Lemans GT Green

I haven't seen too many cool cars recently,

but this one is amazing!!!! even though it's a couple of years old.

I simply love everything about it.

Pity it's just a design study

here.

NB NOPRO GT

Following my previous post. I couldn't get te37V to look good on the stock body. Problem solved. Thanks to Nogami-san.

For those who don't know. NOPRO is Nogami Project. Nogami-san has raced in many kinds of motorsport in Japan but specialized his tuning company on the MX5. This NB Coupe was the final NB bodykit version. Front is +40mm and rear is +50mm per side as GT/N2 regulations allow. This particular car ran a 1.8 with NOS for that extra kick. Filling those guards, some deep 16" te37V LL face wheels would be perfect.

 I have started a new blog called .RSG. (.resonant simple graphics.) for my new and customer projects. Race car livery design is the main purpose.

If deep RS Watanabe in about -31 offset don't get enough attention.

Don't add msg. Add some .RSG. for a bit of spice.

The GT fenders are also available with skirts and extra bits as shown on the 2 Nopro demo cars.

The convertible / later a hardtop is awesome in itself, but the coupe is on another level!

Cosmagician

F1, Daniel Simon, HRT, Kamui and more.

Where to start? One post or many... we shall see. Sometimes worlds collide.

Let's start with Daniel Simon. I'll call him the cosmic magician.

A long time ago, I saw his design book called Cosmic Motors. Unlike Syd Mead's concepts, Daniel's use of very modern tools creates a totally different image thats's finished and incredible.

While I dable with design on paper and basic photo manipulation, the time to turn my designs to art doesn't eventuate. Maybe one day.
My scrap book is large.

Anyway. Somehow he has managed to carve a design career with cars. Recently he was linked to HRT f1 team to design Kamui and co's F1 Livery

The result is something very cool! I'm recently designing a few more vehicle liveries myself so I'm always interested in this kind of merging of artists and mechanics.

Maybe I'll post some sketches of the Bently LM I've been working on.

F1 recently has a lot of changes. Some I like, some I don't Some are useless. Maybe thats another post.

Russ.

Leafy ECO Disguise

The Nismo RC (not Remote Control) but RACE CAR.

In Japan this thing has just been released as the answer to ECO FRIENDLY RACING and maybe a case of bad timing.

Lets say 938kg and 0-100 in 6.86 seconds and lasts 20Minutes. At the moment, this is OK and could be feasible replacement for the "toyota vitz cup" a low cost slow race car series. hardly exciting for a tv event ata major circuit where the main straight at fuji would take about 40seconds to complete.
So a sprint race at full charge n a small circuit is OK, but an endurance race is out. for the time being.

Recharging is where the dilemma happens.

At the moment in Japan (sight of the Nuclear disaster) 200,000 people have been evacuated from their homes around the fukushima power plant.

The Leaf RC gets it's recharge directly from nuclear energy and while it is relatively cheaply produced, it has recently exposed many to radiation and the ongoing effects of evacuations continue.
Wild life and livestock directly in the effected area will DIE! and the fish, bird and land animal populations will be severely impacted. Cockroaches will be OK! true.

As a result of this disaster TOKYO has been told to save energy while 100% EV electric vehicle owners are still plugging in their super efficient electricity wasters at a time when it's not fashionable.

example. I will drive my EV anytime while you get in the stinky train without airconditioning and suffer at home in blackout conditions twice a day.

Sometimes, the intent is there but the reality doesn't match.

OR

Sell them to China where their coal burning power stations recharge the green electric car.

Balance and reality.

The need for alternate energy power is now. I'd love to get a job in this area, but unsure how to start that one. More thinking.

In any case, I hope this gets the population thinking about energy again.

Russ.

Veyron!

As a temporary member of the press, I do get a few chances. Up close and personal with the Veyron at the Tokyo Motor Show in 03 was one such chance.

Receiving their CD press pack in a special box was even cool. and I remember seeing the 1001hp figure for the first time.

I just watched a documentary about the Veyron and it brought back memories. I learned a lot from the documentary actually. From how radiators are made to brakes. How special tyres are made, tested and hand built. How much aircraft assembly is also in the car. What materials are used et cetc etc 

The costs involved are crazy. The technology to make this possible is awesome. And the number of people hand welding and assembling componentry is simply amazing.

The fact the W16 has multiple personalities is simply unimaginable for me.

Every car is driven for 500klms then it's polished by hand for 2 days before delivery!

Remember the top speed is 407 km/h or 253 Mph.

I'll probably not get the chance to drive one so for me, 260ish km/h in my FD will remain my limit for a while.

Not that it is too slow, but it simply won't compare in ANY WAY!

Russ.

Gypsy

 Me Want!

In the late 60's and seventies the van scene in OZ was on fire.

Drifter, Sandman, Sundowner in Falcon and Escort form were the rage. But somehow the little Gem had my attention.

I like the TX~TD models best with the round front headlights. My father had a TF that we swapped a 5 speed and a 1800 into, added a lip spoiler and red velour but it never progressed.

These days they are pretty much all rusty, but restoration is always an option.

Love the Gem.

Nine hundred and twenty-eight.

Whats better than a 928? A 928 Convertible with a bit of Koeing or Gemballa treatment.

This is off the tree.

When the 928 came out it was THE porsche. Supposedly soo much better than the 911, but actually is wasn't until the last 928S4GT that the car became quite good.

The rear of the 928 is one of the most unique designs of it's time and the often controversial Butt was loved and hated.

I like a nice arse.

The Testarossa

I saw a gun grey Ferrari testarossa in the shop near my house the other day. Memories of wanting to be like Crockett from Miami Vice during my high school years came flooding back. I went to "Miami" high School in Miami, Australia. It had a bit of a drug reputation also, so there was a kind of connection for my friends and I.

The ultimate however was the KOEING versions including the Evolution. Check the specs.

KOENIG Twin-Turbo 514 kW / 700 HP /690 NM
KOENIG Twin-Turbo EVOLUTION up to 735KW / 1000 PS /940 NM.

I also remember the first time I saw one on the street.

BAM F-----------A---------------T Arse.

But so cool

The have a reputation for great rear end treatment.

because they really make an impression. The car is simply wide at 1,976 mm (77.8 in). Just a shade off 2 meters. Later TR models were the ones to have and became a yuppie favourite. Review

 Targa Tasmania... cool image.

924GTP Le Mans

Finishing 7th overall at LE Mans. the 924 GTP LM version is a bit of an underdog legend. The 924 was always considered a bit of a lesser porsche, front engine, VW components, water cooled.

Over the years the car developed until the final incarnation 924 Turbo Carerra with only 400 produced.
By these days standards, it's slow with only 210hp, but when I tried to buy one in 1996 it felt pretty quick to me. 24K in Australia it was stretching my cash, but I should have got it.

It may have strayed me from my rotary obsession.

Anyway,
Entered into LE mans in the final year of the 924, results show that these cars are monsters.

http://944turbo.net/?page_id=57

Fiat X1/9 Dallara

Fiat X1/9 was another tight low capacity euro car. It was almost copied to death by toyota's MR2.

I loved these small cars with rally roots. The Dallara version was meant for the smaller class of Group 5 DRM. 690 kg! These pumped versions are awesome. Mainly used in hillclimb.

Influenced by the Arbarth version, I tried to buy a stock one at one stage, but simply, it was old and crap. Roof leaked like a waterfall.

Good picture link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelwardphotos/2575809073/
Good history link http://www.x19world.de/Dallara_geschichte_en.html
Good Action link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_txgZ5sQQs&feature=player_embedded


Russ.

Stratos!

Real or Replica. It doesn't matter. They are awesome. Way ahead of their time. And to think they were a rally car to start. You can't imagine how small these cars are. But when later turned into Group5 silhouette racers they simply looked amazing. My childhood dreamcar.

The secret to this is the super small cockpit. Yes it is a 2 seater. Check the cramped rally quarters below.

http://www.superstratos.com/index.php replica.

Grumpert Apollo

Ever since I saw the Grumpert a few years ago in a magazine, I thought... WOW! This thing would be awesome to drive to the coffee shop.

No...Im not crazy. Really!

No your local, but the one 200klms away down the mountain and then along the motorway, lap the ring then have a coffee and return.

I can see the purpose for this car.

It's totally impractical for any other reason than driving fast on a mountain or highway or racetrack.

Love it.

Tetsu Bentley Continental GTR

Now, If I were a famous dude. I would flaunt the fame. No plain jane for me.

I'd have this Bentley Continental as a daily runabout.

The problem is I'd need a few to keep my disguise... haha.

How about this awesome black one.

Or this awesome green one.

Russ.

Low Rider

Play me. and read on.

This song by War in 1975 is instantly recognized as the theme for a the insane low rider scene.

I used to play this song over and over as I cruised around dreaming of getting a 1962~1970 pilarless chevy impala on hydraulics. To detail and paint to polish the chrome and drop the stance. There are just cool.

When they are high and pumping up and down the street, it's pretty crazy. These days things are a bit out of hand. like this craziness.

but I still love the whole vibe of the scene. Lowrider always featured these awesome cars with awesome girls. I wonder why I used to buy this magazine when I was much younger. Yes that's right the gorgeous curves, the decoration, the .....  you get the idea.

Actually I used to get these and custom street truck magazine for paint ideas for RC cars. A few shades of one colour layers in airbrushed graphics is awesome.

I love the way these cars are show cars that still get driven. Its a part of car culture that has avoided carbon fibre. Lets hope it stays that way.

If I ever get to Miami. I'll be going to some car shows.

Check out http://www.lowridermagazine.com/ for all the awesomeness.

I can't decide which eco car to buy.

These are eco cars that somehow bends the definition a little.

Following on from my previous post. These cars screams "DIE EARTH DIE!"

But there is actually a lot of ECO friendly things about them.

This is an absolute monster. the a.d. Tramontana is F1 inspired fighter jet on wheels. And I want one! Looks can be decieving. Its a big car! those are 20inch Dymags its riding on.

http://www.tramontanagroup.com/adtramontana/adtramontana.php

Catalog

It is a 12 cylinder V60 Biturbo with 5.5liter displacement running Turbo pressure of 1.4 bar making over 720 Hp - 529 kW at 5.250 rpm  and Max. Torque 1100 Nm at 4.000 rpm Transmission is longitudinally mounted with a mid engine, rear wheel drive layout.

There can be two passengers sitting like the F1 ride along cars and the roof is removable for open top running.

Ariel is well known for the "3" and has announced the latest version of the Atom – the Ariel Atom 500, powered by a small V8 engine. With over 500bhp in a 500kilo package the Atom 500 will boast one of the highest power to weight ratios ever for a production car.

The Atom will have over 1000bhp per tonne (compared to a Bugatti Veyron’s 521bhp/tonne) and will be built in limited numbers.

 

So where's the Eco? They have less components made from earthly metals. therefore the extraction process damages the earth less.
They weigh almost nothing! so Theoretically, they use less rubber / fossil fuels etc when driven in a leisurely 40klm/h.
They are built by hand and not energy guzzling robots.
etc etc
etc etc
 
So I just have to come up with the cash now. Maybe I'll steal some eco friendly R&D money from a government by promising alternatives to the Prius. And build my own style Atom or Tramontana.
 
Russ.

Gemini TX GT-Concept

Ok. Here she is. the Gemini TX GT-Concept 1. I used the Risse Opel Kadett as a base. Cut 100mm out of the bottom of the chassis. It could run a space frame and a PP rotary engine would be nice. Or even a 253 small block V8.

The front features Holden Gemini TX Grille, forged with a similar style splitter canard design from the GT-R35 Skyline Super GT car.

Tyre size would remain 16" (or 17") on Volk TE27 or G2

Now all I need is the money, space and time to build it and then a lot more to run it.

yes, It would be yellow.

Could I do it for 40K?

Opel Inspiration

Recently I've been contemplating race cars. What would be cool to run. I was thinking about Mx5 NA or NB coupe but I don't really have any love for them.

But the Isuzu Gemini / Opel Kadett on the other hand is a different story. I was watching a video of the Zakspeed Ford Escort that led to the knowledge of the German DRM Opel C GT/E and it opened up a world of cool! The wide flares are awesome. In Australia there were some in Group C running at batchurst etc.

As my first car was one of these, It amazes me the amount of stuff that I never knew in isolated Australia.

Opel Aero Top, 2 door sedan and other varients are just cool!.

You may have read a previous post that mentioned I'd like to build one NOT, But maybe that NOT is NOT.

For some inspiration

http://www.kadett-c-club-kaiserslautern-ev.de/indexd.html

http://www.ckadett.de/galerie/galerie.htm

http://www.ckadett.de/motorsport/index.htm

http://www.maxituning.es/coches-tuning/opel-kadett-gte

14900 Euro seems cheap doesn't it for a 190ps widebody 1978 monster?

Aussie ones seem to have all been converted to ZZ/Z bodied cars that don't look so cool.

I like these bumperless TX style cars the best.