Here Are Ten Hybrids You'll Actually Want To Learn About

"Blake Noble" (no-bull) 04/10/2014 at 19:45 • Filed to: Old Hybrids, Automotive History

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It's come to my attention that a tall, rather peculiar fellow from Georgia (who apparently owns a highly convincing Fiero kit car and is obsessed with potato farmers) !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! You know, those boring egg-shaped things that run on a billion d-cell batteries and few gallons of 87 octane.

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While that's fair and honorable, I suspect few conscious individuals outside of mommy bloggers and Greenpeace activists actually care all that much about hybrids. Nor should they really; we Americans still have relatively affordable fuel, and Europeans have the VW GTD and the Scirocco TDi (you filthy bastards).

And while it is true Ferrari and Porsche are building hybrids these days too, I also suspect that they didn't choose that method of propulsion solely because they were concerned about the environment or resources. Besides, a Porsche 918 Spider compares to a Toyota Prius in the same way a firecracker compares to a bundle of dynamite smeared with gasoline; they're only related by an inconvenient technicality.

With that said, I thought I would take the time today to share some knowledge with you about hybrid cars.

Hey now! Wait! Put your damn torches, rifles and pitchforks down. I'm not talking about Priuses and Honda Insights, I'm talking about hybrids : vintage cars that were designed in Europe but had All-American power. So forget about tiny engines, batteries and Greenpeace, here are ten hybrids you must know about.

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10.) Gordon-Keeble GK1

What was it?

Everyone, meet the Gordon-Keeble GK1. Looking like an angry Aston Martin, this 2+2 Grand Touring car was penned by the renowned Giorgetto Giugiaro and featured — and I'm not making this up — what's known as a "Chinese eye" headlamp arrangement.

Where was it built?

Although the pre-production model featured handcrafted bodywork made by Bertone in Italy (bless their souls), the Gordon-Keeble was rendered in fiberglass for production by British firm Williams & Pritchard Ltd. Production models were also initially built in Slough, Britian before production moved to Eastleigh, Britain. Why the move? Who knows. Maybe some hooligans knocked over the company's old shed in Slough or something.

What was under the hood?

Good news! No batteries or diminutive wheeze-bang four-pots here. The Gordon-Keeble GT was powered by an authoritative 327 cubic-inch Chevrolet small-block V8 borrowed from the C2 Corvette Sting Ray.

Sources: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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9.) Sunbeam Tiger

What was it?

You're looking at one of Carroll Shelby's lesser known conversions, the Sunbeam Tiger. The Tiger was based on Sunbeam's lowly and aging Alpine roadster and first introduced in 1964, two years after Shelby's first AC Cobra started terrorizing intercontinental race tracks and freeways.

Where was it built?

Because Sunbeam was part of the old Rootes Group, that means it was also built in Britain, this time West Bromwich. (Question: what does a West Bromwich taste like and would it go on strike about being eaten?) If Carroll Shelby could've had his way however, it would've been built at his facility on the West Coast of the US in sunny California.

What was under the hood?

A 260 cubic-inch Ford V8 was fitted as standard for most of the Tiger's lifespan. A small number of later-model cars received an upgrade to the 289 cubic-inch V8 made famous by the original Ford Mustang before production ended with Chrysler's purchase of the Rootes Group.

Sources: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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8.) Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada

What was it?

This is the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada. Designed by an Italian by the name of Giotto Bizzarrini, the bizarrely beautiful and low-slung 5300 GT Strada was a road-going version of the 5300 GT Corsa race car meant to compete with the likes of Bizzarrini's former employers, Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Where was it built?

Designed to replace a car you'll see later on in this list, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada (try saying that twenty times fast while gargling water) was built somewhere in Italy, if you didn't deduce that already. Like the pre-production Gordon-Keeble, the Bizzarrini's voluptuous lines were fashioned by Bertone. Sources state an optimistic 149 examples were produced by Mr. Giotto Bizzarrini and few survive today.

What was under the hood?

Mounted underneath that arrest-me-red hood yet again was the 327 cubic-inch small-block V8 borrowed from the second-gen Vette. Good for up to 325 rampaging horsepower, the Corvette's V8 helped the Bizzarrini achieve a top speed of 145 mph.

Sources: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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7.) AC Frua

What was it?

What happens when you take one AC Cobra, redesign the suspension for better cornering and let an Italian stylist loose on the bodywork? The result is the AC Frua, named after its designer, Pietro Frua, who also penned the lovely Maserati Mistral of the '60s.

Where was it built?

Literally everywhere. The AC Frua's chassis was first assembled in Britain (big surprise there) and subsequently shipped to Pietro Frua's facilities in Italy where the body would be crafted. After the bodywork and frame came together, the completed shell was sent back to AC where it was fitted with a complete powertrain from Ford. Because this method of assembly was so ludicrous and so expensive, cash-strapped AC could only afford to make 81 total examples, making this the rarest car on the list.

What was under the hood?

As with any AC Cobra, the venom wielded by this spicy sexy snake was Ford's monstrously terrifying 427 cubic-inch V8. Bite me, baby.

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6.) DeTomaso Mangusta

What was it?

What happens when an Argentinean racing driver winds up in Italy and decides he wants to build cars? You should probably ask Alejandro de Tomaso... well, if he were alive anyway. His first model was the stunning DeTomaso Mangusta, which in Italian means "mongoose." (Bonus points for you if you spotted the irony in the photo above.) And although the Mangusta's styling left onlookers ruffled and lusting and suggested it was a supercar of a godly magnitude, it was dicier to drive and ride than a fighting bull on cocaine.

Where was it built?

Yet again designed by Giorgetto Giugario, this time during his stint at design firm Ghia, the Mangusta originated from Italy. Tell me if you've heard a similar story to that one already.

What was under the hood?

The Mangusta technically had not only one but two hoods. Instead of a panel of stamped metal, DeTomaso gave you two amazing rear gullwing doors that lifted up to reveal a mid-mounted Ford 302 cubic-inch V8.

Sources: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! HowStuffWorks, Automobile Magazine

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5.) Facel Vega HK500

What was it?

It's big, it's beautiful and the last bit of its name sounded like a high-powered rifle. The Facel Vega HK500 was by far one of the most distinct classic hybrids ever produced. And unlike everything else on this list it seems, Giugario or some other Italian designer wasn't involved in styling it.

Where was it built?

Want to take a guess on this one? Go ahead. Of all the European countries out there, the Facel didn't come from Italy, the UK, or even Spain. Instead, it originated from the one that gave us moldy runny cheese and Cajuns: France. And that's also what makes the Facel so distinct and strange; looking at that massive wraparound front windshield and those stacked quad headlamps, you'd probably think it came from Detroit.

What was under the hood?

Concealed under that scooped hood on early examples was a Chrysler-sourced 354 cubic-inch 5.8 liter Hemi V8 good for 335 horsepower. Shortly after that, the engine was upgrade to Chrysler's 6.3 liter 383 cubic-inch "wedge head" V8 good for 360 horsepower and a 0 to 60 run of 8.5 seconds.

Sources: HowStuffWorks, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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4.) Iso Grifo

What was it?

This is the car that an earlier car on this list — the Bizzarrini 5300 Mouthfull — was designed to replace. The Iso Grifo was the brainchild of two Italians, a one Mr. Renzo Revolta famous for the Isetta bubblemobile, and the previously mentioned Gitto Bizzarrini. And, yeah, Giugario was invited along to style it because who in the hell else were they going to hire? Oh well. At least I'll never tire of staring at it.

Where was it built?

I'm going to say it because I have to say it: Italy. Why? Because where else? And, no, I don't care I followed that question up with another question.

What was under the hood?

Again, stop me if you've heard this one. The Iso Grifo was powered by the second-generation Corvette's small-block V8 good for many horsepower.

Sources: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , Automobile Magazine

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3.) DeTomaso Pantera

What was it?

This is the car that put DeTomaso on the map and Elvis Presley once shot like a rabid horse: the Pantera. Introduced in 1970, the Pantera was styled not by an Italian, but an Detroit-born Dutchman working for Ghia who went by the name of Tom Tjaarda. And although Ford stopped selling the Pantera through it's Lincoln-Mercury division in 1975, DeTomaso's supercar remained in production for 20 years.

Where was it built?

That one country. You know. The one that makes pasta, beautiful women and wine. The one that builds a lot of red cars ...

... Sigh , okay. It's Italy.

What was under the hood?

Mounted mid-ship in the bowels of this bad Italian-American kitty-cat was a brash 351 cubic-inch Ford V8 that produced a goddamn electric 330 horsepower. If that's not a vulgar display of power, I don't know what is. (Okay, I'll stop with the puns.)

Sources: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , HowStuffWorks

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2.) AC Shelby Cobra

What was it?

If you don't instantly recognize that giant gaping maw, those taut bulging lines and that low purposeful stance, then you've clearly never seen or heard of one of the most famous hybrid cars of all time — the AC Cobra. The Cobra was based on the tepid AC Ace roadster and is Carroll Shelby's most legendary creation, with his excellent barbeque sauce being next. It's also the sole inspiration for the original Dodge Viper.

It's also worth mentioning that, in 2004, Ford precisely re-rendered the original AC Shelby Cobra on a modified Ford GT chassis and rolled it out as a concept car at that year's Detroit Auto Show.

Where was it built?

Here and there, but not quite everywhere. Early production seems to have been carried out at AC's facilities in Britain, with later work being done at Mr. Shelby's workshop in California. Short answer: the Cobra was made in both the good ol' US of A and in Britain.

What was under the hood?

Early Cobras had Ford's potent 260 cubic-inch V8, but later models had the outright lethal 427 cubic-inch big-block V8 that, when combined with the roadster's low curb weight, was powerful enough to force your testes up through your eye sockets. Doctors were never able to develop an anti-venom suitable enough to cure this Cobra's bite.

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1.) Jensen Interceptor

What was it?

Favored by Jason Clarkson, Roger St. Hammond, and James Steed in the little known British action-detective series The Interceptors, the Jensen Interceptor was the car for anyone who wore a mustache and desired to snuff out crime in something that wasn't boring like a Jaguar. It just oozed cool. Carozzeria Touring of Italy styled the Interceptor, and the chassis was borrowed from the previous Jensen CV8.

Where was it built?

The Interceptor was built in the British Midlands which, from what I understand, is a questionable place on a good day and generally terrible by default. (I mean, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .) So I guess as a result, Jensen Interceptors weren't exactly built as they were sort of pieced together by which ever line worker the foreman had decided was the least hung over, provided he even bothered to show up in the first place. At least the Interceptor's positive attributes outweigh the bad ones.

What was under the hood?

At the Interceptor's launch, buyers had the choice of two Chrysler V8s: one that displaced 273 cubic-inches or another that displaced 383 cubic-inches. Sometime later in 1971, that was upgraded to a choice of two 440 cubic-inch V8s, and if you opted for the one with three two-barrel carburetors, you could put 330 honest horsepower to the ground. Criminals were guaranteed to be captured.

Today, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! will take any classic Interceptor and upgrade the suspension and brakes and swap in a LS3 borrowed from a late-model Corvette. They also try to fix whatever Jensen didn't make right when the car rolled off the assembly line some moons ago.

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ignitionist.com | Follow me: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! | Contact me: theignitionist@gmail.com

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > Blake Noble 04/10/2014 at 19:51

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"Chinese eye" headlamp arrangement

Great write-up, FP material for sure!

Alex B > Blake Noble 04/10/2014 at 20:09

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Awesome! Great write-up.

Blake Noble > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 04/10/2014 at 20:13

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Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

I don't know if it's FP material, though. I had to go back and remove some of the source links because it kept automatically throwing in related story highlights that kept throwing off the formatting. So, for the sake of keeping it clean, I had to ditch the links. Also, if I see the word "aside" again, I'll stroke out.

Blake Noble > Alex B 04/10/2014 at 20:13

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Thanks! I really worked my ass off on this one.

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > Blake Noble 04/10/2014 at 20:15

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Silly Kinja.

With the shit-show that was Doug's hybrid article, I think yours will be a fun article for folks to read.

Blake Noble > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 04/10/2014 at 20:25

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Silly Kinja, indeed. Was it coded by someone in the Midlands?

Ha, thanks. :) I've been wanting to do this article for a while now, just needed the right opportunity. (Sorry it had to come at Doug's expense.)

catkam623 misses his 944 > Blake Noble 04/10/2014 at 20:33

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tee hee I get it mongoose and cobra natural enemies coming together to make that master piece.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Blake Noble 04/10/2014 at 20:51

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Love the article! I have always loved the idea of a European luxury/sports/touring car with a big American V8 under the hood. You pretty much covered all of my favorites, however, if there were to be an 11th spot on the list, I nominate would nominate the Hemi-powered Dual-Ghia.

JR1 > Blake Noble 04/10/2014 at 21:50

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"Doctors were never able to develop an anti-venom suitable enough to cure this Cobra's bite."

Bravo

birddog73 > Blake Noble 04/10/2014 at 22:36

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This was a better read than most of the FP posts over the last 3 days!

Bravo!

Method82 > Blake Noble 04/10/2014 at 23:07

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It's nice to know that if I put a ford 5.0 or a GM 350 in my 88 740 wagon, that it too will be a hybrid. That makes me very happy inside.

Blake Noble > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/11/2014 at 00:18

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Thanks! I could've and wanted to make the list a Top 20, but I don't think that would've left room for anyone to comment. ;)

Blake Noble > birddog73 04/11/2014 at 00:26

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Thanks! Hopefully there's going to be more where this came from ... :)

birddog73 > Blake Noble 04/11/2014 at 22:15

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Looking forward to it.

RooWills > Blake Noble 04/12/2014 at 06:59

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Also think this is FP worthy.

PS - How do you get the faint grey line separating items in a list like this?

Blake Noble > RooWills 04/12/2014 at 19:35

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Thanks! Maybe someone will share it to the FP retroactively if its included in the appropriate Best Of.

The diving lines have to be added in the HTML editor using this code:

Place it wherever you deem fit. Just make sure you place it after whatever HMTL codes the editor automatically adds (like paragraph breaks, etc.)

Just as an example, in HTML mode you might see something like this:

This is a line of text.

I should write it in Latin.

In that instance, if you wanted the divider to appear, you'd insert it in the position given in the example below:

This is a line of text.

I should write it in Latin.

Give it a whirl on your next piece. ;-)

DasWauto > Blake Noble 04/13/2014 at 16:46

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I will indeed include it in the next Best of.

Just a quick tip about

RooWills > DasWauto 04/13/2014 at 17:21

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Thanks guys, hopefully it works in a post I'm working on for tomorrow!

merkyg > Blake Noble 04/13/2014 at 19:02

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Great post. That Bizzarrini is gorgeous, and the Facel is pretty gangsta, it looks kind of like an old Volvo on steroids.

I hoon, therefore I am > Blake Noble 04/13/2014 at 21:01

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I'm officially trying to slip mangusta into a conversation at some point this week. And the irony of a mongoose advertising a snake... Great catch!

And I'm pretty sure the HK500 might now be one of my favorite cars.

HorseWeeSmell > Blake Noble 04/13/2014 at 22:53

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all awesome, some of my favourite cars in that list. You could have mentioned also, some of the Jensens came out as all wheel drive. not sure if they used wood in some of their construction too.

HorseWeeSmell > Blake Noble 04/13/2014 at 22:53

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all awesome, some of my favourite cars in that list. You could have mentioned also, some of the Jensens came out as all wheel drive. not sure if they used wood in some of their construction too.

Blake Noble > DasWauto 04/13/2014 at 23:53

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Thanks a million, Das! I really appreciate it (as well as any previous shares). It means a lot. :)

Awesome tip, by the way. I'll give it a try next time.

ewokracing > Blake Noble 04/14/2014 at 00:13

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The Mangusta wasn't De Tomaso's first car. That was the Vallelunga.

B.Peasant > HorseWeeSmell 04/14/2014 at 05:46

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Yeah, the FF. It's a quite different beast with only the bodyshell looking like the Interceptor.

B.Peasant > HorseWeeSmell 04/14/2014 at 05:46

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Yeah, the FF. It's a quite different beast with only the bodyshell looking like the Interceptor.

365Daytonafan > Blake Noble 04/14/2014 at 05:46

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Nice piece, one correction the Grifo wasn't designed to replace the Bizarrini Stradale. The Stradale started out as a competition version if the Grifo and the first cars were badged as Grifos. When Bizarrini had a falling out with Iso boss Renzo Rivolta, he formed his own company and started making a street version of the competition version as the Stradale.

As an aside Iso's first GT car the Rivolta is said to be an unapproved direct copy of the Gordon Keeble under the skin with only bodywork changes to it.

B.Peasant > HorseWeeSmell 04/14/2014 at 05:46

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That's the FF, really quite a different beast to the Interceptor in spite of looking much the same.

B.Peasant > B.Peasant 04/14/2014 at 05:49

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Yay triple post...

B.Peasant > Blake Noble 04/14/2014 at 05:55

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Great write-up, but I've never heard of an Interceptor with a 273...

The Iso Grifo though had a big-block version (427 and later 454) with an awesomly ugly hood scoop. Later cars had a Ford(!) Cleveland engine, also with the scoop.

bitday > Blake Noble 04/14/2014 at 06:25

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Bill Cosby has a hell of a story about the Shelby Cobra

http://jalopnik.com/5909694/listen…

bitday > Blake Noble 04/14/2014 at 06:27

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Bill Cosby has a hell of a story about the Shelby Cobra

http://jalopnik.com/5909694/listen…

brandegee > Blake Noble 04/14/2014 at 08:48

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Great list, although I might place the Bristol in front of the short-lived Gordon-Keeble...the Bristol somehow lasted forever. Also, the 145-mph top speed for the 5300GT is way off. A stock car will clear 160 and the Corsa was good for 180+.

Meatcoma > Blake Noble 04/14/2014 at 09:23

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Seen one of these the other day a GLORIOUS red with black and white lettering on the side. No SR20 because my wife was driving and I could not convince her to turn around and chase it down for a pic.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 04/14/2014 at 10:55

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lowellfb1 > Blake Noble 04/14/2014 at 15:00

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Ultimate hybrids are all things Monteverdi!

Blake Noble > B.Peasant 04/14/2014 at 15:20

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According to Allpar, the Interceptor was available with the smaller V8. If I had to hedge a bet, it was probably in lower trim models and very, very few were made.

Blake Noble > ewokracing 04/14/2014 at 15:28

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You're right. I was under the impression the Vallelunga was a prototype (which it sort of was in a way) when I was researching and writing this piece.

Blake Noble > lowellfb1 04/14/2014 at 15:31

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The Monteverdi High Speed is awesome. I didn't know it came in a sedan though. That's really neat!

B.Peasant > Blake Noble 04/14/2014 at 17:44

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There are no other sites that claim the 273 was available - even the old Jensen brochures which are online. I think the Interceptor only had one trim level anyway. I note that allpar also claims the FF could be had with a 360 - I suppose it's theoretically possible that production of the last few of the 320 FFs built overlapped with production of the Mopar 360 engine, but I really doubt it.

the other paisley pirate > Blake Noble 06/04/2014 at 23:14

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Irony. Thy name is Shelby.

the other paisley pirate > Blake Noble 06/04/2014 at 23:22

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Jensen Interceptor has been a dream car of mine since high school.

However, you forgot it's even more radical brother, the Jensen FF... like an Interceptor, except with AWD! (and the first production car on this planet with Anti-Lock brakes!)

FF (Ferguson Four wheel drive) system caused the front end to lengthen out another 6 or 8 inches (and add a second side grille) on the Interceptor.

And thanks for the mention of the A block Chrysler - I've never been able to track down the rumor that they actually did put the 273/318 engine in the Mk1's, but interesting if they did - it would mean a 340 would bolt in, and make for a wicked good handling car - something these cars were known for initially until the rust settled in - and give it plenty of horsepower.

Another fun hybrid you never see or hear about: the Monteverdi...

the other paisley pirate > HorseWeeSmell 06/04/2014 at 23:30

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The Interceptors did not use any wood... they were all aluminum and steel.

And, technically, the CV8 was the first hybrid Jensen, it had a 383 in it (and "Chinese eyes" too... ) Great, now I'M a racist, too...