As had been mentioned before when I was growing up I loved to build model kits. Aircraft, tanks, spaceships, the odd car; but I never got around to motorcycles. Well did I miss out! I could’ve had fun with kits such as this Revell treat. A 1/8 scale Triumph Tiger.
The full page advert for their particular lines is a period piece from the mid-sixties. Even Ed Roth hot rods are featured. “Wot is… Is.. Wot. ain’t…. Ain’t!!!”
December 1st and Yule is approaching so I’ll look for some seasonal items to post. This late forties ad promoting models that won trials competition should suffice for now.
We’re more like the Hip-replacement crowd… But the fashion-fun folks at Vogue magazine know a cool prop when they see one. A lightly customized new classic Triumph Scrambler. I’m going to teach Geordie how to ride on pillion like that.
Beauty can only get you so far; to get the extra mile you also need some talent. The classic Bonnevilles have both in spades. This is the first antipodean advert for the sixties superbike I’ve seen. A nice different angle of the machine offering an anthropomorphic view. Though somewhat cycloptic…
…riding a ‘Bone’ ville! A chopper from hell with a laughing ghoulish rider. The Egyptian Serif’d font of the Triumph logo is a great touch hinting a a sixties custom shop quality. The semi-psychedelic poster font header reinforces it.
Hmm… Not to sure about this with the shenanigans going on at Meriden in the seventies. I believe they weren’t spending enough time on them; with components manufactured with aged tools, worn factory conditions and a workforce unsupported by the company or government.
If only they had heeded their own words!
Slovenian freedom on the high roads of Central Europe. Chopper modified twin takes a break in the Former Yugoslavian city of Ljubljana. These early Seventies biker youths must have seen the recently released Easy Rider and dreamed of a Captain American trip along the Adriatic.
Fast Hauling? When you need a bit more oomph on the hill climb (or slant shooting) then light up a Camel cigarette. Clem Murdaugh certainly believes so. T for Throat cancer. T for Thrombosis.
Gotta just love those late fifties and early sixties ad men. They want the consumer of what they’re promoting to get out there and put a smile on their faces. Here a cute couple stroll hand in hand to a sweet little Baby Bonnie. The Tiger Cub.
I’m not sure of the early 70’s oil in frame Bonneville with its conical front brake could pull off a stoppie like this but it’s worth dreaming about!
From the penmanship of M (Gianmarco Magnani)
This is how it’s done properly!
Brighton MA bound? Then watch out for a clash with the scooter lads and rocker kids….
Just love these three-color screen print poster for the late fifties Harley Davidson range of motor’sickles’. Loose lively line work with simplistic onlookers waving arms and cheering on. The top frame model line up and title footer balance the overall page well. Sans serif bold font anchors the scripted ‘sound bite’ itself a precursor to Hondas “Meet the Nicest People” or Kawasakis “Let the Good Times Roll” slogan. Ad men were having fun then….
If you just so happen to be at the old banked racetrack in Montlhery France this weekend you could do a lot worse that go and see vintage racers haring around the velodrome. This years promotional poster is aptly graphic for a period event. Three color screen is just perfect! (Well a couple of other colors too) Red haired checker waver is suitably elegant.
Finish where we started: the magazine cover art from Monday here in grey simplicity. She’s ready for a jaunt with her thick wooly pullover. Though I doubt that open bag may spill its contents along the road ahead. Spotty pants will hide mud splatter from the damp country lanes her pilot will no doubt take her along…
A Cub speeds by and the bystanders twirl in amazement at the zippy little motor toting its rider along what looks like a typical street in a French town. An ornate streetlight, pollarded trees and high fashion ladies give it away.
Pooch looks on curiously.
geordiebiker.com 