Johnny’s Garage – The Secrets of Cars

Toyota GT86, or Toyota FT86, or Subaru BRZ, was developed by these two big japan brands, on the base of Subaru Impreza chassis, but (luckily) only rear-wheels-drive, with atmospheric 2.0-liter 4cylinder boxer engine, with direct and indirect injection. 200hps at 7.200rpm. 6-speeds manual gearbox (automatic transmission available) and all electronic control removable. Center of gravity at 475mm from the floor, 1.180kg of weight, 53/47 weight distribution in the front-rear axle. The Learn-to drive-machine.

Ferrari 348 introduced many innovations compared to previous model 328 (derived from 308).
First of all a steel boxed frame and a removable rear sub-frame to speed up the removal of the engine for maintenance. Longitudinal rear-mid-engine with 5-speed manual gearbox (and with the first in low-left position).
With 300hps at 7.200 rpm, the naturally aspirated 3.4-liter version of the quad-cam, the four-valve-per-cylinder V8 engine was equipped with electronic injection and engine management systems.
The Design was perfectly balanced between Testarossa and 288 GTO. It was really fast and difficult to drive for non-expert drivers, and for this reason, many hated this car.
But I love the car with character.

Fiat 8V, "Otto-Vu". After WWII, in 1947, Fiat wanted to build a car (a sedan) for the US market.
They switched from the V6 engine to the V8 engine to meet clients' tastes.
But after some sketches, they stopped the project. In 1950 the idea of a new car for the brand came back on the "high floors" of the Company and they decided on a sports car, two doors, and a smaller body.
They called Dante Giacosa to develop the project and in 1952 was introduced al Geneva Motor Show. 2-liter, V-8 engine with 70°degree V configuration.
The Fiat 8V got its name because, at the time of its making, Fiat believed that Ford had a copyright on "V8".
This is, IMHO, the best car Fiat ever made.

Japan sports car with rotative engine, Wankel system.
Three generations across the 70s 80s 90s and beginning of 2000.
One of the best-balanced cars ever.

Alpine produced a genesis of sports cars.
A110 is the most representative of the philosophy and DNA of this brand.
Lightness.
Precision.
Power.
Style.

Volvo 480, is an original car made by Volvo for ten years, 1985 - 1995. The first front wheels drive of the brand, developed by Volvo, Renault, Lotus and Porsche, was pushed by a 1.7-liter 4-cylinders engine that was available even turbocharged.

Produced since 1976 within 2004 in 24 variations, this prolific cars is based on tubular central steel boxed beam. Four independent wheels suspensions, 4 disk brakes (first series with rear disks in central of the car to have a better center of gravity and "not suspended masses" lighter. In this way, the wheel, after bump, returns to its original position faster. The 4 cylinders inline engine, longitudinal, and in the center position starts with 157hp to rise (turbocharged) 350 hp. There was even a V8 3.5-liter turbocharged engine. What a good car!

This Maserati is really significant for more than the simple reason of its name. The exterior design made by Italdesing of Giugiaro, the interior designed by Lancia designer Enrico Fumia. It was the first car with LED tail-lights. And it was the last Maserati with Maserati engine before the Ferrari became the donor of the engines.

Lotus Carlton or Omega Vauxhall (in base on the market where it was sold) can be considered the first high-performance-sedan, that kind of car that new is represented by BMW M5, Audi RS6, Mercedes E 63 AMG and others of this kind. Born as a car for fighting in Tourisme Championship, it was the best of the series cars of this kind.
Bi-Turbocharged engine, 3.6-liter, 6-cylinder in-line, 24 valves for 377hp. Good job GM.

In the 70s, BMW needed a car to fight against Porsche in GT Championship.
So they established an agreement with Lamborghini to design and realize a sports car from white paper to race on tracks. After some years BMW decided to complete by themself the project of the car, that during its process of development had involved, Giampaolo Dallara, Italengineering, Giorgetto Giugiaro.
Top BMW-6-cylinder engine with 24 valves, dry-sump, and tubular steel space frame chassis, made one of the best cars ever made.

Alfa Romeo SZ born in 1989, with its astonishing design made a fixed mark in the minds of Alfa Romeo enthusiasts. Last development of Alfetta platform (born in 1972), with all the evolution of the last 17 years, with synthetic resin body panels (but the roof on aluminum), 6 headlights, was a race car for daily use.  
Yes, it deserved more power, the 210 hp was enough to enjoy the good drivability, but was clear or anyone that with 300-350 hp they could write new parameters.
The Beauty Monster.

During WWII, Lancia was thinking about the new car to substitute Lancia Aprilia.
They developed many different solutions on prototypes, as:
- middle V8 engine
- central drive steering
- V8 frontal engine
- V6 engine with different angles to avoid vibration, between 40° and 80°
In the end, they made a V6 60° frontal engine, transaxle rear gearbox, drum brakes close the differential to central weight, and to lower the not suspended masses of wheels.
All of this developed between 1942 and 1950.  
This car was produced from 1950 in 1958.

Subaru Impreza: Natural Born Rally Car. This is the "normal-production" car closest to what a Rally Car should be:  - Low center of Gravity - no vibration engine, so high rpm without any problem and a boxer engine gives you that - perfectly balanced car as weight distribution - All Wheels Drive with symmetrical torque distribution, so no delay on traction - powerful and reliable engine: one of the best engines ever made - do you need others?

Chevrolet needed a sports-car with simple but reliable mechanics and good performance.
After the first 6-line-cylinder engine version, not really impressive about hp, they put the for V-8-engine of Chevrolet after 40 years.
The success begins and is still alive today, with the C8 version with the middle engine. Here we talk about the C1 Corvette.

356 was the first step made by Ferdinand Porsche to make a sports car.
Starting from Volkswagen Beetle, the Team made a lot of changes to realize a legendary boxer, and during the 18 years of its life, the evolution was very deep.

W124 is an iconic model that represents very well Mercedes in its evolution from classic Mercedes of 60s and 70s to the modern and actual system and process that Mercedes uses to realize cars.
They introduced CAD in developing design, in developing chassis and engineered systems (suspensions, engines, gearbox, frames, and subframes) they developed safety for driver and occupants and even for the pedestrians in case of impact, they developed one of the best aerodynamic for the class of car, they introduced microprocessor in car's managing.
They developed this project in about 7 years before introducing the car to the folks. This car is not only one of the nicest of ever made by Mercedes (thanks Bruno Sacco for this design) but is even the exposition of the Mercedes process of developing and realize cars in the 80s.
Today, unfortunately, Mercedes not reserve this brand attention to all of its production.

TT is a coupe car made by Audi since 1998. Based on the platform used for Golf and A3, exprime an original and unique design that immediately made this car as a piece of art. The first series had a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine turbocharged and was front wheels drive or AWD.
Dynamically nervous, due to weight distribution (all in the front part) and suspension tuned for steering precision, was later got better for the average driver.
The first series is my favorite.

Lancia Fulvia was the last sedan project born and realized before Lancia was acquired by Fiat. Born in 1963 the production ended in 1972.
Classy, high-quality production and finishes, had the same mechanical layout of Fulvia coupe but longer wheelbase.
Elegance, reliability, and distinctive car for Italian drivers.

Chevrolet in 60s needed an entry-level car to win against Europe-small cars after WWII was imported in the US. Competitors were Volkswagen Beetle, Renault Dauphine, and other middle-size cars, with rear and air-cooled engines, with low fuel need, low maintenance, and fair performance. The result was a car with a 6-cylinder rear boxer air-cooled engine, with very nice design, better room inside, better performance, and beautiful sound. Yes, some adjustment for suspensions and brakes was needed, but nobody is perfect.

BMW i8, hybrid sports car stop production after 6 years and about 20 thousand pieces. What's the future of sports cars for BMW?

Lotus Elise in 1996 took on the heritage of Lotus 7 idea into modernity and usability. But the high tech chassis, the fine suspension tuning, the lightness avoid the driver feeling into a supercar with lateral G-force better than a Ferrari 360 Modena. Romano Artioli, the Italian owner at the time, dedicate this car to his granddaughter Elisa. Today, after 24 years, it still is a reference.

Honda NSX. One of the best car ever made on this planet, in 1990 Honda released a total aluminum and alloy frame, suspension, car.
Engine with titanium rods, with 8.000 rpm V6, 270hp, and 1382kg.
Usability, reliability, and performance were top of the category, and they would have been till 2005 when they decided to stop the production.
The best modern technology was used to develop this car but real "secret weapon" was Ayrton Senna that (as Formula 1 Honda driver) participates in tuning and developing steering, suspensions, and rigidity of chassis.
This was the katana of Honda for 15 years.

Honda for its 50th anniversary decided to realize one sports car that had to show all honda technology but with a reachable price and they made the S2000. With its 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine that runs at 9.000rpm, this car has 240hp, which means a specific power of 120hp/liter, that for an atmosphere engine is something that only competition engine was able to rise. Perfectly balanced 50:50 front and rear weight, front-engine, rear wheels traction, manual gearbox, this car is a perfect "killer" on-road and on track.
One of the best in its category.

Maserati needed a new entry-level model to change the Merak that was becoming quite old.
The moment was difficult for The Company just acquired by Alejandro De Tomaso, that had to face economic difficult and high-level competitors. The first series had some problems, but with the second and success e series the car became more and more affordable, more performance and more refined.
It can be considered of sure interest in the collection market.

XJ was the symbol-car of Jaguar for all 70s, 80s, and 90s. In my personal opinion today too.
The iconic design of the exterior, the driving behavior made that car be inimitable. And the X308 model with V8-engine supercharged is the apex of the evolution of that Project of elegant, sport, sophisticated, tasteful, distinguished kind of being driver.
This car is beautiful.

Saab 96 was produced for 20 years (1960 - 1980) and was equipped with two strokes (3 cylinders) and four strokes engines (V4 cylinder, Ford origin). This car won a lot of rally competition with Erik Carlsson and his wife Pat Moss (sister of Stirling Moss, yes He is).
This car has one of the most interesting Histories of all.

Porsche 996 was the most controversial 911 ever, but even the most revolutionary in the evolution of the car.
New water-cooled engine (and with 4 valves per cylinder) New chassis New interior design New exterior design This car took the 911 project form 60s original project (that with 993 at the top of its evolution) into the modernity of super-cars, with higher performance and better feeling in driving, on a base that since 1997 was developed till 2011 when 991 was born.

Saab 900 was the last model made completely by the Swedish Company.
Original in the exterior design, original in the mechanical layout, original in the interior design, original in the turbo engine development, this car is one of the last representatives of the prolific automotive interpretation of making cars.
This car is beautiful.

Volvo 240 was one of the safest cars of its period and was sold all around the world for its affordability, its cargo room, and usability from the ice of Scandinavia till the desert of Arizona. It was produced in sedan, estate and coupe body.

BMW 850 was an elegant and performance coupe made in Germany with the highest level of advanced in electronics for body and engine control at his time.  Its design is beautiful even today and its performance is still able to give emotions.

During the 70s Porsche was looking for an heir for model 911 and they think to make a car totally different in design and mechanical layout, with more room inside, more comfortable, easier to drive, with more performance. The 928 was able to center all the fixed targets by the Porsche team, but this fabulous car could not be the replacement for 911, that clients continue to ask to be produced. This GT car had a long life (1977 - 1995) and was developed from a 4.5-liter engine with 240-hp till a 5.5-liter engine with 350 hp.

Dodge Charger's second series, made during 1968 - 1970, was the car used to produce "The Dukes of Hazzard", the movie that between 1979 and 1985 counted 147 episodes. During production they used about 330 Charger: they broke about two cars per episode making jumps. On November 11, 1978, stuntman Craig R. Baxley with General Lee set a jump record during filming. The car was 7.0-liter V8 with about 425 hp, and always drifting.

Ford Capri, born in 1969 as the European equivalent of American Ford Mustang, with mechanical components from the Mk2 Ford Cortina, raised soon at commercial success.  In 1973 was sold the millionth unit, for a total of about 1.8 million units. This coupe "dressed" a lot of different engines with several different capacities and different layout: L4, V4, V6, and V8, from 1.3-liter till 5.0-liter. Really nice design, mechanical layout, and affordability.

Designed by Bruno Sacco, this Roadster (on the base of W124 body modified) this car was a Masterpiece of design, technology, and performance. Available with a manual and automatic gearbox, with L6, V8, and V12 engine and from about 230 hp till 408 (excepting AMG V12 7.1-liter and 7.3-liter engine with more than 525 hp). This last same engine was even given to Pagani for his Zonda. Even today SL R129 is an everyday beautiful car.

Bentley in the 80s was the sports side of the medal of Rolls Royce cars. Sharing engines, body, and design with Spirit of Ecstasy, they found their ways to raise performance, increase the pleasure to drive and singularity of their cars.

Born from sedan Opel Vectra, was characterized by beautiful and aerodynamic design, high performance, low consumption, great room inside, and mechanical affordability. It is certainly an undervalued coupe car.

Ford Escort Mk1, born as a small family car for European markets, became a world car winner of competition during the 60s, 70s, 80s, and even today in historic competition.  From 1.0 liter engine till 2.0-liter engine made by Cosworth with more than  250 hp. Well done Ford.

Mercedes in the 70s begin developing the new entry-level model for the Brand. Design by Bruno Sacco, multilink rear suspensions,  good aerodynamic, good dynamic driving, affordability, good construction quality: all Mercedes topics are here. The Baby S Klass was born.

Viper was born in 1992 with a V10 8.0-liter petrol engine, 6 manual speed gearbox, 2 seats, no hardtop, and no driving controls.  Human against machine full stop. 400hp and more than 600Nm of torque.

Jaguar E Type, a masterpiece of design, and mechanical layout.  The most beautiful car of its age was astonishing for performance, design proportion, and even for the price. Enzo Ferrari said, "This is the most beautiful car in the world". Iconic car.

Peugeot 205, born in 1983 and designed by Pininfarina, had to substitute the old 104. But 205 is bigger, nicer and very agile and quick on the roads. Begin to introduce faster versions, GT, GT 1.6, GTI 1.9, Rally 1.3, and the "Monster" 205 T16.  This last was 4WD a middle engine 1.8 Liter engine that from 350hp raised in two years at 560hp. Fast, dynamic, and difficult to keep straight: all the ingredients to challenge Audi Quattro and Lancia Delta S4.

BMW E30 M3, the first of the species. BMW 3 Series as base with M10 4 cylinder block with 4 valves heads, Paul Rosche developing engine, RWD, new aerodynamic body, better brakes, improved suspension, stiffer body, and the real soul of M3 was born. Winner, winner, winner.

Ford Escort RS Cosworth is a wild and reliable "racing animal ready for rally competition". The regular sold car was better than more famous competitors.

Autodelta was founded in 1963 by Carlo Chiti and Lodovico Chizzola. The Company worked for Alfa Romeo, Zagato but even for Gilera, a famous Italian motorbike Company.

As a car enthusiast since I was 6, I lived in the 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, and 20 loving the car's production in every aspect. Now running back abut previous periods to better understand the roots of every car. I observe cars under different points of view: 

- the Idea 

- the Design/Project development and choices of engineer/designer 

- the Quality of realization/production: have they achieved their goal? 

- the Market/Client reception of the product 

- Racing and Sport results

- Performance 

- Pleasure of driving 

- Beauty

Porsche needed an entry-level sports car, filling the space left from 924-944-968 series. But this time they used original Porsche's engine (not Audi tuned engine as per 924, 944, and 968) and mechanical scheme recalling famous and winning ancient Porsche 550 and 718 with central position engine and light chassis.

Z3 as the first modern Roadster of BMW, based on E36 chassis with the rear suspension of E30. Seated on the axle of the back wheels you feel the behavior of the car's body on every turn.

Lancia in the 80s was looking to find back its identity as Brand of elegant but even race car, this prototype is the expression of one of this moment of research.

Ford RS200 was a good racing car, unfortunately, the B Group Rally competition was at the end of its life. The car is well designed and engineered with high performance and reliability. Analyze the dimensions, weight distribution, engine power (Cosworth development) and position, suspension design, and other features.

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Porsche Coherence.  Which other sports car brand has the same?

Lancia Fulvia Coupe was the last masterpiece of Lancia Car Factory before the acquisition by FIAT. The mechanical layout and body design was a gift to the world of the sports car and to Lancia lovers. After that, the Brand was no more the same.

Alfa Romeo GT Junior was a great masterpiece of Alfa Romeo Car Factory before the acquisition by FIAT. After that, the Brand was no more the same.

The Torque Distribution on Engine rev is really important to know the character of your car, the behavior it has every time you push on the accelerator pedal.

The Weight Distribution is really important to know the character of your car, the behavior it has every time you turn, brake, and accelerate.

The panorama of Cars Factory in Italy during the 60s was wider than today: you could find cars with several different engineering and layout solutions.

Alfa Romeo 75 is a sedan car produced by Alfa Romeo Car Factory for the 75th anniversary of the brand. Based on the Alfetta mechanical Layout, took this scheme at final evolution inside the Italian brand.

Toyota Supra was a Legend in the 80s and 90s.  The New Toyota Supra is a really good car, built-in Joint-Venture with BMW that supplies frame, powertrain, and suspension. So where is the soul of Toyota??? It is enough to make tuning of the suspensions and exterior design to make a new car?

Lancia Delta Integrale (after it became EVOLUZIONE too) was the extreme development of the Lancia-Fiat project of the 70s. The car was a world rally championship winner 7 times and an absolute myth in its age. But was it so exclusive as it is now?

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet 964. Before driving it, this car always meant to me, sporty but quite GT, quite comforting in someway and not really emotional: how wrong I was! I still remember after 20 years the first time I drove 911: power, stiff, solid, plant on the road, one piece of German steel. And the incredible sound of the engine over the 4.500rpm remembering an F1 engine sound.  Amazing.

Ferruccio Lamborghini was the founder of Lamborghini Automobili one of the best sports car producers of all time. Driven by emotion and passion for his job and his creatures, he was able to face Enzo Ferrari arguing about Maranello's car problems and replace his cars with his own one.

Alfa Romeo Giulia is a real Alfa or only a good rear wheels traction? Alfisti were waiting for 30 years or a rear traction sport sedan made in Italy, but this car has the same mechanical design of BMW 3 series, so where are the transaxle of Alfetta? Where are the torsion bars ad elastic elements for front suspension?

BMW E9 is the root of BMW elegance, power, style, quality of construction, the pleasure of driving: this car has all the most important topics we love in a BMW.  If only BMW will look back at this concept (instead of enlarging the kidneys on the front) and will develop with today's standards, we will have better cars than ever.

Porsche needed an entry-level car after the stop of 914 models. Porsche 924 begins as a joint production between Volkswagen and Porsche but became a Porsche project and production: only the 2.0L engine derived by Audi 100 and Volkswagen LT van was Volkswagen for the basement but the head was totally engineered by Porsche to increase performance. This model is significant for Transaxle transmission and for the aerodynamic body that will begin the family of 944 and 968 and even the 928 series.

Porsche 944 is the evolution of 924, with a 2.5L engine "totally Porsche", wider body, increased performance, better handling and brakes.  In 944 S, Turbo, S2, Turbo S, the Transaxle of Stuttgart rise the highest development before becoming 968.

Fiat Bertone X1/9 is a small targa sports car produced by Fiat (in Bertone Factory) from 1972 till 1989.  The car has a had a curious design story and has the chassis derived from Lancia Stratos.  Designed by Marcello Gandini while working for Bertone, risked not to be produced at all. The engines were 1.3 and 1.5 liters, but drivability, fun on driving are still good.

Lancia Stratos HF was born as the heir of Lancia Fulvia Coupe HF to continue the Rally competition.  Wanted by Cesare Fiorio and Pier Ugo Gobbato, designed by the Master Marcello Gandini, assembled by Bertone, motorized by Ferrari Dino 246gt engine, this project had all the needed ingredients to become a legend and became one.

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was a masterpiece of Alfa Romeo Car Factory, maybe the First Supercars, it made a philosophy for Italian Sports Car Factory.

BMW was a great sports car factory, but lately, he's been losing his philosophy.

Audi founder, August Horch, was a man with a strong will, good ideas, and many innovations for the world of cars. After many difficulties he will be able to produce his own cars with his ideas, giving us a heritage of innovation and beautiful cars.

Porsche was looking for an entry-level car substitute for the model 912. Cooperation with Volkswagen (4 cylinder 1.6-liter engine donor), with Karmann for Design, and Porsche 911 (front suspension). Descendant from the idea of 550, substituted by 924, 914 will be "mother" for Boxter mechanical disposition (together with 550 and 718 Porsche model).