Friday 7th May 2010

Swiss Builder Teases '30s Inspired Special

AMG-based machine billed as 'a new dimension of supercars'

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You're looking at 'a new dimension of supercars' according to an intriguing missive sent to [e-mail] this morning.

"We have just finished a custom-built, most interesting and fascinating automobile for a discerning Swiss collector," says our correspondent Chris Wuergler from HMC Helvetic Motor Company Ltd.

"Enclosed you will find some initial information and a picture for publication," he adds, promising that more details, pictures, technical specifications and further information on this new Swiss project will follow in the next weeks.

That 'initial information' runs as follows:

"In the Golden 30's the discerning enthusiasts had the most famous coachbuilders build their bespoke dreams on chassis from famous manufacturers. Chauffeur-driven Sedanca DeVille? Open Tourer? Sports- or racing-coupe? Shooting Brake for a little deer-hunting? No problem!

"This idea was taken-up again by a Swiss collector, who has commissioned a fascinating coupe in the most elegant tradition of the 30's, but using the latest Mercedes-AMG-chassis and engine. This project is now nearing completion, and starting autumn 2010 five or six cars will roll off the line every year.

"This automobile is not about the current trend of faster, more powerful, but about pure, unadulterated and relaxed pleasure, offering the most satisfying driving-pleasure, but still allowing to enjoy the excellent performance, comfort and safety-features of Mercedes-AMG. The new supercar experience."

Along with the attached image, that's all we've got to go on for now, but we're taking a wild stab in the dark and assuming the base vehicle is the SLS AMG Gullwing. When we find out more you'll be the first to know...

[appletonn]

Hmm, chop shop anyone?!

[Nagra]

Leave it ahhht Leeeepu!

[leon9191]

That used to be a SLS? that is a crying shame.

[edinph]

and clearly Bugatti inspired...........

[MSportUK]

leon9191 said:

That used to be a SLS? that is a crying shame.

+1 If he'd wanted the best of both those worlds, I dare say he'd have been better off spending his money on an SLS AMG Gullwing and a Morgan Aeromax.

[soad]

Be good to see the front - like it so far.

[muckyman]

crap looking image of a crap looking car.
They are really not doing themselves any favours by releasing a picture like that.



(Obviously, I reserve the right to change my mind on the car when a decent photo emerges)

[JohnGoodridge]

"This idea was taken-up again by a Swiss collector, who has commissioned a fascinating coupe in the most elegant tradition of the 30's, but using the latest Mercedes-AMG-chassis and engine."

Leave it out. Guy just wants everyone to know how much money he's got. Although 'ooh, he's so wealthy and has such good taste in auto-design' isn't what I'd be thinking if he drove by in it.

[aka_kerrly]

i really hope that underneith that is 'just' a SL55 Amg. Perhaps the guy who built this used to work with that other Swiss chap who was building some really unusual custom cars eg the car that had variable length axle for 2 or 4 seat set up and the marine car?

Any clues on the price? i imagine its going to be some serious £££.

[Nagra]

This is my idea of a unique coach built vehicle...

A Karmann Ghia with a 911 engine and chassis conversion.

I think what he did was put the body of a Karmann Ghia on a 911 (964 model) chassis......though I may be wrong..



What I would have done if I had his money would put the body of this...



On this chassis..

[Chris71]

The one teaser image I can see above looks pretty good. A slight hint of Bugatti Atlantique I reckon or, if you prefer, Morgan Aeromax.

[Rollotomasi]

The car design looks kind of intereting but it's a bit hard to tell from such a terrible render! Did they let the work experience kid loose with a copy of Max?

Why is so dark? What's going on with the floor - it looks like the colour has been inverted for some reason as the 'shadow' underneath is white. And having chrome-mirrored materials on a checker board background looked dated 15 years ago. I can only assume it's been done deliberately to disguise the image but a clean classy looking render (especially for a car with quite retro looking lines) would have been much better. So there.

[brutepower]

That picture was taken outdoors.
You can see the reflections in the paint, defenitely not chromed.