Here's the first race car driven by Juan Manuel Fangio at the 24 Hours of Le Mans of 1950

Rest in Peace Seeing the increasing number of new cars with the most advanced supporting technologies, does not make us abandon their predecessors. Indeed, when viewed in terms of technology they are no match for today's cars. But at least they have given the best pioneering through of their capable performance when they were still victorious in the past.

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S produced by Italian-born engineer named Amadeo Gordini as much as 20 unit based on the Simca 8 car models. (Picture from: QuirkyRides)

And when we saw the figure of the classic racing car named the Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S on the QuirkyRides's status in Twitter, we were immediately interested to know it better in detail. This great car is known to be produced by Amadeo Gordini, based on the Simca 8 (as we all know, the Simca is a French car manufacturer whose establishment in 1934 was initiated by the Italian automotive giant Fiat).

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S with racing livery no. 33 used by Juan Manuel Fangio on his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans of 1950. (Picture from: MuseoFangio)

As quoted from AutosCroisees, Amadeo Gordini was an Italian-blood gentleman born in 1899 near Bologna who is known to have a great mechanical skills. Previously, Gordini started his career in the late 1920s as a Fiat racing driver with the cars prepared by himself. Throughout his racing career, he won the Bol d'Or in 1935 using the Fiat 508 S Ballila before retiring in the same car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans of the same year.

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S with racing livery no. 33 has a special historical moment of being the first race car used by Juan Manuel Fangio at the La Sarthe circuit back in the 1950. (Picture from: Carburando)

The story of Gordini's mechanical adventures with Simca cars dates back to 1937, when he got the nickname of 'Le Sorcier,' after succeeded in presenting an extraordinary car capability compared to the initial performances of the engines by using the low-cost parts implemented. And later, he applied it onto the Simca 5 and Simca 8 to double their power, allowing these cars to compete with the much more luxurious and powerful models.

All of it thanks to light and resistant tubular chassis and satisfactory, albeit empirical, aerodynamics, the Simca-Gordini are at the top of their class in a number of competitions and sometimes even figure prominently in the general rankings in endurance races. due to good engine reliability. On the other hand, at Le Mans, there was no success and the abandonment was almost systematic.

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S with racing livery no. 33 of Juan Manuel Fangio sat on display at the Museo Juan Manuel Fangio in Balcarce, Argentina. (Picture from: Wikimedia)

After the war, all hopes were high and Gordini imagined creating his own cars without going through the transformation of Simca models. During the late 1940s, while using the mechanics of Simca, he produced competition cars that rivaled the best brands of the time. He even hired a young Argentinian racing driver named Juan-Manuel Fangio.

From several sources on the Internet is stated that the racing car is built by Gordini as many as 20 units, and still powered by the Simca 8's 1200 engine block which has increased to 1,220 cc then 1,430 cc. And one of them (with the racing livery No. 33) was driven by a legendary Argentinian racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio, on his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

1950 Simca Gordini Berlinetta 1500 20S with racing livery no. 33 is powered by the Simca 8's 1200 engine block which has increased to 1,220 cc then 1,430 cc. (Picture from: Carburando)

At the time, Fangio alternated with José Froilán González the driving of an experimental car that Amadeo Gordini prepared especially for the occasion, the 20S, a coupe as peculiar as its origin: true to his style, Gordini thought about it and built with previous prototype components, but also of street vehicles, which Simca sold at its dealerships. 

Unfortunately, in the race held at the Circuit de la Sarthe, the Simca Gordini 20S racing car driven by Fangio and González could not finish the race and had to give up after completing 95 laps. This may be due to Gordini play too many board at once. Sometimes in Formula 1, then in Formula 2 or sometimes at the 24 hours of Le Mans, the mechanics are exhausted and the results in the race are affected, so that Simca ends up withdrawing its support. Gordini does not give up and, on the verge of ruin, he is forced to play the tightrope walk with his budget.

Unfortunately, in the race held at the Circuit de la Sarthe, the Simca Gordini 20S racing car driven by Fangio and González could not finish the race and had to give up after completing 95 laps. (Picture from: Carburando)

Gordini maintained this until 1956 and in 1957, after the Naples Grand Prix, he threw in the towel, drawing a line on the sports team. He then crosses paths with Pierre Dreyfus, boss of Régie Renault, who offers him a collaboration. The result is a line of cars which begins with the Dauphine Gordini, then continues with the Renault 8 Gordini, then the Renault 12, Renault 17 ... He also collaborates with Jean Rédélé for Alpine in the development of cars participating in Le Mans, equipped with engines modified by "The Sorcerer".

At 75, he decided to retire but kept a workshop in the Paris region which allowed him to satisfy his passion. He's passed away a few weeks before his 80th birthday, leaving behind an epic that can only leave admiration when one is a car enthusiast. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | QUIRKYRIDES | MUSEOFANGIO | AUTOCROISEES | CARBURANDO | CARLOOK.NET ]

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The story of the forgotten Porsche folded-roof 911 HLS

Weird ONES This time we're going to talk about the story of the forgotten Porsche 911 HLS. Maybe you will ask, how can this happened to one of the Porsche 911 models? As we all knew the 911s are widely known to the world's automotive enthutiats to be one of the most successful models ever made by the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer.

The unique bright green colored Porsche 911 HLS futuristic racing coupe with folding roof (due to lighting conditions the car looks yellow in this picture) is designed by the students of the automotive engineering department of Aachen University. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Before we start talking about it, we will ask you, 'Have you ever heard about the Porsche 911 HLS?' We'll be sure you've never heard about this Porsche sports car before. That's okay, considering a big manufacturer like Porsche, over the years had built a lot of concept cars, most of which are beautiful and very cool.

The most intriguing design characteristic of the Porsche 911 HLS was the hinged cockpit canopy looks integrating perfectly into the body just like it truly belonged there. (Picture from: Rennlist)

And it's a natural thing that there are some of the concepts considered as the fail ones, then over the time forgotten and lost to history. And the Porsche 911 HLS is one of those considered fail concept cars, that's why now the model considered as one of the forgotten Porsche models. Perhaps the most interesting (and odd as well) about the Porsche 911 HLS is the fact that the Stuttgart-based automaker didn't build it by themselves.

The Porsche 911 HLS bodywork made out of aluminum, which even includes the rear louvers and Targa bar. (Picture from: Rennlist)

According to the Rennlist, the car started its life as an ordinary Porsche 911  (some say it was the model of the 1964), which was then sent to the automotive engineering department at Aachen University by Porsche in 1966. So that the students of the Aachen University could made it as the futuristic racing coupe with folding roof. The concept car seems to take some inspiration from the legendary Porsche 904 racing car and its rear engine cover, which could be seen as a kind of retractable roof.

The Porsche 911 HLS left rotten outside the body shop for over 40 years, after got no blessing of the Porsche top brasses for further development stages. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

At the first, the students came up with a series of design sketches on paper before mocking up a mini model of the car. After that they started making a new body for the 911 out of aluminum, which even includes the rear louvers and Targa bar. As you can see here, the most intriguing design characteristic of the HLS was the hinged cockpit canopy looks integrating perfectly into the body just like it truly belonged there.

This forgotten and left outside for four decades, the Porsche 911 HLS concept car was almost lost to history. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Since the Porsche has the true racing blood in its veins, it could be seen from the arrangement of the instruments on the dashboard were pinned on the right (while the steering wheel on the left). Once all bodywork is completed, the the car sent to the Hans-Leo Senden (HLS) coachbuilder in Würselen, Germany which also explains the model name came from. Here its bodywork was refined and given the bright green color and the lettering of 'Porsche HLS' in black letters on both sides.

The Porsche 911 HLS wreckage while on display at the 2015 Techno Classic in Essen, Germany with the plans to restore it to its original condition. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Unfortunately, the slightly eccentric styled racing coupe as the result of the students' hardwork failed to get the Porsche top brasses approval in the Zuffenhausen headquarters.😭 Since then the concept car was simply parked outside the bodyshop, left there for over 40 years until Manfred Hering, the 911 expert was asked whether he could restore the long-forgotten Porsche concept to its original condition. At that time, Hering did not accept the request for the concept car restoration, instead wanted to buy it in such a condition. In short short, finally the unique 911 HLS concept car wreckage has become his.

And the concept car wrekcage had displayed at the 2015 Techno Classic in Essen, Germany with the plans to restore it to its original condition. At least as close as possible, because the main problem is the scarcity of spare parts for the only-one-of-a-kind model such this Porsche 911 HLS concept car so not easy to find ones which is certainly very different with existed today.🙏

Today, after almost 6 years, we haven't heard any words about the 911 HLS, but we hope that Hering has remained consistence with his plan to bring this interesting and unique part of Porsche's history back to life. And if we has any luck, the car could be seen again by us someday, looking just like it did the day those proud students finished its construction. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | POPULARMECHANICS | ROADANDTRACK | RENNLIST | AUTOMANIA.LIFE ]

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The future Vespa La Speciale concept capable to be transformed into a segway

Sempre Una Vespa It's been a long time, we don't write the content that talks about the scooters. And now it feels like it's time for us to re-present something about today's scooter designs (although only in terms of ideas and concepts) related to current trends. The following is one of the scooter concepts (here's no. 3 of 3 concepts) that we have prepared where the whole design are inspired by the Italian scooter legend, Piaggio Vespa.

The Vespa La Speciale Concept is complied as a disertation of three Italian students of the Istituto d'Arte Applicata e Design (IAAD) in Turin. (Picture from: Behance.net)

Did you know that apart from those who know how to earn a trust like the designers who officially work for the company, there are literally thousands of others struggling to stand out? And often the latter is much better than the former. For example in the case of the following three Italian students who do their job far beyond what is called a "professional" after You seen their designed scooter as follow;

Here are the three Italian students of the Istituto d'Arte Applicata e Design (IAAD), namely Federico Bernardi, Mattia La Coppola and Andrea Ortile. (Picture from: Behance.net)

As quoted from ScooterNet, it is said that there are three Italian students, namely Federico Bernardi, Mattia La Coppola and Andrea Ortile, who are studying in the major of the industrial design at the Istituto d'Arte Applicata e Design (IAAD), a Turin-based private university of design. And when they were about to finish their studies, they then compiled a dissertation on the future Vespa scooter design called Vespa La Speciale for its 70th birthday (meaning 5 years ago, because today, in 2021 Vespa celebrates the 75th anniversary).

The Vespa La Speciale Concept is created by combining past traditions and future innovations without forgetting the values of originallity as well as reinterpretated of globally thinking without time limit. (Picture from: Behance.net)

After first they putting the idea on a piece of paper, and immediately set up the parameters that would characterize of the scooter design, such as usability, Italian, social, youth, traditional, smart, simple, cool, fashionable, etc.

The Vespa La Speciale Concept was developed as an electric-powered vehicle to support the needs of the new generation. (Picture from: Behance.net)

As excerpted from BehanceNet, this future Vespa scooter design is created by combining past traditions and future innovations without forgetting the values of originallity as well as reinterpretated of globally thinking without time limit. Vespa La Speciale is a two-wheeled vehicle designed to target young people. That is why this scooter concept was developed as an electric-powered vehicle to support the needs of the new generation.

The Vespa La Speciale Concept is electric powered, and therefore the engine size can be reduced, followed by under-saddle storage space. (Picture from: Behance.net)

According to the designers, the concept was formally created after having finished observing carefully what the Vespa was in the past, a true legend of the Italian two-wheeler. And finally, they decided to take inspiration from the Vespa 50 Special, a small, compact and versatile vehicle powered by a tiny 50 cc engine. Furthermore, it was also mentioned that this two-wheeler concept combines two sides that have always been faithful to the Vespa brand, namely the scooter's fashions and accessories.

The Vespa La Speciale Concept is is a two-wheeled vehicle designed to target young people. (Picture from: Behance.net)

After the scooter design sketches were completed, the color composition began to fall and at the same time the ideas based on the latest technology also emerged, such as the rear wheel (when the scooter stops) can be detached from the scooter body which can be functioned as a one-wheelers such the Segway. Dodgy, isn't! 

The Vespa La Speciale Concept's 'killing details', take a look at the 'shell wreath' of the cut projector. (Picture from: Behance.net)

Also, because the scooter is electric powered, and therefore the engine size can be reduced, followed by under-saddle storage space, that's the next brilliant design ideas of them. Not to mention, if you want to talk about the 'killing details', take a look at the 'shell wreath' of the cut projector. Top proposals we've never seen before.

When it's finished, few see their work, few know about it and never been glimpsed by any scooter manufacturers.😭 But what is certain this design concept has spoken along with the increasing number of modern scooters passing by on the streets.

The Vespa La Speciale Concept's rear wheel (when the scooter stops) can be detached from the scooter body which can be functioned as a one-wheelers such the Segway. (Picture from: Behance.net)

Right now, don't be surprised if you see the ideas of three Italian youngster might be seen on the current production version scooters. Why can this happen? Because this is usually done, with the excuse of 'un-officially design', thus giving the brand owner 'more rights' to implement it arbitrarily. Is it true like that? The answer entirely is up to you. 🙏 Keep in mind, We are not in a judgmental capacity.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BEHANCENET | SCOOTERNET.GR]

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The only four-wheeled Stalker

Real Stalker If we look at the figure of the following car, of course, initially it isn't easy to guess. Besides it was rare to shown to public, the car also having an unusual appearance if traced to general sports cars. Yes, at first glance it looks like a Lamborghini, while at the front it has a grille similar to a BMW, but if we seen to the back similar to a Corvette.

The unique shaped car named 'Stalker' is built by Jim Michaud based on the 1984 Pontiac Fiero. (Picture from: RCNMag)

And with an appearance like that, if it was a work of art, then the car can be said such as Pablo Picasso's work of art whose known for his use of 'found art' in creating sculptures out of ordinary objects. So what car is this actually? 

Jim Michaud's Stalker applied the position of the steering wheel is in the middle (like the McLaren F1 has), so the the car driver will be flanked by 2 passenger seats on the left and right sides. (Picture from: Fiero.nl)

Well, as quoted of the RCNMag, this unique looking mid-engined car is the one-off model made by an American car modifier named Jim Michaud of Phoenix, Arizona. He employed a similar technique on this menacing one-off design called the Stalker.

The 'S' emblems is pinned in front hood of the Jim Michaud's Stalker. (Picture from: RCNMag)

In the first You may imagined that the car was built on the Lamborghini Diablo chassis, given its appearance which is said to be similar to the car made by the Italian raging bull manufacturer. But who would have thought that the unique car was actually built on the 1986 Pontiac Fiero's chassis is extended nearly a foot in lenghth, and then converted to a center-steering setup.

Jim Michaud's Stalker's bodywork resembled as a Diablo replica, but modified in such a way on the back by combined with a 2002 Corvette rear section and coupled with the Toyota Celica GT headlights on the front. (Picture from: RCNMag)

As previously mentioned, the car made by Jim Michaud has the bodywork resembled as a Diablo replica, but modified in such a way on the back by combined with a 2002 Corvette rear section and coupled with the Toyota Celica GT headlights on the front.

Uniquely, inside the cabin also used cut-down truck footrests on the passanger's sides might be for convenience purpose. (Picture from: RCNMag)

Due to the position of the steering wheel is in the middle (like the McLaren F1 has), so the the car driver will be flanked by 2 passenger seats on the left and right sides. Uniquely, inside the cabin also used cut-down truck footrests on the passanger's sides might be for convenience purpose. The custom air cleaner for the 350 Chevy is fabricated from two-inch exhaust tubing.

It seems that the Jim Michaud's Stalker is still powered by the Pontiac Fiero engine, which is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Iron Duke engine only poked out 92 horsepower. (Picture from: RCNMag)

Your eyes might deceive you in another way: Even though the photos seem to show several versions of a customized exotic, each with a different color of paint, it’s actually the same vehicle in each shot. Depending on where you stand and how the sun is shining, it can appear to be copper, violet or indigo. So it’s not only a shape-shifter, but a chameleon as well.

Jim Michaud's Stalker has a unique chameleon color that able to make the car color as copper, violet or indigo. (Picture from: RCNMag)

But unfortunately there is no information about the engine, from the pictures it seems that the car is still powered by the Pontiac Fiero engine, which is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Iron Duke engine only poked out 92 horsepower (sorry if wrong).🙏 Or maybe some of you know the engine used by this car and willing to write it in the comments column below.👍 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RCNMAG | EXOTICCARCOLLECTION ]

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The Elektron Truva electric car concept with the power of 1,400 hp

Another Dream Not long ago, the German automotive startup named the Elektron Innovativ Technologien aka Elektron Motors has revealed its electric-powered hypercar named Quasar which is claimed to be able to spew the power up to 2,300 horsepower so it capable to speed up to maximum speed of 450 kilometers per hour.

The Elektron Truva supercar is powered by three electric motors capable of generating power up to 1,400 hp or 1,044 kW. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

And now the German company has announced another new high-performance electric-powered car called the Elektron Truva, where this model will appear as a slightly lower-performance than the Quasar hypercar.

As quoted of Motor1, the Elektron Truva comes as an electric-powered supercar equipped with three electric motors capable of generating power up to 1,400 hp or 1,044 kW. The car also comes with a futuristic and sporty look where there are several color variants that will be available such as green, red, silver, and orange.

The Elektron Truva supercar will be equipped with a battery with a capacity of up to 100 kWh, which of course makes this car capable of traveling long distances. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

The German automaker also revealed that this electric car will be equipped with a battery with a capacity of up to 100 kWh, which of course makes this car capable of traveling long distances. Initial information about the Truva includes an "innovative composite chassis" while dampers are handled by a pushrod suspension system. Perhaps the most appropriate reason to introduce the Truva under the Quasar is the price.

The Elektron Truva supercar will be launched six months after its sibling the Quasar released in 2023. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

The Elektron Motors says that the Truva will start at €600,000! How many? Unlike its sibling, the Elektron Quasar, which stated that only 99 units would be available, unfortunately for the Truva supercar, the German company did not mention how many units it would sell.

Of course those price numbers would changed after the launching of the Truva supercar as the plan six months after the launch of the Quasar hypercar in 2023. Suppose both models are presented to the real world, then the Truva's convertible version is also said would be launched.

We'll hope these all electric-powered savage beasts of Elektron could be realized and shown off as the plan. Now on, nothing could be done except we'll wait and see.😉 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ID.MOTOR1 | CARSSCOOPS ]

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Urban electric scooter concept with a modular body

Contemporer Concept It's been a long time, we don't write the content that talks about the scooters. And now it feels like it's time for us to re-present something about today's scooter designs (although only in terms of ideas and concepts) related to current trends. The following is one of the scooter concepts (here's no. 2 of 3 concepts) that we have prepared where the whole design are inspired by the Italian scooter legend, Piaggio Vespa.

The Motivo (in scaled model) is such a unique shaped electric-powered scooter concept designed by Tai Chiem back in 2009. (Picture from: Coroflot.com)

The following concept scooter is called the Movito, which we first saw while surfing the Internet some time ago, and interestingly it was created with an unusual design and somewhat different from the others on the market.

The Motivo (in scaled model) has a sexy design appeals to hip and trendy young adults, making a striking statement wherever it goes with its sophistocated styling and two toned colours. (Picture from: Coroflot.com)

The Movito is an eco-friendly electric scooter that recently took top honors in NASA’s Create the future Design Contest back in the 2009. This unique shaped futuristic scooter concept designed by Tai Chiem. The architecture of the scooter concept is completely overhauled allowing for a fresh and innovative design approach. Movito expresses lightness and movement in an elegant form.

The Motivo is took top honors in NASA’s Create the future Design Contest back in the 2009. (Picture from: Coroflot.com)

How not, the fresh futuristic impression of the concept vehicle can be captured from its design character which generally displays a rounded shape with some parts that look tapered, besides that it also applies the hubless wheel features in front, that means the wheel is not centered and spinning on an axis, but rather caught from its bottom side of a rolling rigid fixed part, that goes to the scooter’s direction fork.

The Motivo (in scaled model) is intended for urban use and come complete with a GPS, touch screen interface and helmet storage. (Picture from: Coroflot.com)

According to the designer, the innovative scooter concepts are intended for urban use and come complete with a GPS, touch screen interface and helmet storage. It's sexy design appeals to hip and trendy young adults, making a striking statement wherever it goes with its sophistocated styling and two toned colours.

The Motivo consists of two modular parts, ie an upper scooter chassis, and a base that provides propulsion via an electric motor and rechargeable batteries . (Picture from: Coroflot.com)

The Movito consists of two modular parts, ie an upper scooter chassis, and a base that provides propulsion via an electric motor and rechargeable batteries. The use of an in-wheel motor allows the scooter’s chassis to be slim, smoothly sculpted, and exceptionally lightweight.

The Motivo is designed as a self-contained unit, two bases also can be detached and aligned in parallel to create a two-seater vehicle. (Picture from: Coroflot.com)

Since the vehicle’s propulsion system is designed as a self-contained unit, two bases can be detached and aligned in parallel to create a two-seater vehicle resembled like a carriage without a horse. No wonder if the Movito called a classy and sexy, appealing to free spirited individuals.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COROFLOT.COM | INHABITAT.COM | GREENOPTIMISTIC.COM ]

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