CAFÉ RACER 76

jeudi 13 décembre 2012

Legacy Power Wagon: For Big Boys

New Range Rover a little mumsy? You need the hand-built Legacy Power Wagon Conversion based on the famous Dodge AWD truck.

The trucks are built in the heart of pioneer country, Jackson, Wyoming. Legacy Classic Trucks takes an original Dodge Power Wagon – the famous all-wheel-drive truck produced from the closing stages of WW2 to 1980 – and then totally rebuilds it with all mod-cons: air-conditioning; modern, three-point seatbelts; four-wheel disc brakes; power steering; a 16,500lb winch; and much more.
In fact, the company owned by Winslow Bent can do pretty well anything you might want. Starting with a ‘rotisserie’ restored chassis and body, all suspension and mechanical components are either totally overhauled or replaced. Modern long-travel suspension with Bilstein dampers is fitted. Front and rear locking differentials, together with an Atlas transfer case and 3.8:1 low-range option, mean the giant utility vehicle can cover just about any terrain.

Two powerplants are available: a 426 Legacy Magnum V8 425bhp petrol, or a 3.9-litre Cummins Turbo-Diesel with 480lb ft of torque. Either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic can be specified.
And the conversion can be carried out on any variant of what started as a military vehicle, but immediately became a commercial success as the ultimate civilian, ‘go anywhere’ truck. The one you see here is the ‘Legacy Power Wagon 2-Door’, at $119,950.
Classic Driver readers with original, American-spec Airstream caravans might prefer the 'Power Wagon Woodie'. Every $249,000 ‘Woodie’ benefits from 2,000 hours of woodworking, 500 hours of bodywork restoration, 200 hours to re-upholster the leather interior, and over 400 hours spent on the vehicle’s mechanical components.
But will it get you to that most remote camping spot in the woods? We think so.

For further information, visit Legacy Classic Trucks' website: www.legacypowerwagon.com.
Text: Steve Wakefield

Photos: Legacy Classic Trucks
With ClassicDriver.com

YAMAHA XS750 CAFE RACER BY UGLY MOTORBIKES

The team at Ugly Motorbikes have a habit of making their name pleasantly ironic, they invariably turn out motorcycles, like this Yamaha cafe racer, that are so beautiful they almost seem to pop out at you through the screen.

Brady and Chris at Ugly Motorbikes found the donor bike for this build in San Diego, the owner had given up halfway through a bobber conversion and the frame was covered with dodgy welds and bullet casings (they were used as frame plugs), the owner had also decided to weld on rebar hard-tail struts. If you’re anything like me, that last part made you slap your hands over your face and question the existence of god.

“We wanted to build a bike that would catch your eye first look, but will really draw your full attention on the second head turn. We’ve had people visit the shop and not notice the bike till an hour after BSing, with the common response being “Wait, what is this!” Giving this build the unofficial nickname – The Girl Next Door.” Brady Young – Ugly Motorbikes

Yamaha XS750 Cafe Racer 5 Yamaha XS750 Cafe Racer by Ugly Motorbikes

The Yamaha XS750 isn’t the most common choice for a cafe racer conversion, this one has had its frame re-worked and has a custom 3 into 3 exhaust set up that gives it a urgent, almost angry sound when being ridden properly. The forks have been internally lowered 1 ½ inches and a further 1 inch at the triple tree, the velocity stacks are custom engraved, the stop light is asymmetrical and the seat, grips, and foot-pegs are wrapped in Nigerian calf leather. The colour of this leather wrap works well with the fat-blue fuel tank and rear cowling, giving the bike a look reminiscent of the classic Gulf GT40s.

If you’d like to see more from Ugly Motorbikes check out our previous feature on their Honda CB650 cafe racer here, or visit their website here.