Giuseppe Bertone, called “Nuccio”, famed automobile designer and constructor died aged 82
Wednesday 26th February 1997 Giuseppe Bertone, called “Nuccio”, famed automobile designer and constructor died aged 82. After racing Fiats, O.S.C.A.s, Maseratis, and Ferraris, Bertone moved to construction, agreeing to build his first car, a series of 200 MGs, at the 1952 Turin Motor Show. He drew attention at the Paris Motor Show that year with…
The last Jaguar XJS, a blue 6-litre V12 coupe rolled off the line at Browns Lane
Thursday 4th April 1996 The last Jaguar XJS, a blue 6-litre V12 coupe rolled off the line at Browns Lane. The ultimate incarnation of a run that lasted an amazing 115,413. The XJ-S was launched on 10 September 1975.[4] The development of the car had begun in the late 1960s as project XJ27, with an…
The Ferrari 365GT4 Berlinetta Boxer was unveiled at the 1971 Turin Motor Show
Thursday 28th October 1971 The Ferrari 365GT4 Berlinetta Boxer was unveiled at the 1971 Turin Motor Show. Designed to rival the Lamborghini Miura and the newly developed Lamborghini Countach, it was finally released for sale in 1973 at the Paris Motor Show. 387 were built, of which 88 were right-hand drive (of which 58 for…
Maserati launched the Bora, a two-seater, mid-engined Grand Tourer at the Geneva Motor Show
Thursday 11th March 1971 Maserati launched the Bora, a two-seater, mid-engined Grand Tourer at the Geneva Motor Show. Produced from 1971 to 1978, it had a top speed of 171 miles per hour (275 km/h). Classified as a supercar, it is considered by some to be the pinnacle of Maserati performance. Other vehicles unveiled at…
Lotus Cars Ltd
Friday 28th April 1967 Lotus Cars Ltd. introduced its new, ultra low, two-door mid-1498cc engine Lotus Europa, with a top speed of 121 mph. The Lotus Europa was unashamedly aimed at lucrative export markets, hence its name – and the choice of Renault drivetrains was taken because of its US compliance and widespread support in…
The Maserati Ghibli, a two-door, two-seater coupe debuted at the Turin Motor Show
Thursday 3rd November 1966 The Maserati Ghibli, a two-door, two-seater coupe debuted at the Turin Motor Show. The V8-powered Ghibli was the most popular Maserati vehicle since the automaker withdrew from racing in the 1950s, and it outsold its two biggest rivals, the Ferrari Daytona and the Lamborghini Miura. The Ghibli’s steel body, renowned for…
The Fiat 124 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and won “Car of the Year” in 1967
Thursday 10th March 1966 The Fiat 124 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and won “Car of the Year” in 1967. It superseded the Fiat 1300 and Fiat 1500 and spawned variants including an estate (with stiffened springs and a revised final drive ratio), four-seater coupé, two-seater spider convertible and a slightly lengthened and…
Luc Donckerwolke
Wednesday 16th June 1965 Born on this day, Luc Donckerwolke, Belgian car designer of Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand and former Design Director of Volkswagen Group’s Bentley, Lamborghini and Audi.
Born on this day, Franz Konrad, a former race driver and founder of Konrad Motorsport in 1976
Friday 8th June 1951 Born on this day, Franz Konrad, a former race driver and founder of Konrad Motorsport in 1976. As a driver, he won the 1983 German Formula Three Championship in an Anson SA4-Toyota. In 1990, he took a career best 2nd in the 1990 24 Hours of Le Mans driving a Jaguar,…
Marcello Gandini
Friday 26th August 1938 Born on this day, Marcello Gandini, Italian who designed many classic automobiles, including, but not limited to:Alfa Romeo Alfetta, Alfa Romeo Montreal, Alfa Romeo Carabo, BMW 5 Series, Bugatti EB110, Citroën BX, Cizeta Moroder V16T, De Tomaso Pantera 200, Ferrari Dino 308GT4, Fiat 132, Fiat X1/9, Lamborghini Countach, Lamborghini Diablo, Lamborghini…