Lord_k's Article – July 2010 Archive (8)

Dieselpunk Capitol

A shot from some dystopian movie? Photo collage? Just a fantasy? No, no, and no. It's real.

Those who write biased reviews of the "totalitarian architecture" usually ignore this structure. Probably because it stands too far from their eyes. But where? And who's on the top - Ataturk, Chairman Mao or some Latin American hero?

Well, too much questions. If there's anybody from Oregon or at least someone who has been to Salem, the state…

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Added by lord_k on July 31, 2010 at 7:00am — 6 Comments

Lord K's Garage - #48. British Streamline Buses

This 1947 advertisement for the Duple coachwork embodies the spirit of the British bus design:

In good old England there was a homegrown streamline style - the Airline (see SS Airline Saloon). Besides, the coachbuilders were influenced by the American buses, notably… Continue

Added by lord_k on July 30, 2010 at 11:30am — 2 Comments

The Sad Case of Charles Hamilton

Here's a story of another U.S. aviation pioneer - rather unlucky one. But he was probably the first man on Earth who used a dirigible to advertise beer.

I took a liberty to reproduce here an article from the aviationearth.com website. It's full of important detail and has an emotional touch that is perfectly in… Continue

Added by lord_k on July 26, 2010 at 5:55am — 3 Comments

Lord K's Garage - #47. Wimille Prototypes

This rear-engine three-seater was officially presented at the Grand Prix de l'Autoroute de l'Ouest opening, June 9, 1946.

Powered by the 1,911 cc (116.6 cu in) four-cylinder Citroën engine (56 bhp), it was fast - 150 km/h. Streamlined body had a remarkably low drag coefficient - 0.23. The car, named Wimille Prototype No.1, was built for one of the greatest French racing drivers - Jean Pierre Wimille.…

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Added by lord_k on July 23, 2010 at 12:00pm — 8 Comments

The Man Who Owned the Sky

Lincoln Beachey was one of the greatest U.S. aviation pioneers, a true hero, admired by his colleagues and even more - by the cheering crowds.

He was a perfect Sky Gentleman, fearlessly performing the most dangerous flights in his business suit.

Here's bis brief biography from Carroll Gray's website:

Beachey was born in San Francisco, California, on… Continue

Added by lord_k on July 20, 2010 at 2:30pm — 9 Comments

Lord K's Garage - #46. PORSCHE TYPE 64

One more chapter of the Streamline Story, short but important. You can name it Porsche Typ 64. Or KdF 64K10. Or Volkswagen Aerocoupe.

It was beautiful, dynamic and fast – and it quickly became Ferdinand Porsche’s great passion: Although this unique sports car built for the Berlin-Rome long-distance…

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Added by lord_k on July 16, 2010 at 10:30am — 7 Comments

Lord K's Garage - #45. Dark Italian

No lengthy explanations today, no history and no red. Just a bunch of bad dark Italian cars.

1934 Lancia Belna Eclipse

and others (some are darker than they appear):

1937 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Pescara Pinin Farina Berlinetta

…

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Added by lord_k on July 9, 2010 at 5:00am — 2 Comments

Lord K's Garage - #44. Two Healeys

Just after the WWII, before Jensen-Healey, Healey Silverstone and classic Austin-Healeys there were two cars called Healey.

Donald Healey, a former RFC pilot and 1931 Monte Carlo Rally winner, is best known for the Austin-Healey 100 and 3000 of the 1950s and 1960s. Right after World War II, he began to manufacture his own automobiles based on his designs at Warwick, near Coventry. His first model featured a… Continue

Added by lord_k on July 2, 2010 at 9:00am — 1 Comment