Cooler King – slim chinos, cut down sweatshirt, cigarette and Persol shades: he epitomizes Cool. A Triumph TR-6 dresses up to look German hits the mark too.
January 23, 2019
Pheon
Ten Past Ten – Smiths are the clocks used on vintage British motor vehicles. Speedometers for velocity measurement and Tachometers for engine revolutions. Here’s a fine timepiece from the watchmakers at Smiths chronometers in military styling. They were a staple for British soldiers in WW2, wrapped the wrist of Sir Edmund Hillary as he summited Everest and an alternative to the Swiss Made items such as Rolex.
A detailed description of the face:
“The black dial features a somewhat traditional aviator configuration found on numerous mil-spec watches: a legible hours index with a triangle at 12, sword hands, and an outer railroad track for the minutes. Right under 12 is the “SMITHS” logo and an encircled T indicating the presence of tritium. Above 6 is the pheon (broad arrow), the official mark designating property issued by the British government dating back to the 17th century. Right below 6 along the inner perimeter of the minutes track is a proud “MADE IN ENGLAND,” a small element that differentiates the W10 from scores of other mil-spec watches.”
December 15, 2018
Velocette Vixen
A Ray of Sunshine – today is the birthday of one half of preeminent mid century designers, the Eameses. Ray Eames was born in 1912 and along with her designer husband Charles created some of the most iconic objects in the fifties. Their hard work ethic relied on playful creativity to push the boundaries of design.
December 9, 2018
British Symbolism
Tower Bridge -stunning portrait of this iconic London landmark with a ’49 Triumph Tiger parked on south bank Butler’s Wharf near Shad Thames. The Tower of London’s White Tower can be seen in in the left background. The raised road deck bascules reach up like triumphant arms to the sky. I used to commute over this bridge when I lived in London. Most memorable moments were waiting for the spans to lower with other bikers at the front of the traffic queue.
November 26, 2018
Badge
Moto Museum Marques – a few of the European makes on show at the St Louis motorcycle museum. A varied collection of owner Steve Smith they represent a wide assortment of 7 decades of motorcycles. All in immaculate condition and room to wander around and get close up to them. More photos to show through the week!
November 24, 2018
Continental Collector
Curate! A selection of the ‘special’ collection at the moto museum here in St Louis. All European marques from countries such as Germany, Holland, France, Spain, Belgium & Switzerland. We were given a private peek at them!
October 9, 2018
Instant Karma!
Imagine – John Lennon would have been 78 today. “Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.“
October 6, 2018
MI Motos
Gilmore Car Museum – Hickory Corner, Michigan. One barn at the excellent automobile museum here in south west Michigan held a good selection of two-wheeled delights. From barn- fresh Harley Flathead to a polished to the nines Vincent Black Shadow. It was a good collection covering a century of motorcycling. One of The Fonz’s Triumph TR5 was there too; as well as an immaculate ’59 T120 Bonneville and a gutsy looking Indian hill climber.
August 24, 2018
Magnifying Moto’s
Close-Up – finishing off the week with some choice details of several motorbikes from last weekend. From Arial, Honda, Kawasaki, BMW, to Norton and Triumph. Some original, some personalized; from badges to pinstripes; tank, fairing, frame and fender.
August 22, 2018
Das Motorrad
Don’t mention the War – winding up a suitcase gramophone this period dressed BMW R75 owner carefully took out old crimson labeled 78’s from their protective manilla sleeves and played the likes of Marlene Dietrich across the parking lot. The combination had a small trailer that would have been used to tow matériel into hard-to-reach front line positions.
The car holds a non-functioning MG42 machine gun whose air cooled muzzle looks fearsome. The driver had a very Teutonic air about himself which completed the outfit.
August 5, 2018
Papoose
Pocket Bike – Detail photograph of the folding motorcycle manufactured in the 40’s by Indian. Originally called a Corgi and developed to be packaged into a equipment canister and parachuted along with commandos into Europe giving easy speedy transport through the French & Belgian countryside. The design was rebadged for civilian use in the US providing popular efficient transport in cities or around campgrounds. The graphic is perfect for this marque.
June 21, 2018
L’orange
Deux Chevaux – like some giant upturned orange wheelbarrow this Citröen 2CV was parked up near Morries Place last weekend. Developed in France after the 2nd World War as an economical family transport it was spare in detail but complete in purpose. Over 9 million of these cars and their variants were manufactured over 42 years. It’s up there in motoring history with the Ford Model T, VW’s Beetle, Fiat’s 500, and BMC’s Mini.
June 6, 2018
Operation Neptune
D-Day June 6th 1944 saw the landing of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force along the Normandy coastline. The beachhead that saw the beginning of the invasion of mainland Europe to free its people from the clutches of Nazi occupation.
This Triumph mage shows some dispatch riders disembarking from a Landing Craft Tank LST with their Matchless G3/L’s onto one of the beaches. Everyone arrived with wet feet and many under a hail of bullets.
May 18, 2018
Alberta Moto
TRW – the side valve developed by Triumph for the war effort in ’42. Here’s a lass in suitable attire ready to look for some pastoral country lane to zip along. Very stylish she looks to along with the forest green bike.
April 7, 2018
Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler?
Dad’s Army – classic BBC comedy from the seventies. Currently being repeated on Netflix; well written, and superbly acted. Captain Mainwaring and his second in command Sergeant Wilson in charge of the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard which includes Lance Corporal Jones, Privates Frazer, Walker, Godfrey and Pike…
