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Sunday, January 9, 2022

The sad story of Ferrari's Group B race cars, too fast to race

~Brutal Performance~ There is no doubt that Ferrari, an Italian premium car marque, is well known for its automotive premium quality products, most of which have fierce performance both on the circuit and on the road as well. Even though it's considered to be fast and brutal, sometimes everything is not a guarantee to be able to join the race, as we can see this to the following racing car;
There is no doubt that the Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione were outrageous wheeled monsters, with sublimely ridiculous quantities of power in ultra-light bodies. (Picture from: Supercars)
As we also know that the appearance of the Ferrari 288 GTO back in  the 1980s was intended to fulfill the racing desire of the Maranello-based premium car manufacturer in the Group-B of the World Rally Championship series, where one of the homologation requirements is that the participants have produced at least 200 units road-legal version cars.
The Prancing Horse manufacturer prepared 6 units of the Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione racing car to race in the Group-B of the World Rally Championship series. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Well, that's why the car has the name GTO which consists of the abbreviation 'GT' for 'Gran Turismo', while the letter 'O' is 'Omologata' (Italian for homologation). Ferrari 288 GTO (Type F114) is one of the homologation car model ranging built from 1984 to 1987 and only 272 units ever made during its production periods.
Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione built based on the tubular steel frame construction, aluminum floor and carbon fiber body panels keep the dry weight down to around 940 kg. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
So what does the racing car look like? At that time the Prancing Horse manufacturer prepared 6 units of the Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione racing car. When viewed from the front, the appearance of the race car looks simple, aerodynamic, not inspiring enough, but after walking to the rear suddenly everything changes drastically. 
Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione built based on the tubular steel frame construction, aluminum floor and carbon fiber body panels keep the dry weight down to around 940 kg. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
When the entire rear of the body hinged so far along the roof is lifted up, and it's clear to see nestling beneath is the 2,855 cc V8 engine, force-fed by twin IHI turbochargers said to put out over 659 HP at 7,800 rpm. That's a lot of horsepower (and lots of rev), and considering the tubular steel frame construction, aluminum floor and carbon fiber body panels keep the dry weight down to around 940 kg.
Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione is powered by the 2,855 cc V8 engine, force-fed by twin IHI turbochargers said to put out over 659 HP at 7,800 rpm. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
You can imagine with that much power kicking and pounding on such a light weight car, it would make everything you see move very fast and indeed insane fast. There is no doubt that the Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione were outrageous wheeled monsters, with sublimely ridiculous quantities of power in ultra-light bodies.
Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione was one of the most aerodynamic cars of its time, featuring a shovel nose, air vents, front canards and a massive rear wing. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Overall, aside of all its brutality, Evoluzione is quite beautiful. It was one of the most aerodynamic cars of its time, featuring a shovel nose, air vents, front canards and a massive rear wing. But when everything was ready, a tragedy dashed all hopes of the Prancing Horse manufacturer brought the 288 Evoluzione to race in the Group-B.
Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione was one of the most aerodynamic cars of its time, featuring a shovel nose, air vents, front canards and a massive rear wing. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
At that time the racing world was in deep mourning as it witnessed the tragic deaths of 600 bhp-plus 4WD Group B rally monsters. It culminated when in May 1986, the heroic Henri Toivonen and his co-driver joined the list of fatalities while competing in the 1986 Tour de Corsica, the industry decided that is enough, and it sounded the death knell for Group B racing as well.😲
It left the six examples of the Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione that had never turned its wheels in competition and just parked on the Maranello's test track. So what happens to them next, when their racing goals evaporated? While these have all survived, they are scattered in collections around the world, one of these six Ferrari 288 Evoluzione is displayed at Ferrari’s Museum in Maranello and one made it as prototype of the Ferrari F40 in 1987.
Thanks to the Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione, we got to see the legendary Ferrari F40. (Picture from: DriveTribe)
Well, even though it never raced, the 288 Evoluzione development project was not completely in vain and nonetheless left the legacy of the F40 wheeled monsters. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | DRIVETRIBE ]
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Saturday, January 8, 2022

You may never know before this beautiful and rare Italian car creation

Bellissima When you see the unique shaped classic car below, might be one those of you will wonder what car is this? Well, this is the Lancia B52 Aurelia PF200 Spider, such an Italian beautiful classic car that deserves the title of 'Bellissima'. This beauty car was made by the Italian coachbuilder company Pinin Farina back in 1952 based on one of the Lancia car models of 1950s.
The Lancia B52 Aurelia PF200 (in pictured the spider model) is designed and built by Pinin Farina back in the 1952 based of the Lancia B52 sporty coupe. (Picture from: Maxim)
As we all know, Lancia, a less known brand of the Italian automotive company was founded by Vincenzo Lancia back in 1906, actually the company has produced many incredible road and race cars.
In the front, a large oval grille opening, ringed with a wide chromed bezel, resembled the yawning air intake of fighter jet plus tiny bumperettes and a discrete hood scoop were additional complementary features. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
Since the beginning, the Italian automaker has offered many models that are technically advanced, with pioneering features or even could be said also the Lancias is a sporty and high-performance cars, with the perfect chassis dimensions to attract custom coachwork.
The Lancia B52 Aurelia PF200 (in pictured the coupe model) is one of a stunning series of just three open cars and three (possibly four) coupes made by Pinin Farina. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
In the 1950s, after the Pinin Farina's successful efforts in dressing the Casitalia 202, so many wealthy automotive enthusiasts were interested and requested the carrozzeria's design works on other marques. And coincidentally Lancia also launched the Aurelia sporty coupe model in 1951.
Pinin Farina succeeded in realizing the figure of a beautiful imaginative Lancia B52 Aurelia PF200 (in pictured the spider model) concept car and presented the creation at the Turin Auto Show 1952. (Picture from: FriStartMuseum)
Although the original Aurelia design was rather plain, this Lancia car has a sophisticated unit body and has quite interesting specifications such as being powered by a two-liter twin-cam V6 engine, dual-carburetors, independent front and rear suspensions, and race-inspired inboard drum brakes. It was the perfect sportscar platform, and it just had to made an attractive body design.
The Lancia B52 Aurelia PF200 (in pictured the spider model) is said to be inspired by the excitement of the world's aviation and space especially jet and rocket technology happened in that time. (Picture from: FriStartMuseum)
And Pinin Farina succeeded in realizing the figure of a beautiful imaginative concept car based on the Lancia Aurelia B52 chassis and presented the creation at the Turin Auto Show 1952. And when it was first exhibited at the event, many orders for the car came to the Italian coachbuilder. This beautiful car is said to be inspired by the excitement of the world's aviation and space especially jet and rocket technology happened in that time.
The Lancia B52 Aurelia PF200 (in pictured the coupe model) is powered by a 2.0-liter V6 engine capable of producing between 75 and 90 bhp, and is equipped with hemispherical heads and a single Solex carburetor. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
Of the only fifty-two Lancia B52 units ever produced, and all of them carried bespoke or limited-production coachwork. The Lancia PF200, one of a stunning series of just three open cars and three (possibly four) coupes made by Pinin Farina. In the front, a large oval grille opening, ringed with a wide chromed bezel, resembled the yawning air intake of fighter jet (such North American Aviation F-84 Sabre) plus tiny bumperettes and a discrete hood scoop were additional complementary features.
The almost similar to the Lancia B52 Aurelia PF200 is the Turbot Rhino (Turbotraction) 1 roadster while on display at the Exposition Le Monde de Franquin 2007 held in Brussels. (Picture from: Deviantart)
Or those car's rounded grill might be remind You to the Turbot Rhino 1 of the famous comic strips of 'Spirou et Fantasio' from 1947 to 1969 by the famous Belgian cartoonist, André Franquin.

Although with all the simplicity and purity of the lines were always to be the Pinin Farina hallmarks, the fighter jet-inspired coachbuilder work on the spider was not taken to the production versions of Lancia Aurelia.
And when the Aurelia production version becomes one of most sought after and the very desirable car by the collector today, and the special PF200 has become one of the star on the sky by its blinking price tag of seven digits (when one of the PF200 Spider models sold at the price of $1,100,000 at the RM auction event in Monterey, CA back in 2014). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MAXIM | FRISTARTMUSEUM ]
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Friday, January 7, 2022

A special futuristic appearance of K-Speed Honda Bros 400 custom motorbike

Storm's Means Have you ever heard and know about K-Speed? This is a Bangkok-based modifier or builder is indeed a hobby of making motorcycles that have a futuristic and anti-mainstream look. For some people, the custom motorcycle may look sloppy and eccentric, but as usual the K-Speed ​​custom motorcycle always has a strong character.
This Honda BROS 400 Custom Motorcycle built by K-Speed is a futuristic-looking café racer with the appropriate name ‘Future Storm’. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
Like the figure of this neo cafe racer-style custom motorcycle, plus the base alone might sound very strange to us, namely the Honda Bros 400 aka Honda NT400. This was a low-end motorcycle used to be less interested in the market because of its underpowered performance. 
Honda Bros 400 in Stock Condition. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
But who doesn't want it if after experieced one makeover prosceses, the Honda Bros looks like this and called the Honda Bros 400 'Future Storm'. As we can see, the most modifications occurs in the body sector and the rear frame.
A Bangkok-based workshop called K-Speed have turned an outdated Honda BROS 400 into an evil-looking and futuristic custom café racer. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
K-Speed ​​uses aluminum plates to make a new fork guard up to the stern. Everything is made into one piece, like a tank connecting to the stern which looks like a street fighter motorcycle. Likewise for the fork guard, making our memories lead to the futuristic Japanese Gundam anime cartoons or the Star Wars' Stormtrooper.
The fuel tank is slightly smaller than the original and flows perfectly to the new single leather-wrapped seat. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
And of course this one body component that makes it able to steal of attention while on the streets. Not to forget the belly pan fairing is also quite large under the engine which makes it look more muscular. In order to keep it looking solid but concise, K-Speed ​​deliberately makes some components seem hidden.
This Honda BROS 400 Custom Motorcycle built by K-Speed have custom-built body panels that are kept is a silver finish as a contrast to the all-black bike. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
If we look at the front at a glance we will not see where the main lights are until we look at the top of the tires. In addition there are also the Motogadget's M-Blaze turn signal mounted under the handlebars and the back of the belly pan fairing.
From the rear, the design looks almost empty with just the wide wheel, black finished chain parts and the small custom tail lights. (Picture from: OldNewsClub)
Then for the finishing, gray and black were chosen which were given clear doff. This color choice seems to strengthen the theme as well as firm curves on the whole body similar to the Gundam.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | K-SPEED | OLDNEWSCLUB ]
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Thursday, January 6, 2022

Bugatti EB112 super sedan of 1990s

Super Sedan - We're back to talking about cars made by Bugatti of the 1990s. As it has long been known that the French automotive manufacturer always produces such powerfull cars. Well, we're back to the 1990s, when the brand was just acquired by Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli. It turned out that apart from producing the Bugatti EB110, Bugatti also had developed and built several units of the four-door fancy coupe called the Bugatti EB112 back in 1991.
Bugatti EB112 (S/N 39001) is debuted at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show, and many said that they had just seen the most beautiful car in the world. (Picture from: Supercars.net)
Like the previous EB110 model, to design this EB112 four-door coupe, Bugatti comissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro, an Italian renowned automotive designer as well as the founder and owner of the coachbuilder ItalDesign. Do not think the EB112' designing process was easy, although Giorgetto Giugiaro has designed many great cars before such as the Ferrari 250 GT, Lotus Esprit, DMC DeLorean, and many others. At that time, he should be made many improvements and revisions of the design sketches to accommodate the desires of the Bugatti Automobili's boss then, Romano Artioli whose felt that there was always something lacking from his supercar designs, before it got its current form.
Bugatti EB112 (S/N 39002) has an elegant design with a rounded shape to produce an iconic and polarizing silhouette with inspiration dawn from those French brand's legendary cars of the 1920s - 1930s. (Picture from: SupercarBlog)
As we can see today, the Bugatti EB112's design clearly looks elegant with a rounded shape to produce an iconic and polarizing silhouette. These design elements are a purposeful tribute to the past story of the Ettore Bugatti-founded automaker, with inspiration drawn from those French brand's legendary cars of the 1920s - 1930s such the Bugatti Type 41 Royale, Type 55 Berlinetta, and Type 57 SC Atlantic.
Bugatti EB112 (S/N 39003) has a coupe-profile in saloon layout was one of the earliest conceptions of the sports sedans or fastbacks that we see today. (Picture from: Patrzsercemkochanie)
The influence is not lost on anyone who should draw those comparisons, with the EB 112’s roof transitioning into rear bumper, emphasising a fastback configuration much like its predecessors. This overall coupe-profile in saloon layout was one of the earliest conceptions of the sports sedans or fastbacks that we see today. There is something slightly different about the appearance of the Bugatti EB112 when compared to Bugatti's other models. Although it still carries the typical Bugatti's horse-shoe shaped grille, but the one attached on the EB112 defines in a different echelon. If the Bugatti's four-door coupe hit the production line, then the EB112 would be one of its kind.
Bugatti EB112 (S/N 39002) has a bodywork is made of aluminum and is built on a carbon fiber chassis. (Picture from: SupercarBlog)
The Bugatti EB112 bodywork is made of aluminum and is built on a carbon fiber chassis. The use of these two lightweight components is considered a very sophisticated innovation carried out by the automaker at that time. Although attached with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) features, having five doors, and carrying a large V12 engine, it turns out that the EB112 has a fairly light curb weight, which is only 3,968 lbs, compared to the Veyron and Chirons which weigh around 4,400 lbs. Meanwhile, the position of the engine is behind the front wheels thereby improving weight distribution and vehicle control.
Bugatti EB1122's interior brings all the luxuries of a high-end premium under its leather and briarwood trim and exquisitely-molded shapes that convey a feeling of welcoming warmth and comfort. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
The EB112's interior brings all the luxuries of a high-end premium under its leather and briarwood trim and exquisitely-molded shapes that convey a feeling of welcoming warmth and comfort: the four sculpted "bucket" type enveloping seats are lined with genuine leather,  besides sporting feature also reflected in the dashboard with its round dials and the central console with its array of control lever.
As the EB112's mechanical heart, Bugatti pinned it with a naturally aspirated 6-liter V12 engine designed by Volkswagen, where in the engine has five valves per cylinder and mounted behind the front axle. It is capable of spraying power up to 450 horsepower then channeled to all the wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission system so as to make the four-door coupe accelerate from rest to 100 kph in 4, 3 seconds with a top speed of 300 kph. The Bugatti EB112 was first introduced to the public at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show, at that time many said that they had just seen the most beautiful car in the world.
Bugatti only made 3 units of EB112, of which the first unit in red (S/N 39001) that shown in Geneva was the only one complete built by the company before having financial problem and led into bankruptcy again in 1995. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
As reported by Hotcars, Bugatti only made 3 units of EB112, of which the first unit in red (S/N 39001) that shown in Geneva was the only one complete built by the company before having financial problem and led into bankruptcy again in 1995 (probably owned by its designer Giorgetto Giugiaro). At that time, many of the Bugatti's assets were sold to Gildo Pallanca Pastor, including the two unfinished Bugatti EB112s. And according to Motortrend, the two Gildo Pastor-owned EB112 were completed in 1998 by his company, Monaco Racing Team, one finished in black (S/N 39002) sold to Swiss Bugatti importer Chevalley in February 2000. While another EB112s in a dark blue shade (S/N 39003), now is believed to be owned by a Russian car collector.
Bugatti EB112 (S/N 39003) is powered by a naturally aspirated 6-liter V12 engine designed by Volkswagen, where in the engine has five valves per cylinder and mounted behind the front axle. (Picture from: SecretClassics)
Although technically never produced, the Bugatti EB112 is listed as one of the four-door Bugatti models ever made, although it won't be the first time and probably won't be the last either. As we all know, since the Volkswagen Group acquired Bugatti in the 2000, the French automaker had ever launched a four-door luxury sedan called the Bugatti Galibier 16C in 2009 is powered by an 8-liter W16 coupled with twin superchargers capable of producing up to 1,000 horsepower.
As you can imagine, the Bugatti's four-door coupe model of 1990s will get an expensive price, especially considering there are only three of them ever made. However, the selling price may not be as much as the common classic cars. And in December 2021, one of the black EB112 cars and has a mileage of just 2,423 miles and can be purchased upon on Schaltkulisse.de. There is no mention of the pricing, but we expect it to be worth nearly $4 Million (approx Rp.56.86 billion)!😲 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HOTCARS.COM | MOTORAUTHORITY | MOTORTREND | CARSTYLING.RU | SCHALTKULISSE.DE ]
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Wednesday, January 5, 2022

The charm of Royal Enfield café racer from Krom Works

CaféRacer The passion to get a special custom motorcycle will not subside even if it has to travel thousands of kilometers away. Well, to get the best will certainly give its own satisfaction. And a custom motorcycle work is usually born from imagination plus inspiration from various studies of the builder.
The café racer custom motorcycle based of the Royal Einfield Bullet 500 by Krom Works. (Picture from: Otomotif.net)
One important thing in the motorcycle figure has its own identity from its creator as part of its strength. This is one of the characteristics of Krom Works, a southern Jakarta-based custom-motorcycle workshop that has its own charm by playing the chrome accents.
The headlight of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 café racer customized by Krom Works is integrated with the body and given a unique additional grille. (Picture from: Otomotif.net)
As we can see in one of the latest modification results of the workshop, in which its special style chromated touche penetrated to entire bodyparts of simple dazzling café racer styled motorcycle that combines classic and futuristic nuances by taking the base of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500.
The handlebars of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 café racer customized by Krom Works mounted inside the body, which makes it a bit complicated and uncomfortable to ride. (Picture from: Otomotif.net)
According to the Builder from Krom Works, Andika Pratama, the motorcycle custom concept is different from the café racer styles in general. As you can see, this motorbike has a stature and appearance that is very unique and different from most custom motorbikes. Therefore, the builder say that the motorbike is not recommended for daily use.
The stop lamp of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 café racer customized by Krom Works is hidden in its stern and is given an additional grille like the headlights. (Picture from: Otomotif.net)
One of them is from the application of tires with a 21-inch rims on the front and back. Just for info, the motorbike custom project is commissioned by Keith Edney, a customer in UK who want to have the Krom Works custom motorcycle based of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500. Therefore, in this project, the builder only uses the RE Bullet 500 engine which he coincidentally owns as a molding place only, where the entire chassis and custom body will be built around the engine.
Its stainless exhaust made in short-size to match the overall concept and add to the engine roaring of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 custom motorcycle. (Picture from: Otomotif.net)
Then in the building process, Krom Works builder admitted that it took about 5 months. Almost all the motorbike's body made by hand and only relies on the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 engine. Unless several parts taken from other notorcycles, such as the legs, the Royal Enfield Café Racer uses a rear suspension taken from the Kawasaki Ninja. While the front suspension uses a Girder model with the mechanism inside the motorcycle's body.
Uniquely, the rear monoshock suspension is made as if it is one with this custom Royal Enfield Bullet 500 chassis. (Picture from: Otomotif.net)
The Royal Enfield custom body is made of stainless steel plate material with a thickness of 1.5 mm with a unibody model consisting of several welded series and polished metal finishing until it is shining. Inside the body there is a tank that can hold about 4 liters of gasoline, and to make it look cleaner, the electrical system and battery are stored in the body as well.
The rear drum of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 café racer customized by Krom Works is made of an aluminum billet which is decorated with brass-touch and air scoops and is mounted into one with the gears. (Picture from: Otomotif.net)
Meanwhile, the Krom Works custom motorcycle's chassis is more likely boxy-shaped, and is made of 8 mm iron plate. The builder admitted, previously more often using iron tubings to make chassis. So no wonder, in the making of the such boxy-shaped chassis is indeed a bit complicated because there must be something welded and forged by hand. After finished, the chassis was then given a green color because it was considered to have classic elements as the bike's owner desires.
This unique motorcycle custom concept has a fairly difficult manufacturing process, that's no wonder the making of this motorbike costs quite a bit of money. According to the builder, the cost spent to build the Royal Enfield café racer style custom motorcycle is in the range of Rp.90 millions to Rp.140 millions (approx $6,300 to $9,800). 

If You want to build such motorcycle, pls contact the builder at +62 838-9999-0459 or You can also seen one of the custom motorcycle results of the Krom Works in here.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KROM WORKS | NAIKNOTOR.COM ]
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