When the legendary Italian car was reborn today by the modern design touches

As a true automotive lover, of course, You know the figure of the first Italian sports car which is launched in 1946 by the Compagnia Industriale Sportiva Italia (Cisitalia) and said with a little help from Pinin Farina.

2012 Cisitalia 202 E by the design students of the Master of Arts in Transportation Design program in the academic year of 2010/2011 of the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34tC0Oj)

The car named Cisitalia 202 was first unveiled at Lake Como's Villa d'Este Gold Cup in 1947 before it was showcased at the Paris Auto Show that same year. This car was never produced on a large scale, only a few examples were made as many as 170 units.

Then what if the legendary car figure gets a chance to be reborn and of course with a modern interpretation? This is what the design students of the Master of Arts in Transportation Design program in the academic year of 2010/2011 of the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED), a Tutin-based design school to make a modern interpretation of the classic car mentioned above and later called as 2012 Cisitalia 202 E. In this case, the “E” in the title stands for evolution.

2012 Cisitalia 202 E while sat on display at the 82nd Geneva International Motor Show in 2012. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34tC0Oj)

According to IED, the concept faithfully reflects the design of the historic vehicle, with dimensions and power aligned with modern times. Technical partners of the project include CECOMP (prototype construction), Pirelli, OZ Racing, and ABET Laminati.

The concept car created by design students from IED Turino is a modern interpretation of the 1947 Cisitalia 202 GT by Pinin Farina. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3kBSgCE)

The concept car was unveiled in the flesh at the 82nd Geneva International Motor Show in 2012. And the modern-day Cisitalia 202 concept is the work of eleven students of the Master course coordinated by Pininfarina Lead Designer Luca Borgogno and Maserati designer Luigi Giampaolo.

The idea for the Cisitalia 202 E came from Chen Chin-Hsuan from Taiwan, who was aided by Shaaz Abbasi Bin Saeed from India, Yaroslav Chumachenko from Ukraine, Yo Kobayashi from Japan, Vasily Kurkov from Russia, Andrea Leoncini, Daniela Spina, and Pasquale Meli from Italy, and Soowan Park and Yoon Seul Ki and Soohan Yun from Korea.

2012 Cisitalia 202 E is a two-seater coupe that has 4,270 mm long, a width of 1,850 mm, 1,240 mm tall, and it rides on a 2,650 mm wheelbase. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34tC0Oj)

The two-seater Cisitalia 202 E coupe has 4,270 mm long, a width of 1,850 mm, 1,240 mm tall, and it rides on a 2,650 mm wheelbase. Furthermore, the concept gets an unspecified, compact V8 engine producing 450 bhp that is mounted up front driving the rear wheels.
While, the original 1947 Cisitalia was powered by a small displacement 1.1-liter inline four-cylinder engine delivering only 55 bhp at 5,500 rpm, but thanks to the coupe’s low kerb weight of just 780 kg (1,720 lbs), it propelled it to a top speed of 165 kph (102 mph).

"To encourage our students to overstep their limits, they must have the possibility of developing exciting, ambitious projects," said César Mendoza, Director of IED Turin.

"What greater challenge than to redesign one of the most beautiful cars in the world? An extraordinary opportunity. Taking advantage of this occasion and with the support of Cisitalia and the commitment of lecturers and coordinators, we have achieved outstanding results not only with regard to the life-size model of the vehicle but in all the projects proposed, making it extremely difficult to single out that to be presented in Geneva," Mendoza concluded. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | IED | SUPERCARS | CARBODYDESIGN | AUTOBLOG | CARSCOOPS]

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One-Off Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione by Pininfarina

After some time ago we discussed one of the car species bearing the prancing horse logo which is scarce and rarely seen to the public called the Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale made by Pininfarina in 1965. Now we will discuss other Ferrari Dino cars that are no less cool, namely the 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione which is also the work of those Turin-based coachbuilder company.

The 1 of 1 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione Prototipo by Pininfarina. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ou1nHy)

This car is so cool because it has a shape that is very different from the previous Ferrari Dino model, such it has a a unique fishbowl-style cockpit features and a very low driving position. This unique car was created only as a design study and not for production purposes, with many design elements clearly influenced by the 1967 Dino 206 GT.

1966 Ferrari Dino 206 Sports Racer, on which the Competizione is built based of. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ou1nHy)

At that time, Ferrari asked the Pininfarina design house to build a road-legal supercar using racing car techniques and technology. This car is designed by Paolo Martin and built on one of the 18 chassis Ferrari Dino 206SP racing cars in the 1966. It's no surprise that the designer borrowed heavily from the 206SP.

1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione has many unique features such fishbowl-style cockpit, duck-beak front wing, rear spoiler, cobalt-blue racing harnesses and also gull-wing doors. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ou1nHy)

However, the Dino 206 Competizione also carries several distinctive features, such as the gull wing door styled. Originally, the car designed by Paolo Martin did not feature wings, but later that was added because Pininfarina thought wings helped the perception they were more at the forefront of racing technology. This car is now equipped with a duck-beak front wing, rear spoiler, and also cobalt-blue racing harnesses that give a more characteristic impression.

1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione with its gull-wing doors opened. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ou1nHy)

The engine used is the same engine used by the 3 Ferrari Dino racing cars that competed in the 1966 LeMans race, which is a 6-cylinder mid-mounted longitudinal engine. And the fully functional Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione prototype made its first appearance in public at the 1967 Frankfurt Auto Show.

1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione uses a 6-cylinder mid-mounted longitudinal engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ou1nHy)

After that the Pininfarina design house kept it in their own museum in Turin until 2007, when the famous Ferrari collector James Glickenhaus bought it from them and sent it to the United States. Now this unique yellow-colored car is one of Jim Glickenhaus's personal collections and accompanies other Ferrari models that have previously been in his collection such as the Ferrari P4/5 and P4/5 Competizione, Ferrari 512S Modulo Comcept.

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to the 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | 95CUSTOMS ]

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The rarest Lancia B20 Aurelia Barchetta

It was in the 1950s when racing events became very interesting with the inclusion of so many teams ranging from well-known brands to individuals. At that time the racing cars fighting on the track seemed to have the same shape, namely the open-top sports car, aka the barchetta. And one of them is the Lancia racing car below.

1954 Lancia 'Aurelia' Barchetta by Conrero is sat on display at the 36th Annual Auto e Moto d’Epoca in Padova, Italy on October, 2019. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35myILO)

Indeed, there is not much and not very clear information about this 1950s classic racing car that are said to have been made andwore the Lancia emblem, due to there are a few and limited sources that provide valid information. So on this occasion we try to collect those few scattered informations and present it in an article about the figure of this classic racing car.

The Lancia 'Aurelia' Barchetta by Conrero is uses a V6, 2,500cc engine which is capable of bursting up to 118 horsepower. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3kx5MXS)

This classic racing car was part of the Lancia racing program in the early 1950s, building four of them for the 1953 Mille Miglia, where it did very well. According to finecars.cc, the rare classic racing car mentioned above is known as the Lancia B20 'Aurelia' Barchetta, it is made under commissioned by Virgillio Conrero for his racing team in the 1954 and its coachwork done by Stabilimenti Industriali Giovanni Farina of Turin.

1954 Lancia 'Aurelia' Barchetta by Conrero has a lightweight body due to it completely made of an aluminium and done by Stabilimenti Industriali Giovanni Farina of Turin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3opmdba)

As quoted of collectorcarads, this car is known to be in Germany The red colored Lancia barchetta with the chassis number B20-3076, and engine number B20-2726 has been fully restored and is in mint condition. The Lancia barchetta sports car also has a lightweight body due to it completely made of an aluminium and uses a V6, 2,500cc engine which is capable of bursting up to 118 horsepower.

The Lancia 'Aurelia' Barchetta by Conrero raced at the 1954 Coppa d´oro delle Dolomiti and is drove by Cormons Ferri then finished in 28th position. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3kx5MXS)

The car is drove by Cormons Ferri at the 1954 Coppa d´oro delle Dolomiti in the over 2000cc sports car category. On the racing event, the entire laps were completed by this racing car in 3 hours 53'14" with an average speed of 78.153 kph and led it to end the race in 28th position. Also said, that the car once competed in the old Mille Miglia racing event in its heyday.

This is 1951 Lancia B20 'Aurelia' Barchetta is known to be at an auto dealer in Sint-Truiden, Belgium. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35vqCAI)

Meanwhile, as quoted by Hemmings, another Lancia barchetta unit is known to be at an auto dealer in Sint-Truiden, Belgium. The car in question has a very smooth silver-colored body and said made in 1951 but was rebodied by Italian coachbuilder ATL in the late 1960's.

The Lancia B20 'Aurelia' Barchetta has a very smooth silver-colored body and said made in 1951 but was rebodied by Italian coachbuilder ATL in the late 1960's. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35vqCAI)

Then there is another similar Lancia racing car whose bodywork was done by Pininfarina, a Turin-based coachbuilder in 1953, hereinafter known as the Lancia D23 Spyder and said it had raced at the 1953 Mille Miglia.

The Lancia D23 Spyder by Pininfarina ever had raced at the 1953 Mille Miglia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31Jxh9n)

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to these Lancia classic racing cars, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FINECARS.CC | AUTOEVOLUTION | COLLECTORCARADS.COM | VELOCETODAY.COM | WIKIPEDIA | CLASSICMOTO.RS | HEMMINGS | VIVA-LANCIA.COM | LANCIA.MYZEN.CO.UK]

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The most admired Ferrari Dino prototype by Enzo Ferrari in person

It is almost more than half a century since this special car was first introduced at the 1965 Paris Motor Show, at the Pininfarina stand and is designed by designer Aldo Brovarone. This prototype can be considered as the last prototype seen by Battista Farina, the founder of Pininfarina, as well as being one of the first models introduced by his son, Sergio Pininfarina.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina is debuted at the 52nd Paris Motor Show, in October 1965. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35tZYYU)

This Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale is another revolutionary unique design, which is also the first prototype of a new generation of Ferrari's mid-engined cars. This model is draw by Sergio Pininfarina himself, after Enzo Ferrari ask him to create new cars that were markedly different from what was coming out of the Ferrari factory at the time.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina also known as the first prototype of a new generation of Ferrari's mid-engined cars. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35tZYYU)

According to the story, the first design drawn by Sergio Pininfarina at that time was a car that had a grille like the one on the 330 P4 and the 250 GTO models. However, it was rejected by Enzo Ferrari, because he wanted a completely new design. Pininfarina went back to drawing and redesigning the front of the car, and the result is what you can see now a car with unique bubbles in the front and housing the four lights.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina has right-sided steering wheel with black dash in the red-creme nuanced cabin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31wkl6Q)

The model design has inspired many Ferrari car models and gave birth to the Ferrari 206 GT and 246 Dino versions. This prototype was built in record time on Type 585 tubular chassis, the 206 P competition chassis, and was completed just in time for the opening of the 52nd Paris Motor Show, in October 1965.

The side air intake, with an elongated shape that is part of the distinctive styling of this model, and also is said to cool the rear disc brakes. As in the Dino competition cars, this disc brake is the default brake. The rear window is curved, swept round to meet the sloping rear pillar which also forms a quarter pane size window.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina  uses a 1,987 cc DOHC 121.3-cubic-inch V6 engine, which is capable of bursting up 217 bhp of power. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35tZYYU)

The rear panel is fitted with vents to allow hot air to escape from the engine compartment. Getting in and out of the cabin is also not easy, because the door frames are relatively low and wide following the structure of the car, and there are also two competition fuel tanks which are about 40 cm wide and connected to two fill points on the front wing.

As a competition car, the Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale has a right steering wheel. The car is doused in the Ferrari's traditional red style, with the same color tones in the cabin, combined with a black dashboard and adjustable creme-striped seats.

Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale prototype by Pininfarina was finally sold by Artcurial at the Rétromobile 2017 event, worth €4,3 million or around Rp. 70 billion. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3dNq8K6)

In terms of performance, the car is equipped with a 1,987 cc DOHC 121.3-cubic-inch V6 engine, which is capable of generating 217 bhp (162 kW) of power. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a short lever with a round polished aluminum cap that is a Ferrari-owned style and trademark. The engine speed counter is positioned in the center, flanked by an oil pressure gauge and vent, as well as a water temperature gauge pinned on the right.

 

Apart from the Paris Motor Show in 1965, the Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale was also exhibited at several other events including the Turin Motor Show in November 1965 and the New York Motor Show in April 1966. This iconic Ferrari prototype car was finally sold by Artcurial at the Rétromobile 2017 event, worth €4,3 million or around Rp. 70 billion.

Sorry, the video above is not about the 1965 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Speciale by Pininfarina, but a video about the Ferrari Dino 50th Anniversary Mega Gathering that was held on June 30, 2018, at Maranello, whereas more than 150 Dinos and over 300 customers from all over the world that was present at the event formed a unique configuration that read as '50 Dino ANNI,' to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the road debut of the first production car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA.COM | CLASSICDRIVER.COM | PETROLICIOUS.COM]

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SSC Tuatara sets the new record of the 2020 world's fastest production car

So far, we know that the Koenigsegg Agera RS is the fastest production car on the Guinness World Record. But now that record has been broken by the SSC Tuatara from the American high-performance car manufacturer, Shelby Supercars (SSC) North America on October 10, 2020, on Nevada's State Route 160, the United States with a track length of about 11.2 kilometers (7 miles).

American supercar the SSC Tuatara set a new world record on Oct. 10 by reaching an average speed of more than 316 mph on a seven-mile stretch of Nevada’s State Route 160. (Picture from: https://cnb.cx/35pmvWX)

The record-breaking attempt was made twice, in the first test the SSC Tuatara was able to reach speeds of 508.73 kph (301 mph). Meanwhile, in the second test, the Tuatara even accelerated with a speed record of 532.93 kph.

From the results above, the SSC Tuatara has average speed of 508.73 kph (316 mph) and this is a new record as the fastest production car in the world. In order for this speed recording to be done precisely, it also uses the GPS which is integrated with 15 satellites on skies.

Jerod Shelby, CEO of SSC (left) posed with Oliver Webb (right), a professional racer who drove the American supercar the SSC Tuatara shortly after the car set a new world record on Oct. 10, 2020. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37nBEL3)

This record beats the previous record set by the Koenigsegg Agera RS in November 2017, which was carried out in the place and mileage, also the same method as SSC Tuatara. At that time the Koenigsegg Agera RS was able to run with an average speed of 446.97 kph. 

Thus the speed record of the SSC Tuatara automatically also beats what the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport hypercar has been done before in 2019. At the time the Chiron is only capable of reaching a top speed of 490.48 kph.

But Bugatti's unofficial record seems not worthy to be juxtaposed with the record of the SSC Tuatara or Koenigsegg Agera RS above, due to the record was obtained only in one running-test and was also carried out in a different place, namely in Ehra-Lessen, Germany.

The SSC Tuatara powered by a 5.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine and coupled with a manual automatic transmission (AMT). (Picture from: https://cnb.cx/35pmvWX)

This is not the first time the SSC supercar has been able to break speed records, previously, there was the Ultimate Aero TT, which managed to claim those titles in 2007 with a two-way average speed of 411.76 kph (255.83 mph).

"It's been ten years since we held this record with our first cars, the Ultimate Aero, and the Tuatara far ahead. Its performance reflects our dedication and focuses on pursuing this milestone," said Jerod Shelby, CEO of SSC.

The SSC Tuatara will only produce as many as 100 units and is set at the lowest price ranging from the US $ 1.6 million. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34o7zct)

In this record-breaking attempt, SSC North America put a professional racer named Oliver Web behind the wheel. The car, which is fed on non-racing fuel and uses road-spec tires, amazes the driver. How could it be, SSC Tuatara actually could have gone faster, had it not been held back by the wind.

"The car has not run out of power yet. All the wind obstacles prevent us from reaching the limits of the car," said Oliver Webb at the time.

The SSC Tuatara's engine able to burst power of  1,750 horsepower when using E85 ethanol fuel and 1,350 hp by standard 91 octane fuel. (Picture from: https://cnb.cx/35pmvWX)

The SSC Tuatara uses a 5.9 liter twin-turbo V8 engine capable of producing power of 1,750 horsepower when using E85 ethanol fuel and 1,350 hp by standard 91 octane fuel. The engine produces a maximum torque of 1,735 Nm and is mated to a manual automatic transmission (AMT). Not to mention the use of a carbon fiber body and monocoque chassis, so it's no wonder this supercar has a dry weight of only 1.247 kg. Besides that, aerodynamic factors also play a role, where the SSC Tuatara has a front area of 18 square feet and a drag coefficient of 0.279.

Well, if you are interested in owning this speed-demon, you should be noted that the manufacturer will only produce 100 units of SSC Tuatara and is set at the lowest price ranging from the US $ 1.6 million or around Rp. 25 billion. So hurry up.😎 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CNBC]

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The forgotten Lamborghini Miura Jota

Forgotten ONES - Among the premium quality cars crafted by Automobili-Lamborghini S.p.A, an Italian powerhouse recognized by the iconic raging bull logo, a unique and elusive gem emerges—the Lamborghini P400 Miura Iota, where in Spanish 'I' is pronounced as 'J'. This rare sports car, now existing solely in replicas, carries with it a captivating history that sets it apart from the rest.

1970 Lamborghini P400 Miura Jota built based of Miura's chassis #5084. (Picture from: SupercarNostalgia)

The genesis of this extraordinary vehicle dates back to 1970 when Bob Wallace, a Lamborghini test driver, embarked on a unique project based on the Lamborghini Miura. The Miura, produced between 1966 and 1973, marked Lamborghini's foray into the realm of supercars, featuring a two-seater layout and a rear-center positioned engine, earning its title as the fastest production car of its time.

1970 Lamborghini P400 Miura Jota is is intended to push Lamborghini's technical boundaries to the limit. (Picture from: SupercarNostalgia)

Endowed with the spirit of pushing technical boundaries to the limit, Wallace and his team, under the permission of general manager Paolo Stanzani, set out to craft a mid-engined hot rod. This project, beyond being a technical exploration, held a passionate aspiration to partake in racing events, symbolized by its name 'Jota,' a nod to the FIA’s Appendix J regulations.

1970 Lamborghini P400 Miura Jota has an impressive performance numbers for 0 - 60 mph acceleration in just 4 seconds and can be driven to a top speed of 197 mph. (Picture from: SupercarNostalgia)

The metamorphosis of the standard Miura (chassis #5084) involved extensive modifications. Weight reduction measures saw the integration of Avional lightweight aluminum alloys, plastic side windows, and a front spoiler. Wallace and his team were replaced the headlamps with fixed, and then a front spoiler was added, faired-in units.

Recreation of 1970 Lamborghini Miura Jota owned by Walter Ronchi based of Miura P400S and called Millechiodi. (Picture from: SupercarNostalgia)

They also installed two smaller, sill-mounted fuel tanks to replace the single larger original unit. The suspension was also remade and widened (9" in the front, 12" in the rear), and four lightweight wheels were fitted. The engine included of those revamped to deliver approximately 418–440 bhp (312–328 kW) at 8,800 rpm, with an increased compression ratio, altered cams, electronic ignition, dry-sump lubrication, and a less restrictive exhaust system. 

Recreation of 1970 Lamborghini Miura Jota owned by Piet Pulford. (Picture from: Torque)

Completed in October 1970, the one-off Miura Jota exhibited impressive performance, achieving 0-60 mph in just 4 seconds with a top speed of 197 mph. Despite its sleek design and outstanding capabilities, the car failed to sway Ferruccio Lamborghini, the company's owner, known for his reluctance to indulge in racing events due to perceived financial extravagance.😓

The Jota, a masterpiece by Bob Wallace, never graced the racing circuits and instead became the most renowned creation of Lamborghini's special tuning department. The potential for the Jota to compete in the World Sportscar Championship against rivals like Ferrari 365 GTB/4C, Chevrolet Corvette, and Porsche 911 ST remained unrealized.

Recreation of 1970 Lamborghini Miura Jota owned by Piet Pulford. (Picture from: Torque)

After completing around 20,000 km of test mileage, Jota was then sold through a Brescia-based dealer, InterAuto to Dr. Alfredo Belponer, owner and president of the Scuderia Brescia Corse racing team. However, in April 1971, before reaching the owner's hands, the unfortunate fate befell the car when it crashed and caught on fire on an unopened ring road around the city of Brescia, only its engine could be salvaged with the rest being scrapped.😢

 

Although Lamborghini declined to produce additional Jota examples, the legacy endured through the creation of five Jota-inspired Miura SV/Js and the subsequent unveiling of the unique Miura SV/R.

 

In the aftermath of the Jota's destruction, the original owner, Walter Ronchi, commissioned a tribute car known as Millechiodi, built on a P400S base. Specially modified to mirror the specifications of the original Jota, this car stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of innovation and passion within the Lamborghini community. Another Jota replica emerged, crafted by Chris Lawrence of Wymondham Engineering for British Lamborghini owner Piet Pulford, featuring chassis #3033.

In the ever-evolving saga of Lamborghini, the Miura Jota remains a poignant chapter, etching its legacy through its brief yet impactful existence and the subsequent tributes it inspired. The roaring spirit of the Jota lives on, an enduring symbol of Lamborghini's pursuit of excellence and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | CLASSICANDSPORTSCAR.COM | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA.COM | TORQUE ]

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One of the popular Italian youngster sports cars in the 1960s

There are many small car manufacturers in Italy have long locked the doors of their factories now, once ever produced unique and beautiful cars in their hey days. One of them is Moretti Motor Company. This Italian car company was founded by Giovanni Moretti in 1925 and was active in production until 1989.

1967 Moretti Fiat 850 Sportiva designed by Dany Brawand for Moretti Motor Company based on the Fiat 850 Coupe. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3dNVMqL)

In 1967 the company did what could be said to be a genius move enough to melt the hearts of automotive enthusiasts of the day by launching a nimble sporty wheeled-creation onto the streets of Italy named Moretti Sportiva. This is a model of the iconic two-door small sports car designed by Dany Brawand and produced by Moretti Motor Company started from 1967 to 1971 and built on the chassis of the Fiat 850 Coupe plus the engine. 

1967 Moretti Fiat 850 Sportiva uses a a rear-engine measuring 52 cubic inches with a capacity of 843 cc. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34dWTwU)

The sports car was first introduced at the Turin Motor Show 1965, and also stated that is the Moretti's last customizable car model, including an exclusive choice of seat colors. At the time, the company offers the possibility to get a special trim and level of prestige according to the buyer demand.

Initially, the Moretti Sportiva was made as a two-seater sport coupe, although later it was also available its convertible version. The exterior design has dual headlights, with a fastback-like at rear end that is said to help improve aerodynamics.

1967 Moretti Fiat 850 Sportiva has dual headlights, with a fastback-like at rear end that is said to help improve aerodynamics. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HeJnjr)

The first batch of Moretti Fiat Sportiva was offered with the use of a rear engine measuring 52 cubic inches with a capacity of 843 cc, capable of generating a power of about 47 hp (35 kW) at 6,000 rpm, with a maximum torque of 59 Nm (44 lb.ft). This standard engine capacity can then be customized such in the S2 version to 982 cc.

1970 Moretti Fiat 850 Sportiva S2 uses a slightly different engine than S1, ie a rear-engine measuring 52 cubic inches with a capacity of 982 cc. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2T6TIAC)

Due to its aerodynamic nature, this car needed something to act as a balancer, so the spare wheel was stored horizontally in the front area, and took up almost all the available space so that there was nothing left for luggage storage. Therefore, the Sportiva designers had to make a new luggage compartment that was placed between the seat and the engine room at the back, it was made by using a rigid fabric.

In terms of performance, when the engine power drives its rear-wheels through 4-speed manual transmission, so it made the Moretti Sportiva able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 15 seconds before reaching a top speed of 103 mph or 165 kph.

Although Moretti Fiat Sportiva can be said to be quite popular among young people in Italy, it does not automatically increase its sales figures. This is because the selling price is quite high at that time, only about 300 Moretti Sportiva units rolled from the production line (in various versions) until the end of its production period in 1971. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER.COM | VIARETRO]

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On this 1959 Renault prototype You should be driving on the backward-side

In the context of business in the world's automotive, sometimes strange appearances are used as an attraction in an effort to attract potential enthusiasts to an automotive brand. And it is not uncommon for this strange shape to be mentioned by carmakers as the new technology applied by a futuristic design concept. But after it's completed as a prototype car is looks very strange.

Don't be fooled, here's the front view of the first  model of the 1959 Renault Project 900 prototype car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37jcKvZ)

With a such concept, the automaker company tries to measure the future that is in accordance with what its audience imagines by implementing various changes in the vehicle appearance. It seems that concept cars have become a game that provide internal fun and solutions that are seen as worthy of being shown to the public, which could be gave product prides as well or to inspire the talented young designers.

Don't be fooled, here's the rear view of the first model of the 1959 Renault Project 900 prototype car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37jcKvZ)

But it seems that nothing will be able to match the weird Renault Project 900 prototype car made by one of the leading French automotive brands in 1959. How come, the famous manufacturers in the world like Renault is made such a weird car or even the weirdest ever. It's like the company has used every visual cue possible to make you confuse the front and the back.

Don't be fooled, here's the front view of the second model of the 1959 Renault Project 900 prototype car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37jcKvZ)

At that time, seems Renault was trying to beat its competitor such as Citroën in the category of "weird car," which has also owned a no less weird similar model. The Renault's Project 900 is definitely a strange looking car, but the company said that's designed to break new ground due to it uses innovative new materials as well as provides class-leading visibility.

Don't be fooled, here's the rear view of the second model of the 1959 Renault Project 900 prototype car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37jcKvZ)

As quoted from The Petrolstop, this strange-looking car was built by this French manufacturer as many as 3 prototype units after the Renault Dauphine model production ended and also shortly after the change of leadership of the company.

The weird Project 900 was powered by a rear-mounted (1.7L) V8 engine that was basically made of two Renault Dauphine engines into one.  So logically, the car should be twice as fast as a Dauphine, but in the reality still made it slow vehicle.

Renault built the third model of the 1959 Renault Project 900 prototype car into a fastback version. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37jcKvZ)

The first model had painted in gold has the luggage compartment access issues, where if you want to store your luggage into the baggage, you must first fold the rear seats. The problem was later fixed in the second model which was painted in green by shifted the engine forward of the rear axle, therefore, allowing for conventional trunk access directly from the rear. It also had a revised rear end with larger lights. Then for the third model made by Renault into a fastback version, but unfortunately there is no detailed information about this model.

Besides that, the design of this car seems to have influenced the design made by the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A. on its similar-shaped concept car named the Selene Concept which was later left in Russia in 1962. So, what happened to Renault's Project 900 backward car, and what echoes of the bizarre yet innovative design for today's cars? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THEPETROLSTOP.COM]

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