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May
11
Found this a couple of years ago in Berlin, in front of the MeilenWerk. The place is now called Classic Remise. The BMW K100 motorcycle sculpture itself is worth taking a closer look. Just by chance, a matching Ford 20M Coupé was parked right next to it. Speaking of interesting contrasts…
Mar
13
A hot Sunday in early summer 2010 with a thunderstorm looming at the horizon. I was craving a sundae while driving on the speed limited part of the A6 in my 190E. I stopped at the McDonald’s in Sinsheim, right across the famous Museum. Seems like it was a good idea to stop just there, because upon entering the parking lot I discovered something unique: A pair of Škoda S100L – lowered to the ground, done up nicely in the (then new) rat style, complete with roof racks and odd luggage. Owned and driven by a group of friendly Czech guys. I inquired about their whereabouts… and they told me they are on the way back from a Škoda meeting in the Netherlands! Four people in each car – but to my huge amazement, they didn’t send sparks flying when they rejoind the Autobahn. I drove in convoy with them for a while and had a huge smile on my face. Seeing other peoples reactions was hilarious 🙂
Mar
01
Hans Christian Andersen wrote a fairy tale called ‘The Ugly Duckling’. The story revolves around a little bird that suffers abuse from the other birds, until eventually maturing into a beautiful swan. Looking at the Volkswagen 412 Variant I found in Karlsruhe a couple of years ago, you can see a similar story. A vehicle that was considered ugly by most people and received a lot of bad comments right from the start.
However, the end of the story differs dramatically from the fairy tale version. In real life the story doesn’t have a happy end. Even now, almost 40 years later, nobody would ever confuse it with a beautiful swan. But hey… it does have a brightly colored 76 sticker. 😉
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Feb
15
First seen from a distance across the road. Later on up close in the paddock area. Did I like the Ford GT? You bet! Would have never thought it could look great in silver with grey stripes…
Feb
12
Advertising is sometimes… weird. Create a new version version of a Renault 16 called TS, add a Le Mans racecar sticker to the rear window and a set of extra headlights. Et voilá – you have a sporty version of a rather sedate family car with plenty of roll in corners. Don’t forget to add elf oil and wear fancy sneakers – for that extra sporty pedal feel 😉
Feb
12
Everybody dreams about a barn find. A treasure that has been preserved for many years in a dry place, by a caring old gentleman. But reality often is rather cruel. I found this Mercedes-Benz W116 S-Class behind a Mazda dealership. Not preserved. Certainly not cared for. Just left outside to r̶o̶t̶ ̶a̶w̶a̶y̶ add some patina.
Jan
27
While browsing the MeilenWerk in Düsseldorf with a friend in 2010, we found this pristine shark nose BMW 635 CSI.
Jan
26
On the way home yesterday, I drove past an industrial estate near Würzburg and found a beautifully restored Porsche 911 SC Targa with the roof open. Outside. Mind you, it was just barely over 0° Celsius and cloudy…
Jan
16
Do you remember the time when the Camel Trophy was an annual highlight for all 4×4 enthusiasts? Seems like that was ages ago. I fondly remember watching the coverage every year on TV when I was a boy. I used to dream about doing something like that one day in the future. Great to see one of the survivors in good but authentic condition these days. The Land Rover Discovery Mk1 looks way too clean, though. In my memory, the vehicles have always been caked in mud. The pictures below have been taken at the 2010 Abenteuer Allrad in Bad Kissingen.
Jan
15
Nürburgring, April 26 2013. It rains and the strong wind is bloody cold. Time for a hot shower! But wait… the local weather provides one of the natural photo effect filters it is so well known for: fog. Fortunately there is a nice opportunity for a couple of pictures. The BMW Z4 VLN racecar sits in the fading light, sporting a nice reflection on the wet ground. All it needs now is a bumper sticker… I’d rather be racing.
Jan
10
The first week after a long winter treated us to sunshine and quite agreeable temperatures in April 2010. While driving home, I found this yellow Nissan Skyline R34 drifter parked on a side road with a for sale sign on the dashboard. When I downloaded the files weeks later, I discovered something I never noticed when taking the pictures. The McDonalds billboard in the background says: We bring enjoyment to roll. Quite fitting, I suppose 😉
Jan
09
One day in February 2011 I drove through an unfamiliar town in the Rhön mountains. I spotted the familiar shape of an Alpine A610 and immediately thought I should make a U-turn and stop quickly to check it out. To my surprise I found even more Alpine goodness that made me drool. It seems like the proprietor, Axel Reß, knows a thing or two about the beautiful French sports cars. There have been quite a few awesome cars and engines in the showroom. Unfortunately the shop was closed that day and there was nobody around to answer a few questions. I should actually go back there some day…
Jan
08
Offenburg. A hot day in August 2010. Heading for the car wash after a long day on the Autobahn. Turning around a corner, minding my own busine… what?!? Wait a second! What the hell is that? A Clan Crusader. Excuse me, a what? With an Irish license plate?
Sometimes I stumble upon vehicles I have never even heard of before. The Clan Crusader is a lightweight monocoque car that is based on Hillman Imp Sport running gear and a rear-mounted 875 cc engine. It was designed and built in the 1970’s by ex-Lotus engineers. Guess it’s a true saying that you learn something new every day 🙂
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Jan
03
October 3rd is a public holiday in Germany. The weather in 2011 was perfect to go for a ride in my trusty convertible. Taking a detour on my home way from Bamberg was well worth it, again. Not only did I discover a twisty road that is fun to drive, but I also found something extremely rare at a roundabout somewhere along the way: a Piaggio Ape Calessino 200. These little vehicles have been around since 1949 and are usually found in Italy, providing transportation for goods and passengers in the narrow streets of old cities.
