Dual Revolution - There is something endlessly captivating about the experimental spirit that shaped many motorsport projects of the past, especially those conceived before digital modeling and strict efficiency targets became the norm. Ideas flourished freely, risk was part of the thrill, and the most unconventional machines often carried the most personality. In that landscape, few creations stand out quite like the Alfasud Bimotore Wainer—an audacious prototype that pushed Alfa Romeo into territory it had never seriously explored.
The 1974 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti Bimotore 4×4 Wainer—an audacious prototype that pushed Alfa Romeo into territory it had never seriously explored. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Its creator, Gianfranco “Wainer” Mantovani, had already built a respected name in Italian racing circles. Starting in the 1950s with Formula Junior and later crafting his own F3 single-seaters powered byFiat and Alfa Romeo engines, he combined engineering intuition with a willingness to stray from the familiar. When endurance rallies such as the Safari and early Paris–Dakar began capturing global attention in the 1970s, Wainer saw a chance to bring Alfa Romeo into the world of long-distance rally-raid competition. It was a bold ambition for a brand better known for tarmac rallying success than for desert endurance.
The 1974 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti Bimotore 4×4 Wainer crafted by Gianfranco “Wainer” Mantovani, had already built a respected name in Italian racing circles. (Picture from: Silodrome)
His starting point was the 1974 Alfasud Ti 1200, a compact front-wheel-drive model that already represented a break from traditional Alfa thinking. Wainer took the chassis and added a twist rarely attempted outside experimental prototypes: he installed two 1,186 cc flat-four engines, each producing 79 hp—one in the original front bay, and another mounted centrally where the rear seats once were. The concept echoed earlier twin-engine oddities such as the Citroën 2CV Sahara and the Mini-based Twini, while nodding to Alfa Romeo’s own twin-engined 16C of 1935.
The 1974 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti Bimotore 4×4 Wainer, built on the compact front-wheel-drive Alfasud Ti 1200, featured a rare twin-engine setup with one 1,186 cc flat-four in the front and another centrally where the rear seats once sat. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Inside, the Alfasud changed more dramatically than its outward appearance suggested. The rear bench was removed entirely to make space for the second engine, which sat beneath a removable cover for easier servicing during extreme events. Supporting systems grew accordingly: a larger 80-liter fuel tank, side-mounted radiators with electric fans, and an additional oil cooler. Despite these functional intrusions, the car retained a surprisingly familiar silhouette, making its complexity visible only to those who looked closely.
The 1974 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti Bimotore 4×4 Wainer featured two independent drivetrains, each with its own gearbox and differential, controlled through a single gear lever, one pedal, and dual instruments. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Mechanically, the setup was as unusual as it was ambitious. Each engine kept its own gearbox and differential, essentially creating two separate drivetrains that the driver controlled through a shared interface. One gear lever managed both transmissions, one pedal commanded two clutches, and a doubled set of instruments kept track of each power unit. The engines could be started individually via buttons labeled “Ant” and “Post,” yet proper forward motion required both running in sync—an elegant idea on paper but challenging in practice.
The 1974 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti Bimotore 4×4 Wainer’s interior was transformed far more extensively than its familiar exterior would suggest, accommodating the rear engine and supporting systems. (Picture from: Silodrome)
The rear engine’s exhaust routing highlighted just how intricate the packaging became. With the manifolds facing forward, the pipes had to loop toward the front of the car before curving back under the chassis to exit on the opposite side. Even so, performance figures were promising for such a compact machine: around 8.2 seconds from 0–100 km/h and a top speed claimed at 215 km/h. These numbers suggested real competitive potential, provided the complex mechanical choreography could be made reliable.
The 1974 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti Bimotore 4×4 Wainer never raced in major competitions but underwent extensive snowy testing to validate its ambitious design. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Ultimately, reliability proved the limiting factor. The difficulty of synchronizing two drivetrains in harsh rally-raid environments meant the Bimotore never saw the major competitions it was designed for. It did, however, undergo heavy testing in snowy conditions, evidence of the effort invested in validating the concept. Rather than being discarded, the prototype survived intact and reappeared decades later, eventually selling at RM Sotheby’s Paris auction in 2021 for €63,000.
The 1974 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti Bimotore 4×4 Wainer survived intact over the decades and was eventually sold at RM Sotheby’s Paris auction in 2021 for €63,000. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Today, the Alfasud Bimotore Wainerstands as a vivid reminder of an era when motorsport innovation thrived on bold experimentation rather than incremental refinement. Its twin-engine layout captures a rare breed of creativity—one driven not by marketing goals or production feasibility, but by the pure excitement of exploring what a machine could be. Even in the age of electrified all-wheel drive, its unconventional spirit remains refreshingly alive. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALPASSION.FR | SILODROME ]
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Unlikely Supremacy- Extreme performance has always reflected its era. In the past, the pursuit of massive horsepower was almost exclusively tied to exotic hypercars and ambitious combustion-fueled dreams. Projects like the Trion Nemesis, with its promised 2,000-horsepower output, captured that mindset—where pushing numbers to the limit was the ultimate symbol of progress. As the industry shifts toward electrification, that same obsession with extremes hasn’t disappeared; it has simply taken on more unexpected forms.
The latest Ford SuperVan represents the most dramatic shift yet, developed by Ford Pro, the company’s commercial-focused division. (Picture from: MotorBiscuit)
One of the most surprising expressions of that evolution is the Ford SuperVan, a vehicle that challenges assumptions by pairing outrageous performance with a familiar commercial-vehicle shape. Rather than wearing a low, dramatic body, it hides its intent beneath the unmistakable silhouette of a Ford Transit. This contrast is precisely what gives the SuperVan its impact, turning something ordinary into a statement about how performance can exist outside traditional supercar boundaries.
The latest Ford SuperVan built a fully electric performance vehicle from the ground up, signaling a deliberate look toward the future rather than a tribute to the past. (Picture from: EVStories)
The Ford SuperVan’s story began in 1971, rooted in Ford’s motorsport momentum from the Le Mans era. Ford engineers wrapped a Transit van body around the racing underpinnings ofthe legendary GT40, creating a machine that delivered 435 horsepower and defied logic by design. It was never meant to be practical or production-ready; its purpose was to explore ideas freely and challenge expectations.
The latest Ford SuperVan powered by a 50-kWh battery paired with four electric motors—one at each wheel—producing a combined 1,973 horsepower.(Picture from: MotorBiscuit)
That philosophy continued as technology advanced. More than a decade later, the second SuperVan emerged with a Cosworth DFL engine mounted to a Group C–derived Ford C100 chassis, enabling it to reach an astonishing 174 mph. In 1994, the third SuperVantook inspiration from Formula 1, using a Cosworth-built engine producing 641 horsepower. Each version reflected the cutting-edge engineering of its time while preserving the project’s experimental spirit. | V_9s5V42jx4 |
The latest and fourth-generation SuperVan represents the most dramatic shift yet. Developed by Ford Pro, the company’s commercial-focused division, this fourth generation abandons internal combustion entirely. Instead of borrowing hardware from an existing race car, Ford built a fully electric performance vehicle from the ground up, signaling a deliberate look toward the future rather than a tribute to the past.
The 1994 Ford Supervan 3 took inspiration from Formula 1, using a Cosworth-built engine producing 641 horsepower.(Picture from: BelowTheRadar)
At the heart of the electric SuperVan is a 50-kWh battery paired with four electric motors—one at each wheel—producing a combined 1,973 horsepower. This setup delivers instant torque and control that far surpassany previous SuperVan, transforming it from a novelty experiment into a genuinely competitive performance machine by modern standards.
The 1994 Ford Supervan 2 emerged with a Cosworth DFL engine mounted to a Group C–derived Ford C100 chassis, enabling it to reach an astonishing 174 mph.(Picture from: WeirdWheels in Reddit)
Visually, the latest SuperVan reinforces its intent. The exterior is aggressively sculpted for aerodynamic efficiency, while the interior is stripped and functional, prioritizing driver focus over comfort. Despite its minivan proportions, nothing about its design suggests utility; every element serves performance and stability at speed.
The 1971 Ford Supervan 1 wrapped a Transit van body around the racing underpinnings of the legendary GT40, creating a machine that delivered 435 horsepower and defied logic by design.(Picture from: BelowTheRadar)
In today’s automotive landscape, where many high-horsepower projects struggle to stay relevant, the Ford SuperVan stands out by adapting rather than fading away. While concepts like the Trion Nemesis symbolize a past era of combustion-driven ambition, the SuperVan translates that same hunger for extremes into electric form. It proves that innovation doesn’t need to abandon emotion or boldness—and sometimes, the future of performance arrives in the most unlikely shape. *** [EKA [01042014] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BELOWTHERADAR | MOTORBISCUIT | EVSTORIES | WEIRDWHEELS IN REDDIT ]
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💥HAPPY NEW YEAR💥 - For years, cars have been designed around performance numbers and digital features, often forgetting their role as shared living spaces. As urban life becomes more fluid and mobility needs grow more diverse, the idea of a vehicle that adapts to people—not the opposite—feels increasingly relevant. Citroën taps into this shift with the ELO Concept, a forward-looking electric vehicle that revisits the spirit of the minivan through a modern, human-centered approach.
The Citroën ELO, a forward-looking electric vehicle that revisits the spirit of the minivan through a modern, human-centered approach. (Picture from: QuirkyRides in X)
The Citroën ELO is a conceptual evolution of the OLI project introduced in 2022. While OLIfocused on radical efficiency and reducing environmental impact, ELO expands the idea into everyday usability. It explores how an electric vehicle can function as a flexible environment for travel, rest, work, and social interaction. Rather than being a technical experiment, the ELO positions itself as a realistic response to how people live and move today.
The Citroën ELO Concept features a compact, city-friendly 4.1-meter van-like form with rectangular LED lights, a bold illuminated logo, and a clean, approachable silhouette.(Picture from: VOI.id)
From the outside, the ELOpresents a compact yet purposeful form. At 4.1 meters long, it remains city-friendly while offering the proportions of a classic van. Rectangular LED lights at the front and rear, a large illuminated Citroën logo, and a clean silhouette give it a confident but approachable presence. Large sliding doors with a wide opening improve accessibility, while 21-inch wheels with futuristic covers reinforce its modern, efficient character.
The Citroën ELO Concept offers wide-opening sliding doors for easy access and 21-inch futuristic wheels that highlight its modern, efficient design.(Picture from: VOI.id)
The true strength of the ELO emerges inside. Built on a fully electric platform, it benefits from a flat floor that unlocks a spacious and highly modular cabin. Citroën collaborated with Decathlon and Goodyear to shape this interior, combining practical materials, outdoor-oriented design thinking, and smart tires capable of handling varied conditions. The result is a bright, colorful, and welcoming space that feels more like a shared room than a conventional car interior.
The Citroën ELO Concept, designed as a “mobile living space,” carries up to six passengers and can transform for rest, work, or play with sleeping, workspace, or social zones.(Picture from: ArenaEV)
Designed as a “mobile living space,”the ELOcan carry up to six passengers and be reconfigured depending on needs. Its layout follows the rEst, pLay, and wOrk philosophy—also the meaning behind its name. The cabin can transform into a sleeping area for two, a mobile workspace with swivel chairs, or a social zone complete with a home cinema. It can even supply power for outdoor activities, extending its usefulness beyond the road.
The The Citroën ELO Concept, built on a fully electric platform, features a flat, modular cabin designed with Decathlon and Goodyear, creating a bright, practical, and welcoming space.(Picture from: TopGear)
Citroën’s leadership frames the ELO as a practical vision rather than a distant fantasy. CEO Xavier Chardon describes it as a clear expression of the brand’s creative, accessible, and comfort-focused DNA, aimed at solving present and future mobility challenges. Design Director Pierre Leclercq highlights its balance of form and function, emphasizing that the ELO is meant to enrich daily life through intelligent design, not excess technology. | sV_7Nu4GLa0 |
By revisiting the versatility that once defined the minivan era, the Citroën ELO shows how that concept can thrive again in an electric format. It challenges current automotive priorities by placing adaptability and shared experience at the center of mobility. In doing so, the ELO quietly suggests that the future of electric vehicles may not be about going faster, but about living better along the way. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CITROEN | ARENAEV | TOPGEAR | AUTONETMAGZ | VOI.ID | QUIRKYRIDES IN X ]
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💥HAPPY NEW YEAR💥 - When we think of automotive pioneers in the post-war era, the image of sleek, innovative European machines often comes to mind. Among these, a rare gem stands out not for mass production, but for its bold experimentation and racing pedigree: the 1954 Borgward Hansa 1500 Sportcoupe. Emerging at a time when the automotive world was rediscovering speed, elegance, and engineering prowess, this car represents a fascinating intersection of design ambition and motorsport heritage.
The 1954 Borgward Hansa 1500 Sport Coupe was designed as the road-going counterpart to the so-called “Le Mans Rennsport Coupes,” combining lightweight construction with advanced engineering. (Picture from: SwissCarGold)
The Borgward Hansa 1500 Sportcoupe was more than just a car—it was a statement. Designed as the road-going counterpart tothe so-called “Le Mans Rennsport Coupes,” it combined lightweight construction with advanced engineering. The body featured steel panels, but the doors, hood, and dashboard were meticulously crafted from aluminum, a forward-thinking choice in the 1950s that reduced weight while highlighting craftsmanship.
The 1954 Borgward Hansa 1500 Sport Coupe used a steel body with aluminum doors, hood, and dashboard to reduce weight while showcasing advanced craftsmanship for its era.(Picture from: SwissCarGold)
The rims were specially produced aluminum sheets with central locking, a feature typically reserved for racing machines, demonstrating Borgward’s commitment to performance even in a street car. The hydraulic brakes, equipped with oversized ribbed drums, were designed for efficient cooling, ensuring that stopping power matched the car’s potent engine.
The 1954 Borgward Hansa 1500 Sport Coupe reveals a beautifully restrained interior defined by a minimalist dashboard, classic round gauges, and warm period materials that reflect its racing-bred elegance.(Picture from: SwissCarGold)
At the heart ofthe Hansa 1500 Sportcoupe was Borgward’s first self-developed racing engine. This in-line four-cylinder powerhouse incorporated hemispheric combustion chambers, two Solex carburetors, and a lateral camshaft. Producing an impressive 80 horsepower, it outperformed contemporaries like the Porsche 356, which, despite having the same displacement, delivered only 70 horsepower and lagged slightly in top speed. The Hansa’s combination of lightweight construction and advanced engine design translated into a driving experience that felt both agile and purposeful—a rare achievement in its era.
The 1954 Borgward Hansa 1500 Sport Coupe featured Borgward’s first self-developed racing four-cylinder engine producing 80 horsepower.(Picture from: SwissCarGold)
However, brilliance came at a cost. With a price tag approximately 4,000 Deutsche Marks higher than comparable models likethe 356, the Hansa 1500 Sportcoupe was accessible only to a select clientele. This exclusivity, coupled with limited production—only two prototypes were ever built—meant that it never entered widespread circulation. Despite its scarcity, the engineering legacy of the car lived on: the engine became a cornerstone for Borgward’ssubsequent racing vehicles, powering entries in national and international competitions. Notably, in 1959, racing legend Stirling Moss piloted a Cooper T51fitted with a Borgward engine to four victories, a testament to the engine’s enduring capabilities.
The 1954 Borgward Hansa 1500 Sportcoupe embodies a rare combination of ambition, craftsmanship, and motorsport DNA.(Picture from: SwissCarGold)
After its debut at the 1954 Geneva Motor Show, the car found its way to Andre Stauffer, Borgward’s representative in Switzerland. Stauffer not only showcased the car in public appearances but also drove it in competitive mountain races such as the “Grand Prix Suisse de la Montagne” in 1956. Remarkably, decades later, the car remains largely in its original state. Its interior has never been restored, preserving a tangible connection to its mid-20th-century roots. Over the years, it has continued to grace rallies, concours d’élégance, and historic automotive gatherings, celebrated as a rare piece of German automotive history. | IH9UnVIKEvM |
The 1954 Borgward Hansa 1500 Sportcoupe embodies a rare combination of ambition, craftsmanship, and motorsport DNA. It tells a story of a time when carmakers dared to blend road-going practicality with racing technology, leaving behind not just a machine, but a legacy of engineering daring that continues to capture the imagination of collectors and enthusiasts today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SWISSCARGOLD ]
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Design Reverie - Few things reveal the spirit of innovation in the automotive world quite like the concept cars that dared to break away from familiar shapes. Long before today’s designers began chasing ever-smoother silhouettes and smarter packaging, Italdesign had already been exploring what a truly unified, flowing vehicle could look like. This curiosity eventually led to one of its most intriguing creations: the Italdesign Aspid, a compact coupé whose unconventional form still feels fresh in a modern design landscape defined by efficiency, aerodynamics, and seamless integration.
The Itakdesign Aspid, a compact coupé whose unconventional form still feels fresh in a modern design landscape defined by efficiency, aerodynamics, and seamless integration. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)
Although commonly associated with the early 1970s in terms of its conceptual origins, the Aspid itself arrived later as the second of two prototypes developed to celebrate Italdesign’s 20th anniversary in 1988. It grew out of the same ideas that shaped the earlier Aztec prototype, and from the waistline upward the two shared a strong design kinship. Yet the Aspidwasn’t simply a closed-roof version of its open-topped sibling. Its character emerged through subtle but significant differences—particularly in the front bumper and the bonnet. Here, the Aspid introduced a centrally positioned air intake and a noticeably smaller hood, choices that altered the car’s visual balance and hinted at a more cohesive, integrated shape.
The Itakdesign Aspid itself arrived later as the second of two prototypes developed to celebrate Italdesign’s 20th anniversary in 1988.(Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)
That cohesiveness was essential, because the Aspid wasn’t just another stylistic exercise. It embodied Italdesign’s ongoing exploration of the one-box coupé form, a layout the company had first experimented with two decades earlier through the striking 1968 Bizzarrini Manta, and one it would revisit again decades later in the 2008 Quaranta. In the Aspid, this philosophy produced a shape that felt unified from front to rear, with no abrupt changes in surface or geometry. Its proportions suggested a single sculpted volume—clean, continuous, almost architectural—capturing an aerodynamic sensibility that aligns unexpectedly well with the priorities of today’s efficiency-focused mobility trends.
The Itakdesign Aspid embodied Italdesign’s ongoing exploration of the one-box coupé form, a layout the company had first experimented with two decades earlier through the striking 1968 Bizzarrini Manta.(Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)
One of the Aspid’s most impressive breakthroughs came from something often overlooked in design discussions: the glass. Traditional automotive glass of the era, and still common today, typically uses a cylindrical cross-section. Italdesign instead developed a technique to mold double-curvature windows using spherical glass, allowing them to wrap the car’s body without introducing the sharp edges or breaks that normally appear where surface meets glazing. This was more than a neat trick. It enabled a level of visual harmony that concept cars often strive for but rarely achieve. The Aspid’s exterior became a fluid surface, its glass areas blending in rather than interrupting the form.
The Itakdesign Aspid's exterior became a fluid surface, its glass areas blending in rather than interrupting the form.(Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)
Inside, the vehicle continued to express this boundary-pushing philosophy. The passenger compartment sat beneath a distinctive dome divided into two cross-sections, giving the cabin an identity all its own. The doors were equally unusual: a two-part system where the lower panel opened like a traditional door while the upper section rotated forward. This configuration wasn’t just theatrical—it made entering and exiting the low coupé noticeably easier, addressing one of the perennial challenges of futuristic sports-car design. Even access to vehicle information became an experiment, with both side panels offering coded entry to essential data, a detail that feels surprisingly modern in an age of digital locks and encrypted onboard systems.
The Italdesign Aspid balanced style and function by featuring rear wheels with streamlined covers that enhanced aerodynamics.(Picture from: UltimateCarPage)
Aerodynamics also played a role in the rear design, where the wheels were fitted with streamlined covers to reduce drag. Small touches like these, when viewed together, show how the Aspid balanced creative expression with functional thinking. It was a concept car that tried to look ahead not just stylistically but technologically, suggesting new techniques and new solutions that could influence production models. | 6wjBzDSQck0 |
Looking at the Aspid today, its significance lies not only in its bold form but in the ideas it helped crystalize. Many of the themes it explored—smoothly integrated glazing, unified body volumes, innovative access systems—remain part of the ongoing conversation about how future vehicles should be shaped and experienced. The Aspid serves as a reminder that forward thinking often requires stepping outside the conventional template, even if only for a prototype. It captures a moment in Italdesign’s history when creativity, experimentation, and technical ambition came together in a compact coupé that still feels ahead of its time. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | ULTIMATECARPAGE ]
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Revived Rarity - In an era when compact European sports cars were gaining personality, few prototypes captured the hopeful energy of the 1960s quite like the TVR Tina Coupé. Its story began when Martin Lilley took over a struggling TVR in 1965 and immediately sought a fresh direction that could broaden the brand’s appeal. He envisioned a smaller, more affordable model built around the mechanicals of the Hillman Imp Sport, and he turned to designer Trevor Fiore to create an all-steel body that would embody this new philosophy. Fiore produced both a convertible and a fixed-head coupé, the latter ultimately constructed in Italy by Fissore shortly after the cabriolet made its first appearance at the 1966 Turin Motor Show.
The 1966 TVR Tina Coupé Concept was envisioned by Martin Lilley as a smaller, more affordable TVR built on Hillman Imp Sport mechanicals, with an all-steel body designed by Trevor Fiore. (Picture from: IconicAuctioneers)
The naming of the car became part of its charm. Lilley wanted something quickly, and since racing driver Gerry Marshall—an important figure at the Barnet Motor Company—was closely involved, the team chose to name it after his daughter, Tina. The long-standing anecdote claims they simply trimmed “Cor” off a Ford Cortina badge to create the emblem. The name also fit naturally beside the TVR Trident, which shared a subtle family resemblance. The early Tina prototypesattracted notable attention, and despite their modest Hillman-based underpinnings, they presented a stylish, compact 2+2 package powered by a twin-carburetor Imp engine producing around 55 bhp, dressed in pale gold paint with red leather trim.
The 1966 TVR Tina Convertible Concept was the companion model to the Coupé, built by Fissore at Martin Lilley’s request for joint display at the 1966 London Motor Show.(Picture from: Autoevolution)
However, early feedback pushed the project into further refinement. The front design ofthe Tina faced criticism for failing to satisfy the increasingly strict American regulations—an important consideration given that the U.S. market was essential for the car’s profitability. Fissore reworked the coupé’s design while completing the fixed-head version, and Lilley insisted that both the coupé and convertible appear at the October 1966 London Motor Show to signal TVR’s renewed confidence. The decision paid off: visitors were so enthusiastic that potential buyers offered blank cheques simply to secure a place on a future waiting list, and TVR’s factory phones rang nonstop afterward.
The 1966 TVR Tina Coupé Concept faced criticism over U.S. safety regulations, prompting Fissore to revise its front design, yet the compact 2+2 still drew strong attention. (Picture from: IconicAuctioneers)
Enthusiasm alone couldn’t solve the manufacturing challenges, as TVR lacked the capacity to build the Tina cheaply and in high volumes. The company explored partnerships with Rootes, Jensen, and Aston Martin to put the car into production. Rootes had the facilities but would have faced internal competition withits Alpine; Jensen, though skilled in body construction, doubted the Tina could reach the sales volume needed—especially in the American market; Aston Martin, meanwhile, faced financial constraints that ruled out participation. Complicating matters further, the plan to bond a fiberglass body to the Imp’s steel subframe proved impractical, while a full metal body would have been too heavy for the intended engine.
The 1966 TVR Tina Coupé Concept presented a stylish, compact 2+2 layout highlighted by red leather trim on the seats and door panels. (Picture from: IconicAuctioneers)
Despite these obstacles, TVR continued to push the concept. Only the Tina Coupé appeared at the 1967 Turin Motor Show, accompanied by optimistic claims that production would begin in early 1968 with a price of £998 including taxes. Yet every attempt to make the project viable eventually collapsed under the combined weight of cost issues, capacity limitations, and doubts about market suitability. As a result, the Tinanever progressed beyond its two prototypes, which gradually faded from public view even though they had briefly served as showstoppers that helped portray TVR as an ambitious and forward-moving company.
The 1966 TVR Tina Coupé Concept was adorned with an elegant pale gold exterior that emphasized its refined yet understated 1960s character. (Picture from: IconicAuctioneers)
One of the prototypes resurfaced years later in the hands of Gerry Marshall, who acquired a neglected coupé in 1989 with the intention of restoring it. But his long and successful racing career left little free time, and the car remained untouched until his daughter Tina inherited it in 2005. Motivated by childhood memories, she began an extensive restoration effort that involved gathering archival photographs, researching technical details, and reconnecting with individuals who had worked on the original build—including David Hives, one of the craftsmen involved in constructing the first car.
The 1966 TVR Tina Coupé Concept was powered by a twin-carburetor Hillman Imp engine producing around 55 bhp. (Picture from: IconicAuctioneers)
Through years of patient and meticulous work, Tina managed to revive the car that once bore her name. Restored in its original pale gold finish with red leather interior and running on its twin-carburetor Imp engine, the car is now fully road-legal. Today, it occasionally appears at major automotive events, such as its recent presence alongsidethe new Griffith at Goodwood—an appearance that echoed TVR’s tradition of pairing its latest models with memorable, eye-catching companions. Even next to a modern, muscular TVR, the petite and elegant Tina still holds its own.
The 1966 TVR Tina Coupé Concept remains especially meaningful as a near-realized path for TVR, reflecting the brand’s creative ambition and renewed momentum in the late 1960s despite never reaching production. (Picture from: IconicAuctioneers)
The survival of the TVR Tina Coupé feels especially meaningful now because it represents a path TVR nearly pursued but never fully realized. Although the car never reached production, it demonstrated the company’s creative ambition during a pivotal moment and helped project an image of renewed vitality in the late 1960s. Through its restoration, the Tina has regained not just its physical form but also its place in the brand’s narrative—a small, charming reminder of what TVR once dreamed of becoming. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | AUTOEVOLUTION | ICONICAUCTIONEERS | CLASSIC CARS & CONCEPT CARS IN FACEBOOK ]
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Today, the Alfasud Bimotore Wainer stands as a vivid reminder of an era when motorsport innovation thrived on bold experimentation rather than incremental refinement. Its twin-engine layout captures a rare breed of creativity—one driven not by marketing goals or production feasibility, but by the pure excitement of exploring what a machine could be. Even in the age of electrified all-wheel drive, its unconventional spirit remains refreshingly alive. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALPASSION.FR | SILODROME ]
