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Dog Leg Gearbox
A dog-leg gearbox or dogleg gearbox is a manual transmission shift pattern distinguished by an up-over-up shift between first and second gear. The layout derives its name from a dog's hind leg, with its sharp angles. Dog leg gearboxes were replaced in most mass production vehicles by transmissions with a standard gear layout. Most modern manual performance cars have six-speed gearboxes, which are unsuited to the dog-leg layout. Automobiles Dog-leg layout gearboxes were a reinterpretation of the classic 5-speed gate pattern: as in road racing more frequent shifting occurs from second to third than from first to second gear, the dog-leg gearbox puts 2nd and 3rd gear opposed one to the other, for a very quick up-shifting or down-shifting. This could bring the driver a great speed range with only one shift, which was particularly suitable for hillclimbing. They were transferred to sports cars in the 60s as a desirable feature. With the introduction of 6-speed manual gearboxes in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Manual Transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canadian English, Canada, British English, the United Kingdom and American English, the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle Transmission (mechanical device), transmission system where gear changes require the driver to manually select the gears by operating a gear stick and clutch (which is usually a foot pedal for cars or a hand lever for motorcycles). Early automobiles used ''sliding-mesh'' manual transmissions with up to three forward gear ratios. Since the 1950s, ''constant-mesh'' manual transmissions have become increasingly commonplace, and the number of forward ratios has increased to 5-speed and 6-speed manual transmissions for current vehicles. The alternative to a manual transmission is an automatic transmission. Common types of automatic transmissions are the Automatic transmission#Hydraulic automatic transmissions, hydraulic automatic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Porsche 959
The Porsche 959 is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1986 to 1993, first as a Group B rally car and later as a road legal production car designed to satisfy FIA homologation regulations requiring at least 200 units be produced. The twin-turbocharged 959 was the world's fastest street-legal production car when introduced, achieving a top speed of , with some variants even capable of achieving . Combining race-car performance with luxury-sedan comfort and everyday drivability in dry, wet and snowy conditions, it was considered the most technologically advanced road car of its time. After the successful introduction of all-wheel drive on more rally-specific cars like the Audi Quattro, it was one of the first pure high-performance sports-cars with all-wheel drive, providing the basis for Porsche's first all-wheel drive 911 Carrera 4 model. Its performance convinced Porsche executives to make all-wheel drive standard on all turbocharged versi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Maserati Biturbo
The Maserati Biturbo is a family of executive grand tourers produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati between 1981 and 1994. The original Biturbo was a two-door, four-seater notchback coupé (of somewhat smaller dimensions than the BMW 3 Series of the time) featuring, as the name implies, a two-litre V6 engine with two turbochargers and a luxurious interior. The car was designed by Pierangelo Andreani, Chief of Centro Stile Maserati up to 1981, somewhat influenced by the design of the then recent Quattroporte III (penned by Italdesign Giugiaro). All Maserati models introduced from the Biturbo's inception in 1981, until 1997, were based on variants of the original Biturbo architecture, including the later grand tourers like the Shamal and Ghibli II, as well as the 1994 fourth generation Quattroporte, which used an evolved and slightly stretched (to 2.65 m / 104.3 in wheelbase) Biturbo Saloon platform. The Barchetta, while of a different layout entir ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lamborghini Diablo
The Lamborghini Diablo (meaning "devil" in Spanish), is a series of high-performance V12, rear mid-engined sports cars in the supercar market segment, built by Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini from 1990 through 2001. It is the first production Lamborghini with a top speed in excess of . In 1993, the Diablo VT (for 'Viscous Traction') became Lamborghini's first all-wheel drive production sportscar. The car retained its rear-wheel drive character, but a computer-modulated system could direct up to 25% of the engine's torque to the front wheels in case of rear-axle slip, to improve the car's handling. In 1995, Lamborghini also began building their first open-top V12, in the form of a Diablo roadster. During the later years, a number of special editions were built, typically in very small numbers. After the end of its production run in 2001, the Diablo was replaced by the Lamborghini Murciélago. History of development At a time when the company was financed by the Sw ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lamborghini Jalpa
The Lamborghini Jalpa () is a sports car produced by the Italian automotive manufacturer Lamborghini from 1981 until 1988. It debuted at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show alongside the Lamborghini LM001 concept off-road vehicle. The Jalpa was the last Lamborghini to use a V8 engine until the Urus SUV in 2018. Overview The Jalpa was a development of the earlier Silhouette intended to fill a role as a more "affordable" Lamborghini, being much less expensive than the flagship Countach and being also designed by Bertone. Compared to the Countach, the Jalpa was much easier to drive, having better visibility and being more tractable in heavy traffic and at slow speeds, although reviewers have noted that it had heavy steering and throttle. Chief engineer at that time was Giulio Alfieri. Name The name ''Jalpa Kandachia'' came from a famous breed of fighting bulls, a tradition later followed with the Gallardo. Engine The Jalpa was fitted with a double overhead camshaft version of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lamborghini Silhouette
The Lamborghini Silhouette is a two-door two-seat mid-engined rear-wheel drive sports car that was made by Lamborghini between 1976 and 1979 in small numbers. Officially presented at the 1976 Geneva Auto Show, the Silhouette began as a styling exercise by noted Italian Carrozzeria Bertone. It was based on the earlier Lamborghini Urraco, but was distinguished from the Urraco by more angular styling. The Silhouette was the first Lamborghini to employ a targa top roof. The Silhouette later evolved into the similar looking but more successful Lamborghini Jalpa. The car had a 3.0-litre all-aluminium alloy Lamborghini V8 engine mounted transversely behind the driver. Of the 54 units (42 left-hand-drive and 12 right-hand drive), 31 are currently known to exist. Official performance figures indicate the Silhouette could complete the sprint in 6.5 seconds, in 16.1 seconds, and could reach a top speed of References Silhouette A silhouette (, ) is the image o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lamborghini Urraco
The Lamborghini Urraco is a 2+2 (car body style), 2+2 sports car manufactured by Italy, Italian automaker Lamborghini, introduced at the Turin Auto Show#1970, Turin Auto Show in 1970 and marketed for 1972–1979 model years. It was named after a line of Miura bull, Miura-bred Bullfighting, fighting bulls. History The car is a 2+2 (car body style), 2+2 coupé with body designed by Marcello Gandini, at the time working for Carrozzeria Gruppo Bertone, Bertone. Rather than being another range topping sports car, like the Lamborghini Miura, the Urraco was intended to be more affordable and an alternative to the contemporary Ferrari GT4, Ferrari Dino, Maserati Merak and Porsche 911. The Urraco debuted as a prototype at the Turin Auto show in 1970, but took a further 2 years before production began with the P250. This was quickly revised with the P250S in 1973. Revisions for the Urraco S included full leather upholstery, tinted power windows and optional metallic paint. The engine re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lamborghini Countach
The Lamborghini Countach ( ) is a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini from 1974 until 1990. It is one of the many exotic designs developed by Italian design house Gruppo Bertone, Bertone, which pioneered and popularized the sharply angled "Italian Wedge" shape. The wedge style was introduced to the public in 1970 with the Lancia Stratos Zero concept car. The first showing of the Countach prototype was at the Geneva Motor Show#1971, 1971 Geneva Motor Show, as the Lamborghini LP500 concept. The "Countach" nameplate was reused for the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37, Sián-based limited-production hybrid-electric model called the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4, Countach LPI 800-4 in 2021. Design and development The development of the Countach was initiated by Ferruccio Lamborghini with the goal of creating a successor to the Lamborghini Miura, Miura. The Miura was widely accl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lancia Fulvia
The Lancia Fulvia (Tipo 818) is a car produced by Lancia between 1963 and 1976. Named after Via Fulvia, the Roman road leading from Tortona to Turin, it was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963 and manufactured in three variants: Berlina 4-door saloon, 2-door Coupé, and Sport, an alternative fastback coupé designed and built by Zagato on the Coupé floorpan. Fulvias are noted for their role in motorsport history, including a 1972 win of the International Rally Championship. ''Road & Track'' described the Fulvia as "a precision motorcar, an engineering tour de force". Specifications Chassis The Fulvia Berlina was designed by Antonio Fessia, to replace the Lancia Appia with which it shared almost no components. The Appia was a rear wheel drive car, however, while the Fulvia moved to front wheel drive like the Flavia. The general engineering design of the Fulvia was identical to that of the Flavia with the major exception of the engine, the Flavia having a four-cylinder ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vauxhall Chevette
The Vauxhall Chevette is a supermini car that was manufactured by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom from 1975 to 1984. It was Vauxhall's version of the " T-Car" small-car family from Vauxhall's parent General Motors (GM), and based primarily on the Opel Kadett C. The family also included the Isuzu Gemini in Japan, the Holden Gemini in Australia, the Chevrolet Chevette in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina, and in the U.S. and Canada it was also rebadged as the Pontiac Acadian/Pontiac T1000. Development The Chevette, as its name implies, was intended to be a small (baby) Chevrolet. At the same time as the Chevette project was being considered in America, Vauxhall Motors publicised a new design project, provisionally referred to as the Baby R, later designated as the S-car by GM. However, to save costs GM management shelved the S-car project and merged its styling studies with the existing T-car programme — thus the Chevette would be derive ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vauxhall Firenza
The Firenza is a model of car offered by Vauxhall from May 1971 until 1975. It was a development of the Viva, but had a distinctive coupé body style (fastback) and only two doors. In South Africa, it was sold as the Chevrolet Firenza until it was replaced by the Chevrolet 1300/1900 during 1975. Its name is derived from ''Firenze'', the name of the Italian city known in English as Florence. History Launched in May 1971, the initial Firenza was available in a base model 1159 cc overhead valve engine carried over from the Viva HB, and two models with the Slant-4 overhead camshaft engine from the Victor FD, in 1599 cc and 1975 cc variants. The latter was the same engine as used in the earlier Viva GT. The entry 1159 cc lasted 3 months before the 1256 cc was launched in August 1971, being produced until July 1972 before the smaller engine was dropped from the range. Some six months after launch, in December 1971, performance was boosted when the engine c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jensen-Healey
The Jensen-Healey is a British two-seater convertible (car), convertible sports car, produced by Jensen Motors Ltd. in West Bromwich, England, from 1972 until 1976. Launched in 1972 as a luxurious and convertible sports car, it was positioned in the market between the Triumph TR6 and the Jaguar E-Type. A related fastback, the Jensen GT, was introduced in 1975. Design When production of the Austin-Healey 3000 ended, Donald Healey opened discussions with Jensen Motors, who had built the bodies for Healey's Austin-Healey cars. The largest Austin-Healey dealer in the U.S., San Francisco-based Kjell Qvale, was also keen to find a replacement for the Austin-Healey 3000; Qvale would become a major shareholder of Jensen, making Donald Healey the chairman. The Jensen-Healey was developed in a joint venture by Donald Healey, his son Geoffrey, and Jensen Motors. Hugo Poole did the styling of the body, the front and back of which were later modified by William Towns to take advantage of t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
