Friday, July 25, 2025

1951 Studebaker Woody


This Studebaker began life as a four door sedan before becoming a woody fastback. The top was chopped 2 1/2" and the fenders were extended 18". Power is supplied by a 427 Ford. Additional information is available at Vintage News Daily.

Thursday, July 24, 2025

The Nanico P50- The world's smallest car


The Nanico measures 51" in length, 54" tall and 30" wide. The platform is from a motorized wheelchair. The entire production time from drawings to finished car was less than a month. It is available with either a 50 or 100cc gasoline engine.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

1960 Mazda R360


The Mazda 360 was the company's first passenger car. It had a 69.3 inch wheelbase and weighed 838 pounds. It was powered by a rear mounted air cooled V-twin engine with a 356 cc displacement. It was capable of 52 mph and came with either a four speed manual gearbox or a two-speed automatic. The suspension was front and rear rubber "springs" and torsion bars.

Monday, July 21, 2025

BMW Alpina C1 318i


In 1981 this experimental vehicle participated in the Shell Economy Challenge. It is based on the E21 3 series and won its class by achieving 88mpg. 

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Friday, July 18, 2025

Refrigerated city transport


This rig made moving goods through the streets of Amsterdam a bit easier.
 

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Someone's bad day in 1942

I found this in an old family album from 1942. I believe it is a 1941 Pontiac. No explanation was included.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Subaru Tortoise


 I have posted about the Tortoise in the past but thought it was worth another post with additional information. It was a one-off car based on a Subaru 360 and it was made for a Japanese television show. Read about it here.

Monday, July 14, 2025

1954 Suminoe Flying Feather

 

Powered by a 12.5hp Nissan single cylinder engine. The wheels were modified motorcycle rim. The unibody construction was of very thin steel. It weighed 490 pounds. 200 were sold.

Saturday, July 12, 2025

1954 Chic-ito


Leopold Garcia built this car in Bernalillo, New Mexico. Total cost came to $800 due to using mostly used and scrap materials. It was powered by a ford engine. It had an 80" wheelbase and weighed in at 2200 pounds.


 

Thursday, July 10, 2025

1967 OSI Silver Fox Prototype

 

OSI was a highly respected but low volume coach builders in Italy during the 1960's. The Silver Fox was built in 1967 to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It debuted that year at the Turin Motor Show. It was powered by a 1 liter four cylinder Renault Alpine engine housed in the left pod to counter balance the weight of the driver in the right pod. It reached a top speed of 155mph. The fastest car in the world in 1967 was the Lamborgini Muira. It was powered by a 3.9 liter V12 and topped out at 173mph.

The Silver Fox didn't make it to the race track after completing a number of test runs. OSI went out of business early in 1968. There was only one car produced.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

1953 Siata 208CS Balbo Berlinetta



The Siata was based on a Fiat platform and powered by a 2.0 liter V8. Carrozzeria Balbo was the coach builder using a Berlinetta body. Only a few of these cars were built.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

1956 Leningrad Cabriolet


It is unusual to find a sports type vehicle with Russian origins. This vehicle has an interesting story not only from its inception but including its restoration. It is not unlike the extensive restoration to bring back the Jawa 750 I posted in March.

You can see additional photos and read about the Leningrad Cabriolet at Undiscovered Classis .

Sunday, July 6, 2025

1976 Peugeot Peugette


Apparently Pininfarina was looking for work and used an existing Peugeot 104 platform to build the Peugette in hopes of appealing to the younger crowd. Apparently the concept was well executed but the timing was not right. Peugeot had just taken over the failing Citroen and had no interest in taking on a low volume convertible.

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Biwak concept



 The Biwak was a concept from the design firm EDAG. It was based on the new Volkswagen Beetle and introduced at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show.

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Happy Birthday, Dad

Dad would have been 105 today. He is posing with his 1941 Dodge pickup.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

First McDonalds


On May 15, 1940, Maurice and Richard McDonald opened their first McDonalds in San Bernardino, California.