The Chevrolet XT-2: A Short-Lived High-Performance Concept Truck

Purpose-Built Fantasy - Automotive history is full of bold ideas that appeared briefly, burned brightly, and then quietly disappeared, leaving behind more questions than answers. The Chevrolet XT-2 belongs firmly in that category. Created during a period when manufacturers were rethinking what a pickup truck could be, the XT-2 was not designed to haul lumber or dominate sales charts. It was built to challenge expectations, blending racing technology, experimental design, and a forward-looking vision into a concept truck that existed more as a statement than a product. 

The Chevrolet XT-2 Concept was built to challenge expectations, blending racing technology, experimental design, and a forward-looking vision into a concept truck that existed more as a statement than a product. (Picture from: PPGPaceCars)

At first glance, the XT-2 looked like something between a sports car and a science-fiction prototype. Its low, wide stance echoed the proportions of GM’s performance cars, while its smooth fiberglass body eliminated traditional truck cues almost entirely. One of its most striking elements was the massive, sharply sloped windshield that doubled as the hood. This single piece of glass—developed by PPG—was the largest windshield ever produced at the time and lifted upward on gas struts, revealing access to the engine bay as the top of the dashboard rose with it. Around back, the bed floor could be removed to reach the rear drivetrain, reinforcing the idea that this truck was engineered with purpose, not convention, in mind. 

The Chevrolet XT-2 Concept combined sports car proportions with a futuristic edge, its low, wide stance and smooth fiberglass body abandoning nearly all traditional truck cues. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

Underneath the futuristic skin, Chevrolet engineered the XT-2 from the ground up. It sat on a tube-frame chassis with integrated roll bars, a necessity for the role it was built to play as a pace vehicle for the CART PPG Indy Car World Series. The layout was front-engine and rear-wheel drive, using a Corvette-derived suspension and an architecture similar to the F-body Camaro. Power came from a 4.5-liter, 90-degree V6 traced to Trans-Am racing programs, assembled with Chevrolet’s high-performance Bow Tie components. In race trim, the engine delivered around 360 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque, enabling quarter-mile runs in roughly 13 seconds and a 0–60 mph time of about six seconds—numbers that placed it far beyond any production pickup of its era. 

The Chevrolet XT-2 Concept was engineered from the ground up on a tube-frame chassis with integrated roll bars, purpose-built to serve as a pace vehicle for the CART PPG Indy Car World Series. (Picture from: DetroitHistorical.org)

The interior was just as unconventional as the exterior. Chevrolet insulated the cabin from engine heat using aerospace-derived materials, while the design itself leaned heavily into an organic, almost biomechanical aesthetic. Contemporary descriptions compared the cockpit to something alive, with sculpted surfaces flowing into one another. Seating was advanced for its time, featuring electrically powered pneumatic adjustments, lumbar support, and even calf support, along with air conditioning—luxuries rarely associated with trucks in the late 1980s. Safety and race readiness were equally prioritized, with five-point harnesses, racing seats, fire extinguishers, dual batteries, dual fuel tanks, and flashing lights integrated seamlessly into the design. 

The Chevrolet XT-2 Concept used a Trans-Am–derived 4.5-liter V6 with 360 horsepower, sprinting from 0–60 mph in about six seconds and covering the quarter mile in roughly 13 seconds. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

The XT-2 did not emerge fully formed. Before reaching its final configuration, Chevrolet explored two very different versions. One early concept placed the engine beneath the bed in a radical layout, while another leaned toward a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive passenger-car platform with a smaller V6, an idea that closely resembled the crossovers that would become common more than a decade later. Ultimately, Chevrolet settled on the performance-focused rear-wheel-drive version, citing growing consumer interest in small, sporty trucks as the natural direction for the concept’s evolution. 

The Chevrolet XT-2 Concept featured a removable bed floor that allowed access to the rear drivetrain, underscoring its engineering-first philosophy over traditional truck conventions. (Picture from: PPGPaceCars)

Seen from today’s perspective, the XT-2 feels both prophetic and out of place. In 1989, GM also revealed the Pontiac Stinger, another futuristic concept aimed at redefining light trucks, suggesting that designers clearly sensed a shift toward more personal, car-like utility vehicles after the fuel crises of the previous decade. Yet the market wasn’t ready to follow that vision just yet. The XT-2 never reached production, but its brief life captured a moment when Chevrolet dared to imagine pickups as performance machines first and utility tools second—a mindset that would resurface years later as high-performance trucks finally found their audience. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PPGPACECARS | DETROITHISTORICAL.ORG | CARSTYLING.RU | JALOPNIK ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The Ferrari 330 P: The V12 Prototype That Defined Endurance Racing in the 1960s

Scarlet Supremacy - Racing has always been a laboratory where ambition, engineering, and national pride collide at full throttle. In the golden era of endurance competition during the 1960s, few machines captured that spirit as vividly as the Ferrari 330 P. Built at a time when Ferrari was defending its dominance against rising global challengers, the 330 P was more than a race car—it was a strategic response to a changing motorsport landscape. Today, it stands as one of the most important chapters in Ferrari’s sports prototype history. 

The Ferrari 330 P with chassis number #0818, while sat on display in the Enzo Ferrari Museum Modena. (Picture from: Wikimedia)

Produced between 1963 and 1968, the Ferrari 330 P was a series of mid-engined sports prototype race cars powered primarily by a 4.0-liter V12 engine. This 3967.44 cc longitudinally mounted Colombo V12 marked a decisive evolution from Ferrari’s earlier three-liter 250 and 275 units. In its early form, the engine delivered around 370 horsepower at 7,200 rpm, breathing through six Weber 38 DCN carburetors and supported by a dry sump lubrication system—an essential feature for endurance racing reliability. 

The Ferrari 330 P was a series of rear mid-engined two seat sports prototype racing car models produced by Ferrari during the 1960s and early 1970s to be raced mainly by the factory Scuderia Ferrari racing team. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

With each new version, Ferrari extracted more power while preserving durability, a balance that proved crucial not only for the factory team but also for closely allied privateers such as NART and Maranello Concessionaires. Visually, the 330 P embodied the purposeful beauty of mid-1960s endurance prototypes. Its low-slung body, sculpted for aerodynamic efficiency, wrapped tightly around a lightweight chassis. 

The Ferrari 330 P was a series of mid-engined sports prototype race cars powered primarily by a 4.0-liter (3,967.44 cc) longitudinally mounted Colombo V12 engine. (Picture from: TimLayzell)

The cockpit was compact and functional, prioritizing driver focus over comfort, with minimal instrumentation and a racing steering wheel positioned close to the chest. Every curve served performance—airflow management, high-speed stability, and reduced drag on long straights like those at Le Mans. Beneath its elegant exterior, the chassis evolved from conventional tubular frames into lighter and more advanced structures as the series progressed, reflecting Ferrari’s relentless technical development. 

The 1965 Ferrari 330 P2 powered by a longitudinally rear-mid mounted 3967.44cc 60° V12 engine. (Picture from: Ferrari in Facebook)

The 330P lineage traced its roots to the 400 SA sports racing program and earlier successes with the 330 TRI and several GTO models. By the end of the 1964 season, the car had already proven its capability with victories at the Paris 1000 km at Monthléry and the Trofeo Bettoia at Monza, where Ludovico Scarfiotti secured an important win. It also contributed to Ferrari’s remarkable 1-2-3 finish at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans, reinforcing Maranello’s authority in the World Sportscar Championship. Designed specifically for endurance racing, the 330 P became a consistent presence at major events, including the Tourist Trophy and other long-distance classics. 

The 1966 Ferrari 330 P3 became Ferrari’s first sports prototype to adopt Lucas fuel injection, replacing the Weber carburetors, and featured a semi-monocoque structure—a tubular chassis reinforced with aluminum panels. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

Ferrari did not allow the concept to stand still. The 330 P2 arrived in 1965 with a lighter, more aerodynamic chassis and a revised V12 boosted to around 410 horsepower using four camshafts. That year, it captured victory at the 1000 km Nürburgring, demonstrating both speed and resilience. In 1966, the 330 P3 introduced even more radical changes. It became Ferrari’s first sports prototype to adopt Lucas fuel injection, replacing the Weber carburetors, and featured a semi-monocoque structure—a tubular chassis reinforced with aluminum panels. Producing approximately 420 horsepower while weighing about 850 kilograms, the P3 represented a significant leap in engineering sophistication.

The 1967 Ferrari 330 P4, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful racing cars ever created, featured a redesigned V12 inspired by Ferrari’s Formula 1 technology with three valves per cylinder producing around 450 horsepower. (Picture from: UltimateCarPage)

The evolution culminated in 1967 with the legendary 330 P4, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful racing cars ever created. Its redesigned V12, inspired by Ferrari’s Formula 1 technology, incorporated three valves per cylinder and generated around 450 horsepower. 

The 1-2-3 brilliant winning finish moment of the Ferrari 330 P3/4, 330 P4, and 412 P at the 24 Hours of Daytona 1967. (Picture from: SportsCarDigest)

The P4’s defining moment came at the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours, where Ferrari achieved a dramatic 1-2-3 finish. The image of three red prototypes crossing the finish line together became an enduring symbol of Enzo Ferrari’s defiance against Ford, whose GT40 had emerged as Ferrari’s fiercest rival at Le Mans during the mid-1960s. Only one original P4—chassis 0856—remains in its unmodified specification today, adding to its mystique. | rAqykxfvAJU | rXIyT4F19wA |

In the present day, the Ferrari 330P series holds a near-mythical status among collectors and historians. With original examples estimated to exceed $100 million in value, most enthusiasts encounter the car through museum displays, historic racing events, or meticulously crafted replicas and “evocations.” Yet its relevance extends beyond rarity or price. The 330 P represents a turning point in prototype racing—when aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and fuel delivery technology accelerated rapidly under competitive pressure. More than half a century later, its silhouette still communicates speed even at rest, reminding us that innovation and passion, when combined, can create machines that outlive their era and continue to shape automotive culture today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERRARI | ULTIMATECARPAGE | TIMLAYZELL | WIKIPEDIA ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The Willys Interlagos: Brazil’s Rare Sports Car Born from Alpine Racing Heritage

Transcontinental Legacy - In the early 1960s, the global car industry was quietly experimenting beyond its traditional borders, and some of the most fascinating results came from unlikely places. While Europe was refining the formula for lightweight sports cars, Brazil was beginning to define its own automotive voice. From this intersection of ambition and opportunity emerged the Willys Interlagos, a machine that blended French racing DNA with South American ingenuity and signaled a bold step forward for a young industrial landscape. 

The Willys Interlagos A108 Berlineta, a machine that blended French racing DNA with South American ingenuity and signaled a bold step forward for a young industrial landscape.. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

The Willys Interlagos was closely related to the Alpine A108, a model celebrated for its success in European road racing throughout the 1960s. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti, the car shared the same graceful proportions, compact dimensions, and aerodynamic curves that emphasized balance over excess. Its fiberglass body kept weight low, giving the Interlagos a purposeful stance that felt both elegant and sporty, even by modern standards. The design managed to look refined without losing the raw character expected from a competition-inspired car of its era. 

The Willys Interlagos A108 Berlineta features a lightweight fiberglass body that enhances agility while giving it a purposeful stance that remains both elegant and sporty even today. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

Mechanically, the Interlagos drew heavily from Renault Dauphine components, the result of a partnership between Willys-Overland, Renault, and Alpine. Various inline-four engines were used during its production run, most notably the 845 cc unit, delivering modest power figures that were offset by the car’s light construction and rear-engine layout. Inside, the cabin reflected the clean, functional aesthetic of the 1960s, featuring simple vinyl trim, straightforward gauges, and an atmosphere focused on driving rather than luxury. 

The Willys Interlagos A108 Berlineta showcases a cabin that reflects the clean, functional aesthetic of the 1960s, with simple vinyl trim, clear instrumentation, and a driver-focused atmosphere rather than luxury. (Picture from: BringATrailer)

The car was built by Willys do Brasil in São Paulo, during a period when the Willys name still carried industrial weight in South America. Although Willys is often remembered primarily for its military Jeeps, its Brazilian operations played a key role in expanding the company’s identity. Introduced in 1961, the Interlagos became the first sports car manufactured in Brazil, symbolizing both technical confidence and a desire to compete on an international stage, even as the brand itself was approaching major corporate changes. 

The Willys Interlagos A108 Berlineta used Renault Dauphine-based inline-four power, including the 845 cc engine, paired with a lightweight rear-engine layout for lively performance. (Picture from: ClassicVirus)

Commercial success, however, was limited. From 1961 to 1966, only about 822 Interlagos cars were produced across all body styles, making it a rare vehicle even in its home country. Yet its impact on motorsport was far greater than its sales numbers suggest. The Interlagos enjoyed a notable racing career and helped nurture some of Brazil’s most iconic drivers, including the Fittipaldi brothers, securing its place in the golden age of Brazilian motorsport. | zXBoXe8j8eo | tfHgBNZj38Q |

Decades later, the spirit of the Interlagos continues to resonate beyond its original production years. That legacy was reinterpreted in 2015 with the Willys AW308 Berlineta by Carrozzeria Viotti in collaboration with Maggiora, a modern project that looked back to Willys’ rich history while embracing contemporary design and craftsmanship. By bridging past and present, it reaffirmed how the story of Willys—once rooted in innovation, racing passion, and cross-continental collaboration—can still feel relevant in a modern automotive world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | CLASSICVIRUS | BRINGATRAILER ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The Keating ZKR: A Radical British Hypercar Born from Pure Ambition

Raw Conviction - The supercar world has always been fueled by ambition, excess, and the constant urge to go faster than what came before. While global attention often gravitates toward established manufacturers, moments of genuine disruption tend to come from smaller players willing to take bigger risks. That atmosphere defined the early 2010s, when a British manufacturer stepped forward with an uncompromising machine known as the Keating ZKR—a car designed not to blend in, but to challenge the limits of what a road-going supercar could represent. 

The Keating ZKR—a car designed not to blend in, but to challenge the limits of what a road-going supercar could represent. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Unveiled to the public at the Top Marques Monaco show in 2011, the Keating ZKR was developed by Keating Supercars, a Manchester-based company led by British designer Anthony Keating. At the time, the brand had already gained modest attention through its earlier SKR and TKR models, both of which showcased a fascination with extreme performance. With the ZKR, that fascination became a clear mission statement. Keating openly set its sights on the world’s leading supercars, aiming to rival—and potentially surpass—the performance benchmarks set by manufacturers in Italy, Germany, and the UK itself. 

The Keating ZKR was developed by Keating Supercars, and unveiled to the public at the Top Marques Monaco show in 2011. (Picture from: GTSpirit)

The ZKR’s design emphasized function over theatrics. Its low, wide proportions communicated speed and aggression, even though the prototype displayed in Monaco was visibly unfinished. Rather than hiding this, Keating allowed the engineering to speak for itself. At the core of the car sat a monocoque chassis that had undergone years of refinement, engineered to minimize the center of gravity. One of its most distinctive solutions was the use of dual low-lying fuel tanks integrated directly into the chassis, a layout chosen to enhance structural rigidity, balance, and overall performance rather than visual appeal. 

The Keating ZKR reveals a striking blue leather interior with a minimalist driver-focused cockpit, exposed structure, and dramatic upward-opening door design. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Beneath the bodywork, the ZKR’s mechanical ambition bordered on the extreme. Power was supplied by a 427 cubic-inch V8 engine using a rare combination of twin turbocharging and supercharging. Depending on configuration, Keating claimed outputs ranging from 600 horsepower to as much as 2,200 horsepower at maximum boost. Engine development involved collaboration with Nelson Racing Engines in California, a specialist known for high-performance racing and street applications. While such figures were never independently verified, they contributed to the ZKR’s reputation as a car conceived at the outer edge of possibility rather than within conventional limits. 

The Keating ZKR uses a refined monocoque chassis with dual low-mounted fuel tanks to lower its center of gravity and improve rigidity and balance. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Equally important was how the ZKR was intended to be built and owned. Keating emphasized that every example would be hand-built in England to customer-specific orders, allowing bespoke exterior coachwork and interior trim choices. This approach reflected a belief that extreme performance did not have to come at the expense of individuality or ownership practicality. Long service intervals and a focus on usability were part of the original design brief, setting the ZKR apart from hypercars that existed purely as technical showcases. | HN2HuXywHmk |

Viewed today, the Keating ZKR stands as a defining chapter in the company’s story—a raw, experimental statement shaped by ambition more than restraint. Its ideas, engineering priorities, and willingness to challenge convention would not disappear after 2011. Instead, they quietly laid the foundation for Keating’s next evolution, culminating years later in the arrival of the Keating Berus in 2017, a model that carried forward the ZKR’s spirit while presenting it in a more refined and contemporary form. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORAUTHORITY | GTSPIRIT | SUPERCARS.NET | PISTONHEADS ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The 2026 DS Taylor Made N°4 and the Art of Turning Racing into Design

Racing Artistry - In a time when car design often feels shaped by algorithms and market forecasts, moments of genuine creative expression stand out. That spirit is exactly what DS Automobiles tapped into when it introduced the DS Taylor Made N°4, a concept car that blurs the line between motorsport passion, personal identity, and contemporary automotive design. Unveiled at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, the project is less about spectacle and more about storytelling—how a modern performance brand translates racing DNA into something emotional, wearable, and unmistakably human. 

The 2026 DS Taylor Made N°4 concept car was revealed at the Brussels Motor Show on January 9, 2026, and was crafted in collaboration with the brand’s Formula E driver, Taylor Barnard. (Picture from: AutoJournal.fr)

At its core, the Taylor made N°4 is built on the DS N°4, a key model in the brand’s lineup, but the transformation is immediately visible. The front grille integrates a bold “N°4” graphic as a central design element, flanked by pixel-inspired headlamps that give the car a distinctly digital, future-facing presence. Its stance is lower and wider than the standard model, enhancing both visual drama and aerodynamic intent. Subtle cues borrowed from racing simulators and video games shape its proportions, making the car feel as if it belongs as much in a virtual world as it does on the road. 

The 2026 DS Taylor Made N°4 concept car features a bold “N°4” graphic integrated into the front grille, flanked by pixel-inspired headlamps that create a distinctly digital, forward-looking presence. (Picture from: Independent.co.uk)

The concept was developed by the DS Design Studio in close collaboration with Taylor Barnard, the young British driver who joined the DS PENSKE Formula E Team. Rather than serving as a mere ambassador, Barnard played an active creative role, sharing his preferences and influences with the brand’s Colours, Materials and Finishes specialists. His taste for dark, monochrome tones punctuated by sharp accents led to a layered palette dominated by greys, purples, and metallic textures. The result is a car that reflects its co-creator’s personality while remaining true to DS Automobiles’ design language. 

The 2026 DS Taylor Made N°4 concept car uses material choice as a narrative device, with titanium symbolizing lightness and competition through four distinct expressions ranging from raw industrial textures to glossy, motion-enhancing surfaces. (Picture from: AutoJournal.fr)

Material choice becomes a narrative tool throughout the Taylor made N°4. Titanium, a symbol of lightness and competition, appears in four distinct interpretations, ranging from raw, industrial finishes to glossy, reflective surfaces that emphasize motion. One of the most striking elements replaces traditional carbon fiber with a crinkled, metal-like textile inspired by racing equipment, applied by hand in aerodynamic zones. This craftsmanship-driven approach reinforces the idea that performance is not only engineered, but also shaped by skilled human hands. 

The 2026 DS Taylor Made N°4 concept car replaces traditional carbon fiber with a hand-applied, crinkled metal-like textile inspired by racing equipment in its aerodynamic zones.(Picture from: AutoJournal.fr)

Details further anchor the concept in Barnard’s racing world. Light gold accents—DS Performance’s signature color—appear on mirrors, wheel centers, and badges, while flashes of purple mark door openers and exterior identifiers. His racing number, 77, is discreetly woven into the lighting elements and body graphics, rewarding close inspection rather than demanding attention. Inside and out, the car feels cohesive, as if every surface and symbol has been deliberately placed rather than added for effect. 

The 2026 DS Taylor Made N°4 concept car extends beyond its physical form by reinforcing DS Automobiles’ long-standing Formula E commitment, where racing success continues to shape road-going innovation. (Picture from: Independent.co.uk)

Beyond its physical form, the Taylor made N°4 carries broader relevance. It reinforces DS Automobiles’ long-standing involvement in Formula E, a championship where the brand has secured multiple world titles and consistently used competition as a testing ground for road-going innovation. The concept also acts as a bridge to production models, echoing the design philosophy and electrified technology found in the DS N°4 Performance Line editions. | gIKgXU18Jvc |

Even its presence in a virtual driving experience on Roblox speaks to a modern understanding of how audiences connect with cars today—through screens, stories, and shared experiences. In that sense, the DS Taylor made N°4 is not just a concept car, but a snapshot of how performance, personalization, and culture intersect in the current automotive era. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | NETCARSHOW | INDEPENDENT.CO.UK | AUTOJOURNAL.FR ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

L’Automobile Ventura: Brazil’s Little-Known Sports Car with Big Ambitions

Hidden Ambition - Car history is often told through big names and mass-produced icons, yet some of the most fascinating stories come from machines built far from the global spotlight. In the late twentieth century, Brazil quietly became a laboratory for inventive, small-scale sports cars that blended ambition with practicality. One of the most intriguing results of that era was the L’Automobile Ventura, a car that still prompts the question many enthusiasts ask today: had you ever seen one before? 

The L'Automobile Ventura was developed in São Paulo by L’Automobile Distribuidora de Veículos Ltda, a Brazilian grassroots manufacturer. (Picture from: Silodrome)

The Ventura was developed in São Paulo by L’Automobile Distribuidora de Veículos Ltda, a grassroots manufacturer founded in 1976 by Claudio Campuzzano and Guillermo Pardo. After finding early success with a fiberglass replica of the 1931 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 built on Volkswagen underpinnings, the team chose a very different direction for their next project. Instead of revisiting the past, they aimed to create a forward-looking sports car that felt modern for the late 1970s, while remaining affordable and relatively simple to build. The solution was to retain widely available Brazilian-made Volkswagen running gear and wrap it in a completely new fiberglass body. 

The L’Automobile Ventura retained widely available Brazilian-made Volkswagen running gear, pairing it with an entirely new fiberglass body. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Visually, the L’Automobile Ventura stood apart from the humble VW models it was based on. Its low-slung profile, clean lines, and contemporary proportions reflected mid-1970s design thinking rather than retro nostalgia. The fiberglass body, promoted by the company as a unibody-style construction, helped keep weight down and manufacturing costs manageable. Inside, the Ventura was surprisingly well equipped for a small Brazilian sports car of its time, offering roll-up windows, seating for two, a padded dashboard, full interior panels, carpeting, three-point seatbelts, and even practical touches like a rear-view mirror, windshield wipers, and a front trunk with usable storage space. 

The L’Automobile Ventura offered a well-equipped cabin for its time, with roll-up windows, two seats, carpeting, a padded dash, and three-point seatbelts. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Buyers could tailor the car further with optional features that felt genuinely upscale in its segment. Electric windows, air conditioning, and an AM/FM cassette stereo system with multiple speakers were all available, along with a range of wheel and tire choices. This mix of everyday usability and sporty intent was central to the Ventura’s character. It was designed to feel more refined and contemporary than standard Volkswagens, without straying into exotic or unattainable territory. 

The L’Automobile Ventura was offered in two primary versions: the SLE with a 1.6-liter air-cooled Volkswagen flat-four and the RS with a 1.6-liter liquid-cooled engine from the VW Passat TS. (Picture from: Silodrome)

The Ventura officially debuted in 1978 and was offered in two primary versions. The SLE used a familiar 1.6-liter air-cooled Volkswagen flat-four, while the more performance-oriented RS adopted a liquid-cooled 1.6-liter engine sourced from the VW Passat TS. Production continued through the 1980s, and in 1984 the car received a facelift along with the introduction of a convertible variant. Around the same time, a 1.8-liter air-cooled engine option appeared, eventually becoming standard by 1986. With around 84 horsepower, these later cars were claimed to reach up to 185 km/h, a figure that has since sparked debate among enthusiasts given the modest output and four-speed VW transaxle. 

The L’Automobile Ventura was designed to feel more refined and contemporary than standard Volkswagens, without straying into exotic or unattainable territory. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Over its roughly ten-year production run, which came to an end in 1988, the L’Automobile Ventura consistently occupied a niche position within Brazil’s growing sports car scene. It was offered both as a fully assembled, factory-built vehicle and as a kit car, a flexible approach that appealed to hands-on enthusiasts who could complete the build themselves in a surprisingly short timeframe. While the majority of Venturas remained on Brazilian roads, a small number of kits were exported to markets such as Germany, Argentina, and the United States, where limited distribution and modest sales figures ultimately kept the model largely unknown outside its country of origin. | F4vZWJlePmo |

Today, the Ventura’s rarity outside its home country only deepens its sense of intrigue and appeal among collectors and enthusiasts who value the unusual. It serves as a quiet reminder that meaningful automotive innovation does not always emerge from large, well-funded manufacturers, and that even in overlooked corners of the global car industry, bold ideas, creative engineering, and local ambition can still leave a lasting impression over time. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SILODROME | UNDISCOVEREDCLASSICS | AUTOEVOLUTION ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.