Racing Reverence - In the world of high-performance cars, few names ignite excitement quite like Ferrari. Each new model is a celebration of engineering precision, automotive art, and motorsport legacy. And just when you think Maranello has done it all, they find a way to go even further. This time, the spotlight falls on something rare, refined, and racing-inspired—the Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti.
The Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti crafted as a salute to those who race, those who dream, and those who live for the spirit of competition. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
Unveiled under the dramatic skies of Le Mans, France, ahead of the legendary 24-hour race, the 296 Speciale Piloti steps into the limelight with a clear purpose: to honor Ferrari’s endurance racing pedigree. While some might have expected wild mechanical upgrades or revolutionary tech under the hood, what Ferrari delivers instead is something more understated—yet still very much thrilling in its own right. It’s a car designed not just to drive fast, but to pay tribute to the team spirit, history, and emotion that fuel Ferrari’s racing DNA.
The Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti, featuring a striking motorsport livery, is a special creation designed not merely for speed but to honor the team spirit, rich history, and passion that define Ferrari’s racing DNA.(Picture from: Evo.co.uk)
At first glance, what sets the 296 Speciale Piloti apart is its exclusive design. Drawing inspiration directly from the Ferrari 499P Le Mans Hypercar, this special edition wears a striking motorsport livery that turns every head and stirs every heart. Buyers can personalize the car in one of four dramatic shades: Rosso Scuderia, Blu Tour de France, Nero Daytona, or Argento Nurburgring—each one echoing Ferrari’s race-bred identity. This isn’t just about color—it’s about character.
The Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti stands out at first glance with an exclusive design inspired by the 499P Le Mans Hypercar, finished in a captivating 'Rosso Scuderia' shade that instantly draws attention and stirs emotion. (Picture from: Evo.co.uk)
Inside the cockpit, Ferrari has crafted an environment that blends raw racing feel with refined Italian craftsmanship. Black Alcantara racing seats dominate the interior, enhanced by unique accent stitching and a sense of purpose that matches the car’s heritage. Carbon fiber details are everywhere—from the custom door sill plates to the center plaque—giving the driver an immersive, race-ready atmosphere. Even the metal floor accents are customizable, offering a subtle but personal touch.
The Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti features a cockpit that seamlessly blends raw racing energy with refined Italian craftsmanship, highlighted by black Alcantara racing seats with distinctive accent stitching that reflect its performance-driven heritage. (Picture from: Evo.co.uk)
While the "Piloti" tag suggests a tailored experience for racing enthusiasts, Ferrari kept the powertrain untouched from the base 296 Speciale. And that’s not a complaint. The car’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 plug-in hybrid still roars with an electrifying 867 horsepower. That’s enough to rocket the car from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds, with a top speed nudging 205 mph. All of this is managed through a highly refined suspension setup that includes stiffer, lighter titanium springs and advanced Multimatic adjustable dampers. The result? A Ferrari that sticks to the asphalt like a true racer but still delivers the feedback and emotion every enthusiast craves.
The Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti retains the same powertrain as the base 296 Speciale, with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 plug-in hybrid delivering an electrifying 867 horsepower. (Picture from: TheSupercarBlog)
What makes the 296 Speciale Piloti special isn’t just its performance—although it certainly doesn’t lack that. It’s the story it tells. Ferrari didn’t create this car to break records or reinvent the wheel. They built it as a salute to those who race, those who dream, and those who live for the spirit of competition. With a highly limited production run, it becomes more than just a machine—it becomes a symbol, a rare collectible, and a personal connection to Ferrari’s trackside glory. | WBnWbdvmAiU |
Despite its racing-inspired identity, the Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti isn’t reserved only for Formula 1 stars like Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc. It’s built for those who embrace Ferrari’s driving spirit—on or off the circuit. Participation in the accessible Ferrari Challenge series opens the door for enthusiasts to own this rare machine, no elite-level skills required. With this edition, Ferrari doesn’t just celebrate speed—it honors passion, turning heritage into something you can truly drive. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THESUPERCARBLOG | EVO.CO.UK | BLACKXPERIENCE ]
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Bold Reinvention - In a world where creativity knows no bounds, car enthusiasts often find themselves at the crossroads between imagination and engineering. From lifted supercars to tiny trucks turned into tanks, the automotive modification scene continues to surprise us with ever more daring and eccentric builds. Among these bold statements on four wheels, one peculiar creation has recently caught the internet’s eye—a Fiat 500 transformed to look like a Porsche 911 Turbo. And no, this isn’t just a bumper swap or a decal trick. This is a full-blown metamorphosis of a friendly little city car into a faux-German speedster, and it's hard to look away.
A bold Fiat 500 Piccolino customization by a Greek car enthusiast, who transformed it to resemble a Porsche 911. (Picture from: HowNotToDesignACar on Facebook)
At first glance, it’s hard not to do a double-take. The front fascia is strikingly reminiscent of a Porsche, complete with the iconic grille design and headlamps reshaped to mimic those of the legendary 911. The bumper has been flattened to eliminate any trace of the original Fiat's cartoonish smile, leaving a more aggressive, focused expression in its place. From this angle alone, it becomes clear that the builder wasn’t aiming for subtlety—they wanted transformation.
The rear of the vehicle doesn’t disappoint either. Instead of the rounded charm typical of a Fiat 500, this modified version sports a continuous taillight setup that’s clearly inspired by modern Porsche models. Sitting just above it is perhaps the most amusing addition: a rear wing reminiscent of the Porsche 996 or 911. Functionally useless for a car of this size and speed, the wing exists purely for aesthetics—although whether that aesthetic is a hit or a miss depends entirely on the viewer’s taste.
The builder went far beyond simply adding Porsche badges, extensively reworking the hood, trunk, rear bumper, and sculpting in faux side vents, all complemented by a rear wing reminiscent of the Porsche 996 or 911. (Picture from: HowNotToDesignACar on Facebook)
Reportedly spotted in Greece and shared widely via the Facebook page “How Not to Design a Car,” this build has stirred up quite the debate. The page itself is dedicated to celebrating—or perhaps roasting—over-the-top and unusual car modifications, making this Fiat 500 a perfect candidate for the spotlight. But underneath the polarizing exterior lies a story of passion and dedication.
The Fiat 500, after all, is no stranger to attention. First rolling off the production line in 1957 in Turin, this tiny Italian icon quickly captured hearts around the world. Nearly four million units were sold before production of the first generation ended in 1975, and even today, hundreds of thousands still roam Italian roads. Its legacy is one of endurance and charm, a testament to its design and loyal fan base.
The front fascia is strikingly reminiscent of a Porsche, complete with the iconic grille design and headlamps reshaped to mimic those of the legendary 911. (Picture from: HowNotToDesignACar on Facebook)
That’s what makes this transformation even more fascinating. While some purists may cringe at the idea of dressing up a Fiat as a Porsche, others might see it as a tribute—albeit a cheeky one—to both marques. The builder didn’t just slap on a few Porsche badges and call it a day. They reworked the hood, the trunk, the rear bumper, and even sculpted in faux side vents. Every panel seems to have been touched, reshaped, and reimagined with remarkable detail. Say what you will about the outcome, but there’s no denying the sheer effort involved.
Sure, this isn't a turbocharged sports car ready to take on the Nürburgring, and yes, the Porsche resemblance may be more costume party than carbon fiber, but that’s not the point. This car stands as a bold expression of individuality—a testament to the idea that cars are more than just machines; they’re canvases. Not everyone has the guts to turn their vision into reality, especially when that vision blurs the line between adorable and absurd.
The rear of the custom vehicle doesn’t disappoint either, replacing the Fiat 500’s typical rounded charm with a more dramatic continuous taillight setup that’s clearly inspired by modern Porsche models. (Picture from: HowNotToDesignACar on Facebook)
Unfortunately, a video of this unique custom car is not available at the moment. However, here is a featured video showcasing a rare 1957 Fiat 500 as a worthy glimpse into the model’s iconic heritage.
In the end, we’re not here to decide whether it’s beautiful or bizarre, good or odd—we’re simply appreciating it through the lens of creativity and bold design. The rest is up to you. One thing’s certain: this Fiat 500 turned Porsche lookalike is unforgettable, and in the ever-evolving world of car culture, sometimes standing out is the greatest win of all. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HOWNOTTODESIGNACAR ON FACEBOOK | TOPGEAR | THEDRIVE | DRIVEMAG ]
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Elegance Unleashed - This gorgeous Moray project result presented for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4, 2003, embodies the homage that Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro wish to pay to the fifty-year era of the Chevrolet Corvette, the supreme symbol of the American sports car under the name of Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray.
2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray built by Italdesign to pay homage to the 50-years of the Chevrolet Corvette era in 2003. (Picture from: Supercars.net)
Realized without hesitation on Corvette mechanics and chassis, the outcome of seeking out a sports car designed as an elegant extreme leap into the limelight carrying a pure profile, designed as though touched by drifting tides with long and slender front lights, bringing immediately to the mind the Moray, the English term for the eel-type fish, which found in Mediterranean waters.
2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray is presented for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4, 2003. (Picture from: TopSpeed)
Also resembling a moray rippling through sea waters is the sinuous contour line, whilst shaping the elongated front section (an unmistakable look of the Corvette grille) to a far stronger, more accentuated curvature is the serpentine bonnet (which projects frontward) forming a contrast with the upraised cut-off tail.
2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray is fitted with a powerful front-mounted six-liter Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine to spew abundant power of more than 400 hp. (Picture from: Mobile.CorvetteStory)
"We vowed to honor the rhetorical principles that dictated the American muscle-car of excellence era: simplicity and pragmatism, hand lasting with the hedonist concept of sportiness evolving beyond the restraints of time," explain Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro.
The dashboard of the 2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray is fitted with various instruments and a steady steering wheel. (Picture from: Mobile.CorvetteStory)
Hinged to the rear door frame, thereby assuring freedom of access to the inside of the car, the clear crystal semi-dome of the doors (by which the side window and roof merge into one complete unit) swings open like seagull wings.
Quick and simple to remove, these door wings ease the way to transforming the Moray from a coupé, with its unmistakable roof panel under the unique, clear crystal dome, into a quasi roadster. The direct, immediate feeling of fresh-air motoring is enhanced by removing the B door frame.
Look this cozy, elegant, and ergonomic seat also fitted inside the cabin of the 2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray. (Picture from: Mobile.CorvetteStory)
This is replaced by a central arch-shaped steel structure to which the two wings are hinged. In perfect symbiosis with the fresh and free extreme of the car, there are no side-mirrors, which have been replaced by some kind of CCTV system with dashboard-integrated viewers.
The 2003 Italdesign Chevrolet Corvette Moray has the bodyshell and paintwork color blends into the capsule, becoming one and the same. (Picture from: Mobile.CorvetteStory)
The bodyshell and paintwork color blends into the capsule, becoming one and the same. Only those surfaces inside the car touched by the driver or passenger are warmed by soft leather upholstery made with the cooperation of Dräxlmaier Group.
Essential to catering the needs and preferences of the dynamic driver are its dashboards fitted with various instruments. Underlined by the same dashboard layout, assigned to the passenger are precise co-pilot functions.
Cool, sleek and supremely agile, of exceptional beauty and legerdemain like the sea creature from which it takes its name, the Moray is fitted with a powerful Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine, the longitude front-mounted six-liter, which reaches command of more than 400 horsepower, combined with a perfect balance ensured from the ground up by Michelin Pilot sport 335/30 ZR20 rear tires. *** [EKA [18052020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALDESIGN] | TOP SPEED | SUPERCARS.NET | MOBILE.CORVETTESTORY ]
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Enduring Brilliance - There’s something timeless about the roar of a race car at full tilt, especially when it belongs to a machine built not just for speed, but for absolute dominance. Throughout history, a handful of cars have redefined what it means to be fast, and few have managed to leave the kind of legacy forged by the Porsche 935. As whispers of its legend continue to circulate among car enthusiasts, the story of the Porsche 935 'Baby' — and its incredible rebirth — deserves to be revisited, especially for those who appreciate the craft behind true automotive masterpieces.
The 1977 Porsche 935 'Baby' was a 911 racing version that brought home another World Sportscar Championship in 1976, after a five-year hiatus. (Picture from: Carbuzz)
Carved Ambition - When we talk about innovation in the automotive world, we often picture names like Ferrari, Tesla, or Porsche—brands that have consistently been in the spotlight. But hidden among the giants, there was a brief, bold, and fascinating attempt by an unexpected name: Samsung. Known globally for its dominance in electronics—smartphones, TVs, refrigerators—you’d be forgiven for not associating the South Korean tech giant with sports cars. However, in the late 1990s, Samsung made a daring move that brought them into the fast-paced world of performance vehicles, with the creation of the Samsung Sports Car-1 (SSC-1).
This story begins with Lee Kun-hee, the ambitious chairman of Samsung, whose vision went beyond circuit boards and home appliances. In the thick of the 1990s, Lee harbored dreams of entering the automotive market—not just with regular passenger vehicles, but by producing a sleek, powerful sports car that could compete with global players. After a failed attempt to acquire Kia Motors, Samsung didn't back down. Instead, they established two new subsidiaries: Samsung Motors, focused on producing cars, and Samsung Commercial Vehicles, for trucks and heavy equipment.
The Samsung Sports Car-1 (SSC-1) is a testament to the South Korean manufacturer’s bold ambition to make its mark in the automotive world. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
1997 was a significant year for Samsung’s automotive dreams. Despite the ongoing Asian financial crisis, the company managed to unveil something extraordinary at the Seoul Motor Show: the SSC-1, which stood for Samsung Sports Car-1. Unlike anything Samsung had produced before, this prototype turned heads with its bold design and serious performance specs. Borrowing design cues and parts from Nissan, thanks to a technical partnership, the SSC-1 came equipped with a fiberglass body and a 2.5-liter V6 engine sourced from Nissan—delivering 190 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission, Brembo brakes, and a double wishbone suspension system rounded out the car’s impressive feature list, making it more than just a visual concept—it was road-ready.
The Samsung Sports Car-1 (SSC-1) is a sleek and powerful sports car that made its debut at the 1997 Seoul Motor Show. (Picture from: MotoringWeekly)
At first glance, the SSC-1 had similarities to the Nissan 300ZX and possibly even the French-built Venturi Atlantique, sparking rumors about its origins. Some speculated that Samsung may have used or even modified an imported chassis to fast-track the project. Either way, the result was a fully functional prototype that gave Samsung a presence in a sector no one expected them to explore.
The interior design of the Samsung Sports Car-1 (SSC-1) closely resembles that of the Nissan 300ZX, reflecting similar styling cues and layout.(Picture from: AllCarIndex)
Despite the initial excitement, the SSC-1never entered mass production, as the economic downturn and declining sports car sales in the late '90s strained Samsung’s finances and forced the project to be shelved; adding to its mystique, a silver version was seen in 1997, while a yellow one appeared in the early 2000s—sparking speculation about multiple prototypes or a repaint—though today, the only known SSC-1, now yellow, resides at the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Transportation Museum in Yongin, South Korea, serving as a lasting symbol of the company’s bold ambition.
The Samsung Sports Car-1 (SSC-1) prototype turned heads with its bold design and impressive performance, featuring a fiberglass body and a 2.5-liter V6 engine sourced from Nissan through a technical partnership. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
Following the SSC-1, Samsung shifted focus. In 1998, they sold a significant portion of Samsung Motors to Renault, leading to the formation of Renault-Samsung Motors. This partnership pivoted the company towards practical sedans and everyday vehicles, many of which were rebadged versions of Renault or Nissan models. Although this meant saying goodbye to the dream of a Samsung sports car, it allowed the company to stay afloat in the automotive sector. | 9MF2O1WvUPQ |
It’s easy to look back on the SSC-1 as just another forgotten concept, but it represents something far more interesting—a moment when a tech titan dared to challenge convention. Even if it never made it to production lines, the SSC-1 showed that Samsung wasn’t afraid to break out of its comfort zone and aim for something thrilling, fast, and entirely unexpected. And for car enthusiasts and tech lovers alike, that boldness is what truly makes the SSC-1 unforgettable. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ON FACEBOOK | MOTORINGWEEKLY | ALLCARINDEX | AUTO.CZ | DYLER ]
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Forgotten ONES - Motorcycles and scooters have long been symbols of freedom, efficiency, and design ingenuity. As transportation evolved, manufacturers continually sought to create vehicles that were not only functional but also aesthetically appealing and innovative in their technology.
In the early 1950s, DKW, already a well-known name in the two-wheeled vehicle industry, gained further recognition through models like the 1955 DKW Hobby scooter. (Picture from: CaClassicScooter)
Unveiled under the dramatic skies of Le Mans, France, ahead of the legendary 24-hour race, the 296 Speciale Piloti steps into the limelight with a clear purpose: to honor Ferrari’s endurance racing pedigree. While some might have expected wild mechanical upgrades or revolutionary tech under the hood, what Ferrari delivers instead is something more understated—yet still very much thrilling in its own right. It’s a car designed not just to drive fast, but to pay tribute to the team spirit, history, and emotion that fuel Ferrari’s racing DNA.
Despite its racing-inspired identity, the Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti isn’t reserved only for Formula 1 stars like Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc. It’s built for those who embrace Ferrari’s driving spirit—on or off the circuit. Participation in the accessible Ferrari Challenge series opens the door for enthusiasts to own this rare machine, no elite-level skills required. With this edition, Ferrari doesn’t just celebrate speed—it honors passion, turning heritage into something you can truly drive. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THESUPERCARBLOG | EVO.CO.UK | BLACKXPERIENCE ]
