Solana (automobile)
Solana is a cottage manufacturer of sports, racing, and kids' automobiles. The family run company has operated since 1936, with a total production of fewer than fifty cars; the majority of them one-offs. The family is heavily involved in motor sports; the most prominent member was Moisés Solana, who raced family-built cars and later in Formula One.
| Type | private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Design Automotive |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Headquarters | Mexico City, Mexico |
Key people | Joaquín Solana |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Website | Solana Sports Cars |
History
Operating since 1936, the company had built a total of forty-two cars until 2003.[1] Many of the early cars were actually meant for children, using small single-cylinder engines. Others were single-seater racing specials. The Deportivo Series II has been available since 1998, after having first been shown at a concours in Huixquilucan (Dos Ríos), in May 1996. This car, built on a tubular space frame, utilizes a 1.8 litre Datsun engine. It was built by Joaquín and Javier Solana and inspired by a 1954 special built by Javier for the Carrera Panamericana.[2] The carburetted engine only has 60 hp (45 kW), which is supposedly enough for a 195 km/h (121 mph) top speed.[3]
Logo
Solana's logo is a circled "S" with a squared segment on top, containing the "Solana" name. It is colored black and gold. Some cars have a round logo with an "S" in it instead.
See also
References
- Mazur, Eligiusz, ed. (2006). World of Cars 2006·2007. Warsaw, Poland: Media Connection Sp. z o.o. p. 208. ISSN 1734-2945.
- Solana, Joaquín (1997). "Construcción Auto Solana 1996" [Construction of the 1996 Solana automobile] (in Spanish). Solana Sports Cars. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
- Samperio, Gilberto (February 1997). "Solana Sport Serie II: Tradición familiar" [Family tradition]. Automóvil Panamericano (in Spanish): 61.
External links
- Solana Sports Cars, manufacturer website