David WilkinsSep 1, 2025

After Glas graduated from making tiny Goggomobils to the 04 model featured yesterday, in 1963, it took a further step up in size with the 1300 GT. Later, there was a larger-engined 1700 GT model. I saw these coupé and cabriolet versions at Techno Classica Essen in 2013. Designed by Frua. This car would later be incorporated into the BMW range. (1/2)

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David WilkinsAug 18, 2024

One last post on the Volvo P1800ES. The blue car is an alternative proposal for the ES version of the P1800, ‘The Rocket’, produced by Frua, which I snapped at Techno Classica Essen in 2018. It makes for an interesting comparison with the design that was eventually chosen (yellow car)

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David WilkinsJun 3, 2023
Yesterday’s Opel Diplomat B (blue car) had a rather staid look but the same mechanical package, albeit on a shortened wheelbase, was available in the altogether sportier, more elegant form of the #Bitter CD coupé (silver car, #TechnoClassica 2014), produced by race driver and tuner turned car-maker Erich Bitter, who collaborated closely with #Opel for several decades. Opel had already trailed the idea with design studies of its own, including one from #Frua. #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar
David WilkinsApr 26, 2023
A couple of posts ago I touched on the question of whether the engines fitted to the #Citroen DS matched the sophistication and modernity of the rest of the car. One man who presumably saw room for improvement was Hector #Bossaert, who produced performance-enhancing tweaks for the #DS. He also came up with this, the 19 GT, a lowered coupé DS on a shortened wheelbase designed by Frua. Snapped at Rétromobile 2016. Somehow missed this from my recent #Frua sequence. #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar
Show threadJack Yan (甄爵恩)Apr 1, 2023
@davidwilkins You might find this one interesting. Also by #Frua, but on Ford Escort México mechanicals. I believe Frua developed two, with a view to series production. This one wound up in New Zealand, where I photographed it in 2019.
David WilkinsMar 25, 2023
Today, the #Glas V8. It would be hard to imagine a greater contrast with Glas’ first #Goggomobil microcars. The 2600 V8 was introduced in 1966 and later became the 3000 V8 under #BMW (seen here, Bremen Classic Motor Show, 2014). The design strongly resembled that of the contemporary #Maserati Quattroporte - both cars were designed by #Frua. What remains of Glas? The company’s Dingolfing factory became the nucleus of BMW’s most important European production site. #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar
David WilkinsMar 24, 2023
The 1964 #Glas 1700 was based on a design that had originally been worked up by #Frua for another now-defunct German car maker, #Borgward. It only lasted in German production until 1967 - it was quite similar in size and concept to the Neue Klasse models of Glas’ new parent, #BMW. But the 1700 enjoyed a long second life. It was badged (and later restyled) as a BMW, and manufactured and sold in South Africa until 1974. Pic: Bremen Classic Motor Show, 2016. #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar
David WilkinsMar 23, 2023
Glas continued to produce its tiny #Goggomobil models until 1969 but by then things had moved on. Bigger, sportier cars such as the #Frua designed 1963 GT were introduced, and the company was taken over by #BMW in 1966. The earlier cars of this period, like the yellow 1700 GT convertible (Techno Classica 2022) still used #Glas engines but later versions like the red 1600 GT (Techno Classica 2013) got BMW engines and badges. More Glas/BMW transition tomorrow. #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar
David WilkinsFeb 1, 2023
One last car with a Ghia connection, the Renault Caravelle, or Floride as it was called in some countries, which was sold from 1958 to 1968. Designed by Pietro Frua when he was head of design at Ghia. Just as the original VW Karmann Ghia borrowed the Beetle as its base, so the Caravelle leant on Renault’s rear-engined Dauphine for most of its under-the-skin parts. Blurry phone shot from Techno Classica Essen in 2013. #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar #Renault #Ghia #Frua
David WilkinsDec 2, 2022
This is the radical 1968 Frua 'Raketen' proposal to turn the Volvo P1800 into the P1800ES hatch. Frua had been involved in the design of the original 1961 notchback model but in this case lost out to an in-house team. I think elements of this look are detectable in the 2002-2008 Honda Accord Tourer, which has a similar long tail/rear overhang and hoop-topped tailgate roofline. Taken at Techno Classica Essen, 2018 #WeirdCarMastodon #WeirdCar #davidsdailycar #Volvo #Frua