Have You ever heard these two Moreno Filandi-made supercars?

Keep on Dreaming Perhaps for some of the world' automotive fans, to have a supercar just a dream, because most of us were not ones whose have financial ability to make those dream come true. So be it, that's okay. 

The Filandi Uragano is two-seater supercar built by Filandi Moreno based upon a steel tube space-frame chassis with hand formed aluminum bodywork. (Picture from: Classic and Recreation Sportscars)

But if you have a little imagination and capability, you can have a supercar of your own! That's right, by imitating what has been done by creative people who have succeeded in making their dreams come true. One of such creative people who managed to make the supercar by themselves is Moreno Filandi.

The Filandi Uragano is powered by an Audi 4.2 liter V8 600 hp turbo engine, and said capable to make it running up to top speed of 320 kph. (Picture from: Classic and Recreation Sportscars)

He is an automotive enthusiast who has a passion for supercars for a long time and also the owner of Auto Filandi, an auto repair shop in northern Italy. Remarkably not one but two supercars ever made by him. Even he took a lion figure as his car's emblem to describe how diligent and eager he was.

The Filandi Uragano is built for almost 4 years entirely by hand including the brakes, suspension and steering system, and first introduced to public in 2008. (Picture from: AutoMania.it)

The first supercar named Filandi Uragano (car's name derived from an Italian word means Hurricane) which was finished in 2008, after built for almost 4 years entirely by hand including the brakes, suspension and steering systems. When the Uragano was first introduced to public it's unpainted, lastly its exterior was changed to yellow.

The Filandi Ever S is a one-off speedster built based on the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster (R129), and powered by a 5.0 liter natulally-aspirated V8 300 hp engine. (Picture from: Motor1)

This 2-seater supercar has the style of a beautiful coupe, and built based upon a steel tube space-frame chassis with hand formed aluminum bodywork and cost him several hundred thousands euros. Meanwhile under the hood there is an Audi 4.2 liter V8 600 hp turbo engine, previously found in an old Audi A8 sedan.

The Filandi Ever S was first introduced to public in 2014 with paintless aluminum body shaped entirely by hand. (Picture from: Motor1)

While the Moreno Filandi's second car named Filandi Ever S appears in a unique speedster style which was completed in 2014, and shown with unpainted body. This roofless sportscar was built under a typical Filandi's design style inspired by the legendary Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow race car and also featured with a unique gullwing style doors.

It was said that this unpainted unique two-seater open-top sports car is built based on the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster (R129) model and is powered by a 5.0 liter natulally-aspirated V8 300 hp engine.

Overall, these cars look very "slick" with some design influences from various well-known supercar brands. Furthermore, the Uragano and Ever S were created as the supercars not for financial gain, but rather to suit the sentimental dreams of him, so you would not see them go into production lines. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALIANJUNKYARD | CLASSICANDRECREATIONSPORTSCAR | MOTORAUTHORITY | CARSCOOPS |AUTOMANIA.IT | DEUTSCHE WELLE ]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone.

The rare sports roadster of Renault

Rare ONES Become scarce with limited production, ie as many as 1,635 units, Renault Sport Spider is not an ordinary vehicle models produced by the famous French car manufacturer. Renault Sport Spider was introduced in 1996, following a concept version presented at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show, and that was Renault's way to promote their sporty side through this special roadster.

1997 Renault Sport Spider. (Picture from: Silverstone Auctions)

The Renault's iconic mid-engined with rear-wheel drive speedster is intended to be an usual sportscar as well as a racing car in special racing event organized by the French company, and was produced until 1999.

Right side view of 1997 Renault Sport Spider. (Picture from: Silverstone Auctions)

As qouted of Silverstone Auctions, this special Spider was designed to race, and 80 track-only Trophy models rolled out of the Dieppe factory during the production run destined to compete in the Spider Trophy, a model-specific racing series which was similar to the R8 Gordini Cup of the 1960s.

Steering wheel and dashboard view of 1997 Renault Sport Spider. (Picture from: Silverstone Auctions)

And one of the Renault Sport Spider had auctioned by the Silverstone Auctions back in 2021 was known left the Renault's factory in Dieppe, France in 1997, and became one of only 60 car units that having the windscreen equipped, right-handed steeringwheel and produced for the UK market. This car has registration number, K5 MMS.

1997 Renault Sport Spider is powered by a mid-mounted 2.0-litre, DOHC F7R four-cylinder engine. (Picture from: Silverstone Auctions)

This Renault Sport Spider is powered by a mid-mounted 2.0-litre, DOHC F7R four-cylinder engine (no, C000911) which was borrowed from the Clio Williams and later used in the Mégane Coupé, which is able to spew the power up to 150 hp which can make the Sport Spider accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 6.9 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 134 mph or 216 km/h.

Rear three-quarter view of 1997 Renault Sport Spider. (Picture from: Silverstone Auctions)

More special, this Renault sports car just been used in distance of 7,800 miles on its odometer, unfortunately when it had auctioned by Silverstone Auctions at the Race Retro Live Online Auction 2021 held on March 27, 2021, the car was not sold. 😢

As we quoted from here, this kind of Renault Sport Spider is estimated has a price tag of €35 thousand to €50 thousand, or approximately Rp.631 millions up to Rp.902 millions. Well, it's pretty expensive, isn't it? 😎 *** [EKA [24052015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS | REEZOCAR ]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone.

Story behind the rare Corvette C3 Sportwagon

Rare ONES We recently saw the Corvette appeared in such unique appearance of wagon version while surfing the internet. Well those unique styled Corvette was featured on the BarnFinds published in 2013. At that time this Corvette's wagon version (knew as 1976 Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon) was being on sale on a well-known e-commerce site, e-Bay, and is equipped with the L-82 engine option which was the high-performance version of Chevrolet’s 350, coupled with automatic transmission, power steering, power disc brakes and Air Conditioning to keep things cushy.

The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon proved to be an immense improvement over the original Miller design, not only functionally, but aesthetically as well. (Picture from: MotorTrend)

Really, this unusual-shaped Corvette made our curiousity boiled up to know more about it. Indeed, from its manufacturer, the Corvette only has one default model of muscle car (both in coupe and roadster), but it turns out that later there are also those who have made its wagon version. Well in our opinion, maybe it was an attempt to show a Corvette that was different from the others, so that later gave an idea to many parties such John Greenwood to innovate by making its wagon conversion kit.

The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon has the roofline was continued at the same slope and curvature as the T-tops, ending shorter and lower than the original. (Picture from: BarnFinds)

As quoted of CarThrottle, the idea of the first Corvette's Sportwagon version was sparked by Chuck Miller back in the 1970s, when he was commissioned to create the such first Sportwagon by a rock-band drummer who owned a Corvette C3 and needed some extra cargo room for his drum sets.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Sportwagon that uses one of the rare original kits developed by Chuck Miller. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Unfortunately, the first design was considered less successful because it still has some shortcomings. Such as it didn't have a functional back hatch, so the process of loading and unloading cargo is difficult because it still has to go through the car's side doors. Meanwhile, in terms of aesthetics, the shape of this first Sportwagon looked awkward, because it didn't blend well.

The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon, which transformed the sleek and swooping lines of the sports car into a proper unique two-door wagon. (Picture from: Road&Track)

And it wasn't until 1976, when John Greenwood thought that he could made better Sportwagon model than Miller. In short, he managed to design and make a prototype proved to be an immense improvement over the original Miller design, not only functionally, but aesthetically as well.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Sportwagon that uses one of the rare original kits developed by Chuck Miller. (Picture from: Silodrome)

As you can see, the roofline was continued at the same slope and curvature as the T-tops, ending shorter and lower than the original. The slant of the rear coincided nicely with the angle of the bumper. Overall, it just looked better and smoother. Meanwhile the biggest improvement, it has the rear-opening 'hatch' that allowed access from the back of the car.

The roofline of the Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon is extended rearward, while new glass windows are added along the side. (Picture from: Road&Track)

Uniquely, the first prototype of the Sportwagon made by John Greenwood was built on his girlfriend’s Corvette C3. The car was originally white, then it was painted under brown metallic shortly before to shown off for the first time at the 1976 SEMA Show. Apparently its appearance at the auto expo was a huge hit, and John Greenwood came back with many orders.

The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon has the rear-opening 'hatch' that allowed access from the back of the car. (Picture from: BarnFinds)

To fulfill all the incoming orders, John Greenwood then collaborated with several companies like American Custom Industries (ACI) and Eckler’s. It is estimated, in total (during its production periods of 1976 to 1982), approximately between 20 and 25 units built by ACI, Eckler’s, and over-the-counter kit Greenwood Sportwagons were produced, including a few Turbo Sportwagons.

Then this model is became best choices in the 1970s for those who want to keep driving a Corvette while bringing groceries or golf club, because both coupe and convertible at that time did not have space that could be used behind the chair. It wouldn’t be until the last years of the C3 when the Corvette finally got a bubble rear window with plenty of room for golf clubs, though only the 1982 Corvette Collector Edition had a real hatchback version.

Nowdays the existence of Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon is increasingly rare. As quoted of the Road&Track, reportedly there are only two left today from more than 2 dozen that have been built. And as a logical consequence, of course the price will soar very high as well (could be five digits maybe more).😎 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GREENWOOD CORVETTE | BARNFINDS | CARTHROTTLE | CORVETTEFORUM | ROAD&TRACK | AUTOEVOLUTION | SILODROME | MOTORTREND | TOPSPEED ]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone.

Here's an example of what should it be a modern small series sports car made by Valmet Automotive

Compact&Nimble Some time ago we've discussed about the Toroidion 1MW electric-powered supercar made by an automotive company from Finland. Unfortunately the car project's ending was unknown, because the company having financial problem and went into bankruptcy. So, on this occasion, we will discuss again a small series sports car which was also developed by another Finnish automotive company. 

Valmet Automotive's new roadster-design named the RaceAbout while sat on display at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: Madle.org)

The car in question is the Valmet Raceabout made by Valmet Automotive (formerly known as Saab-Valmet). The car is produced in small numbers, and intended for even more narrowly limited target groups. Before discussing this sports car further, let's first look at the auto company whose made it. As quoted of Wikipedia, that Valmet Automotive (formerly known as Saab-Valmet) is a Finnish vehicle contract manufacturer and major supplier for the development and production of battery systems as well as for roof and kinematic systems.

This Valmet Raceabout sports car is built for an example of what should it be a modern small series sports car. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

The company has excellent operational readiness to serve the OEMs on this growing market segment, also with smaller volumes the OEM customer can profit from the volume production benefits, like cost efficiency and constant high quality. In addition, Valmet Automotive is also collaborated with several research and educational institutions in those country to lay nicely foundation for future innovation and promotes the development of local automotive industry knowledge. At the same time for ensuring the availability of skilled engineering manpower in the future as well.

The Valmet Raceabout has bodywork consisted of detachable body panels made of carbon composite material combined with an all-aluminum monocoque, honeycomb floor pan, and built on stainless steel sub-frames. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

So it is not surprising if the Valmet Raceabout sports car designed and assembled by Finnish automotive engineering and design students at the Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia and at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, due to both educational institutions have become main partners of Valmet Automotive in the project.

The Valmet Raceabout light-weight (approx 795 kg) body structure was a distinctive target in the engineering of the car. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

The RaceAbout sports car is presented for the first time to public at the Valmet Automotive's booth in the 2005 Geneva Motor Show as an example of what it should be a modern small series sports car. It is a sporty roadster has bodywork consisted of detachable body panels made of carbon composite material combined with an all-aluminum monocoque, honeycomb floor pan, and built on stainless steel sub-frames. Its light-weight (approx 795 kg) body structure was a distinctive target in the engineering of the car.

The Valmet Raceabout light-weight sports car is powered by an inline-four, 1,998 cc mid-mounted turbocharged engine of Saab coupled with 5-speed manual gearbox, and Torsen-type differential lock. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

Besides that the car equiped by double wishbones in the front and rear, custom-made Koni shock absorbers, adjustable bump and rebound, blade-type adjustable balance bar in the front, possible to adjust roll, pitch and yaw centers. Furthermore, for the interior panel section is made using a carbon composite then layered with all genuine-leather, which is equipped with two Sparco's racing-style seats with 4-point safety belts.

Meanwhile for its drivetrain, it's used an all-aluminum, inline-four, 1,998 cc mid-mounted turbocharged engine of Saab coupled with 5-speed manual gearbox, and Torsen-type differential lock. Those engine could be spew out maximum power of 200 kW @ 5,200 rpm and torque of 420 Nm @ 3,600 rpm, and able to make the car running up to limited top speed of 235 kph with an acceleration from 0 to 100 kph less than 5 seconds.

After the Geneva auto exhibition is over, it's not known whether the production of this Valmet roadster model would be continued or not? However, in 2010 this Finnish car manufacturer revealed the 4WD electric version of Roadster is called Valmet Electric RaceAbout (ERA). Todays, after more than a decade, those two roadster models made by Valmet Autmotive are no longer heard of.😞 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | SUPERCARSNET | TOPSPEED ]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone.

Here are some inspiring BMW concept cars

Rare ONES The concept car created for many purposes, one of the main points is leading to the future car with the cutting-edge design and technology, is planned to be as car production, have more value and sometimes are not mass-produced.

Here are some inspiring BMW concept cars of 1972, BMW 1602 Electro-Atrieb (left) and BMW E25 Turbo (right). (Pictures from: Wikipedia and Dexigner)

Over the years under the tight supervision of the BMW's top brass, this Bavarian auto company had commissioned renowned designers, groups of design students and even the company's skilled engineers and technicians to develop and demonstrate their work in building many concept cars.

Here they are 5 (five) BMW's concept cars came out under such a unique crazy to brilliant ideas, and perhaps you have never known before;

1. 1972 BMW 1602 Electro-Antrieb

At first glance this concept car looks no different than its donor BMW 1602 regular model powered by conventional combustion engine, and produced at the beginning of the 70s. But before being officially shown for the first time in public at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, the car was changed in such a way into electric motor driven car, and called BMW 1602 Elektro-Antrieb.

1972 BMW 1602 Electro-Atrieb. (Picture from: ZigWheels)

Well, its original 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine was swapped with a 32kW electric motors and equipped with half a ton weighted batery system which was very different with the modern days batery that can be recharged, if the BMW 1602 Electro-Antrieb's batery discharged must be replaced with new ones.

1972 BMW 1602 Electro-Atrieb. (Picture from: Wikimedia)

Can you imagine how impractical this old school electric car is? However, this concept has been an inspiration for BMW's today electric-powered vehicles, without this concept car it will not be created based BMW Active 1 Coupe series in 2000 and also the brand with the initial "i".

2. 1972 BMW E25 Turbo
The BMW E25 Turbo launched in the same year with the BMW 1602 Electro-Atrieb concept car debut and also intended to celebrate the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. It was designed by Paul Bracq, with gullwing doors and was built based on a modified 2002 chassis with a mid-mounted engine.

1972 BMW E25 Turbo. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

The Turbo featured a 276 hp turbocharged version of the engine from the BMW 2002, foam-filled front and rear sections to absorb impact, side impact beams, a braking distance monitor utilizing radar, and a futuristic roll cage cockpit.

1972 BMW E25 Turbo. (Picture from: FavCars)

Only two were ever built. BMW later used the Turbo's design themes on the M1, the 8 Series, the Z1 and the 2008 M1 Homage Concept, however the BMW E-25 is most similar to the BMW M1.

3. 1988 BMW Z1 Coupe

The late 80's and early 90's was a period of experimentation to the BMW models evolution. For example, this BMW Z1 Coupe, which most historians argues that this BMW concept was a part of the family Z1s to be developed next.

1988 BMW Z1 Coupe. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

Well, the prototype was made from the BMW's special division called BMW Technik GmbH in 1988 (now known as BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH). The division was created to develop concept cars, make prototypes, and then mass-produce them if they passed all the stages. If you examine the shape, it is clear that this prototype is present as the final stage before the BMW Z1 is mass produced.

1988 BMW Z1 Coupe. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

Like its roadster model, the BMW Z1 Coupe has a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) body featured with strange door style, instead of the door opening in the conventional way, the BMW Z1 door moves down and then sinks into the body. Besides that the coupe model appeared in slightly differ with a such unique elongated front fascia and rear bulging. At the end BMW decided to produce the BMW Z3 M Coupe based on this such controversial car concept in 1999.

4. 1995 BMW Z18

Long before the BMW product planners knew and can be uttered the word of "Crossover," in fact they already had its forerunner named BMW Z18. Basically the prototype has a body made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and is equipped with the features found in 1990s model cars.

1995 BMW Z18. (Picture from: Motor1)

Actually, BMW Z18 aimed to fuse the adventurous world of enduro motorbikes, off-road buggies and posing in a convertible, then put together by designers and engineers from BMW’s renegade R&D division set up in the Eighties.

1995 BMW Z18. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

It was created back in 1995, and it predated the X5 by four years, so no wonder if we could be said that the Z18 was actually BMW's first 4x4 vehicle. Unlike the X5, if you will, it could be a cabrio roled as an off-roadster,  or to be a two/four seater pickup, thanks to a secret pair of chairs under the rear deck, and is powered by a 4.4 liter V8 engine was later fitted to the X5.

5. 1995 BMW Z21 Just 4/2
By sharing the similar body styles with Ariel Atom, the BMW Just 4/2 concept reminds us how's simple this kind of "Exoskeleton" model vehicle was. How's could it be? As you can see the BMW Just 4/2 uses a 1.1 liter 4-cylinder engine taken from the BMW K1100 motorcycle.

1995 BMW Z21 Just 4/2. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

Created by the same skilled engineers at BMW Technik GmbH in charge of the Z18 from the same year, the Z21 was far from being your typical open-top BMW. The main philosophy behind the one-off project was to come up with a no-frills performance car with the engine mounted in the back sending power to the rear wheels.

1995 BMW Z21 Just 4/2. (Picture from: Motor1)

The door panels can be removed at any time if needed. If this car is mass produced, certainly needs to be fitted windscreen, the airbag and many other safety features should been applied also to it. Unfortunately, this BMW Z21 Just 4/2 concept was built just for fun and there weren’t any plans to put it into production lines.

Bonus: 1991 BMW Nazca Series

In the early 1990s, Italdesign, one of the famous Italian coachbuilders is responsible for preparing some of the most memorable concept cars for BMW. And the BMW Nazca Series is featured with wide body represent a shift change in the characteristic of BMW design, and off course along with its typical twin-kidney grille design..

1991 BMW Nazca C2. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

Those mentioned concept series began with the Nazca M12 launched in 1991, continued with the Nazca C2 Coupe in 1992 and had become a star in Need for Speed ​​III powered by the Alpina-tuned 5.0-liter V12. After all those carbon fiber coupe concepts finally the Italian coachbuilder made open-top models named Nazca C2 Spider. If curious and wanna see the completed story about these concept car series, plz jump here! *** [EKA [25082015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARTHROTTLE | BAURSPOTTING | WIKIPEDIA | MOTOR1 | DEXIGNER ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.