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The Michelotti Clas is of course
not a bodykit, but was a one-off design prototype and is listed here for want of
a better home.
The following is from the Michelotti Clas brochure:
'The prototype “CLAS”, shown at the Turin Motor Exhibition in 1986, has been developed on the mechanical base of the Toyota MR2,
a two seater sports model produced on a large scale, characterised by a really
high performance that derives from the 130 HP of its 1,600 cc injection engine.
In order to accommodate the two rear seats ( 2 + 2 )
the track has been lengthened by 230mm. The total
length of the car, having extremely limited overhangs, has remained close to
four meters. The smooth taper front is characterised by the particular solution
chosen for the sistemation of headlights. To avoid the multiple problems of
disappearing headlights (complex system, probability of faults, negative
influence on the cars aerodynamics in working position) a plexiglas fairing has
been incorporated in the bonnet’s profile, which covers the whole illumination
system. This has enabled further lowering of the faces line without penalising
the baggage volume. The windscreen pillars are hidden by pieces of dark
plexiglass. The air spaces which convey air to the engine are also in plexiglas,
placed at the sides of the rear window. A spoiler mounted at the end of the
roof, has the double purpose of improving the cars negative lift and of getting further air into the
engine zone. The sides are of a curved shape. The doors swing on a parallelogram
and their opening causes, if necessary, the automatic descent of the side
windows to facilitate entry into the car when the space available for the door
opening is reduced. The inside of the CLAS is characterised by an ellipsoid
shaped dashboard with analogical instruments and white dials. The upholstery is
in wool and leather in two shades of grey.'
MICHELOTTI STUDIO TECHNICO DESIGN CARROZZERIA
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MICHELOTTI COMPANY NO LONGER EXISTS
sorry about the corrupted image
Black and white images from the brochure
Page 1 of the brochure will be added soon
10092 beinasco (Torino) Italy – Strada Comunale dei Boschi, 8
Tel. (011) 349.72.91 – 349.82.42 – Telex 214339 Mike I
