I can’t find the ejector seat button… However the plush red leather seats are a comfortable pew to handle that beautiful wheel… DB5 cockpit
July 6, 2014
Thunder Bird
Beautiful period image of a cheery lass with her blue Triumph 6T Thunderbird at some lunch stop on a country road ride in the ‘States. Leather clad and looking highway worthy. Snappy!
July 5, 2014
Lengthening Shadow
A quick spin up north before a 4th of July party gave quiet roads to swoop along, golden light bathing lush trees offering intermittently shaded roads and a superlative ride. The fireworks weren’t bad either…
July 3, 2014
Duck!
On this day, July 3rd, in 1938 the Number 4468 Mallard set the speed record for a steam locomotive. Going like the clappers with a full head of steam reaching 125.88 mph (202.58 km/h). The record was achieved on 3 July 1938 on the slight downward grade of Stoke Bank south of Grantham on the East Coast Main Line; the highest speed being recorded at milepost 90¼, between Little Bytham and Essendine.
The blue streamlined bodywork harks the zenith of the steam age. Like Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird cars and boats the sapphire tone yells speed. The black eyebrow swoosh arched lines over the 4-6-2 wheel arrangement is pure form. These wheel skirts were designed by railway engineer Oliver Bulleid with an obvious aerofoil profile – making an engineering need an aesthetic boon.
For the trainspotters out there: this ‘Streak’ is London & North Eastern Railway LNER Class A4 Pacific Steam Locomotive built in Doncaster Yorkshire in 1938. One of 35 engines built, designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Greeley its job was to get passengers from London, through York and Newcastle and on up to Edinburgh.
July 2, 2014
Born of Paper, Pencil and Clay
Before computers drove the shape of the aerodynamic form it was up to the car designer to devise of the curved lines of bodywork to wrap the chassis, engine and seating compartment.
Sculpture on wheels each with a face and body as recognizable as any old family member.
Friends that always continue the conversation where you left off…
Art becomes Art. Looking at, and analyzing, the outline of these beauties, seeing how the curve flows.
There are details that become the marques signature: BMW’s central grill for example. The 2002’s shows this off well.
An E Type’s rear end complements the long engine-full front so well. Perfection!
Even a German next to an Briton looks sumptuous.
Then there’s the cockpit… That another story*
*I didn’t get any images at this car show of walnut dash and leather seat or wood steering wheel and Smiths clocks… Next time!
July 1, 2014
Two Wheels Bad
When funds allow, or rather if funds allow. There could be nothing nicer than being the proud owner of a classic vintage automobile. Soft top XKE? Why yes sir!
Especially if it holds the big V12 5.3l ‘gin. Another owner was kind enough to open the bonnet to reveal this hearty powerplant. With a sound like an Elgar piece. True Britishness.
Jaguar have some other special vehicles: here’s the XK120 coupe. Grey like a black and white movie. Knock-off hubs, split windscreen and a Jag grill. Astounding machine!
The Germans were at it too! Mercedes Benz SL300. Roadster to rip along the tarmac whist playing Wagner.
The other German: Porsche’s sweet little coupe. Their original sports car. The purest aerodynamic form. A Beetle that goes fast! This Schwartz model was sublime. Green is fine too!
550 Spyder… Even faster… Sadly for James Dean…
Crossover design to siblings Volkswagen with their neat looking Karmann Ghia. Style for the middle classes.
The King: Martin, Aston Martin. DB5. This one didn’t have the machine guns or ejector seat… But that silver grey in sunlight is legend.
June 30, 2014
Bike Show
Some other cracking motos attended the show: starting with this immaculate ’68 Bonneville. Surgically clean to a mirror finish with astounding original detail. Even down to the cork seal under the fork gaiter. 100% concourse.
Even a new T100 Bonneville stood proud. Nice straight muffler to match the original – the standard kinked on replaced here. An adequate stablemate for a sixties T120.
Somebody had brought a road converted Triumph race bike. Somewhat cobbled but obviously gave its owner the thrill of speed. Somewhat of a Mad Max style ..
Norton Commando in rosy cheek’d color. Great seventies superbike!
A BSA B31 single sat sunning itself in the late June sun. Same colors as the Rocket Gold star I had. This thumper is a neat scooter.
June 29, 2014
Starry Starry Night
A classic car and motorcycle show on a couple of closed off streets in Winnetka was attended today. All European stuff. And NICE stuff too! Today I’ll concentrate if the Crown Jewels of the show: a splendid display of no less than 11 Vincents. Quite overwhelming and each individual. The first is a ’52 Black Lightning – just like Richard Thompsons song of the same name. Just in need of a Red Molly to take it for a ride.
The engine as Art…
This one was obviously a rider: high mileage patina and oily rag polish achieve a glowing life to it. Give me an open road and no particular destination…
Egli Vincent: special racer. Take a strong powerplant and bolt it to a lightweight tubular frame dedicated to speed…
“Geriatric Hooliganism” perfect description.
Ed Sender, owner of Morrie’s Place rorted in on his moto. His BSA T-shirt show where his true allegiances lie…
This single cylinder HRD Meteor still looks the part next to its doubled-up brethren. The first true Vincent engine where Phil Irvine worked out many of the motor mechanicals to be seen in Vincents nearly twenty years.
This hyper clean example was a rebuilt barn find. You could stare at your the polished surfaces all day.
The color is perfect: black, metal grey and a hint of gold. The monochrome of a bygone age.
I asked Ed if I could sit on his Vincent, he very kindly allowed me to. A little upright for me. But comfy and everything placed well. Next goal: to take one for a fast spin!
June 28, 2014
Naked Wheel
My front fender (mudguard) stays snapped today on the ride. The typical vibrating Triumph and bumpy roads put paid to the poor 70’s design ( which was redesigned later with more sturdy connections). So now the front is fenderless.
Not too bad a company… Bobbers, The Fonz, Evel Knievel.
June 27, 2014
USAAF Station AAF-407
Bill, you’re gonna like this one! A true zenith in Meriden Triumph motorcycles. The Thruxton! And this here one is a special looking beast: all details present and correct from the alloy hoops, to the long Dunstall pipes (which as noted by Mr Ferry, have a high route over the timing side and gearbox) and the beefy and thirsty tank.
Gulping twin Amals, night blue color and that Diana Dors shaped fairing. The five speed gearbox give a hearty top speed I’m sure.
Tuck in you’re in for a treat! Pilots eye view let’s you slip through the air with ease. No wobbling goggles here. Look up racing motorcycle in any Boys Own annual from my youth in the seventies and this is what you’d see. Classic!
The nose cone looks like something from NASA.
Oh yes, and yours for £9,650 from Venture Classics run by Chris Spaett based in Somerset UK. http://www.ventureclassics.com/stock%20list.htm go and have a gander at their other offering; plenty of fine machines to gaze at.
Thanks for the link Bill!
June 26, 2014
Guess I got what I deserve
Let’s keep on this Gary Nixon vein…. A modern day Triumph Daytona in the blue and white color scheme and also numbered nine.
It can lean like a the best of ’em. Under the control of talent of course!
The 675 race bike is a genuine piece of speedy machinery. Needing a big space and fast corners to wring the best out of it!
Post title comes from Badfingers hit Baby Blue used to outstanding effect in the closing scene of the series Breaking Bad.
June 25, 2014
#9
My latest edition of Motorcycle Classics arrived earlier today and what should be on the cover but a Gary Nixon tribute Triumph. Not only that but a seventies Oil-in-Frame T120R set up ad such.
Number 9: baby blue. Lookin’ cool as ice.
It is a build from Union motorcycle workshop in Nampa Idaho http://www.unionmotorcycle.com/index.html . great article about a basket case brought in by a customer wanting a bobber – a little discussion and this roadworthy repli-racer was developed.
Me? I’m sold! Every inch is perfect. The lines, the big race tank, curvy fairing, alloy rim’d wheels, short seat, one up one down exhaust.
It sets you up for, what I believe to be, the perfect riding posture.
I WANT THAT FAIRING!
June 24, 2014
Light the Blue Touch Paper
When you talk about the history of racing Triumphs; one legend comes to mind: Gary Nixon. His superlative skill on road, track and trail. His Number 9 adoring the white and blue bodywork saw numerous victories for this dogged and respected racer.
A pint sized repli-racer: a well fettled Cub resplendent in Nixon ‘Blues’. Small in stature but big of heart. It looks like an outstanding wee tool.
June 23, 2014
Get the kettle on!
Tea goes hand in hand with motorcycling. Perfect for quenching a thirst after a good ride. Here’s Steve enjoying a cuppa whilst filming a tunneling scene in the Great Escape. Niele looks on.
Our man Martin is a big tea drinker. Famous for having a waam mug o’ chai always handy. Overalls and V12 Vantage Aston Martin seal the deal for enjoying the good things in life.
Of course cafe (PR. caff) racers hare between the edge of town ‘greasy spoons’ and the mobile transport cafes spaced along the A roads of England. Here’s a perfect one complete with outdoor seating and fluttering flags.
It’s not their outward appearance that draws the clientele. As long as the brew is warm and wet, the food freshly cooked, then you’re set!
“The Greezies”: egg, sausage, bacon, beans, mushrooms, black pudd’n; and a slice (white bread with marg). All washed down with a tea! Perfect! Back on the road to head home…
Classic period shot of a Triumph Cub rider at The Sunset.
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