While Hugo Weaving’s sterling performance as a Nazi Germany commander and later on as HYDRA terrorist Red Skull kept most of entertained during the otherwise Humdrum Marvel flick Captain America The first Avenger, it was also the chief antagonist’s choice of wheels that kept things exciting, especially when it chases an aircraft down a mountain runway during the film’s climax.
Designed by former Bugatti and Volkswagen designer Daniel Simon, who also boasts Disney, Lotus, Puma as clients, the 7-metre long, twin rear axle Hydra Schmidt Coupe was conceived as something that blends the grace of a Mercedes-Benz 540K, off-road prowess of a G4 off-roader, but includes the element’s of Britain’s race-bred finest, Bentley, and America’s luxurious (and humongous) best, Duesenberg.
Along with the military equipment that goes along with an armed forces vehicles, such as reinforced body panels, tool boxes and radio equipment, the Hydra Schmidt Coupe is also armed with a supercharged 16-cylinder aircraft engine. For the film, the prototype sported a military-friendly olive tone, but has since been coated in a luscious scarlet and equipped with white wall tyres.
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