Bubble Trouble – this bright red three-wheeler beamed at me by the side of the road today. I had to screech to a stop, park nearby and get some snaps. It’s a Messerschmitt car KR200 or Kabinenroller. Not being allowed to manufacture aircraft after WW2 these were Designed by Fritz Fend with Willy Messerschmitt only putting his name on them. 40,000 were made between 1954 and 1965. The streamlined appearance with fuselage inspired body gives it a futuristic look even today. Flying cars anyone?
July 17, 2017
ME109 successor
July 10, 2017
Gulf
Fill ‘er up! Or so you would have asked Dick Dunkle, proprietor of the Gulf service station on the old Lincoln Highway (Route 30) that went cross country in the days before the Interstate system was laid. The terra-cotta tile work and old mechanical pumps as atmosphere. As did the rain stotting down on Bedford PA. The Minx sits in the forecourt: “one for the album!”
July 9, 2017
Car Heaven
D-Type On our outings around and about Philadelphia we stopped in at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. A seemingly endless line-up of sportsters from the last Century. There was one gap in the display.. a certain 1956 Jaguar. Asking where it was I was informed it was in the workshop. Luckily they turned the lights on an there it was sat up on the lift. Beautiful even from behind. The collection covers race cars that were used in historical events such as: Le Mans, Nürburgring, Sebring, Bonneville, Watkins Glen, Brooklands, Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. Fred Simeone’s ’55 Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing sits in the ‘shop, as does a Porsche 356 that was donated to the collection.
July 6, 2017
Mac Men
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!
July 5, 2017
PVGP
Faster, faster – more graphics from the City of Bridges; this time a crisp screen printed poster for a race event five years ago. Held every year at Schenley Park it is for both cars and bikes; sadly our travel plans don’t intercept with it this year… perhaps someday.
June 20, 2017
The Wire
Sparks’s White Van – some Canadian electrician has liberated a Triumph logo for his transport. And Gerry Rafferty lyrics as a scripted credo: “Right Down the Line”
April 4, 2017
Go the Distance
Trailer Traveller – if I ever needed to tote my old Triumph to a distant destination I could get a bike specific hauler and know my Mini Clubman ‘Shooting Brake’ is up to the deed. Here’s an owner taking their Speed Triple to ‘greener pastures’.
March 21, 2017
Formula Um
Senna – The Brazilian racing great would have been 57 today had he not been taken from us on that fateful MayDay at San Marino in Italy in 1994. As well as racing at the top of the game for teams such as Lotus and MacLaren he enjoyed the two wheeler. With Honda supplying engines for the mid-eighties Lotus he has a pit bike supply; later on Ducati took him under their promotion wing with their Monster line-up and the super sport 888, 900 and the classic post posthumously introduced Senna 916 in grey rather than the traditional red or yellow.
March 15, 2017
Over the Top
Hump Day – well, this is one way to overcome midweek. Take a vintage Montessori Cota 349 trials and loup over the roof of a classic Volkswagen Beetle. The Pfederstall, or horse stable, restaurant Is a suitable backdrop of motorcyclists rendezvous for such antics.
February 27, 2017
Cannon Ammo
Tee Shirt Fashion – wear what you believe! One thing about this ubiquitous short sleeved item of clothing is that they can promote ideas, express thoughts, present art, denote vision, advertise companies; the written word; or a graphic style. It’s like a walking billboard, moving, a breathing gallery. Here are some speed loving characters garbed appropriately in the t-shirt garment: Barry Sheene sporting a Gary Nixon top (Venezuelan rider Johnny Cecotto is seated next to him); Steve McQueen and his Triumph brand across his chest, coffee at the ready; Jackie Stewart and his F1 Elf; and Burt Munro – the worlds fastest Indian.
January 26, 2017
Newman’s Own
Fast cars and a smile – Happy Birthday Paul. He would have been 92 today.
January 17, 2017
Doughnut Delivery
Giant Scarab – I spotted this patina-rich coffee & doughnut van scuttling about the City recently. Elegant hand painted script cheerily advertising a morning refreshment for construction and office worker alike. It’s a doughty International Harvester Metro Van, produced between 1938 and 1975 keeping its distinctive flowing form well into the sixties when its edges were squared off to meet a demand for something new. The flowing gumdrop lines were created by the capable hand of Mr Streamline himself, Raymond Loewy.
December 21, 2016
For Paw
Red in Snow – what a beaut! Ably illustrated Jaguar XK 120 in a period snowy village scene by the noted automotive artist Richard Wheatland . His work typically endows Christmas cards for the U.K. Motor Industry Benevolent Charity BEN. The hardtop sports coupe is the roadgoing record breaker which saw success on road and rallying competition. Nice Triumph Tiger in the background. I fancy a roast dinner washed down with a pint of bitter then an hour or two dozing in front of the Public House lounge fireplace…
December 2, 2016
Utility Mini
Baby Blue – clear out that back couch and the micro truck had many more uses: as a work horse (or pony) the rear barn doors offered ample access to the rear space. Breakdown. (RAC or AA), police work, workmans tote, camper van, or just plain truck. It sure was a versatile little car. Second only to the Model T in regards to adaptive use.
November 30, 2016
Minx
Clubman – also known in original guise as the Traveller, Estate, Austin ‘Shooting Brake’. People loved Sir Alec Issigonis’ diminutive Mini but needed a slightly larger carrier. Hence the longer wheelbase.
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