to make a new model. Actually, the French company was not build one, but more than one on six (some said seven) chassis of prewar Type 57 and called it under the same name the Bugatti Type 101 and built by four different coachbuilders, ie Gangloff, Guilloré, Antem, and Ghia. As quoted by Coachbuild, the first known as the prototype, its design is done by Louis Lucien Lepoix and then the German coachbuilder, Hermann Spohn (Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn) is contracted for the execution in 1950. There is a mismatch of data, when some said it build by Alphonse Guilloré. Then who actually built it? Who knows?

1951 Bugatti Type 101 Guilloré Coupe with the chassis number of 101-502. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Q2milt)

As we mentioned above, it is built based on a prewar chassis of Type 57 and then had a minor design change by Lepoix and became the prototype of Type 101 series produced by Bugatti's coachbuilding partner with less good quality and weird look as it is. It's known only one unit ever built in this body configuration. This one-off car still existed until today and displayed at the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse.

As quoted from Wikipedia, after the prototype finished and then on the chassis number of 101-501 and 101-503 made as the Type 101 Coupe and Cabriolets by Gangloff. Followed by the chassis number of 101-502 built as another Type 101 Coupe by Coach Guilloré.

At the 1950 Paris Salon de l'Automobile, Bugatti showed two examples of Type 101, a Coupe (up) and Cabriolet (below) with the chassis number of 101-501 and 101-503, both clothed by Gangloff, a Swiss/French coachbuilder. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2xqVZz9)

The next car was built one of a kind with the chassis number 101-504. The coupe was bodied by Antem in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris for shown off at the 1951 Paris Salon de l'Automobile. This new model was largely based on a similar brilliant prewar Type 57, including the 3.3-liter dual-overhead-camshaft inline eight-cylinder engine and semi-independent front and live rear axle suspension.

This Bugatti Type 101 cabriolet with the chassis number of 101-503 was bodied by Gangloff. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TAlvur)

The car is also equipped with a Cotal pre-selector gearbox, it is the only example of Type 101 with this dramatic coachwork. Its coachwork, however, was thoroughly modern, a full-width streamlined envelope creation that owed only Bugatti’s trademark 'horseshoe' radiator grille to its prewar design heritage It brilliantly presented in black over red, and the Bugatti Type 101 Van Antem coupe has been preserved over the years by its succession of noted owner-collectors.

This Bugatti Type 101 with the chassis number of 101-504 was bodied by Antem in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris for shown off at the 1951 Paris Salon de l'Automobile. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IsX2AM)

There were only six copies of these made at the time. It was displayed together with the Gangloff drop head coupe before returning to Molsheim, where it was eventually registered for driving on the road and likely used by Rene Bolloré, the next husband of Ettore Bugatti’s widow Geneviève Delcluze.

This Bugatti Type 101 had once owned by the famous Hollywood star Nicolas Cages. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aCoWWV)

After that this legendary car repeatedly changed the owners, starting from Gene Cesari, Robert C. Stanley, Bill Harrah known became the next owner before being bought by Jacques Harguindeguy. From here the car was then sold to the famous Hollywood star Nicolas Cages.

This Bugatti Type 101 was bodied by Antem in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris and sold to an unknown buyer at the prices of the US. $616,000 in one auction event held by RM Sotheby at Monterey on August 20, 2011. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aCoWWV)

Subsequently, it was in the noted collection of Gene Ponder and later entered the John O'Quinn Collection in 2008. In the end, the car was sold to an unknown buyer at the prices of the US. $616,000 in one auction event held by RM Sotheby at Monterey on August 20, 2011.

And finally the last of Bugatti Type 101 was designed by Virgil Exner then built by Italian coachbuilder Ghia in 1965 on the chassis number of 101-506. 

It represents an elegant car of a revered French marque, although it ever lay dormant for the next four decades before the introduction of the stunning EB110 in the 1990s, then there's the breathtaking Veyron followed by the most recently the Chiron and the most expensive models like La Voiture Noir and many other.

Overall, it seems that all the revival efforts mentioned above do not bear fruit and finally the French car manufacturer was sold to Hispano Suiza in 1963. And once again the ownership of this company changed hands in July 1998 to the German automotive giant Volkswagen. Until now the company is owned by the German automotive company Volkswagen Group as a division of Volkswagen France. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COACHBUILD | CONCEPTCARZ | MADLE.ORG | RMSOTHEBYS]

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Let's get grow with future Morphoz by Renault

As it is well known that the organization of the Geneva International Motor Show 2020, one of the world's major automotive exhibitions has been canceled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 on the European mainland. 

But it does not dampen the spirit of the French manufacturer, Renault to innovate by displaying the latest concept car of the future called Renault Morphoz. And through this concept, the French automaker wants to show the direction of their SUV design in the future, especially in the midsize segment.

Renault's Morphoz Concept is a shapeshifting go-anywhere SUV. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39C2jSm)

This concept car is specially designed in such a way as to be able to function as a convenient city car for urban use and a reliable cruiser when long distances traveling. This is the latest concept car from the development of the CMF-EV platform from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance which fully relies on the electric-powered powertrain.

The Morphoz has the vision to be an urban family car in 2027 to come, while the platform will be the base of the Renault electric crossover that will launch this year. Not only that, but the platform will also be used for use on a series of prospective new models of Renault electric cars.

Renault Morphoz in normal size or while at 'City' driving mode only packs a 40 kWh battery, so that it can only cover a distance of 400 km.  (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IvZs1A)

At least, there're three unique vehicle design elements translated into the Morphoz, ie taken from a saloon or sedan, SUV, and coupe. Then all those three are combined into one car to optimize the efficiency and ease of a vehicle. So that in further development, the concept car has unique features that accommodate all the design elements above.

Renault Morphoz in elongated size or while at 'Travel' driving mode providing an extra space of 20 cm to be filled with an additional 50 kWh battery thus a total of power of 90 kWh and make the car able to roam as far as 700 km. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IvZs1A)

Yes, the car concept has unique features that made the chassis can be elongated according to its driving mode. As we all can see, Renault's electric-powered Morphoz car concept said to have two driving modes, ie City-mode and Travel-mode.

A futuristic steering wheel and compact-size dashboard were providing in the cabin of Renault Morphoz. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38yz3uw)

The chassis-elongated process followed by the A-pillar section occurs in the Travel-mode, thus providing an extra space of 20 cm to be filled with an additional 50 kWh battery. In this mode, the battery total power of 90 kWh is claimed to make the car able to roam as far as 700 km. Conversely, in the City-mode, the Morphoz concept car only packs a 40 kWh battery, so that it can only cover a distance of 400 km.

Rear side view of Renault's Morphoz Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38yz3uw)

In Travel-mode, besides providing extra space for the battery, it also provides extra space in the cabin. Incidentally, the cabin is also designed so that it can adapt to the needs; the front passenger seat can be faced backward if necessary, but not for the driver's seat, considering Morphoz only supports of the Level-3 autonomous driving system (the highest Level-5).

The interior nuances are presented in a very futuristic manner, this is natural considering that the Morphoz which is present this time is a concept car. To Autocar, The Renault representatives said that the safety factor would be the most difficult challenge for producing this car. Renault basically had to do a hit-and-test twice on Morphoz considering that there were two of them. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | AUTOBLOG | GIZMODO]

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The unique torpedo-likened car of the 1960s

You are certainly familiar with an Italian designer named Giovanni Michelotti, who works more as an independent designer and has designed many famous vehicles from various world-renowned automaker brands. 

1968 DAF 55 Siluro designed by Giovanni Michelotti made its first debut at the 1968 Geneva Motorshow. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39myrJQ)

One of the concept vehicles ever designed by him is the DAF 55 Siluro (the name derived from an Italian word which roughly means 'Torpedo'), due to the car has a unique design with long sloping silhouette lines that runs on both sides of the exterior and hood.

1968 DAF 55 Siluro has a unique design with long sloping silhouette lines that runs on both sides of the exterior and hood. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)

The DAF 55 Siluro made its first debut at the 1968 Geneva Motorshow and has not seen in public since then until the last appearance at the 2005 AutoRAI held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Yes, after being sat silently for almost 37 years, The car was later re-appeared as memorabilia for Giovanni Michelotti, who was known to have died suddenly in 1980.

The steering wheel and dashboard view of 1968 DAF 55 Siluro. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)

Before starting to design this Siluro, Michelotti had worked as a consultant for the Dutch automotive company, DAF. During his work, he is known to have designed cars made by Dutch manufacturers such as DAF 44 and 55.

1968 DAF 55 Siluro is used 1,108 cc inline four-cylinder engine coupled with DAF's unique Variomatic Transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)

One of the most remarkable features embedded in the figure of this tiny sedan is an automatic transmission system called Variomatic Transmission, which allows the car to run at the same speed in forward or reverse conditions.

The DAF Siluro is built based on the DAF 55 Coupe platform with a capacity of four passengers, used a 1,108 cc inline four-cylinder engine, capable of producing power of 50 bhp at 5,000 rpm. This engine is combined with DAF's unique Variomatic Transmission system.

Rearview of 1968 DAF 55 Siluro. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)

DAF manufacturing production has stopped a few years ago. When it was rediscovered, Siluro was in poor condition and needed a lot of repairs. Because many of the Siluro parts were made by Michelotti, restoring this prototype car became a pretty heavy task. However, thanks to generous sponsors, DAF Siluro was finally returned to its original condition.

At present, DAF Siluro's unique car is stored and displayed permanently at the DAF Museum, which is located at Tongelresestraat 27, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | UNIQUE CARS AND PARTS]

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Seeing how beautiful the Flajole Forerunner prototype was?

You may have heard or known about the Nash Metropolitan. The car was a unique two-door American classic car that is one of the works of designer William J. Flajole. And also know that the car was produced in the period 1953 to 1961 by Nash Motors which was later merged and changed to American Motor Company in 1954. Here's the car that was modified to an automotive work called Nashole.

1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype is built based on Nash Metropolitan by William J. Flajole. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)

After his success with Nash Metropolitan, the automotive designer Bill Flajole then began to design his private-owned car, which then built the Flajole Forerunner prototype in 1955. From its appearance, it can be seen that the design of the Flajole Forerunner is heavily influenced by the Jaguar XK120, but it has a high fender design plus its fastback body shape decreasing at the rear and is equipped with a retractable cabin roof.

Interior view of the 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TATMsf)

Besides having a dramatic long hood profile, the Flajole Forerunner car also has a Plexiglass glass roof that can be opened automatically. In addition, the rear also has a sharp downhill design with a hole that functions as the place where its spare tire stored right above the rear bumper.

The steering wheel and dashboard view of the 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)

The beauty of the Flajole Forerunner car more shines when the entire exterior is covered with a bright beige paint mixed contrasting with dark purple and combined with pearl white in the niches around the front and rear wheels.

Left side view of 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)

The appearance of the Flajole Forerunner also marks the first appearance of the design of the body niche around the wheel, before Chevrolet then applied it to the Corvette model in 1956. In addition to the innovative small niche design and automatic retractable roof panel, the Flajole Forerunner also features commercial airplane-style seats that have head restraints on the top.

The 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype is used dual overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine coupled with the four-speed transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TATMsf)

Besides being able to add comfort while driving, this head restraint is also an innovation that is fairly advanced at the time, because it has not been thought of by other automotive designers for the safety factor held by car seats in minimizing injury in the car accident.

Left-rear side view of 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)

Once completed, Bill Flajole then used this Forerunner car as a means of personal transportation until the early 1970s and attracted many people's attention wherever he was. Then he donated the Flajole Forerunner to the Blackhawk Automotive Museum and then sold it to Sidney Craig through an auction in 1998.

Eleven years later, Bonhams auctioned off the Flajole Forerunner prototype at their 'Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' event at Quail Lodge Resort in 2009, the car is valued at the US $188,500. Then in 2012, the car was auctioned once again and this time auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and is worth the US $200,000 or around Rp.2.6 billion. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BONHAMS | BARRET-JACKSON | SILODROME]

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The vintage-styled Moto Major 350 still enchanting until today

By the end of World War II, many manufacturers returned to their natural habitat from producing military to civilian needs. This is marked by a number of companies starting to emerge, offering everything that can be produced by the changed 'defense industry' to those who survived an obscure time safely.

The vintage-styled 1947 Moto Major 350 prototype still enchanting until today. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3ciB01d)

Almost all of the companies that we know today were coming from that era, but do you know how many of these companies did not survive? But there are some very interesting copies from the era, such as a 350 cc motorcycle called the Moto Major 350 which appears quite unique even with vintage postwar motorcycle technology.

The 1947 Moto Major 350 is voted as the Best of Show Motorcycles at the Concorso Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2018. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

The motorcycle is known to have been designed by a Turin engineer named Salvatore Maiorca in 1947 and it can be juxtaposed with two other vintage motorbikes that came from the same era and also have an almost similar shape such as the 1938 Killinger & Freund and Louis Lucien Lepoix’s personal BMW R12, made in 1947.

As quoted from The Vintagent, this motorcycle was a product of its time, Moto Major originated as an extraordinary styling arrangement at Aeritalia's aerodynamic research facility in Turin. This is possible because the process of developing a motorcycle is fully funded by Aeritalia, a Turin-based subsidiary of Fiat.

From every angle, the Moto Major is stunning and compelling. The sole prototype remains in original and unrestored condition. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

Initially, the motorcycle development was mentioned as an exploratory effort of the Italian automotive giant to produce two-wheeled vehicles. This is the company's second attempt after the company was known in 1938 had ever made a Fiat scooter prototype similar to the Piaggio-made prototype in 1945 named the MP5 Paperino.

Amazingly, even though it has passed 7 decades since this motorcycle was first presented, the aesthetics are still enchanting. By applying aerodynamic bodywork construction that is reminiscent of cephalopods. With the bodywork sculpted that is full of extraordinary detail, such as the silencer shaped resembled a fishtail laid.

A cutaway view of the 350 single-cylinder Moto Major, showing the steering system, inline single-cylinder motor, shaft drive, and fuel tank under the saddle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

The motorbike appeared with an exotic art deco styled bodywork that can run using a twin-cylinder engine that is cooled with liquid, vertical, with two radiators embedded in the fairing that is fed through the front air in front. It was a little backward because the hand shift appeared through the bodywork, and handlebars exposed.

The twin exhausts exited through twin flattened fishtails out back, which the 350cc single model retained, in spite of having only one exhaust pipe! The second fishtail is a dummy, just for an aesthetic balance purposed.

The Moto Major has twin fishtail exhausts hide a secret with only one side is functional, another one is a dummy for aesthetic balance purposes only. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

Then the entire body is covered with steel sheets that leave only the wheels, headlight and protruding handlebars. Thus maintaining an absolute purity line, running from the headlight up to the rear wheel hub, while the front shell curls gently and smartly to surround the front wheels, then re-ignites to protect the rider.

The sublime bodywork is also designed as a self-supporting hull, and fully monocoque. It is free to hug the front and rear wheels closely because the suspension is not between the wheels and the chassis, but between the wheel rims and their hubs! Maiorca used the idea of suspension-in-wheel in his aircraft designs, reinventing an idea almost as old as the motorcycle ie the elastic wheel.

The handlebars move in a slot in the bodywork, between the speedometer and a steering damper knob. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

In the blissful optimism of the post-war period, the brass at FIAT seemed to forget the costs of building such a radical machine. While Moto Major remains unique, so they plan to market it and then collaborated with Pirelli to build the factory. After then Pirelli happily showed the Moto Major 350 at its booth at the Salon of Milan in 1948, where it created an enduring sensation for good.

The Moto Major’s in-wheel suspension uses 12 compressed rubber disc per wheel for suspension, to provide a nominal 50cm of travel. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

But for some undefinition reasons, in the end, all of these didn't go according to the plan. And finally, the dream of the Moto Major becomes too good to be true and is saved forever in memory. Maybe for them, this is a beautiful vehicle to see, but it also remains difficult to understand and not produced.

The Moto Major could run again, but its rubber buffers are unique and deteriorating, so the Hockenheim Museum Archive (the current owner) has chosen to keep it exactly as it is, for now. Here's the video of the Concorso Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2018, where the Moto Major voted as the Best of Show Motorcycles.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops.... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE VINTAGENT | BIKEEXIF | MOTORIDERSUNIVERSE]

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An Italian elegant style for the iconic American Cadillac

In the early 1950s, when the streamlined fighter jet shaped became part of public awareness and permeated almost every line of American society in the time, as did two fellow automotive enthusiasts, they decided to make and build a unique American-style sports car-inspired to that streamlined style.

The Elegante coupe concept was built based on the 1953 Cadillac chassis and featured at the 1955 New York International Auto Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32jkLfM)

Harry Birdsall, an artist, and Joe Mascari, a famous contractor in New York, both of them then collaborated to design a futuristic-themed luxury coupe named the Cadillac Elegante, the car was built based on the 1953 Cadillac chassis.

The Elegante coupe concept was designed by the legendary automotive designer Albrecht Goertz. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)

Those two friends then recruited the legendary automotive designer named Albrecht Goertz, whose aim was to provide elegance and luxurious touches in order to reach the smart customers of the high-end market segment. Goertz, who later also designed the BMW 507 and Datsun 240Z, in the time began designing the vehicle images with a sophisticated luxury touch.

Through its luxurious gold aura then made the Elegante coupe concept could grab the People's Choice Award at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)

Shortly then the car's chassis and images were sent to Carrozzeria Rocco Motto in Turin, Italy to bring the car into a reality. And the Italian automotive coachbuilder needs the time of 30 months to build the body, made all specific hardware, and installed all of those on a 126-inches wheelbase of the car's chassis.

That luxurious gold aura of the Elegante coupe concept then combined with dark red wine colored Italian genuine-leather interior. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)

As we look today, the car was featured a unique two-folded convertible hard roof. Interestingly, that the futuristic and unique retractable hard roof, turn out was made by using the remnants of the burned-Cadillac Series 62 convertible roof at the Cadillac's dealer of White Plains.

The Elegante coupe concept used a 331-cubic-inch Cadillac V8 engine coupled with a GM four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)

The luxurious gold aura is immediately apparent in this Cadillac Elegante design. Ranging from its four-headlights house, windshield frame, door handles, convertible roof, and trunk trim, up to the hidden license plate frames are all made of bronze and then coated with 24-carat of gold. And the aluminum trim and car's hubcaps are not to forget also given a gold-gilded touche.

The luxurious gold aura is immediately apparent of this Elegante coupe concept, ranging from its four-headlights house, windshield frame, door handles, convertible roof, and trunk trim, up to the hidden license plate frames are all made of bronze and then coated with 24-carat of gold. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2wET9pH)

The Elegante body is then painted pearl white and combined with dark red wine colored Italian genuine-leather interior. The results are truly amazing; so amazing it even made a young woman cry out in public: "Why it's so beautiful it's indecent!"

It's known, that the Cadillac Elegante has been changed ownership several times after Harry Birdsall died in 1960. In 1997, Dick and his brother Bob Birdsall found back the car was in severely damaged condition after hurricane Andrew passed. Then those two Birdsall brothers spent over 16 years recovering this iconic concept car into as seen today condition, so no wonder if finally the car winning the People's Choice Award at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE OLD MOTOR]

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Lepoix's R12 futuristic bodywork designed far beyond its time

There are always creative people who could be used as inspirational models. No exception in the automotive world. Maybe the following figure is not many people who know him, because indeed he was not so prominent in his time. But over time, it is increasingly seen how extraordinary the work and achievements of this gentleman figure when viewed today.

Louis Lucien Lepoix and his spectacular motorcycle with futuristic bodywork for his BMW R12 made in 1947. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38fgQSL)

Yes, he is Louis Lucien Lepoix, a French-born industrial designer, but mostly settled in Germany during his career. Noted, he had founded his-owned design atelier that was originally focused on two-wheeled projects in 1947.

The work began by creating an extraordinary futuristic bodywork for his BMW R12. The BMW R12 motorcycle is known to carry a 750cc flat-twin side-valve engine with a press "steel" frame.

The comparatively staid BMW R12 on which Lepoix placed his futuristic bodywork. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3coQi4A)

As quoted from Bikeexif, it was mentioned that even without the support of the manufacturer, in 1947 he designed and built an extraordinary streamlined motorcycle based on his BMW R12 motorcycle. It was said that he bought a 1934 BMW R12 motorcycle from an auction held by the French Military in Baden-Baden, Germany.

Louis Lucien Lepoix’s pre-War sketch for his modern motorcycle design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38fgQSL)

The result, a motorcycle that is very spectacular, but its weight is now a little heavier. At that time very few motorcycle models explored the full-streamlining concept and, more rarely, applied fairing which protected the rider from being blown by the wind. And after wearing a new bodywork that has an art-deco style, so it looks very stylish, modern and futuristic.

A sketch of the Lepoix's BMW R12 with a fully covered and faired (ie, bodywork protecting the rider with aerodynamic, wind-cheating designs). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2THufOj)

Perhaps, this modified R12 motorbike was one of the first motorbikes to be fully covered and faired (ie, bodywork protecting the rider with aerodynamic, wind-cheating designs).

But shortly after building the motorcycle, he sold it because of financial problems and since then the motorcycle is not known to exist anymore.

Another view of the BMW special (note the BMW’s original brakes and fork shrouds are incorporated). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32GqUCT)

Besides using the BMW motorbike mentioned above to build his name in the German motorcycle industry, there're many more motorcycles designed by Louis Lucien Lepoix in the 1950s such as Kreidler, Hercules, Horex, Puch, Maico, Triumph, Bastert and Walba and others.

And during his career in the automotive world, he produced a lot of phenomenal futuristic vehicle design works far beyond its time.

Rearview of the BMW special showing its sweeping, integrated lines, and the original pressed-steel frame of the BMW beneath. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38fgQSL)

At the end of the Bikeexif article is wrote, that the son of Louis Lucien Lepoix seeks help from anybody to inform them if there's any whereabout info of this unique BMW R12. Due to there is not much information now about this BMW, or who the buyer was. And the video below is about the original BMW R12.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops.... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BIKEEXIF | THE VINTAGENT]

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