jeudi 18 décembre 2014

The Willys AW380 Berlineta is a neo-Alpine with bite

The Willys AW380 Berlineta by Carrozzeria Viotti is a modern interpretation of the Alpine A108 – more specifically, the Brazilian version, which enjoyed an impressive racing career in the Sixties…

Thanks to an agreement with Willys-Overland, the Alpine A108 was manufactured from 1962 to 1966 in Brazil – and renamed the Willys Interlagos. In total, over 800 Berlinetas were created (yes, written with only one ‘t’), along with coupés and convertibles. Race drivers such as the Fittipaldi brothers, Luis Pereira Bruno, Bird Clemente, Wilsinho and other champions of the Brazilian golden age achieved several podium finishes with the car.

Reborn after 50 years

And now, 50 years later, the Italian car manufacturer Maggiora has provided a modern interpretation of the iconic Willys Interlagos thanks to body designer Viotti from Turin. The Willys AW380 Berlineta, designed by Emanuele Bomboi, is currently on show at the Bologna Motor Show, until 14 December. It will go into production in January 2015, as a limited run of 110. The sports car is powered by a 3.8-litre, six-cylinder biturbo, promising 610HP and a sprint from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 2.5 seconds. The top speed is expected to be around 340km/h. Offered at a price of 380,000 euros, the first sports car by Maggiora and Viotto has already been bought – and marketing channels have been established in the Balkans and the UAE.

Photos: Degler Studio

Marmite, turbocharged – the Rinspeed ‘Porsche Testarossa’ R69

While Frank Rinderknecht, founder of the Swiss tuning house Rinspeed, admired the Porsche 911 Turbo, there was something missing, some... Italian flair. So, taking obvious inspiration from the Ferrari Testarossa, this was his solution. And you thought the standard car was 'out there'…

We like to think that this is the car Liberace might have used at the weekend, such is its alarmingly excessive (and rather white) demeanour. It’s loud 'n' proud (and oh, so luxurious) on the inside, too, though admittedly those ‘Tartan Dress’ seat inserts were standard fit – this was a car born in the 70s, after all.

Fit for a king (of sorts)

There was only one reason to take your car to a tuning house in the 80s, and that was to make it stand out. And stand out Rinspeed's 911 Turbo did. However, in tweaking the 930’s elegant styling, we reckon it had also aged two decades before it even left Rinspeed’s factory, where it received the extrovert 'R69' bodywork in the early 80s. But who are we to talk about beauty? Kitsch as they might have been, tuned 911s (or tuned anything, for that matter) were all the rage – take this Strosek car, or, for those unable to tame the Turbo, this drop-top Rinspeed G-Series, for example. Today there is a market for these cars, albeit a small one.

Having covered just 67,500 miles from new, this R69, currently offered by Classic Driver dealerSpecialist Cars of Malton, has belonged solely to one family. Benefitting from both a turbo recondition and an engine rebuild last year, it’s an attractive proposition – remember, there’s a 930 in there somewhere. Besides, the real beauty of this car is that it isn’t to everyone’s taste. So dig out that Jan Hammer cassette, douse yourself in Turbo cologne and prepare to be the centre of attention, wherever you go.

Guzzi !!

mercredi 17 décembre 2014

ANDORRA 500 - Les inscriptions sont ouvertes

ANDORRA 500 - Les inscriptions sont ouvertes !

Après avoir décidé de passer à la compétition en quatre roues, Cyril Despres a récemment annoncé la création d’un rallye de régularité sur route pour des motos classiques l’été prochain en Andorre.

Suite à la confirmation de son calendrier de courses 2015 et après avoir finalisé le calcul des coûts, nous sommes désormais en mesure de vous donner plus de détails. L'évènement aura lieu les 4, 5, 6 et 7 Juin 2015.

La première journée sera réservée aux vérifications techniques, un prologue et une parade au centre-ville. Les trois jours suivants, les participants aborderont trois boucles de 150 kilomètres sur des routes goudronnées de montagne à l'aide d'un Tripy, un road book électronique emprunté au monde du rallye raid. La partie compétition entre en jeu avec une série de tronçons chronométrés sur des routes fermées qui devront être parcourues à une vitesse moyenne prédéterminée. Tous ceux qui souhaitent laisser le chrono en arrière-plan et qui recherchent plutôt une ambiance festive et l’opportunité de partager quatre jours avec des passionnés du monde entier seront aussi les bienvenus.

Le coût pour participer à l'événement est de 1250€, le prix inclus l’hébergement pour 4 nuits dans l'hôtel 3 étoiles du QG du rallye, les petit déjeuners, les déjeuners en montagnes, les dîners, l’assistance mécanique, le camion balai, l’assistance médicale, la mise à disposition du Tripy et toute la logistique associée à la réalisation des spéciales, les animations du soir et la soirée de gala avec la remise des prix. Quelques pilotes professionnels amis de Cyril ont déjà annoncé leur participation à l’évènement et divers sponsors contribuerons à récompenser les participants.

Le formulaire d'inscription est téléchargeable ci-dessous et sur le site web de l'événement www.andorra500.com