ACE CAFE RADIO

    lundi 3 décembre 2012

    INFLUX ; Minizine 1


    The first issue in the new minizine format features Ferrari F430, Scott Pommier, Subaru Impreza and Fiat 500.

    Open publication - Free publishing - More bike

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    Guy Martin calendars in SIDEBURN webshop


    These Guy Martin 2013 calendars are so lovely I had to get some for the webshop. We got them straight from Guy.

    They are beautifully illustrated and masterfully printed, in England. Features illustrations of Guy's favourite things, The Britten; Snap-On tool chest; Rolls Royce Spitfire engine; stripped GSX-R1100 engine; Scania 143 truck; Transit van; Lego combine harvester; Nokia 6310 phone; Volvo Amazon kustom; Orange MTB; Saab hot rod; 2004 GSX-R1000 race bike.

    It comes free with £20/€20 Dainese voucher to be used online. You could buy a £20 hat and get the calendar for free. It's money off, not a percentage. It's a no-brainer!

    Also has a signed photo of Guy and a skull and spanners sticker.

    £13 plus post. We post these anywhere in the world. G

    Iceland: A Skier’s Journey


    These guys make interesting short travel documentaries with great photography.
    In Iceland’s rough and remote Westfjords region, Chad Sayers, Forrest Coots, and Chad Manley step back in time to revisit a way of life that lasted 1000 years. With the guidance of local friends Siggi Jonsson and Runar Karlsson, they traverse the storied landscape via sailboat, kayak, and ski, exploring what it would have been like to survive there for so many generations. Each ski run begins and ends with seaweed underfoot, while waterfalls, lichen-clad couloirs, and stories of humans past make up the in-between.
    Presented by Arcteryx.com & The GORE-TEX® Brand
    Director/Producer: Jordan Manley
    Story editors: Chad Manley & Daniel Irvine
    Translator: Asi
    Narrator: Chad Sayers
    Skiers:
    Chad Sayers
    Forrest Coots
    Chad Manley

    A Greek Gift: The Aristotle Onassis 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400S



    The 1966 hit ‘In the Days of King Otto’ might not have topped the charts outside Greece, but it was a big success for the rally-driving singer Stamatis Kokotas. In the early 70s, Kokotas received a present from his friend and fan, the Greek shipping millionaire Aristotle Onassis. 

    It was a metallic brown 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400S, the car you see here, and one which will be auctioned by the British house Coys at its 4 December, London sale. 

    If any car could personify the jet-setting lifestyle of the time, it was the Miura. Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966, one of Bertone’s finest-ever designs (it was from the pen of Marcello Gandini) could stop traffic in the best streets of New York, London or Paris. 



    Ironically for a company noted for its refusal to compete in motorsport until recent times, the company’s engineering team of Gian Paolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani and Bob Wallace created a mid-engined supercar akin to a contemporary Ferrari Le Mans entry. But it took Maranello until 1973 - after Miura production had finished - before its equivalent (the 365 GT4 BB) went on sale. 

    With a transverse-mounted, 3.9-litre V12 producing around 375bhp in P400S configuration, the car had the performance to match its low-slung, striking looks – although it would take a brave man to use it to the full. 

    Kokotas could well have been such a person, as he was a highly capable rally driver and enthusiast for fast cars, running an extensive collection in the 1970s, all funded by his singing career. 


    Onassis was both a friend of Kokotas and a fan of his music. It was typical of the man worth countless millions that he should share his riches with a likeminded artistic Greek. 

    As a P400S, this car benefited from upgrades such as electric windows and an improved engine. It also had the optional air-conditioning – essential in such a hot climate. Unique to it, though, are the engraved alloy air vents, passenger grab handle, gear lever, electric window switches and ignition switch surrounds. The steering wheel boss also has further bespoke etchings. 

    The well-known ‘eyelashes’ around the headlamps were made from alloy, and underneath the unique-shaped grille sits a battery of driving lights. 

    This car, clearly, means business. 


    Today, the 'barn-find' car with a matching-numbers engine (straight from display as an exhibit at the Lamborghini factory) is one of the remaining Miuras yet to be restored. It comes to the UK for the Coys sale after some 42 years in storage in the underground car park of the Athens Hilton. 

    Metallic brown with tan leather, and an association with one of the richest men in the world, it encapsulates the spirit of the time. It's estimated at GBP 320,000 - 370,000 and will require further investment to restore it to its former glory. 

    But imagine the satisfaction as the project takes shape and the completed car takes a bow at Pebble Beach or an owners’ tour. As Onassis once put it: “After a certain point, money is meaningless. It ceases to be the goal. The game is what counts.” 


    Related links

    Further details of this rare car can be found in the Classic Driver Marketplace

    You can view all the cars to be offered by Coys at its 4 December, London sale in the Classic Driver Marketplace


    Text: Steve Wakefield
    Photos: Simon Clay / Coys

    BAT Facts: Understanding the extraordinary Bertone-bodied Alfa Romeos of the 1950s



    You might well have seen them at Pebble Beach or Villa d’Este, but what exactly were the futuristic curled-wing wonders known as the ‘BAT cars’? Let us be your guide. 

    What’s in a name; are we talking about the Caped Crusader? 

    Well, no. ‘BAT’ is not a reference to Gotham City; it stands for ‘Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica Alfa Romeos’. 

    So how did they come about? 

    Bertone was commissioned by Alfa Romeo in the early 1950s to produce a series of striking concept vehicles designed to explore the effects of drag on a vehicle. It was all very space-age and took place at the same time as Carrozzeria Touring made the Disco Volante (‘flying saucer’). Bertone’s Franco Scaglione masterminded the design project, building all cars on Alfa Romeo 1900 SS chassis.



    And were they successful? 

    In terms of low drag, yes. A drag coefficient of of 0.19 was recorded for the very best and, despite the modest 1900cc, four-cylinder engine and extravagant bodywork, a top speed of over 120mph was achievable. Publicity-wise, the cars created a storm wherever they were shown. And still do. 

    So, BAT 5, BAT 7 and BAT 9 - how many were made?

    Between 1953 and 1955, one car per year was revealed at the Turin Motor Show. Three cars in all. Legend has it that the ‘5’ came about as it took five attempts before Scaglione was happy with the final result. 



    And what happened to them afterwards? 

    In the period immediately after 1955, all three were bought by American entrepreneur (and business partner of Nuccio Bertone) Stanley Harold ‘Wacky’ Arnolt II. He drove BAT 5 on the road for many years. When the collection was split up, BAT 7 was raced and fell into quite bad disrepair, and BAT 9 served as a ‘gate guardian’ outside a General Motors dealership in Michigan. All very sad. 

    So where are they now?

    Thankfully, in good hands, in a single collection. All three were restored in the UK prior to a magnificent unveiling at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. They occasionally make other visits to the concours lawn, and have been seen at the Goodwood Cartier Style et Luxe, the Louis Vuitton Bagatelle Concours d'Elegance, Paris and Villa d’Este. 

    Text: Classic Driver

    FIM awards Jorge Lorenzo Personality of the Year

    from TWOWHEELSBLOG

    FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012
    More than five hundred guests packed into the prestigious ‘Salle des Etoiles’ room of the Sporting Monte-Carlo to enjoy a very special evening that rewarded the exploits of the World’s best motorcycle riders. Broadcast live on TV in several different countries a host of motorcycling legends were on hand to present the 2012 FIM World Champions with their respective awards, whilst also being honoured themselves for their achievements to two wheel sports. Master of the ceremony, Suzi Perry displayed her tremendous motorcycle expertise with style.
    Legends such as Mary McGee, Jim Redman, Torsten Hallman, Dougie Lampkin, Kari Tiainen, Hubert Auriol and Hans Nielsen were joined on stage by the likes of Jorge Lorenzo, Max Biaggi, Marc Marquez, Sandro Cortese, Antonio Cairoli, Ryan Villopoto, Toni Bou, Antoine Meo, Pierre-Alexandre Renet, Chris Holder, Nikolai Krasnikov and many more talented riders. The female side of the sport was well represented by Laia Sanz (Double title in Enduro & Trial), Chiara Fontanesi, Camelia Liparoti and Emmanuelle Clair.
    In addition to the many FIM World Champions who stepped forward to receive their awards, the FIM also made three special presentations for FIM Rookie of the Year, FIM Woman of the Year and FIM Personality of the Year. These three awards were voted for by the media, fans, teams, industry and riders via the FIM-LIVE.com website during more recent weeks.
    Tim Gasjer was voted FIM Rookie of the Year, Laia Sanz FIM Woman of the Year, whilstJorge Lorenzo received the award for FIM Personality of the Year.
    FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012

    FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012FIM Gala Montecarlo 2012
    The FIM Environmental Award was won by the Circuits de Catalunya from Spain. This award was created in order to encourage a greater awareness of environmental concerns within the motorcycling world. The Ambulance Motorcycle Club won the 2012 FIM Road Safety Award for its helmet safety campaign.
    Speaking at this unique occasion FIM President Vito Ippolito stated: “The third FIM Gala Ceremony in Monte-Carlo was the perfect moment to congratulate and honour our 2012 Champions not only in the ‘Salle des Etoiles’, but also in front of millions of TV viewers around the globe. Again I must thank the riders and teams for being here tonight. They truly understand the importance of the FIM Gala both for the FIM and for motorcycle sport as a whole.”

    MOONEYES HOT ROD & CUSTOM SHOW


    I thought I’d start off this second post from this weekend’s Hot Rod & Custom Show with what has to be the most memorable car I saw there. I think it perfectly sums up what the custom car scene is all about in Japan, an obvious ability to not only emulate, interpret and evolve what has been done over in the US for years, but also apply it to the most unsuspecting of cars. I mean you really have to think outside the box to transform a little Subaru 360…
    …into some kind of crazy Hot Rod with a whole new front axle positioned miles in front of the car’s front end…
    …and an equally wild stance at the rear. It was quite amusing to hear a couple of foreign visitors to the show debating on what it was, and agreeing it must have been some custom take on an old Beetle!
    Aside from the obvious size difference the confusion, I thought, was pretty understandable, considering just how many actual bugs where present at the show.
    Like I mentioned in my preview yesterday, one of the main displays this year was the VW area where all sorts of Beetles had flocked in from various corners of Japan to show off their unique styles, which varied from cool roof-chopped examples like this particular car…
    …to more vintage takes.
    Check out this wildly customized one, not really a dune buggy but sort of half way there!
    You can’t help but admire all the carpentry that must have gone into this wagon. Oh and you gotta have the Moondiscs!
    If I had to pick one bug out of all on display, this slammed and very simple example really stood out. I’m also quite partial to a split rear window.
    Here is one of the few cars that had been brought over from the US especially for the show, the Schley Bros. Lighting Bug.
    This chopped drag racer is the first bug to record a 10-second pass on the quarter mile and 6-second pass on the 1/8 mile both achieved in 1972.
    Among the sea of Beetles there were plenty of other vintage VWs to feast one’s eyes on like this Type III Notchback which had been left is a natural state of decay…
    …rust spots exposed for a sort of rat rod feel. The aggressively slammed ride height led to some very VIP-like onikyan, which suited it rather well.
    Rust is as popular as glossy paint jobs at Mooneyes as this Karmann Ghia perfectly shows.
    Shiny modern wheels finished the look off, deeply recessed up front and tightly tucked in at the rear.
    For those wanting to see some vintage domestic cars, well Mooneyes never disappoints as I found it hard to keep away from this particular area…
    …which was full of awesome old Toyotpet Crowns of all body types…
    …from sedans like this shiny dark silver example…
    …to the pick up we saw in yesterday’s preview post, finishing off with a pair of nice coupes.
    The cherry on the cake, and one of my favorite, the wagon of course.
    Hopefully this beautifully restored hauler will give our very own Mike Garrett a few ideas!
    While the preparations continued…
    …I headed out the back of the exhibition center to check out a couple of rat rods that had just been unloaded. It’s so hard not to love these raw creations; they are probably the most artistic expression of a custom car I can possibly think of. Simple, to the point and oozing tons of character.
    What is cool is that a lot of the support cars that shops or owners use are actually vintage themselves, just like this Honda TN-III truck I spotted parked up along the access road.
    There weren’t quite as many lowriders as last year, seeing that in the other half of the exhibition space a massive chopper display had been organized for the bike guys. Still there were some impressive creations to check out…
    …with so much attention to detail you really had to stop and take a closer look.
    It was quite refreshing seeing a ’32 Ford with a roof and wearing most of its body panels, as usually these are some of the most popular basis for extreme hot-rod conversions.
    More roofed beauties from a little later generation.
    White on white?
    Someone has parked a new Alfa Romeo Giulietta in front of the gates to Hall B, and while it may have nothing to do with anything on display at Mooneyes, it looked so good basking in the light that I just had to grab a shot.
    As ever if you want to admire some of the best hot rods Japan has to offer…
    …this was the place to come to, an area dedicated to these minimalistic creations, surrounded by a ton of stalls selling anything from hair pomade to custom painted hubcaps.
    This converted Jeep Fleetvan mobile catering truck was one of the most imaginative creations. Too bad that during the set up day the advertised “Arizona Burgers” weren’t on sale, as I would have definitely devoured one for lunch!
    This Porsche 356 turned out to be something a little different from the classic I initially assumed it was. The term “restomod” might be the best word to describe it, as the car has obviously kept its original vintage lines, yet has been combined with some modern work under its skin.
    The name on the front fenders sort of gives it away.
    Yup, this old Porsche has given up the old flat-4 engine in favor of an electric motor and a battery pack, giving it 75 miles of range and a top speed of 110 mph.
    I will be getting to the awesome selection of muscle cars in the next installment of pictures from the show…
    …but first up will be a spotlight-o-rama featuring five cars that really stood out to me. Don’t miss it!