Mid-Engined Hemisfear AT Chip Foose Exhibit
Chip Foose, head of Foose Design, is partnering with RC2 Brands Inc. to create the JL Full Throttle Hemisfear designed by Chip Foose-Foose's ultimate personal dream car. As part of the sponsorship agreement to build the fullsize hot rod, RC2 will introduce small and large collector-size die-cast versions of the car as part of its new JL Full Throttle premium line of customized, highly detailed "Hardcore Horsepower" die-cast collector cars, set to launch in major retail stores this coming August, and featuring a selection of original Chip Foose custom vehicles.
A developmental quarter-scale model of the JL Full Throttle Hemisfear concept, painted in primer and complete with wheels and tires, was unveiled at the Petersen Automotive Museum as part of the preview of the museum's "Chip Foose: From Pen to Pavement" exhibit. In addition, Foose showed his original sketches and the quarter-scale model, illustrating firsthand how a vehicle goes from renderings to scale models to eventually fullsize body mock-ups before the finished product rolls into the showroom.
"I've had this car in my sketchbook for years," Foose said. "I originally designed it in 1990 when I was a student at Art Center College of Design as a project for Chrysler to create a niche-market vehicle. Instead I wanted to create a whole new niche market. Much of my design concept was the basis for the Plymouth Prowler."
"Then, in 1999, I created my own roadster version of the sketched concept for Fred Warren, but I've really always wanted to build the coupe version." Foose's roadster version he created for Fred Warren is the famous ShockWave, which won the prestigious America's Most Beautiful Roadster award in 1999, the first of an unprecedented six AMBR award-winning vehicles that Foose has been involved with in the past seven years.
The JL Full Throttle Hemisfear coupe is described by Foose as a cross between a musclecar and a hot rod. Incorporating a mid-engine design, it is equipped with a specially built 426 Hemi engine and a ZF transaxle, with the motor visible through the rear window.
RC2 Brands Inc.'s lineup of JL Full Throttle Hemisfear models will be on display at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas in November 2006. The die-cast lineup will be alongside the first public viewing of the RC2-sponsored fullsize version of "The Car That Chip Built."
Dayton Wire Wheel Celebrates Its 90th Anniversary
From the beginning in 1916, Dayton Wire Wheel set a high-quality standard for the automotive industry. The Wright Brothers and Henry Ford depended on Dayton Wire Wheel, as did Charles Lindbergh for the Spirit of St. Louis. Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg rode on Daytons, along with nearly 30 other makes. Dayton Wire Wheels were also put to the test for 30 years of racing in the Indianapolis 500. Today, this heritage of quality and durability still lives in every wire wheel that leaves the plant in Dayton, Ohio.
British and Italian sports car owners choose Daytons and the lowrider crowd hops and dances on Daytons. Street rod designers and builders have discovered Daytons and Harley-Davidson owners ride on American Wire Wheels made by Dayton.
Over the years, Dayton Wire Wheels have evolved through the incorporation of new technology and superior materials, changing with the times without compromising the classic styling. As a result, today's Dayton Wire Wheel is not only distinctive and prestigious, but contemporary, as well.
For more information, contact Dayton Wire Wheel at (800) 862-6000 to request the 2006 90th anniversary catalog, or visit
www.daytonwirewheel.com.