If you’ve seen the 1993 futuristicaction movie Demolition Man, you might be familiar with General Motors’ Lean Machine. General Motors Lean Machine 1982 It was created by GM’s Frank Winchell, as a study for a singleseater commuter vehicle-car-like in use and stability, but offering motorcycle dimensions and maneuverability. So the narrow Lean Machine had a fixed lower “power […]
It was fitting that the Ferrari F40 was the final model commissioned by Enzo Ferrari before his death in 1988. Launched in 1987 to commemorate the marque’s 40th anniversary, this was a supercar that, true to the spirit of 2 Commendatore himself, incorporated racetrack technology in a road-going car to create a truly exhilarating package. Ferrari’s army of devoted fans agreed,
It is difficult to separate the DeLorean from the financial scandal that engulfed it. Promoted as an “ethical” sports car-safe and durable-it was the brainchild of former General Motors high-flier John Zachary DeLorean, and was bankrolled by the British government, which paid for a brand-new factory in Northern Ireland. Dubious business practices and unbridled extravagance were matched
The Africar saga is a sorry and twisted tale of high ideals, financial chaos, and technical incompetence. But it’s also the story of a fascinating project that promised cars tailor-made for Third World drivers. Africar 1983 Anthony Howarth was an Oscarnominated documentary filmmaker whose assignments took him to poverty-stricken outposts. He’d noticed that mainstream vehicles built in
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Italian coachbuilder Zagato was a byword for motoring excitement-a dream factory making strikingly styled sports cars. Zagato Zele 1000 1972 So no wonder visitors to the 1972 Geneva Motor Show were shocked at the company’s display. It’s new car was 77in (196cm) long, and could manage 25mph (40kph) in eerie silence. The rationale
The late John Weitz was among the first men to appear on the International Best-Dressed List in 1967, one of many career highlights that appeared to make his an effortlessly glamorous life. Weitz X600 1979 Designer of men’s casual clothes, author of best-selling novels, photographer, and ex-US Army Intelligence officer, he used to crisscross the
The Tyrrell P34 was the boldest car seen on Formula One grids during the 1970s. The idea of six wheels came from Derek Gardner, Tyrrell’s chief designer, who calculated in 1974 that four small wheels at the front would hugely reduce a Formula One car’s fontal area. Tyrrell P34 1976 Cutting aerodynamic drag would make the car faster, yet
Britain’s licensing authorities weren’t too sure what to make of the Stimson Scorcher in 1976, hesitatingly classifying it as a motorcycle-sidecar combination. Stimson Scorcher 1976 By law, that meant “rider” and “pillion” had to wear crash helmets but the third occupant-the Scorcher seated three in a row-was legally the sidecar occupant and, thus, could ride bareheaded. However,
The car world went beach buggy crazy in the late 1960s, inspired by California’s surf culture. A “different” contribution from cold, remote Denmark might have been expected, and the Joker didn’t disappoint. Sommer Joker 1970 It came from the fertile mind of Danish car distributor Olé Sommer, who intended to offer a none-too-serious car that
Four of these cars were made, and for each minute they were driven for their intended purpose, they cost over $58,000. NASA’s Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-Lunar Roving Vehicle) was known as the Moon Buggy, and the most expensive “Rover” ever built! Maybe fittingly, Americans were the first to drive on the Moon. Nasa Lunar Roving Vehicle 1971 One Lunar Roving Vehicle was even