Hi Andy, we have mentioned Kimora's project couple of times further up - they claim their project is aimed at a restomod of the 037, while the task I set myself is what a contemporary MkII version would look like, similar to the way the Escort, the Mini and numerous other models have evolved. If I was to do a restomod, I would have stayed significantly closer to the original styling, tweak tiny details and exchange certain components for modern more reliable ones, while Kimora have strayed too much away from the original for my liking. Or it could be the fact that their styling reminds me so much of the state of my project back in 1987 and the not too talented hand sketches in my school books .
One interesting thing is that according to their press release, they have involved Abarth people working there in the 80's on the original Lancia branded models, but the names mentioned means they were more involved in the models following the 037, i.e. the S4 and the Delta Gr.A, and their influence is evident in some of the styling details (Integrale wheel arches) and engine solution (mechanical and turbo chargers). Also, although I haven't analysed it yet, but just visually (so I could be wrong), the wheelbase appears stretched without properly integrating the drivers' comportment into this longer (if correct) wheelbase.
I know that the internet is raving about Kimora's project, but when I have been at it for so long, I notice all these details and cannot help but feel they have turned a beautiful swan into an ugly duckling. There are some exceptional restomods out there that take the originals to the next level, for me that is Singer and couple of Alfa ones (Alfaholics and Totem Automobili), while this project provokes thoughts of chasing the quick buck by jumping on the restomod bandwagon and coming up with over glorified kit car (though I guess many would argue that is what every restomod is ).
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