scottwood

Info:

The Rinspeed sQuba, unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, is a groundbreaking concept car designed to operate seamlessly on both land and underwater. Its creation was the realization of a three-decade-long dream for Rinspeed founder Frank M. Rinderknecht, inspired by the iconic Lotus Esprit submarine from the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me."

Based on a Lotus Elise chassis, the sQuba underwent extensive modifications, replacing its combustion engine with multiple electric motors—one for land propulsion and two for underwater operation, complemented by powerful Seabob jet drives.

This innovative design allows the sQuba to dive to depths of up to 10 meters, with a waterproof body and an interior crafted from salt-water-resistant materials, including mother-of-pearl trim, emphasizing its unique dual-environment capabilities.

Despite its remarkable engineering and a development cost exceeding US$1.5 million, the Rinspeed sQuba has remained a prototype with no plans for mass production. It was envisioned more as a luxury "toy for rich people" than a commercially viable vehicle, a sentiment echoed by Rinderknecht himself due to its limited appeal.

Nevertheless, the sQuba's legacy in the automotive world is significant. Its zero-emission powertrain and advanced materials showcased technologies ahead of their time, influencing future innovations in electric mobility and amphibious vehicle design.

The extensive media coverage and its presence at the Geneva Motor Show solidified its status as a symbol of Rinspeed's audacious creativity and engineering excellence, leaving a lasting impact on automotive enthusiasts and designers.

Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinspeed_sQuba

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/rinspeed/2008-rinspeed-squba-ar52400/

https://www.rinspeed.com/en/sQuba_30_concept-car.html

Info:

In 2022, Gwent Police introduced four electric tuk-tuks to enhance community safety in Newport and Abergavenny, Wales. Funded by the Home Office’s Safer Streets programme, these vehicles act as mobile “safe spaces” where residents can report incidents, seek assistance, or receive crime prevention advice, especially in public areas like parks and walkways.

The initiative has garnered 'positive feedback', with parents and women reporting feeling 'safer'—particularly at night—due to the increased visibility and accessibility of police support.

Despite the 'positive' reception, the tuk-tuks have faced criticism over their cost and practicality. Priced at £9,936 each, the total £39,744 investment has sparked debate about government funding priorities, with critics suggesting the money could have bolstered traditional policing resources instead.

Furthermore, their limited speed (under 35mph) and three-wheeled design raise questions about their effectiveness for tasks like high speed pursuits or navigating challenging terrain, highlighting a broader discussion on balancing 'innovative' (stupid) approaches with practical law enforcement needs.

Links:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-63378312

https://www.gwent.police.uk/news/gwent/news/news/2022/october/new-tuk-tuks-provide-additional-support-to-newport-and-abergavenny-residents/

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The Reyonnah A175 Roadster was developed by Robert Hannoyer in the late 1940s, during a period of post-World War II austerity when small, fuel-efficient vehicles were in demand. The car, named after an anagram of Hannoyer’s surname, debuted at the 1950 Paris Motor Show, receiving positive press and generating orders.

However, despite initial interest, mass production did not materialize, and only about 16 units were built between 1951 and 1954. The car participated in various events, including setting speed records at Montlhéry and appearing in concours d’élégance, but logistical challenges and lack of support from major automakers limited its production.

Sources: https://silodrome.com/reyonnah-175-car/ https://www.rmw.lv/car/en/a175-roadster https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/reyonnah/1951/1951/884367

1964 MODEL:

1965-67 MODEL A:

1965-67 MODEL B:

1970 MODEL:

1971 COUPE MODEL:

1971 COUPE MODEL F:

ALL MODELS:

Info:

The Urbanina was a pioneering electric microcar produced in Italy from 1964 to 1973. Designed by Marquis Pier Girolamo Bargagli Bardi Bandini and Narciso Cristiani in an 18th-century villa in the Tuscan countryside, it aimed to provide a compact, zero-emission vehicle for urban mobility.

It was showcased at the Turin Motor Show in 1965 and 1966, with a patent granted in 1977. Despite initial plans for mass production and thousands of reported orders, only a few units were built due to technological constraints, such as limited battery and electronic capabilities, and low environmental awareness at the time.

Production ceased in the early 1970s, and the project was sold to Zagato, which repurposed it into the Zele model, later exported to the U.S. as the Elcar 1000.

Source: https://www.mudeto.it/urbanina_piero_girolamo_bargagli_bardi_bandini_narciso_cristiani_bargagli_e_cristiani_urbanina.htm

This is the most comprehensive researched topic on this car on the internet, it has taken me days and I still haven't found the bottom.

You won't find anything else like this anywhere apart from here, enjoy.

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MODEL A (AROUND 2000): Stargazing Commercial (2000)

Ronald & Me Commercial (2000)

Time Travel Commercial (2001)

MODEL A (2000-NOW): Construction by Global Entertainment Industries

MODEL A (AROUND 2006): McKids Adventures: Treasure Hunt with Ronald (2006)

MODEL A (AROUND 2010): Driving to Work Commercial (2010)

MODEL B (AROUND 2002-2012):

MODEL C (POST 2002):

MODEL D (AROUND 2001):

MODEL E (POST 2010):

UNKNOWN MODEL (AROUND 2010): I CAN NOT FIND WHETHER THIS ONE IS OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL.

PROTOTYPE MODEL B (2002):

KIDDIE RIDE: LOST IMAGE, HAD A MOTHER PUTTING HER SON IN IT, SHOPPING MAL, BEHIND THE MOTHER IS A LARGE GLASS WINDOW WITH SUNLIGHT STREAMING THROUGH.

PLAY STRUCTURE (Morgan City, Louisiana): It is from: MCDONALD'S, MORGAN CITY 3.6 6387 US HIGHWAY 90 EAST, MORGAN CITY, LA 70380, USA

PLAY STRUCTURE (Albuquerque, New Mexico):

PLAY STRUCTURE (Dallas Airport, AROUND 2013):

PLAY STRUCTURE (Greensboro, North Carolina, 2012)

PLAY STRUCTURE (Allentown, Pennsylvania)

MORE PLAY STRUCTURES:

• San Jose, California, 2023
• Fort Worth, Texas
• Loveland, Colorado or Ohio
• Chicago, Illinois, 2834 N Ashland Ave
• Appleton, Wisconsin, 700 W Northland Ave
• Matthews, North Carolina

MODEL D COLLECTIBLE PLATES (2001):

HAPPY MEAL TOY (1993):

Links: Model A 'Thanksgiving Parade' Wiki: https://macysthanksgiving.fandom.com/wiki/Big_Red_Shoe_Car

Stargazing Advert (2000, Model A): https://youtu.be/YDy44zKa-R0

Ronald and Me 'Unknown' Advert (2000, Model A): https://youtu.be/t-muSz5ZH60

Ronald and Me 'Time Travel' Advert (2000/2001, Model A): https://youtu.be/QY0-A8zfeZo

Prototype (2002, Model B): http://productmobiles.blogspot.com/2011/10/shoe-maker.html?m=1

Model E Production: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/mcdonalds-shoe-car-houston-texas-19964777.php

McKids Adventures: Treasure Hunt with Ronald (2006, Model A, 10:32 onwards): https://youtu.be/1Ba5h4d5wBk

Driving to Work Advert (2010, Model A): https://youtu.be/smW7CFbEHF0

TYPE A {Shopping and Commuting}

TYPE B {Luggage Carrying}

TYPE C {Leisure Use}

WIDESHOT

Info: Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1969, the Toyota EX-II is a three-wheeled microcar project. It was supervised by Jiro Kawano, creator of the 2000GT. Three versions are presented on the same basis.

The proposed engine is either an electric motor or a 350 cm3 two-stroke Yamaha twin-cylinder with air cooling.

The Type A (cream) is a beautiful style exercise of an economical vehicle to transport from home to work or go shopping (commuting). The plastic bubble covers the entire cabin that can accommodate two passengers. Two openings in the shape of portholes allow communication with the outside.

The Type B (orange) is a short-distance goods vehicle, such as in airports.

The Type C (blue) is a runabout for leisure, golf cart style that can be used for vacation spots.

Info: There is not a lot known about the Manocar from Saint-Ouen near Paris, which was developed by the manufacturer Manom.

The single front wheel and the rear wheels were fitted on swingaxles with typically French rubber band suspension.

The body without doors was similar to the "Brutsch Mopetta" in overall design, but rather larger. It was advertised as bridging the gap between car and scooter.

This 2-seat vehicle had a 125 cc 2-stroke engine that drove power to the front wheel via a chain. Only two pre-production cars were made once the project was cancelled.

Model A (1949-1951) & MODEL B (1951-1952):

Model C (1952-1956):

Model D (1956-1958):

Model E (1956-1958):

Model F (1958-1963):

Model G (1961-1966):

Quote:

CarNurse is a concept vehicle aimed to provide medical support for wounded at public beaches.

The vehicle includes enough open space to facilitate the wounded and also can carry the friends or relatives of the patient to handle the situation more efficiently.

The design envisioned enough room for 3 lifeguards, 4 people and a stretcher for the wounded. If the wounded requires more specialized medical care, this vehicle can perform both on land and in water for quicker transportation.

The car has emergency storage space at the bottom of the lifeguard’s chair and under the stretcher for medical equipments to handle critical situations.

More Here: https://maximummini.blogspot.com/2017/12/sekura-mini-now-being-restored.html?m=1