Carter Asmann turns coffee stains into café doodles

Southern California-based industrial designer and fine artist Carter Asmann has produced a curious series of works called 'Coffee Ring Drawings', which focuses largely on motorcycles – and came about completely by chance…

An artist looking for a (coffee) break

“The project began by accident while I was sketching one day, and has evolved into an on-going study and exploration of mixed materials,” Asmann tells us. What started as a rogue stain on his sketching pad quickly became the focal point of his characterful drawings, which mainly centre on classic two-wheelers such as a BMW R90 and Dues Ex Machina’s surfboard-carrying Honda C70, but have also been joined by a Porsche 930 Turbo and a 1970s Canon camera. “I find the juxtaposition of the intricate machines and the organic coffee stains visually compelling,” says Asmann. So do we, Carter.

Photos: Carter Asmann

Carter Asmann's coffee drawings can be purchased as prints through his online store.

You can find numerous classic motorcycles for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

Mohamed Al-Fayed’s wild Mini to be sold at auction

At the Bonhams Members’ Meeting auction at Goodwood later this month, one of 500 Mini ‘Rose’ special editions will go under the hammer – probably the only one wearing a leopard-print dress. And if that doesn’t make it unusual enough, the wild Mini was bought new by Mohamed Al-Fayed…

A leopard can’t change its spots, but a Mini can sprout them

In 1989, 500 examples of the special-edition Mini Rose were produced. Egyptian billionaire and then-owner of Harrods, Mohamed Al-Fayed, bought one new to add to his personal fleet housed in Barrow Green Court. At some point, the car was passed down to one of his daughters who, in 1999, commissioned the striking leopard-print paintwork. She also specified unusual details such as black wheels, a polished ‘skull’ gearknob, and a petite leather-rimmed steering wheel by Mountney. These quirky features no doubt played a part in it being named ‘Most Bonkers Mini’ at its first event appearance during the 2012 ‘Minis in the Park’ gathering.

The leopard-print Mini Rose will be offered by Bonhams at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting sale on 21 March, carrying a modest estimate of £4,200 to £5,600.

Photos: Bonhams

You can find many classic and personalised Minis for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

Brave Classics builds bicycles for wine connoisseurs

Have you been looking for a secure way of carrying your bottle of Château Petrus during a Sunday afternoon bike ride? Then you’re likely to approve of the vintage bicycles being produced in Germany by a company called Brave Classics…

The bespoke, bottle-carrying bicycle

Those who spend their Sundays squeezed into Spandex shorts, astride a carbonfibre bicycle, might not fully understand the point of the nostalgic two-wheelers from Brave Classics. But for style-conscious gentlemen who consider their steed to be as much a fashion statement as a means of transport, they could be just the ticket. “Our bikes offer not only optimum riding comfort, but can also be custom-built on request,” explains managing director Peter Lechner. “The colour palette of course includes traditional shades such as brown, beige and white, but also statement colours like bright pink and lime green.” There are also numerous accessories with which you can give your mount the full personalisation treatment, including leather saddlebags and the aforementioned wine holder. Sounds to us like the perfect excuse for a leisurely ride to your local winery.

Café Racer ........