Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Another Great Artist
I can't overstate my love for bronzes especially those featuring motorsports. It's strange but the material truly lends itself to the subject matter easily capturing sharp technical features and the flowing lines of motion. Jeff Decker clearly is a master of the art but I have also featured Elvio Pantuano, an equally talented sculptor. So it was a pleasure to come across Francois Chevalier. What makes Chevalier different is his keen connection to motorsport demonstrated by an impressive curriculum vitae. Motorsport permeates everything he does including the thesis for his Bachelor's of Psychology on learning to drive! Here are a few examples of his work........
If you want to see more of Francois Chevalier's art go here.
If you want to see more of Francois Chevalier's art go here.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Model 7 Dominator Bobber in the Making
I have posted a couple of Model 7 bob jobs but here's one in the making. The frame is an early rigid "Garden Gate" with a girder front fork. The gearbox is perplexing but appears to be a "Doll's Head" or "upright" type. The front hub is a full width type which is a later dominator brake. Interesting mixture of eras present on this bike but like the the line. You can follow the progress right here at The Gasbox.
P.S. Just noticed the sectioned front downtube. Explains the rake.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
How A Tragic Crash Could Save the World
Please watch the video and then read on.
For me, motorsport combines the arts of engineering and design with the human element to create the purest expression of human achievement. It's allegorical. It's a clear expression of intellect and physical effort in the pursuit of competition. I watched this video several times and was struck by two things. First, I can only imagine the sheer horror of the situation and wonder what I would have done. I like to think that I too would have parked my car and struggled to free my friend from the inferno. Secondly, I wonder if that conviction to a higher ideal still exists in our sports heroes of today.
Purley clearly places the ideal of selflessness above that of self-glorification. Is that still true today? If you follow the Tour de France, you'll know that Alberto Contador, last year's winner, is being villified all along the course for capitalizing on Andy Schleck's mechanical misfortune in the 2010 Tour. His abandonment of the ideals of good sportsmanship has cost him dearly this year.
Sports is not the only human endeavor in which the recent sacrifice of higher ideals has manifest itself. The worldwide finacial crisis finds its roots in personal greed above fiduciary responsibility. Politicians focus more on the their personal legacies rather than their constituents' needs. Purley's story is one of doing the right thing regardless of personal consequences. Perhaps the world would be a better place if more people follow that example. Part of my attraction to vintage motorsport is in part due to those romantic ideals and fortunately many of my friends in the hobby share that perspective.
For me, motorsport combines the arts of engineering and design with the human element to create the purest expression of human achievement. It's allegorical. It's a clear expression of intellect and physical effort in the pursuit of competition. I watched this video several times and was struck by two things. First, I can only imagine the sheer horror of the situation and wonder what I would have done. I like to think that I too would have parked my car and struggled to free my friend from the inferno. Secondly, I wonder if that conviction to a higher ideal still exists in our sports heroes of today.
Purley clearly places the ideal of selflessness above that of self-glorification. Is that still true today? If you follow the Tour de France, you'll know that Alberto Contador, last year's winner, is being villified all along the course for capitalizing on Andy Schleck's mechanical misfortune in the 2010 Tour. His abandonment of the ideals of good sportsmanship has cost him dearly this year.
Sports is not the only human endeavor in which the recent sacrifice of higher ideals has manifest itself. The worldwide finacial crisis finds its roots in personal greed above fiduciary responsibility. Politicians focus more on the their personal legacies rather than their constituents' needs. Purley's story is one of doing the right thing regardless of personal consequences. Perhaps the world would be a better place if more people follow that example. Part of my attraction to vintage motorsport is in part due to those romantic ideals and fortunately many of my friends in the hobby share that perspective.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy Fourth of July
" The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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To all those patriots past and present!
Friday, July 1, 2011
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