Vintage shots from days gone by!

Yes, it is the Phoenix, with john fitch behind the wheel.
Of all things Automodello just released a diecast model of this car.
http://automodello.com/collections.htm

Mine is in transit, can't wait to see it.

Fitch intended this car to go into production.
But with new safety standards, and emissions rules coming at the time.
The costs were too high, so there is only the prototype.
Corvair powered of course.........

Another interesting thing about John Fitch is he invented the safety barriers we see all over.
http://www.racesafety.com/fitchbarr.html

 

Looks too much like a Corvette?

The Phoenix was built in 1966

Corvettes didn't look like that until 1968!

Hmmmmmmmm?

What would have happened if the Phoenix went into production?
What would that have done for the design of the 68 Vette?

 

Not too bad, actually, taken into consideration that it's my first build. Hi boy style. Hopefully it wil be on the road for the summer 2012.

Not very Hamb-friendly tow, 350 Chevy, Jag' IRS, M II, Chevy 350 small block, T-56 trans...

 

Honda Dream?

 

I dunno, maybe they would have looked like 68 Corvairs.

Cars are designed several years before production. I assumed car guys would know that.

 

The pic. with Apache Hotel is Fremont St. (Glitter Gulch) in Las Vegas. Later became Horseshoe Hotel & Casino.

 

Yes, I know that........

Remember the Monza SS Concept Car, Corvair Based?
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13358/Chevrolet-Corvair-Monza-SS-Concept.aspx

Made in 1963.
Basically a strong resemblence to the 68 Corvette.

What I am saying is,
what if Fitch did go into production in 1966, and the GM team with the Corvette finds that someone else beat them to the design punch.

 

Bathurst 1963:



Caption: "Honest, I parked the Hino Contessa here last night. I get up this morning and someone's put Renault R8 badges on it.
What's going to happen at scrutineering?
Maybe we should avoid any confusion and just run the Falcon?
On second thoughts, I might just go back to bed."

 

Caption: "I thought we were entered in a Hino Contessa. Then, i get suited up, and here's this. I heard of something occurring in Australia, but, he only got an R8, at least we got the R8 Gordini".

 

Caption: "Well, imagine that. I parked the Hino Contessa right here so I could get a good view of the Renault's. This looks like a FIAT, where's my Hino? Damn Tooth Fairy, bring back my Hino."

 

Caption: "I'm glad you bought the Renault and left the Hino at home. I don't like that Hino."

 

When the resemblance is that close it sounds like grounds for lawsuits. But for some reason, I guess because of all the Corvair stuff, I thought Fitch worked for GM.

 

1934 Chrysler Airflow:




1936 Toyota:





Volvo PV36:



Peugeot 402:

 

Norman Grabowski's "Six Pack" (There was a great interview style article written up in Rod and Custom (?) in the mid 1960's. Unfortunately, my copy of the magazine and article are long gone)




http://irishrichcustomcycles.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html

 

1963 Bertone designed Corvair Testudo:

 

Leyland Turbine truck - 1968:

 

that's one crazy rig. probably scrapped if it was some sort of concept. imagine lookin out of that pilot house.