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'?

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.

Further information about the trio of FJ40 Land Cruisers being sold between 16 and 18 January 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona, can be found below:

RM Auctions: 1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 (USD 65,000 - 85,000)
Bonhams: 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 (USD 35,000 - 45,000)
Gooding & Company: 1983 Toyota Land Crusier FJ40 (USD 40,000 - 60,000)

Barrett Jackson will auction a further 17 classic Land Cruisers at its week-long mass auction in Scottsdale.

for sale : 1975 HONDA CB360 “DORIS”

Feature-film visual FX supervisor Brandon's 350 shed-build was featured on the Bike Shed last summer, and now it's for sale on Bike Shed Trader at http://thebikeshed.cc/bikes/

Snapshot, 1967: A godsend in New York

A 1967 Porsche with, for the first time, a removable Targa roof, rollover bar and foldable plastic rear window. And what better place to savour the driver's new-found freedom than the urban canyons of New York?

Two years have passed since Porsche unveiled a new convertible at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show, aimed squarely at the American market and hence with the emphasis on safety, as required by U.S. regulations. Production began in December 1966 - with overseas clients being given the opportunity to collect the car in person from Zuffenhausen and ship it back to their homes in America. What a thrill it must have been to roar through the streets of Manhattan, dodging the Yellow Cabs, in a brand-new Targa-topped Porsche.

Numerous classic Porsche 911 Targas can be found for sale in the Classic Driver Market.