Αν με το που ακούς τις λέξεις BMW Isetta, σου έρχεται στο μυαλό το διάσημο μικρό αυτοκίνητο των Γερμανών που κυκλοφόρησε μετά το τέλος του 2ου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, πρέπει πλέον να αναθεωρήσεις. Ο οίκος δημοπρασιών RM Auctions στις 16 Φεβρουαρίου θα βγάλει στο σφυρί αυτό το one-off BMW Isetta του 1959 το οποίο έχει τροποποιηθεί για αγώνες dragster.
Φορά έναν 8,3-λίτρων V8 κινητήρα της Chevrolet, ο οποίος έχει κομπρέσορα και αποδίδει 730 άλογα. Συνδυάζεται με ένα 2-τάχυτο μηχανικό κιβώτιο και στέλνει τη κίνηση στον πίσω τροχό. Η ανάρτηση του προέρχεται από την M3 με τις μπροστά ζάντες να είναι 13″ και να φορούν ελαστικά B.F. Goodrich G-Force ενώ η πίσω ζάντα είναι 18″ και φορά Sumitomo HTRZ II ελαστικό.
Το one-off τρίτροχο είναι πλήρως λειτουργικό, αλλά έχει κατασκευαστεί αποκλειστικά για χρήση ως έκθεμα, αφού η τεράστια ροπή που παράγει ο κινητήρας κάνει την οδήγησή του άκρως επικίνδυνη. Ο οίκος αναμένει ότι θα πουληθεί έναντι 75.000 με 100.000 δολάρια.
[Πηγή: RM Auctions]
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A one-of-a-kind, fully functioning, 730 horsepower creation of Hot Wheels’ famed model.
1959 BMW Isetta “Whatta Drag”
SPECIFICATIONS
- Manufacturers: (Body) Bayerische Motoren Werke
- Origin: Munich, Germany
- Production: 1
- Motor: Supercharged Chevrolet V-8
- Displacement: 502 cu. in.
- Power: est. 730 hp
- Length: 12 ft. 4 in.
- Identification No. N/A
The Hot Wheels brand of die-cast toy cars was first introduced by American toy manufacturer Mattel in 1968. Over the ensuing years, Hot Wheels licensed the rights to produce a number of faithful replicas of real cars, and they also created a number of fantasy pieces. One of these models was called Whatta Drag. Designed by Phil Riehlman and first introduced in 1998, Whatta Drag is perhaps the most recognizable of them all. The concept was based on a heavily-modified BMW Isetta bubble car that retains its identity as an Isetta while taking on that of a V-8 powered dragster. So successful was the design that it was included as part of seven different Hot Wheels series that would be produced over the next decade.
So iconic was the fantasy piece that in 2005, microcar collector Bruce Weiner decided to turn it into reality by commissioning a life-sized, fully-functioning version. Given the choice of creating his own amalgamation or replicating one of the seven different versions, Weiner chose Model Number 213, which was introduced in 2000. Number 213 is the most detailed of all the Whatta Drag models, finished in bright orange with a large Hot Wheels decal on top of the spoiler and utilizing chromed five-spoke wheels.
Using the toy model as a blueprint, the basis of the project utilized the body shell from an original 1959 BMW Isetta. A new, sturdy frame was constructed using heavy welded steel tubing. Power is provided by a 502-cubic inch Chevrolet “big block” crate engine, which guzzles 93 octane fuel and is equipped with a BDS supercharger, twin Holley 750 CFM double pumper carburetors, and Zoomies exhaust headers rigged to shoot flames four feet out of the pipes!
Power is transmitted via a two-speed manual transmission, and the dual circuit disc brake system also incorporates an AP balance bar for burnouts and donuts. In keeping with its BMW roots, the suspension is from an M3; the chromed five-spoke front tires use the BMW roundel logo and are shod with B.F. Goodrich G-Force tires. The single rear wheel is a custom 18 inch by13 inch drag racing wheel with a Sumitomo HTRZ II tire.
Mr. Weiner wanted the life-sized Whatta Drag to emulate the toy as much as possible, so many small details found on the model, like the polished belt covers and tubular lattice for the spoiler, are exactly replicated. Even the steering column was designed in such a way to pay homage to its Isetta parentage while also taking safety and ease of entry into account, including the incorporation of a quick-release racing steering wheel hub.
Although Whatta Drag was created to be faithful to the model as well as fully functional, it is important to emphasize that this car is strictly for show and not to be used for road or track; the massive amount of torque produced by the Chevrolet 502 motor can be dangerous if driven improperly. As a showpiece, it is totally unique, one of only four Hot Wheels models to have been built into a real car, and it is a must-have example for any all-inclusive microcar collection.
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