Alfa GTV Evoluzione: 1979 GTV With New Body & 3.0 V6

While we’re accustomed with American tuners presenting modern interpretations of classic cars like the Ford Mustang, in Europe, the majority of car nuts prefer restoring rather than modernizing classic vehicles. Therefore, it’s no wonder that we were surprised with the GTV Evoluzione which was created by “Racer X Design”, a company based in Malta, an island nation in the Mediterranean. -Continued after the jump

Using a scrapped 1979 Alfa Romeo GTV as a base car, Racer X Design’s team began working on the GTV Evoluzione in 2004 and it finished this year (2007). The car was designed by Reuben Zammit and built by Jean Paul Pisani who used metal sheets instead of fibreglass. Both the front end and the back end were completely cut off and re-built from scratch, the track was widened by 8” on the front and 9” on the back, using one off wheels designed in-house.

The original GTV’s drive train was replaced by a modern 3.0-litre V6 24v Alfa Romeo unit while the brakes were also upgraded to 4 piston Brembo calipers and 300mm vented discs, as were the suspension system and chassis in general.

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Racer X Design

Volkswagen MicroBus Hotwheels Style

I could have sworn that I used to have one of these as a toy back in my junior years. Looks great, doesn’t it? The Hotwheels themed Volkswagen Microbus turned up at the 60th anniversary of the Bus in Hannover, Germany in early October along with a selection of over 5,000 Transporter vans and campers ranging from the original ‘split-screen’ T1 to today’s fifth-generation models.

Volvo To Display Rare & Historic Models at 2007 Classic Motor Show

Volvo will celebrate its 80th anniversary at this year’s U.K. Classic Motor Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 9 to 11 November, with the display of eight very rare and historic models. Among the cars that will be displayed by Volvo Cars Heritage and the Volvo Owners Club are the 1963 122S Amazon Coune Convertible 1963 (the only rolling example of the five produced) and the 1963 PV36 “Carioca” (only 500 were built). -Details after the jump

Volvo Cars Heritage displays the following cars:

Volvo PV655 Norrmalm drophead coupe 1933: A magnificent one-off, generally considered to be the world’s most beautiful Volvo.

Volvo 445 Valbo convertible 1953: Built on the 445 light truck chassis, this is one of five survivors out of 10 originally built.

Volvo Sport 1956: Often referred to as the P1900 this nice sportscar with its original plastic body carries chassis number 1.

Volvo 122S Amazon Coune convertible 1963: The only rolling example of the five open Amazons built by Belgian carrossier Jacques Coune.

Volvo 480 convertible prototype 1990: One of the two prototypes built by Volvo Car B.V. as design and feasibility studies.

The Volvo Owners Club displays:

Volvo PV36 “Carioca” 1936: Only 500 were built of this streamlined pre-war Volvo and this is the only one in the UK.
Volvo 1800S 1965: The winner of several councours awards, this is one of the best 1800s in existence and it is still in regular use.
Volvo 780 Bertone coupe 1990: Designed and built by Bertone in Italy, this was the top-of-the-line Volvo during the second half of the 1980s.

SEMA: Chevy Hot Rod Replica With A Flexfuel 500Hp 2.0L Turbo Engine

Instead of featuring a typical small-block V8, Chevy’s low-slung 1934 hot-rod replica is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec engine that runs on E85 ethanol. With the help of GM Performance Parts’ Stage III performance kit and a larger turbo, the alternative-fuel street rod pumps out a whopping 500 Hp to the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission. According to Chevy, the FlexFuel Hot Rod is more than just a conceptualized vision as GM’s Performance Division will put the concepy into service for a number of road events and tests. -Follow the jump for details & pictures

FLEXFUEL CHEVY HOT ROD DEMONSTRATES VINTAGE STYLE AND MODERN ALTERNATIVE-FUEL PERFORMANCE

With a 500-horsepower engine, a channeled body and a chopped top, GM’s custom street rod looks right at home on the salt flats of Bonneville. But instead of a traditional gasoline V-8, this ’34 Chevy replica rod sports a turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec engine that runs on E85 ethanol. Appropriately, it has been dubbed the FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod.

“Since the 1930's, hot rods have embodied American ingenuity, aesthetic flair and the quest for performance," said Bryan Nesbitt, vice-president of General Motors North American Design. "The ethanol Hot Rod is a modern statement that today's hot rodder can address energy concerns about the consumption of petroleum without sacrificing performance or style.”

The car’s low-slung stance and stripped-down essence suggests track cars and speed racers of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Open hood sides reveal the high-powered Ecotec engine, which has been pumped up with the help of GM Performance Parts’ Stage III performance kit and a larger turbo. The higher octane of E85 enabled engineers to tune the engine for more power. It is backed by a GM Powertrain 5L40 five-speed automatic transmission.

“The engine was built using the basic recipe that is available in the Ecotec performance book available from GM Performance Parts,” said Al Oppenheiser, GM Performance Division director of concept and vehicle integration. “Also, the E85 conversion is based on a kit that GM is exploring for regular production engines.”

True hot rod aesthetic

Like hot rods built for the last 60 years, the FlexFuel Hot Rod is built from an assemblage of factory and aftermarket parts. The frame and body are based on the 1934 Chevy, but both were fabricated by the craftsmen at the GM Performance Division (GMPD). The body has been sectioned and channeled to give the car its true hot rod aesthetic, while the frame is a one-off piece designed, engineered and built by GMPD. The slanted grille – with a unique chrome mesh pattern – and hood are integrated for a smoother look, which includes a sun visor characteristic of period hot rod racers.

Like any good rod worth its salt, there are no fenders or running boards; the 10-inch headlamps are mounted to the core support. The front suspension is all custom-built, complete with period-perfect lightening holes drilled in it.

A sturdy 8-3/8-inch Winters Quick-change rearend is suspended by a parallel four-link suspension. It is filled with 5.20 gears, which are used to generate brisk acceleration with 35-inch-tall, racing-type Excelsior rear tires and 29-inch-tall front tires. The tires are mounted on custom 18-inch front and 20-inch rear “kidney bean”-style wheels from Budnik.

Steering comes from a custom-fabricated linkage that is connected to a reversed Corvair steering box. The linkage is mounted to the outside of the frame rail.

Hand-crafted cabin

Inside, the FlexFuel Hot Rod maintains its racing-inspired minimalist theme, but with contemporary feel. Hand-formed sheet metal and earth-friendly materials were used to trim the cabin, as well as the racing-style aluminum seats. The dashboard was hand-finished, too, and filled with traditional-looking Stewart-Warner gauges.

One of the interior’s central points of interest is the racing-style driveshaft tube, which covers the custom driveshaft. It is a prominent fixture in the cabin because the body has been lowered around the chassis to achieve the streamlined appearance that was characteristic of old-school hot rods.

Road ready

More than just a conceptualized vision of an alternative-fuel street rod, the FlexFuel Hot Rod is a driver that GM Performance Division will press into service for a number of road events and tests.

“This thing is going to rack up a lot of miles,” said Oppenheiser. “With the FlexFuel conversion, it can run purely on E85, gasoline or any combination of the two. That means it can be refueled anywhere the road takes it.”

2008 Ford Model T Concept by Designer David Beasley

The Ford Model T, one of the most important vehicles in automotive history will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. With this in mind, David Beasley, an industrial designer with a Master in Design from Coventry University and a Master in Art from the Royal College of Art, created a new interpretation of the “Tin Lizzie”. According to David, the 2008 Model T is inspired by modern architecture and proposed in different body variants (2+2 'dickie' coupe, a 2-seater pick-up and a more versatile and practical 4-seater wagon). -Continued after the jump

"2008 bears a special date for Ford - the 100th birthday of the Model T. For this reason, I believe that the perfect time to replace the Ka or Fiesta and give the customer an affordable 'halo' product is next year”, said David. I have designed this around contemporary architecture and graphic influences with the intention of creating a fresh yet heritage inspired design."

Images courtesy: David Beadley , Via: Carbodydesign

VW MicroBus Limousine

This 60’s MicroBus limousine made a special appearance at the VW Bus Exhibition in Hanover earlier this month (October 5 to 9) to celebrate the Microbus’ 60th anniversary. We don’t know any specific details about the MicroBus stretched limo but it certainly goes down as one heck of a cool car in our books. Can you imagine what it would be like owning a vehicle like the MicroBus limo in 70’s; totally orgylicious to say the least… -More images after the jump

Audi Presents Cutaway Model Of Its First 6-Cylinder Car Made In 1925

Audi’s heritage department will display a cutaway version of the German carmaker’s first six-cylinder model, a 1925 Type M 18/70 hp at the Audi museum in Ingolstadt. In total, 228 units of the Audi Type M were built between 1925 and 1928 but today, there are only four examples left worldwide. In April 2007, Audi had awarded the company Fahrzeugrestaurierung the contract to create the cutaway model from one the remaining Type M's. -Contiuned after the jump

"It was very important to us to be able to realise this project. After all, the cutaway model gives people a very revealing insight into the technology, the composition of the materials, the craftsmanship and the engineering expertise of its time," remarked Thomas Frank, Head of Audi Tradition.

Via: Motorpasion , Source: Audi

Vandenbrink Design Reveals Details On The Ferrari 599 Based GTO

Vandenbrink, an automotive design company founded in 2006 in The Netherlands by Dutch designer Michiel van den Brink and businessman Robert Koumans, has issued a new press release today (Oct.10, 2007), revealing new information about the retro-penned Vandenbrink GTO. The hand-made supercar that pays tribute to the iconic 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, will be based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano platform and mechanics.

Vandenbrink has teamed up with tuning specialist EDO-Competition to spice up the car’s performance. There will be two available editions:, the 599 GTO fitted with a near stock version of the Ferrari 599’s 6.0-litre V12 engine tweaked to 650 Hp (+30 Hp) and the high performance 630 GTO equipped with a 6.3-liter V12 unit pumping out 750 Hp. The GTO is scheduled to enter production in 2008, with the first cars being delivered in 2009. When we say first cars, don’t get too excited as Vandenbrink will only build 5 examples of the GTO. According to the Dutch coachbuilder, price of a full-option 630 GTO is €993,000 or $1.4 million. And that doesn’t include taxes and the price of a base 599 GTB Fiorano… -Press release & image gallery after the jump

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Vandenbrink

Press Release (Scroll down for the image gallery)

Vandenbrink Design unveils special coachbuilt GTO

Vandenbrink Design joins the revival of special coachbuilding by presenting their design of the GTO, a tribute to the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.

The GTO was designed in 2006 by Michiel van den Brink, who founded the Vandenbrink Design company with business partner Robert Koumans in the Netherlands

The worldwide acclaim the artist impressions received exceeded all expectations; TopGear even wrote "Ocular Nirvana: arguably the best-looking car in the world".

The overwhealming response put the bar high, but it encouraged Vandenbrink to accept the challenge by prepairing the design for production.

The new coachwork will be handcrafted following the classic tradition in aluminium by Dutchman Alwin Hietbrink, who is worldwide known by his excellent aluminium craftsmanship in restoration and rebuilding projects of classic Italian iconic sportscars such as the genuine Ferrari 250 GTO.

Optional interior/upholstery redesign will be performed by the Dutch craftsman Henk van Lith, also worldwide known by his specialization in the making of high quality Italian interiors.

The GTO is technically based on the superb Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano platform.

In cooperation with race engineering expert EDO Competition two versions are offered:
- the 599 GTO (5998 cc / 650 hp / 630 Nm) and
- the high performance 630 GTO (6300 cc / 750 hp / 680 Nm).

Through this unique approach the GTO offers a synthesis of automotive art, craftsmanship and state-of-the-art platform and performance engineering.

Only 5 GTO's will be built for customers, guaranteeing exceptional exclusivity.
Customer interest appeared solid; first coachworks have been reserved.
Production will start in 2008; delivery to the first owner will be in 2009.

Price of a full-options 630 GTO is 993.000,- euros (excl. base 599 GTB Fiorano, ex taxes).

Vandenbrink Design:

Vandenbrink Design BV is an automotive design company, located in The Netherlands.
It is a privately owned company, founded in 2006 by Michiel van den Brink and Robert Koumans.
The company focus is on special design and coachbuilding for highly exclusive sportscars.

Mopar To Show Off Seven Privately Owned Muscle Cars At SEMA

In collaboration with the editors of Mopar Muscle, Mopar Action and Mopar Collector’s Guide, Chryler’s Mopar division has picked out seven uniquely modified or restored, privately owned muscle cars that will attend this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas on Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2007. “These four Top Eliminator award winners, as well as the three winners we chose at Chryslers at Carlisle, Mopars at the Strip and Detroit AutoRama, did an outstanding job modifying or restoring their vehicles,” said David Hakim, Mopar Program Manager.

The four muscle cars that won the “2007 Top Elimator Awards” are: Robert Motz of Holland, Ohio who restored a 1970 Dodge Challenger RT; Mike Ege of Cornelius, N.C. who restored a 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340; Mark Halbach of Janesville, Iowa who transformed a 1970 Plymouth HEMI 340 ‘Cuda into a HEMICudzter and finally, George Sergakis, a Greek immigrant from Grand Island, NY who restored a rare 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440-6BBL. -Details and images after the jump

Mopar Announces Final Four “Top Eliminator” Award Winners for 2007 SEMA Show

• Mopar developed the year-long program to recognize the most passionate and skilled enthusiasts and their restored/modified vehicles
• All winners and their vehicles will attend the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas

Center Line, Mich., Sep 26, 2007 - Mopar® Performance Parts and the editors of Mopar Muscle, Mopar Action and Mopar Collector’s Guide have chosen the final four 2007 Top Eliminator award winners. Mopar, the Chrysler LLC’s original equipment (OE) parts manufacturer, developed the year-long program to recognize the most passionate and skilled Mopar enthusiasts and their restored or modified cars. The seven winners and their vehicles will attend this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas on Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2007.

“These four Top Eliminator award winners, as well as the three winners we chose at Chryslers at Carlisle, Mopars at the Strip and Detroit AutoRama, did an outstanding job modifying or restoring their vehicles,” said David Hakim, Program Manager – Mopar Performance Parts, Chrysler LLC. Hakim added, "The work done by all seven Top Eliminator award winners attending this year's SEMA Show shows the passion that represents our Mopar brand."

Mopar Performance Parts Winner
Mike Ege of Cornelius, N.C. restored a 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 that he displayed at Mopar Nationals in Columbus, Ohio in August.

Ege purchased the car from his parents in 1974 on his 16th birthday – his parents had purchased it used in 1970. From 1974 to 1977, he was a regular Friday night cruiser on ‘E’ Street in San Bernardino, Calif. On Saturday nights, he would it drive to the Orange Show Speedway. The Dart became such a part of his life that he could never sell it. He and his wife even had their first date in it in 1982. After putting the Dart in storage in 1989, he began its restoration in 2003.

The term “the real McCoy” takes on a whole new meaning for Ege’s restoration. He calls the two-year project, “rotisserie restoration.” His goal was to turn back the clock to 1969. Every effort was made to restore the Dart to “OE/Factory” specifications – the way the dealer would have received the Dart after it rolled off the assembly line. He used very few reproduction parts on the Dart. If new-old-stock (NOS) parts weren’t available [factory parts built by the original manufacturer], then he used a high-quality reproduction part.

His attention to detail paid off. At the 2006 Mopar Nationals in Columbus, the vehicle won Best of Show – the first “A” body to realize that achievement. It also was awarded OE Gold certification – only the second “A” body vehicle to achieve that status.

The interior is stock and includes factory floor mats, plastic bags covering the seat belts and an engine-starting procedure tag hanging on the turn indicator lever. The engine and drive train were restored to OE specs as well. Even the odometer was reset to zero (before the restoration, the Dart had 117,000 miles). It’s painted R4/bright red.
A Mopar fan since 1966 when his father started racing Plymouth and Dodge cars, Ege estimates the restoration cost him over $100,000. But the praise he receives on the project is worth every penny.

Mopar Muscle Winner
Mark Halbach of Janesville, Iowa transformed a 1970 Plymouth HEMI® 340 ‘Cuda into a HEMICudzter. Halbach chose the car because he believes the “E” body has timeless Mopar body lines and was the pinnacle of American muscle cars. He also wanted to apply modern technology and ingenuity to a ‘70 ‘Cuda.

He purchased the car in 2000 and began the ‘Cuda-to-HEMICudzter transformation in 2002. His original minor modifications soon spiraled into a hardcore “restomod.” Every part of the car’s interior and exterior is new, fabricated, rebuilt or customized down to the polished stainless steel bolts. Halbach even smoothed and sprayed clear coat on the undercarriage of the car.

To increase the “wow” factor, he built a removable, rubber-sealed roadster hard top. Other restoration modifications include subframe connectors and four-link air-ride suspension in the back. He minitubbed the car and added air ride in the front to work in tandem with the torsion bar set up. He also made a floating roll bar for the back. The HEMICudzter is painted a custom PPG silver.

He originally dropped in a 5.7-liter HEMI engine to give it power. Then in the middle of the project, Mopar announced a 6.1-liter HEMI motor. He then upgraded to the 6.1 and mated it to a Tremec five-speed transmission for 430 hp. He also fitted it with a custom side exhaust. The rear axle is a Chrysler-built 8¾ in. with 3.91 gears.

"When I first saw Mark's ‘HEMICudzter, I was immediately drawn to the fact that he had created a beautiful, modernized muscle car. The attention to detail and the overall package creates exactly the kind of "modernized classic Mopar" that any enthusiast can really enjoy," said Randy Bolig, editor of Mopar Muscle.

Mopar Collector’s Guide Winner
George Sergakis of Grand Island, NY restored a rare 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440-6BBL. Arriving in America in 1973, the first car he bought was a used ‘71 ‘Cuda. Sergakis sold it in 1976 but never forgot it. He thought the “E” body was one of finest vehicles ever made.

One of only 108 produced with this engine/transmission combination, the vehicle had 54,000 miles on the odometer when he purchased it in 1992. When it was new, the car was ordered as a sleeper street fighter with the nickname "Thunder 71." It’s still known by that name in upstate New York. It took him nearly 3½ years to restore it to exact factory/assembly line specifications.

The tan and brown interior features bucket seats. It also has a Hurst pistol grip shifter with console, Rallye instrument cluster, a Rimblow steering wheel and five-speaker AM/FM multiplex stereo.

The exterior is black and features a Rallye hood and all available moldings.

The original 440 c.i.d engine with three 2BBL Holley carburetors churns out 385 hp and 490 lb.-ft. of torque. All internal components are Mopar Performance restoration parts. It has a manual four-speed A-833 transmission. The rear end came with an "A34" super track pack option, consisting of 4:10 gear ratio, 9.75-in. Dana 60 axle, sure grip, power disc brakes, maximum cooling and HEMI suspension.

“George, an immigrant to the U.S. from Crete, Greece, is one proud Mopar enthusiast. George sees his 'Cuda as his realization of achieving the American dream. Couple that with the significance of his car being the last '71 Six Barrel 'Cuda built and you see why George is, hands down, my pick for Mopar Top Eliminator this year,” said Robert Wolf, editor of Mopar Collector’s Guide.

Mopar Action Winner
Robert Motz of Holland, Ohio restored a 1970 Dodge Challenger RT. Motz thought the ‘70 Dodge Challenger had the best styling of any muscle car on the road – back then and now. His son agreed and joined him in the restoration project. When he bought it, the car had no motor or transmission. It was not in very good shape.

Motz and his son first installed tubs for the rear wheels, a four-link system that he chromed, a fab nine rear end, strange axles and strange aluminum third member. He also installed a magnum force front-suspension system with Wilwood brakes on all four corners.

He then went to work on the body including new sheet metal, hood and bumpers. Using the vehicle’s body lines, he painted it a combination of candy apple red and black cherry. He painted “550 HEMI” in a variegated “old school” gold leaf on the side of the hood and on the body lines. He also used a “gold” line to break the black and red. Finally, he fitted the Challenger with a set of one-off Boyd Coddington 10-spoke wheels.

The motor is a Keith Black aluminum block with Mopar Performance aluminum heads, and a crane roller cam and valve train components. It has a 1250 dominator with a 500 hp NOS Proshot fogger – producing 810 hp. It has a Keisler five-speed transmission with a Lakewood bell housing and hydraulic clutch. It also features an aluminum drive shaft and custom-built air cleaner.

He first designed a black and red interior and later changed to leather and suede. He installed bucket seats, custom steering wheel and an air-ride suspension with custom chrome dual air tanks (placed between the tubs).

The restoration took nearly five years. He and his son have enjoyed attending Classic Mopar car shows around the country. According to Motz, “Everyone loves a Mopar.”

“Mopar Action recognizes the innovation and fine craftsmanship on the part of Bob Motz in creating this Challenger. He retained the spirit of Dodge's classic muscle car, while infusing it with contemporary technology. He managed to come up with a package that's wild, yet still tasteful. Most important, Motz handled virtually every detail of the project himself, rather than farming out all to a shop. And that, we think, is the sign of a true Mopar enthusiast,” said Cliff Gromer, editor of Mopar Action.