Archive for ‘Design’

September 5, 2023

Volvo

Under the Tracks

Beautiful burgundy P1800 Volvo passed before my eyes just as I was leaving work. Designed by Pelke Peterson whilst a student under the Italian carrozzeria Pietro Frua. The P1800 was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961, the same year as the E-Type Jaguar. The Saint TV show starring Roger Moore as Simon Templar used the Volvo as his car after Jaguar declined to offer their XKE.

October 30, 2021

Fobbed off

Key

– an essential item for a single key or a collection of keys. Identity of use or group storage. They can be souvenirs, promotional, toys, trinkets.

October 20, 2021

Museum pieces

Curation curiosities

– fa few choice articles seen at the Nation Motorcycle Museum. Gang jacket patch, tin toy motorcycles, kids ride, Shriner fez . Shelves were filled, corners clogged and walls covered.

August 11, 2021

No Cars

Modern Take

– cleaner than a clock; a rather splendid oil-in-frame Triumph with ruby tank and polished cases. The light bronze frame is a special touch.

July 19, 2021

Skin Graffiti

Tattoo Wall

– Gorillaz bassist Murdoc Niccals gets up to no good street art in this body art scene.

July 11, 2021

Cats Whiskers

Tiger Tail

– I need to get a tail for the bike like this. Stripes too!

June 8, 2021

Tiger Cub

Cats Play

– this is like the crazy half hour in our house at about 10.30pm. The two cats tear around the house chasing each other like crazy dervishes.

June 3, 2021

Graffiti

Trident Town

– the new Triumph Trident has arrived in Chicago and have already sold out at Motoworks. I haven’t seen one in person yet, but will no doubt see one darting around the urban environment.

April 28, 2021

Prism

“There is no dark side of the moon really. Matter of fact it’s all dark.”

– Pink Floyd’s legendary album reached number 1 on this day in 1973 .

April 6, 2021

Lepus ssp.

Hare Rider

– lovely pencil illustration by artist Benedicte Waryn of a pre-unit Triumph chopper with a “hare-brained” owner. So much to like about the detailed drawing: from the clothing; to the custom bike; and the lush fur of the hare’s head.

March 27, 2021

Red Hot Chilli Pepper

Flaming Triumph

A red frame does look smart on an early seventies Bonneville. The large oil filled frame gives weight to the accent color.

March 11, 2021

Gran Turismo

Fastback

– slotting a two litre inline 6 into the Spitfires chassis and more streamlined bodywork from the Michelotti studio created a worthy competitor to the silo mar MGB GT. The Poor Man’s E-Type it has been called.

March 9, 2021

Codename Zest

TR4

– pure sixties design from Giovanni Michelotti in the shape of this compact sports car from the Triumph factory in Coventry. In red it looks like a firecracker.

March 8, 2021

Ragtop

The Stag

– another classic from Giovanni Michelotti’s drawing board. The 3l V8 Stag built between 1970 & 1978. This particular blue body color is impressed on my childhood memory.

March 7, 2021

In Anticipation of Good Tidings

Natty Dresser

– the Triumph cars certainly had their own vibe going on. One in particular was the Triumph Herald; a small two-door car made from 1959 to 1971. The body design was by the Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti, and the car was offered in saloon, convertible, coupé, estate and van models, with the latter marketed as the Triumph Courier. This example has a fine green side body and room with white hood and wings. The blue skies with scudding clouds with verdant grass make me nostalgic for the warmer weather to come. I think we’ll revisit Michelotti designs this week.