Weird Cars Thread

[Frank Dernie]

Without the badge of a prancing horse, I would not have identified this vehicle as a Ferrari.

The front is fairly original but I think they have showed homage to the (Pininfarina) F355 at the rear. It is a huge 5 seater saloon car though, so not very traditional Ferrari in that respect

 

[Power Pop 23]

Clearly, it is a break with Ferrari design tradition, but I think it looks great. Inevitably, the advent of the new EV technology asks for a new design language, such as Tesla also realized. Sleek and minimalist aerodynamic design has become more important than ever. Range limitations are only a real concern at highway speeds and distances.

Agreed.

I wish the design language was less influenced by the desire to reduce aerodynamic drag - when is someone going to do a retrofit to make a pure electric out of a 1934 Chrysler Airflow ?

 

[mhardy6647]

Clearly, it is a break with Ferrari design tradition, but I think it looks great. Inevitably, the advent of the new EV technology asks for a new design language, such as Tesla also realized. Sleek and minimalist aerodynamic design has become more important than ever. Range limitations are only a real concern at highway speeds and distances.

... and cold winters in hilly/mountainous terrain.

 

[Willem]

For cold winters, we have to wait for better batteries, and for the hills, for lighter construction. In fact, this Ferrari is remarkably light for such a powerful EV. Anyway, aerodynamics were always important, but now even more than ever, so we are witnessing a reimagining of many of the design principles of early champions like the original Saab, or the Citroen DS 19.

 

[Frank Dernie]

Agreed.

I wish the design language was less influenced by the desire to reduce aerodynamic drag - when is someone going to do a retrofit to make a pure electric out of a 1934 Chrysler Airflow ?

View attachment 534984

The reality is that drag wastes energy and being wasteful seems more and more stupid the more expensive fuel gets.
Also all things are relative that thing may have been a bit better than average in period but is laughably unaerodynamic by modern standards.

 

[Frank Dernie]

... and cold winters in hilly/mountainous terrain.

If I travelled more than 250 miles a day or needed to tow heavy un-aerodynamic loads I would use a diesel, but I don't.

Cold loses my EV about 10% of normal, which I can live with, since range is only a limitation in my use 4 to 6 times a year, hilly terrain usually balances out.

Where I go fishing is the next valley the other side of the hill, It is depressing to see poor economy climbing, but it is back to exactly what you get on the flat by the time I arrive.

 

[mhardy6647]

If I travelled more than 250 miles a day or needed to tow heavy un-aerodynamic loads I would use a diesel, but I don't.

Cold loses my EV about 10% of normal, which I can live with, since range is only a limitation in my use 4 to 6 times a year, hilly terrain usually balances out.

Where I go fishing is the next valley the other side of the hill, It is depressing to see poor economy climbing, but it is back to exactly what you get on the flat by the time I arrive.

It's interesting. Our daughter & family have a Tesla 3. Tesla does manage their charging very effectively, but she notices a substantial drop in range in cold northern New England winter. They have a FourRunner for wintertime fun activities.
When she's at our house overnight (she sometimes has to work on-site up near us, about 60 miles from their home), she parks it in our heated garage.

Semi-relevant aside: We don't have a fast EV charger, but she still gets some benefit charging from the standard AC mains when she's at our house. Our power essentially all comes from our roof-mounted PV arrays, although we don't have batteries (or an EV or hybrid) to bank energy. We instead have "net metering", so we bank energy with our power utility. At this point, we cover our year-round electricity from the PV output.

 

[EJ3]

The reality is that drag wastes energy and being wasteful seems more and more stupid the more expensive fuel gets.
Also all things are relative that thing may have been a bit better than average in period but is laughably unaerodynamic by modern standards.

It was a lot better if you were going backwards, from what I have heard.

 

[EJ3]

OK, not technically a car per se -- but I am inexplicably drawn to this contraption.

Beaver tractor, 50s by Andy, on Flickr

I think I want one.

Perhaps this to drive around the farm?

 

[Timcognito]

 

[CptKaos]

68 AMX , great example of Cool/Weird

 

[EJ3]

68 AMX , great example of Cool/Weird
View attachment 535113

H'mm AMC and Weird:
Let's tell the AIR where to go:

Gremlin X (actually: Looks Good to me! (the problems start showing up at speeds well over 100 MPH).

Funny Gremlin: (This one: I'll go with weird)
Gremlin bodies were an aerodynamic liability:
The body was bad about forcing the car to spin around at the end of the track and go through the traps backwards.
The Gremlin has an Aerodynamic Drag Coefficient of 0.49, which is pretty woeful by today's standards.
At 170-180 mph, the cars just started to spin around after the air picked up the back end of the car.

 

[Axo1989]

Clearly, it is a break with Ferrari design tradition, but I think it looks great. Inevitably, the advent of the new EV technology asks for a new design language, such as Tesla also realized. Sleek and minimalist aerodynamic design has become more important than ever. Range limitations are only a real concern at highway speeds and distances.

I also just came across this one. I agree. I think it's a masterpiece of a saloon. A lot of thought and careful design has gone into it for sure. I especially like the integrated front wing and side bypass airflow arrangement, and similar thing at the rear. The aerodynamics look impeccable. So much better, more functional and stylish compared to faux grills etc on some sorry electric efforts.

I might have preferred a two door coupe (still with the same rear seat room) but I see the rear doors open the right way so I'll forgive them:

The instrumentation was shown earlier and nicely combines real tactile things with digital screen things. This little treat for the rear passengers:

Finally, you can certainly get a red one for those otherwise confused:

For those who've outgrown car 'zines more photos on Dezeen. Now I must fossick between the sofa cushions for pocket change and place my order.

 

[Power Pop 23]

I recall reading AMC spent $5 million dollars in 1969 to create the Gremlin on a shortened platform for their Hornet sedan.

I remember seeing the option for denim upholstery on a dealer lot:

 

[mhardy6647]

Perhaps this to drive around the farm?View attachment 535092

My maternal grandfather -- and this is absolutely true -- built himself a four-wheeled tractor out of the running gear of an old (even then) Ford Anglia. Now, where the heck a truck mechanic in the Baltimore suburb of Glen Burnie, Maryland found the remnants of a Ford Anglia in (give or take) the early 1960s, I cannot even speculate...



EDIT: He also built my father (i.e., his son-in-law) a tricycle lawn tractor out of... I have no idea what. I have fond but hazy memories of my father cutting the grass on my parents' small suburban lot with that wacky device. I also dimly remember riding around with him on it as a very small child.
I think I have a photo of the device someplace. I shall look for it some time...

 

[EJ3]

View attachment 535137

I recall reading AMC spent $5 million dollars in 1969 to create the Gremlin on a shortened platform for their Hornet sedan.

I remember seeing the option for denim upholstery on a dealer lot:

View attachment 535146


View attachment 535147

Yeah, I always liked the look (denim, too).
But I never tried to drive one more than 100 MPH.
Stock bodied VW Beetles also had a bad tendency to go sideways, catch air and do barrel rolls between 110 & 120 MPH (there where aerodynamic fixes and they were not necessarily large but worked wonders):

EMPI-Chip Foose Performance Rear Wing for VW Type 1 Beetle​

• Designed by legendary automotive designer Chip Foose
• Precision laser-cut 14-gauge T-6061 aluminum construction
• Improves rear downforce and high-speed stability
• Integrated Gurney flap for enhanced aerodynamic efficiency
• TIG-welded end plates for controlled airflow
• Engineered stand-offs maintain proper engine cooling airflow
• Bolt-on installation — no cutting or drilling required
• Durable powder-coated steel mounting brackets
• Stainless steel hardware included
• Fits VW Type 1 Beetle sedan & sunroof models
• Here's another EMPI-Chip Foose collaboration, the all-new EMPI Exclusive Foose Design Rear Wing, engineered specifically for the VW Type 1 Beetle. This modern performance spoiler is a precision-crafted reinterpretation of the classic “Herrod Helper” wing, delivering improved aerodynamics, high-speed stability, and aggressive custom styling.

I forgot to put this AMC Gremlin SCCA Championship in an earlier post:
In 1974, George Alderman (who won in many different vehicles he drove), again won the BFG Radial Challenge Series championship, this time driving an AMC Gremlin.

 

[pablolie]

Aerodynamic drag could be a thing of the past. Why worry about one single car's aerodynamics if you can synch several cars to drive back to back these days? collectively they are way more aerodynamic than individually.

 

[Robin L]

REO Speedwagon, 1931. The new Thomas Pynchon novel has one blown up with a "pineapple" on page 1.

 

[EJ3]

Aerodynamic drag could be a thing of the past. Why worry about one single car's aerodynamics if you can synch several cars to drive back to back these days? collectively they are way more aerodynamic than individually.

Drafting is great (when you and the other driver are working as a team). Having done it with VERY close friends and very good communications gear). But things can change rapidly when one car breaks the draft (like to exit the interstate).
Also, insurance companies have another name for it: tailgating. And they do NOT like it.

 

[pablolie]

Drafting is great (when you and the other driver are working as a team). Having done it with VERY close friends and very good communications gear). But things can change rapidly when one car breaks the draft (like to exit the interstate).
Also, insurance companies have another name for it: tailgating. And they do NOT like it.

It is one of the rare opportunities to draw major efficiency benefits from computational driver aids.