Built in 1984 in collaboration between designer Leif
Mellberg (who was also the designer of Saab EV1 prototype) and Swedish car
magazine “Teknikens Varld“. It took a 900, shortened the chassis and cleaned
up those lines giving it a more custom look.
The X3 looks impressive, it’s even more impressive when you learn it was
built as part by students at School of Industrial Engineering (FEI) in São
Paulo, Brazil. It was showcased at the 1972São Paulo
motor show to high acclaim.
In 1985 the MG Midget with its classic lines, had only been
out of production for 5 years when this concept was released. The brief was to
create a spiritual successor to that iconic car, however there’s always a
catch, it had to utilise as many existing parts as possible.
Okay it’s only a concept, built at 3/4 size, but just look
at it. It’s just everything about the 70’s at on 4 wheels. Oh and those wheels
all driven, add in the mix those “Turbo” stickers, porthole windows and “Vanning”
paint job and strips. It’s obvious what market AMC were after, young with
disposable income. As you’ll guess it didn’t get past this concept, after all
in 1977 with its more rounded shape it was already dated in the age of the
wedge.
There are many, many concepts that were put forward that if put in to
production could have turned around the fortunes of Rover. This Coupe concept
from 1998 for the 75 is one of those cars and celebrated 100 years of the
marque.
There’s no denying the Harris Mann concept that debuted in 1969 was a
looker, even by today’s standards. Which in the emerging wedge era was saying
something. Also to be fair at the time of British Leyland it’s amazing it look
this well balanced and didn’t have most of its flair taken out by having to use
the parts bin like so many others of the time.
I recently saw this at this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor
Show at the NEC. I mean it was just there on a club stand!!!!!! This was
Vauxhall’s Special Research Vehicle and was debuted all the way back in 1970 at
the Earl’s Court Motor Show.
A few weeks back a picture of a Mustang Station Wagon turned up
on one of the Facebook pages I frequent, it was obviously an older picture but
that was enough to raise my interest.
I was under the naive impression that BMW’s involvement in
electric cars was a more recent thing, say the last 20 years or so, but after
watching a recent video (see below) I was amazed to find out it first produced
one in 1972. Not only that but it had a role in the Olympics of the same
year!!!!
A small four wheel drive, three seat concept from Toyota from 1983. It even
came with a trailer that would hold an additional four wheels for some serious
off-roading!!!!
This caught my eye due to its resemblance to the Renault 900 concept that was built in the same year, with the forward control/ rear engine layout. This
though was built by styling house Ghia in 1959 and penned by stylist Tom
Tjaarda.
Like many manufacturers in the US in the late 60’s, AMC took
on the challenge by the Government to develop electric vehicles. AMC though
really put some resources and effort in to it, the result was the
Amitron which was debuted as aconcept
in 1967.
666 no not the number of the beast, it stood for 6 cylinders,
6seats and 6 gears. This was produced
as a prototype in 1947 by French company Mathis and had a few innovative features. One was mentioned in
its name, it came with a 6 speed gear box, which is very modern by todays
standards. The other was that 6 cylinder 2.4ltr engine that was a boxer unit
and mounted up front and drinving the front wheels.
The original BMW 8 Series was Bavarian maker’s supercar of the 1990’s,
full of tech, luxury and of cause speed (well limited to 155mph). However a
year after it first wow’d the crowds, BMW did it again in 1990 with a convertible
version. Only 3 were built for assessment and all are still owned by BMW. The one
in the video is on display at BMW’s own museum.
The self-drive cars been around for many years, here’s GM’s
take on it from 1956. To be honest there’s a few predictions that are currently
on production vehicles, changeable displays, communications and navigation. Thankfully
a singing operator isn’t one of them-
Coachbuilder Crayford were commissioned by a Triumph dealer,
Page Motors (notice the dealer logo on the side) to convert the 2 seater TR7
into a sporting brake the Tracer was the result.
Before the term “cross-over” had been muttered there
was one such vehicle in production in the late 70’s that could have carried
that name, the Matra Rancho. You remember 4x4 looks but front wheel drive. Obviously
Ford quiet liked the idea and set Ghia about coming up with a Fiesta based
concept on similar lines.
The Vauxhall name though has a long and trusted reputation for building quality cars with fast versions, who can forget the Lotus Carlton or the VX220. The VX Lightening was built to celebrate the centenary of Vauxhall back in 2003.
The mini was in production for an impressive 41 years which just proves
hoe versatile and loved the design, hell Rover even worked how to fit airbags
to it in 1994. It even was sold against and beyond its replacements, the Metro.
In 1992 though Rover planned probably its biggest shake up/ modernisation to
date.
There’s no denying the Harris Mann concept that debuted in 1969 was a
looker, even by today’s standards. Which in the emerging wedge era was saying
something. Also to be fair at the time of British Leyland it’s amazing it look
this well balanced and didn’t have most of its flair taken out by having to use
the parts bin like so many others of the time.
Coachbuilder Crayford were commissioned by a Triumph dealer,
Page Motors (notice the dealer logo on the side) to convert the 2 seater TR7
into a sporting brake the Tracer was the result.
Before the term “cross-over” had been muttered there
was one such vehicle in production in the late 70’s that could have carried
that name, the Matra Rancho. You remember 4x4 looks but front wheel drive. Obviously
Ford quiet liked the idea and set Ghia about coming up with a Fiesta based
concept on similar lines.
