The 2006 Mallett LS2 V8 Solstice pairs classic American roadster design with classic V8 power. Chief Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen recently brought his personal Mallett Solstice to Jay Leno’s Garage.
Long before his work on electric vehicles, von Holzhausen sketched the original Solstice roadster for General Motors, and the team built a metal prototype quickly after executives initiated a global design competition.
The Solstice’s Secret Development In Michigan
GM kept the project completely hidden from outsiders during the early stages of development. In typical company fashion, there were even internal conflicts, as the Corvette team suspected the new roadster could steal their loyal customers. Von Holzhausen notes, “Bob Lutz came on board at GM, and he wanted to have something exciting to promote and really build up the brand of Pontiac.”
He also notes, “In fact, when we were in the design studio in Warren, Michigan designing the the Solstice, they put us in a locked room and only Bob, Wayne, Cherry, myself, Vicki, who did the interior design, and a handful of other people were allowed in this room.”
Engineers utilized a sheet hydroforming process for components of the car, like its large clamshell hood. As for the details, designers pulled things like door handles from the corporate parts bin.
Adding Serious LS Power
While even the performance models of the assembly line Solstice used four-cylinder power, von Holzhausen’s roadster received a massive upgrade. Mallett Performance Cars, which has since become famous for its LS swaps, installed a 400hp LS2 small-block under the hood, pairing it with an upgraded radiator, firmer suspension, and bigger brakes. The package maintains a balanced weight distribution despite the heavier front end. When Leno drove the car, he noticed its excellent power delivery, noting, “Boy this thing is great. You know, horsepower cures a lot of problems.”
Have Your Cake And Eat It Too
GM produced thousands of these convertibles before closing the Pontiac division, and von Holzhausen replaced his wife’s original model with this low-mileage version after a house fire. Despite his current role in the electric vehicle industry, the designer appreciates traditional internal combustion engines. Von Holzhausen notes, “I mean, to me, I love the fact that I have gas and I have an electric.”
Seeing the original creator of a car drive a swapped version of his design adds rich character to the car’s story. While the Solstice does just fine with factory power, throwing in a rowdy LS V8 creates a wildly fun driving experience. In short: the 2006 Mallett LS2 V8 Solstice proves that big engines DO belong in tiny cars!
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