You learn something new... - Cars you didn't know existed, until now!

[Turbo Lag]

They are one of the most ugly thing's I've ever seen.

 

[superberkut]

They're long body panels on a short-wheelbase chassis. The overhangs must be longer than the distance between the front and rear wheels... a nightmare to park and a potentially dangerous car at high speeds...

That just took 5 years off my life...

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Personally I prefer the curvier 146.

That second shot makes it look like they just glued it together.

 

[superberkut]

The Oldsmobile Aerotech:

This was a speed-record car (of sorts) using Oldsmobile's Quad 4 four-cylinder engine, but with massive turbocharging. The short-tailed and long-tailed versions reached speeds in the 260-270mph bracket as a result. Interestingly, though, one car has a decal which reads: "Aurora V8," despite being powered by a four-banger. The rear wing on the short-tailed car is not commonly used.

Is it possible that a watered-down production version would have extended the life of the company?

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Interesting, perhaps they should have entered Le Mans with something similar.

 

[superberkut]

The only problem which may have a foregone conclusion is the heavy-duty turbocharger lasting the 24 hours, but no doubt it was fast and stable at high speeds (the long-tailed version). The notion of a four-banger at Le Mans would be interesting, however.

I add another one:

The Ghia 450 SS convertible, looking very clean from this angle.

 

[Metar]

I just doubt it would make much sense as a race-car. It seems like everyone wants their favourite company to enter their favourite series with their favourite cars - but usually, especially in the top-classes, it takes more than just a will in order to be competitive.

Yes, most roadcars can do fairly well in balanced touring-car series or GT classes with with the appropriate modifications - but you can't just take ye random carmaker and enter Le Mans or F1 with any car. A car built as a high-speed streamliner, with long overhangs and negligible downforce would, frankly, suck at Le Mans, bigtime.

A similar example was the "manufacturers you want in F1" thread. Apart from those reminiscing about the past and naming classics like Lotus and Brabham, the names of Audi and Mazda popped up quite often. What people often don't realize is that every sport has it's restrictions - Audi wouldn't be able to use their Diesels and quattro, while Mazda's rotaries would be of no use. Also, the trademark can make a small brand stand out and gain fans, but isn't necessarily the best option in racing-conditions - there's a reason why everyone eventually raced V10 engines, until they were locked into place.

For those same reasons, the Aerotech, in Le Mans trim, would look no different to any other prototype racer of the era, simply because that's what worked fastest at the time. It would have smaller overhangs, a brand new race-worthy chassis, wings, and a slightly more usual (for a prototype) design. And then it would no longer be any different from other prototypes.

 

[sLg]

The James Bond Live or Let Die movie one's actually okay-looking:

 

[Bones Brigade]

is it?

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

I just doubt it would make much sense as a race-car. It seems like everyone wants their favourite company to enter their favourite series with their favourite cars - but usually, especially in the top-classes, it takes more than just a will in order to be competitive.

Yes, most roadcars can do fairly well in balanced touring-car series or GT classes with with the appropriate modifications - but you can't just take ye random carmaker and enter Le Mans or F1 with any car. A car built as a high-speed streamliner, with long overhangs and negligible downforce would, frankly, suck at Le Mans, bigtime.

A similar example was the "manufacturers you want in F1" thread. Apart from those reminiscing about the past and naming classics like Lotus and Brabham, the names of Audi and Mazda popped up quite often. What people often don't realize is that every sport has it's restrictions - Audi wouldn't be able to use their Diesels and quattro, while Mazda's rotaries would be of no use. Also, the trademark can make a small brand stand out and gain fans, but isn't necessarily the best option in racing-conditions - there's a reason why everyone eventually raced V10 engines, until they were locked into place.

For those same reasons, the Aerotech, in Le Mans trim, would look no different to any other prototype racer of the era, simply because that's what worked fastest at the time. It would have smaller overhangs, a brand new race-worthy chassis, wings, and a slightly more usual (for a prototype) design. And then it would no longer be any different from other prototypes.

I did say something similar, not the same as the speed record car. It could be easy enough to enter something different, that's what Audi and Peugeot do now, diesel vs the petrol engines. Just because one method is fast, doesn' mean others won't be. As far as automakers entering races they normally don't, they would then develop the technology required to do so. Audi don't use quattro in LMP001, and Peugeot don't use FWD. As far as I remember, in F1 they don't use camshafts at all, something like neumatic or hyrdaulics something or rather. Last time I checked no one uses that in their road cars, they developed it for the specific use of F1, and anyone preparing to pour cash in and put the right minds to the job could do the same.

 

[sesselpupser]

is it?

No.

A new British supercar (sorry if it's been posted already)...
3500cc V6 producing 400bhp or 3500cc V6 twin turbo with 500bhp, Graziano 6 speed gearbox with a sequential as an option, 190mph top speed and 0-60 in 3.2.

I wonder how long it'll take for them to announce that they can't afford/be bothered to make more than one? Its not exactly pretty either, the front end is probably the best bit because it looks vaguely Zonda F-like but the rest of the car reminds me of a horrible accident involving an F40 and Noble M400 with a Zonda F paintjob and badly executed R8 carbonfibre side blades...

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> Found this two days ago. Most of my knowledge about BMW's M-series are consists:

M3
E30 = coupe, cabrio/conv.
E36 = coupe, cabrio, sedan
E46 = coupe, cabrio
E92 = coupe
E93 = cabrio
E90 = sedan

M5
E28 = sedan
E34 = sedan
E39 = sedan
E60 = sedan

M6
E28 = coupe (M635CSi)
E64 = coupe

M8 (never produced)
E24 =coupe

^ But as I always stumble at Autoblog every day and saw this:

BMW M5 [E34] Cabriolet prototype '89

ARTICLE

^ It looks like an E30 M3 for more mature people, and I like it. Not even Wiki have this car on the M5 article.

 

[Turbo Lag]

BMW M5 [E34] Cabriolet prototype '89

ARTICLE

^ It looks like an E30 M3 for more mature people, and I like it. Not even Wiki have this car on the M5 article.

That looks really nice, but I don't think it'd work with the E60.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

That looks really nice, but I don't think it'd work with the E60.

There would be no want at all anyhow... There is a 6-series coupe and 'vert for pricks (As in the stereotypical BMW owner) who want two doors instead of four.

 

[stumpydino]

ferrari fz93

aand the ferrari fx

now iv bought plenty of car concept and design books over the years but iv never seen these in one.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

O.o the FX looks like an older Saturn from the nose.

 

[Jim Prower]

O.o the FX looks like an older Saturn from the nose.

Actually, says "McLaren F1" to me. Sort of...well, perhaps there is some Saturn SC in there. Headlights, definitely. FZ93 looks like a Fiero re-bodied to look like an Enzo, and badly, at that.

JDM Chevy MW. New one on me.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Just a Suzuki Wagon R from what I can see...

 

[Omnis]

O.o the FX looks like an older Saturn from the nose.

Looks more like an old italian guy with a mustache and a gold tooth.

 

[Jim Prower]

Just a Suzuki Wagon R from what I can see...

'tis, or at least, one of Suzuki's Kei cars: the current Wagon R looks nothing like that. Considering GM has some sort of share in Suzuki it's not surprising.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

It's the same Wagon R as is in GT4 if that helps any. Only difference seems to be the grill.

 

[buickgnx88]

The King Midget

We need these guys nowadays that gas is so darn expensive!

 

[Joey D]

We have microcars now days, they are called Smart's.

 

[buickgnx88]

Yes, but they don't come with a 9hp engine and centrifical clutch!

 

[land sea air]

Yes, but they don't come with a 9hp engine and centrifical clutch!

or one wheel drive!

 

[buickgnx88]

Or lawn tractor wheels!

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

So which wheel does the power go to?

 

[buickgnx88]

Right rear according to this pic I found online:

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

^ Is that a Honda GX-series engine? Talk about Powered By Honda there.

 

[Prosthetic]

Looks like a Chevy small block to me