Radical Experiment - The early 1980s were a period of transition for the global automotive industry, when established performance icons were no longer treated as fixed formulas. Manufacturers were searching for new identities shaped by aerodynamics, motorsport influence, and futuristic optimism. Ford found itself in the middle of that uncertainty and briefly allowed the Mustang to become a platform for experimentation rather than tradition. From that moment emerged the Ford Mustang RSX Concept, often nicknamed “Fugly Squared,” a bold attempt to reinterpret the pony car through a rally-inspired lens.
The Ford Mustang RSX Concept, often nicknamed “Fugly Squared,” a bold attempt to reinterpret the pony car through a rally-inspired lens. (Picture from: Motorious)
Ford chose the 1981 Chicago Auto Show as the stage for the RSX’s public debut, making its intentions clear from the outset. This was not a preview of a showroom model, but a visual and conceptual statement. At a time when auto shows served as arenas for daring ideas, the RSX stood out by proposing a Mustang imagined for international rally stages rather than American muscle-car culture. The reaction was immediate and polarized, which only reinforced its role as a conversation starter.
The Ford Mustang RSX Concept visually departed from Mustang heritage, reducing familiar cues to minimal branding while embracing sharp angles, flat surfaces, and exaggerated early-1980s geometric futurism. (Picture from: Motorious)
Visually, the RSX departed dramatically from Mustang heritage. Familiar styling cues were stripped down to minimal branding, replaced by sharp angles, flat surfaces, and exaggerated geometric forms emblematic of early-1980s futurism. Black plexiglass bonded to the doors gave the body a sleek, experimental appearance, while plexiglass headlight covers attempted to smooth airflow around the chunky front end. A rear-mounted airfoil completed the look, signaling that function and concept took priority over nostalgia.
The Ford Mustang RSX Concept used black plexiglass bonded to the doors for a sleek, experimental look, while plexiglass headlight covers aimed to smooth airflow over its chunky front end. (Picture from: Motorious)
The RSX’s unusual character became easier to understand once its origins were revealed. The concept was developed at Ghia’s design studio in Turin, Italy, using Ford’s then-new Foxbody platform as its foundation. Ghia reshaped the proportions with rally intent, widening the track, shortening the wheelbase, and raising the ride height to suit rough terrain. Rear seats were eliminated entirely, emphasizing that this was a study in purpose and form, not everyday usability.
The Ford Mustang RSX Concept’s interior balanced endurance and refinement, featuring thickly padded leather bucket seats with bold red accents instead of a stripped competition cockpit. (Picture from: Motorious)
Inside, the RSX adopted an approach that balanced endurance with refinement. Rather than a stripped competition cockpit, the interior featured thickly padded leather bucket seats with bold red accents, designed to keep occupants comfortable during long stages. Even the steering wheel hub was padded and wrapped in leather, highlighting an unexpected focus on driver comfort. The shifter was mounted high on the center stack in classic rally fashion, shortening hand movement and reinforcing a driver-centric layout that prioritized control and efficiency.
The Ford Mustang RSX Concept was powered by Ford’s 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission, while much of its suspension hardware was carried over from the production Mustang. (Picture from: Motorious)
Mechanically, the RSX remained deliberately restrained, reinforcing its role as a design exploration rather than a performance benchmark. Power came from Ford’s 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission, while much of the suspension hardware was carried over from the production Mustang. This restraint made it clear that the RSX was never meant to prove speed or dominance. Apologies if the following video does not directly relate to the RSX Concept discussed here. | 8vOoQnTIMAQ |
Viewed today, the Mustang RSX Concept feels less like a failed idea and more like an honest snapshot of creative freedom. It captured a moment when Ford was willing to challenge its own legacy, even if the result was divisive. The RSX did not need to reach production to leave an impact; its significance lies in showing how experimentation, even when imperfect, plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of automotive design. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORIOUS ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Unfortunate Ingenuity - Automotive progress is often measured by what survives, yet the industry’s true character is revealed just as clearly by what fades away. The early 1980s were a transitional moment, marked by experimentation, stylistic risk, and small manufacturers testing the boundaries of possibility. Within this environment, the 1980 Fuhr Osage emerged as an uncommon expression of American creativity—one shaped not by corporate scale, but by the determination to build something visually striking and mechanically sensible at the same time.
The Fuhr Osage is a low-slung early-1980s wedge-shaped sports car with a red fiberglass body, sharply angled window lines, integrated gull-wing door cutlines, wide rear fenders, and period-correct wheels that emphasize its experimental yet purposeful design. (Picture from AllCarIndex)
At first glance, the Osage communicated its ambitions without subtlety. Its wedge-shaped profile echoed the futuristic design language gaining momentum at the turn of the decade, while the gull-wing doors gave the car a dramatic presence more often associated with high-end European exotics. The sharply angled window geometry was both a design signature and a practical solution, allowing the use of flat glass rather than costly curved panels. Constructed from fiberglass with a foam-reinforced inner structure, the body balanced lightweight performance with sufficient rigidity, reinforcing the car’s identity as a thoughtfully engineered niche sports vehicle rather than a purely visual experiment.
The Fuhr Osage presents a clean wedge-shaped profile with angular glass, gull-wing door cutlines, compact overhangs, and period-correct wheels that highlight its minimalist early-1980s design philosophy. (Image generated by Gemini using the first image above as a visual reference)
Beneath its unconventional exterior, the Osage relied on a familiar and proven mechanical platform. Fuhr Motors chose the Volkswagen Beetle chassis as the car’s foundation, a decision rooted in reliability, availability, and ease of maintenance. This approach reflected a pragmatic philosophy: instead of reinventing the mechanical core, Fuhr focused its innovation on design and packaging. While interior details were modest and functional rather than luxurious, the cabin aligned with the Osage’s two-seat, driver-focused nature, emphasizing simplicity and engagement over excess.
The Fuhr Osage features a sharply tapered rear design with wide fenders, a flat tail section, integrated rear lighting, and a smooth red fiberglass body that emphasizes its low, experimental sports-car proportions. (Image generated by Gemini using the first image above as a visual reference)
Fuhr Motors operated from Lake Grove, New York, and remained a small, short-lived manufacturer, producing the Osage in very limited numbers. Its brief existence meant the car never achieved mainstream recognition, yet that scarcity has become part of its legacy. In today’s automotive landscape—dominated by global platforms, digital design, and strict homogenization—the 1980 Fuhr Osage stands as a reminder of an era when individuality could still take physical form. It represents a moment when bold design choices and practical engineering met without apology, leaving behind a rare artifact that continues to intrigue enthusiasts who value originality over ubiquity. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ALLCARINDEX | FIBERCLASSICS.ORG | CLASSIC-CARS.OVERBLOG | MOTOR-JUNKIE ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Evolved Elegance - Automotive history often remembers the cars that reached production, yet some of the most meaningful design breakthroughs come from concepts that were allowed to evolve rather than succeed instantly. In the 1970s, when luxury sedans were still defined by tradition and restraint, Maserati briefly explored a more experimental path. That exploration took shape through a single concept car that would be shown to the world twice, transformed by criticism, persistence, and vision: the Maserati Medici.
The 1974 Maserati Medici I by ItalDesign. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
The Medici project began in 1974 under the direction of Giorgetto Giugiaro and his Turin-based design firm, Italdesign. At the time, Giugiaro was already a dominant force in automotive design, having shaped celebrated Maserati models such asthe Ghibli, Bora, and Merak. His goal was ambitious—to imagine a four-door Maserati that could rival the presence and comfort of American luxury limousines while retaining Italian performance character. The concept was also a response to the contemporary Quattroporte II, whose limited power failed to reflect Maserati’s sporting heritage.
The 1974 Maserati Medici I by ItalDesign. (Picture from: CarThrottle)
Named after the influential Medici family of Florence, renowned since the 14th century for their wealth, power, and patronage of the arts, the car was meant to embody authority and cultural prestige. The original version, later referred to asMedici I, used an existing Maserati Indychassis and replaced the standard V6 with a far more imposing V8 engine of nearly five liters, mounted longitudinally. This mechanical choice aligned the concept with Maserati’s performance identity while setting the foundation for a true executive flagship.
The 1974 Maserati Medici I by ItalDesign. (Picture from: CarThrottle)
Inside, Medici Iwas unapologetically unconventional. The cabin featured six seats arranged to resemble a private lounge rather than a traditional sedan. Four rear seats faced each other in a “living room” configuration, wrapped in velour upholstery to enhance comfort and intimacy. The idea was to transform the car into a moving salon, prioritizing conversation and relaxation over driving involvement—an unusual but deliberate statement in the context of 1970s luxury.
The 1976 Maserati Medici II by ItalDesign. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Stylistically, Giugiaro pursued clean geometry and balance, drawing inspiration fromhis Audi Asso di Picche concept. The two-box silhouette was sharp and modern, yet when Medici I debuted at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, its proportions drew criticism. The bonnet sat noticeably low compared to the roofline, giving the car an awkward visual stance that clashed with Giugiaro’s otherwise disciplined design language. Even Italdesign later acknowledged that the execution did not meet expectations, an honest reflection of the project’s shortcomings.
The 1976 Maserati Medici II by ItalDesign. (Picture from: CarStylingru)
Rather than abandoning the idea, Giugiaro chose to rework it entirely. The same car was brought back into the Italdesign workshop and subjected to a comprehensive redesign that touched nearly every visible surface. The revised version, unveiled in 1976 and known asMedici II, corrected the proportions by raising the bonnet line, replacing the pop-up headlights with four rectangular units, and adding a more formal chrome-framed grille. The result was less sporty but far more elegant, aligning the car with executive luxury rather than experimental futurism.
The 1976 Maserati Medici II by ItalDesign. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
The interior transformation was just as significant. The six-seat lounge concept was replaced with a four-seat executive layout. Rear-facing seats were removed and substituted with custom cabinets housing a minibar, refrigerator, writing desk, and document storage. Individual rear armchairs replaced the bench seating, while leather and briarwood supplanted velour. Advanced features for the era, including a television and a radio telephone, reinforced Medici II’s role as a mobile office designed for high-ranking occupants. | YcyON_teCGE | etDzQWd3clk |
Medici II debuted at the 1976 Paris Motor Show to widespread acclaim, a stark contrast to the mixed reception of its earlier form. Its appeal extended beyond the exhibition hall when it was acquired in 1977 by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Persia. More importantly, its design language influenced Maserati’s future, particularly the Quattroporte III, which achieved the commercial and institutional success that the Medici itself never sought. Today, preserved at the Louwman Museum in the Netherlands, the Medicistands as a single car with two identities—an evolving experiment that demonstrated how refinement, humility, and persistence can turn early misjudgment into lasting influence. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALDESIGN.IT | LOUWMANMUSEUM | STORY-CARS | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET | ALLCARINDEX | CARTHROTTLE | WIKIPEDIA ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Mechanical Farewell - The modern hypercar world moves at an unforgiving pace, yet every so often it pauses to look back at an idea that changed everything. Bugatti has chosen such a moment to reflect on the legacy of the Veyron by unveiling the F.K.P. Hommage, a one-off creation that reconnects today’s cutting-edge engineering with a dream first imagined two decades ago. More than a nostalgic exercise, this car arrives as a meaningful bridge between the brand’s past dominance and a future already taking shape without the iconic W16 engine.
The Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage marks the end of the W16 era with a modern Veyron tribute. (Picture from: CarBuzz)
At the heart of the F.K.P. Hommage lies the vision of Ferdinand Karl Piëch, the Volkswagen Group leader whose fascination with extreme engineering led to the birth ofthe Veyron EB 16.4. His concept of a quad-turbocharged W16 engine—essentially two narrow-angle VR8 units fused together—was radical even by supercar standards. That engine not only powered the original Veyron to unprecedented performance levels but later evolved through the Super Sport, Grand Sport Vitesse, and eventually the Chiron, growing from just under 1,000 horsepower to well beyond 1,500. For this tribute, Bugatti selected the 1,580-horsepower configuration fromthe Chiron Super Sport 300+, the first production Bugatti to realize Piëch’s long-standing ambition of approaching the 300-mph barrier.
The Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage refines the Veyron’s design with larger wagon-spoke wheels and a precisely milled aluminum horseshoe grille that integrates more cleanly into the front end.(Picture from: CarBuzz)
Visually, the F.K.P. Hommage revisits the Veyron’s once-controversial design language and reframes it through a modern lens. The familiar two-tone layout returns, but now benefits from advances in materials and paint technology, creating deeper reflections and more complex surfaces. An aluminum-based paint beneath a red-tinted clearcoat gives the body an almost liquid glow, while exposed carbon fiber replaces traditional black paint at the rear, subtly darkened with pigment in the clear finish. The proportions, slightly broader and more planted thanks to the newer platform beneath, allow classic elements like the drooping headlights and rearward stance to feel more resolved and confident.
The Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage carries the cabin back to the original Veyron era with a symmetrical layout, metal-rich finishes, fabric-trimmed seats in warm tones, and a bespoke Audemars Piguet tourbillon clock crowning the dashboard.(Picture from: CarBuzz)
The exterior details reinforce that sense of careful evolution rather than imitation. Larger wheels preserve the original wagon-spoke style while filling the arches more assertively, and a newly milled aluminum horseshoe grille integrates more seamlessly into the nose. Bugatti retained the roof-mounted air intakes that once defined the Veyron’s silhouette, anchoring the car firmly in its heritage. Every surface feels intentional, shaped through multiple refinements to create what Bugatti’s designers consider the most complete expression of the Veyron idea.
The Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage revisits the Veyron’s once-controversial design
language through a modern lens, enhancing its iconic two-tone form with
advanced materials and richer, more expressive finishes.(Picture from: CarBuzz)
Step inside, and the atmosphere deliberately turns back the clock. Instead of the Chiron’s dramatic central spine, the cabin mirrors the Veyron’s more symmetrical layout, finished with engine-turned aluminum and brushed alloy across the center console. Fabric-trimmed seats recall early Veyron interiors, paired with a warm brown palette and subtle EB insignia. The centerpiece is a bespoke Audemars Piguet tourbillon clock mounted high on the dashboard, blending traditional watchmaking artistry with the mechanical bravado that defines the car itself. | U-3ISfFfVGs |
As a single, bespoke creation from Bugatti’s Programme Solitaire, the F.K.P. Hommagequietly marks the end of an era. With the company now transitioning to a hybridized, naturally aspirated V16 for its next generation, the thunderous W16 takes its final bow here. The result is not a farewell speech, but a living reminder of how one audacious idea reshaped the automotive landscape—and why, even as technology moves on, its influence still resonates today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARBUZZ | BLACKXPERIENCE ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Heritage Reimagined - Sometimes the most unexpected stories in the automotive world begin not on a racetrack, but under bright show lights where ambition quietly takes shape. Long before trophies, lap times, and global recognition, there was a single moment when Ford decided to challenge convention and redefine what an American performance car could be. That bold decision now finds a modern echo in the Ford GT 64 Prototype Heritage Edition, a machine designed to reconnect today’s supercar era with a pivotal chapter that started more than half a century ago.
The Ford GT 64 Prototype Heritage Edition introduced in 2021 for the 2022 model year, and arrived as part of Ford’s limited Heritage Series, created to mark the end of the current GT’s production run with purpose. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
Introduced in 2021 for the 2022 model year, the GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Editionarrived as part ofFord’s limited Heritage Series, created to mark the end ofthe current GT’sproduction run with purpose. Its roots trace directly to the original GT40 prototype revealed at the 1964 New York Auto Show, a car that represented Ford’s first serious step into international endurance racing. Of the five GT40 prototypes ever built, history left only fragments behind—two were scrapped after testing, two are preserved at the Shelby Museum in Boulder, Colorado, and just one survives today wearing its correct original livery. This scarcity gives the heritage edition its emotional weight.
The Ford GT 64 Prototype Heritage Edition rides along with its ancestor the original GT40 prototype. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
Visually, the car channels that history with striking precision. The Wimbledon White exterior is paired with Antimatter Blue graphics and triple racing stripes that stretch across the roof, a clear nod to the 1964 prototype’s unmistakable look. Exposed carbon fiber plays a dominant role, appearing on the 20-inch wheels, front splitter, side sills, mirror stalks, engine louvers, and the gloss-finished rear diffuser. Silver-lacquered Brembo brake calipers with black graphics complete the package, blending motorsport intent with contemporary craftsmanship.
The Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition channels its heritage with precision through a Wimbledon White finish, Antimatter Blue graphics, and triple roof stripes inspired by the 1964 prototype. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
Inside the cabin, the design continues to prioritize lightness and focus. Carbon fiber forms the structure of the doors, A-pillars, and lower console, reinforcing the GT’s performance-driven character. The seats are wrapped in Lightspeed Blue Alcantara with silver carbon fiber stitching, while GT logos are embedded into the seating surfaces and headrests. Ebony leather adds contrast across the instrument panel, door bezels, and X-shaped seat bolsters, balancing race-inspired minimalism with subtle refinement. A black Alcantara steering wheel, matched with polished shifters and paddles, brings a tactile sense of control to the driving experience. | e6T_Q0qGtgU |
What ultimately gives the Ford GT 64 Prototype Heritage Edition its lasting relevance is the story it carries forward. After extensive development led by Carroll Shelby and his engineering team, the GT program delivered a historic achievement—making Ford the only American manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times, from 1966 to 1969, and again in 2016 withthe modern GT. This heritage editiondoes not simply recall past victories; it reframes them for the present, reminding a new generation that innovation often begins with a single daring prototype and the confidence to let history guide the future. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BLACKXPERIENCE | ROADANDTRACK ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Raw Excess - Dream machines often live short lives as sketches, prototypes, or auto show spectacles, dazzling crowds before quietly fading into history. Every once in a while, though, an idea refuses to stay hypothetical. That is where the Millyard Viper V10 enters the conversation—a motorcycle that turns the legendary Dodge Tomahawk concept into something tangible, ridable, and startlingly real, bridging the gap between automotive fantasy and mechanical determination.
The Millyard Viper V10, a motorcycle that turns the legendary Dodge Tomahawk concept into something tangible, ridable, and startlingly real, bridging the gap between automotive fantasy and mechanical determination. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
At first glance, the Millyard Viper V10 looks less like a conventional motorcycle and more like an exposed engineering statement. The massive V10 engine dominates the silhouette, leaving no room for visual subtlety. Its long wheelbase, stretched proportions, and muscular stance reflect the sheer physical presence of the 8.0-liter Dodge Viper GTS engine at its heart. There is no traditional fairing to hide complexity; instead, the machine wears its raw metal proudly, with visible mechanical components forming much of its visual character. Controls are minimal and functional, reinforcing the idea that this is a tool built to move, not a sculpture meant to sit still.
The Millyard Viper V10 while sat on display at the Essen Motor Show 2010. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
The mind behind this improbable machine is Allen Millyard, a British motorcycle engineer known for turning ambitious ideas into functioning reality. Inspired byDodge’s V10-powered Tomahawk concept from 2003, Millyard began his own interpretation in 2009, working by hand in his UK workshop. Rather than chasing mass production or headlines, he focused on solving practical problems—balance, strength, and usability—approaching the build as a working motorcycle rather than a show-only replica.
Allen Milyard posed along with its creation motorcycle, the Millyard Viper V10. (Picture from: CarScoops)
Engineering solutions definethe Millyard Viper V10 as much as its engine does. The V10 alone weighs around 750 pounds, more than half the total motorcycle weight of approximately 1,389 pounds. A standard motorcycle frame simply could not accommodate such mass, so Millyard designed twin subframes mounted directly to the front and rear of the engine, effectively making the engine a structural core. With no space for a conventional gearbox, the bike relies on the V10’s immense torque, eliminating the need for multiple gears altogether.
The Millyard Viper V10, at first glance, resembles less a conventional motorcycle than an exposed engineering statement, dominated by its massive 8.0-liter Dodge Viper GTS V10, long wheelbase, stretched proportions, and unapologetically muscular stance. (Picture from: MotorcycleSpecs.co.za)
Despite its extreme nature, the motorcycle is far from fragile. It has passed the mandatory UK vehicle inspection and is used regularly on public roads, not hidden away as a garage curiosity. The odometer reading of over 9,000 miles reinforces that point. Performance figures only add to its legend: by swapping rear sprockets, top speed can be tuned anywhere between 160 mph and a theoretical 270 mph. During testing at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, the bike exceeded 200 mph, a moment documented by motorcycle journalist Bruce Dunn.
The Millyard Viper V10 set a Guinness-ratified tandem speed record of 183.50 mph on 25 May 2023 with Allen Millyard and Henry Cole aboard. (Picture from: MoparInsiders)
On 25 May 2023, Allen Millyard and his passenger, television presenter Henry Cole, set a new world motorcycle speed record. Riding tandem on Millyard’s hand-built, road-legal machine, the pair reached 183.50 mph (295.31 km/h), a feat later ratified by Guinness World Records. Their run surpassed the previous record—held by an American couple for more than a decade—by two mph. The record attempt took place on the 9,800-foot (3,000-meter) runway at Elvington Airfield in North Yorkshire, England. | yU54Iyg9UB8 | UbUrIwA9jVE |
Today, the Millyard Viper V10 stands as a rare example of what happens when passion overrides convention. It carries the spirit of early-2000s excess into a modern era increasingly shaped by efficiency and restraint, reminding enthusiasts that innovation is not always about following trends. Sometimes, it comes from a single builder, a daring idea, and the refusal to accept that a wild concept should remain unreal.
Viewed today, the Mustang RSX Concept feels less like a failed idea and more like an honest snapshot of creative freedom. It captured a moment when Ford was willing to challenge its own legacy, even if the result was divisive. The RSX did not need to reach production to leave an impact; its significance lies in showing how experimentation, even when imperfect, plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of automotive design. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORIOUS ]
