Tag Archives: information

August192011
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art, automotive, cars, design, iedei, racing, vintage

Bugatti Type 252.

photo by Laurent Duchene (note: this is probably a replica, as the original car doesn’t have wire wheels)

This has to be my new favourite historical Bugatti.  Produced only as a prototype between 1957 and 1962, it was the ‘last’ Bugatti proposed by the original Bugatti company before it was sold and shut down for many years.  Apparently the car was proposed several times looking for investors to put it into proper production, however it never happened; apparently one ONE actual car exists, however the internet is flooded with photos of replicas.  The actual car is kept in French car museum.

I wish they would have made this car….it reminds me in many ways of the Porsche 550 in its size and purity of form.  Obviously it would have been more expensive than a 550 if it were produced, but it would have been lovely to see more of these around.    Not much information found online about the car—so much of its story has been kept low key.

more pics, gathered over time and some from mycarblog.org

(these are pics of the ORIGINAL car, belonging to the french museum in Mulhouse)

 

 

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July152011
2 Comments
automotive, cars, design, iedei, men, vintage

video of the day. The Supercharger.

fascinating 25 minute video from a show called “Coltrane’s Planes & Automobiles”

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June252011
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automotive, cars, iedei, racing, sports, vintage

the Maserati Bora that never raced Le Mans.

The Maserati Bora is a classy 70s supercar in my mind—and i’ve always thought of it as the ‘kind, gentle, relaxed’ 70s italian supercar—-with its soft lines, non-aggressive stance, and its non-angry look.  Compared to other 70s italian supercars, the Bora (as well as its sister car Merak) have generally come across as the gentleman in a fine wool blazer compared to its riotous peers in gold chains and silk shirts.

What I never knew is that in 1973, Maserati was set to enter the Bora into Le Mans as part of the gran touring class.  Its competition would have surely been the likes of the Ferrari Daytona which had won in 1972.   As i’ve understood the story from QV500.com, Maserati needed to sell 500 Boras to get it homologated for these 1973 races—-which they obviously didn’t do.  Additionally the car didn’t meet the ‘other’ standards for other classes—-meaning that the Bora Competizione (or Bora GR4 or Bora Group 4) never made it onto the the starting grid, and this car was lost into the archives of 70s mystery cars.  I wasn’t even aware of this car, until I stumbled across a photo of a strange looking Bora, which upon investigation resulted in a search which yielded minimal photos, information, or data.   The QV500.com site had the best bit of info on the car I could find, and you can head over there to read their concise writeup about the car in question:

http://212.227.190.137/maseratiborap2.php

 

here are some photos was able to scavenge online, with many of them credited to a gentleman named Andreas Birner

more photos by Birner can be found here:

http://www.maserati.org.au/gallery/MASERATI/RACE_Cars/Bora_GrpIV_gallery.html

other photos:

more info and pics:

http://www.leblogauto.com/2010/06/breve-rencontre-maserati-bora-competizione.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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June222011
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automotive, cars, design, iedei, vintage

Montreal + Espada + Gandini + GM V8 = LELE?

I had never heard of the ISO LELE until today.  In fact I don’t even remember ever seeing a picture or anything of it.  Much to my surprise I was thumbling through some UK classic car mag and saw a yellow one plastered all around a couple of pages.  The first thing I thought was that it looked like a rejected Bertone concept—-the Montreal-style eyelids in the front, and the swooping Espada-like side profile.  I have to say having come home and looked at some more photos—-i’m starting to see some of the 1969 Frua-inspired ‘coupe’  wedge design influences on the car pop up more.    The car was penned by Gandini, which would explain this whoring of design features.

Oh, and it had a GM or a Ford sourced V8 under the hood (depending on the year it was produced between 1969 and 1974—which makes it sort of like an illegal immigrant version of a ‘wannabe’ Montreal, really….

Fascinating car.  Always nice to discover new things in the world of automobiles.

all photos taken from: Concept Carz

here’s a short video i found of one being pulled out of storage and onto a flatbed.  It has interesting proportions, looks a lot more ‘practical’ in shape compared to other ISOs of the time.

also a primitive, yet informative page about the Lele:

http://www.californiaclassix.com/archive/72_Iso_Lele_c107.html

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June82011
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automotive, cars, iedei, men, racing, sports

Le Mans week is here!

Rejoice! The finest week in motorsports has arrived—–the race of all races, the 24 Hours Of Le Mans is upon us.  For many people this signals the proper start to ‘summer’, including myself.  Of course it is no secret that I am an Audiphile through and through—-it is also no secret that Audi and Peugeot have had some fierce battles in the past several years, culminating in one of the great rivalries in motorsports history.  Motorsports have these days become numb and unexciting; however Le Mans has retained most of its charm.  I still get a buzz every time i see the start of the race, even though it is not nearly as dramatic as the old days when people ran into their cockpits.

So will the new Audi R18 TDI be able to surmount the fierce Peugeot 918 HDi reign?  I would like to hope so, but we’ll just have to follow along the best we can!

I know that the entire 24 hours will be broadcasted with continuity in Europe on Eurosport TV, however we are not so lucky in the US.  That being said, we live in the age of bootlegged online TV—-and i’m quite sure many many feeds from Europe will surface that day.  If they don’t, Audi have set up a fantastic minisite which will go live the day of the race.  They will have 24 hour live on-board coverage of the three R18 TDIs which are racing—–accompanied by live telemetry and race data.  Fantastic.

http://www.audi-microsites.com/lemans/

 

I will add some more links and information to other feeds as the race gets closer—–obviously I cannot watch all 24 hours—-but I always watch as many hours of coverage as I possibly can.

Another great source of race day coverage is of course the fantastic Radio Le Mans<

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November192010
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automotive, cars, iedei, video games

2011 video game preview: Dirt 3

Next week, i am trading in my dusty, neglected old Playstation 2 for a new Playstation 3 with Gran Turismo 5.  Gran Turismo 5 is released next week, on the 24th….i’m damn excited.  The previous games in the series have been amazing…..each one bettering the previous.

Here’s another game I just found out about today.  It will be out in 2011.  It’s called “Dirt 3” a continuation of the Dirt series of Rally games.  Looks like my GT5 disc is going to have some company in the flat!

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August192010
6 Comments
automotive, business, cars, gadgets, iedei, sports, video games

GT5 details for Japan.

i’m not a big video game buff, but damn i gotta say i’ve HUGELY enjoyed the Gran Turismo series over the years.  So many classic cars, new cars, supercars, regular cars, modifying, some of the world’s greatest tracks, places i don’t think i’ll ever go to…..it’s like being able to enact a dream garage as realistically as possible……..

I haven’t bought a PS3, but i’m definitely ready to buy one when GT5 (Gran Turismo 5) comes out.  And now, FINALLY, after what seems like several years of rumours and gossip; it seems there are some concrete details!

November 3rd is the day it goes on sale in Japan.  What does that mean for us? I have no idea—they’ll probably try to create some cheesy holiday chaos for it, so that none of us will be able to find it…bastards.  But in Japan, they will get a special GT5 Edition PS3 bundled package.  This is the package I would buy, if they make it available here—here’s to hoping they do.  Check out the photo below for what it’ll look like.

link for more info: http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/08/18/sony.japan.to.bring.uniqeu.gt5.game.ps3.bundle

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June252010
1 Comment
automotive, cars, iedei

Jaguar XK-R 75

Jaguar has been a pretty boring company for several years now, although lately it’s all been improving dramatically.  One of the significant problems is the current lack of identity, however.  Everytime i see a ‘new’ Jaguar sedan, it looks like a cross between an Audi A6 wannabe and a Jaguar.  What happened to the identity, lads!?

Anyways, the new XK-R 75 looks pretty damn slick.  530hp, 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, limited edition to celebrate 75 years of Jaguar.  Pretty interesting paint job going on as well…

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/250678/

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May312010
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automotive, cars, iedei

foto of the day. 700.

the (virtually unknown) BMW 700 and its original production line.

Some info about the BMW 700:

The driving force behind the ‘700’ project was not only the BMW development department but in particular the Viennese BMW importer Wolfgang Denzel, a friend of the then BMW boarch chairman, Dr. Richter-Brohm. Largely on his own initiative, Denzel began to develop a sporty small car for BMW, having had some experience of automobile construction himself. The technical basis was to be provided by the chassis and the engine of the BMW 600. This small four-seater, derived from the Isetta, had remained somewhat unsuccessful due to it’s unorthodox body, not because of technical shortcomings.

Denzel entrusted the Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti with the design of the body. In mid January 1958, Denzel then received the official development contract, and a body design was developed in his workshops.

On July 30th 1958, Denzel presented the finished prototype of the Coupé to the BMW board of directors, as developed by himself in collaboration with Michelotti. All in all, the car’s modern Italian influenced style was well received. However, a certain amount of criticism was expressed, in particular on the question of suitability for economical manufacture. The BMW design department under Wilhelm Hofmeister was then instructed to come up with a competing design, though retaining the characteristic stylistic elements of Michelotti prototype. At the same time, Helmut-Werner Bönsch, the new BMW director of product planning and marketing, encouraged the development of a saloon version.

more info: http://www.bmw700.net/index.php?lng_id=en

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March302010
1 Comment
automotive, cars, iedei

lecture of the day. E12 M535i.

well this guy should teach a class on stellar german classics….not the most exciting video, but lots of information for those interested in the birth of the modern fast sedan!  One of the coolest BMWs ever, and definitely the coolest M5 ever made, the BMW E12 M535i.

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November282009
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automotive, cars, iedei

format67 BMW 130i and 135i videos.

Some really well made, and very cool videos about a car i am genuinely in love with—the E82 1-series Coupe.

more F67 stuff: http://www.format67.net/67/

BMW 130i “tii”

BMW 135i

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September272009
1 Comment
automotive, cars, iedei

the hotness: Singer 911

Singer_911_front

Singer Vehicle Design take older 911s from 1969 to 1989 and refresh them into something completely unique and amazing.  This is a complete ‘refresh’ process which targets the appearance of those early 911 RSRs and Carrera RS from the late 60s/early 70s.  In actuality, i gotta say that the Singer 911 almost looks better than those originals.

according to them:

“The Singer 911 is no mere imitation, clone or retro-hot rod, but a re-interpretation and rebirth of theearly performance-focused 911’s. The new vehicle is the result of a fusion between the purity of the original 911 and modern materials, design, and updated technologies, and aftermarket experience into a unique sports car that recaptures the essence of the early 911’s golden age. The Singer 911 capitalizes on the 40 years of solutions and enhancements that have resulted from the racing aftermarket’s embracing the original 911. Borrowing the best elements from the air/oil cooled 911’s long production span such as the “chic” of the long hood pre-’74 race specials, and the engineering durability of the later cars from the 80’s and 90’s, Singer Vehicle Design capitalizes on the vast know how and evolutionary advances the original 911 has enjoyed. The experience offered by the new Singer 911 is a passionate celebration of the history making, iconic 911, and creates an enhanced sportscar that honors the original 911’s soul.”

some more photos and a LINK to more info:


Singer_911_interior

Singer_911_rear

Singer_911

CHECK OUT SINGER’s WEBSITE:

http://www.singervehicledesign.com/

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September262009
1 Comment
automotive, business, cars, iedei

The car FIAT (Alfa Romeo) needs to bring to the USA…

Well, it’s been years of keeping fingers crossed for Alfa Romeos and Fiats to start coming to the USA.  Every few months, I see a ‘new’ article stating FIAT’s intent or specific predictions of import plans, or ‘new’ ideas of how FIAT will support bringing their italian-bred machinery back to the US market.

ALFA ROMEO 149 GTA (Milano)

Alfa Romeo 149 GTA

So it’s too late to ask for a 147 GTA as it is being soon discontinued in favour of the new 149.  Which is why we are gonna ask for that!  A lower priced, italian hatchback with some guts and style is EXACTLY what Alfa Romeo should bring to the US market upon their return.  I really hope they don’t blur clear thoughts and think that all they need to bring back are ‘luxury’ cars….Alfa needs to bring cars with SOUL.  Small cars that feel more expensive, perform well, and are fun to own.  I can’t think of anything better than a GTA hatchback for the resurrection of the Alfa Romeo brand in the USA.

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