tramontana

supercars - it seems that a new one appears every week. to my eyes there is little variation in their styling, many of them attached to the genetic blueprint of the mclaren that basically carved a niche of acceptability for modes of transportation that are outrageously uncompromising in their impracticality, their fuel consumption, and their price.

the a.d. tramontana supercar steps well away from that mold and plants itself firmly in the territory of cars akin to the lotus seven, the lotus 2 eleven, and similar open-wheeled flies-in-your-teeth transportation experiences. the primary difference between the tramontana and the aformentioned vehicles is its price - to place one of these on your driveway will set you back a minimum of three quarters of a million dollars! but ignore that caveat and step into the fantasy land that is the tramontana.

when translated, tramontana, means "creative wind". the tramontana is a product of the catalonian region of spain (north east coast). interestingly and distressingly, carbon dioxide emissions in catalonia have reportedly increased by 40% since 1992, and i would have to guess that while this vehicle won’t ever reach mega production status, it isn’t going to help solve their environmental problems.

but i asked you to spend time inside a fantasy and so we have to overlook the practicalities in order to fully enjoy that state, so let’s forge on regardless.

when you order the tramontana, the tramontana team take measurements of you the buyer and build the cockpit around the specifics of your body. a practice more commonly associated with formula one cars. beyond that, the tramontana features a tandem seating configuration and a wide choice of materials, colors and finishes including gold, precious stones, carbon fibre or wood for the exterior. for the interior, exotic materials including leather, camel leather, crocodile or snake skin.

i have mixed feelings about the styling - i can see formula one - almost like a retrospective blend in which elements of cars from the fifties are melded with current styling cues.

here are two videos of the car that provide a wider range of perspectives of its styling as well as offering some interesting background to this unusual vehicle.


if all of this has sold you on the need to own one then by all means head off to visit tramontana's website and order yourself one!