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Kaan Yener

@lambolog

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Lamborghini Ex.
Concept and Prototype Car Photography

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The 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 Prototype is easily one of the most fascinating and ambitious projects ever developed by Ford. First envisioned by young designer George Saridakis at Ford’s Advanced Design Studio in Irvine, California, the GR-1 began life as a simple sketch that immediately caught the attention of Ford design chief J Mays. Rather than requesting additional renderings, Mays famously instructed the team to move directly into modeling, and remarkably the entire concept was developed from only three original sketches. The design made its first public appearance as a fiberglass model at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance before evolving into a fully functional car that debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. Built upon a heavily modified version of the Ford GT architecture and developed by Ford’s Advanced Product Creation team under Manfred Rumpel, the GR-1 reimagined the classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand touring formula with dramatic modern styling. The sleek fastback body featured polished aluminum construction, aggressive fender flares, a long sculpted hood, a distinctive Kamm tail, and dramatic butterfly doors that revealed a futuristic cockpit combining analog and digital instrumentation. The interior featured advanced technology for its era, including Ford’s TireIQ system capable of recording cornering forces, while audio speakers were integrated directly into the carbon-fiber seat headrests. Power came from a naturally aspirated 6.4-liter all-aluminum modular V10 producing approximately 605 horsepower. Although the GR-1 generated tremendous enthusiasm and was even discussed internally as a potential production successor to the Ford GT, the project never advanced beyond the concept stage.
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How many made? 2 (1 fiberglass model, 1 functional prototype)
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Engine: 6.4L Naturally Aspirated All-Aluminum Modular V10, 605 HP, 501 lb-ft Torque
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Debut: 2005 North American International Auto Show (fully functional car)
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Top Speed: Approximately 190 MPH
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0-60mph: Approximately 3.9 Seconds
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Photo Credit: @lambolog
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Research: @rarecarsonly

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The 1967 Thomassima II is a fascinating creation of the 1960s with interesting Ferrari history, not because it came from Maranello, but because it represents what could happen when an American with enormous imagination embedded himself in the heart of Modena’s racing culture. Tom Meade conceived the car for Northern California Ferrari enthusiast Harry Windsor, who wanted a road-going machine inspired by Ferrari’s extraordinary 330 P3 and P4 prototypes. At its core is a radically modified Cooper T43 Formula One chassis, re-engineered around a Ferrari 250 GT Colombo V12 and a four-speed ZF gearbox. The engine was the rare “inside-plug” version of Ferrari’s Colombo V12, while the chassis was transformed into a lightweight mid-engine platform. Piero Drogo, whose Carrozzeria Sports Cars was responsible for some of the most memorable competition bodies of the period, helped turn Meade’s mechanical experiment into something visually extraordinary. The finished Thomassima II was longer and more muscular than a 330 P4, yet weighed less than 2,000 pounds while producing approximately 240 horsepower. A removable hardtop added another unusual touch to a machine that was never intended to conform to conventional Ferrari rules. Completed in 1967, the car crossed the Atlantic and appeared at the 1968 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it was entered as a “Ferrari 250 P/4 Roadster” and received a class award. That incorrect Ferrari identity is itself part of the car’s remarkable history. Its story became even stranger when it appeared briefly in George Lucas’ 1971 film THX 1138 before later suffering an accident and disappearing from public view for decades. After being acquired by Larry Hatfield in the early 1980s, the car underwent an extensive restoration and eventually returned to the spotlight at the 2015 Concorso Italiano.
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How many made? 1
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Engine: Ferrari 250 GT Colombo 3.0-liter “inside-plug” V12
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Debut: 1968 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
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Top Speed: n/a
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0-60mph: n/a
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Photo Credit: @lambolog
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Research: @rarecarsonly

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Long before the world ever imagined a production mid-engine Corvette, Chevrolet had already taken a bold step into the future with the remarkable and one-of-a-kind 1968 Chevrolet Astro II XP-880. Unveiled at the 1968 New York Auto Show, this dramatic concept represented the vision of legendary Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov and GM design icon Bill Mitchell. Unlike the earlier Astro I styling exercise, the Astro II was engineered as a genuine development prototype, combining exotic proportions with practical features including conventional doors, front luggage storage, and a large rear clamshell that exposed its innovative powertrain. Riding on a welded steel backbone chassis, the Astro II stood only 43.7 inches tall while incorporating numerous production GM components, proving that an advanced mid-engine Corvette could be built using readily available hardware. Mounted behind the cockpit was Chevrolet’s legendary 427 cubic-inch Mark IV big-block V8 producing approximately 400 horsepower. Ingeniously installed backwards to maximize packaging efficiency, the engine was paired to a modified Pontiac Tempest two-speed transaxle. Although the transmission ultimately lacked the strength to reliably handle the engine’s immense output, the concept demonstrated extraordinary potential, weighing roughly 3,300 pounds while achieving nearly 1.0g of cornering grip during testing. Its sculpted coke-bottle bodywork by Larry Shinoda blended Corvette styling cues with unmistakable supercar proportions, creating one of the most influential concept cars in Chevrolet history. Despite generating tremendous excitement, General Motors ultimately chose not to pursue production, as the newly introduced C3 Corvette was enjoying record sales and executives saw little reason to gamble on such a radical redesign. Even so, the Astro II directly inspired a succession of experimental mid-engine Corvette programs that continued for decades.
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How many made? 1
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Engine 427 cu in (7.0L) Mark IV Big-Block V8, approximately 400 hp
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Debut: 1968 New York Auto Show
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Top Speed: N/a
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0-60mph: n/a
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Photo Credit: @lambolog
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Research: @rarecarsonly

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The Mazda RX-500 debuted at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show as a low, wedge-shaped mid-engine concept built around a 491cc twin-rotor engine. It was compact and lightweight, with a claimed top speed of about 150 mph, though it was never intended for production. The rear lighting system was unconventional, using different colors to show acceleration, steady driving, or braking. Inside, the cockpit was tight and simple, focused on the driver with very little excess trim. Mazda restored the car decades later and still displays it at events from time to time.

📸 Credits:
@onb.artdesign / @lambolog / Mazda

#mazda #rotaryengine #conceptcars #classiccars #japanesecars

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The 2000 Audi Rosemeyer Concept is often seen as one of the most influential concept cars never to enter production, helping shape the future of the hypercar era. Inspired by the legendary Auto Union “Silver Arrows” of the 1930s, it featured dramatic exposed aluminium bodywork and a striking retro-futuristic design. Beneath the body sat a naturally aspirated 8.0-litre W16 engine producing around 700 horsepower, paired with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system in a layout unlike anything else at the time.

Although Audi never put the Rosemeyer into production, partly due to costs and the company’s Lamborghini acquisition, the project went on to influence the wider Volkswagen Group in major ways. Its W16 engine architecture evolved into the foundation for the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, while elements of its clean and minimalist styling later inspired the Audi R8. Today, the Rosemeyer stands as a fascinating “what-if” moment in automotive history, representing Audi’s vision of an ultimate flagship performance car.

Featuring Photography by @lambolog / Audi

#cars #audi #quattro #conceptcar #motorsport

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The 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster shown here, chassis no. 2, is one of just five open-top versions built from the original FIA GT homologation run and the only right hand drive example, delivered to the Sultan of Brunei. Developed by AMG under Gerhard Ungar, it uses a 6.8 litre naturally aspirated V12 producing about 612 bhp, paired with a six speed sequential gearbox and capable of 200 mph. Like its racing counterpart, it features a carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb monocoque with an integrated steel roll cage.

📸 Credits: @lambolog & @tipozerofourzero

#clkgtr #amg #mercedes #racecars #supercars

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Introduced at the 2015 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este to mark Maserati’s centenary, the Zagato Mostro was built as a modern tribute to the 1957 Maserati 450S Coupé Zagato, a one-off racing car famously nicknamed “The Monster” by Sir Stirling Moss. Like the original, which was built for competition before being converted for road use, the Mostro was designed around racing hardware but could be road registered. Just five were built, each using a carbon-fiber MonoCell chassis with a steel structure, double-wishbone pushrod suspension and a front-mid-mounted 4.2-liter Maserati V8 producing around 460bhp, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed transaxle. Seven years later, Zagato followed it with the open-top Mostro Barchetta, limited to another five cars and offered with either the 4.2-liter V8 or the 621bhp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 from the Maserati MC20. At around 1,200kg, with a 50:50 weight distribution, rear-mounted differential and no electronic traction control, the Barchetta stays close to the original Mostro’s track-focused approach while bringing the experience closer to a traditional racing barchetta.

📸 Credits:
@iamacarfanatic | @nostracarmus
@axelschuette_finecars |
@lambolog | @sev_d_

#maserati #zagato #supercars #cardesign #classiccars

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The Audi RSQ was Audi’s answer to the question of what a sports car could look like in 2035. Built for I, Robot, it used enclosed front and rear wheels, illuminated body details, a glass canopy and a steering system designed around the film’s futuristic interior. The car was developed by Audi Design under the direction of Martin Smith, with the production team involved throughout the process, and several physical RSQ cars were built for filming. It was not based on an existing Audi underneath, instead using a custom chassis and running gear to make the movie car functional. The RSQ was also notable for its relationship with Audi’s later road cars, with design ideas from the concept appearing in the first-generation R8 that arrived in 2006.

Media: @lambolog / I, Robot (2004)

#PetrolGears #audi #audirsq #audirs #supercars

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In 2000, Audi unveiled the Rosemeyer Concept, a brutalist tribute to the pre war Auto Union Silver Arrows.

With a brushed aluminum body, massive arches, a low capsule cockpit and a theoretical W16, the concept looked like a 1930s race car redesigned for a dystopian future.

[📸: via/ @lambolog ]

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The Sbarro GT1 was built in 1999 by Swiss designer Franco Sbarro and students at his Espera design school. The project took inspiration from Mercedes-Benz’s CLK GTR, which had won the FIA GT Championship in 1997 and 1998. Although the GT1 wore a Mercedes badge and used a Mercedes V8, it was an independent project, not a factory-built car. Its 7.4-litre engine produced a claimed 450 hp and drove the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. The body featured a low nose, a large rear wing and upward-opening doors, reflecting the styling of late-1990s GT1 racers. Sbarro presented the car at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show before taking it to the 24 Hours of Le Mans that June. It was his own interpretation of the road-going supercars emerging from endurance racing, built around Mercedes mechanicals rather than developed by Mercedes-Benz itself.

📸 Credits: @lambolog

#PetrolGears #supercars #mercedes #hypercars

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