CSC 32
Marvin Motor Company is a well established American brand running strong in the car production game since the early 20s. From sports cars to working class shitboxes, from heavy duty trucks to no frills muscle cars. Marvin has done it all.
One of their most prominent and most remembered cars has to be the Contra Super from 1975, the Super LT8 trim in particular. By the 70s, Vector Group LTD bought out Marvin Motor Company. Which caused the next few generation of Marvin cars to have a significant European influence in their build quality and engineering. The Marvin Contra Super LT8 was a perfect demonstration of this harmony of American and European tech.
It was a top of the line, premium muscle car of its time that cared not only about speed but also other driving aspects. It had a 6L Pushrod V8 producing 300 horsepower and all of this came from a faithful, all cast - all American engine. It was loud, drank fuel like nothing else but most importantly, it was designed to destroy the Ford Grand Torino. And not only in a straight line, but also on a track.
So Marvin came to Vector for a top of the line 4 speed manual gearbox, refined to match the power of the V8 and also tackle the Grand Torino’s 0-60 speed. It had disc brakes instead of the usual norm of using drum brakes. Overall, it was a muscle car that broke many stereotypes and wanted to be ahead of its time. It was as good around the track as it was on the straights
However, the Clean Air Act would be the death of the entire Contra line up. As the need to include a catalytic converter became a more prominent thing, along with having to run on significantly leaner, unleaded fuel, the Contra’s V8 just couldn’t keep up with all the regulations while retaining its power. There were two options available for the CEO at that time:
- Remove the very heart that made the Contra such a powerful beast and redesign a new engine,
- De-rate and choke the engine to the point that it’d make measly amounts of horsepower compared to previous figures.
After multiple boardroom meetings, Marvin Motor Company decided to kill the Contra lineup. 45 years have passed since then, and Marvin just didn’t get a chance to revive this lineup of legendary cars. They have made other muscle cars and pony cars throughout the years, but they never really managed to bring something back that would be of the magnitude of the Contra.
Until now, that is. In a joint decision with Vector, Marvin Motor Company higher ups have decided to bring the Contra back, finally after all this time. But they fear how the fans might receive the modern revival of it. There’s a cult following of the original car that they don’t want to disturb, which is why Marvin is willing to outsource the design of the Contra.
They want a design that captures the aggressiveness, the flashiness and the uniqueness of the original car. They don’t want something that has been done before, or something that looks similar to other muscle cars in the market, and most importantly they want a design that boldly shows how much power it is packing, but also shows that it can be just as fast around the track as any other European sports car.
Rules / Guidlines
- Model and Trim year must be 2020
- Front engine only
- The original car had a wheelbase of 2.8m. Please try to keep it around this
- Coupe body is strongly recommended Don’t send an SUV
So, what does the car actually look like?
Now,
Marvin doesn’t want an exact exact copy of some modern muscle car, they also don’t want a retromodern Contra. They want something fresh and interesting to spice up the market.
Inspiration (Note)
I’d like to reiterate here, don’t copy one of these car for car, we’re aiming for something new and interesting, and copying a car isn’t going to do that.
Ford Mustang GT350R
Also Mustang GT500
Dodge Hellcat
Camaro ZL1
Also ZL1 1LE
Modernised AC Cobra - Think mini Viper
Equus Bass Concept
Take “loose” cues from this if you want.
Deadlines / submissions opening
Submissions open on the 1st of July
Deadline is 13th of July
Final notes
This is a design only competition, so don’t worry about engineering, we will laugh at it though. If it wasn’t clear me and @GetWrekt01 are hosting this together, and will do judging together.
Naming Scheme -
Model + Family: CSC 32 - Forum Username
Trim + Variant: Name of proposal and Engine name
Last of all, have fun!