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Tuesday, July 12, 2011
photo from http://www.cardesign.ru/forum/diskussii/obschenie/1352
info from http://www.finkbuilt.com/blog/1960-hovercraft-lineup/
the 1959 Curtiss-Wright model 2500 “Bee”, (AKA “Air-Car”) prototype.
http://www.aerofiles.com/
Experimental 2p passenger air-cushion hover-car, built in test form (lower photo), anticipated market in ag application and as swamp buggy; 85hp Continental with 6′ two-blade prop (projected multi-blade props with two 180hp Lycomings) width: 8′0″ length: 28′0″. Michael Cutler et al. Total “flight” time in mid-July 1959 was about 25 hours, albeit only inches AGL; top speed: 35. Displayed at Fort Eustis Transportation Museum, Colonial Williamsburg VA.
C-W experimented in the field of hovercraft with high hopes that the new technology would save their moribund company, and these hopes caused them to issue news releases and drawings of the new product long before the engineering department was ready. I have seen footage of some of the test ‘flights.’ First, the cars looked nothing like the drawing — that sweetheart was a marketing department dream, not reality. What they actually tested was bigger than a Ford Excursion, but still only seated two. It was a big plenum chamber with controllable shutters all along the perimeter for thrust, braking, and control. What the footage shows, however, is that the car was just barely controllable, even over smooth pavement in good weather. The noise was truly awesome, as well. To complete the dismal picture, hover height was only inches, and there was no flexible skirt — it had less off-road capability than an average sedan of the period. It was a wonderful dream, but to have spent millions on it was typical of a management team that took Curtiss from the biggest in the industry to bankruptcy.”
Some cars seem to have emotional features, this one looks mean, like a gremlin from the movie
0 comments Posted by st at 9:25 PMphoto from http://www.cardesign.ru/forum/diskussii/obschenie/1352
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Best hidden spare tire I've come across, a Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow
0 comments Posted by st at 8:37 PMLabels: design, innovative, Pierce Arrow, unusual, wheels
Monday, July 4, 2011
the way kings wasted their peoples money, one off coachbuilt cars. Erdmann & Rossi 500K Mercedes Benz
0 comments Posted by st at 11:29 AMLabels: carrozzeria, coach builders, design, Mercedes Benz, unique
Sunday, May 29, 2011
check out these and more at http://solifdesign.blogspot.com
Labels: design
Saturday, May 7, 2011
the oldest wheels in California, a look at how the first wheels were designed
0 comments Posted by st at 12:18 PM Above is design, below is what remains of a round piece of wood 205 years after it was installed on an ox cart, consider that the log it was cut from may have been 100 years old to get this big around and it's possible that the wood is over 300 years old.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Brooks Stevens and the 1959 Scimitar prototypes that promoted aluminum
0 comments Posted by st at 2:44 PM Two of the different models, the below was the inspriation for the Studebaker Wagonaire

A two-door Scimitar convertible was representative boulevard-type sports car, having a hard top that retracted automatically into the luggage area. A four-door Scimitar town car phaeton could be driven as a fully enclosed formal sedan, a town car with partially retracted roof, or an open convertible with both roofs retracted into the luggage area. The Scimitar station wagon shown here has an automatic sliding roof.
All three models were derived from the same basic design and tooling, using a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker chassis. The body utilized removable aluminum anodized quarter panels for aesthetics and reduced maintenance. The grille bumpers, trim, wheel discs, and many interior treatments are of brushed and anodized aluminum, substantially reducing vehicle weight. The car´s name was derived from the shape of a scimitar, a saber with a curved blade.
The three Scimitar models were exhibited first at the 1959 Geneva Auto Show, then at the 1961 International Automobile Show in New York.
Found on http://svammelsurium.blogg.se/ where some really cool stuff shows up
Labels: Brooks Stevens, design
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tucker's 2nd try (The Carioca) was from a De Sakhnoffsky design, and potentially would have been made in Brazil
0 comments Posted by st at 9:16 AM cover illustration of the Carioca from Dec. 1955 Car Life magazine found on aldenjewell's Flikr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/autohistorian/3516254868/


Labels: Count De Sakhnoffsky, design, prototype, Tucker, unusual
Saturday, February 19, 2011

Friday, February 4, 2011
The difference between Mustang engine bays, for a 289 or a Boss 429
0 comments Posted by st at 4:32 PMThursday, December 30, 2010
The High and Mighty, mopar engineers and (street racers by night) used it to develop intakes and engines
0 comments Posted by st at 5:41 PM Above from http://musclecardreaming.tumblr.com
Labels: design, drag racing, dragsters, intake, The High and Mighty