Automobiles Franco-Américaines presents the Vitesse N70
This was an attempt by a wealthy French Nascar enthusiast to compete in said category. The car didn’t sell well and the company entered bankrupcy before the car got to race.
ngl this is kind of a piece of shit, but I didn’t have the time to make something better
1970 Vermilion Daredevil Wingspan 427
Vermilion Motors LLC is a company with emphasis in performance, founded by race car driver Trevor Finn and car mechanic Harry Lafayette in 1927. The Vermilion Daredevil Wingspan 427 is no exception when it comes to high performance.
With sharp aerodynamics, and powered by a 427-cubic-inch V8 producing 415 net horsepower (500 gross horsepower) and 405 lb-ft of torque, the car can slightly exceed 186 mph (300 km/h).
The sharp front nose, combined with the huge rear wing, can ensure the muscle car survives in straight lines and long curves. The car is specifically built to become a competitor for the 1970 NASCAR season.
The 1970 Vermilion Daredevil Wingspan 427 is a muscle car that uses the first-generation Daredevil (1966-1970) bodywork, with lower front-end hood, and also keeping the twin stripes found in the regular version of the car.
Although the regular, first-generation Daredevil has a 427 engine that makes 405 net horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque, this 427 V8 engine used by this car is based on a different and cheaper engine block (named Sheer Power OHV V8), because unlike the normal block (Dinosaur OHV V8 Series II), which capacity goes up to over 8200 cc, this engine block goes up to 7000 cc, which the 427 uses to its fullest.
Compared to the other competitions I’ve seen around, it feels like this one had kind of short time to send the competitor car, because I usually see competitions which the deadline ends after a month before the competition is revealed, but this one was like just a bit over two weeks. And also, I was kind of busy in the last few days, so I’ve only recently noticed that this competition existed. And I’ve also struggled to make the car to fit under the rules, especially the max price, but that’s okay, at least I hope I’ve made the car to fit under the rules.
Edit: I see now that QFC means “Quick Fire Challenge”, I didn’t know about that.
that’s why it’s the Quick Fire Challenge 
I see what “QFC” means now. Thank you for clarifying about that.
(design and ad mostly by @shibusu, engineering and photography mostly by @moroza)
Lightweight construction (1275kg) combined with wide, grippy tires have resulted in an extremely fast vehicle, reaching nearly 260km/h, and rear-engined layout resulting in additional grip on the rear wheels, allowing a sprint to 100 in a mere 4.1 seconds, assisted by a limited-slip differential. With a four-speed manual transaxle, both strong and light, it is fun to drive anywhere. While the original Tipo N was a relatively relaxed muscle car, the Tipo N-S is designed to carve corners as adeptly as hauling down a staight. Though not as forgiving of novices’ mistakes, in skilled hands the Rapiere Tipo N-S is a formidable track weapon, the rear engine position offering three important advantages for racing:
Despite its athetic credentials, comfort remains reasonable, as is usual with Saberin’s performance department.(QFC29 - MOAR POWARRRRR! - #70 by xsneakyxsimx). Just don’t ask about fuel consumption; the car is better understood in Smiles Per Gallon.
I assume something broke on your CSS because this is borderline unreadable lmao
1970 Capable Kolondra Hepping
This is product of collaboration between Kolondra and Capable, where Capable was responsible for design and Kolondra for engineering
Pictures are made in workshop, as my colleague insisted on checking it all over again before presenting it to officials
Or atleast that is the case according to data i have
We are hoping to do well
Capable: @Vento
Kolondra: @MrdjaNikolen
1970 TBC Arbiter
Feast your eyeballs on this slick two tone coffee & cream paint job. Popout headlights, outta sight, cuts through the wind like butter in the daytime. Get ready to be surprised at how much grunt you get from the 277ci V8 motor. What’s an overhead cam? Don’t worry about it, just give it some gas. These wheels have stripes and a rear spoiler man, of course it’s fast. Not only is the weight distribution positively groovy, we managed to package the whole thing in less than 2800 lbs of metal. Still, it’s solid in the right places, no need to freak out if a bonehead wants to rub your bumpers.
In the TBC Arbiter, you decide the outcome of your drive. You are the wheelman, man.
A new generation of Paige’s intermediate Cypress was introduced in 1970. In small ways, the basic Cypress was already designed with aerodynamics in mind, sporting a steeply raked, steeply curved front windshield and a narrow, tapered tail. But for the purpose of NASCAR homologation, a low-production Darlington model was produced with additional changes to improve aero.
The most obvious change from the standard Cypress is in the front end. A prominent lower front valence extends long and low beyond the upper fascia, with cladding beneath and numerous air intakes at the front collecting air to feed the radiator. Once lowered to competition spec, the prominent lower air dam collecting air greatly reduced the amount of air able to get underneath the car. This also rendered the Cypress’s standard front grille redundant, so a new front “grille” was put in its place. Raked slightly rearward, this new grille was actually just matte black paint: a false grille solely to increase styling resemblance to the standard car. No openings are found in this “grill” besides the doors for the hideway headlamps. Further improving the aero of the front end are twin air extraction vents located on the uniquely forward-hinged hood. After the air passed through the radiator, it would be ducted to these air extraction vents rather than caught in the engine bay of the car. Air for the engine would be collected by a large and efficient cowl induction vent.
At the rear of the roof of the Darlington, a small wing extends slightly over the rear glass. While this wing does not produce downforce in and of itself, it was designed to reduce separation down the rear fastback, reducing drag and improving efficiency of the moderately sized trunk-mounted rear wing.
Aside from the rear wing, the rear of the Darlington is unchanged from the standard Cypress, as is the running gear. While numerous options were available, including the dual-quad aluminum head 427ci V8 used in the race cars, all of the Cypress’ engine options could be ordered in the Darlington, even basic 6 cylinders. Under the hood in this example is the more common Turból 420ci HO V8 producing 375 gross HP, paired to a Muncie M-22 4 speed transmission and a speedway-friendly 2.72 Lok-Grip coil-sprung rear end and optional sports suspension tuning.
Westland Stratosphere 400
Made as a promotional stunt for the all-new for 1970 Stratosphere coupe, the Stratosphere 400 “Big Hoss” is an aero-focused, all out and aggressive take on the modern american muscle car. Casting aside the tired tradition of a ladder frame and a solid rear axle, the Stratosphere delivers in exciting corner hugging performance in a way few muscle cars can. An aero focused approach was taken to every detail of the car, bringing back the B Pillar to meet an enormous wing, and covering the majority of the grill for better aerodynamics while extending both the front and rear overhangs. Optional enormous rear tires have you set for the strip or the oval, assuming your pockets are flush enough to keep the rubber on.
Well that’s certainly a spur of entries at the end there. Challenge closed, judging will be as quick as I can get it out.
HappyFireBallMan has lost access to his forum account. I had no part in the engineering or design of the Grumblebee, but I did take the photos. Moroza did provide some help with engineering, but it isn’t an official collaboration, as he did drop out.
5.3 liter (322 CI) V8, 4 barrel carburetor
(388 hp @ 6900RPM, 7500 max. recommended RPM)
4 speed manual
P245/55R16 front and rear tires
Awesome front “stinger”
The Vidar Excalibur 400 ranks last, largely due to horrible comfort and sportiness. Its top speed and 0-60 mph time are competitive, but it struggles with cornering force. The styling was a bold move but unfortunately it didn’t pay off.
This car offers decent driveability but falls very short on sportiness and comfort. Despite having one of the highest top speeds, its acceleration and cornering force are underwhelming. It’s styling is also the worst of the bunch.
The Vermilion Daredevil has the highest top speed of any car, and has a respectable 0-60 time, but its lower comfort and poor sportiness affect its overall ranking. It’s helped in the looks department by the big stripes and general cohesion of the car.
Similar to the Vidar Excalibur 400, this car has some sportiness and a good 0-60 time, but its lower top speed and design holds it back.
The Rhania Grumblebee offers solid sportiness and a good 0-60 time. However, its lower driveability and top speed impact its overall performance. It’s also the heaviest car of all, weighing almost 60kgs more than the next heaviest.
The Vitesse N70 balances sportiness and comfort, with good top speed and acceleration. Its overall performance is commendable but not exceptional. Average everywhere, also the car that comes closest to the average score.
The Labyrinth GTN shines in driveability but falls behind in comfort and everything to do with the speed tests. The design is stunning and that’s what saves it from being further down.
With high comfort and sportiness, the Intrepid is well-rounded, though it lacks in acceleration, cornering force and driveability. It does have the highest reliability (77.2) of the group though.
The Aero Edition excels in sportiness and acceleration, offering a strong all-around performance with high driveability. However, really I should’ve binned this for realism cheese (5spd, dwb rear, rear engine. The main offense though was dohc), but it’s a QFC im not sure I could do that, so heavily docked points it is.
High driveability and cornering force make the Arbiter competitive, despite its lower top speed. Could’ve been a winner had it not been for the looks not being up to par.
This car stands out in sportiness, top speed, and acceleration, though its lower driveability and top speed is noticeable. A very interesting take on the engineering, only let down by the driveability, otherwise a very menacing car.
The Sebring 427 offers a good balance of sportiness and driveability, with solid top speed and cornering performance. It’s also gorgeous, I just wish the front face was a little more interesting. Also the only car to not use the full price, at $19,500.
With high driveability and sportiness, the Stratosphere 400 performs well in most categories, though its top speed is lower than average. A cool car to look at, just outdone by first place because of it’s low reliability and high svc.
This car balances driveability and comfort, with decent sportiness and handling, making it a well-rounded choice. Styling is also good, but the tipping point is the second highest reliability and cheap svc.
Couple notes about the competition, the rules were obviously tricky at first but I think they ended up a nice middle ground. There was those who did their research and those who didn’t. I am aware that it’s not possible to get solid axle with certain engineering choices but that’s what it is, a choice.
ANYWAY, I had fun hosting this one actually and I’d like to think with the amount of effort some people put into this qfc they enjoyed it as well.
QFC45 over and done in just over 2 weeks 
(Copy of QFC45 Hosting - Google Sheets)[Spreadsheet]
Bit miffed because I was on SOHC initially, but after the whole realism/authenticity bit was dropped from the description, I figured it meant DOHC would be fine.
Also a bit confused about you mentioning SVC or price in the scoring for some vehicles when that wasn’t listed anywhere in the criteria.
Still a fun challenge, just a bit of a confusing one to me at least.
I understand the confusion if you’re coming back to challenges now from a while ago, I probably took out the realism criteria in place of putting in more inspirations and some rules around what I expected which was a mistake. I shouldn’t have taken it out in the first place, but I also never said I got rid of it explicitly in the changelog.
The first thing I put about it also says that it’s not massively focused on, just to do research on it. Moroza and Shibisus build was good because it emphasised that there was another car that was very similar to it (Chevy Corvair) and thus had reason to be what it was, complete with shoddy chassis engineering (- quality). Even then the only issue I had with it was that it was just different.
Price and svc are more unwritten rules than they are written for me, but it’d be under realism if I had to excuse it (also why I shouldn’t have removed it). This also isn’t a competition like the current AGC that I’m hosting, this still has to be grounded to reality, maybe not as much as a CSR so I’d be picking up on light sizes and tyre widths etc, but enough for me to say it’s plausible.
Overall yes I probably could have been more clear, but generally aim for the realism angle unless stated otherwise. I basically only docked points if I couldn’t find a real world example of a (american) car having similar things. The 5 speed gearbox for instance wasn’t introduced into America till toyota tried it in 1972, and that’s a Japanese manufacturer, not Americans doing that. Maybe if it was a smaller V8, maybe 3-4L I could’ve tried to find a certain Ferrari doing similar things, but iirc yours was around 6.8L.
Quick and efficient, well done! Happy about that, most of the scoring mechanics and transparency.
Not so much the unwritten rules and criteria around SVC and price (realism could’ve been made clearer, too). Our very own FAQ specifically prohibits this sort of thing. Please do not repeat.
Not a point of contention, just curiosity: I’ve heard opinions that relatively avant-garde engineering choices - such as DW - should come with extra quality, and the opposite view. On the one hand, newfangled stuff should cost more and take longer. On the other, the same stuff should be expected to be crude and unpolished in its first debut. Thoughts?
Also out of curiosity, what were displacements and power outputs?
I wasn’t happy with my car at all, so I’ll gladly take 9th place.
Fun challenge, but I have to agree with moroza, if it’s not written, then usually it’s not a rule.
