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Concept Corner: Aero Challenger

14 May, 2015

 

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“Every month we ask the NZV8 cover car over for the concept they’d most like to build, or see built ”

On the cover of NZV8 Issue No. 121, you’ll have seen the Hemi–powered Cuda that Bic Anderson built, so imagine what ideas would lurk in his mind if reality didn’t matter. 

“OK, since concept is the theme here, I’ve got an idea of what might have happened in 1972,” says Bic Anderson.  

“USAC, a US motorsport governing body, was worried about the fuel crisis, and, as such, decided to create a race series where the Big Three manufacturers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler) were tasked with designing high-efficiency cars to race in a state-versus-state race series. Each car would be driven by a professional driver, and would run its state colours and have corporate sponsors. They would be rated on their maximum speed, economy, lap time, and drivability.

“Chrysler decided to use its factory-supported race teams to do its R&D work. Petty Enterprises, Dan Gurney’s company, and Juan Nelson (whose son now runs Nelson Racing Engines) combined to come up with the fastest fuel-efficient race car they could. They chose a ’72 Dodge Challenger as the basis, as it best represented a scaled-down version of its larger B-body cousin — the Superbird. Petty Enterprises transferred all of its wind tunnel info — learned from the low-drag, high-downforce Superbird — over to the Challenger, with proportional nose and rear-wing dimensions.

“Juan Nelson built a twin-turboed 340ci small block using Hilborn’s latest mechanical fuel injection system. The system used a newly developed injector with superior atomization for increased power, economy, and drivability at part throttle.

“Dan Gurney oversaw the build at his premises in California, where, amongst other things, he installed the latest six-speed gearbox from Jerico, along with the latest low run-out wheels from Aero, with the latest Z-rated tyres from Goodyear.

“Obviously, the first car that rolled out of Gurney’s shop was painted in a combination of blues, to represent the Petty and Gurney traditional blue liveries.

“Now that’s an alternative reality I’d like to live in!” says Bic.

The motor car as an art form

12 March, 2026

We have certainly come a long way since the exhibition entitled 8 Automobiles, shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in the autumn of 1951, the first exhibition concerned with the aesthetics of motor car design.
It was here that the often-used term ‘rolling sculpture’ was coined by curator Philip C Johnson, director of the department of architecture and design, when he said, “An automobile is a familiar 20th century artefact, and is no less worthy of being judged for its visual appeal than a building or a chair. Automobiles are hollow, rolling sculptures, and their design refinements are fascinating. We have selected cars whose details and basic design suggest that automobiles, besides being America’s most useful objects, could be a source of visual experience more enjoyable than they now are.”

More to the point

6 March, 2026

This Daimler SP252 is so rare, few people know it exists. It’s one of a kind. It’s the only surviving, in fact the only SP252 ever completed; the would-be successor to the SP250 Daimler Dart. It is also the last sports car to have been designed by Jaguar’s legendary founder, Sir William Lyons.
Perhaps one of the original Dart’s biggest problems was it’s somewhat-divisive looks. It certainly went well enough to win fans, although Sir William wasn’t among them. It crushed the opposition in the Bathurst six-hour race, finishing five laps ahead of anyone else, and it was snapped up by police forces in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, as it was the fastest thing on the road.
So you’d think a stunning new body with the magic Lyons touch would have been a surefire success. Why this car never made it into production is still something of a mystery, as the official explanations barely stack up.