The most beautiful car in the world

In its relentless forward motion, the company has come a long way in the development of cars. Typically, the new model is hopelessly out of date within 5-7 years, but there were works that had not experienced the need to be replaced by either 5 or 20 years after his appearance on svet.Ved most beautiful car in the world - Lotus, and that's it! Ford T, RR Silver Ghost and the VW Beetle began to have single examples, but such a phenomenal long-lived, as UAZ 452 or Super Seven, are outside the purview of the general public, tending to luxury, and to the satisfaction of basic needs at a time. If the first is designed to meet the aspirations and the second because too prosaic, moreover, "our", so - not a "prophet", while the latter is unable to resolve the transport problems of any of the father nor of the family, nor their spiritual father. But he is nothing more than suitable for their prodigal sons - like those portrayed Belmondo in "Who's Who." At most beautiful car there is no peace elektropodemnikov windows and central locking. Not mounted 16 speakers and CD-changer. Not heated rear window and no wipers for the headlights. Mirrors need to adjust manually, and in cases of failure to send a car manufacturer or a mechanic to look for romance, according to "kill" for the repair of this exotic product of sophisticated mind long enough to recover from the ashes of several orthodox machines. But first and foremost a romantic must be its owner. If you open the roof of the sun, the air smells, the street noise - the whole world - fills every nook and cranny of this amazing machine. Disheveled hair walk into the eyes and strive to break away from the roots, the sound of wind whispering in the ears of wonderful melodies, the horizon line, located at a height of several tens of centimeters, with a call to throw the road into the face like a glove, the blood boils in my veins ... Add to this more fun, caused anger and disappointment of the holders of the most "cool wheelbarrows" at a time when it is something that in no way resembles the lightning budge on the conditional signal lights. Even if there is someone, put the arrow on the speedometer, "two hundred", he did not dare to overtake - such a lasting impression this is an extravagant miracle. To anyone, anywhere in the world, even when moving slowly through the narrow streets of Nice, Prague, Riga ... Having seen him, then everyone tries to understand what has to deal. We Europeans are experiencing inner turmoil until then, until it is clearing. This desire is above us, it got us a legacy of the founders of our civilization, ancient Greeks, and also embedded in us as the desire for sleep, food and another, corporeal and spiritual. Moved by this desire, the man decides for himself generally as follows: "This is a car in retro style." And certainly wrong. The most widely used version of the most beautiful car of the world reads. Colin Chapman as anyone else, understood that for all must pay. Increases comfort designed car - to pay an increase in weight, ie deterioration of dynamic performance. Want to increase the speed of quality - pay: I refuse to loose. Chepmenovskoy genius idea was to refuse to maximum, to the minimum. The result was a sort of "minimum car - the engine on four wheels in a" bathing suit. " Sam Chapman called it "the most comfortable bike in the world," Why so? - Because it's not all been thrown out! In fact, it was certainly different. Remember: my first car, Mark I, Chapman made in 1949 on the chassis of Austin on July 16-year-old "old age". That same Austin 7, which began a rapid rise to fame brand Swallow (Jaguar). MK 1 Chapman was created to participate in the races, which are called "trial" and are a feature of England as dumplings with cherries. They involve a simple design made by participants from all parts tucked under the arm - "minimal cars." That is why the "trial" - one of the cheapest forms of motorsport. Accordingly, one of the most popular and beloved. All the "Marks" Chapman, beginning and ending with the N1 N6, were designed for these races. Their design is fundamentally no different from what others have done, except for the maturity of the decisions and those trifles, which, in essence, reduces the development of genius. But the genius of Chapman realized then not so much in technique as in the entrepreneurial ideas. More precisely - the idea of ??one. But what a! By 1953, Chapman had sold two cars, but he was well aware that making them so individually, not get rich. Produce in large quantities he could not: there was no space, no equipment, no money. So he decided to complete sets, of which the consumer was going car! Here it was precisely the great idea that allowed buyers to purchase a car for little money, and most of Chapman made millionaire. The problem is simplified by the fact that the MKS was a typical minimum car and selling it in parts avoids draconian taxes and save money buyers. Until 1957 it was released 100 units, 80 of them - in the form of "DIY" (later it became known as the kit-car). Six to install a variety of powertrains, from the MG and ending Ford Consul. 1957 was marked by the fact that Chapman significantly upgraded the "six" and called it the "seven". Externally Mk 7 differs open the rear wheels and the general proportions. Hood, merging with the sidewalls bezdvernogo body, too, was minimal, but at the same time, he was able to hide engine Navy or Ford Anglia. Fundamentally changed suspension: Double-arm front has a spring in the unit with shock, like a motorcycle, the back - like De Dion (of a continuous bridge, gearbox passed and mounted on the frame). Disc brakes were installed on all wheels, but only from behind, they acted on the floor (which reduces the weight of the unsprung mass). Impressive dimensions (height, without glass - 70 cm) and weight of the car: with 1,2-liter engine and 15-inch wheels -416 lbs! In principle, the chassis was completely identical to the previous year arising from the MK11 streamlined body of Frank Costin (1920-1995). Despite the fact that the MK11 was designed for racing, it too could be bought, so the message is encountered that the Mark 11, the first production Lotus. This is certainly not the case. Truly become a serial for this firm only MK 7. "The Magnificent Seven" was issued to 150 units per year in the following versions: F - nizhneklapanny Ford Anglia 1172 37 hp, and - the overhead Navy 948 cm3 39 hp, C - Coventry Climax (cam in head) 1098 cm3 85 l . with. Since 1961: F - Ford 997 cm3 40 hp, A - Austin Healey 948 cm3 46 hp, M - Morris 948 hp sm137 All were equipped with 4-speed gearbox (except the first F with three gears) and developed about 150 km / h (except for C - 180). In 1962, for Seven put his hand a staff designer, Lotus, John Freyling, creator of the Ban, Elan +2, Europa and the Clan Crusader - the car, produced by Paul Gaussauerom (Gaussauer), "spin-off" from Lotus in 1971. Aluminum body extended up to 3.36 meters instead of 3.12, has changed the plastic and "overgrown" swinging, stationary, wings. Changed the name: Seven were added to the Super. The diversity of power plants has been replaced "odnotsvetiem" Coventry Climax (1498 cm3, 66-92 hp), while the rate increased to 160 km / h with "weak" engine - and it was very good, considering that the 240 km / h Jaguar E seemed at the time speed limit road car. Recall again: in the early 70's Chapman ready for production "superpotusovskuyu (their full) model Bite with design by Oliver Wynter bottoma (from Jaguar). Therefore, Super prevented him and his irritating anachronism. But the fact that in the eyes of the Chapman looked outdated, others seemed very promising. Imitators were found in 1970. "Trialist" Dutton Bouley (Wooley) did not think of anything better than a copy "supersedmoy" and release it under the name Dutton (bridges Triumph Gerald, motors Ford, BLMC or Alta-Romeo) - as they say, immodestly, and without taste: front and rear of trying to disguise their origin. And in vain. You can not perform Bohemian Rhapsody Queen is better than Queen, can not improve the creation of genius. In 1973, Chapman has sold, to the mutual benefit of all production "Supersevenov" firm Caterham Cars. From then until now, Caterham is an authorized bearer of the glorious name. When they say that the Volkswagen "Beetle" raspolzsya around the world, they mean cars hardware. If we talk about ideas, the "zhukovatymi" were ideas Chapman - Kit-cars and a minimum car. By the end of 60-ies worldwide epidemic broke out, this kit cars, many of which were "minimal." In 1972, the licensed production of the Super 7 and Europa began in Spain by Hispano-Alleman (aggregates Seat). English Lightspeed in 1973 differed from the original only roll bar and a spare wheel out. At the same time debuted Arkley, a converted renowned designer John Britten. Perhaps, and Biota in 1968, despite the original appearance, born of the same genes. At home "Lotus" the idea of ??minimum automobile brought another unusual "fruit" - Donington. Company Johnard equip its units Rolls-Royce! In 1973, the concept of Lotus "swam across the" ocean and sold in the U.S. by Blakely. Apart from the "original" S7, who bore the name of the Bantam, the firm produced its arbitrary interpretation - Bearcat. Both models were equipped with American, of course, aggregates Ford Pinto. In 1980, the invasion of "Lotus" was subjected Germany. There, they worked fairly well-known tuning firm Bieber. At the same time the U.S. firm DSK has organized a joint production Caterham. Go to the "magnificent seven" join and Canada - used Mark Seven. In the early 70's found imitators and copycats. For example, Dragonflay imitated Arkely, Lenham - freaks Dutton. A significant event in the world supersevenovskom "the emergence of the Dutch firm Donkervoort in 1982. Then, after numerous attempts to establish his case, Frank Costin finished with wooden Costin Amigo (in 1980) and founded a truly profitable venture - TMS. The project, whose creation he participated in 1956, brought forth a quarter-century later! TMC Costin slightly different from the Super, and despite what was intended for public roads, won 5 different championships. In the late 80's, in accordance with the increasing specialization of cars by appointment, from seed sown Chapman, Superlotusy "blossomed in increasing quantities. In England, they were joined by the firm Westfield, Germany-Mohr (Model Rush Roadster) and VM (Seventy Seven). In the U.S. 27-year-old Danny Penoz going to enter Art Center College of Design in 1988, but visited Ireland and saw there TMC Costin, was so struck by this phenomenon that changed all their plans. Instead of transporting the U.S. kostinovskie "flowers" and "clip coupons", 6 years Penoz devoted its project. On his father's farm in Georgia, he made a prototype with a body made of fiberglass. Then, with the designer Freeman Thomas redesigned it for production of aluminum alloys. Danny Penoz used a lot of series parts: engine and transmission from the Ford Mustang, the rear suspension and brakes from the Crown Victoria, the windshield of the "Beetle", etc. His own firm Panoz does, except the body, interior, front suspension - a total of 600 items. Penoz received all necessary certificates and is ready to release with all of his staff (8 persons) 50 cars a year at a price of exactly $ 49,495. Well, let's wish him luck - he earned it: in 1994, the Swiss firm Rinspeed Design, became famous for its tuning, has sold 6 of its cars under its own brand. The beginning was so promising that next year it has developed jointly with the Panoz production with a small but significant "makeup." Changed grille, round headlights were replaced by the original console with built-in condenser light sources have disappeared from the bumper AC Cobra, but there were two arcs security. By the year 1996 to a family of producers S7 added: Firm Martin (France, aggregates Ford), Irmscher (Germany, Opel). Even such a large concern as the Mazda, has published photos of his project car minimum Mazdaspeed. We need to think competitors will not wait until the Mazda win "flower" the market will bear, and deploy their products in similar packaging. But the emergence of Mazda among the "Lotus" may mean that over time they will be "eaten up" giant "herbivores". It would seem that we have "Lotus" is not even smell. In fact, of course, everything is different: the lack of an enabling environment offset by an excess of skilled hands and bright minds. In 1982, Valery Taranukha from Kharkov, head of the club eternal search, the author of more than 40 original avtomotokonstruktsy, presented at the Republican exhibition of home-made cars next job KVP - an exact copy of the Super Seven engine Renault. Since then, the "Lotus", "let deep roots and we have: one year later there is another replica, made by Boris Chernetsov, and its own interpretation of Nikolai Shevchenko - are both out with Lotus homeland in Ukraine. Then Oleg Lukyanchuk from Simferopol, breathing "Lotusovskoy pollen, made another replica of perhaps the most perfect of all. Finally, in 1986, "Lotus" blossomed "in exactly with little change in the taste of the creator, Vladimir Motsarenko. Our "Supersedmye" are based on the "Lada" and its dynamic performance is inferior "brand", but here are the "seventh" effect to the fullest. All of them were intended only to meet the needs of creators in an acute, open-air car - would try anyone of them to sell! In recent years, Lukyanchuk trying to establish their production, to this end, he even moved to Kiev. Variety of "flower garden" does not allow to consider in detail each species, therefore dwell on the most important facts. First among the "seventh"-Caterham, Donkervoort and Rinspeed Caterham protects tradition and honor mark, releasing about 150 pieces a year. His program - 5 models, one of which is designed for mountain racing. It differs wings motorcycle type, and thus closer to the core, simply "Seven." Power of road vehicles: 115 (Rover 1600, 16 valves), 135 (Ford 1700) and 165 hp (Vauxhall 2000, 16-valve). Cost - from 14,745 to 18,995 pounds. Kit cars are cheaper by about 2000 pounds. In accordance with the increasing demand for comfort Caterham offers a list of options, including hardtop, leather seats, immobilizer, and others. Jan Donkervoort D8 makes his body made of aluminum with fiberglass, "feathering." The program - 4 variations on the basic model with speeds ranging from 200 to 235 km / h. Engine power - from 140 to 280 hp D8 Cosworth and D8 Cosworth Sport (different motorcycle wings) and accelerates to "hundreds" of 4 seconds - faster than the Ferrari 456 GT! (5,2 c). Produces about 100 cars a year at a price of 150,000 DM, Donkervoort organized race for the prize Donkervoort, which compete with "Donkervoortah," and it is natural: at this price buy them not just as the race - proved an incentive. Rinspeed design similar to the others, but the engine V8 Ford Mustang has a volume of 4,942 cm3 and two degrees of forcing: 218 hp (Model R), and the supercharged - 305 hp (SC-R). Accordingly, different and features: 224 and 258 km / h, 5,1 and 4,4 seconds to 100 km / h. It is not known whether the name of a happy coincidence model coincided with the number 7, or in fact, "seven" - a lucky number? We can only state this fact and establish the relationship between cause and effect will provide higher levels - those who manage them.