"TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut" (twincharged)
05/29/2015 at 14:51 • Filed to: ATS 2500 GT
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"TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut" (twincharged)
05/29/2015 at 14:51 • Filed to: ATS 2500 GT | 6
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The ATS 2500 GT - one of the first mid-engined, roadgoing GT cars, preceding the Lamborghini Miura by three years. Built from 1963 to 1965, just 12 of these sensationally gorgeous and petite machines were built, of which only a handful survive today.
Underneath the curvaceous rear hatch and leather bound engine covers lies a 2.5 litre V8 engine developing 220bhp and 188 lb-ft of torque, propelling it to a claimed top speed of 150mph.
Warning: incoming photos of gratuitous gorgeousness.
A little company history: Automobili Turismo e Sport was founded by a group of Ferrari defectors who had left the Italian giant due to an uncomfortable working environment. They even entered Formula One with the intention of beating Ferrari at their own game, but failed spectacularly. The 2500 GT itself was not particularly popular and soon after production began, investors withdrew financial support and the project collapsed.
A sportier, lighter version (750kg!), the 2500 GTS was built with 245bhp, no chrome bumpers and a louvered rear window but unfortunately, it didn’t “amount to much”. It did see some racing, particularly in the Targa Florio.
Oh yes - very gorgeous.
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
05/29/2015 at 14:54 |
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When I’m in charge, all engine covers will be like this.
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
05/29/2015 at 15:10 |
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Oh. My. Gosh. That is one extraordinarily beautiful car.
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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
05/29/2015 at 15:11 |
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That is absolutely one of the most beautiful cars I have ever laid eyes on. I couldn’t decide which part to click on to make my reply. Stunning.
Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
05/29/2015 at 15:21 |
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I’ll take two. That is painfully cool.
BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
05/29/2015 at 15:41 |
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That is truly a gorgeous car.
There was a concept of renovating and re-producing the design a few years ago, slated to be powered by a Subaru STI EJ257 turbo engine and 2WD transaxle amidships... I am not sure how ‘available’ they are... but they are a nice homage design.
If that blue one had matte gold/bronze details and wheels, instead of silver... it would look every bit of a Subaru-powered mid-engined monster.
The want is VERY high, although the EJ257 STI motor is a very nice piece, and the 2500 moniker would still apply, I can’t help but wonder what a twin turbocharged EG33 SVX flat-6 would be capable of in that application... likely north of 400 horsepower without breaking much of a sweat, I would think.
CKeffer
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
05/29/2015 at 15:44 |
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My god that is an absolutely beautiful machine! Sad to hear with was so unloved :(
BJ
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
05/29/2015 at 15:50 |
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Beauty! From this angle it looks poised to pounce, like it’s almost moving already. I’d be curious to see it in real life, but that’s not likely to happen!
Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
> TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
05/29/2015 at 15:56 |
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I just put this in the Friday afternoon challenge!
http://jalopnik.com/1707734334
Though I know nothing about it other than it’s gorgeous.