The ice lay gleaming in front of us. It would be a pretty sight if we did not have to ride across it. Even though studded tires were installed, it took a hearty dose of courage to conquer the tundra. Our sideways snow blast over, it was onto the final piece of our mission.
To outfit yourself for a snow crossing, visit http://www.Rideicon.com/patrol/
To ride among us at http://www.facebook.com/iconmotosports
mardi 1 janvier 2013
Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL: A pin-striped revolutionary
Ostensibly, this black Mercedes saloon could not be more traditional, and hardly a ‘classic’. However, underneath the sober lines of the W109-series saloon lies some advanced engineering: quite revolutionary in fact.
In the late 1960s, Mercedes’ designer Paul Bracq joined in the general sense of rebellion by designing the new W108 saloon without 'fins'.
With the 250, 250 SE and 300 SE, the famous Stuttgart company introduced fuel-injection to the mass market.
A little later it added the 300 SEL, ‘L’ for lang denoting a long-wheelbase limousine. The extra 10cm in the wheelbase was not the only change, for this model saw the introduction of air suspension front and rear (the previous ‘fin tail’ estate had air suspension at the rear only). The system is best known in the Tarmac-shredding 300 SEL 6.3.
So different was the long-wheelbase SEL model with air suspension that Mercedes allocated it a new type number: W109. At first, the car ran with a 170bhp straight six. Not the most exciting motor, we’d agree, but more than enough to blow VW Beetles off the Autobahn at 100+mph. A 280 version of that ’six soon followed, with more serious power coming from the 200bhp 3.5-litre V8. A 4.5-litre V8 was also fitted – a rare beast nowadays.
Classic Driver dealer Mirbach let us try this 300 SEL 2.8. It is in quite superb condition. The 200bhp engine was replaced at 80,000km with a genuine Mercedes unit. The seats are still covered with original fabric. Its specification of four electric windows, an electric sunroof, a Becker Mexico radio-cassette player and automatic transmission make it rare and desirable. Costly maintenance such as overhauling the air suspension has already been carried out by a previous owner.
So, comrades, why not join the revolution?
| Related Links This car, available from Claus Mirbach, Hamburg, in the Classic Driver Marketplace All cars available from Mirbach, Hamburg, in the Classic Driver Marketplace You can browse over 500 classic and modern Mercedes-Benz motor cars in the Classic Driver Marketplace |
Text: Sven Jürisch (ClassicDriver.com)
Photos: Jan Richter
Motor Trend Season 1 - A Look Back at 2012
For the final video of 2012, we take a look back at the highlights (and lowlights!) of Season 1 on the Motor Trend Youtube channel. Join hosts Angus MacKenzie, David Freiburger, Jessi Lang, Carlos Lago, Ari Henning, Mike Finnegan, Jonny Lieberman, Bradley Adams and more as they share their favorite memories and most challenging moments from 2012... and offer a few hints at what's in store for 2013 and Season 2!
SEX & SPEED | “JUNGLE PAM” HARDY & “JUNGLE JIM” LIBERMAN LIGHT ‘EM UP
1973 — “Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman with his Chevy Vega Funny Car.
You’d be hard-pressed to say who was hotter back in the ’70s– “Jungle Pam” in her go-go boots, short-shorts, and titillating tops… or “Jungle Jim” Liberman’s rubber-melting burnouts, wheelstands, and screaming up and down the length of the dragstrip backwards. Liberman was arguably one of the most flamboyant and memorable showmen on the funny car circuit, who knew better than anyone what the crowd wanted– and hiring the 18 yr old tall, dark and sexy “Jungle Pam” Hardy as his sassy staging sidekick was a calculated stroke of marketing genius. But she was no lightweight– she quickly learned to turn a wrench, know here way around cars, the crowds, and the scene– the fans loved her.
“Jungle Pam” is still a legend to this day, and a true original. Sadly, Jim Liberman left us back in ’77 when his Corvette hit a bus head-on in a tragic road accident. His spirit lives through all the drivers he’s inspired, and the countless memories of his “Jungle Jim” antics and achievements during Liberman’s legendary racing career.
Drag racing legends “Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman doing what they do best.
“Jungle Pam” gets down.
“Jungle Pam” Hardy
“Jungle Jim” Liberman’s epic 1970s wheel-standing funny car. Image via
“Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman with his Chevy Funny Car.
“Jungle Jim” Liberman’s epic 1970s wheel-standing funny car. Image via
“Jungle Pam” Hardy — Photo courtesy Greg Sharp and the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsport Museum
“Jungle Pam” Hardy
Epic shot of “Jungle Pam” Hardy look-a-like (as it turns out) working the crowd, and no doubt distracting the competition. –image Jim Kelly
“Jungle Pam” Hardy
A young and fresh-faced “Jungle Pam” Hardy on her way to becoming a racetrack legend.
“Jungle Pam” Hardy– Image © Charles Gilchrist, right with racing legend “Jungle Jim” Liberman.
“Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman at work on the drag strip.
“Jungle Pam” Hardy and “Jungle Jim” Liberman at work on the drag strip– Image © Charles Gilchrist
More Jungle Pam goodness here at H.A.M.B. and at JunglePam.com
from http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com
BMW RENNSPORT RS54
The 1956 BMW Rennsport RS54 is a great example of what the Germans can achieve when they get their heads together and decide to go racing against the Brits and the Italians.
The bike itself is an engineering marvel, the frame is entirely lug less and is made from welded oval-section tubing. The swingarm housed the driveshaft behind its 5-speed gearbox, the front forks were a remarkable design patented in 1953 by the Englishman Ernie Earles, whose design was exceedingly light and much stronger then traditional telescopic forks.
This unique BMW Rennsport RS54 has a distinctive Bartl-style ‘duckbill’ fairing, the duckbill was thought to split airflow around the fairing and improve the “slipperiness” of the bike as a whole. The DOHC engine was advanced for the day and is directly traceable as one of the forefathers of the modern, BMW boxer engines.
This Rennsport is to be placed for sale at the upcoming Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction with Bonhams on the 10th of January 2013, it’s estimated that it’ll sell for between $145,000 – 165,000 USD, which seems pretty reasonable considering how much history this bike contains between its wheels.
Check out the official lot listing here.
from SILODROME
The ABCs of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
FROM
There are many, many reasons we attend AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The bikes, the swap meet, the racing and the overall atmosphere created by motorcycle enthusiasts is an experience we don’t wanna miss. We were fortunate to have worked with the good folks at the American Motorcyclist Association to help convey the vibe of VMD (see the video at the end of the post). After going through our pics, here’s an alphabetical and photographic rundown of why we love attending this event.
And, if you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a vid we put together to give you a taste of the sights and sounds of VMD:
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