Speedster Topic Hub

McLaren Teases Upcoming Speedster, Will Debut At Monterey Car Week

For awhile, rumors swirled that McLaren was working on something distinctly special, a speedster that would reignite the fires of desire in the hearts of McLaren enthusiasts. We are pleased to report that the rumors are indeed true, and the British supercar maker has formally released the first teaser image of this roofless wonder ahead of its debut at Monterey Car Week. The lone teaser image is as you would expect, darkened to hide crucial details of its design, but despite McLaren’s best efforts, some elements do make themselves apparent. For instance, the speedster features a very striking design …

Aug 16, 2019 Read more

Porsche 911 Wide Track Speedster by DP Motorsport

These German tunes are endlessly interesting, aren’t they? The cars usually have a long provenance before this latest transformation … and this Porsche is definitely no exception. And with its menacing, machine-grey finishes it is no angel. This beast actually started life as a Targa but new bodywork and a sawzall to the roofline make it a unique basis for a Speedster mod. The Targa platform would at least be a bit more rigid than most Carrera hardtops. This Speedster captures the ethos of a stealthy throwback supercar that has timeless appeal. Monochrome paint for the bumpers over flat black …

Jan 10, 2019 Read more

1926 Ford Model T Speedster – 2017 RM Sotheby’s Hershey PA

So much nostalgia today. But hey, this is a street tuning origin story! Stripped-down, shorn of bodywork and back seats. Even doors take a pass for this open cockpit road racer. The drum fuel tank is upsized for cross-country treks – and mounted alarmingly close to the passenger’s ears! “T for Two” is an appropriate little name for this cutie. The T Speedster is updated with a three-speed manual and slightly modded motor details (Rajo cylinder head?) to keep it humming hard in 2017 and beyond. With a Speedster like this, the typical top speed of the Model T would …

Sep 28, 2017 Read more

2017 Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta – Pebble Beach Debut

It has a name! We knew this car was special on sight. Next to the Huayra BC and Huayra Roadster… the Barchetta only somewhat fits in. This is a more brutal, hard-edged design in the front and rear. Zonda lights also look like nothing else. Yet what is this? Chopped windshield glass? Snorkel intake and BC-like tall wing?! Did we render something like this last summer? [Yes=] And the coup de grace? Shrouded rear wheels and extreme underbody aero and rear splitter. Stunning. Here is Huayra Roadster in front of Barchetta, plus Zonda Cinque which is similar apart from the …

Aug 22, 2017 Read more

2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Gets Triple ZAGATO Gifts! Speedster + Shooting Brake

A hot trio of new ZAGATO Aston Martin models just hit the web ahead of their concept lawn debuts at Pebble Beach Concours! The Vanquish Zagato Volante takes the DB-Z coupe looks to new heights. Those taillights alone are worth their design weight in gold! But wait, there is more. More of Zagato’s trademark Double Bubbles in the Vanquish Volante Speedster! Twin helmet cowls on the rear decklid add a racy touch indeed. Just 28 of the Speedsters will be made, versus 99 of the cabrio and 99 coupes. A production run of 325 leaves another 100 cars somewhere. And …

Aug 15, 2017 Read more

HyperGallery – 2017 KOENIGSEGG Regera in 33 New Photos

Koenigsegg is rolling deeeeep lately! Showing up to Geneva auto show with nearly a half-dozen exotics is mighty impressive. And we hope it means their new lightning-fast Regera flagship is selling brisky! Two examples here, with both an exposed-weave carbon fiber, tinted and glossed to perfection in red/black and green. The red Regera has chrome-red paintwork to contrast the carbon up the middle. All Koenigsegg’s are targa tops — two cars in one! — and the look is distinct with top up or off. Off, this is a brutally rounded/chopped speedster. Top on, and this becomes clearly a 300MPH aero …

Apr 11, 2017 Read more

1971 Bizzarrini 128P Prototype Speedster at Amelia Island Concours [28 Photos]

A barchetta speedster as a racecar!? This car is inspired by the top can-am spyder style LMP1 racecars of its era — all giant wings and scoops galore. A simple rollbar and twin plexiglass cowls instead of a windshield means this is a helmets-on affair at speed. The pure definition of street speedster cool! This flowing and curvy design style was the anti-wedge. Counter-programming versus the sharp Countach and Esprit look, perhaps. Curvy panel surfaces like these would take decades to go mainstream. 1971 Bizzarrini 128P Prototype

Mar 21, 2017 Read more

Kiawah 2016 – 1928 AUBURN 8-115 Speedster

This Auburn 115 Speedster would have made Jay Gatsby’s yellow Rolls-Royce look like a city bus by comparison. Just two seats, roadster cockpit with aero windshield in twin planes, plus a boattail rear end that makes its giant hood even more prominent. Fast has a mascot in the roaring twenties, and it was this Auburn. Kiawah 2016 – 1928 AUBURN 8-115 Speedster

Apr 18, 2016 Read more

1911 Stanley Model 63 Toy Tonneau – Steamer Speedster Earns $290k at RM Amelia

A steamer speedster if there ever was one! Forward thrust was readily available when on full boil. Brakes, mind you, were still in a nascent phase. Speed was for the brave! 1911 Stanley Model 63 Toy Tonneau RM Auctions Amelia Island 2016 Lot 165 1911 Stanley Model 63 Toy Tonneau To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016 Without Reserve Sold for $286,000

Apr 09, 2016 Read more

Concept Debrief – 1980 Lamborghini ATHON Speedster by Bertone

Bertone (bear-tony) created this one-off Lamborghini concept as a design showcase of the studio’s skills, plus to kick a bit of good energy Lambo’s way. By the end of the 1970s, Lamborghini lad launched and produced a variety of non-hits: GT cars and luxury shooting brakes that never found the same eager audience as the earlier Miura and Countach smash-hits. The 1980 ATHON Speedster hoped to evolve the avant-garde looks of those two icons, but in a high-tech was befitting the first computerized decade: the 1980s. Achieving visual impact on par with the Countach would take a revolution in almost …

Apr 03, 2016 Read more

RM Monaco 2016 – 1928 Bugatti Type 40 Boattail Speedster

It is hard to fathom sometimes that cars like this are sitting quietly in wealthy garages around the world. Museum-quality icon or 1993 Mercury Sable? Which shall we drive today, honey? RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1928 Bugatti Type 40 Boattail Speedster

Mar 29, 2016 Read more

700HP, 2.5s 2017 REZVANI Beast X – Wild Carbon Wings, Monster Boost for Street-Legal Racecar

You are being hunted. The Rezvani Beast X is out for blood. That much is clear from its 2.5-second 60-mph sprint and tail-out track action! This upgraded model is debuting in Dallas this week with a shockingly sexy carbon-fiber aero kit, a new engine and even optional paddle-shift for the 2017 modelyear. The California team will build just five of these X Beasts for sale worldwide, with pricing from $325k and the order books open now. (The Beast Speedster is the car pictured here in grey, while the X is previewed in a few of the red photos — but not all …

Mar 14, 2016 Read more

Dream Garage – Superformance LOLA MkIII Can-Am Spyders

Lola racecars are extremely special for their value-for-money today, racing pedigree, and also their incredibly timeless grace and beauty. This was a racing team directly formed in the late 1950s with one goal: build a car from scratch to win LeMans. The resulting semi-monocoque chassis design – now known as a unibody – was revolutionary at the time of frame-based racers from nearly every other racing company and nearly every single road car. A semi-monocoque? Oh yes. The other part is also pretty advanced for the time: a steel spaceframe for the engine and rear suspension cradle. In fact, the …

Mar 12, 2016 Read more

1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Speedster in Left Hand Drive

Undoubtedly the sexiest Austin Healey we’ve even seen! This 100M Le Mans special was developed by the factory in response to a strong finish in the 24-hour race a few years prior. This 640-unit special wore an upgraded body with hood louvres, a slimline adjustable-rake windshield and special engine/suspension upgrades. This very rare left-hand drive example was solid in Ohio in 1956, and had a full restoration in the last decade. 1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Speedster RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2016 Lot 175 1956 Austin-Healey 100 M ‘Le Mans’ To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016 Without Reserve …

Feb 28, 2016 Read more

2017 EAGLE Spyder GT – Third Bespoke E-Type Creation – Much Faster than Speedster, Plus First-Ever Ragtop!

The Eagle Speedster and Low Drag GT are two of the most-desirable restomods in the history of the genre. And that label barely does these 100-percent unique creations — reborn of aircraft-grade alloy throughout. Its deliciously widened, streamlined bodywork is shaped lovingly, by hand, in the true old-world master craftsmen tradition. Eagle Speedster and Eagle Low Drag GT Since the roofless Speedster made such a splash on Top Gear, and the Low Drag GT brought its mouthwatering appeal to just a single-digit number of total owners….. we are now in the third part of the Eagle ‘trilogy.’ This new Spyder GT …

Feb 17, 2016 Read more

RM Arizona 2016 – 1932 Ford Model 18 Edsel Ford Speedster

You can really tell that RM photographer Darin Schnabel fell in love with this steel grey speedster. We did too after seeing is incredible teardrop shape, aero-sculpted fenders and smoothly rounded nose. Favorite element of the design must be the leather inner fenders. So ingenious and pragmatic — they are touchable pieces of automotive history. 1932 Ford Model 18 Edsel Ford Speedster RM Sotheby’s Arizona 28-29 January 2016 1932 Ford Model 18 Edsel Ford Speedster Photo Credit: Darin Schnabel ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sothebys 85 bhp, 221 cu. in. Ford flathead V-8 engine with a Stromberg 81 two-barrel carburetor, …

Jan 29, 2016 Read more

2016 Galpin Fisker ROCKET Speedster Roars Onto Pebble Beach Concept Lawn

The Fisker Rocket makes a big entrance for itself no matter the venue. But the concept lawn at Pebble Beach Concours!? That is a big test of the car’s supercar style, futuristic appeal and up-close inspection of its details! Luckily, the carbon-fiber stunner of a Rocket looks stellar next to priceless hypercars and one-off design bucks. Half the cars on the concept lawn are rollers only, with some moved about atop dollies below fixed wheels and tires! So the conpetition for hearts, eyes and minds is steep. The Rocket Speedster is not just a chop-top of the coupe, to ensure …

Aug 18, 2015 Read more

1967 Bizzarrini P538 Speedster – RM Monterey 2015 Preview

If there is one 1960s hypercar style we love best, it is the rare mid-engine speedster. This mid-engine exotic aimed to be a true racecar prototype for the roads — with a mid-mounted Chevrolet V8 under a louvered back deck. The design is nicely functional yet playful all around, with shared details from the 5300 Strada sitting nicely with the all-new slimline upper half and interesting inverted tail details. RM Monterey 2015 Preview – 1967 Bizzarrini P538 Speedster 1967 Bizzarrini P538

Jul 20, 2015 Read more

2015 Polaris Slingshot SL LE – Open-Air Speedster Thrills From $25k!

There are many compelling ways to get around a racetrack quicker than a factory supercar. As the VUHL 05, Lotus 3-Eleven and Caterham Seven chase this race-helmet owner group, Americans have a very compelling alternative to consider. And this one is road-legal and costs just a slice of the price. Running on three wheels makes the Slingshot a motorcycle — but that is only the start of the intrigue. From the design outside, people will be shocked by the sci-fi beauty and exposed chassis first. Only on third or fourth glance will they not see a stunning, Lambo-meets-Batman mashup. Polaris …

Jul 16, 2015 Read more

One-Off 2006 Lamborghini Concept S – RM NYC 2015 Auction Preview

What a special surprise! The incredibly sexy 2006 Lamborghini Concept S will soon be auctioned off the the highest bidder! This gorgeous design vision was the original Gallardo Spyder preview car — with this stunning, dual-cowl speedster then diving for the archives. The one-off details on this car make it one for the ages. The Concept S is leading the RM Sotheby’s New York auction in November 2015. Ballpark estimates? Well, it is a concept from the show circuit. But also fully functional down below. This is pure Gallardo V10. Helmets recommended. Road legal? In sum, we’d expect nothing less …

Jul 12, 2015 Read more

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SLS Racing + Exclusive SLS-R Speedster Renderings

This is a cool one. As you may know, Mercedes had a spotty record of hanging on to rare classics among the hundreds of models the company has produced. This applies double for the racecars – which are often either lost to track damage or to privateer teams. Either way, gone from the safety of the MB Museum. Such was the case for a pair of American-commissioned racing overhauls to a pair of 1957 300 SL’s. While Mercedes retired from racing for 1956-forward, the SL was still a plum basis for a race-winning track car. A priciple named Jim O’Shea …

May 03, 2015 Read more

Worlds First Supercar – 1909 Benz 35-60PS Speedster Ran 9-Liter Four-Cylinder!

Betting directionally on the value of supercars is tougher than the stock or art or commodities markets. Where the natural trend for the above indices is to scale upward, most classic cars are generally never going to appreciate over time. This makes car collecting more of a passion play than the normal art auction scene. Long story short: we’re obviously not going to go all in one way or another on future car values. But come on! This car. One of the world’s first supercars, with triple the power and speed of a contemporary Model T? Yes, as Ford rolled …

May 03, 2015 Read more

2015 Morgan Plus 8 SPEEDSTER Headlines Geneva Show Stand

The Morgan Three-Wheeler and Aero 8 hoover up much enthusiast attention, but are they really the sweet-spot of the Morgan Motor Cars lineup? We would vote in favor of the Plus 8 Speedster — a stripped-down and chopped-windshield special based on the legendary best-seller. Running the latest 4.8-liter BMW V8 making 367-horsepower through an automatic or manual transmission, the Plus 8 roars to 60-mph in just 4.5-seconds. But those numbers do not really capture the drama of launching a Plus 8. With your rump almost right atop the back axle, the Plus 8 Speedster removes the bulky glass from …

Mar 04, 2015 Read more

RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster by Reutter

Any Porsche 356 in 2015 is almost unbelievably tiny and basic, so the Speedster with its stripped down cabin and tiny glass areas is almost the perfect caricature of a 1950s sports roadster. 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster by Reutter RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1958 Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster by Reutter Chassis no. 83814 Engine no. 75350 60 hp, 1,582 cc OHV air-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with dual Zenith carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with laminated torsion bars, parallel trailing arms, and tubular shock absorbers, independent rear swing axles with torsion bars …

Feb 10, 2015 Read more

225MPH 2015 Noble M600 Speedster Beats Hypercar Elite to Open-Air Thrills

The Noble M600 is a worthy competitor to the latest class of hypercars: the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari. With the latest M600 Speedster, Noble joins an elite set of vehicles that can top 200-mph with the top down. The Koenigsegg Agera and Porsche 918 Spyder are the only other members of the club so far, but Pagani is widely rumored to have a Huayra Spider in the works, as does Ferrari with their top model. So what are the downsides of the M600 Speedster versus the standard car? Virtually nothing. With a carbon-fiber-intensive chassis that is already virtually unbendable, the …

Jan 20, 2015 Read more

Porsche Carrera GTZ by Zagato Wears Much-Sexier Double Bubble Roof

Along with recreating this long-lost 356 Carrera Zagato Speedster for the modern era, Zagato highlights their subtle Carrera GTZ mod as well. You will really need a sharp eye to note the difference between the Carrera GTZ and its factory base, the stupendous Carrera GT. But once you note the differences — you will almost-definitely like the Zagato better. It is all about the roof and rear canopy. Where the targa-roofed stock Carrera GT has a sharp drop-off behind the rear glass, the GTZ has smooth double bubbles flowing back in a very artful fashion. The GTZ is much, …

Jan 03, 2015 Read more

1958 Porsche 356 Carrera Zagato Speedster Is Worlds Only Aluminum-Bodied Example

Zagato Classic has recreated their first-ever Porsche project here: a 356 Speedster that was lightened and made quicker for a racing customer in Paris. The tailfins are particularly delightful as functional and style-enhancing elements, as is the lower and lighter windshield. If you are thinking: hey, this Zagato 356 Speedster actually looks much more like the 550 Spyder — you are correct. The commission of a new aluminum body for the steel-skinned 356 meant Zagato could make the car as streamlined as Porsche’s most-successful racer ever (at the time): the 550. Shown below on the grass, you can see the …

Jan 03, 2015 Read more

2013 Aston Martin CC100 COLORIZER

What if the CC100 was amazing, you thought, but the retro colors were a turnoff? We’ve tweaked the accent and main shade here to show three new finishes, complete with flawless 360-degree turntables for each. Enjoy! CC100 Magenta CC100 Green CC100 Red CC100 Magenta

Dec 24, 2014 Read more

Concept Flashback – 2013 Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Was Dubbed DBR100 In Development

The amazing CC100 Speedster makes the Jaguar Project 7 look like a silly branded parka. A complete conversion from the softtop Vantage into the CC100 sees completely unique carbon-fiber bodywork all around, mini door-tops with open and exposed airflow elements at hip-height for both passengers, and a fantastic shrouded cabin. A complete lack of windshield glass means helmets would definitely need chinstraps on tight for high-speed driving, but the overall effect on the CC100’s style makes it worthwhile. Double head-height roll spikes are a stylistic delight, and even include extra roll-over protection in the form of ram-actuated extra roll …

Dec 24, 2014 Read more

Concept to Reality – 2013 Pininfarina Sergio vs 2015 Ferrari Sergio

FOREWORD: We wrote this whole article below before realizing that the new, six-copy Ferrari Sergio is altered significantly verse the 2013 concept. Therefore, check the next article shortly for the full 70-photo extravaganza of the Pininfarina Sergio. The production car is, regretfully, extremely lame. It carries almost all the worst parts of the Sergio concept, and none of the best. At least the headlamps are not the nasty reflector-beams from the concept. But the entire exposed cockpit is gone, the windshield is directly from the 458 and the overall grey plastic still dominates in a fug nasty way. We call …

Dec 05, 2014 Read more

2015 Ferrari Sergio by Pininfarina is BS: Bait/Switch Barchetta Speedster

FOREWORD: We wrote this whole article below before realizing that the new, six-copy Ferrari Sergio is altered significantly verse the 2013 concept. Therefore, check the next article shortly for the full 70-photo extravaganza of the Pininfarina Sergio. The production car is, regretfully, extremely lame. It carries almost all the worst parts of the Sergio concept, and none of the best. At least the headlamps are not the nasty reflector-beams from the concept. But the entire exposed cockpit is gone, the windshield is directly from the 458 and the overall grey plastic still dominates in a fug nasty way. We call …

Dec 05, 2014 Read more

Concept Flashback – 2001 Toyota FXS Roadster Was Riviera-Style EV Supercar

The Toyota FXS concept from 2001 was one of the first full vehicle ideas from the Nice, France-based Toyota ED2 studio. Short for Toyota European Design and Development, ED2 has since delivered a variety of cool and not-so-cool production cars — including the latest Yaris and the unloved Lexus SC430 of the mid-2000s. This concept is important because it showed an innovative hybrid powertrain with an ultra-smooth underbody and sleekness in all its exterior shapes. A steep drop-nose style established thed FXS as a super sports car, as does the chopped windshield and cab-backward propotion. The rear taillamp in a …

Dec 03, 2014 Read more

Iconic Classics – 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Earned $3.7M At RM Monterey 2012

Aston Martin classic buyers come in similar taste preference buckets as new Aston buyers: either conservative Silver and Green rule the mind, or wild shades and racing liveries. This fire orange example of a pristine DB3S falls into the latter camp very spectacularly. Emblematic of Aston’s resurgent post-war mission to take on the world’s best in racing, the DB3S is best known today as one of the most beautiful racing roadsters of all time. 1955 Aston Martin DB3S RM Auctions Monterey 17 – 18 August 2012 Lot 214 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Sports Racing Car To be auctioned on …

Nov 18, 2014 Read more

Hypercar Heroes – 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Stirling Moss

How time flies! The calendar seems to be moving faster than ever in 2014 — only five years since the 75 hand-made SLR McLaren models left Woking in 722 Stirling Moss trim. A speedster without a windshield or any attempt at a convertible top, the stunning machine could reach a true 219-mph. Only the brave need apply — which is the perfect homage to Sir Stirling Moss’s racing achivements during his career. These include winning the Mille Miglia for Mercedes-Benz — but Moss also raced for Maserati and Porsche during his reign. The inspiration and celebration of Stirling Moss is, …

Sep 18, 2014 Read more

Update1 – Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 – 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 Speedster

Updated 8.23.14 This Speedster brought a very affordable $181,500 last week. Well bought! 1994 Porsche 911 Speedster Update The 911 Speedster is exceptionally rare and quite a milestone for Porsche. Just as this car was hitting showrooms, the 1994 Porsche Boxster concept drop-kicked the enthusiast world into a hysterical frenzy. Everyone was mad for the chopped-windshield look — but only 409 of the Porsche 964 Speedsters arrived for sale in the United States. Rare and certain to cause a double-take among even hardcore Porsche fans – the Speedster is an amazing vehicle to consider for collectors and sunny-day drivers. Its …

Aug 23, 2014 Read more

Charleston Cars and Coffee – 1955 Porsche 356 1500S Speedster

The thing that really strikes you when seeing the 1955 Porsche Speedster up close is its absolutely tiny scale. It is dwarfed by the Cayman sitting next to it, as well as any modern-sized human. This ultra-small and ultra-smooth style earned Porsche quite the following among those who rejected the two-ton ideal of American cars of the era. In fact, the light and lean mantra became a turning point in defining all sportscars in the post-war era. The aesthetic of hyper-curved panels is not just for beauty or aero sleekness, either. Such huge and deeply-stamped bodywork gave the 356 extra …

Aug 01, 2014 Read more

Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 Preview – 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 Speedster

The 911 Speedster is exceptionally rare and quite a milestone for Porsche. Just as this car was hitting showrooms, the 1994 Porsche Boxster concept drop-kicked the enthusiast world into a hysterical frenzy. Everyone was mad for the chopped-windshield look — but only 409 of the Porsche 964 Speedsters arrived for sale in the United States. Rare and certain to cause a double-take among even hardcore Porsche fans – the Speedster is an amazing vehicle to consider for collectors and sunny-day drivers. Its proportions say classic 911 at first glimpse, but the detailing is 100-percent surprising thanks to the ultra-low windshield, …

Jul 29, 2014 Read more

Concept Flashback – 2000 Ferrari Rossa Concept Speedster Influences Corvette, NC2020 and F12 TRS

The year 2000 Ferrari Rossa concept is a perfect example of some trendy ideas aging poorly, and other genius ideas finally coming of age nearly 15 years later. The overall shape of the Rossa concept and its surfacing instantly date the machine, sure. It is too blob-like and too bubbly in every form angle to be competitive today. But there are a few items that are looking mighty up-to-date, even today in 2014: — the speedster windshield: still a huge fan of this style, and Ferrari fans are too. The 2014 F12 TRS uses a free-form top part of the …

Jun 29, 2014 Read more

RM Auctions Monterey 2014 Preview – 1936 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster Is First American Supercar

1936 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster So, if the Chrysler Airflow Eight from the previous article is a delightful curio in the evolution of the modern family car, this Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster will definitely get us back-on-track for sportscars. Supercars, even! This machine was one of the most powerful and rapid American cars ever made, and perhaps one of the best-handling as well. This was well before any Corvettes or even any Mustangs. Decades beforehand. Until this point, the most sporting cars were some mini Duesenburg’s all the way to giant Packard’s and Hudson’s. This Auburn split the difference in …

Jun 12, 2014 Read more

2014 MINI Superleggera Concept is Dreamy Roofless Speedster With Corvette, Porsche, Aston and Jag Influences

As shown by the Car-Revs-Daily.com exclusive renders of a possible GT40 Can-Am Spyder, Corvette Stingray Speedster and the GT-R Spider — you know we are huge fans of roofless cars. Most of these are not quite “cabriolets” in the ‘convertible’ sense – there is only one setting. They are strictly fair-weather friends. But the lack of a roof mechanism frees the designers to go wild, and the results are nearly always miraculously beautiful. Clear influences for this MINI Superleggera come from the Jaguar D-Type (and Project 7…), as well as the Porsche 718 RSK Spyder and even a handful of …

May 25, 2014 Read more

2014 Superformance LOLA Mk III and MkII Can-Am Spyder at Olthoff Racing – Chevy-Friendly Racing Speedster?

Lola racecars are extremely special for their value-for-money today, racing pedigree, and also their incredibly timeless grace and beauty. This was a racing team directly formed in the late 1950s with one goal: build a car from scratch to win LeMans. The resulting semi-monocoque chassis design – now known as a unibody – was revolutionary at the time of frame-based racers from nearly every other racing company and nearly every single road car. A semi-monocoque? Oh yes. The other part is also pretty advanced for the time: a steel spaceframe for the engine and rear suspension cradle. In fact, the …

Apr 22, 2014 Read more

Speculative Renderings – Future Corvette Z51 Speedster and Z06 Spyder

INTRODUCTORY CAVEAT: I hope these do not irk General Motors too much. They are all labeled as ‘speculative renderings’ — in case the dismal quality of these Photo”Chops” did not make that clear already to everyone. It is harder than it seems to achieve anything like photo-real results. To avoid any confusion among buyers is my goal in labeling everything as renders, but also to explore these ideas visually. A separate (and amazing!) article coming in a few hours will be a thorough, real-life buyers guide to the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible’s trims, wheels, colors and options later this afternoon. …

Apr 01, 2014 Read more

Concept Flashback: 1964 Dodge Hemi Charger – Speedster Prototype

Can you guess who hates Camaro and Mustang news? Dodge. This one-off concept’s HEMI engine gurgles and rocks the car as it revs with indignity at the 2.3-liter turbo four heading to the 2015 Mustang. No cubes = no pubes, the Hemi Charger growls to itself. Packing a 7.0-liter V8 engine with a quoted 600 horsepower, the Hemi Charger concept is part Batmobile part race-car and part street fantasy The proportions of this machine are hilariously retro. Clearly converted from a much longer sedan platform, the back deck of the Hemi Charger is a few feet longer than even the …

Dec 13, 2013 Read more