SOLVED: Araknid #17 - X-4 from Besasie Engineering

[araknid]

Okay, for one point, what the heck is this?

[araknid]

Any Experts want to have a go?   :D

[fyreline]

1 of 4 distinctive and innovative cars custom-built over the years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Raymond Besasie, called X-1, X-2. X-3 and X-4.  This one is the X-4. and it featured a 1963 Chrysler 413 'Golden Lion' engine and chassis. The original Push-button transmission was converted to lever operation. Nailing down the exact year of construction for any of the cars is a little problematic, as they were built over a period of years. It appears that the X-3 was built about 1961, so the X-4 was built sometime soon after that. Due to the listed use of a '63 Chrysler engine, I would say sometime between 1964 and 1967 but that's just an educated guess.

[araknid]

Very good!   :applause:  One point for you.  And I thought it would hang around for awhile.

1955-1969  X-1  X-2  X-3 & X-4

Experimental cars built by Besasie Engineering, the X-3 was driven around the Milwaukee area for many years and displayed at the EAA Fly-IN several times. This car features a sliding roof, 1957 Chevrolet chassis and an Oldsmobile 455 V-8 with TH-350 transmission, it was 1 of 4 cars built over the years in Milwaukee by Raymond Besasie Sr.. The Sister car, 'X-4' featured a fixed roof, power windows, 1963 Chrysler 413 'Golden Lion' engine and chassis. The original Push-button transmission was converted to lever operation. Both cars were equipped with altimeters, note the absence of a steering wheel on both cars. The driver sits in the middle, controlling the steering with a type of Retro-joystick, neat-o ! The X-2 featured a rear mounted 56 Cadillac engine with two radiators and 3/4 race cam. Styling was conceived by Raymond's Son. The car was featured in a Clark gasoline commercial in the early 60's. This car, like the others had the driver in center position with passengers on either side. The whereabouts of the X-2 are unknown as of this writing. The first X-car was the 2 passenger X-1 or 'Barracuda' this car has been located "alive and well" in

More pics of this monstrosity:

[fyreline]

I suppose you have to admire the effort and engineering, if not the aesthetics. To put it simply, that is one ugly car! I always find it fascinating that, over the years, so many builders have put so much time and effort into their creations only to have them end up looking like they've already been in a serious accident.  Oh well, beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder.

[Otto Puzzell]

Period Pics

[Paul Jaray]

Wow!!
Thank you!  :thumbsup: