Dual Harley-Powered Sports Car Delivers a Symphony of Speed

Charity Model - We used to talk about a three-wheeled vehicle powered by a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine named Merlin Roadster some time ago. And maybe some of you know an internationally celebrated automotive designer and enthusiast named Barry Watkins who once took part in the effort to revive one of the Italian brands, Bizzarrini through the launch of a super sports called Bizzarrini BZ-2001 back in 1993.

The first appearance of Sundolous SportStar when debuted in 2006. (Picture from: Kneeslider)

Well, now we will discuss about similar kind of super sports once again, but this one is rather diffirent with the appearance such the real unique sports car and is powered by two V-twin Harley-Davidson engines developed by Barry Watkins and his team consisting of automotive builders and fabricators.

The first appearance of Sundolous SportStar powered by a unique rear-mounted air-cooled 88 CI 2 HD' engines mated to a Corvette transaxle. (Picture from: Kneeslider)

In 2000, when Barry Watkins wanted to build an exotic sports car prototype would use as a fundraising tool for charitable contributions. As the result, here's the sports car named SportStar or SHADO Prototype. Besides having a weird design, the car is initially powered by a unique rear-mounted air-cooled 88 CI engine, which is a special-built engine from two Harley-Davidson V-twin engines mated to a Corvette transaxle.

This is an in house-built engine taken from two Harley-Davidson's V-twin engines whose pinned previously in the Sundolous SportStar. (Picture from: Kneeslider)

Those unique engine was the Barry Watkins's original idea, ie an in house-built engine taken from two Harley-Davidson's V-twin engines. That's right, not one Harley's V-twin engine but two V-twins combined in such a way that it becomes one engine.

The Sundolous SportStar or SHADO Prototype sat on display at the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Picture from: MuseumofAmericanSpeed)

This unique sports car made its official debut in 2006. Subsequently in 2010, the car was rebuilt by upgrading composite chassis and body, swapping drivetrain with an S-7 Corvette 427 CI engine which is said to be capable of pumping power up to 555 hp and mated to a Ricardo Ford GT 6-speed transmission operated by electronic paddle shifters.

The Sundolous SportStar or SHADO Prototype is powered by an S-7 Corvette 427 CI engine mated to a Ricardo Ford GT 6-speed transmission operated by electronic paddle shifters after overhauled in 2010. (Picture from: MuseumofAmericanSpeed)

There you are SportStar, a unique sports car whose body is now dominated by black, and has many chromed touches ranging of the wheels, roll bar, windshield frame (comes from 1953 Corvette), headlight bezel, grille and rear wing support. When viewed from its posture which has an overall length of about 13 feet with a width of 84 inches, then this car is claimed capable of producing extraordinary cornering stability.

The Sundolous SportStar or SHADO Prototype has two racing bucket seats and featured with the dash full of modern racing-looks instrument panels. (Picture from: MuseumofAmericanSpeed)

Relates to side script ‘Sundoulos’ represents Watkins' company, Sundoulos World Motorsports whose mission is committed to charity and fundraising works. Sundoulos derives its name from the Greek word for "servant," synonymous with religious or spiritual servitude.

Regarding its existence today, as quoted from MuseumofAmericanSpeed, this SportStar has become part of the collection of the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, Nebraska after being donated by Barry Watkin. *** [EKA [27112021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MUSEUMOFAMERICANSPEED | AUTOWEEK | KNEESLIDER | HOMECARMAG ]

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