“Panzerbike”: German Mechanics Create World’s Largest Motorcycle
In Germany, a group of mechanics has created a motorcycle that is unlike any other. The vehicle, known as the “Panzerbike”, is the world’s largest motorcycle and weighs almost 4,500 kg (9,920 pounds). Continue reading »
From Beer to Bricks: The Innovative Journey of Heineken’s WOBO Bottle
In the early 1960s, Dutch businessman Alfred “Freddy” Heineken visited the Caribbean islands, then known as the Dutch Antilles. Amidst the beauty of the islands, he found an unexpected source of inspiration: discarded garbage, including empty beer bottles. This sparked a unique idea in his mind – transforming glass beer bottles into building bricks. Continue reading »
‘Flying Saucer’ Gas Stations in Kyiv From the Late 1970s and Early 1980s
In the 1970s, even the most mundane gas stations in the USSR were transformed into architectural masterpieces without sacrificing their functionality. In 1977, at least two such gas stations were built in Kyiv. Despite their unusual appearance, they were quite comfortable for drivers. Continue reading »
The Superb Tech-Inspired Sculptures by Michal Sycz
How do you turn old audio equipment into art? Michal Sycz, a Polish artist and graphic designer, knows the answer. He takes apart vintage audio devices from the 60s, 70s and 80s and transforms them into sculptures and installations. His work is a tribute to the past, but also a reflection on the changing nature of technology. Continue reading »
A Coffee Machine for the Dashboard: The Hertella Auto Kaffeemachine, a VW Beetle Accessory from 1959
If you are a coffee lover and a fan of classic cars, you might be interested in this quirky gadget that was designed to make your road trips more enjoyable. It’s a coffee machine that fits on the dashboard of a 1959 Volkswagen Beetle, and it can brew a hot cup of joe while you drive!
The gadget is called the Hertella-Auto Kaffeemaschine, and it was produced and marketed by a German company called Hertella in the late 1950s. Continue reading »
Stunning Images of the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Concept
In the mid-1950s, automotive design was an evolving realm of innovation, and 1955 brought to the forefront a concept that turned heads and left an indelible mark: The Lincoln Indianapolis. Dreamed up by Carrozzeria Boano, this concept car took the foundation of the 1955 Lincoln – its chassis and running gear – and transformed it into something almost ethereal. Continue reading »
Europe’s Most Secret Collection of Classic Cars
In an astonishing spectacle, this motley parade of over 230 four-wheeled marvels belongs to a single magnificent collection, lovingly curated by Mr. Palmen across the span of more than four decades. Continue reading »
Egg-citing Adventures on Wheels: The Hilarious Saga of L’Œuf électrique, the Egg-shaped Speedster!
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and feast your eyes on the incredible marvel of the past, the one and only L’Œuf électrique (The Electric Egg)! It’s not just a cyclecar; it’s an electric adventure on wheels designed way back in 1938, a time when the world was still trying to figure out what exactly a cyclecar should be. Continue reading »
Slot Car Racing: The Hobby that Took America by Storm and Then Vanished
In the annals of hobby history, slot car racing holds a significant spot. Originating in the early 1900s, this once-popular pastime experienced a renaissance in the 1950s, thanks to innovative British entrepreneurs. They initiated the creation of electrified tracks and miniature, controllable cars which inspired a new wave of enthusiasts. Continue reading »
A Visual Journey Through the History of the Bond Bug: The Three-Wheeled Microcar that Looks Like a Giant Orange Wedge
Designed by Tom Karen of Ogle Design for Reliant Motor Company, the Bond Bug is a three-wheeled microcar with two seats and a wedge shape. It has a lift-up canopy and side screens instead of doors. It was built from 1970 to 1974, first at Bond Cars Ltd factory, then at Reliant’s Tamworth factory. Continue reading »
Epic Photos of FAB 1, the Iconic Rolls-Royce from ‘Thunderbirds’ and The World’s Biggest and Most Expensive Car
If you’re a fan of Thunderbirds, the classic sci-fi series from the 1960s, you probably remember FAB 1, the sleek and stylish car owned by Lady Penelope and driven by Parker. But did you know that FAB 1 was actually a modified Rolls-Royce, with weapons and gadgets that would make James Bond jealous? Continue reading »
The DiDia 150: A 1.3Mil USD Masterpiece of Style and Innovation
Have you ever dreamed of owning a one-of-a-kind car that combines luxury, style and performance? If so, you might be interested in learning more about the 1960 DiDia 150, also known as the “Dream Car”. Continue reading »
Embarking on a Breathtaking Aerial Adventure of of German Zeppelin Airship, Flying Over Giza’s Pyramids in the 1930s
In the realm of aviation during the early 20th century, a magnificent creation emerged from German craftsmanship — LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin. This majestic airship, filled with hydrogen and boasting a rigid structure, gracefully soared through the skies as a passenger carrier. Its operational tenure spanned from 1928 to 1937, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of aeronautics. Continue reading »
Sigvard Berggren’s ‘Future’: A Unique Blend of Art and Engineering in the Form of a Fast-Moving Car
Sigvard Berggren, a Swedish carrot juice manufacturer who lived from 1923 to 2009, created his own version of the future in the form of a car. He dubbed it “Future” and it resembled a plane without wings. Continue reading »
Exquisite Photos Showcasing the Ferrari 410 Superamerica Ghia
The year was 1955 when the extraordinary Ferrari 410 Superamerica made its grand entrance. Equipped with an upgraded engine derived from the potent single plug 410 S powerplant, its displacement had now reached an impressive 5.0 liters. Continue reading »
Antique Postcard Images Reveal Projected Visions of the US a Century Later
Massachusetts. Copley Square, Boston
A captivating assortment of odd yet fascinating postcards from Steven R. Shook offers visions conceived in the 1900s, hypothesizing how the cities, towns, and hamlets across the US might evolve over the next 100 years. Continue reading »
Riding on Steel Springs: Germany’s Innovative Response to a Rubber Shortage
Let’s delve into the fascinating history of the tire, which began to gather significant momentum with the invention and subsequent popularization of tires in 1895, thanks largely to Michelin L’Éclaire – the first vehicle to be outfitted with them. Continue reading »
The Pioneering Ford Aurora II: A Living Room on Wheels Unveiled in 1969
The Ford Aurora II didn’t make it to the marketplace, presumably due to non-compliance with safety regulations. However, its features, like the wrap-around sofa and the passenger seat with a full 180° rotation capacity, continue to stand as some of the most daring design innovations of the 1960s. Continue reading »
The Never Contented: The Pioneering Speed of La Jamais Contente
In the late 19th century, a remarkable vehicle named La Jamais Contente, meaning “The Never Contented” in English, made history as the first road vehicle to exceed 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph). This groundbreaking achievement marked a significant milestone in automotive progress. Continue reading »
The Voisin C14: A Masterpiece of Art Deco Design and Innovative Engineering
During its production from late 1927 to 1932, the Voisin C14 chassis emerged as one of the brand’s most prolific models, with a total of 1,795 units manufactured. Renowned for their stunning aesthetics, many C14s boasted custom bodies inspired by the Art Deco movement, including the iconic Chartre Demi-Berline designed by Andre Lefèbvre for Voisin. Continue reading »
Robotic Renaissance: Polish Artist Agnieszka Pilat’s Innovative Canvas
Agnieszka Pilat, a modern artist, honed her skills at the Academy of Art University and initially focused on portraiture in San Francisco. Despite her technical skill, her work was overlooked in the abstraction-preferred local art scene. However, an encounter with Paul Stein, an art collector and the developer behind Airbnb’s headquarters, opened a new path. Stein requested a painting of a vintage fire alarm bell, which was the start of Pilat’s artistic breakthrough. Continue reading »
From Vintage Treasures to Cultural Artifacts: The Enchanting World of Petrol Station Pumps at Fisogni Museum
Bergomi Petrol Pump 1960
The Fisogni Museum, located near Milan, Italy, is dedicated to showcasing petrol station pumps and ephemera. Guido Fisogni, the museum’s founder, began collecting these pumps over thirty years ago. Continue reading »
From Boat-Tail to Muscle Flanks: The Revolutionary Design of the 1971 Riviera Muscle Car
The year 1971 marked a significant milestone in the history of the Buick Riviera, an iconic luxury car produced by General Motors (GM) since 1963. Under the direction of GM’s chief styling director, Bill Mitchell, the Riviera underwent a radical redesign that introduced flowing and dramatic “boat-tail” styling, which was penned by Jerry Hirshberg, the future head of design for Nissan. Continue reading »
The Timeless Beauty of the Talbot-Lago T150 CSS Series by Figoni
In 1935, Talbot-Lago emerged as a company following the dissolution of Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq. Its founder, Anthony Lago, aimed to manufacture a collection of high-end and extravagant sports cars. Initially, these cars used six-cylinder engines, but later models incorporated eight-cylinder engines and occasionally more affordable options to boost sales. Continue reading »
The Dark Knight Rises in Vietnam: Architecture Student Creates Impressive Batpod Replica
Meet Nguyen Dac Chung, a Vietnamese architecture student who spent six months building his very own Batpod, with the help of a team of friends. Inspired by Christopher Nolan’s iconic film, The Dark Knight, Chung spent over a year planning and researching the design, before embarking on his epic project. Continue reading »
