Nice cars other than x-fire
- Thread starter 1st Vette
- Start date
LE BARON
Power User
A precursor to the C8???
The Vector W8 is a high-performance American supercar produced between 1990 and 1993 by Vector Aeromotive Corporation. Its designers were Gerald Wiegert and David Kostka, who employed cutting-edge materials in its construction, justifying the term 'Aeromotive Engineering.' Out of the 19 W8s produced, 17 were customer cars, along with two pre-production models, the W2 prototype, and the Avtech AWX3 and AWX3R prototypes, all equipped with a powerful 7.0-liter DOHC TT engine. In total, Vector Automotive manufactured 22 cars during its operational years.
The Vector W8 is a high-performance American supercar produced between 1990 and 1993 by Vector Aeromotive Corporation. Its designers were Gerald Wiegert and David Kostka, who employed cutting-edge materials in its construction, justifying the term 'Aeromotive Engineering.' Out of the 19 W8s produced, 17 were customer cars, along with two pre-production models, the W2 prototype, and the Avtech AWX3 and AWX3R prototypes, all equipped with a powerful 7.0-liter DOHC TT engine. In total, Vector Automotive manufactured 22 cars during its operational years.
LE BARON
Power User
1950 Studebaker Champion Convertible
- Thread starter
- #548
C8 prototype.
The development of the C8 Corvette involved an interesting and unconventional approach to prototype testing. General Motors used a Holden Commodore Ute, specifically the high-performance HSV Maloo variant, as a disguise for early C8 Corvette prototypes.This unique mule vehicle combined elements of the Holden Ute with crucial components of the upcoming C8 Corvette. The prototype featured a hand-built mid-engine Corvette chassis hidden underneath the modified Holden Ute body. This clever disguise allowed GM engineers to test the new mid-engine layout and other key components of the C8 Corvette while keeping the project under wraps.The prototype, codenamed "Blackjack," utilized the Holden Ute's body panels but incorporated specific Corvette elements. For instance, the C8 Corvette's A-pillars and windshield were attached to a prototype aluminum chassis milled from solid chunks. This approach allowed engineers to test the basics of the new chassis layout and drivetrain configuration without revealing the final design of the C8 Corvette.Using the Holden Ute as a base for the prototype served multiple purposes. It provided a practical way to conceal the revolutionary mid-engine design of the C8 Corvette during testing, while also allowing engineers to evaluate and refine the car's performance characteristics in real-world conditions.This innovative prototyping method highlights the ingenuity and secrecy involved in developing the groundbreaking C8 Corvette, showcasing how automotive manufacturers can creatively use existing platforms to test new concepts and technologies.
- Thread starter
- #550
Known for building winning race cars, Fred and Augie Duesenberg were American pioneers of motorsports. Together, the Duesenberg brothers created their own automotive company, but they struggled. They could not find a way to make a profit from their road cars.
In 1925, entrepreneur E.L. Cord saved the Duesenberg brothers from losing everything. After buying them out, he instructed them to build the world’s finest road car. Right at the peak of the Roaring Twenties, Duesenberg unveiled the J model.
Ready to compete with the most powerful and luxurious automobiles in the world, only a crash could stop them. Eventually, the Great Depression took its toll, but not before unleashing the supercharged Duesenberg SSJ, the first American supercar. Unfortunately, they only made two SSJ models before closing shop.
Duesenberg has three models, the J, SJ, and SSJ. They all share the same 32-valve 7.0L DOHC straight-8 cylinder engine, but the SJ and SSJ have superchargers. Who doesn’t like the option of having more power?
Based on their successful racing engine designs, this 8 cylinder churns out 265 hp without forced induction. Again, without the forced induction of a supercharger, this engine can propel the J model to a top speed of 119 miles per hour. The Duesenberg J was the fastest and most expensive American automobile available.
Adding a supercharger to this already powerful roadster is where the fun begins, without sacrificing prestige or comfort. The model SJ cranks 320 hp out of the legendary straight-8 engine. Of the two supercharged models, the SSJ features 80 more horsepower than the SJ.
A special dual-carburetor setup and ram’s horn manifold is responsible for coaxing 400 hp out of the Duesenberg SSJ. The other notable difference between the models is the SSJ’s shorter wheelbase design. With a wheelbase of only 125 inches, the SSJ is much shorter than the models available featuring a 142.5-inch or 153.5-inch wheelbase.
Having a shorter wheelbase definitely lends handling improvements while offering slightly better braking ability compared to the longer versions. Still, this is a car with bacon strips for tires, not meats. Do not expect the handling of a modern sports car, just kick back and enjoy the pleasant straight line potential.
Even though the speedometer goes up to 150 mph, keep in mind the drum brakes are nearly a century-old design. It may be tempting to release 400 horses out of the gate simultaneously, but do so at your own risk. This car is a speed demon, plan your braking responsibly.
In 1925, entrepreneur E.L. Cord saved the Duesenberg brothers from losing everything. After buying them out, he instructed them to build the world’s finest road car. Right at the peak of the Roaring Twenties, Duesenberg unveiled the J model.
Ready to compete with the most powerful and luxurious automobiles in the world, only a crash could stop them. Eventually, the Great Depression took its toll, but not before unleashing the supercharged Duesenberg SSJ, the first American supercar. Unfortunately, they only made two SSJ models before closing shop.
Duesenberg has three models, the J, SJ, and SSJ. They all share the same 32-valve 7.0L DOHC straight-8 cylinder engine, but the SJ and SSJ have superchargers. Who doesn’t like the option of having more power?
Based on their successful racing engine designs, this 8 cylinder churns out 265 hp without forced induction. Again, without the forced induction of a supercharger, this engine can propel the J model to a top speed of 119 miles per hour. The Duesenberg J was the fastest and most expensive American automobile available.
Adding a supercharger to this already powerful roadster is where the fun begins, without sacrificing prestige or comfort. The model SJ cranks 320 hp out of the legendary straight-8 engine. Of the two supercharged models, the SSJ features 80 more horsepower than the SJ.
A special dual-carburetor setup and ram’s horn manifold is responsible for coaxing 400 hp out of the Duesenberg SSJ. The other notable difference between the models is the SSJ’s shorter wheelbase design. With a wheelbase of only 125 inches, the SSJ is much shorter than the models available featuring a 142.5-inch or 153.5-inch wheelbase.
Having a shorter wheelbase definitely lends handling improvements while offering slightly better braking ability compared to the longer versions. Still, this is a car with bacon strips for tires, not meats. Do not expect the handling of a modern sports car, just kick back and enjoy the pleasant straight line potential.
Even though the speedometer goes up to 150 mph, keep in mind the drum brakes are nearly a century-old design. It may be tempting to release 400 horses out of the gate simultaneously, but do so at your own risk. This car is a speed demon, plan your braking responsibly.
Dave91TM
Power User
That value in corvette speak would be 60 to 70 new corvettes, but you'd need a bigger garage.
LE BARON
Power User
What goes around comes around. Image if these had been mass produced.
Oliver Fritchle’s Electric Car Garage
One of the first and prominent electric car manufacturers was Oliver P. Fritchle. He started out as a repairman for automobiles, but quickly realised he could make a better electric car. His first sale came in 1906 and in 1908 he set up a production plant in Denver, Colorado. He claimed his car could cover 100 miles on a single charge and set out to travel 1800 miles from Lincoln, Nebraska to New York City while charging overnight. His trip was heavily publicised and his electric cars became incredibly popular with female celebrities and upper class individuals. The success led Fritchle to open a sales office on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
In 1908 Ford released his Model T and the mass produced model made gas-powered cars affordable and widely available. However, by 1910 owners of electric vehicles could install charging stations on their property, and many car repair shops provided overnight charging services.
Oliver Fritchle’s Electric Car Garage
One of the first and prominent electric car manufacturers was Oliver P. Fritchle. He started out as a repairman for automobiles, but quickly realised he could make a better electric car. His first sale came in 1906 and in 1908 he set up a production plant in Denver, Colorado. He claimed his car could cover 100 miles on a single charge and set out to travel 1800 miles from Lincoln, Nebraska to New York City while charging overnight. His trip was heavily publicised and his electric cars became incredibly popular with female celebrities and upper class individuals. The success led Fritchle to open a sales office on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
In 1908 Ford released his Model T and the mass produced model made gas-powered cars affordable and widely available. However, by 1910 owners of electric vehicles could install charging stations on their property, and many car repair shops provided overnight charging services.
LE BARON
Power User
1930 tan/brown LaSalle
LE BARON
Power User
Thomas Parker and his first Electric Car
The first concept of an electric car, and first attempts at building vehicles with batteries go back to the late 19th century, not too long after the inception of cars with internal combustion engines (ICE). It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment the first electric vehicle was born, but there are a number of contributors to its development. The first electric motor is credited to Ányos Jedlik, a Hungarian inventor, who created the prototype in 1827/28, but only came forward with the invention decades later. Furthermore, a French physicist, Gaston Plane, invented rechargeable lead-acid batteries in 1859, but Thomas Parker was the first to combine the two in a carriage and present the first production electric car in 1884, built in London. On the other side of the pond, William Morrison from Iowa creates the first electrified wagon which resembles a carriage but sparks interest from the public.
The first concept of an electric car, and first attempts at building vehicles with batteries go back to the late 19th century, not too long after the inception of cars with internal combustion engines (ICE). It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment the first electric vehicle was born, but there are a number of contributors to its development. The first electric motor is credited to Ányos Jedlik, a Hungarian inventor, who created the prototype in 1827/28, but only came forward with the invention decades later. Furthermore, a French physicist, Gaston Plane, invented rechargeable lead-acid batteries in 1859, but Thomas Parker was the first to combine the two in a carriage and present the first production electric car in 1884, built in London. On the other side of the pond, William Morrison from Iowa creates the first electrified wagon which resembles a carriage but sparks interest from the public.
- Thread starter
- #557
1933 Duesenberg Model J
Torpedo Victoria by RollstonThe Duesenberg Model J is a luxuryautomobile made by Duesenbergfrom 1928 to 1937. Intended to compete with the most luxurious and powerful cars in the world, it was introduced in 1928, the year before the stock market crash that led to the Great Depression. The Model J, available with a supercharger after 1932, was sold until Duesenberg Motors Company went bankrupt in 1937.
The 420 cu in (6,900 cc) straight eight Model J motor was based on the company's successful racing engines of the 1920s and though designed by Duesenberg they were manufactured by Lycoming,[10]another company owned by Cord. In normally aspirated form, it produced 265 horsepower (198 kW)[11] from dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.[12] It was capable of a top speed of 91 mph (146 km/h), and 79 mph (127 km/h) in 2nd gear. Other cars featured a bigger engine but none of them surpassed its power. It was also both the fastest and most expensive American automobile on the market.
Only 3 things worth livin for .....
Chicks and cars and a third world ......... peace
Slightly modified from a Colin James song
- Thread starter
- #560
Well , it seems more and more that we are living in a third world. Nothing can be done about that for now but the day draws nearer. Now , the other two I can fully get behind. Well at least one of them…Only 3 things worth livin for .....
Chicks and cars and a third world ......... peace
Slightly modified from a Colin James song
