1957 FORD COURIER SEDAN DELIVERY

This pristine 1957 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery is a far cry from what we consider a delivery vehicle in the modern age – We’re more used to seeing wheezing diesels puttering into our driveways with deliveries, but it wasn’t always like this.

In 1957 when gasoline was cheap and global warming was just something that happened in summer, delivery cars like this were built with 190bhp 272 cubic inch V8s and styling inspired by the jet age. Times have certainly changed, but not necessarily for the better.

Plugged into that V8 is a 3-speed manual transmission and it all rides on coil-spring independent front suspension, a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf-spring suspension, and it’s all brought to a halt by 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

The Courier Sedan Delivery you see here is currently part of the Jeffrey Day Collection, it’s been given one of the most detailed restorations you’re ever likely to find on a former commercial vehicle and it’s being offered for auction today (the 9th of October 2014) by RM Auctions at the Hershey Sale.

If you’d like to view the full listing or register to bid online, you can click here.

Photo Credit: Darin Schnabel ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions

‘79 Honda CX500 – 502 Moto

It’s a truism to say that most builders have a kind of love/hate relationship with their project bikes. From the elation experienced when a seat comes together perfectly with a frame to the utter torment of broken bolts, mysterious misfires and parts that magic themselves into other dimensions after they hit the floor, it’s more than common for builds to drag their makers through a gamut of emotions. But I think it’s fair to say that Brad White from Louisville, Kentucky’s 502 Moto has a painful build story that beats most. And when I say painful, I mean just that.

The Little Stranger build literally started as an accident. After the 450 lb. 1979 CX500 purchased by sculptor and fabricator Brad White ended up on top of him, fracturing his collarbone but only slightly injuring his ego, he knew things had to change. Even prior to the accident the vintage Honda was in need of everything; brakes, tires, fluids, and just about anything else you could imagine. Following the accident, Brad made his way down the I-71 South, from Columbus to Louisville, Kentucky; a town which is becoming widely recognized for its ever-growing vintage bike scene.

Brad, who is known both regionally and nationally for other vintage bike builds, recently teamed up with mechanic and partner Michael Van Benten, to form 502 Moto. Little Stranger is the bike that has launched the look of their fledgling company; a look that was described by one recent observer as “metal as fuck.” The long, low stance is a result of the guys stretching the swing arm four inches back and raking the steering neck to create a more menacing look. By lowering the narrow forks internally, placing a pentagram wheel upfront and inserting bronze Paiste cymbals in the rear. Yes, you read that right. Paiste – as in drums. Little Stranger is equal parts Slayer and Salt Flats record setter.

Paiste cymbals never looks so good. Drum roll, anyone?

At first look, what most people notice is the custom deluxe tank, which Brad gently manipulated with a ball pen hammer to create a tasty pair of knee pockets and a trick, recessed fuel filler. To visually balance out the fatty 4.5 gallon tank, the rearmost section of the frame was removed, altered with a hoop, and then new shock mounts and tail section were crafted to create a more aesthetically pleasing look. Digging into their previous chopper builds for some inspiration, the front fairing got some vintage stacked rectangle lights that have been frenched into a manipulated KZ400 fender found lying on a shelf.

Brad’s trademark black and white paint scheme wasn’t left behind, as the front forks got striped “hooker stockings” to match up with the race inspired side covers, painted to mimic last-minute electrical tape number changes seen by Brad and Michael over the years at the local races. The rest of the bike was shot in-house with Audi Nimbus Gray pearl with a “vintage Moto Guzzi” stripe on the tank and cleared in satin to keep it as punk rock as possible.

Flames and smoke are kick ass during a rock show, but Michael wanted to make sure that never occurred while on the road with Little Stranger. To achieve this he rewired the entire bike, placing any of the previously visible electronics under a soft-leather seat with the irregular stripe in the stitch, crafted in-house by the boys at 502 Moto. The exhaust system was chopped up and rerouted as a two into one. Bespoke heat shields continue the stripe pattern and it’s finished off with an upswept Triumph muffler, which lines up nicely with all the angles and is quiet like a Honda should be.

All up, 502 have created a good-looking, comfortable ride from a barn find that responds well in the corners and goes like hell on the straightaways. And Little Stranger doesn’t look out-of-place in the twisties with clean vintage restos or stretched out along side a chopper or five. Next time you find yourself south of the Mason Dixon line, why not stop by?

[Photos by Nicholas Karem]

via PIPEBURN

Moto GP : Coup d’envoi imminent au Twin Ring Motegi / Riders in good spirits approaching Motegi round

Marc Márquez, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Aleix Espargaró, Hiroshi Aoyama et Maverick Viñales se sont retrouvés en conférence de presse jeudi au Motegi avant l’ouverture du Grand Prix Motul du Japon.

Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) aura sa première opportunité de remporter le Championnat du Monde MotoGP™ 2014 ce week-end au Japon et s’est montré calme et confiant au moment de revenir sur sa chute au MotorLand Aragón.

« En regardant la course d’Aragón à la télé, je semble stupide d’être resté sur slicks mais quand j’étais en piste, je me disais qu’il ne restait plus que trois tours, » a commenté Márquez. « Les pneus se sont cependant refroidis et je suis tombé. C’est une question d’expérience. »

« Ce week-end nous avons notre première opportunité de remporter le championnat. J’en suis content parce qu’il reste encore quatre courses et c’est donc positif pour moi. Nous allons aborder cette course comme n’importe quelle autre course et essayer de lutter pour les premières places. C’est bien d’avoir cette opportunité chez Honda mais je ne suis pas nerveux. Mon objectif est de remporter le championnat et peu importe où je le ferai. »

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) était lui aussi tombé au MotorLand Aragón mais avait dû passer la nuit en observation après une courte perte de connaissance. L’Italien a depuis récupéré à 100% et a déclaré :

« C’était une mauvaise chute mais j’allais déjà mieux le lundi suivant la course à Aragón et je vais bien. J’ai fait de bonnes courses à Motegi par le passé et j’avais remporté le championnat ici en 2008. L’an dernier j’espérais faire mieux mais j’avais fait une erreur au départ et je n’avais pas pu finir dans le Top 3. Nous devons progresser cette année. C’est une période de la saison qui est importante et tout le monde va donner le maximum. »

Vainqueur en Aragón, Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) tentera de s’imposer une seconde fois de suite ce dimanche, sur un circuit où il avait gagné l’an dernier mais aussi en 2009.

« Ça fait quelque temps que nous sommes en bonne forme et que nous avons de bons résultats. Je suis le pilote qui a marqué le plus de points sur la seconde partie de la saison, » a affirmé Lorenzo. « C’était fantastique de gagner en Aragón parce que je m’attendais à être derrière les pilotes Honda. Je me rapproche de la seconde place au championnat. Il est impossible de rattraper Marc mais mon objectif pour les dernières courses sera de toujours finir à l'une des deux premières places. »

Annoncé chez Suzuki pour la saison 2015 et présent sur le podium pour la première fois en Aragón, Aleix Espargaró (NGM Forward Racing) traverse une bonne période et a déclaré : « Ces dernières semaines ont été parmi les meilleures de toute ma vie, surtout cette course en Aragón. »

« Finir deuxième derrière Jorge était comme un rêve. Nous avons aussi un projet très excitant avec Suzuki. Ce ne sera pas facile parce que nous avons beaucoup de travail à faire sur la moto mais je sens que je suis dans le meilleur moment de ma carrière. »

Hiroshi Aoyama (Drive M7 Aspar) retrouvera ses fans japonais à domicile ce week-end et a déclaré : « Je suis monté sur le podium quatre fois ici et c’est une bonne piste pour moi. L’an dernier j’avais fini dix-septième mais cette fois-ci j’ai une nouvelle moto, un nouveau team et je sais que je pourrai faire quelque chose. Tous mes amis et ma famille seront ici. »

Maverick Viñales (Paginas Amarillas HP 40), qui court en Moto2™ et fera ses débuts en MotoGP™ chez Suzuki, aux côtés d’Aleix Espargaró, l’an prochain, arrive au Japon après une superbe victoire en Aragón. 

« Je suis très heureux, j’ai eu l’un des meilleurs week-ends de ma carrière en Aragón, » a affirmé Viñales. « J’ai remporté la course puis il y a eu l’annonce de mon arrivée en MotoGP avec Suzuki. Je suis très fier de faire partie de ce projet. »

Les essais libres de la catégorie MotoGP™ au Grand Prix Motul du Japon, commencent vendredi matin à 9h55, heure locale (GMT +9), soit 2h55, heure de Paris.

In the pre-event press conference ahead of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan on Thursday Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Aleix Espargaro, Hiroshi Aoyama and Maverick Viñales addressed the media as they prepare to embark on the first of the flyaway triple-header of races this weekend.

Repsol Honda’s young World Champion Marquez gets his first shot at retaining the title on Sunday. He was in a typically relaxed and confident mood as he reflected on a difficult race at Aragon last time out and contemplated the challenge ahead in Japan.

Marquez commented, “When you look back at the Aragon race on TV it looks like I was stupid to stay out on slicks, but when I was on track I was thinking there are only three laps to go. But the tyres cooled down and I crashed. It’s all about experience.”

“This weekend is the first chance to win the championship and I’m happy because there are still four races to go so that’s good for me. We will try to approach it like a normal race and push to be in the first positions. It is nice to have the chance at the home round for Honda, but I’m not nervous because my target is to win the championship and it doesn’t matter when.”

Like for Marquez, there was also a crash for Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) at Aragon, though in the case of the Italian the accident ended his race in Spain and saw him taken to hospital for scans after he was briefly knocked unconscious. The nine-time World Champion confirmed that he has recovered 100% and is ready for the Motegi battle.

He said, “It was a bad crash but I was already ok on the Monday after the race at Aragon, so I’m fine. In the past I have had good races in Motegi and I won the championship here in 2008. Last year I expected more here, but I made a mistake after a good start and I couldn't stay with the top three. So we have to improve this year. This is an important part of the season and everyone is at their maximum.”

Aragon race-winner Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) will attempt to make it two victories in succession on Sunday, having triumphed for the first time this season in Spain last time out. Lorenzo won the MotoGP race at Motegi last year and was also victorious there in 2009.

He spoke of his current form, saying, “For quite a while now we have been in good shape, with good results. In the second half of the season I have more points than anyone else so far. Aragon was fantastic because I expected to be behind the Honda guys, but finally we won the race. Now I’m getting close to the second place in the championship. It is impossible to catch Marc now but my target is to finish in the top two places in every race.”

Following the recent announcement that he will become a Suzuki factory rider in 2015 as the manufacturer returns to MotoGP and on the back of his first premier class podium at Aragon, Espargaro (NGM Forward Racing) stated enthusiastically, “The last weeks have been amongst the best in my life, especially with the race at Aragon.”

“Finishing in second place behind Jorge was like a dream. It is really exciting with this new project with Suzuki. It is not going to be easy because we have to do a lot of work with the bike, but I feel like I’m at the best moment in my career.”

Home rider Aoyama (Drive M7 Aspar) spoke of his pride at representing Japan in the premier class at Motegi this weekend, saying, “I have been on the podium four times here so it’s a good track for me. Last year I finished 17^th but this year I have a new bike and a new team and I know I can enjoy it. All my friends and family will be here.”

Like Espargaro reigning Moto3™ World Champion and current Moto2™ participant Viñales (Paginas Amarillas HP 40) will ride with Suzuki in MotoGP™ in 2015. He arrives in Japan on the back of a superb Moto2 win at Aragon.

Viñales stated, “I’m really happy, I had the best weekend of my life at Aragon. I won the race and then the announcement was made that I will move into MotoGP with Suzuki. I’m really proud to be involved with the project.”

On Friday morning the action commences on track at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan with FP1 for Moto3™ getting underway at 9am local time and MotoGP™ following at 9.55am, before Moto2™ at 10.55am (GMT +9).

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