Another ugly duckling of 1930s

When the world's automotive began to look for the ideal shape of the vehicle through a series of models created by scientists. Perhaps you have ever known about the 1920s Auto Union legendary car (the forerunner of today's Audi) which earned the nickname 'ugly duckling,' because of its shape which was very different from the four-wheeled motorized vehicles that existed at the time.

1938 Fiat 500A Topolino Hard Top by Zagato participated on the 1938 Mille Miglia (B&W photo colorized). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ka0e4D)

In the 1930s, when the world was in a very deep recession. At that time, a unique designed vehicle with was born in Germany as a brainchild of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, which was projected as a people's vehicle which later known as the legendary vehicle of all time called the Volkswagen Beetle.

Fiat 500, production version of the 1936. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2GFU9iR)

It seems the Italian also doesn't want to be left behind, from this country there's a similar-designed four-wheeled vehicle was made, which is also known as the world's first city car named Fiat 500 Topolino. The Fiat 500 Topolino project was led by Antonio Fessia, with the chassis, and engine design assigned to Dante Giacosa. Topolino is the Italian name for Mickey Mouse, so it can be interpreted as a reliable and affordable small vehicle.

Designer Dante Giacosa with the Fiat 500 Prototype, Piedmont, Italy, October 1934.  Antonio Fessia photo. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2GFU9iR)

This tiny car which has a length of about 3.2 meters and also equipped with an engine with a capacity of 569 cc which is capable of producing about 13 hp of power and a topspeed of only 85 kph.  As is known, the Fiat 500 Topolino is a car model that Fiat began mass production ranging from 1936 to 1955. It doesn't stop there, it turns out that the legendary Fiat 500 model was then continued by various of modern Fiat city car models to date.

Fiat 500C cross-sectional view showing restyled nose, built-in headlamps and enclosed spare wheel compartment. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2GFU9iR)

Apart from being a mass-produced road legal vehicle, the Fiat 500 Topolino model was also used as the base of racing car to compete in various world racing events at that time. In the same time also Fiat was looking for the right formula for their racing cars based on the Fiat 500 Topolino that were going to compete in various racing events, so then the Italian auto manufacturer commissioned its compatriot coachbuilder Zagato to prepare the vehicles.

1938 Fiat 500A Topolino Hard Top by Zagato. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/36iredd)

As quoted from the Zagato website, at that time the famous coachbuilder from Italy made at least 6 different car models ranging from coupes to barchetta (1937 Fiat 500 A Topolino Zagato Aerodinamica I, 1937 Fiat 500 A Topolino Zagato Aerodinamica II, 1938 Fiat 500 A Topolino Zagato Aerodinamica IV, 1938 Fiat 500 A Topolino Hard Top Zagato, 1938 Fiat 500 A Topolino Zagato Aerodinamica III, and 1938 Fiat 500 A Topolino GS Zagato), but the whole models taken the base of the Fiat 500 Topolino with the elongated hood and rounded body seemed to be a trend in the 1920s to 1930s so that at that time it was widely applied to four-wheeled vehicles that prioritized speed.

Of course, these elongated hood with rounded body design were intended to create the car's perfect aerodynamic factor due to the car was built for racing purposes which is identic with speed. The Topolino based racing car with removable hardtop was one of 6 Zagato's designed cars that had ever participated on the 1938 Mille Miglia. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ZAGATO | AUTOUNIVERSUM ]

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The Abarth's most outstanding car design of the '50s

So far, the public had thought that the Abarth is synonymous with Fiat. The opinion is actually not wrong, as we can see the most of its cars are built based on the Fiat cars, moreover, the brand has also been acquired by that Italian automotive giant to become its subsidiary in the 1971.

1953 Abarth 1100 Sport coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia is displayed for the first time at the 1953 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32gWFUh)

Actually the Carlo Abarth established the auto brand in 1947 as an independent car manufacturer, and not affiliated with any other brands. As we all know, Abarth progressed to become an independent automaker is started with a couple of half-finished Cisitalia 2013 car types, then completing the cars and named the Abarth 204A.

Interior view of the 1953 Abarth 205 Sports 1100 coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mQLzgu)

In 1950, this Turin-based company is managed to make a new chassis and body, then installed  a Fiat 1100 upgraded engine on it and launched as the Abarth 205. However, as the car is considered more expensive than the Ferrari 166, so only three examples (some parties said four units) had ever produced by the company.

1953 Abarth 1100 Sport coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia uses a Fiat's V8 upgraded engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mQLzgu)

Then one unit of the 205 was handed over to the Italian coachbuilder named Carrozzeria Ghia. And those unit then recieving coachwork by Ghia and an engine and transmission developed from the new Fiat 1100-103, but whoever commissioned the coachbuilder to create the Abarth 1100 Sport remains a mystery even to this day.

From this kind of the Abarth 205 (in picture is the 1950 Abarth 205 Vignale Berlinetta) then Ghia constructed the Abarth 205 Sports 1100. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2JBt5Ch)

The unusual car design is believed to have been done by Giovanni Michelotti and was constructed concurrently with the Ghia-bodied Chrysler of the same period. There were some of the design cues from the Ghia-bodied Chrysler also incorporated into this Abarth model include a broad oval grille opening, canopy-like roof element, and wide low posture.

1953 Abarth 205 1100 Sport sold to Bill Vaughn who later displayed it at the 1954 New York Auto Show as 'Vaughn SS Wildcat'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mQLzgu)

The Italian coachbuilder presented the Berlinetta version for the first time at the Turin Motor Show in 1953 called the Abarth 205 Number Four. Then the Abarth sold to the American singer named Bill Vaughn, who later displayed it at the 1954 New York Auto Show as 'Vaughn SS Wildcat' featured with 'the first overhead camshaft V8 in the USA.'

Vaughn had envisioned that would work with Ghia to produce a small series of this car by using a V8 engine. Although until the end this dream never came true and this car remains the only one that ever existed.

Abarth 1100 Ghia (VIN 205-104), built toghether with her twin based on a Simca Chassis (Simca on the left). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mQLzgu)

The whereabouts of the car ever had not known for several decades, before it was re-discovered in 1982 by Russ Baer in a barn in Ashton, Maryland and ultimately saved by Pat Braden, both of whom helped to preserve the car.

Likewise the next two owners, before entered the care of a collector in 2010 who spent the next five years in a thorough and correct restoration. The work involves researching the authenticity and accuracy of each component. Upon completion, the car was shown at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it won its class and was nominated for Best of Show. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DYLER.COM | CONCEPTCARZ.COM | DRIVETRIBE.COM | CARSTYLING.RU ]

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It's not nearly as fast as it looks

In the 1950s one of the most popular sports vehicle bodywork designs was the barchetta (the Italian word for 'small boat'). The distinctive feature of a barchetta sports vehicle is a small car with a roofless, without provision of a removable or foldable top for weather protection.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept is built in order to celebrate the Bertone's 95th anniversary. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/363pAwc)

To evoke the romance of memories of the past, Style Bertone, a well-known Italian automotive coachbuilder company in 2007 launched a modern barchetta car concept named Bertone Barchetta is inspired by its classic racing cars. As the automotive design house mentioned that the design explicitly cites the Fiat 500 with barchetta bodywork that was made by young Nuccio Bertone in 1947 as a one-off for his personal use in races.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept posed along with its inspiration source the 1947 Fiat 500 Barchetta racing car made by Nuccio Bertone himself. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oWnCGj)

Well, this roofless concept car was created in order to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the company by using the chassis and mechanicals of the Fiat Panda 100 HP tiny car. The decision to adopt a minimalist yet sophisticated car model is perfectly in keeping with Bertone's philosophy, where since its very earliest days, the company has interpreted cars by Italian carmakers with an elegant style always emphasizes their personality and technological content with an unmatched passion for sportiness.

Nuccio Bertone on the wheel of the Fiat 500 Barchetta and his mechanic in a period race who participate with his selfmade racing car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3mSOW6S)

Then the choice of the Fiat brand is very natural and emotional because both Fiat and Bertone have historic relationships for more than eighty years and have produced more than 50 highly successful models ranging from concept cars, one-offs, and even production cars.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept is featured with a unique rear-opening scissor-type doors. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oWnCGj)

The Bertone Barchetta concept car is stands out with a bodywork consisting of two hand-beaten aluminum shells joined by a large glass surface that crosses the door. Uniquely, this concept car has rear-opening scissor-type doors (are Bertone's patent), hinged around the rear wheel arch or You might be remembered to Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept that is built by the company in the 2010.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept has an adjustable dashboard with two open-mounted rails painted white also with two seats upholstered in genuine leather. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3oWnCGj)

Meanwhile, the front features LEDs, and a closed floating grille is embossed in metalwork. And the back is dominated by framed LEDs. Then there is a small luggage compartment with a cover trimmed in the same genuine leather used for the interior.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept has a small luggage compartment with a cover trimmed in the same genuine leather used for the interior. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/363pAwc)

Then inside, this Bertone Barchetta seen clearly inspired by the 1947 Fiat 500 Barchetta. You can see there are two seats upholstered in genuine leather which are fixed and sculpted directly into the metalwork. Then there's a console between the two seats includes a storage tray and an iPod dock.

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept is stands out with a bodywork consisting of two hand-beaten aluminum shells joined by a large glass surface that crosses the door. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/363pAwc)

There's also an adjustable dashboard with two open-mounted rails painted white. The gearshift is worked from a solid billet of aluminum. As the Barchetta racing model, all the driving control mechanisms are exposed. Then the wheels use 20-inch alloy rims covered by Pirelli 225/30R-20 tires. The Bertone Barchetta concept made its debut at the 2007 Geneva International Motor Show.

If the Bertone Barchetta was also intended to run as fast as the 1947 Fiat 500 Barchetta racing car (its source of inspiration), certainly Bertone is not installing a Panda's small 100 hp, 1.4-liter front-wheel-drive engine as its drivetrain. Otherwise, the company still pinned those engine, though infact, the car concept had chances to a supercar. What a pity, it's not nearly as fast as it looks. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET | AUTOBLOG | CARANDDRIVER]

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One of the rare classic racing car, Ford GT Competition Prototype

For the American automotive giant, Ford Motor Company, the figure of the 1965 Ford GT Competition Roadster is one of the historic cars for them. Because the Ford GT Roadster car with chassis number #109 is the only Ford GT Roadster to have competed in the Le Mans race in 1965. Furthermore, the GT (Grand Touring) labeled car is equipped with a Ford V8 engine, which has various specifications ranging from 4.2 liters, 4.7 liters, to 7.0 liters.

1965 Ford GT Competition Roadster prototype. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2TPx9Rc)

As quoted from Carscoops, the Ford GT Competition has a pretty fantastic record in the American automotive giant racing history, in which the car is also known as a part of the Ford Motor Company effort to beat Ferrari in a prestigious world's racing event such 24 Hours of Le Mans, after the Italian company refused to be bought by Ford in the 1960s.

1965 Ford GT Competition Roadster prototype. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2TPx9Rc)

This car is built on the same platform as the famous Ford GT40. At that time, Ford only made 12 units of the Ford GT prototype. Five of them are prototypes built in the roadster format. Currently, only three units of the Ford GT Roadster are existed, namely the roadster with chassis numbers #108, #109, and #111, and of all the roadsters, the GT/109 is the only one has the most prestigious track record and a unique historical journey as well.

1965 Ford GT Competition Roadster prototype. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2TPx9Rc)

And what is even more amazing is that it is the earliest Ford GTs ever produced. Yes, this car was built by Ford Advanced Vehicles in Slough, England to compete with other competitors in the 24 Hours of Le Mans of 1965. But when competing at the Le Mans circuit with Maurice Trintignant and Guy Ligier behind the wheel, this Ford car is stopped due to experiencing the gearbox problem on the 11th-laps. After that, the GT/109 was sent to America for repair, and for the next three years, it served as a test vehicle for the racing and passenger car components.

1965 Ford GT Competition Roadster prototype. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2TPx9Rc)

In 1968, when the car has been retired and stored in a Ford warehouse in Detroit then it's purchased by a Californian auto builder and Hollywood's stuntman named Dean Jeffries who continued to maintain the car until he died in 2013. Soon Ford's racing car ownership had changed after being purchased by Dana Mecum from Dean Jeffries' son.

Then Dana Mecum commissioned a famous restoration house of Harley Cluxton III from GTC Mirage Racing to carry out the process of restoring the car so that it looks new again. Now the Ford GT Competition Prototype #109 is claimed to be one of the most desirable cars in the world.

So do not be surprised if Mecum Auction in July 2020 then estimates that this car can be sold at the starting prices of the US. $7.5 million to $10 million (or approximately Rp.112.5 billion and above). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | ]

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The weirdest and most powerful Bugatti ever

There's some good news from the French supercar manufacturer, Bugatti. It turned out that recently this manufacturer had completed the development of a special hypercar for use on the racing tracks based on the Bugatti Chiron, later called the Bugatti Bolide Concept. This hypercar was developed by those French companies in about eight months and is claimed to have a power-to-weight ratio of 0.67 kg / HP and is said able to be lauched to a top speed of over 500 kph.

2020 Bugatti Bolide Concept is said to have very aggressive specs and designs. (Picture from: https://cnet.co/3mHTa0J)

As we all know that, since this variant was first introduced in 2016, it turns out that the Molsheim-based premium car manufacturer has managed to be made a number of special line-ups that are based on the Bugatti Chiron, such Sport 110 Ans, Pur Sport, Vision Gran Turismo, Centodieci, Divo, SuperSport 300+, to La Voiture Noire.

2020 Bugatti Bolide Concept uses an 8.0-liter W-16 quad-turbo engine that produces 1,825 horsepower and 1,364 lb-ft of torque. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HZd7kW)

But nothing is quite as unique and extreme as the Bugatti Bolide concept which is said to have very aggressive specs and designs. The newest hypercar of the Molsheim-based premium car manufacturer has carried an 8.0-liter W-16 quad-turbo engine that produces 1,825 horsepower and 1,364 lb-ft of torque. 

Originally, this is the same Chiron's 1.578 HP engine unit used by the special variants of Centodieci and SuperSport 300+. But then Bugatti modified the engine for 110-octane fueled plus a new turbocharger, the result was a hypercar that had the ferocious performance mentioned above.

2020 Bugatti Bolide Concept's cabin reflects a real racing car is featured a topless steering wheel model plus a screen behind it, then there is a separator in the middle that divides the passenger and driver seats. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2HNi4O1)

But the engine is not the only important factor in the Bugatti Bolide concept, the car chassis is made of very light carbon and titanium alloy materials for various car components ranging from the nuts, bolts, to the rear spoiler holder. As a result, the Bugatti Bolide's empty weight is at 1,240 kg, which is much lighter than the Chiron which is almost 2,000 kilos. And if calculated, the car's power-to-weight ratio is 0.67 kg / HP (or approx 1.5 HP / kg).

With these specifications, so it is not surprising that the Bugatti Bolide concept can accelerate from 0-100 kph in 2.17 seconds, 0-200 kph is complete in 4.36 seconds, 0-300 kph is done in 7.37 seconds, 0-400 kph in 12.08 seconds only. Further, if Bugatti claims the car speed is more than 500 kph, it means an acceleration of 0-500 kph can be done in 20.16 seconds.

2020 Bugatti Bolide Concept is claimed to be able to circle the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 5 minutes 23.1 seconds, and Le Mans in 3 minutes 7.1 seconds. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34OMgkw)

In addition, the Bugatti Bolide concept is also claimed to be able to circle the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 5 minutes 23.1 seconds, and Le Mans in 3 minutes 7.1 seconds. Well, so far it is still in the form of simulation and estimation, which is of course interesting to know how the real action of this hypercar is when it is actually lauched on the racing track mentioned above.

Turning to the design, it able to be said that the car design looks like a car that came from the middle of nowhere. But this Bugatti design is not carelessly eccentric, all aspects of the car are carefully crafted and have a purpose and meaning. Start from the roof scoop model with bubbles popped out when the throttle pedal is pressed deeper, Bugatti calls it the "Morphable Outer Skin."

2020 Bugatti Bolide Concept's rear is produced remarkable downforce of 1,800 kg at a speed of 320 kph. (Picture from: https://cnet.co/3mHTa0J)

Then at the front, there is a typical Bugatti's horseshoe front grille with an adjustable front splitter on the bumper. The front design optimally directs the wind flows into the rear fender air inlets for the engine cooling system and generates a downforce of 800 kg at 320 kph. Then paired with an adjustable rear spoiler and a huge three-layer diffuser. While the downforce produced by the Bugatti Bolide's rear is remarkable, which is 1,800 kg at a speed of 320 kph.

The Bolide concept car has the appearance that roughly 40 percent of its body surface is painted with French Racing Blue, while the other 60 percent is carbon, and was also looks pretty crazy too, with openings in the hood that expose the suspension components in there.

Inside the interior, the Bugatti Bolide concept also gets extreme changes much different than other Chiron models. Both in layout and seating position, where the cabin reflects a real racing car is featured a topless steering wheel model like an F1 car plus a screen behind it, then there is a separator in the middle that divides the passenger and driver seats. 

As of this writing being made, the French manufacturer has not provided data regarding the price of the Bugatti Bolide concept, due to the Molsheim-based manufacturer hasn't yet decided whether the car concept will go into the production line or not. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARANDDRIVER | CNET | THE DRIVE | CARSCOOPS | HYPE GARAGE ]

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One-off Exner Jr. SIMCA Special Roadster

This is one and the only car that was born from the magic hand scratches of Virgil Exner Jr., a well-known American automotive designer that has used as his thesis when completing the Master's program at the University of Notre Dame, France in 1955.

The unique-styled SIMCA Special designed by Virgil Exner Jr. as his thesis when completing the Master's program at the University of Notre Dame in 1955. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37NaFIU)

This rear double-wings car body that resembles a batmobile is made of fiberglass and worked on by Virgil Exner Jr. himself at the Dual-Ghia assembly plant. This unique car building work was carried out on a 1950 Fiat 1100 chassis which was purchased with the help of Paul Farago, a Dual-Ghia's engineer.

The used 1950 Fiat 1100 car mechanically was a SIMCA which later in this project functioned as a donor for the chassis and mechanical parts. As information, the SIMCA is a French car manufacturer founded in 1934 by Fiat. The construction work of this unique car carrying a  SIMCA-Fiat's 1,200 cc, 4 cylinder engine lasted about 3 years (1956 to 1959).

Finally, the one-off Virgil Exner Jr unique car creation named SIMCA Special has finished being built and its visual debut featured on the pages of the American magazine 'Road & Track' in April 1959 and then for the first time the car's physical form can be seen and touched in the SIMCA's booth at the 1959 Paris International Motor Show.

The unique-styled SIMCA Special built based on the used 1950 Fiat 1100 car mechanically was a SIMCA which later in this project functioned as a donor for the chassis and mechanical parts. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37NaFIU)

After that, this car was sold to a Chrysler dealer who showed it off for years in their showroom. In 1965, the car was purchased by one of Exner's associates named Beau Hickory. And during Hickory's care, the car got the addition of the Opel's panoramic and central cockpit arch windscreen.

Then the car's ownership changed after Hickory sold it to a fanatic fan of French cars in America. But in 1985, Hickory found the car in a neglected condition and the engine had been swapped for a Datsun B210's 1,200 cc, 4 cylinder engine. Then he decided to purchase it back and did restoration work on this car at once.

While in Beau Hickory care, the unique-styled SIMCA Special got the addition of the Opel's panoramic and central cockpit arch windscreen. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37NaFIU)

And after the restoration process was complete, the car was driven by Beau Hickory for years around San Francisco. Although the engine has been swapped, the rest of the car retains much of Exner Jr.’s original styling cues. And during that time, the SIMCA Special roadster car received good publications and was featured in, among others, the Motor Trend, Vanity Fair, Men's Health and Self.

Initially, the unique-styled SIMCA Special uses a SIMCA-Fiat's 1,200 cc, 4 cylinder engine before swapped with a Datsun B210's 1,200 cc, 4 cylinder engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37NaFIU)

In early 2005, the car was offered for sale at auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bidding reached $185,000 but was not enough to satisfy reserve. In 2007, it returned to auction, this time on the east coast at the Kruse auction in Hershey, where it sold for $550,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

In 2012, the car is scheduled to cross Mecum's auction block where it is offered at No Reserve. It was put up for sale in the USA by Dana Mecum’s at its "25th Original Spring Classic Auction", which took place on May 15-16, 2012. Do You know the Mecum's auction results above? If does, let's Us know through the comment section below. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ.COM | CARSTYLING.RU | JOURNAL.CLASSICCARS.COM | WIKIPEDIA]

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Ford GT70, the hero with no podium

High-performance car development projects are often carried out by world-renowned manufacturers as an effort to maintain the achievements that have been achieved in the racing arena by their previous cars. This was also done by Ford Motor Company, one of the leading American automotive manufacturers when it started making the Ford GT70 sports car with the hope of being the successor to its legendary Ford GT40 sports car.

The Ford GT70 is the Ford GT You never knew existed. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34zq2CL)

Then to make it happen, the Ford Motor Company immediately developed the car at its Brentwood-based subsidiary, Ford of Britain. And this special Ford GT70 project aims to realize a capable racing car figure that complies with the FIA standard homogenization rules so that it can compete in the World Rally Championship.

The Ford GT70 is wrapped by the BP-legendary racing livery. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3jCifbD)

As quoted from Wikipedia, the Ford GT70 project was started in 1970 and the physical form of the car was designed by Ercole Spada, an Italian designer who had worked for the famous design house Zagato. When traced from its lineage in the Ford Motor Company manufacturing environment, this race car candidate is arguably the younger brother of the Ford GT40 and is expected to be able to compete with rivals' high-speed rally cars such as the Porsche 911 and Renault Alpine.

So it is not surprising that the maker was not half-hearted when undergoing this GT70 project, where the car figure featuring a center-mounted engine with rear-wheel drive in its development also involved Len Bailey, who had been the chief engineer on the previous Ford GT40 project, was asked to help design the bodywork and chassis.

Interior view of the Ford GT70. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34zq2CL)

Initially, this car was powered by a 2.6-liter, V6 engine taken from the Capri RS2600 which is capable of spraying power up to 240 bhp. Do not stop there, the Ford GT70 is also built on a lightweight special chassis, then covered with an aerodynamic body, and also installed with some of the best racing components. Yes, it is known that the GT70s does use a fiberglass body to keep the weight light, is equipped with four 13-inches studs, and four-spoke wheels designed especially for the car by Len Bailey.

When the Ford GT70 used in the rally events, it never got its winning podium so it was considered not up to expectations because it experienced many problems such as the frame not being stiff enough, the cockpit being cramped, and its V6 engine installed inside the original car having too high a center of gravity and etc.

Initially, the Ford GT70 is uses a 2.6-liter, V6 rear-mounted engine taken from the Capri RS2600 which is capable of spraying power up to 240 bhp. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34zq2CL)

Then Ford Motor Company decided to cease the GT70 project in 1973 and more focused on empowering all of its resources in the Ford Escort platform development which was considered more promising. As a result, during the GT70 project rolled in, it was only able to produce 6 cars. And one of these GT70 cars ran by Ford of France which later swapped its V6 with a 1.6-liter Cosworth BDA straight-four engine in order to reduce the center of gravity for racing.

If We look again, it's not just the GT70 sports car, which initially was predicted as the successor to the legendary Ford GT40 breed, but ended up being a failed project. But it turns out that there is still one more failed project developed by the American manufacturer, namely one and the only Ford GT90 ever made in 1995. So actually the Ford GT breed consists of the Ford GT40, Ford GT70, Ford GT90, and finally the Ford GT that We've seen today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | AUTOMOBILEMAG]

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Only James Bond who ever drove this Toyota 2000GT Roadster

The world are shocked when knew, Sean Connery, the legendary great actor known for his roles as James Bond, reportedly died at the age of 90, Saturday, October 31, 2020. His death was confirmed by his family, and the BBC reported that the actor died in his sleep while in Nassau, Bahama.

1967 Toyota 2000GT Roadster which only made 2 units is drove by James Bond (Sean Connery) in the 1967 movie-titled 'You Only Live Twice'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2JrmTgj)

Apart from appearing as Secret Agent 007, Sean Connery is also known to have played in films such as The Wind and the Lion, The Man Who Would Be King, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Sean Connery also won an Academy Awards for the Best Supporting Actor for his role in the Brian De Palma's The Untouchables (1987) and many others.

1964 Aston Martin DB5 is drove by James Bond (Sean Connery) in the 1964 movie-titled 'Goldfinger'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37YpPLB)

So when we talk about the character as James Bond, played by the late Sean Connery, whose figure is always familiar with the sophisticated sports cars that always accompany him in every action. Maybe the 007 secret agent fans only know the exotic and iconic British car named Aston Martin DB5 which was driven by the late Sean Connery when he played James Bond.

1967 Toyota 2000GT Roadster which only made 2 units is drove by James Bond (Sean Connery) in the 1967 movie-titled 'You Only Live Twice'.. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/37Z3RIh)

Did You know, apart from those British sports cars, it turns out that there is another car that is no less cool and iconic called the Toyota 2000GT which was used by him when acting as James Bond in the 1967 movie-titled 'You Only Live Twice'.

1967 Toyota 2000GT Roadster which only made 2 units is drove by James Bond (Sean Connery) in the 1967 movie-titled 'You Only Live Twice'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2GlfZrM)

As we already know, this car is the first supercar made by the Japanese automotive giant, Toyota in 1967, in which the creation process also involved Yamaha, another Japanese automotive manufacturer. This car can be said to be a revolutionary car from a Japanese manufacturer, from a manufacturer that is known for its less attractive products, but then with the presence of this figure it can prove that the Japanese can also make a sports car that can match their European and American rivals.

1967 Toyota 2000GT Roadster which only made 2 units is drove by James Bond (Sean Connery) in the 1967 movie-titled 'You Only Live Twice'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2GlfZrM)

A total of 351 units in the form of a sports coupe were sold. This happened because the price was very expensive, exceeding the price of the Porsche and Jaguar at that time. Mostly sold in red and white. This Toyota 2000GT car is known to be driven by a 3M-coded engine, with a capacity of 1,988 cc, 6 cylinder in line, DOHC which is taken from the Toyota Crown. This engine was modified by Yamaha to use 3 2-barrel Mikuni-Solex 40 PHH carburetors and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission system.

1967 Toyota 2000GT Roadster which only made 2 units is drove by James Bond (Sean Connery) in the 1967 movie-titled 'You Only Live Twice'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2GlfZrM)

But the legendary Toyota 2000GT that James Bond rode is so iconic that Daniel Craig, the current James Bond actor, admits that the car is his favorite. What makes it so special is that the Toyota 2000GT Roadster used by the Brit's 007 secret agent only produced two units.

So the Toyota 2000GT Roadster model was never mass-produced by the Japanese automotive giant and was only made specifically for the purposes of this movie. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HEMMINGS ]

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We Share Our Condolences

This article is dedicated to the memory of the late Sir Thomas Sean Connery, a legendary great actor who passed away in Nassau, Bahamas on October 31, 2020. 

"In sorrow, we mourn those lost. In gratitude, we embrace those around us. In sympathy, we reach out to those who grieve. May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead. He has left us but memory they left will stay forever in our heart."