Congrats on even remembering this thing! Most people don't.
The ArkII and companion Roamer were developed by Curt Brubaker, who not coincidentally had been in the design research department at GM -- hence any predilection to use GM bases. The Ark Roamer was a modified Brubaker Box, considered by many to have been the concept car for the minivan. The ArkII was actually a cab over dump trunk (according to Curt), but the GMC motorhome of the time may have used the same steel chassis, engine, and running gear.
Curt also was among the first to propose a style of hybrid vehicle that used a flywheel for mechanical momentum. I'd guess there could be safety concerns regarding this, but I always thought t was a good idea. Energy would be stored in the flywheel, rather than always back into the battery. The conversion of energy from the flywheel back to the wheels would have been more efficient, at least for the batteries in use at the time (we're talking 1960s here).
There are a few quick shots of a sleek Ark-y looking vehicle 50 seconds into this trailer for "Prometheus". Which, BTW looks a tad more serious than the Project Prometheus in "No Time for Sergeants". Wassat? You young-uns ain't nevuh seen NTFS? Get a life! http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/no-time-for-sergeants/user-reviews
Honestly, any list containing the AT-ST is seriously flawed.
As for vehicles in an all-time greatest list, you really need to include the 'Il Tempo Gigante'
(Pinchcliffe Grand Prix, wonderful animation movie from 1975. A must se, just remember barf-bags as it has been known to induce car-sickness in some) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5CtjqsqR-M
The bad news is that EU regulations forbid them from starting the gas-turbine in the rear,
the good news is that that'll keep it from twisting the frame into a pretzel...
Please note the headlights...
Anyone missing some serious studio lighting?
Comments
Congrats on even remembering this thing! Most people don't.
The ArkII and companion Roamer were developed by Curt Brubaker, who not coincidentally had been in the design research department at GM -- hence any predilection to use GM bases. The Ark Roamer was a modified Brubaker Box, considered by many to have been the concept car for the minivan. The ArkII was actually a cab over dump trunk (according to Curt), but the GMC motorhome of the time may have used the same steel chassis, engine, and running gear.
Curt also was among the first to propose a style of hybrid vehicle that used a flywheel for mechanical momentum. I'd guess there could be safety concerns regarding this, but I always thought t was a good idea. Energy would be stored in the flywheel, rather than always back into the battery. The conversion of energy from the flywheel back to the wheels would have been more efficient, at least for the batteries in use at the time (we're talking 1960s here).
-- Gordon
As for vehicles in an all-time greatest list, you really need to include the 'Il Tempo Gigante'
(Pinchcliffe Grand Prix, wonderful animation movie from 1975. A must se, just remember barf-bags as it has been known to induce car-sickness in some)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5CtjqsqR-M
The bad news is that EU regulations forbid them from starting the gas-turbine in the rear,
the good news is that that'll keep it from twisting the frame into a pretzel...
Please note the headlights...
Anyone missing some serious studio lighting?
Those 3 rear chrome rocket tubes were the bomb.