Autos

Belgian car makers, Imperia Automobiles, used to be a thriving car manufacturer way back in the 1900’s, they ceased operations in the 1950’s but now they’re back from the dead (work started on reviving the company in 2008) with a brand new hybrid-car.  The new car will be available in 2012 and is called the Imperia GP.

The exterior styling of the car is based on classic British sports cars, similar to what Weismann and Morgan are doing; under the classic shell is all-new state of the art technology.  The car is powered by a turbocharged 1.6 liter engine in addition to an electric motor.  The gasoline engine makes 209 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and the electric motor produces 136 HP (100 kW) and 184 lb-ft. of torque.  The end result is a blast to 62 mph in 4.0 seconds using both motors or 6.0 seconds when only the electric motor is called to action.

Most of you familiar with Unfinished Man know how much we love the Mercedes G Class SUV (Gelandewagen); we love its box shape and off-road capabilities.  Mercedes-Benz now gives us even more reason to love the G-Wagon with two new special edition models called the G Class BA3 Final Edition and the G Class Edition Select.

The G Class BA3 Final Edition is based on the short-wheel-base 2-door (or 3-door) model and as the name would suggest, it is the final production version of the smaller Gelandewagen that has been in production for over three decades.  I’m sad to see it go and it is too bad they don’t offer this model in North America.

Designers Sasha Selipanov and Samir Sadikhov have come up with some pretty bad ass car designs in the past. Here is one of their more recent designs that really caught our attention, the Incepto GT concept car.

The GT version is based on the original Incepto design featuring clean cut lines and an elegant design that allows it to have such a strong presence. Of course, the Incepto GT is just a concept and will only be alive on the World Wide Web and in our wet dreams.

What Unfinished Man reader wouldn’t like to have a collector car nestling in their garage? Your daily commuter car complete with door dings, food spills, weather deterioration issues, and high mileage can sit out in the street. Oh yeah, the collector vehicle gets the garage spot.

My collector car favorites are sixties and early seventies muscle cars. Now, for your approval, I’d like to present some personal picks of cool classic collectible cars featuring a Shaker hood. Think of me as a good friend helping you to spend a little of your hard earned doh-ray-me. (Or give you something to dream about, anyways.)

The iconic American brand Jeep has teamed up with French design studio, Style & Design, to create two concept nautical-themed Jeep Wrangler Unlimited models, presented at Salon Nautique de Paris (Paris Nautical Show).  The bespoke vehicles are called Wrangler Nautic Blanche and Wrangler Nautic Noir and seem to have been inspired somewhat by the Defender 90 Yachting.

The Jeep Wrangler Nautic Blanche’s design is inspired by a sailboat and features an all-white exterior with chrome 20 inch wheels and chrome grill, door handles, gas cap, and trunk hinges.  The interior is quite luxurious

Classic looks and modern technology, what else does one need in a car?  That’s the idea behind the Huet Brother HB Coupe, a car that’s currently in the development phase.  If this is the first time you’re hearing the Huet Brothers name, you’re not alone.  The company was started by two brothers, Paul and Tino Huet, from Holland.  Their company sells watches and makes cars; a few years ago they produced the HB Special, a roadster based on the Triumph TR6.

With all the attention the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta received recently, and deservedly so, we thought we’d showcase a classic Berlinetta.  As much as I love modern cars, there’s something special about classic sports cars with their simple interiors, curvaceous bodies, and smelly engines.

The classic sports car in question is the 1953 Fiat 8V Series 1 Berlinetta that has been meticulously restored to its former glory.  The 8V, also known as Otto Vu, is powered by a 2.0 liter V8 engine, that’s right, an 8-cylinder engine with only 2 liters of displacement, the engine should make a glorious noise.  The 8V Berlinetta was one of the fastest cars in its day and was one the favorite cars amongst “gentlemen drivers”.