Back to Normal Now we are back to discussing one of the legendary cars ever made for the Italian brand, Abarth and what's even more great this car gets a unique design touch from a German industrial designer named Luigi 'Lutz' Colani. The car design is also said to be the way the designer puts into practice a combination of his own style ethos and the great thoughts of Carlo Abarth.
1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is said to be the way of Luigi 'Lutz' Colani as a designer puts into practice a combination of his own style ethos and the great thoughts of Carlo Abarth. (Picture from: Bonham)
As we all know, that Abarth has successful tested its aerodynamic design theory consistently in various serious efforts to break the world's speed records with small capacity cars. With the actual obsession is to increase straight line penetration and minimize their aerodynamic obstacles, due to the cars always runs by using a very small engine (usually ranging from 350 to 1300cc and rarely up to 2 liters).
At the front hood of the Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is pinned by the 3 emblems of Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Colani. (Picture from: Bonham)
Meanwhile the brilliant Austrian-born designer is obsessed with the influence of aerodynamics on the car performance. In 1958 Lutz Colani is commissioned to build an experimental aerodynamic car based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider platform. As the result, it appears directly recognizable as a Colani's body shape, and also shows an evidence of external influence on many of the Abarth's recently experiences. If You curious about another Luigi Colani's car creation just click here.
The remains of the Abarth Alfa Romeo 1000 (Bertone) is rebuilt by Luigi 'Lutz' Colani into the new-Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)
And the finished Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is appeared for the first time in the 1959 with long and pointed snout at glance seems to be a derivative of the Pinin Farina's practice, while the 'double bubble' roof line is a typical characteristic of the Abarth's motives. What's more interesting is the back of the car that might be unique at that time, and the attention was clearly given to air flow management under the car which in the period was said very sophisticated.
1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is appeared with long and pointed snout at glance seems to be a derivative of the Pinin Farina's practice. (Picture from: Bonham)
Initially, this Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo car is started its life as the 'prototype' of the Abarth 1000 GT Coupé or Alfa Romeo 1000 Abarth GT Bertone Coupé designed by Franco Scaglione and built on the Mario Colucci-designed tubular chassis for rigidity (the intention was for the car to be homologated for the GT category). It also powered by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (998 cc) engine was originally modified by Abarth with the gearbox mounted into the central backbone.
1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is developed as the 'prototype' with the Colucci-designed tubular chassis for rigidity (the intention was for the car to be homologated for the GT category). (Picture from: Bonham)
At the time, only three cars were built and once completed, the cars were tested at Monza before being taken to Avus near Berlin for speed runs where all of the cars destroyed during the tests, and at the end, the project was abandoned.
1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is powered by an Alfa Romeo's 1300 cc engine which capable spewed out power of 110 bhp. (Picture from: Bonham)
In short, the car remains were bought by Herbert Schulze who asked Luigi Colani to build a new body which took inspiration from a number of sources such the 'double bubble' roof line which is very Abarth. Not only that, the car appeared with a weight of only 780 kg and powered of 110 bhp from its 1300 cc engine. The car is claimed to reach 210 kph (130 mph) and was also recognized as the first GT car that passed to run a lap at Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than 10 minutes.
1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta's back was clearly given to air flow management under the car which in the period was said very sophisticated. (Picture from: Bonham)
After that the car's ownership status shifted to Peter Kaus (for the first time) before disappearing for some time, it ever had sold to Christophe Pund, then he sold it to another collector. The tangled history of the car ownership doesn't stop there; finally this unique car back again to Peter Kaus who fully restored the car to go into the Rosso Bianco Collection.
The Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 had been on display in public for years and since the end of 2007 the unique-shaped car was on the Bonham auction list with the prices ranging from £65,000 to £75,000. Even so, this is the aerodyne of the 1950s, one of the rarest Abarth's car ever built, that's said also can be used on the road. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BONHAM | AUTOSITAL | WIKIPEDIA ]
What..? When you take a look back at the history of the most iconic American automobiles, the Chevrolet Corvair models would be near the top of that list. Although in its development, the production and sales figures of the Corvair had affected by the "Unsafe at any Speed" controversial writings of a consumer advocate named Ralph Nader who included a chapter on the danger of the rear-engined car in it.
The Chevrolet Corvair introduced to the automotive market as a compact car featuring many new
innovations including a 6 cylinder rear air cooled engine coupled with
a transmission differential unit and all-wheel independent suspension. (Picture from: JuraganMobilBekas)
Despite all the drama, the Corvair is actually a cool American sports car with a very un-American design. Look at the Chevrolet Corvair concept car of 1954 was an early generation of Corvette and built as a fastback. Well, this Corvair model was made by Chevrolet from 1960 to 1969 and was introduced to the automotive market as a compact car featuring many new innovations including a 6 cylinder rear air cooled engine combined with a transmission differential unit and all-wheel independent suspension.
The American auto manufacturer produced the Corvair in many various styles and one of them was the Corvair 500 Lakewood Station Wagon of 1961. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Infact, the Corvair is the product of a nine-year research and development program that aims to design a compact car at a low initial cost. Corvair models offer consumer stainless steel hub caps with a circular concave center area with the Chevrolet name on the hubcap which looks good for the consumer market. The horizontal inlet grille on the engine compartment cover will introduce cooling air into the engine and also add design interest to the customer as well.
The
American auto manufacturer produced the Corvair in many various styles
and one of them was the Corvair Convertible of 1964. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
The early Chevrolet Corvair built in between 1960 and 1964 which had a similar bodywork appearance and was intended as an economy sedan. However, it didn't stop the development of a sporty, coupe version that was introduced long before the Ford Mustang became popular. At that time, Chevrolet introduced the Corvair Monza 900 Club Coupe model which sold for $ 2,238.
The Chevrolet Corvair is powered by the rear-mounted innovative inline air-cooled engine in 6 options from 2,296 cc, 2,375 cc and 2,683 cc. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Do You remembered to the Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT concept designed by Larry Shinoda and Tony Lapine in 1962? It could be said as the possible Corvair-based sports car. Meanwhile the Corvair sports is carried an innovative inline air-cooled engine in 6 options from 2,296 cc, 2,375 cc and 2,683 cc. The inline engine design allows room for a spare tire, more space in the front luggage compartment.
Interior of the Chevrolet Corvair Monza of 1964 shows the standard steering wheel coupled with the 140 MPH speedometer and trip odometer, fuel gauge and clock. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
This area provides over 15.6 cubic feet of shared space with an optional folding rear seat that can be used by both the passenger and the driver. However, after five years of production, Chevrolet stopped trying to sell the Corvair as an American 'Volkswagen,' and realized that with some adjustments as the anticipation of the consumer demands, slowly but sure then refigured it as a US 'Porsche.'
The Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe of 1968. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Well, the second-generation Corvair that started out in 1965 already has a decidedly European flair, by applying more than a few styling cues borrowed from the Pininfarina's two design studies. So at that time in general the American auto giant, General Motors wanted to offer a perfect style that could be enjoyed by many consumers as a whole. This can be seen from the model being longer, wider, and lower while offering increased engine power.
The Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe of 1968. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
In these production periods, there's a new top-of-line series called the Corsa, became popular with consumers and was produced in both as the sports coupes and convertibles that replaced the Corvair Spyder. The newly designed Corvair models also provides a wider room and height entrance as well as more legroom in the rear seats for the sports sedan model. While, the convertible models of 1965 also offered a top all-electric mechanism. The Corvair Greenbrier sports car completed the 1965 model lines.
The Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible of 1969. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
The model's popularity led to increased production and sales during the 1965, at that time Chevy dealers managed to sale 237,056 Corvairs.However, in 1967, the Corvair line did not perform well in sale with only over 27,000 cars were produced. Some say that it was influenced by the controversial writings of Ralph Nader which then affected to the consumers' reluctance to buy the Corvair.
Thus
the American giant car manufacturer then carried out a gradual
elimination of the Corvair until 1969. That was the last year Corvair
models were assembled and produced and after that the Corvair nameplate
was completely dropped off by General Motors of its production line for
good.😭
As quoted of Wikipedia, the Corvair was manufactured and marketed in 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, convertible, 4-door station wagon, passenger van, commercial van, and pickup truck body styles in its first generation (1960–1964) and as a 2-door coupe, convertible or 4-door hardtop in its second (1965–1969) with the total production of approximately 1.8 million from 1960-1969.*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CORVAIR.ORG | MOTORCITIES.ORG | HAGERTY.COM | WIKIPEDIA ]
One, Two & Three We are back again talking about exotic cars that exist today, maybe some of them can be said as as the rare of a kind, and also rarely been seen by the public. In the automotive world there is an assumption that has already become a public opinion because it is supported by facts and conditions that have existed and developed from the past until now.
The Guldstrand Grand Sport 90 is built and upgraded everything it could be into an exotic supercar by Guldstrand Engineering back in 1995. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
As all we know, most likely some of the world's automotive fans have the notion that beautiful and exotic cars are always attached to the European car brands, while the American ones are always identified with stocky and powerful cars. That's okay, this assumption is not 100 percent wrong or absolutely true. Why is that? Because among the European brands there are always powerful cars and the same is true with the American ones, there are always beautiful, and exotic cars.
The late Dick Guldstrand (right) posed with Charlie Budenz (left), the owner of the Guldstrand GS90 #2. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
There are many exceptions against the assumption above. One of them is an American muscle car modified in such a way becomes into an exotic supercar byDick Guldstrand. Who is he? Aside from being an American entrepreneur or a former racing car driver, Dick Guldstrand is a legendary figure in the world's automotive who is closely associated with the American muscle car, the Chevrolet Corvette and later earned the nickname of 'Mr. Corvette'.
The Guldstrand Grand Sport 90 comes in style out of the box, although retains the general proportions
of the C4 while inserting a decent amount of exotic feel into it. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
Specifically regarding the car we are discussing this time, which is started its life as the Corvette C4 ZR-1, one of the famous American muscle cars of the 1990s (and might be you remembered with another car came from the same era such the Bertone-designed Corvette Nivola). In 1995 through his company called Guldstrand Engineering, the car was modified in such a way that its status is converted to an exotic supercar named Guldstrand Grand Sport 90.
Besides the coupe, turn out the Guldstrand Grand Sport 90 also built in the such spyder style. (Picture from: Coachbuild)
In the project, he designed the car based on his experience and personal relationship with the Corvette brand and the extraordinary Grand Sport C2 Corvette's formula, which continued to take on the foundations laid by the Corvette C4 ZR-1 to seek improvement in every possible aspect. Stylistically, the GS90 comes in style out of the box, although retains the general proportions of the C4 while inserting a decent amount of exotic feel into it.
The Guldstrand Grand Sport 90 is powered by the ZR-1's LT5 V8 engine which has been engineered by Guldstrand to produce more power and efficiency. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
As for the drivetrain, the GS90 car is powered by the ZR-1's LT5 V8 engine which has been engineered by Guldstrand to produce more power and efficiency. So the GS90's engine is capable of producing power up to 475 horsepower, which is 70 hp more than the original LT5 engine.
The Guldstrand GS90's suspension, brakes and almost every performance component received
upgrades as well, thus turning it into a beast on the
track. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
Then the suspension, brakes and almost every performance component received upgrades as well, thus turning the Guldstrand GS90 into a beast on the track, without compromising comfort and ride quality. After finished, the Guldstrand's car debuted on the Chevrolet stand at the 1994 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The Corvette C4 ZR-1 was the donor car of the Guldstrand Grand Sport 90, no wonder if both of the cars look almost the same in posture. (Picture from: Barret-Jackson)
The plan, the car will be produced by Gulstrand Engineering around 100 to 150 units only (both in coupe and spyder models) and sold with a price tag of around $135,000 through Chevrolet dealers, but GM cancelled the deal.💢 By considering the price tag is twice as high as the ZR-1's price, and it is known that only 6 units were completed.
As quoted of Corvette Forum, 5 of the 6 GS90 cars became a display in the museum (2 units in Europe, and one unit each was in Japan, Detroit and LA) while the only car on the streets at this time owned by Charlie Budenz(GS90 #2). In deep sorrow while we've heard, Dick Guldstrand passed away at the age of 87 back in 2015.😇 But his great work will always be remembered and appreciated by the Corvette community in all over the world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CORVETTE FORUM | 2ND WIKI | COACHBUILD ]
Weird ONES As a coachbuilder company, Carrozzeria TouringSuperleggera has a very good business relationship with Automobili Lamborghini, because the Lamborghini 350 GT, which we know as the first car to come out of those Italian bull cage was the result of their work in 1964.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is worked by a Milan-based coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera in the 1965. (Picture from: LamboCars)
The Milan-based automotive company was founded by Felice Bianchi Anderloni in 1926, and has become renowned for its beautiful design and patented 'superleggera' construction method. Unfortunately its age was not long, the company went out of business in 1966.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is built based on the 400 GT chassis has been shortened of 10 cm. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
Before going out of business, the Milan-based company had time to show their two new cars, namely the Fiat 124 Convertible, and the Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II at the 1966 Turin Auto Show.
If you look closely, it turns out that the Carrozzeria Touring-made 400 GT Flying Star II was contemporaneous with the Lamborghini 3500 GTZ which was built by another Milan-based coachbuilder company, Carrozzeria Zagato whose design was done by Ercole Spada, because both were built in 1965.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II appears with angular body lines, as well as a controversial roof design, making it look like a station wagon rather than a sports car. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
The Flying Star II car project was carried out by a team led by Carlo Anderloni, son of the founder of the Touring company. The car is built on a chassis that is 10 cm shorter than the 400 GT standard version. The car is powered by a front-mounted V12 engine coupled with 5-speed all-synchromesh differential which capable spewing out 320 hp of power and torque of 276 lbs.ft.
In general the car shape is unique, strange, and unusual. As quoted of CarStyling.ru, the Lamborghini Flying Star II appears with angular body lines, as well as a controversial roof design, making it look like a station wagon rather than a sports car (or known as a shooting brake). Besides that, the size is disproportionate and very large if it is intended for only two people inside the car plus their luggages.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is powerd by a front-mounted V12 engine coupled with 5-speed all-synchromesh differential. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
Of course, the appearance like that was beyond expectations of Ferrucio Lamborghini and the other board of directors. They thought that's a bad and dissapointed results. When presented at the Touring's factory, the Flying Star II appeared using Borrani's 15-inches wire wheels, but when it appeared at the Turin Auto Show were replaced with the new cast magnesium alloy wheels of Campagnolo.
Although that's a disappointing result, but it's remained to be recorded in the production log-books as the last car design that came out of the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera before closed the doors in 1966. After four decades the company in hibernation periods, so then in the 2006 the Milan-based coachbuilder company was revived.
And in 2008, Carrozzeria Touring again introduced its masterpiece creation called the A8GCS Berlinetta at the Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance event that year as a prototype of a V8-engined supercar under the trident emblem of Maserati. That's
a phenomenal work and crowned as 'the most beautiful supercar
of the year' at the Automobile International Festival 2009 held in Paris.*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBOCARS | SHARONOV | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET ]
As it turned out, the feud momment of him with the Enzo Ferrari owned company was the beginning of a success story for Peter Monteverdi along with his own brand. In 1963, he was only 29 years old, he decided to leave the the prancing horse's prestige in search of his personal glory. The feud was prompted when the Maranello-based company requested to prepay for the supply of 100 cars he ordered.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 is a supercar built based of an updated Monteverdi-ONYX chassis and is powered by an Ford DFR V8 engine. (Picture from: Box26)
As is well known, that the Monteverdi, a Swiss automotive brand that can grow to be big, certainly cannot be separated from the figure of Peter Monteverdi, a Binningen businessman who continued the Ferrari, BMW, Lancia and Roll-Royce dealership business started by his father.
According to some unconfirmed rumors, among the 100 cars ordered by Monteverdi there are several models of the Ferrari 250 GTO, which is included as the most iconic car ever produced by the Maranello-based manufacturer. There is also a mention of 100 cars also including some examples of the 250 GTO models, even someone said that's all orders for that year.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 while sat on display at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. (Picture from: Box26)
Peter Monteverdi did not pay for his order in advance as Ferrari wanted, so the partnership with the famous Italian brand was broken off. Monteverdi was not discouraged and took advantage of the experience he had accumulated since the late 1950s, when he started selling the kit cars under the brand of MBM (Monteverdi Binningen Motors), it made in small series by buying the components in the UK.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 is built as many as 3 unit which is consisted 2 running prototypes and rest non running show car. (Picture from: Box26)
Since then Monteverdi decided to make and produce cars under his own brand. Several sports car models such as the Monteverdi Hai 450SS and others have been produced at his plant in Binningen, Switzerland. As is well known, that Peter Monteverdi really loves the world of racing, because he himself is a former racer who has raced up to the Formula 1. Years after years, in 1992 to be exact, by his Formula 1 racing experiences then inspired him to create the supercar called the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1.
This Monteverdi's Formula 1 racing DNA supercar is built on an updated Monteverdi-ONYX chassis and is powered by a Ford DFR V8 engine which is also mounted on the Formula 1 racing car, and that's supercar whose owes its name to the engine power of 650 ponies with 390 Nm of torque.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 used Ford DFR V8 engine capable burst power of 650 hp and 390 Nm of torque. (Picture from: Box26)
The Binningen-based car manufacturer considered the development of its supercar at the time as the closest to the Formula 1 racing cars, and the Monteverdi plans to build it as the limited edition. But in reality only two prototypes were actually completed between 1992 and 1995, currently both of them is sat on display at the Monteverdi Museum in Lucerne and also seen frequently fill in the great world's expo halls such the Geneva Motor Show, etc.
Then for its performance, the bright red colored supercar is theoretically said to have the ability to run up to a top speed of 335 kph, while its sprint 0-100 kph capability done in 3.0 seconds and 0-200 kph in 8.0 seconds. This Swiss-made supercar has a length of 4.55 meters, 1.96 meters wide, and heigh only 1.05 meters. Then there is one advantage that the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 has, namely its low weight which is only about 850 kg, which is a very low numbers if compared to rival supercars at that time, which were much heavier, and less powerful.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. (Picture from: Box26)
When the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 was finished being developed, it was already milling around on the European major cities streets its glamourious potential rivals such as the Ferrari F40 (478 hp for 1,235 kg) and Lamborghini Diablo (492 hp for 1,500 kg). However, if the Hai 650 F1 were really to enter the production line, certainly it would become a serious market protagonist, given that the F40 pony of the Maranello-based breeder and the Diablo of the Sant'Agata Bolognese based bull's cage are the most iconic supercars of the time.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. (Picture from: Box26)
In addition to the two red colored bodywork prototypes, actually there is the third one with a gray-purple colored body, known as non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. So, it's said that the third one was built by Monteverdi to be the show car for promotional purposed only.
Peter Monteverdi passed away in 1998 as well as closing the entire of his adventure series in the automotive world and left the great legacy through his auto brand to bring the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 as the last high performance car that he made. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BOX26.CH | WIKIPEDIA ]
The Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 had been on display in public for years and since the end of 2007 the unique-shaped car was on the Bonham auction list with the prices ranging from £65,000 to £75,000. Even so, this is the aerodyne of the 1950s, one of the rarest Abarth's car ever built, that's said also can be used on the road. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BONHAM | AUTOSITAL | WIKIPEDIA ]
