Photo Finish – absolute realism is created in this ultra detailed painting from the superlative hand of James Hollingsworth. https://www.neilhollingsworth.com/
Look at his other works of ordinary objects and wartime aircraft. The light on them is perfect.
Morrie’s Place – the busy workshop at Ed Zenders place is a hive of activity. With all four workstands taken up with motorcycles under repair, a workbench full of engines, parts, tools; and more bikes awaiting attention, there’s a healthy dose of work in this great vintage ‘shop. Overhead the old signs herald days past when more local garages kept owners rides roadworthy.
Truckbed Baby – evening sunlight warms the time-worn patina of what looks like a Triumph Cub in original condition. Over half a century of barn dust. The sky blue Ford Econoline is a perfect tote for the scooter.
MAD Grinning imp Alfred E. Neuman takes to the streets on his choppered trike whilst the Harley riding gang of Captain America, Billy, and Jim Bronson rumble on in cool style… Born to be Wild.
Leopard Print Saddle – the winklepicker shod bloke thumbing his drainpipe jeans and holding his tab like the cool surly chap he is is no match for the lass. An enigmatic smile ready for a spin along the North Circular.
Moon Motos- Fortyeight years ago today Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin brought their Lunar Module down onto the Sea of Tranquility to become the first visitors to our moon. Their companion Mike Collins orbited overhead in the Command Module. In later trips a Rover was developed to go further afield on the surface… here’s what a Lunar Scooter may have looked like… kickin’ up some moondust…
Weekend Kicks – hope this lass puts her weight into it. Those sixties Bonnie’s need a hefty hoof to turn the engine over. But with practiced technique and deft aplomb it’ll fire up. Nice photo.
Mad Man – the original Don Draper is an illustrator by the name of Macaulay ‘Mac’ Conner. We stopped in at the Delaware Museum of Art where a superb exhibition of his work is on show. 50’s glam advertising with clean bold lines and fashionable people… that was when people smoked like chimneys and drank like fish… but they were ever so beautiful!
Hell’s Angel – we stopped in to an Irving Penn exhibition at the Frick Museum Pittsburgh. One of his series was capturing the late sixties counterculture, and in particular the Californian Biker gangs. This platinum palladium print from ’67 captures a surly Panhead chopper owner in an evocative portrait.
£184 2s 1d – not a bad price for an urban runabout. A splendid machine in crimson glory (flamboyant bushfire red) of the assembly line at Meriden. I quite like the tank paint scheme – somewhat different to Triumphs norm.
Wednesday Wheelie- we need a bit of Harvey Mushman leaping out of the screen to see us into the latter part of the wee. “Number 14! Give ‘er some wellie!”
Gas Up – quick fueling stop mid-ride. Filling with 93 octane. The old valve seats would prefer leaded to protect them from regression but lower compression and trying to avoid ethanol additives help too.
BATMAN – looking back it’s a very tongue-in-cheek version of the caped crusader and his crime fighting escapades. But growing up with the show when Bruce Wayne was played cooly by a serious Adam West and your Corgi Batmobile would recreate his daring-do along with Boy Wonder Robin, there was nothing better. Sadly we hear of the recent passing of Adam West who owned this role – grey one piece, yellow utility belt, and satin glove and all.
Aped Cub – Well; if you must. Forest green Tiger with hi-rise bars being hustled ’round some rustic park setting. Burgundy outfit, complete with stirrupped legs, add to the jolly nature of this period photograph. “Come in number five two seven, your time is up!”
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