The 500 Superfast made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March of 1964, replacing the 400 SA as the top–of–the–line Grand Touring Ferrari. At about double the price of a “production” Ferrari of the same era, the factory sales brochure voiced that this was a Ferrari for “sovereigns, performers and great industrialists.” Unlike the Bugatti Royale, to which it is often compared, the Superfast was popular with Ferrari’s wealthy clients, with 36 examples being sold and delivered over a time span of 28 months between the Geneva Auto Show and the last 500 Superfast delivery.
The Superfast was to be the last of the very limited production and, with their pricing, very exclusive coachbuilt coupes intended for very high speed touring. This tradition had begun with the 340 America, was continued with the 342 America and later still with the 375 America, all fitted with an ever–growing Lampredi–designed V–12. The 375 America was later replaced with the 4.9 litre Lampredi motor–powered 410 Superamerica, “the” Ferrari flagship until it was replaced with the Colombo–engined 400 Superamerica in 1960.
After introduction of the “production” 4–litre Ferrari 330 2+2 in 1963, the 400 Superamerica lost its large engine and effortless high–speed cruising exclusivity. Not wanting to waste the many lire of development that had gone into the Pininfarina–bodied 330 2+2, the 500 Superfast adapted many of the 330’s Type 571 chassis components, sharing the same basic frame, whellbase, front and rear track, front suspension components, brakes and shocks.
Although the 500 Superfast engine block was all new, designated Type 208, it shared many engine accessories with the Type 209 engine of the 330. With a bore of 88 mm and a stroke of 68 mm, this new engine displaced 4,963 cc and had an optimistic horsepower rating of 400 hp. Having owned and driven several of these cars, the author has found them to vary considerably from car to car in performance ranging from mundane to truly Superfast.
Contact Ferrari's Online
Website | Email
Contact Ferrari
Sources : Ferrari Superfast Photo | Ferrari Superfast Article
Citroen Numero 9 Concept : Concept Cars
As Citroën prepares to launch its DS range in China, the French company has presented the Numero 9 Concept at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show as a hint of what its future sedan and wagon range may look like. And even though, PSA, Citroën's parent, has inked a deal with General Motors to share platforms, don't look for either the DS or a vehicle like the Numero 9 at your local showroom anytime in the future.
The basis of the concept is a new platform that will spawn three models in Citroën's lineup: a premium C-class or midsize sedan, an SUV and a large executive class sedan. The Numero 9 Concept rides on a 118-in. wheelbase and has an overall length of 184 in.
Citroën calls the design a new take on the shooting brake body style—a wagon look not dissimilar to crossovers familiar to American buyers. But closer inspection reveals that the Numero 9 concept isn't that much different than the Peugeot HX1 concept presented last fall at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. It's no mere coincidence, since Peugeot is Citroën's partner in the PSA group.
The Numero 9 has a one-box fastback look, with a rear spoiler and windshield pillars that have been sculpted to enhance airflow around the vehicle. Large 21-in. turbine-style wheels also improve the concept's aerodynamics. While the size and body forms are similar, the Numero 9 and HX1 have distinctive grille and light treatments that reflect on their respective brand's styling philosophy and heritage.
Both vehicles boast a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a total output in the 295- to 299-hp range. The base engine in the Numero 9 is a turbocharged 225-bhp 1.6-liter inline-4 gasoline powerplant, with an additional 70 hp coming from its electric motors. The Peugeot's 204-bhp 2.2-liter turbodiesel unit is complemented by a 95 hp motor.
Citroën says the performance of the Numero 9 concept is impressive, with 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration of 5.4 sec. and a 25.3-sec. standing kilometer. The car also features on-demand all-wheel drive that pairs the engine, which drives the front axle, with the electric motors powering the rear wheels. The rear electric motors also provide up to 31 miles of zero-emissions EV range from its lithium ion battery pack, which according to Citroën takes just 3.5 hours to recharge.
Although it would be great to see a Citroën on the road in the America, it's not likely in the near term. However, if this new platform is shared by GM, the idea of a Buick shooting brake certainly holds some appeal.
Contact Citroën
Website | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Flickr | Google+ | Pinterest
Contact Road & Track Magazine
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | YouTube | Pinterest
Sources : Citroen Numero 9 Concept Photo | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Article | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Photo 2 | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Photo 3 | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Rear Photo | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Wheels Photo
As Citroën prepares to launch its DS range in China, the French company has presented the Numero 9 Concept at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show as a hint of what its future sedan and wagon range may look like. And even though, PSA, Citroën's parent, has inked a deal with General Motors to share platforms, don't look for either the DS or a vehicle like the Numero 9 at your local showroom anytime in the future.
Both vehicles boast a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a total output in the 295- to 299-hp range. The base engine in the Numero 9 is a turbocharged 225-bhp 1.6-liter inline-4 gasoline powerplant, with an additional 70 hp coming from its electric motors. The Peugeot's 204-bhp 2.2-liter turbodiesel unit is complemented by a 95 hp motor.
Although it would be great to see a Citroën on the road in the America, it's not likely in the near term. However, if this new platform is shared by GM, the idea of a Buick shooting brake certainly holds some appeal.
Contact Citroën
Website | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Flickr | Google+ | Pinterest
Contact Road & Track Magazine
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | YouTube | Pinterest
Sources : Citroen Numero 9 Concept Photo | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Article | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Photo 2 | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Photo 3 | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Rear Photo | Citroen Numero 9 Concept Wheels Photo
1955 Cadillac LaSalle II Roadster : Classic Cars
In the mid fifties, some excutives at GM decided to revive the old LaSalle nameplate which was an old sister brand to Cadillac. Harley Earl took a great interest in this idea, and had his team at the Art & Colour Section draft up two different concepts. One was the small roadster you see here which was was launched alongside a 6-passenger sports coupe. Both were named LaSalle II to mark the reemergence of the old brand.
Buck Rogers was responsible for the styling of new LaSalles and he used some daring design cues as well as some from LaSalle's earlier production cars. Unusual traits included open rear wheels, a vertical slatted grill, side exhaust and floating Dagmar bumperettes. None of these touches would have been worthy of production, but they did help separate the LaSalle from the Corvette it borrowed so much from.
The engineers came up with a unit-body construction that relied on strength coming from the side sills of the chassis. These contained the exhaust which probably easily overheated the cockpit, especially in the coupe.
Unfortunately, GM fitted fake V6 engines in both cars with a concept valve train that included dual overhead camshafts. Another wierd feature was integral brake drums that were cast into the wheel. These provided functional cooling, but were also stylistic.
Motorama specialist Joe Bartz found the LaSalle II Roadster in unrestored condition at the Warhoops Salvage Yard in Michigan. This was quite the discovery as the original car was originally ordered to be destroyed. Years ago, the both the LaSalle 'dream cars' were quietly tucked away into a corner of yard until Joe acquired them in the 1990s.
Joe kindly displayed this LaSalle in as-found condition at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours for GM's 100th anniversary. At the show he said that plans were being made to fully restore the car.
Contact Cadillac
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Google+
Contact SuperCars.Net
Website | Facebook | YouTube
Sources : 1955 Cadillac LaSalle II Roadster Photo | 1955 Cadillac LaSalle II Roadster Article
In the mid fifties, some excutives at GM decided to revive the old LaSalle nameplate which was an old sister brand to Cadillac. Harley Earl took a great interest in this idea, and had his team at the Art & Colour Section draft up two different concepts. One was the small roadster you see here which was was launched alongside a 6-passenger sports coupe. Both were named LaSalle II to mark the reemergence of the old brand.
Buck Rogers was responsible for the styling of new LaSalles and he used some daring design cues as well as some from LaSalle's earlier production cars. Unusual traits included open rear wheels, a vertical slatted grill, side exhaust and floating Dagmar bumperettes. None of these touches would have been worthy of production, but they did help separate the LaSalle from the Corvette it borrowed so much from.
The engineers came up with a unit-body construction that relied on strength coming from the side sills of the chassis. These contained the exhaust which probably easily overheated the cockpit, especially in the coupe.
Unfortunately, GM fitted fake V6 engines in both cars with a concept valve train that included dual overhead camshafts. Another wierd feature was integral brake drums that were cast into the wheel. These provided functional cooling, but were also stylistic.
Motorama specialist Joe Bartz found the LaSalle II Roadster in unrestored condition at the Warhoops Salvage Yard in Michigan. This was quite the discovery as the original car was originally ordered to be destroyed. Years ago, the both the LaSalle 'dream cars' were quietly tucked away into a corner of yard until Joe acquired them in the 1990s.
Joe kindly displayed this LaSalle in as-found condition at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours for GM's 100th anniversary. At the show he said that plans were being made to fully restore the car.
Contact Cadillac
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Google+
Contact SuperCars.Net
Website | Facebook | YouTube
Sources : 1955 Cadillac LaSalle II Roadster Photo | 1955 Cadillac LaSalle II Roadster Article
