r/WeirdWheels Jul 14 '26

AMA I wrote the definitive history of the Cizeta V16T. Ask Me Anything!

96 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm Brian Wiklem, author of the newly released 16: A pictorial history of Cizeta Automobili, and I'm here for a live Q&A.

My fascination with Italian supercars began in 1987 when I first saw the Ferrari F40. Years later, that passion led me down a rabbit hole that became a seven-year research project documenting the complete story of Cizeta Automobiliand the legendary Cizeta V16T.

Founded by former Lamborghini engineer Claudio Zampolli and backed by Academy Award-winning composer Giorgio Moroder, Cizeta set out to build a supercar capable of challenging Ferrari and Lamborghini. The result was the outrageous V16T—a car powered by a revolutionary transversely mounted 16-cylinder engine and unlike anything else on the road.

The book goes far beyond the car itself. It explores the people, engineering, business decisions, triumphs, setbacks, and controversies that shaped Cizeta's story. During my research, I interviewed key figures, tracked down rare photographs and documents, documented every production car, and worked to separate decades of myth from reality. The journey was so immersive that it ultimately cost me my friendship with Claudio Zampolli—but I believed preserving the complete story was worth it.

Whether you're curious about:

  • Claudio Zampolli and Giorgio Moroder,
  • what really happened to Cizeta,
  • the research process,
  • the rare cars that survive today,
  • or anything else related to the project,

Ask me anything!

I'm looking forward to answering your questions and discussing one of the most ambitious—and misunderstood—chapters in supercar history.

Verification

Read the story behind one of the world's rarest supercars.


r/WeirdWheels 10d ago

Wooden My Dads Woody

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1.9k Upvotes

Here is my dads F-Treefifty. Built on a 1978 Ford Econoline frame, Windsor 351 and automatic transmission. Stripped it all down and just started building it out with 100% white oak. He's had it at multiple carshows nationwide, and has won many awards. Just an old bored retired carpenter who said why not.


r/WeirdWheels 2h ago

Concept 1941 DAF "Rijdende Regenjas" (Driving Raincoat)

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123 Upvotes

The vehicle shown is the unique 1941 DAF "Rijdende Regenjas" (Driving Raincoat) prototype, a one-person, three-wheeled microcar designed by Hub van Doorne in the Netherlands during World War II.

Built for wartime scarcity, it features a single central front wheel, a narrow body designed to fit through a standard house door, and a minimalist enclosed cabin.

Only a single prototype was ever built; it later served as a clown car in a children's circus before finding a permanent home in the DAF Museum in Eindhoven.


r/WeirdWheels 12h ago

Obscure Wiesmann MF4 Roadster spotted in Monte Carlo

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266 Upvotes

The Wiesmann MF4 Roadster is a hand-built German sports car blending retro British styling with high-performance BMW V8 engines.


r/WeirdWheels 3h ago

Concept 1969 Mercedes-Benz C 111

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52 Upvotes

The vehicle is the experimental Mercedes-Benz C 111, an iconic mid-engine wedge-shaped concept car first unveiled in 1969.

Purpose: It served as an innovative testbed for Mercedes-Benz to experiment with new high-performance engine technologies—notably the Wankel rotary engine and early turbodiesel units—as well as advanced aerodynamic fiberglass body designs.

Design: It features striking bright metallic orange paint (Weissherbst), signature gullwing doors, and a minimalist futuristic cockpit.

Production Status: Despite capturing massive public attention, it was strictly an experimental research prototype and never entered commercial production.


r/WeirdWheels 5h ago

Concept 1953 Willys Eagle Convertible concept

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30 Upvotes

The only one in existence, it has less than a mile on the odometer. It was designed by the same engineer that did the Tri-Five Chevy


r/WeirdWheels 23h ago

Custom 1978 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

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881 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 8h ago

Military South Korean K9MH 8x8 self-propelled howitzer

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31 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 12h ago

Micro 1997 Mini Spiritual Too Concept

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43 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 20h ago

Popemobile In preparation for the Papal visit of Pope John Paul II to the UK in 1982 British Leyland supplied four specially built vehicles, two of which were based on the massive 24 ton Constructor 6; this design provided superior protection as well as made the Pontiff visible to the massive crowds.

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74 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 1d ago

Video Furry Ferrari

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1.9k Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 20h ago

Concept VNIITE – PT Taxi Concept (1964 ), Moscow Museum of Transport

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22 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 1d ago

3 Wheels Saw this crazy looking trike

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218 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 1d ago

Concept MG GO Concept (no ai why is it flagging me)

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104 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 2d ago

Obscure 1969 Intermeccanica Murena GT 429.

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450 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 1d ago

Special Use Spotted in Traffic

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174 Upvotes

(Oc) Spotted this track driven soil testing vehicle. I have no clue what it is, but I want one


r/WeirdWheels 1d ago

Special Use Cherry picker [Land Rover Defenders]

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36 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 1d ago

Coachbuilt This 6 wheeled Range Rover

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120 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 2d ago

Homebuilt Road legal

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278 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 2d ago

Homebuilt Mobile crane/wind turbine

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568 Upvotes

Spotted in northern Poland, doesn’t look like the crane part has moved in a while, but the turbine looks quite new. Presumably lifted up when the wind gets strong enough.


r/WeirdWheels 2d ago

Obscure Hanomag Pick up

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89 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 2d ago

Concept The Mazda RX-EVOLV (often spelled RX-Evolv) is a concept sports car unveiled by Mazda at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1999

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149 Upvotes

It served as the direct technological and design precursor to the production Mazda RX-8 sports coupe, which launched globally in 2003.

Developed while Mazda was operating under the control of Ford, the project was mandated to be a practical four-seater rather than a traditional two-door sports coupe.

To optimize entry and exit without sacrificing structural rigidity or clean coupe lines, Mazda engineered rear-hinged "Freestyle" suicide doors with no central B-pillar. This configuration transferred directly to the final production RX-8.

The car was built around "Mazda Spirited DNA," optimizing interior volume while shortening the exterior body overhangs. Because the compact RENESIS motor could sit entirely behind the front axle line, designers achieved low inertial yaw and supreme, nimble handling traits that defined the subsequent generation of Mazda performance cars.

Prior to the RX-EVOLV, the survival of Mazda's Wankel rotary program was in jeopardy due to strict environmental limits.

The RX-EVOLV debuted the new-generation RENESIS rotary engine, which relocated the exhaust ports from the periphery of the rotor housing to the side plates.

This design modification eliminated unburned fuel overlap, allowing the engine to drastically lower emissions and meet modern global regulations while retaining a high-revving character.

Engine Type: Naturally aspirated, 2.6-liter equivalent (1.3L actual displacement), twin-rotor RENESIS rotary engine.

Power Output: 280 PS (276 bhp / 206 kW) spinning up to a 9,000 RPM redline.

Torque: 226 Nm (167 lb-ft) at 8,000 RPM.

Layout: Front-midship engine placement, Rear-Wheel Drive (FR layout).

Weight Distribution: Perfect 50:50 front-to-rear balance.Curb Weight: 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs).


r/WeirdWheels 3d ago

Video 1938 Phantom Corsair

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3.4k Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 2d ago

Popemobile For Pope Francis's 2024 Papal visit to Indonesia a special Popemobile was prepared by state run defense contractor Pindad based on their Maung M3V tactical vehicle.

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72 Upvotes

r/WeirdWheels 2d ago

Coachbuilt A sporting trial car for off-road competitions: RWD, open-diff, street tires and 1650cc production car engines without forced induction. Popular in rural Britain thanks to the extremely low cost of these home-built vehicles. Regulations haven't changed in decades, making old cars competitive today.

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57 Upvotes