Rare Component Cars

The latest article on the Rare Component Cars blog examines an obscure, low-volume sportscar designed in France that was intended to be built and sold in India, the De La Chapelle Roadster.

Making its debut at the 1996 Mondial de L’Automobile (Paris Auto Salon), the De La Chapelle Roadster caused quite a stir. Shown alongside its maker's highly reputed Bugatti replicas, the Atalante and the Type 55 Roadster, it was a brand-new modern design: a mid-engine two-seater convertible. It was a radical departure from the company's prior products which, in addition to the Bugatti replicas, included a bizarre V12 powered "super minivan" called the "Parcours". It was hoped to have a wider appeal in the market.

To get the whole story, go here -
https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/03/from-lyon-to-mumbai.html

Behind the Iron Curtain
In 1977 a low-slung GT car with classic sportscar proportions emerged from the basement of an engineer in the Soviet Union, one Rafik Ordyan of Armenia. Finished in June of that year, the car boasted one of the lowest profiles of any car at the time, just over 3 feet. Wherever this bright orange car appeared, a crowd of people came to marvel at it. To learn more about his car, the Ordyan GT-77, go here:

https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/01/behind-iron-curtain.html

A 70's Muscle-Car, En Español

The Dodge Serra 3700GT had its origins in a lengthy conversation noted Spanish coachbuilder, Pedro Serra, had with Michel Liprandi, the creator of the LMX Sirex (another car featured on RCC), during a chance encounter at the Barcelona Motor Show in 1970. In ensuing days, they reached an agreement; Liprandi would create a chassis on which Spanish-made Dodge Dart running gear could be mounted, while Serra would be responsible for its Design, fabrication, and assembly. They also managed to get the cooperation of the Spanish branch of Chrysler, which supplied all the mechanical parts, including the engine, which was a 165 hp six-cylinder coming from the most current Dodge 3700. In addition, the Spanish Chrysler would allow Pedro Serra to use the Dodge name for his car...

For the rest of the story, go here - https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-70s-muscle-car-en-espanol.html