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Automotive Exceptionalism

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All cars of that era are tiny by modern standards. I remember the first time I stood next to a Ferrari 250LM. I thought I could pick it up and put it in my pocket. Same with Jaguar E-types when I see them on the road today.
That's true, especially as nowadays cars seem to grow in scale year on year; if you put what nowadays seems to be a relatively small E-Type (but still quite a long car) next to a Lotus Elan of the same era or even the bigger Elan 2 + 2, the E type is relatively huge, and especially when comparing it with its predecessor that influenced it, the XK SS which was tiny in comparison.
I guess that's what's so interesting about what Gordon Murray is doing with the T50 and the Nikki Lauda track edition, for the price point you get a really small car, albeit an extremely high-performance hypercar that's roughly the same size as a Lotus Emira (circa 1500kg), but significantly lighter (circa 1000kg) with a 4.0-litre Cosworth V12 with circa 12000rpm redline, and enough fan generated downforce to drive upside down (if it were possible to keep the oil where it needs to be😉 ).. I've not actually seen one on the road yet but would imagine it's as subtle as the F1, apart from the giant batmobile type fan on the back 😉
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And here's another stunning (mid-engine) Jaguar from the mid-60s, the XJ13 which was also significantly smaller than the E-Type.. 8720431.jpg

.. and the tiny but beautiful Jaguar XKSS from about 1957: Jaguar-XKSS-front_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqzHuX0ntsetGyWc52qaBDB1rd8DxJ6k-bgeueoEl1TQQ.jpg

And an early 50s C Type Jaguar for good measure 😉
418-8-medium.jpg
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gmmy775
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Another favourite, the SVJ Miura.. Designed by a bunch of youngsters at that time.. So radical, although partly based on the Mini (engine gearbox layout) Perfect proportions..
Lamborghini-Miura-5.jpg
The Miura. Almost all you have to say. Often referred to as the most beautiful car ever made, though the Bizzarrini of that period was certainly in the running
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Pastorbottle
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
Ok here is the affordable version I have seen in the flesh. I told the owner if it goes missing don’t look for me.

upgraded to a 1750 cc motor and warmed over a bit.

IMG_8649.jpeg IMG_8650.jpeg
I used to have a Guila Super 1600 it had magnificent pig skin upholstery
 
dsio
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Pastorbottle Pastorbottle
Here’s my Jaguar Sovereign Slll
That’s a remarkably clean car, those seats look perfect
 
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gmmy775 gmmy775
The Miura. Almost all you have to say. Often referred to as the most beautiful car ever made, though the Bizzarrini of that period was certainly in the running

Sadly Giotto Bizzarrini died last week..
He was one of the greats..
It's no coincidence that he worked on the Lamborghini Miura V12 (and 350GT) engine, variations of it have been used in every V12 Lamborghini until about 2010.
 
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And here's a stunning Series 1 ISO Grifo, also by Giotto Bizzarrini (and Giugiaro)
iso-grifo-the-exquisite-italian-grand-tourer-powered-by-american-muscle-165636-7.jpeg
iso-grifo-c348926062022001204_1.jpg
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gmmy775
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Was not aware that Bizzarrini had died last week when I posted. Synchronicity. What a loss
 
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Yes sadly on Saturday..
He was born in 1926, how the car evolved during his lifetime..
 
X350 XJR
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ATS 2500 GT

Engineering by Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini.

1964_ats_2500-gts_01.jpg 1964_ats_2500-gts_03.jpg 1964_ats_2500-gts_07.jpg
 
MRC
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X350 XJR X350 XJR
ATS 2500 GT

Engineering by Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini.

1964_ats_2500-gts_01.jpg 1964_ats_2500-gts_03.jpg 1964_ats_2500-gts_07.jpg
So pretty I just want to pick it up and hug it.
 
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ATS.. Really stunning and futuristic at the same time.. It's the kind of thing The Jetsons would drive 😉
Such delicate lines remind me a bit of the GTV, although the GTV has a bit more of an American look to it:
lamborghini-350-gtv.jpg xKLexQLu-sIxVML2fSOIg834y3sJR1-aApquAglCE6c.jpg
 
Aroxx
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Keep flip-flopping on selling this thing. But then I ride it and god DAMN. It’s been called the “geriatric rocket” because the old guys can ride in comfort and still go fast. I guess at my age I should still be on a super sport but I’m starting to feel old and this thing is just one hell of a machine.

IMG_6091.jpeg IMG_6100.jpeg
 
spacemission
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Aroxx Aroxx
Keep flip-flopping on selling this thing. But then I ride it and god DAMN. It’s been called the “geriatric rocket” because the old guys can ride in comfort and still go fast. I guess at my age I should still be on a super sport but I’m starting to feel old and this thing is just one hell of a machine.

IMG_6091.jpeg IMG_6100.jpeg

Postureo. It's clear that you don't know the fj 1100 and 1200 with a 16" front wheel.
 
Aroxx
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spacemission spacemission
Postureo. It's clear that you don't know the fj 1100 and 1200 with a 16" front wheel.
Nope. Enlighten me please. 😀
 
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