Interesting Aerodynamic Cars (Mike Vetter's ETV, also Avion)

[kach22i]

The Wisconsin Project

1949 Nash Ambassador Super Four-Door Sedan with 1800s Stone Shed, Polifka Corners, Whitelaw, Wisconsin, July 2013

An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 2 (1940 – 1959)
BY PAUL NIEDERMEYER – JANUARY 29, 2012
An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 2 (1940 – 1959)

1950 Nash Airlflyte by oldparkedcars.com

VIDEO link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHrvPS7IY0g

The 1949 thru 1951 Nash Ambassador was a ground breaking car. It had a unitized body, offered seat belts and was one of the earliest cars to be tested in a wind tunnel. It was also a huge hit with buyers, giving Nash it's best year in 1951. For more information on Nash cars go to nashcarclub.org

[kach22i]

http://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/S...ER%201947.html


http://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/...-and-farewell/

The original Avanti’s profile had a decidedly NASCAR-ish rake to it. Odd then that when the Avanti was revived as the Avanati II, the first change made was to jack up the front end, as well as ruin the beautiful faired-in round headlights.

Why that would be called “improvement in the lines and streamlining of the new Avanti” is beyond me. The original Avanti’s stance was defined as “an aerodynamic wedge, designed to to defy the wind”.

[freebeard]

Nash Airflyte—the first truly modern car. The video touches on the unibody, suspension and dash; but not the integrated climate controls, etc. Here's a good write-up:

Nils Wahlberg and Nash - Salute To A Great Engineer And Unsung Automobiles

Nobody laughs at reclining seats anymore.

[CFECO]

Here is one I have not seen, a hybrid version of the EV-1.
EV1 Series hybrid

The series hybrid prototype used a stretched EV1 body and a gas turbine engine APU placed in the trunk. A single-stage, single-shaft, recuperated gas turbine unit with a high-speed permanent-magnet AC generator was provided by Williams International. It weighed 220 lb. (99.8 kg), measured 20 inches (50.8 cm) in diameter by 22 inches (55.9 cm) long and was running between 100,000 and 140,000 rpm. The turbine could run on a number of high-octane alternative fuels, from octane-boosted gasoline to compressed natural gas to Aviation Kerosene. The APU started automatically when the battery charge dropped below 40% and delivered 40 kw of electrical power, enough to achieve speeds up to 80 mph (128.8 km/h) and to return the car's 44 NiMH cells to a 50% charge level.

A fuel tank capacity of 6.5 US gal (24.6 L; 5.4 imp gal) and fuel economy of 60 mpg-US (3.9 L/100 km; 72 mpg-imp) to 100 mpg-US (2.4 L/100 km; 120 mpg-imp) in hybrid mode, depending on the driving conditions, allowed for a highway range of more than 390 miles (627.6 km). The car accelerated to 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 9 seconds.

There was also a research program[31] that powered the series hybrid Gen2 version from Stirling engine based generator. The program demonstrated the technical feasibility of such drive train, but concluded that commercial viability was out of reach at that time.

[DIMS]

Jim Glickenhaus' Next Amazing One-Of-A-Kind Car Is The Lightweight P33 (UPDATE!)

[freebeard]

I remember that Pininfarina concept car. I thought those were impressive lines then. Today I would be tempted to make comparisons with the Volhart-Sagitta—the low hood-line between projecting pontoon fenders and deep windshield, compared to the more Porsche-like actual P33 Stradale.

Other cars based on the same Alfa:


Bertone Carabo. This had laminated safety glass thin enough to bend. I wonder if you can get that today?


Alfa Romeo 33 Mugello Spyder

[DIMS]

[DIMS]

AutoSpeed - Revisited: The GM Concept Cars

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by DIMS

AutoSpeed - Revisited: The GM Concept Cars

Seems like the "Universelle Truck" concept from 1955 is Iacocca's "minivan"--the sliding side door being the key feature in common.

GM 1955:


Ford 1972:


Chrysler 1985:

[freebeard]

Did split-window busses ever come with sliding doors? Yes, starting in 1964, although some were made in late '63. You could also get sliding doors on both sides. All models (except pickups) were available this way. The door hardware is different than on later busses, although early '68 models had the same hardware.

http://http://www.vintagebus.com/busfaq.html#16