Thursday, June 30, 2011

1953 Chrysler D'Elegance


The 1952 Chrysler Coupe D'Elegance show car was built by Ghia (as were most, or perhaps all, of Chrysler's show cars in that era). I don't know what Chrysler did with the original Coupe D'Elegance, but they certainly didn't produce anything like it. Perhaps that's not such a bad thing, as their front end styling was a bit homely, in my opinion.


If Chrysler forgot about the Coupe D'Elegance, however, Ghia did not. A couple years later when Volkswagen (a dirty word on the HAMB, I know) decided they needed to pretty up their model line, Ghia dredged out the design. Most of the elements ended up on the Karmann Ghia coupe:


Amazingly, they started production in 1955. While air-cooled cars are not HAMB material, fifties Chryslers certainly are. Does anybody else think one of these would be kinda cool built as a '50s Thunderbird/Corvette competitor from Mopar? Some kind of custom grille, a carefully hidden tube chassis and a baby Hemi or early Wedge would go a long way back toward Chrysler dream car and away from buzzing VW.
jalopyjournal.com






This was the first of Virgil Exner's series of European influenced designs to be rendered by the Italian coachbuilder Ghia. Its sleek lines and spare ornamentation were the inspiration for a series of similar show cars. This one featured custom fitted luggage to fit the space behind the front seats, because there was no trunk. Instead, the car featured electro-hydraulic spare-tire deployment.

Ce fut le premier d'une série de Virgil Exner européenne conceptions influencées à être rendu par l'italien Ghia carrossier. Ses lignes épurées et l'ornementation de rechange ont été l'inspiration pour une série de voitures d'exposition semblable. Celui-ci en vedette personnalisée bagages équipés pour s'adapter à l'espace derrière les sièges avant, parce qu'il n'y avait pas de coffre. Au lieu de cela, la voiture vedette électro-hydraulique de rechange pneus déploiement.

Questo è stato il primo della serie di Virgil Exner di progetti europei influenzati da rendere con l'italiano carrozziere Ghia. Le sue linee eleganti e decorazioni di ricambio sono stati l'ispirazione per una serie di show car simili. Questa funzionalità personalizzate bagagli montati per adattarsi allo spazio dietro ai sedili anteriori, perché non c'era tronco. Invece, la vettura caratterizzato elettro-idraulico della ruota di scorta distribuzione.

Dies war das erste von Virgil Exner-Serie der europäischen beeinflusst Geschmacksmuster durch den italienischen Karosseriebauer Ghia gerendert werden. Seine klaren Linien und schonen Verzierungen waren die Inspiration für eine Reihe von ähnlichen Showcars. Dieser Funktionsumfang individuell bestückt Gepäck, um den Raum hinter den Vordersitzen passen, weil es keinen Stamm. Stattdessen, featured das Auto elektro-hydraulische Ersatz-Reifen Einsatz.

كان هذا هو الأول من سلسلة فيرجيل إكسنر من التصاميم الأوروبية أثرت أن يؤديها غيا coachbuilder الايطالية. وكانت خطوطها الأنيقة والزخرفة الغيار مصدر إلهام لسلسلة من السيارات تبين مماثلة. ظهر هذا واحد الأمتعة المجهزة المخصصة لتتناسب مع مساحة وراء المقاعد الأمامية ، لأنه لا يوجد الجذع. بدلا من ذلك، وظهرت السيارة الكهربائية الهيدروليكية الغيار، الإطارات النشر.

维吉尔埃克斯纳的欧洲的影响是由意大利车身制造厂吉亚提供的设计系列中的第一圆滑的线条和备用纹饰一个类似的展车系列的灵感这一个功能的定制,以适应行李在前排座椅后面的空间,因为没有躯干相反,汽车功能的电液备用轮胎的部署。


Sunday, June 26, 2011

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL




Imagine you are developing a car. First, the floor pan, frame, then engine, seats, etc., and at the end you want to put up the doors, but must say that this is not accomplished in conventional ways. What now? The design in the garbage or an innovative solution will be sought. The engineers at Mercedes focused in 1953, the same decision and decided against the dumpster. She unscrewed the door hinges to the roof and inventing entirely new doors. The aerodynamically favorable form of the gull-wing allowed a top speed of over 200 km/h. What today elicits no valve behind the stove, was then a sensation! To get the SL at this speed, it was first necessary to go into the vehicle. This turned out won’t be not too easy. One, by the underlying trellis frame, very wide sill wanted to be overcome. The steering wheel does not slip into facilitating the deep position of the seats now, so we devised is another highlight. The steering wheel could be folded down! Between 1954 and 1957 1,400 copies of the Gullwing was built, which were delivered at about 1,100 in the United States. The United States, more specifically, the importer Max Hoffman was the reason for the development of the 300 SL road car. He worked on the Mercedes-board until one, about 6 months prior to the subsequent presentation, decided to build the SL. He saw a large market for sports cars outside Europe, the high export share of total gave him quite definitely! 55 years after the Gullwing Mercedes shows the legitimate heirs, the Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS.The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was introduced in 1954 as a two-seat, closed sports car with distinctive gull-wing doors. Later it was offered as an open roadster. It was the fastest production car of its day.

Built by Daimler-Benz AG and internally numbered W198, the fuel-injected road version was based (somewhat loosely) on the company's highly successful competition-only sports car of 1952, the somewhat less powerful carbureted Mercedes-Benz 300SL (W194).


The road model was suggested by Max Hoffman. Being intended for customers in the booming post-war American market it was introduced at the 1954 New York Auto Show, unlike previous models introduced at either the Frankfurt or Geneva shows. In Mercedes-Benz fashion, the "300" referred to the engine's three litre cylinder displacement. The "SL" stood for "Sport Leicht" (Sport Light).

The 300SL was best known for both its distinctive gull wing doors and being the first-ever four-stroke car equipped with a gasoline direct injection. The gull wing version was available from March 1955 to 1957. Production of the roadster ended in 1963 with the introduction of the 230SL.





Der 300SL war am besten für beide seinen unverwechselbaren Flügeltüren bekannt und wird erstmals eine Vier-Takt-Auto mit Benzin-Direkteinspritzung ausgestattet. Der Flügeltürer-Version verfügbar war von März 1955 bis 1957. Die Produktion des Roadsters Ende 1963 mit der Einführung des 230 SL.

Il 300SL era meglio conosciuta sia per le sue porte ad ala di gabbiano distintivo ed essendo la prima auto a quattro tempi dotato di iniezione diretta di benzina. La versione ad ala di gabbiano era disponibile da Marzo 1955 al 1957. La produzione della roadster conclusa nel 1963 con l'introduzione della 230SL.

ومن المعروف أفضل لكلا 300SL المتميزة أبواب جناح النورس وكونها أول سيارة رباعية الأشواط مزودة الحقن المباشر للبنزين. وكان جناح نورس النسخة المتوفرة من مارس 1955 إلى عام 1957. انتهت إنتاج السيارة في عام 1963 مع الأخذ 230SL.

La 300SL était surtout connu pour deux de ses distinctifs portes papillon et d'être le premier quatre-temps de voiture équipé d'une injection directe d'essence. La version Gull Wing est disponible de Mars 1955 à 1957. Production du roadster a pris fin en 1963 avec l'introduction de la 230SL.

The racing genes of the 300 SL tempted 
renowned racing drivers and privateers from all over the world to enter
sports car races and rallies
 
 
Merceder W123 

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Land Rover





 
Let’s make it perfectly clear: This is not about the squeaky-clean yuppie haulers that litter the suburbs. This is the British equivalent to America’s Jeep -- and to some Americans, the more desirable choice. Between 1948 and 1985, Series I, II and III Rovers were rugged and sparse, often matching the terrain they crossed. Like the Jeep, there was no pretense in the Rover’s presence, just incredible off-road ability. So as you might guess, this makes for a less than placid ride and handling on pavement. For the most agreeable compromise, shop for later Series IIIs from '82-'85 with their stronger half shafts and availability of limited creature comforts.
askmen.com

The first Land Rover was designed in 1948 in the United Kingdom (on the island of Anglesey off the coast of Wales) by Maurice Wilks, chief designer at the British car company Rover on his farm in Newborough, Anglesey.[10] It is said that he was inspired by an American World War II Jeep that he used one summer at his holiday home in Wales.[citation needed] The first Land Rover prototype, later nicknamed 'Centre Steer', was built on a Jeep chassis. A distinctive feature is their bodies, constructed of a lightweight rustproof proprietary alloy of aluminium and magnesium called Birmabright. This material was used because of the post-war steel shortage and the plentiful supply of post-war aircraft aluminium. This metal's resistance to corrosion was one of the factors that allowed the vehicle to build up a reputation for longevity in the toughest conditions. Land Rover once advertised that 75% of all vehicles ever built are still in use.[citation needed] In fact, Land Rover drivers sometimes refer to other makes of 4x4 as "disposables".[11] The early choice of colour was dictated by military surplus supplies of aircraft cockpit paint, so early vehicles only came in various shades of light green; all models until recently feature sturdy box section ladder-frame chassis.

The early vehicles, such as the Series I, were field-tested at Long Bennington and designed to be field-serviced; advertisements for Rovers cite vehicles driven thousands of miles on banana oil. Now with more complex service requirements this is less of an option. The British Army maintains the use of the mechanically simple 2.5 litre 4-cylinder 300TDi engined versions rather than the electronically controlled 2.5 litre 5-cylinder TD5 to retain some servicing simplicity. This engine also continued in use in some export markets using units built at a Ford plant in Brazil, where Land Rovers were built under license and the engine was also used in Ford pick-up trucks built locally. Production of the TDi engine ended in the United Kingdom in 2006, meaning that Land Rover no longer offers it as an option. International Motors of Brazil offer an engine called the 2.8 TGV Power Torque, which is essentially a 2.8 litre version of the 300TDi, with a corresponding increase in power and torque. All power is combined with an All-Terrain Traction Control which gives active terrain response; Ferrari uses a similar system in race traction.

During its ownership by Ford, Land Rover was associated with Jaguar. In many countries they shared a common sales and distribution network (including shared dealerships), and some models shared components and production facilities.

Launched under the independent Rover Company pre-merger (1904–67)

1904–12 Rover 8
1906–10 Rover 6
1906–10 Rover 16/20
1912–23 Rover 12
1919–25 Rover 8
1924–27 Rover 9/20
1925–27 Rover 14/45
1927–32 Rover Light Six
1927–47 Rover 10
1929–32 Rover 2-Litre
1930–34 Rover Meteor 16HP/20HP
1931–40 Rover Speed 20
1932–33 Rover Pilot/Speed Pilot
1932–32 Rover Scarab
1934–47 Rover 12
1934–47 Rover 14/Speed 14
1937–47 Rover 16
1948–78 Land Rover (I/II/III)—In 1978, BL established Land Rover Limited as a separate subsidiary; it took over Land Rover production.
1948–49 Rover P3 (60/75)
1949–64 Rover P4 (60/75/80/90/95/100/105/110)
1958–73 Rover P5 (3-Litre/3.5-Litre)
1963–76 Rover P6 (2000/2200/3500)

[edit] Launched under the Rover Company as a BLMC/BL subsidiary (1967–86)

1970–78 Range Rover—In 1978, BL established Land Rover Limited as a separate subsidiary; it took over Range Rover production.
1976–86 Rover SD1 (2000/2300/2400/2600/3500/Vitesse)
1984–99 Rover 200 (211/213/214/216/218/220)
1985–89 Rover 416i—Australian market

[edit] Pre-existing models rebranded under the Rover Group (1986–2000)

Mini/Supermini cars
1986–2000 Rover Mini—Originally called the Austin Seven/Morris Mini Minor in 1959, but renamed Rover Mini in 1986.
1990–98 Rover Metro, Rover 100 (111/114/115)

Family cars
1989–94 Maestro—Never branded a Rover but sold through brand.
1989–94 Montego—Never branded a Rover but sold through brand.

[edit] Rover-branded models launched under the Rover Group (1986–2000)

Family cars
1992–98 Rover 200 Coupe (216/218/220/220 Turbo)
1990–2000 Rover 400 (414/416/418/420)
1993–99 Rover SK1, Rover 600 (618/620/623 and 620ti)

Executive cars
1986–98 Rover 800 (820/825/827 and Vitesse) and Sterling
1998–2005 Rover RD1, Rover 75

[edit] Rover-branded models launched under MG Rover (2000–05)

Mini/Supermini cars
2003–05 CityRover

Family cars
2000–05 Rover 25
2000–05 Rover 45
2003–05 Rover Streetwise

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Jaguar E-Type


For many enthusiasts, this is not a British car, this is the British car. Even Enzo Ferrari remarked that it was the most beautiful car ever made, upon its 1961 release. He wasn’t alone in this sentiment, as the immediately popular E-Type not only looked stylish enough to play with a Ferrari, it had the power to run with them. Jaguar press materials claimed 150 mph was possible, and if this was a little optimistic, it wasn’t off by much. Owners today probably aren’t as keen to explore their all-time British cars' upper limits, given the strong market and consistent demand. Earlier E-Type models from '61-'64 are seen as more desirable due to the covered headlamps and the entertaining 3.8-liter I-6 engine.


The Jaguar E-Type (UK) or XK-E (US) is a British automobile manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1975. Its combination of good looks, high performance, and competitive pricing established the marque as an icon of 1960s motoring. A great success for Jaguar, more than 70,000 E-Types were sold during its lifespan.

In March 2008, the Jaguar E-Type ranked first in the Daily Telegraph's list of the "100 most beautiful cars" of all time".
In 2004, Sports Car International magazine placed the E-Type at number one on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.








Der Jaguar E-Type oder XK-E ist ein britischer Automobilhersteller Jaguar hergestellt. Seine Kombination aus gutem Aussehen, hohe Leistung, und der wettbewerbsfähigen Preisgestaltung der Marke als Ikone der 1960er Jahre Automobilgeschichte. Jaguar E-Type Platz in der "Daily Telegraph-Liste der" 100 schönsten Autos "aller Zeiten zuerst.
Sports Car International Magazin stellte die E-Type auf Platz eins ihrer Liste der Top-Sportwagen der 1960er Jahre.

La Jaguar E-Type o XK-E è una vettura inglese prodotto da Jaguar. La sua combinazione di bell'aspetto, alte prestazioni, e prezzi competitivi ha istituito il marchio come un'icona dell'automobilismo 1960. Jaguar E-Type al primo posto nella lista del Daily Telegraph dei "100 più belle auto" di tutti i tempi.
Sports Car Magazine International posto la E-Type al numero uno nella lista dei Top Sport Cars degli anni 1960.

La Jaguar E-Type ou XK-E est une automobile fabriquée par la Colombie Jaguar. Sa combinaison de beauté, haute performance, et des prix compétitifs établi la marque comme une icône de l'automobile des années 1960. Jaguar E-Type au premier rang dans la liste du Daily Telegraph de "100 plus belles voitures" de tous les temps.
Sports Car International magazine a placé la E-Type au numéro un sur leur liste de Top Sports Voitures des années 1960.

Jaguar E-Type или XK-E является британской автомобильной производства Jaguar. Его сочетание внешностью, высокой производительности, и по конкурентной цене создана марка, как икона автомобильного 1960-х годов. Jaguar E-Type занимает первое место в списке "Дейли телеграф" о "100 самых красивых автомобилей" всех времен.
Спортивный автомобиль Международного журнала размещены E-Type на первом месте в их списке Top спортивных автомобилей 1960-х годов.

هاء من نوع جاكوار أو الاعصار المدمر الإلكترونية هي سيارات جاكوار البريطانية المصنعة من قبل. أنشئت مزيج من تبدو جيدة، والأداء الرفيع، والأسعار التنافسية إذنا كرمز من السيارات 1960s. المرتبة جاكوار الإلكترونية النوع الأول في قائمة صحيفة الديلي تلغراف في هذا "سيارات 100 أجمل" في كل العصور.
وضعت مجلة رياضة السيارات الدولية الإلكترونية نوع في رقم واحد على قائمة السيارات الرياضية الأعلى من 1960s.



捷豹E型效科- E是英國製造的捷豹汽車它的組合外型美觀,高性能和競爭力的價格確立了勞斯萊斯作為20世紀 60年代的圖標駕駛捷豹E型排名第一的每日電訊報名單的“100個最漂亮的汽車的所有時間
跑車國際雜誌放在E型清單上的第一跑車20世紀 60年代