RSD VICTORY PROJECT 200 – KAWASAKI GPZ600 1988

• Body Custom by STUDIO MOTOR Custom Bike
• Painting & Airbrush by KOMET Studio

MINI Oxford plant celebrates its centenary

New MINI arriving later this year

MINI is celebrating the 100^th anniversary of its Oxford plant where later this year the all-new MINI will enter production.

Back in 1913 when the factory started its operations there were only 20 cars / week manufactured and up until now more than 11.65 million cars from 14 brands have been made. Over the years, approximately 500,000 people worked at the Oxford facility, with the peak in the early 60s when 28,000 people were employed. At the moment, there are 3,700 workers making up to 900 MINIs daily. So far they've built 2.25 million MINIs since production commenced.

Later this year the new generation of the MINI will be launched and is rumored to be bigger than the current model. It will be offered with several gasoline and diesel engines, including a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder from the BMW 1-Series. The Cooper S is likely to adopt a 1.6-liter turbo with 178 bhp (132 kW) while the JCW will probably be uprated to 217 bhp (162 kW

from Worldcarfans

BMW R7 Streamliner 1934 | Alfred Böning

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Issue #3 of BMW Motorcycle Magazine . The Art Deco Treasure, BMW R7, was sealed in a box for over 70 years. This bike is actually a prototype that was built by designer Alfred Böning who wanted a different kind of motorcycle.

Still in the 1930′s many motorcycles were “bicycles with motors”. Böning wanted an aerodynamic (love that streamlining!) bike with a pressed steel frame, enclosed bodywork, and a new-back-then telescopic front fork system.

The R7 was originally built in 1934 as a prototype, and production plans were scrapped as World War II spread across Europe. The R7, which was more heavy and expensive to build than BMW would have liked, was stripped of some useful parts and put away in a box.

In 2005, the R7 was brought back into daylight, and BMW Classic rebuilt the bike, which has suffered corrosion over the years. Now the bike, which many consider a masterpiece ahead of its time, is operational again.

The 1934 R7 prototype is an unquestioned design success – a graceful and beautiful study of flowing lines, curves, and feminine masses. Almost to a person, especially to non-motorcyclists, it is considered one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made. As good as it is, the R7 is a total philosophical departure from what is best about BMW during its first 60 years; restraint. The extravagance expressed by the R7 is shockingly French – more Delahaye than Bauhaus. That the R7 was never serially produced makes complete sense, but 75 years on, she’s still a heart-breaker.

from motorivista

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