Lamborghini never fails to amaze us with the cool cars it’s developed through the years. Although most carry a slanted and sharp front, there’s one Lambo car that deviated from this design. Say hello to the Lamborghini Espada.

Instead of having a set of slanted shaped headlights and front end, the Lamborghini Espada sported a more circular front which was complemented by round headlights. Aside from these notable changes, another new component that was added to the car was the use of impact bumpers to enhance its safety. And just so it won’t feel left out, Lamborghini also tweaked the interior of its Espada. Changes included a new dashboard and steering wheel.

The Lamborghini Espada also enjoyed using a handful of powerful engines during its 10-year production run,. First was a 3929 cc 60° V12 that allowed it to hit 325 bhp and the second was a 3929 cc 60° V12 which dished out 350 bhp. Full independent suspensions and four disc brakes were added to complement these powerful engines.

Although there have been rumors of a revival, we have yet to see a modern-day Lamborghini Espada grace auto shows or on the street. Given its sleek and one-of-a-kind look, it’s definitely something Lamborghini should consider building in the near future.

Source: Wikipedia

How can you not love the design of the AMX/3? It’s widely regarded by critics as the best designed concept car of AMC. It actually looks like a hatchback mixed with a front end that carries some similarities to Speed Racer’s Mach 5.

Debuting at the Chicago Auto Show in 1970, this concept car was, unfortunately, created to be a show car. Imagine if AMC had commercially produced this ride. Anyway, so how what were the steps that the company took to create this one-of-a-kind beauty? Well, AMC started things off by sending a sample mold to Italian GT (Grand Turismo) maker Giotto Bizzarrini. What came out of his Turin facility was a car that sported a 105.3-inch wheelbase, a 6.4-liter V-8 engine that was similar to the engine used by the AMC 390, and a unique OTO Melara four-speed transaxle. Since it was Giotto Bizzarrini who built the AMX/3, it was pretty obvious that it would be given a steel body. Accompanying its tough exterior are features such as rear decklid louvers, louvered hoods, and even hood scoops to provide better ventilation for the car’s heating A/C system.

After its creation, the AMX/3 was road tested by BMW, where it declared that the vehicle sported “one of the stiffest and most neutral handling they had ever tested.” Not bad for a show car, right?

Unfortunately, when AMC could have had a potential best-seller, the program (reportedly worth $2,000,000) to produce these vehicles were cancelled. Only five, partially-completed vehicles were made, with one finished by Bizzarrini’s partner, Salvator Diamonte.

Given its great looks and the fact that this is a pretty rare ride, should you find one being sold at a cheap price, don’t think twice about getting it. Driving around town with this baby is bound to make head turns. And probably notch you a date or two.

Source: Wikipedia

Bugatti has carved a reputation for building the fastest and classiest looking cars around. But while the Veyron - its newest contribution to the automotive world - is what’s making headlines today, there were others that came before it that took us by storm. One of these vehicles is the classic Bugatti Type 57S.

Recognized as one of Bugatti’s best known cars, the Bugatti Type 57S is part of the Type 57 line that was produced by none other than Jean Bugatti, the son of owner and founder, Ettore Bugatti. Produced from 1934 to 1940, this vehicle line was able to gives us a total of 710 sample automobiles. It spawned two variants, with the Type 57 as the first variant produced and the Type 57S coming in as the second.

Under the hood of the Type 57S, Bugatti incorporated the use of a twin-cam 3257 cc engine that’s based on the company’s Type 49 engine. However, the engine had one innovation that set it apart from its other engine siblings. Instead of using a chain-drive system, the Bugatti Type 57S used gears to distribute power from the crankshaft.

Aside from its unique engine, the Type 57S is also one of the first vehicles to be “lowered” (the “S” in its name actually stood for “surbaisse” or lowered). To pull this off, Bugatti had to have the car’s rear axle pass through the rear frame. It also added a dry-sump lubrication to help install the engine under the car’s lower hood. Lastly, Bugatti equipped its Type 57S with an independent suspension at the front.

Other features that made the Bugatti Type 57S unique was the company’s use of a v-shaped dip at the lower portion of the radiator and mesh grilles at both sides of the engine compartment.

Because of the car’s appearance and exclusivity (only 43 of these were built), the Bugatti Type 57S has become one of the company’s popular and most sought after cars. Just to prove this claim, a recently discovered 1937 Bugatti Type 57S with chassis no. 57502 actually fetched an astounding €3.4 million or US$4.6 million at a recent auction.

So even if the Veyron is what’s putting Bugatti on the map today, don’t forget that prior to producing the world’s fastest car, Bugatti was also known for the classic Bugatti Type 57S.

Source: Wikipedia