Racing Legend As we all know that the Plymouth Superbird was one of legendary NASCAR racing cars along with its similar brother Dodge Charger Daytona. Both are distinguished than other cars by their elongated "nose cone" and huge decklid-mounted wing.
1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird has a typical appearance such the elongated "nose cone" and huge decklid-mounted wing. (Picture from: MoparInsiders)
Recently, in the classic car auction in Las Vegas held by Barret-Jackson auction house in June 30 to July 2, 2022 had been stirred at momment caused by there was 1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird sold at the figure of $ 1.65 millions (approx Rp. 24.7 billions). Wow!😲
1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird's interior looks very authentic garnished with the (TX9) interior paint matching its high-grade trimmed black vinyl seating with silver accents. (Picture from: MoparInsiders)
As quoted of AutoEvolution, those selling numbers directly broke the previous record held by another HEMI car sometime ago perched at $990 thousand (approx to Rp. 14.87 billion). So what's made those cars so special that can be sold at such fantastic price numbers?
1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird is powered by a 426 HEMI engine coupled with a 727 Torque Flite gearbox and 8.75-inch Chrysler differential. (Picture from: MoparInsiders)
The specialty of this car is not only in its prime condition with real authentic and original equipments. As quoted of the AutoEvolution, this Superbirds was specially ordered in red and once homologated for NASCAR racing in 1969 as one of 135 Plymouth Superbird beasts powered by a 426 HEMI engine coupled with a 727 Torque Flite gearbox and Chrysler 8.75-inch with a 3.55 ratio sure grip axle differential.
1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird is one of 135 unit cars were specially ordered in red and homologated for NASCAR racing in 1969. (Picture from: MoparInsiders)
While in the Superbird's interior looks very authentic and also in perfect condition. Inside its interior garnished with the (TX9) interior paint matching its high-grade trimmed black vinyl seating with silver accents. The dash features the factory tachometer, correct pushbutton AM radio, heater/defroster, and three-spoke steering wheel with the Road Runner center cap.
The exterior features a set of hood pins (J45), Superbird graphics package, and its original aero nose and rear wing, fender-mounted air scoops, and front spoiler. As the result, could be said that all the authentic accessories both in the car's interior and exterior are originally maintained.
Being a HEMI car, it features power steering, power brakes with front discs, a max cooling package with a 7-blade fan, HEMI suspension with firm ride shocks as well as dual exhaust with chrome exhaust tips. Meanwhile for the legs still using the original Plymouth Superbird Rallye 15-inch alloy wheels, and wrapped in Goodyear Polyglas tires are fitted to the era when the car was made. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | MOPARINSIDERS ]
Trying to Revive As what we've seen todays, that Tatra is a Czech' manufacturer of military-purposed vehicles or heavy trucks, though in the history of Koprivnice-based automaker also had ever been produced a number of sporty vehicles several decades ago. By seeing those facts, so it is not surprising then many Czech people wanted to see the manufacturer make exotic and sports cars again.
The Tatra AML Lanta is designed by AML of
Milan Láník, and based on the Tatra 700 was known as the last passanger
car made by Czech's automaker Tatra in 1996. (Picture from: Garáž.cz)
Apart from the Tatra Ecora Sport V8, which was designed by the Czech manufacturer in the 1990s, there are often several car designs bearing the Koprivnice-based automaker name that come from independent projects. Some of them had been discussed before here such as the Tatra JK 2500 Coupe of Július Kubinský back in the 1950s, then the Tatra MTX V8 designed by Václav Král in the 1990s.
The Tatra AML Lanta has a a curb weight of 1,400 kg and said under such appearance refers to the original Tatra's aerodynamic shapes. (Picture from: Garáž.cz)
Not only that, it turn out the Czech people's efforts to revive the Tatra brand including another unique sports car design called the Tatra AML Lanta is made in the same way as mentioned models and debuted to public in the early 2000s. The car design was made by Milan Láník of Luka nad Jihlvou independently without any real support from the Koprivnice-based automaker.
The Tatra AML Lanta's interior wrapped in red and white leather coupled with walnut accents, retro shapes steering wheel. (Picture from: Garáž.cz)
It is known that he was a well-trained mechanic and has been designing cars since his young-ages so it is easy to understand why then he would be developed this AML Lanta since 1998. Related to the car name, AML is derived of Auto Moto Láník, his workshop names, while Lanta is an abbreviation of his family names and those famous Czech manufacturer.
The Tatra AML Lanta has simple dashboard arrangement with all instrument panel displays dropped in the center. (Picture from: CS CAR project)
This AML Lanta car has a fiberglass bodywork with rounded lines streched down to the stern, and is built on a tubular chassis. According to the automaker, the such appearance refers to the original Tatra's aerodynamic shapes with a curb weight of 1,400 kg. Then he decided to use the air-cooled 3.5-liter V8 engine taken from the Tatra T700 as its drivetrain.
The Tatra T700 was known as the last fancy sedan models made by Tatra in 1996, and one of them used as base of the Tatra AML Lanta by Milan Láník. (Picture from: CEAutoClassic.eu)
Those engine has been upgraded so that the power increased up to 220 hp with a torque of 300 Nm. Other parts also come from Tatra's last fancy sedan model, for example, the front axle although had to be extensively modified due to the low front height, then the rear axle also taken from the Tatra T700, while all wheels applied an independent suspension system.
The Tatra AML Lanta is claimed able to run up to 250 kph . (Picture from: Garáž.cz)
Furthermore, Milan Láník also pays special attention to the car's interior, where the dashboard with all instrument panel displays dropped in the center, and is made in harmony with walnut accents retro shapes steering wheel (reminiscent of the BMW Z8). Furthermore, the seats and all other interior compounds near by are wrapped in red and white leather. The such interior arrangement looks simple, unlike the exterior which looks glamour like an exotic car in general.
The Tatra AML Lanta is powered by an upgraded air-cooled 3.5-liter V8 rear-mounted engine with power of 220 hp and torque of 300 Nm. (Picture from: CS CAR project)
The developing process of this car model took approximately five years. Although the finished car model had caught Tatra's attention in 2003, it did not continue by signing an agreement to produce it, because the Czech's brand had not produced such passenger cars for a long time.
The Tatra AML Lanta has a fiberglass bodywork with rounded lines streched down to the stern, and is built on a tubular chassis. (Picture from: CS CAR project)
As quoted of Garáž.cz, which mentions that there are other possibilities because Milan Láník likes the car models, so never considered the fully used of the one-off car model he made. Therefore the Lanta was not really usable as building a fully functional worthied prototype would be too complicated for him if should be done without any supporting sponsors. Well, there're number of complex requirements should be met for the final homologation and possible modifications so the car could be registered for legally used on the Czech Rep's highways.
At the rear, the Tatra AML Lanta has flowing fins and a distinctive rear window shape reminiscent of the legendary 1940s Tatra models.(Picture from: CS CAR project)
Unlike other full-scaled car models that are likely to be scrapped after the completion of their duties. Currently, the Tatra AML Lanta model was in good condition, and known also still under the possession of Milan Láník as recently shown on his Instagram page. To this day, the Tatra AML Lanta unfinished prototype still existed and parked neatly in his family garage to mark all the success and great achievements of the Czech's auto designer. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AML.DESIGN | SOVIETAUTO.FR | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC | GARÁŽ.CZ | CEAUTOCLASSIC.EU | CS CAR PROJECT ]
Unique ONES It may be that Finland is known as a country that has a series of famous racers such Valtteri Bottas, Heikki Kovalainen, Kimi Raikkonen, Mika Hakkinen, Juha Kankkunen, etc. But not many know that the country had supercar manufacturer as well. This is probably because it less in prestige with its neighbour country supercar manufacturer, Koenigsegg Automotive AB managed to achieve success in the world's automotive.
The Toroidion 1MW is a fully-electric powered supercar with an appearance inspired by retro-classical 1960s era. (Picture from: CarScoops)
Toroidion, a Finnish supercar manufacturer has recently introduced an electric supercar concept named Toroidion 1MW Concept at the Top Marques Monaco 2015. Although still a concept, but the manufacturer claims that the power of Toroidion 1MW is equivalent to Koenigsegg One:1.
The Toroidion 1MW is powered by by a series of electric motors with an aoutput of 1,341 hp.(Picture from: CarScoops)
Prior to the debut, Toroidion could provide some teaser photos, which is described in the all-sloping design. This is a supercar and definitely going to be sold very expensive price, because it is said to be produced by hand made, with high quality materials.
The Toroidion 1MW has attached also a clean, elegant design with classic proportions and a little bit of retro touches inside the cabin.(Picture from: CarScoops)
Finnish car manufacturer to build a 1MW supercar with designs inspired by retro-classical era, with an output of 1,341 hp which is equivalent to 1,000 kW or 1 MW as the name implies. Even more impressive, the entire power generated by a series of electric motors and making it as all-electric supercar that has the biggest power in the world today.
The hand-built, gull-winged electric Toroidion 1MW supercar is fully road-legal and has been developed entirely in-house in Finland.(Picture from: CarScoops)
Toroidion say that the battery system used has a light weight but has high performance. Toroidion also claims that the lightweight supercar concept designed, developed and built in Finland have 'measurable performance.' At the time, the company also said that the Toroidion 1MW can be used on public roads, even for everyday activities.
Well, more details about the specifications and performance of Toroidion 1MW will be released in the near future, after this supercar undergoing various tests beforehand. Unfortunately, as quoted of Wikipedia, on March 3, 2022, this Finnish automotive company having financial problems and filed for bankruptcy.😢 So that the continuation of the 1MW car project is not known. *** [EKA [22042015]| FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOROIDION | CARSCOOPS | WIKIPEDIA ]
Weird ONES Most of the concept cars were so ridiculous and too futuristic that they never reach the production line. But that's what makes them extraordinary, where they are able to catapult our dreams and made us to forget at a moment about car insurance, mileage, gas and car repairs instead think about other things that are considered more important such an autonomous driving inside vehicles like hovercraft on the streets.
The IAD Alien Concept was a highly futuristic proposal for an advanced mid-engine supercar, and intended to be an attempt to out-Lamborghini Countach. (Picture from: Diseno-Art)
It was done by IAD (International Automotive Design), a design consultancy based in West Sussex, the UK and it is known that one of the design works of this company was the Mazda MX5 (Miata) in 1989. According to Wikipedia, the company developing not only the exterior and interior style for the vehicle in the UK/US (California) but also building prototypes locally prior to volume production in 1989. Unfortunately the company should ceased all its activity in January 8, 2013.😢
The IAD Alien Concept was a non-running prototype and is launched for the first time at the 1986 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: Diseno-Art)
1. IAD Alien Concept
Before that, the company introduced a unique car concept named the IAD Alien at the 1986 Turin Motor Show. According to the designer, the IAD Alien was a highly futuristic proposal for an advanced mid-engine supercar, and intended to be an attempt to out-Countach.
The IAD Alien Concept offered unique futuristic design steering including advanced dashboard appearance inside its cabin. (Picture from: Diseno-Art)
How come? It could be happened because at that time the Lamborghini Countach
design was considered very futuristic and sophisticated so it was not
surprising that many designers tried to outperform the design, and one
of them was this concept made by this UK-based design consultancy.
The IAD Alien Concept has modular construction which meant that the rear mounted engine could be swapped out quickly and easily for upgrades, maintenance or just to suit the driver or different occasions. (Picture from: Diseno-Art)
This car has a design that is fairly unique although not as radical as the provocation design made by Luigi Colani based on the Lamborghini Miura in the 1970 called the Miura Le Mans Concept, where the such car design consists of 'two-part hybrid car' with a Lamborghini Miura rear chassis section and front passenger cabin designed 'like a glider cockpit'.
The IAD Venus Concept is launched for the first time at the 1989 Turin Motor Show and powered by an inline 4, 16-valves engine which was taken from the Lotus Elite Type 83. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
Furthermore its design not only highlighted the IAD's typical styling ideas, it also showcased innovative and unusual engineering solutions. One of those interesting ideas, if perhaps a bit over complicated, was the modular construction method which meant that the rear mounted engine of the car could be swapped out quickly and easily for upgrades, maintenance or just to suit the driver or different occasions, besides the IAD Alien’s wheels were enclosed for aerodynamic efficiency reasons.
The IAD Venus Concept has unique wheel coverings which almost entirely encased the wheels. (Picture from: Diseno-Art)
To access the interior traditional doors were dropped in favor of a one-piece canopy which tilted forward and provided almost unhindered entry and exit. The passenger compartment was well protected thanks to an integrated roll cage and sturdy side-impact bars. Unfortunately the car was a non-running prototype so many of these ideas were purely theoretical.
The IAD Venus Concept offered futuristic design steering wheel including advanced dashboard appearance inside its cabin. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
2. IAD Venus Concept
It seems that the efforts of IAD to exploit the Alien design idea has not stopped here. Three years later, at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, this UK based company founded in the 1970's has launched another concept vehicle that has a similar design to the Alien, called the IAD Venus.
The IAD Venus Concept also applied unique scissor-type doors that allows two passengers access its cabin. (Picture from: Diseno-Art)
Unlike the previous Alien concept which was not installed with a propulsion engine, the Venus concept adopted the Lotus 912's inline 4, 16-valves engine with a capacity of 2,174 cc which was taken from the Lotus Elite Type 83.
And another unusual features embeded on the IAD Venus, apart from its shape, were the wheel coverings which almost entirely encased the wheels and also applied unique scissor-type doors. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DISENO-ART | SUPERCARS.NET | CARSTYLING.RU | DISCOVER.HUBPAGES | WIKIPEDIA ]
Fiercest ONES As we all know that to this day Koenigsegg Automotive AB, a premium car manufacturer based in Ängelholm, Sweden has launched many great supercar variants ranging from Agera, Regera to the latest JeskoandGemera models.
The Koenigsegg One:1 is launched at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and is said to be the world's fastest production supercar. (Picture from: CarConnection)
Might be you remembered one of the ferocious supercars ever launched by the car manufacturer owned by Christian von Koenigsegg almost decade ago. Well, Koenigsegg officially launched one of its fiercest supercar models called the Koenigsegg One:1 at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, which is said to be the fastest production version of the supercar in the world.
It's called the Koenigsegg One:1, and it should be an insane road-going time machine that transports you to future sections of roads in the blink of an eye. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
Before this car launched, the Ängelholm-based automaker itself has several times displayed its official rendered images. However, the presence of the Koenigsegg One:1 in Geneva is still eagerly awaited by automotive lovers in the world.
The Koenigsegg One:1 is believed to be faster than the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. The Koenigsegg's supercar is capable of reaching a top speed of 450 kph (280 mph), while the Bugatti Veyron SS reaches 431 kph (268 mph).
The engine fitted to the One:1 is Koenigsegg’s own twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 design. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
This Swedish supercar derived its unique name of One:1 from the ratio of power to weight of the car or in other words 1:1, where the car weighs 1,341 kilograms for its maximum power of 1,341 horsepower.
The Koenigsegg One:1's cabin is equiped with carbon fiber and feature memory foam seats and such many advanced features, including a custom app and cloud network. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
The Koenigsegg One:1 uses a triplex suspension with carbon bevel springs and active shock absorbers. Front brakes 397 mm with ceramic disc 6-piston calipers. Rear brakes with ceramic four-piston disc calipers. The 19-inches and 20-inches carbon fiber wheels are wrapped in Michelin Cup Tires.
The fiercest Koenigsegg One:1 supercar is posed along with the automaker company's founder, Christian von Koenigsegg. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
The Koenigsegg One:1 is armed with an aluminum V8 engine with a capacity of 5.0 liters. This engine is considered better than the quad-turbo W16 carried by the Bugatti Veyron SS, which produces 1,200 HP (880 kW) and 1,500 Nm (1,100 lb-ft) of torque. While the One:1 has 1,341 HP (986 kW) and 1,371 Nm (1,011 lb-ft) of torque available at 6,000 rpm.
Koenigsegg said, this One:1 is the "world's first mega car" which is able to reach acceleration from 0 to 400 kph in 20 seconds, and can stop from the maximum speed in just 10 seconds. At the time, the car is built only six units worldwide and sold at a price of more than U.S. $2 million or approximately Rp. 23.1 billion. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARCONNECTION | MOTORAUTHORITY ]
Lost&Found While surfing on the internet, we came across a unique classic car picture. From some pictures, it can be seen that this elegance classic car has smooth curves all over its white colored body. It is seem like an American elegant-styled fancy car of 1930s, then we tried to find out what car it was?
From several sources on the internet we found that mentioned car named the Cord 810 was produced by Cord Automobile, a division of Auburn Automobile Company ranging from 1936 up to the end of 1937. As is well known that all modern styling touches of the Cord 810 are the work of designer Gordon M. Buehrig and his team of stylists, including Vince Gardner and Alex Tremulis.
The Cord 810 is a four-seater luxury classic car (produced in several models such; Westchester Sedan, Beverly Sedan, Sportsman and Phaeton), all rode on 125-inch wheelbases. In 1937, two models, the Westchester and Beverly sedans, kept their 125-inch wheelbase, but the other four models-Sportsman, Phaeton, Custom Beverly and Custom Berline-had longer, 132-inch wheelbases. The longer-wheelbase cars had eight louvers on the hood side panels, with the shorter-wheelbase cars having seven louvers.
This classic car is also known as the first car featured with headlights hidden on its front fenders (could be said as the ancestor of modern pop-up headlights). Besides that the Cord 810 is a front wheel drive car designed and built for the first time in the United States with independent front suspension. And reportedly the car adopts many elements from the Citroen Traction Avant(one of which became a beautiful Willy Bernath made cabriolet of 1944), and Cord L-29, both of which also apply front-wheel drive. However, even though the Cord 810 is still carrying the old version of the tube rear axle with a semi-elliptic rear spring.
The car's power comes from the Lycoming 289 cubic-inches V8 engine with a capacity of 4,739 cc which is also adopted from the Cord L-29 and is combined with a four-speed semi-automatic transmission (three plus overdrive). So the engine is capable of producing around 125 hp (93 kW) allowing the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 20 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 93 mph (150 kph). The engine featured aluminum cylinder heads, to take advantage of the heat-dissipating benefits, but strangely, only a single exhaust was used and, of course, a six-volt electrical system.
In its debut at the 1935 New York Auto Show, the Cord 810 caused a tremendous sensation from visitors and the media. So that the crowd was so dense that many visitors stood on the bumpers of other cars to see this iconic new car.
Unfortunately, because assembly of the Cord 810's semi-automatic transmission was more troublesome than previously thought, the first production cars weren't ready to ship until February, and even reached New York City in early April 1936.
Besides that, there were also other problems with several elements, including slipping of the gear and vapor lock which further reduced customer enthusiasm to the Cord 810. Although mostly new owners liked their sleek new car, Auburn decided to discontinue the Cord 810' production in late 1937 after launching around 3,000 units. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PREWAR | CLASSICDIGEST | JOURNAL-CLASSICCARS | HEMMINGS | DRIVE-MY | MECUM ]
Being a HEMI car, it features power steering, power brakes with front discs, a max cooling package with a 7-blade fan, HEMI suspension with firm ride shocks as well as dual exhaust with chrome exhaust tips. Meanwhile for the legs still using the original Plymouth Superbird Rallye 15-inch alloy wheels, and wrapped in Goodyear Polyglas tires are fitted to the era when the car was made. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | MOPARINSIDERS ]
