IPOTHESYS BY FILIPPO BARBACANE

The motorcycle you see here is called “Ipothesys”, it’s officially labelled “Prototypo 1″ and it’s the first in a limited edition of bikes that will be produced by renowned custom motorcycle builder Filippo Barbacane of Officine Rossopuro.

Ipothesys is directly based on the frame and engine of the Moto Guzzi Griso, a 1200cc V-Twin that Moto Guzzi has been selling just about as fast as it can make them. Barbacane wanted to take the Griso and create something with more advanced performance capabilities, so in late 2012 the stock bike was rolled into the Officine Rossopuro garage and work began.

The Griso was stripped to its bare essentials, the front and rear suspension was discarded as was the fuel tank and existing body work. The air box was replaced with a stand-alone pod filter and a new subframe was added to lower the riding position and reduce weight. A new fuel tank, rear cowl and front fairing were created and bolted into place.

A bespoke 2-into-2 exhaust was fabricated and fitted, once this was done Barbacane turned his attention to the springs, in order to give the bike serious performance chops the suspension and braking was replaced and tuned for the track. Up front, a pair of beefy Marzocchi SBK-spec RAC 50mm forks were added courtesy of a new triple-tree, on the back a Bitubo XXF-11 mono-shock was bolted into place.

The front and rear brakes were replaced with Brembos, as an Italian it would have been absurd for Barbacane to have chosen anything else, the slew of other, smaller parts is too extensive to list here but if you’d like to read more or order your own you can click here to visit the official website of Ipothesys Motorcycles, they’re currently producing these in limited numbers and have plans for Ipothesys 2 in the coming year.

Additional information via Bike EXIF.

via SILODROME

Snapshot, 1967: Who'd even notice Raquel Welch?

Take a look at this stunning beauty. No, not Raquel Welch, although we admit she’s fairly provocative – but we’re far more interested in what’s under the dark blue dress of the 1960s Italian beauty standing next to her. Can you identify the car?

The characteristic boat-tail, narrow rear lights and reflectors, chrome bumper and dual exhaust tips – these would describe many an Italian Spider travelling the highways of 1960s America. But in this case, Raquel Welch is leaning on one of the 200 examples of the Ferrari 275 GTS, a convertible built primarily for the American market. In 1967, Welch appeared in the film Fathom, along with the Pininfarina-styled, open-top Ferrari – and legend has it that director Leslie H. Martinson generously gave her the car after the release of the film.

A perfect pairing

Raquel Welch owned and drove the Ferrari, chassis number 07359, for some years before selling it on. We’re not sure where that particular GTS is today but, in August, RM Auctions will be offering two similarly attractive specimens for sale: a black GTS from 1965  and a silver GTS from 1966, both of which can be found in the Classic Driver Market.

Enzo Ferrari had many beautiful daughters: the fastest and most attractive Ferraris of all time can be found in the Classic Driver Market.

Argentina

VW Rallycross Beetle. Tanner Foust & Scott Speed

Tanner Foust & Scott Speed Talk VW Beetle Racecar

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered over three million vehicles in the first half year for the first time in the company’s history. A total of 3.07 million vehicles were handed over to customers worldwide, representing an increase of 3.8 per cent. But none of them were anything like this.

Tanner Foust and Scott Speed took delivery of their new GRC Beetles which, thanks to Volkswagen Motorsport and Andretti Rallycross, delivers 540+hp to all the wheels producing a 0-100kph time of less than two seconds. While it would be lovely to think that Volkswagen might produce a road going variant for sale to Mr. Joe Public, increasing the marques sales even more, we aren’t holding our breath.

Go on VW. Go bananas with the Beetle.

Source – Volkswagen