Saturday, May 05, 2012
On the way to Las Vegas, I was shocked to be driving through a snowbound Mojave desert
Barracuda and a Challenger, Cragars and Keystone Classics. I love this look
you're familiar with the plight of the old American cars in Cuba, but had you heard of the Harley's that are kept running? Here's a great story and photos from Southsiders MC after the link
Gunther is also looking for an publisher, please contact him at : gunther@newmexico.com
And have a look at his website: http://www.roadhousepictures.net/3/artist.asp?ArtistID=35011&Akey=T568YEK8
Today only a few hundred remain nearly a half century after the island’s last Harley dealership closed. “They’re an endangered species,” said Jose Angel “Pipi” Perez, a Cuban mechanic who restores Harleys. “They are disappearing.” But Cuba’s hogs aren’t gone yet thanks to the remarkable efforts of a group known as Harlistas. Harlistas have kept their engines running despite decades of hardship and economic isolation.
Almost all their motorcycles are at least 50 years old.Yet they find a way to keep them alive, scavenging parts from battered old trucks, lawn mowers and even
anti-tank guns.
After the United States cut off trade with Cuba in the early 1960s, Harlistas couldn’t get any spare parts, not even tires or brakes. So they were forced to improvise. One old-school mechanic used barbed wire to fix broken chains, another started cutting up cake boxes to make engine gaskets. That led to his nickname, Cake Box, which sticks to this day.
Harlistas have done whatever it takes to keep their motorcycles on the road, even it means using:
* Pistons from Russian trucks.
* Chains stripped from the conveyor belts of a pre-Castro Coca-Cola factory.
* Fiat ambulance horns from Poland.
* Exhaust pipes made from tubes ripped from electrical transformers.
* Tires from VW Beetles.
Man, I like that blog!
Greystone Mansion Concours is tomorrow!
The daylong event will spotlight more than 150 vintage cars and motorbikes, with the oldest being a rare 1915 Stutz Bearcat ranging up to 1970s Ferraris. "From restored, pre-World War II Mercedes to the first Corvette to race at Le Mans to a showcase of cars produced by Ford, including Hot Rods, Thunderbirds and Cobras." There will also be a duplicate of the 1950s Sunbeam, the stylish open air roadster Grace Kelly used to motor around the French Riviera in "To Catch a Thief."
The show attracts such celebrities as Jay Leno, former Bond star George Lazenby and Chad McQueen. Two of McQueen's beloved Husqvarna motorbikes will be featured, including a 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross, which has been verified as a bike the actor not only owned but also raced in West Coast Motocross competitions. "My dad loved the Husqvanas. He would buy them four at a time," said McQueen's son, also a champion racer and collector. "It still amazes me how much he resonates today. People love to see his stuff and he was a real trailblazer when it came to his collection of cars and motorbikes. He knew everything from vintage 1920s motorcycles to every make of racing car."
Although the event is geared toward its stars of the road, it also offers a rare chance to peek inside the glorious 1920s Tudor mansion set on 18 acres of meticulous manicured gardens with sweeping views over Beverly Hills. While the grounds are now a public park, the inside of Greystone Mansion is rarely open to the public. This year the newly renovated second floor will also be open.
When: Sunday 10am - 4pm
Where: Greystone Estate, 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills
Cost: $108 advance purchase, $133 at the door.
Free parking with shuttle at 450 N. Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills.
Info: http://www.greystoneconcours.org
Photo and info from http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/02/entertainment/la-et-guidefeature-20120427
Thursday, May 03, 2012
miscellaneous things that caught my attention at Mopars at the Strip 2012
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