November 20, 2019
Percy Tait (1929-2019) – when it comes to the history of Triumph motorcycles one man is noted in the very foundation of that company. Beginning his career with Triumph as a 21-year-old factory worker he quickly rising in the ranks and started racing for the works team on the latest machines. It is reckoned he amassed over 1,000,000 miles test riding cutting edge motorcycles under the engineering eye of Doug Hele. As well as Grand Prix races he took part successfully in Isle of Man TT competitions. 750cc triple Slippery Sam is one bike that is forever connected with Percy. In his later career he went on to develop the 500cc Suzuki GP bikes for Barry sheen. In retirement he became a champion sheepsheet breeder. A giant of the history of British motorcycling, Percy Tait sadly passed away last weekend. at the age of 90.
Posted in 50's, 60's, 70's, Barry Sheene, Racing, Triumph Trident |
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November 12, 2019
Twenty One | My nephew Dan Cook turned 21 today. So to celebrate here is Triumphs 350cc (21 cu. in.) 3TA aka the Twenty One or more colloquially the Bathtub. It was the first unit constructed engine from Edward Turner’s engineering group.
Posted in 50's, Triumph Motorcycle |
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November 10, 2019
Dakar or Bust | evocative photography from Nikon wielding Roger DeSilva (1925-2008) who, after capturing atrocities of WW2, settled in Senegal and recorded the young country’s independence spirit amongst the chic lifestyle of celebrities and politicians. He has a retrospective in Paris exhibiting many of his beautiful imagery.
Posted in 50's, Gals, Photography, Scooter |
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October 18, 2019
Chequered Group | Sunny smiles under a Californian sky. More of the Hockie clan after an H&H race. The sled looks like it’s had fun in the dry sand and dirt.
Posted in 50's, Gals, Photography, Racing, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 17, 2019
Tired Out Triumph! Where there’s a will…. here is Hare ‘n’ Hounds racer supremo Charlie Hockie in the SoCal desert after an equipment mishap. Charlie was a contemporary of Brothers Bud & Dave Ekins.
Posted in 50's, Racing, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 5, 2019
Tiger Two | an updated photo of the vintage Triumph bike owner from yesterday’s post. This time with his wife on pillion.
Posted in 50's, Clothing, Photography, Safety ATGATT, Triumph Tiger |
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October 2, 2019
La Pandilla Gato – more Blacksad. This time a motorcycle gang rorting across the plains. I like how the movement is represented but the wheels just being off the ground.
Posted in 50's, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 1, 2019
Mas Blacksad | superb illustration of the hardboiled cat and his black Triumph. Southwest scenery perfectly captured.
Posted in 50's, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 30, 2019
Blacksad | A hardboiled feline PI in the vein of Philip Marlow has the gritty underworld of 50’s America as seen from the perspective of a grizzled black cat gumshoe. Created by Spanish writer Juan Díaz Canales and artist Juanjo Guarnido its vision is stark and fresh.
Posted in 50's, Model, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 17, 2019
Shop Banner Sign | Blue logo with three stripe icon below it. Good clarity of branding easily seen at 1901 S Western Ave. Chicago. The three stripes hark back to Turner days and the tank badges of the fifties Speed Twins. The building motif is appropriate too: M.C. For motor-cycle.
Posted in 50's, Chicago, Graphics, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 12, 2019
Composition | unusual imagery for an old Trumpet. What looks like a golf course with a scrap yard provides a photoshopped backdrop for a portrait of the owners daughters. It’s like an 80’s album cover.
Posted in 50's, Gals, Motorcycle Art, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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August 26, 2019
Sixty Mini Years | Today marks the 60th Birthday of the classic small car. Designer Sir Alec Issigonis introduced the Mark I compact runabout which always seem larger on the inside. One of the most fun cars to drive.
Posted in 50's, Cars, Mini |
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August 4, 2019
The Duke | A different kind of horse for John Wayne. Comic book adventures chasing hoodlums around a mountainside hairpin bend.
Posted in 50's, Adventure, Book, Film and TV, Motorcycle Art |
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July 22, 2019
Birds of a Feather | interesting colonial imagery of some tribal leader with his feathered headdress astride the diminutive but useful 125cc BSA Bantam. Not quite in the vein of an Edward Curtis portrait but early National Geographic nonetheless.
Posted in 50's, BSA, Photography, Travel |
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July 1, 2019
Antique on Four Wheels | A select offering from yesterday’s car show under the June sky. Beautiful and well cared for there was something for everyone be it German Italian or British. A red XKE was sublime; the early model orange Porsche 911 pure deutsche ingenieurwissenschaften; mint green VW Beetle German efficiency; MK 2 Jags in detail; and a sturdy canvas roofed SWB Landy. So much more was enjoyed.
Posted in 50's, 60's, 70's, Cars, Classic Car, Vintage |
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