Hofstetter Turbo

When Mario Richard Hofstetter saw pictures of the Bertone Carabo something must have stirred within him. Living in Brazil at the same time that import on cars was severely restricted he decided to build the car he’d dreamed off. In 1982 the design and prototype process began and resulted in him setting up the Hofstetter Company in 1984. Over the next 7 years until 1991 18 or so cars left the factory, initially powered by Passat engine and later a Santana one, all of which had a Garret turbo strapped to them.

Ledl AS

Taking on the same styling cues as the Nova and Avante as well as being VW Beetle based this was a kit car offered by Gunter Ledl from Austria. Production started in 1981 with the car offered with a 4 cylinder Ford engine under the rear of that fibreglass wedge body, producing about 100bhp. They were sold all over the world but strangely due to the laws in Austria registering them there was very difficult. In fact only 17 were sold to domestic customers out of the 249 manufactured up to 1987.

Random Video- Lamborghini Countach on 60 Minutes in 1987

After 16 year in production the Lamborghini was still making a stir, the 60 Minutes coverage below of this car is just fantastic and I don’t think you’d get a piece, on say the Aventador, showing it doing 180mph on a public road even if Valentino Baloni is “licenced” to do it. Just like back then, this car still draws a crowd where ever it goes even though it’s another 19 years on. Take some time out of your day and enjoy-

 

Chevrolet Corvair Testudo

In the early 60’s American car manufacturers were reaching out to embrace more subtle styling and Bertone of Italy was the man to go to for that much desired sophisticated European look. In 1963 he produced this rear aircooled boxer engine tilting roofed concept and I’m sure you can see a few styling cues borrowed from a few other cars. I can definitely see E Type Jaguar in there which is not bad thing as well as hints (just look at those rear air intakes and over all shape) of the yet to be built Lamborghini Miura also designed by Bertone.

Gumball 3000 Meet, Krispy Kreme’s Manchester

I only found out about this event last Thursday when I had a look at the Gumball 3000 Facebook page, promising 50 or so supercars as well as donuts and with me only living 3 miles away I had no excuse to miss it.

Arnolt Bristol

What do you get when you take a Bristol 404, get a Italian design house Carrosserie Bertone, who Stanley H. 'Wacky' Arnolt was an investor, and Italian designer Franco Scaglione (who would pen the famous Alfa Romeo BAT concepts) to fashion the new body and you get the Arnolt Bristol.

The Petrol Stop 4 years old

Well we’re 4 today and it’s been another busy year with over 110 articles on cars, bikes, shows and events over the last 12 months and add to that the FREE 2013 Events and Shows magazine.

So plans for the next year, continue to feature vehicles that are strange, odd, rare and unusual, as well as another magazine and hopefully some more interviews. For all the latest posts please  “like” our Facebook page and welcome to all the new people over on there have joined in the last year as well as those on Google+.

I’m always looking for feedback or vehicles to feature, so if you know of one or drive one then get in touch, heath@thepetrolstop.com

Thanks again for taking the time to view the website its much appreciated and if you think others will like what’s on here please share a link.

Heath