The one-of-one 1935 Hoffman X-8 will be among the headliners in an exhibit of pioneering streamlined cars and motorcycles at the Portland Museum of Art. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Meeting with auto industry leaders, President Donald Trump instructed his administration to explore negotiations with California on achieving a single national fuel economy standard. More at the Associated Press.
+ Tesla is teasing a video glimpse at the cockpit and instrument panel of its second-generation Roadster due in 2020, which has a claimed 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds. More at Motor Trend.
+ Ford hopes to resume production of F-150 pickups as soon as Friday, May 18, following a fire at a key supplier, Meridian Magnesium Products in Central Michigan. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ With Will Power’s win at the Indy Grand Prix this past weekend, team owner and racing impresario Roger Penske scored his 200th career IndyCar series victory. More at Racer.
+ Defective Takata airbag systems have been linked to 15 deaths and 278 injuries across the USA, according to updated figures reported by Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. More at Autoblog.
+ Mazda Motor Corporation will promote vice president Akira Marumoto to president in June, replacing Masamichi Kogai, who will assume the role of chairman. More at The Japan Times.
+ In a rare interview, Wolfgang Porsche, grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and spokesman for the Porsche-Piech family, said the Porsche brand must defend its historic legacy. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ A new exhibition at the Portland Museum of Art entitled “The Shape of Speed” will feature the Stout Scarab, Hoffman X-8, Lincoln Zephyr, and other early streamlined vehicles. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Special Counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly investigating a consulting offer made to Ford Motor Co. by Michael Cohen, attorney for President Donald Trump. More at The Detroit News.
+ The Camaro fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing and driver Kyle Larson was impounded by NASCAR for further inspection after the rear window appeared to show excessive flex. More at Yahoo! Sports.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from May 11 here.
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What a strange car. Was it ever produced?
The Hoffman is a singular prototype. It was never put into production.
I certainly hope that the VW Beetle is included at the Portland Museum of Art. The Beetle’s shape and drag coefficient is much less than the Chrysler Airflow.
ChryslerAirflow dotcom says .50 for their car and Wikipedia says .48 for the Volkswagen. A significant difference but I wouldn’t characterize it as much less. I think the Beetle applied better styling to that low number but it may be because I’ve seen tens of thousands of them. It may have looked more awkward scaled up to the Chrysler’s size.
Given all factors; size, mileage, reliability, etc. The VW was the better car.
Drag coefficient for a VW Beetle depending on what year is .38 & .41