Fall brings with it the promise of travel getaways, from weekend leaf-peeping to warmer-weather escapes. Wherever you may go this season the right bag is key. We’ve gathered a variety of American-made options to pack for weekend jaunts and extended holidays, presenting a different one each day this week….
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A wild drive through NYC in a classic 1930s Bentley
When our friends at Bentley Motors hit us up with the chance to go for a spin in the super charged 1930 Bentley Blower around New York City we grabbed our camera and headed for a cruise. The Blower, brought over from England for a little tour in the…
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How a breed of obsessive mechanics and craftsmen are turning out vintage-inspired modern automobiles
The resurgence of handcrafted objects has spread from fashion to electronics to spirits—you can listen to vinyl LPs while wearing reissued Levi’s 1947 501s and sipping small-batch local bourbon in almost any city in America—but bespoke craft has largely eluded the auto industry. Sure, you can’t throw a rock in a mall parking lot without hitting a retro-inspired muscle car, and some manufacturers have made bolt-on aftermarket “customization” as easy as assembling an IKEA bookshelf, but theoretically, something can only be so unique when it’s being mass-produced for global distribution. On the other hand, vintage models give rise to safety concerns and lack the power of modern technology.
Thankfully, there is an emerging middle ground between the unique excitement of a vintage machine and the reliability of a modern one. More commonly seen in motorcycles that automobiles, a few small companies have emerged in the last few years to fill the gap. These 21st-century coachbuilders offer a product that is custom-built for each owner, a one-of-a-kind piece of drivable art for those who appreciate obsessive craftsmanship.
You’ve probably heard of the DeLorean Motor Company, maker of the legendary DMC-12. The original DMC folded in 1982, but a new DeLorean Motor Company was started in Texas in 1995 to support the 6,000 or so owners of the original cars. The new DeLorean has reached beyond just a parts clearinghouse—for around $60,000 they will build you a brand new deadstock DMC-12. You can keep it stock of course, but DeLorean will happily install satellite radio, iPod interfaces, GPS and Bluetooth for an additional cost. They also offer upgrades to the performance of the engine and suspension, which we’d recommend—the original DMC-12 managed a 0-60 time of about 10.5 seconds, just a bit slower than the 1991 Toyota Corolla. For those of you eager to drive the true car of the future, starting in 2013, customers will be able to order an all-electric version of the DMC-12. A perfect match for your Nike Mags.
If your tastes are more performance-based, and you already own a Porsche 911 in need of some modification, Singer Vehicle Design (SVD) has a proposition for you. Using Cosworth engines and new composite bodies from Aria, Singer re-imagines a customer’s existing 911 into a machine that looks iconic and actually outperforms its modern brethren. SVD collaborates directly with artisans, craftsmen and small manufacturers in Southern California to custom-build each car to the owner’s specifications and intended use.
The classic air-cooled engines can run from a sprightly 300hp touring model all the way up to a 4.0L, 400HP track monster. The interiors are refinished in new leather upholstery and beautifully minimal dashes that match the mechanical excellence under the hood. Bespoke quality comes at a cost, of course—SVD’s recreations will run from $190,000 to more than $300,000, and you still need to supply the original 964-body 911. And while Porsche purists might raise an eyebrow at a modern 911 that looks like it was built in 1971, you’ll be looking at them in your (hand-crafted) rear-view mirror.
By far the most intense of this new breed of bespoke auto craftsmen, ICON began as a Toyota LandCruiser restoration company that quickly shifted into an obsession with building more perfect versions of classic 4 x 4s like the Jeep CJ and Toyota FJ. In fact, ICON’s FJ44 is high on Cool Hunting’s list of vehicles we’d want during the Apocalypse.
The most exciting truck to come from ICON is their newest, the ICON Bronco, a faithful, if burly, reinterpretation of the cult-favorite 1966-77 Ford Broncos. ICON owner Jonathan Ward worked directly with Ford’s rockstar designer Camilo Pardo and Nike and Frog Design to re-imagine one of Ford’s most classic sport utility vehicles.
Utilizing an all-new reproduction Bronco bodyshell from Ford supplier Dynacorn, the ICON Bronco has the handsome good looks of the original, without being cloyingly retro. Under the hood, the Bronco is powered by Ford’s new 5.0L V8 that is currently in the 2012 Mustang GT, doubling the original’s 205HP. Other modern upgrades include a Parrot in-dash stereo running Android, military-grade LED lighting throughout, and a heavy-duty winch hidden in the front bumper. Everywhere you look you find obsessively rebuilt parts, like door lock knobs machined from solid aluminum instead of cheap plastic. About the only complaint we have is the loss of the original gauge design, but we’re nostalgic that way. For an exhaustive look at the making of the ICON Bronco, head over to Car Domain.
These newly reengineered vintage vehicles from DeLorean, Singer Vehicle Design and ICON are an obsessive, loving homage to the halcyon days of automobile production, and offer today’s independent driver exciting alternatives to the status quo of another all-wheel-drive supercar or mass-produced rockhopper. While none of these options come cheap, the amount of skill and labor that goes into making each one can justify the cost as buying more than just another car. Now that Ford is licensing full-body reproductions of their 1960s and ’70s Mustangs, we can only hope that this trend will continue to thrive.
The complete, interactive history of a literary legend
Charles Dickens is like the Madonna of the literary world. Two centuries later, the progressive British novelist remains as relevant and legendary today as he was at the height of his career. Marking the bicentennial of his birth this year is a series of events around London, dubbed Dickens 2012, and a new book by Dickens’ great-great-great-granddaughter Lucinda Dickens Hawksley.
“Charles Dickens” is an interactive reference guide to the notable author’s entire life, shedding light on his early years and his first work of fiction—a play called “Miznar, the Sultan of India” that he penned at age nine—and working through to the end of his life, when he passed away while finishing “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” at 58-years-old. The book is packed with printed materials pulled from Dickens’ personal archive, which are tucked away between the pages in fold-out inserts. Family photographs, manuscripts proofed by Dickens, marriage certificates and more make up the assortment of rarely or never-before-seen documents included in the comprehensive tome.
The book also delves into Dickens’ role as a social commentator, which undoubtedly grew from his upbringing. Much of his work, like “Olivier Twist” or “Nicholas Nickleby” for example, reflected his interest in and understanding of the cultural injustices of his time, although he tried to keep his own past experiences hidden. His father went to debtors’ prison and as a child Dickens had to work as a laborer at a blacking factory—a time that had a huge impact on his writing and overall outlook on life. In an unfinished autobiography, he wrote, “I do not write resentfully or angrily: for I know all these things have worked together to make me what I am: but I never afterwards forgot, I never shall forget, I never can forget, that my mother was warm for my being sent back.”
The ultimate Dickens compendium covering his career as a prolific writer and budding actor, “Charles Dickens” offers a fresh perspective on the complexity of his character. The book is brimming with illustrations and photographs that reveal the essence of his life during the Victorian Era, allowing for a full grasp of the events that inspired much of his literary works.
“Charles Dickens” sells online from Amazon and Carlton Books.
Two budding designers turn a classic motorcycle into a modern work of art
For their final year project while studying transport design at Northumbria University in Newcastle, budding English designers Roy Norton and Tom Kasher wanted to create a bike that would borrow from the past while looking to the future. The result—an exceptionally sleek take on the classic Triumph Speed Twin, kitted out with girder forks and signature quilted Barbour fabric on the seat.
The duo met with Triumph Product Manager Simon Warburton, who not only gave them the utmost support in creating the concept, but sees the project as an inspiring foundation. “Some elements may have an influence on some of our future projects,” he says. Triumph gave Norton and Kasher the frame of a production Bonneville to build from, which they reconstructed for a more contemporary aesthetic before adding Firestone tires, inverted levers, Thruxton brakes and a redesigned filler cap.
Warburton says Norton and Kasher’s take on the Speed Twin is like “the bike the Bonneville might have evolved into in an alternative universe.” Now graduated and fully employed by bike manufacturer Xenophya, the two are likely to be shaping the future of numerous machines to come.
via BikeExif
Last chance to submit redesigns of the iconic green bottle
Advertorial content:
The window is drawing to a close for designers to submit their proposals for the Heineken Limited Edition Design Challenge. Open until 31 January, the competition asks creatives to submit original work that reflects the way people will be connecting over the next 140 years. As an added twist, all redesigns must be submitted in pairs, with the Heineken Limited Edition Facebook page serving as a medium for artists to find like-minded partners. With thousands of people already connected, the challenge has pulled a substantial international and multicultural crowd with some exciting new looks at the classic green bottle.
Judges for the competition include CH co-founder and executive editor Evan Orensten alongside Mark Dytham, co-founder of design community leader PechaKucha, and Heineken’s head of global design Mark van Iterson. The top 100 will be forwarded to the judges, who will shortlist three designs to be refined for a final review. The winners will be announced in March, and their design will appear on Heineken’s 140th anniversary gift pack.
“The entries so far have shown there will always be magic in the chemistry that a team creates together, and technology is making it easier and easier for people all over the world to collaborate,” says Orensten. “I’m really excited to see what can be created as the gallery continues to fill.” Head over to the Facebook page to download the template and submit your design, and be sure to follow Twitter updates by searching for #yourfuturebottle.
Five improvements on the traditional tee
Versatile and universally appreciated, few garments are as modern as the good old white tee. The staple crosses nearly every genre of personal style, from hip hop to hipster, holding a permanent place in closets everywhere. To add a little creativity to the classic James Dean look, here’s a short list of our current favorite variations on a whitey.
A premium alternative to the sandpaper-like quality of department store three-packs, RIC’s better-fitting white tees come in two basic cuts—crew and V-neck. Both are clean, simple and extremely soft. Plus, the v-neck doesn’t droop down to your stomach.
Made in the USA with preshrunk cotton, the three tees come in a bag made from jersey remnants, are available in black and grey too, and sell for $50. RIC also sells them individually for $23 through their online shop.
For a similar feeling to RIC but with a slightly more refined cut, check out Orlebar Brown’s Bobby V. Lightweight cotton makes the V-neck comfy, while the curved front and rear bottom hems makes it fit and look even better. A slender but not-too-skinny silhouette loans the Bobby a stylish enough look to wear alone or as a perfect undershirt. Look online for a list of international stockists where the Bobby V goes for $85.
A ’90s favorite, the pocket tee takes any white tee from undershirt to everyday shirt. Few do the look as well as Comune’s domestic pocket tee. The thin collar and long slim fit give the shirt a clean contemporary look unmatched by its more traditional counterparts. With soft 100% cotton construction and a $25 price-tag, head to Amazon to snag one for yourself.
Taking the pocket concept one step further is Los Angeles brand Tantum. The simple idea adds flavor to a regular fit white tee with an unusual pocket detail. Crafted in California, each one-of-a-kind shirt has a different fabric—from camo to Native American-inspired prints and their most recent patchwork designs. Head over to their Tumlbr for more information, and find a selection selling for £50 each from End.
Bl33n‘s monster tees turn the everyday staple into a subversive statement. Flip the shirt over your head like you just scored a goal in the World Cup to reveal your wild side within. The screen-printed unisex shirts, made in Los Angeles, sell for $100 through Bl33n’s webshop.
via Out Magazine
Our video on a young Turkish eyewear fanatic’s line of vintage-inspired frames
Vidal Erkohen is equal parts eyewear designer and collector. With a love for eyewear that has been nurtured since childhood, Erkohen has channeled this passion into RVS by V, a small-run eyewear line based in Istanbul focused on producing classic high-quality frames. In our latest video we talked to Vidal about the history and significance of eyewear, and the formation of RVS by V.
Dodge outdoes itself with a new take on their classic American muscle car
by Ryan McManus
Few brands are more overtly “American” than Dodge. Even when their parent group was owned by Germans (now Italians), Dodge somehow remained the embodiment of a certain Yankee style—big, loud, powerful, arrogant and completely unapologetic. A part of the U.S.A. brand as much as America is part of Dodge’s identity, the bravado that attracted us to the “Mighty Dodge” as kids continues to turn our heads as adults.
We recently had the opportunity to test drive the new 2011 Charger R/T and from the moment we stepped into the Charger, it became apparent that the designers and engineers have done their homework, elevating these new cars over the outgoing models. The Charger has always been a blast to drive, and as we pulled out of Manhattan traffic and cruised up the West Side Highway it was clear that this year’s model is no different. Dodge continues to mine its rich heritage for design cues, and it’s nice to see classic Mopar (Chrysler parts) muscle-car looks appear on newer models. While the Challenger may be the purest expression of that design language, the Charger benefits from some trickle-down style.
Our model was an all-black version at the top end of an exasperatingly divided model range (topped next year by the insane Charger SRT8). The R/Ts feature a brawny 5.7-liter V8 Hemi putting out 370 horsepower. This makes for spirited merges, and as we cruised along the Saw Mill Parkway, it was almost impossible not to gun the throttle and feel the big V8 push us back into our seats. (Be warned: the Charger tends to attract the attention of local law enforcement.) Around town the steering can feel a little sluggish, which speaks to the Charger’s “go fast in a straight line” heritage that a tightened feeling could easily overcome.
But, nowhere is this new ride more successful than in its the new rear end. The integrated, body-spanning tail light, ringed with 164 bright red LEDs, stunningly upgrades the previous model.
The results are less successful on the front end. In a bid to make an already aggressive face even more bad ass, the grill of the Charger bulges forward snout-like from the squinting headlights. That, coupled with some overt new sheet-metal creases near the front wheels give the Charger a slightly over-muscled look. Put it this way, if the 2010 was Vin Diesel, the 2011 is a pissed-off Rock.
Inside, the Charger is decidedly more subdued (unless of course you opt for the red leather), and a welcome upgrade from the plastic-parts-bin feel of older models. Every surface you touch is supple. The dash is built around an eight-inch touchscreen display that acts as control for the stereo, climate and Bluetooth interface with the option for GPS navigation. Amenities like heated seats, dual-zone climate control and heated or chilled cup holders make for a more comfortable ride overall.
In a class led by cars like the Nissan Maxima and Ford Taurus, the Dodge Charger remains a refreshing reminder that a large sedan can still be a fun drive, and more importantly, that a big car doesn’t have to be boring. While other cars might offer better value or better quality, the Charger continues to be a potent alternative to the mainstream.
Lomography adds an ultra-wide angle camera to their classic compact line
An exciting addition to their line of legendary analog cameras, today Lomography releases the Lomo LC-Wide. The continuation of the iconic LC-A+ line retains its classic aesthetic but adds greater functionality—specifically the ability to shoot ultra-wide angle photos.
Relatively compact in size, the camera sports a 17mm lens with three different shoot modes (full, square and half format) that allow photographers to snap extreme close-ups and extra-wide panoramic shots. While it promises to keep producing the shadowy, saturated shots of the previous generations, it opens up the playing field by greatly expanding range and flexibility.
The box comes packed with extra goodies including film, an instruction book and a Lomography portrait book. One accessory sold separately, and definitely worth picking up, is the Instant Back. Simply pop it on and transform the LC-Wide into an instant camera.
The LC-Wide is available from Lomography online or in any of their retail stores for $390 and the Instant Back retails for $25.
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