Diesel Dream - Every few decades, the conversation around cars seems to circle back to the same point: fuel economy. Whenever gas prices spike, people suddenly start caring about how many miles they can squeeze out of a gallon. Then, when prices drop, the fascination shifts back to big trucks and flashy sports cars. But hidden in automotive history is a curious little project from the early 1980s that tried to offer a permanent solution to those cycles of worry—a quirky machine called the Urba Centurion.
The Urba Centurion, unlike typical showroom cars, was offered only as a $17 DIY kit of detailed blueprints published by Mechanix Illustrated in 1982 and designed by Quincy-Lynn Enterprises. (Picture from: NWFuel.ca)
The Centurion wasn’t your typical showroom car. In fact, you couldn’t even buy it fully assembled. Instead, it came as a set of detailed blueprints published through Mechanix Illustrated in 1982for just $17. Quincy-Lynn Enterprises, the small company behind it, designed the car as a do-it-yourself kit. Builders were expected to source parts themselves and put the vehicle together in their own garages.
The Urba Centurion required builders to source all parts and assemble it in their own garages, featuring a 1970 Triumph Spitfire chassis fitted with an 18-horsepower three-cylinder Kubota diesel in place of the original engine. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sports Cars in Facebook)
At its core, the Centurion used a 1970 Triumph Spitfire chassis, but gone was the British sports car’s original engine. In its place sat an 18-horsepower three-cylinder Kubota diesel, the kind of motor you’d normally find humming away inside industrial equipment.
The Urba Centurion featured a handmade fiberglass body instead of steel, crafted for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and sleek, lightweight, futuristic styling that resembled a cross between a race car and a science fiction vehicle. (Picture from: Thingies in Facebook)
The body was another distinctive touch. Instead of steel, the Centurion wore a handmade fiberglass shell shaped for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. Sleek, lightweight, and futuristic for its time, it looked like a cross between a race car and something out of a science fiction movie. That’s probably why one version of its sibling design even made a cameo in Total Recall as a robotic taxi.
The Urba Centurion promised up to 128 miles per gallon at a steady 35 mph on paper, but in everyday driving it realistically achieved around 40 mpg, still impressive though far from its peak. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sports Cars in Facebook)
On paper, the Centurion promised staggering efficiency—up to 128 miles per gallon, as long as you were content to cruise steadily at 35 mph. In day-to-day driving, though, reality set in at closer to 40 mpg, still solid but nowhere near its advertised peak.
The Urba Centurion was born amid fuel crisis anxiety, engineered with resourcefulness, and wrapped in a design that appeared decades ahead of its time. (Picture from: Ecomodder)
Performance wasn’t exactly its strong suit. With a top speed of 55 mph, the Centurion was more at home on quiet backroads than highways. Practical drawbacks didn’t help its cause either—tiny window openings meant poor airflow, and daily usability was limited. Yet despite these flaws, there was something undeniably clever about the whole concept. It was a car born in the middle of fuel crisis anxiety, engineered with resourcefulness, and wrapped in a design that looked decades ahead of its time.
The Urba Centurion, sleek, lightweight, and futuristic for its time, looked like a cross between a race car and a science fiction vehicle, which likely led to a version of its sibling design appearing as a robotic taxi in the 1990 film Total Recall. (Picture from: Decampos in Flickr)
Quincy-Lynn wasn’t a one-hit wonder either. The company had already tried its hand at efficient transportation in 1977 withthe UrbaCar, though that model never caught much attention. With the Centurion, they pushed further into futuristic territory, carving out a niche in experimental vehicles while continuing to offer design services beyond that era. Only a handful of Centurions are known to exist today, which makes spotting one almost like encountering a time capsule on wheels.
The UrbaCar, Quincy-Lynn Enterprises’ first design in 1977, was initially pitched to Popular Mechanics but ultimately featured in Mechanix Illustrated after PM considered it one of too many DIY projects. (Picture from: LaneMotorMuseum)
Now, think about how far technology has come since 1982. The same lightweight body paired with a modern small-displacement engine—or even an electric powertrain—could completely transform the Centurion’s potential. Imagine swapping that humble Kubota diesel for a contemporary three-cylinder turbo-diesel or an efficient hybrid system. The result would be a car that not only looks like it belongs in the future but also finally performs like it.
The original UrbaCar concept car, built in 1973 in Ontario, nearly reached production but was less refined than the plan- or kit-built version seen here. (Picture from: LaneMotorMuseum)
The Urba Centurion
may never have been a commercial success, but its spirit is what makes
it memorable. It was a reminder that cars don’t always have to be loud,
fast, or massive to be fascinating. Sometimes, innovation is about
reimagining what a vehicle could be if you’re willing to question the
norms. . | cHsQuDNkxA8 |
In a world where efficiency and sustainability are once again at the center of discussion, the Centurion stands as an odd but inspiring footnote—proof that even in a small garage in the early 80s, people were already dreaming about the kind of cars we’re still chasing today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LANEMOTORMUSEUM | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTS CARS IN FACEBOOK | DIESELARMY | NWFUEL.CA | ECOMODDER ]
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Singular Elegance - Every once in a while, the automotive world delivers something that makes even the most seasoned enthusiasts pause and look twice. Cars with familiar silhouettes often spark recognition, but sometimes, that sense of déjà vu is interrupted by the realization that what’s in front of you is unlike anything else. That’s exactly the case with the RS Design Corsa Spyder, a car that at first glance recalls echoes of Maserati from the nose and the Ferrari P4 from the rear, but ultimately tells its own story in a way few machines ever could.
The RS Design Corsa Spyder, styled in the spirit of the Ferrari Dino 206SP, was a one-off creation handcrafted by Richard Spratling. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
The story begins with Richard Spratling, the creative mind behind RS Design. In 2009, he unveiled the Corsa Spyder, a one-off project crafted with extraordinary attention to detail. Drawing inspiration from the flowing lines of classics likethe Ferrari Dino 206SP, Spratling shaped a hand-built aluminum body that blended vintage racing curves with a modern edge. Step inside, and the craftsmanship continues—an interior wrapped in leather that feels tailored rather than manufactured, reinforcing the car’s bespoke personality.
The one-off RS Design Corsa Spyder showcased a curvaceous hand-crafted aluminum body atop a bespoke tubular frame with an integrated roll bar.(Picture from: KimballStock)
Beneath its sculpted shell, the engineering is as ambitious as its looks. The foundation is a custom tubular frame paired with an aluminum tub, integrating a roll bar into the chassis itself for both safety and rigidity. Poweringthe Corsa Spyder is a Ford-sourced 377 cubic inch V8 with direct-port fuel injection, an aluminum block and heads, and a dry sump oil system—technology more commonly found in race cars than one-off specials. That engine delivers its force through a ZF 5-speed manual gearbox, with ZF-supplied CV joints and a limited-slip differential ensuring that all the muscle reaches the ground effectively.
The RS Design Corsa Spyder continues its craftsmanship inside with a leather-wrapped interior that feels tailored, not manufactured. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)
The car doesn’t stop impressing at its drivetrain. Spratling designed custom billet aluminum wheels exclusively for the project—10x17 inches at the front and 13x18 inches at the rear—wrapped in racing slicks that givethe Spyderits aggressive stance. Together, these details make it clear that this isn’t simply a showpiece. It’s a car meant to be driven and appreciated for the raw connection it offers between design, engineering, and passion.
The RS Design Corsa Spyder is powered by a Ford-sourced 377 cubic inch V8 with direct-port fuel injection, aluminum block and heads, and a race-bred dry sump oil system. (Picture from: CarGuyChronicles)
Over the years, the Corsa Spyderhas appeared at celebrated gatherings such as Concorso Italiano at Pebble Beach, where its presence always sparks curiosity. At Monterey Car Week 2022, nestled among a sea of Panteras and Italian exotics, the Spyder once again drew admiration, proving that its charm has not faded with time. Despite the overwhelming interest, the car never moved beyond its prototype stage. It remained one-of-one, not because it lacked potential, but because perhaps that was always its destiny—to stand apart as a singular creation. | Sc8bdM9bPjk |
And that’s where the beauty of the RS Design Corsa Spyder lies. It isn’t a production car you can find in a showroom, nor is it a kit waiting for enthusiasts to build at home. It’s a personal statement, a snapshot of Richard Spratling’s vision, and a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable cars are not the ones mass-produced but the ones that exist only once. Even today, the Spyder remains a conversation starter, a rolling piece of art that bridges the romance of classic racing design with the excitement of modern engineering. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KIMBALLSTOCK | MOTORTREND | CARGUYCHRONICLES | RARECOMPONENTCARS | RARECOMPONENTCARS IN FACEBOOK | 7CAR.TW | PSYCHOONTYRES | SPECIALCARSTORE IN FLICKR ]
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Trackborn Thunder - Nostalgia has a funny way of making the past feel closer than it really is. Whether it’s the return of retro fashion or the reboot of long-lost TV favorites, the '90s seem to be making their way back into our lives in unexpected forms. But perhaps the most thrilling comeback from that era isn’t something you wear or watch—it's something you drive. Enter the Panoz Esperante GTR-1, a beast from the golden age of endurance racing that refuses to be forgotten.
The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 is a relentless beast from the golden age of endurance racing—an unmistakable icon that refuses to fade into obscurity. (Picture from: CarCulture in X)
Born from the strict homologation rules of the 1990s racing world, the Panoz Esperante GTR-1 wasn’t designed for comfort—it was created to win. To compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, manufacturers had to produce a road-going version of their race cars. So, Don Panoz did just that. He didn’t water it down or turn it into a grand tourer wrapped in racing aesthetics. No, what he built was nearly identical to the track weapon—just street-legal enough to check the right boxes.
The road-legal version of the Panoz Esperante GTR-1 was born from the strict homologation rules of 1990s racing, built nearly identical to its track counterpart—just legal enough to meet the requirements.(Picture from: ThrottleXtreme)
On the outside, the Esperante GTR-1looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi comic, with a long nose, aggressive fenders, and a sleek profile that screams speed. Underneath that wild silhouette is a hand-built aluminum V8 engine capable of producing over 600 horsepower. It’s loud. It’s blisteringly fast. It gets uncomfortably hot. And on city streets, it’s about as practical as a spaceship—but none of that matters. The car makes up for every inconvenience with sheer attitude and performance. It wasn’t just designed to turn heads. It was built to snap necks.
The Panoz Esperante GTR-1, with its long nose, aggressive fenders, and sleek, sci-fi comic–worthy profile, is powered by a hand-built aluminum V8 engine pushing over 600 horsepower. (Picture from: PureRacingGT in Facebook)
Driving the Esperante GTR-1 feels like controlling a barely tamed racehorse. Despite being street-legal, it’s still very much a competition machine at heart. It’s raw and demanding, but for those who appreciate such purity, it’s nothing short of exhilarating. There’s a reason why motorsport fans from that era speak of it with reverence—it was, and still is, unforgettable.
The Panoz Esperante GTR-1, a true track demon, is seen here alongside its road-legal counterpart, highlighting the bold contrast between race and street.(Picture from: ThrottleXtreme)
Today, Panoz still offers a chance to relive that legacy. Enthusiasts can commission a new build of the Esperante GTR-1, either as a faithful replica or a modernized version with more creature comforts like air conditioning, proper windows, and a bit of extra cargo room. The construction remains faithful to the original composite structure, and while ABS isn’t included, the driving experience stays true to its raw roots. With prices starting at $890,000, it’s clear this isn’t just about owning a car—it’s about owning a piece of motorsport history. | QBBzWn4sai8 | AsshCCQO750 |
At a time when most performance cars are increasingly polished, electronic, and predictable, the Panoz Esperante GTR-1stands boldly apart. It makes no attempt to be approachable—it’s unapologetically raw, unconcerned with daily comfort or ease of use.
The Panoz Esperante Spyder 25th Anniversary Edition was launched in early 2014 to celebrate the company's racing heritage and its sports cars from the past 25 years. (Picture from: TopSpeed)
In early 2014, to mark its 25th anniversary, the American automaker unveiled the stunning Esperante Spyder, a limited-production roadster that perfectly embodied its rebellious spirit. Only 25 units were built, matching the company’s age at the time. What the Esperante offers isn’t convenience—it’s something far more rare: an unfiltered, visceral connection to the golden era of racing, when passion roared louder than refinement.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THROTTLEXTREME | CARCULTURE IN X | PURERACINGGT IN FACEBOOK | TOPSPEED ]
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Obscure Brilliance - While a visit to a motor show in Belgium might typically introduce you to a rare Apal Coupé, imagine the surprise of stumbling upon two sleek and unusual sports cars bearing the name “Neretti.”At first glance, the name might sound like it belongs to an exotic Italian marque, but a quick mental flip of the letters reveals its true origin: D’Ieteren, the Belgian automotive company behind this curious creation. What you’re really looking at is a rare gem from Mexico—the Neretti GT, a bold experiment in sporty style and engineering that still captures the imagination of car enthusiasts.
The second-generation Neretti GT, built in the 1970s, showcased a more refined design than its predecessor and debuted as a sharply styled sports car at the 1971 Auto Expo in Mexico City. (Picture from: John Llyod in Flickr)
The Neretti GT came first in 1964, a lone prototype designed with a lightweight fiberglass body atop a VW Beetle chassis. The brainchild of Roland D’Ieteren, this car was intended for production in Mexico. Unfortunately, that dream was never fully realized, and the 1st iteration Neretti GTremained a one-off, parked in the shadowy corners of automotive history—until much later, when it found its place in the Musée D'Ieteren in Belgium.
The first Neretti GT sports car prototype, built in 1964 by Roland D’Ieteren, was a one-off creation with a lightweight fiberglass body on a VW Beetle chassis. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
But the story didn’t end there. In the early 1970s, the Neretti GT was reborn—its second iteration emerged as a more mature, sharply styled sports car that turned heads at the 1971 Auto Expo in Mexico City. Its design was bold, modern, and carried a distinctly Latin flair, with angular lines and a wedge-shaped nose that echoed European performance cues. Built on the reliable foundation of a VW Beetle and often powered by a VW Type III engine, the 2nd iteration Neretti GTwas light, agile, and surprisingly spirited.
The first Neretti GT sportscar prototype sat on display at the D’Ieteren Museum in Brussels, Belgium.(Picture from: AllCarIndex)
The car in the image exudes that unique 70s-era charm: low-slung and wide, finished in vibrant yellow with black accents. The bold hood vents hint at aggression, while the flush-mounted headlights add a dash of futurism. Its dual windshield wipers and curving fenders reflect a commitment to sporty utility without overcomplicating the design. The wide stance and raked windshield only heighten the car’s exotic appeal. The nameplate “Neretti” rests modestly on the front bumper, a reminder of its underdog roots and grand ambitions.
The second-iteration Neretti GT sports car, displayed at the D’Ieteren Museum in Brussels, Belgium, features bold hood vents that hint at aggression, while its flush-mounted headlights add a dash of futurism. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
Between 1970 and 1971, only about 15 units of the second Neretti GT were built in Mexico City, making it one of the rarest and most intriguing sports cars ever produced in the country. Though the project didn’t take off commercially, it stirred excitement in the local automotive community. It was even featured in Motor Trend magazine, which dubbed it a “Mexican supercar”—a striking badge of honor for a homegrown experiment.
The Neretti GT was even featured in Motor Trend magazine, which called it a 'Mexican supercar'—a bold title for a daring homegrown creation. (Picture from: John Llyod in Flickr)
And it didn’t just stop at auto shows and magazines. The Neretti GT found a second life on the silver screen, appearing in the 1972 film Santo en Anónimo Mortal, driven by none other than the legendary Mexican wrestler-turned-actor, El Santo. Its brief but memorable film role only added to the Neretti’s mystique, blending pop culture with mechanical ambition.
The Neretti GT made a brief appearance on the silver screen in the 1972 film Santo en Anónimo Mortal, driven by the legendary Mexican wrestler-turned-actor El Santo. (Picture from: Imcdb.org)
Today, both the first and second iterations of the Neretti GT are quietly displayed at the Musée D'Ieteren in Brussels, Belgium—far from their spiritual birthplace in Mexico. Their story goes beyond cars; it's about vision, ambition across continents, and the determination to create something bold and unconventional. The Neretti GT may never have dominated the mainstream stage, but it left a lasting mark in the world of experimental sports cars—especially those crafted far from the traditional automotive powerhouses. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ZWISCHENGAS | ALLCARINDEX | IMCDB.ORG | VOLKSWAGEN CLASSIC IN FACEBOOK | JOHN LLYOD IN FLICKR ]
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Power Reborn - Every now and then, the automotive world witnesses a moment when history and innovation collide. It’s not just about a new car rolling off the line, but about a name, a memory, and a legacy being reborn with a completely new face. Maranello-based premium automaker has done exactly that with the return of the Testarossa—only this time, it’s not a nostalgic reissue. It’s the Ferrari 849 Testarossa, a hypermodern, record-breaking supercar that pushes Maranello into an entirely new era.
The Ferrari 849 Testarossa, a hypermodern, record-breaking supercar that pushes Maranello into an entirely new era. (Picture from: AR12Gaming in X)
Futuristic Elegance - Back in the early 2000s, the idea of a car that could drive itself, talk back to you, and glide through traffic in ways no human could imagine sounded like a wild dream. Fast forward to today, and while we haven’t yet reached the exact vision of flying spheres replacing wheels, the seeds of that imagination were planted long before self-driving Teslas or advanced EVs became part of daily conversation.
This is the concept car Will Smith drove in the sci-fi hit I, Robot, called the Audi RSQ concept car, it was designed specifically for the 2004 motion picture. (Picture from: Hotcars)
One of the boldest examples came in 2004 when Audi built a concept car not for the showroom floor, but for the silver screen—the Audi RSQ, a futuristic machine designed exclusively for the sci-fi blockbuster I, Robot. What made this car so fascinating wasn’t just that it was beautiful—it was the first time Audi ever developed a vehicle purely for a movie. In I, Robot, set in 2035, Will Smith’s character takes the RSQ for high-speed chases against rogue robots, and audiences instantly recognized the sleek silhouette as something only Audi could dream up. | -LUb-W30Tc4 |
Despite being created for a fictional future, the RSQ carried design DNA that was unmistakably Audi: the bold single-frame grille, the clean curves, and of course, the iconic four rings shining at the front. It was futuristic, but not alien—it was Audi showing the world how it imagined tomorrow’s mobility. The RSQ wasn’t just a pretty face.
The 2004 Audi RSQ was to showcase movie goers of Audi's design philosphy and vision of the future. (Picture from: SupercarBlondie)
Its most dramatic feature was the use of spherical wheels instead of conventional tires, allowing the car to move in every direction like a giant hockey puck on glass. This wild design choice, suggested in part by director Alex Proyas, gave the film’s chase scenes a sense of otherworldly dynamism. Alongside that, the car featured butterfly doors hinged at the rear, adding a dramatic flourish that screamed “sci-fi cool.”
The Audi RSQ, envisioned as a futuristic police car, combines spaceship-like styling with striking rear-hinged butterfly doors for a truly unique look. (Picture from: Hotcars)
Beneath the movie magic, Audi actually sketched the RSQ as a mid-engine sports coupe with a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V10 paired with a 6-speed gearbox, though its performance specs never really mattered—the car was built to inspire, not to race. Still, the RSQ’s shape and layout quietly foreshadowed something real: the Audi R8, which hit production two years later and went on to become one of the brand’s most celebrated supercars. In many ways, the RSQ was a glimpse of Audi’s design language evolving, bridging fantasy and reality.
The Audi RSQ features wheels styled as spheres, reflecting its movie role of driving in any direction, while in reality, tires are hidden beneath caps. (Picture from: Hotcars)
Inside, the RSQ looked every bit the futuristic star it was meant to be. Audi imagined a minimalist cabin that could practically think for itself—seats adjusted automatically, a retractable yoke steering wheel tucked neatly into the dash when not in use, and a massive windshield curving into the roof to create a panoramic dome-like effect. At a time when the phrase “autonomous driving” barely existed outside tech circles, Audi was already teasing a future where cars would be companions as much as machines.
The Audi RSQ features a minimalistic, clutter-free interior with hidden Easter eggs, including a center console that reveals a fighter jet–style switch panel. (Picture from: Hotcars)
The exterior design sealed its identity as something timeless yet forward-thinking. Painted in lunar silver with a laminated glass-fiber body, the car shimmered between shades of blue and gold depending on the light, almost as if it were alive. It had the flowing profile of a vessel gliding on water, yet aggressive cut-outs in the bumpers kept it grounded as a sports coupe. Viewers didn’t just see a car from the future—they saw what Audi believed the future should look like.
The Audi RSQ, a 2004 mid-engined concept sports car with distinctive Audi design cues, served as a futuristic prequel to the later Audi R8. (Picture from: Hotcars)
Today, the RSQ rests safely in Germany, making occasional public appearances but mostly existing as a symbol of cinematic and automotive imagination. While it never rolled into dealerships, its influence lives on in Audi’s continued push for bold design, advanced tech, and its ongoing partnership with Hollywood blockbusters. | ACKzAw3XC1g |
Looking back now, the RSQfeels less like a one-off movie prop and more like a milestone in how carmakers blend storytelling, technology, and brand vision. In 2025, a car that could glide on spheres seemed like fantasy. while we’re still waiting for sphere-wheeled machines to hit the streets, the RSQ reminds us of how imagination fuels progress. Audi didn’t just design a car for a film—it designed a memory that continues to shape how we think about the future of driving. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARBLONDIE | AUTOFUNIA | HIGHMOTOR | HOTCARS | SPICYTEC ]
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In a world where efficiency and sustainability are once again at the center of discussion, the Centurion stands as an odd but inspiring footnote—proof that even in a small garage in the early 80s, people were already dreaming about the kind of cars we’re still chasing today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LANEMOTORMUSEUM | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTS CARS IN FACEBOOK | DIESELARMY | NWFUEL.CA | ECOMODDER ]
