Pete Brock's JP6 Prototype: Toyota's stillborn Le Mans project

Reading this month's Vintage Racecar Magazine, I came across a fantastic period photo of a gorgeous low-slung GT car prototype. Its designer was Pete Brock, who penned the Shelby Daytona Coupe and was the originator of the Corvette Sting Ray.  Brock and his buddies Bruce Burness and Trevor Harris got together to design this car from the ground up for Toyota at their shop in California. This followed on the heels of Brock's successful work for Japanese maker Hino, which was then acquired by Toyota. By this point, Brock enjoyed a good reputation in Japan, which must be how he was commissioned to create the JP6.

The JP6 was to be Toyota's 2-Liter entry for Le Mans, using the inline six from the 2000GT as its powerplant (with view towards an eventual V8) and a diminutive spaceframe structure for the chassis. Development started in 1966, but was scuppered due to lack of funding by '67, and Toyota had the prototype shipped back to them where it presumably was scrapped or used as a testbed for other more promising projects. The car never turned a wheel in anger, but it certainly looked state of the art for the time, and was achingly beautiful. I have no idea what happened to the prototype, but I would certainly love to see it come out of the shadows if it does still exist.

Image credits: Automobile Magzine, top. Other images from Shin Yoshikawa's book on the 2000GT.

More info in French at 2000gt.net

Neri & Bonacini's Mini Miura

Every so often, I come across cars I've never heard of but can't figure out how I could be unaware of something so beautiful!  This is one of those times.  Idly searching for interesting cars online, I suddenly found myself staring at a low-slung, sleek red machine with all the hallmarks of late 1960's Italian sports car design. The car in question is the 1968 Neri & Bonacini Studio GT Due Litri.  Like many of these forgotten cars, it was a prototype developed on a tiny budget in the hope that publicity would spur capital needed to develop the car, attract a proper engine supplier, and set up larger production. Neri & Bonacini were no strangers to modifying cars, having produced the famous Ferrari "Breadvan." Here, they sought to develop an all-new car from the ground up.They considered many possible engines, but the car in the photos is powered by a tiny Lancia V4 engine, mounted midship.  The car resembles the Lamborghini Miura from the rear, and somewhat presages the shape of the Uracco when seen fron the side view.  The pleasing front end is quite interesting for the use of pop-up headlamps.  2 prototypes were made. The car pictured is the second one, owned by John Mastroianni Sr. of Auto Turismo & Sport , New Milford, CT, and in original, unrestored condition!  I found these photos on their website, which has some great images from their shop! Some day I'll have to drop by and pay a visit!

Photo credit: Auto Turismo Sport

More info on the Studio GT and interior photos also at supercars.net

News Flash! Pirana Surfaces in the Desert!

If you read my recent articles about the Lamborghini Espada and its progenitor, the Bertone Pirana, you will recall that this Jaguar E-type-based, one-off show car had essentially been out of the public eye since Earl's Court Motor Show of 1967 and a few subsequent shows that year. My attempts to find modern photos of the car for the article had been unsuccessful. Then all of a sudden, BAM, the car appears on EBAY, and is located in Palm Springs, CA!!

Bring A Trailer broke the story, and I am just floored to find the car still exists, though it has been repainted a rather fetching shade of Green. Any bets on how much this exceedingly rare handmade prototype will sell for?? It's times like this I really wish I was a millionaire.

Update on Monday, October 11, 2010 at 5:34PM by Bradley Price

The Pirana's ebay auction ended with a high bid of 190K, but did not meet the reserve.  Item has been relisted with an opening bid of 150K.

Bertone Pirana - British Cat in an Italian Suit

In researching the history of the Lamborghini Espada, I was surprised to discover that it was not based solely upon the famously outlandish Marzal concept car, which was built on a stretched Miura chassis for the 1967 Geneva Motor Show. In fact, there was another less famous Bertone show car built for the 1967 Earl's Court Motor Show in London, which even more closely presages the Espada.  It was constructed by Bertone directly over a Jaguar E-type 4.2 Liter 2+2 chassis provided willingly(!) by Jaguar.  I think most observers would agree that Marcello Gandini's design doesn't hold a candle to Malcom Sayer's iconic feline curves, but the result is an fascinating historical footnote that is worth remembering, and puts the Espada into context. Does anyone know where this one-of-a-kind car ended up? I was unable to find any modern photos of the Pirana online.

By the way, don't you love the lightweight Dunlop alloy wheels?