CAFÉ RACER 76

Trader's timewarp: Delivery-mileage Lamborghini Countach for sale

For those who have seen ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and fancy teleporting back to the late 80s, this ‘brand-new’, delivery-mileage Countach for sale exclusively through Classic Driver will have you reprising the roles of Jordan Belfort or Gordon Gekko in no time. This is your wake-up call, pal…

With the boiler room boys of the 1980s splashing their cash in the most dramatic manner possible, it’s little wonder that the Lamborghini Countach was a favourite. Even by the time the 25th Anniversary edition arrived in 1988, the basic design was still arresting – though the flared arches, enlarged rear ‘air boxes’ and much-specified optional spoiler added a touch of visual strength to reinforce the owner’s financial muscle.

Untouched since 1990

You might think that a quarter of a century on, no amount of money in the world would see a brand-new Countach on your driveway – but you’d be wrong. Classic Driver has unearthed this time-warp 25th Anniversary example which has never been driven since the owner took delivery back in 1990. The mere 187km (116 miles) displayed on the odometer is the result of testing by Balboni’s boys at the factory, before it was delivered to the climate-controlled environment in which it has remained ever since. Checked over on a monthly basis, with an interior treated regularly, it’s no doubt the closest anyone will come to the experience of owning a brand-new example of arguably Lamborghini’s most memorable supercar.

Now all you need is a low-mileage 1980s pin-up to occupy the yet-to-be-graced passenger seat; though finding one whose looks have matured as nicely might be a tough task.

Photos: Tim Scott of Fluid Images - Copyright Samuel Laurence

METISSE CAFE RACER KITS

If you’ve got a recent-model Triumph Bonneville, Thruxton or Scrambler in your garage and want to upgrade it, you’re in luck. You’ll find a dizzying array of options to choose from, with full cafe racer kits at the top of the tree.

One of the best kits we’ve seen comes from the German accessory specialist Metisse (no relation to the English company of the same name). After launching kits for the BMW R1200, designer and Metisse owner Horst Edler has added a new model: the Metisse Triumph CR900.

The CR900 cafe racer kit fits any 2001-on model from the Triumph ‘modern classics’ range, and prices start from $3,700 including tax. The base kit includes an upholstered aluminum seat unit and a polished aluminum fuel tank, with a mount for the original fuel pump  and a lockable filler cap. You also get an  LED taillight,  a number plate bracket with indicator mounts,  a lowering kit for the instruments  and a decal set. We’d prefer a stitched brown leather seat, but otherwise the look of the bike is absolutely spot-on.

If you want to buy a ready-built bike, the German Triumph dealer ZTK will assemble one for you—which would cost $15,000 or more, depending on spec. And yes, that includes the cost of the bike too.

Metisse also offers hop-up parts including belt drive kits, Wilbers suspension made to Metisse specifications, Gilles hand controls, rearsets and lightweight bolt kits. And since the company operates in Germany, all parts are TÜV approved—a good guarantee of quality.

Just add a 904 big bore kit and a Power Commander, and you’re good to go.

Full details on the metisse.de website.

via BIKEEXIF

Jetman's First Flight in Asia

Yves 'Jetman' Rossy has completed his first flight in Asia choosing the iconic Mount Fuji, Japan as a symbolic backdrop for this milestone flight.

Flying above the famous snow-capped peak, at up to 185mp/h (300km/h) looping and rolling with his jet powered carbon-Kevlar® wing, Yves Rossy enjoyed a unique perspective of the famous landmark most people only see from the ground, or simply from TV and photos.

Yves Rossy commented:
"Flying here for me is a dream. It is such a contrast flying free with just a wing on my back, compared to being enclosed in a cockpit as an airline pilot. It is hard to describe the emotions and feeling of having an opportunity like this, it's spiritual, it is immense. I am the lucky guy who gets to do this, but I hope I can motivate the next generation of forward thinkers to do something different, to strive and achieve their goals... even if it seems impossible."

Following the recent tour of the Breitling Jet Team in Japan, Breitling, a watch brand synonymous with aviation, is pleased to support these outstanding achievements, which are part of activities marking the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relationships between Switzerland and Japan.

Is the Toyota Land Cruiser the best 'Landie'?

RM Auctions: 1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 (USD 65.000 - 85.000)

In Australia and Africa, those who speak of the ‘Landie’ are not referring to the all-conquering British icon, but rather the Toyota Land Cruiser. Recent years have seen the early FJ40 go from reliable workhorse to collector’s item…

With a technically solid drivetrain, including an enjoyable six-cylinder petrol engine, many were used until the body collapsed into dust

A wide variety of Toyota FJ40s are to be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, but RM Auctions, Bonhams and Gooding & Company have also recognised the potential of early Land Cruisers – with each offering a prime example in their Arizona sales, all in restored states and with estimates ranging from 35,000 to 85,000 USD.

Between the 1950s and 1980s, the FJ was employed as an inexpensive yet reliable workhorse throughout Africa, Australia and the United States. During this period, an equivalent Land Rover Defender cost around twice as much in South Africa. As a result, thousands were built but, due to their nature, a good example can be difficult to source. Unlike the Defender, the FJ40 had a steel body – and even though later models were given an aluminium tray for the underfloor area, uncared-for bodies are prone to rust.

All-terrain cruiser

In the States, the FJ40 has had a loyal fanbase for some time. However, with a technically solid drivetrain, including an enjoyable six-cylinder petrol engine, many were used until the body collapsed into dust. Luckily, with the basic design kept the same for decades, many parts were interchangeable with newer models and some owners used the opportunity to get creative. Production continued in some countries until the 1990s, so the parts supply is comparatively good. Only in recent times, however, have people begun to spend tens of thousands of dollars on complete frame-off restorations with an emphasis on originality. Still, when looking at the three prime specimens being auctioned this week, you can see why many think it’s worth the effort.

Homage to a hero: Toyota FJ Cruiser

In 2003, the FJ’s story continued when a toy-like design study shown at the Detroit Motor Show proved so popular that Toyota was almost forced to put it into production. To date, with more than 200,000 of the resulting FJ Cruisers sold, retirement beckons once again with a final ‘Ultimate Edition’ going on sale in the States next month, limited to 2,500 examples.

Photos: Toyota, RM Auctions, Bonhams, Gooding & Co.