Beautiful burgundy P1800 Volvo passed before my eyes just as I was leaving work. Designed by Pelke Peterson whilst a student under the Italian carrozzeria Pietro Frua. The P1800 was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961, the same year as the E-Type Jaguar. The Saint TV show starring Roger Moore as Simon Templar used the Volvo as his car after Jaguar declined to offer their XKE.
Sunday evening tv. One of the recurring series on the local PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is Granchester. About a local detective called Geordie, played by Robson Green, and a young handsome Vicar played by Tom Brittney, as they take on local murders and rural criminal shenanigans. Based in the early sixties with youthful vigor the reverend hares around the Cambridgeshire countryside on a BSA Rocket Goldstar. Perfect machine for the task at hand!
The Old Vicarage by poet Rupert Brook is pure epitome of Englishness and a lost Arcadia of the world before the Great War. The Orchard is a wonderful place for tea and scones.
What a voice and charismatic presence the indefatigable Ms Turner had. Stretching from the 50’s into the 21st Century her impact in the music industry was colossal. She was also a motorcycle rider. A favorite bike being an Electra Glide HD. Though here is a younger gal with a sixties BSA.
Tina Turner RIP (1939-2023)
“Let’s go!” 1961 on this day (12th April) comrade Gagarin made a 90 minute lap of the globe. Historical hero!
International Women’s day was this past week. To further celebrate the amazing deeds women take on with assured aplomb here’s a lass and her desert sled still knocked up and grizzly from an outback hare.
Glorious drawing by artist Colin Murdoch of this classic cafe racer borne from a Triumph pre-unit engine married to a Norton featherbed frame.
Another photo of the gorgeous Ms Welch being taken care of by local motorcycle gendarmerie at the ‘66 Cannes film festival.
One of the twentieth century’s sex symbols, Raquel Welch, passed away today aged 82. Known for her furry bikini outfit that she wore in One Million Years BC then featured on a poster adorning many teenage boys walls – later used to cover Andy Dufresne’s cell wall escape hole. “Time and Pressure”. She’s looking darn purdy on this vintage motorcycle.
A BBC cameraman haring around a muddy scramble wearing the tech equipment of its day to capture the riders view of a race. BSA acting as dolly, I’m sure the transmission paraphernalia isn’t too lightweight either being strapped to his back mounted on some scaffolding.
Stirruped leggings, winged spectacles, and a puddin’ bowl helmet. She’s dressed for riding success aboard the bathtubbed Thunderbird.
Old found object. Some tarnished aluminum and speckled finish. A ‘66 Trophy lost in Concord Michigan looking for a willing restoration.
1964 – E Germany bound. Steve McQueen getting the bikes they used for the International Six Day Trials behind the iron curtain. Other fella is John Steen, also an off-road racer who, along with Ed Kretz Jr., Cliff Coleman and Dave & Bud Ekins, were key players in the SoCal desert racing scene. Steens family we’re in the oil & lubricant business as well as the popular ‘Taco’ mini bike. Steve looks as cool as ever with the desert boots, white socks, Fred Perry polo shirt and Persol sunglasses. (acknowledgements to Les Elmer in NZ for finding this image)
At 95 Gina Lollobrigita had a full and interesting life. As a sex symbol in post-war Europe she acted in several films opposite leading men such as Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Burt Lancaster, and , as seen on the lower right image, Rock Hudson. Later life saw her move to the other side of the camera, where, as a photojournalist, she managed to get an interview with Fidel Castro. (1927-2023)
One of the top rock guitarist of his generation who established a powerful technique that inspires many performers to the present day.
– Nice artwork with an urban view of a ‘cyclist kicking his bike into life. Terraced housing descends into the distance.
geordiebiker.com 