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The idea of Volvo building a sports car in the 1950’s seemed unlikely to most. Volvos have been safe family cars since the beginning. But after Volvo vice-president Assar Gabrielsson visited GM in 1953 and saw the new Chevrolet Corvette production line in Flint, Michigan, he realized sports cars influenced by European designs were becoming
Volvo 1800S – 1966 Read More »
BMW’s Bavaria model was a US-only model, derived from Europe’s 2500/2800/3000/3300 series of sedans. Known as the E3 among aficionados, it shared everything under the skin with the E9 Coupe, which many consider BMW’s most beautiful design. It was called Bavaria here in order for BMW to reinforce to the US market that they were
BMW Bavaria 3.0S – 1973 Read More »
Danish-born American automotive designer Henrik Fisker is best known for designing luxury cars such the BMW Z8, the Aston Martin DB9, and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. In 2005, Fisker teamed up with colleague Bernhard Koehler, to start a new luxury car design firm, Fisker Coachbuild. Two years later, Fisker Automotive was established to produce
Fisker Karma – 2012 Read More »
Stanley Shaw established the Shaw Manufacturing Company in 1903. Operating out of an old drug store, Shaw sold Elgin and Waltham watches in the front of the store and built small gasoline engines in the back. In 1905 Mr. Shaw secured a patent for a small, air-cooled, 400cc engine that, when sold as a kit,
Columbia Bike – 1896 with Shaw Motor Kit – 1916 Read More »
Aerothrust Engine Company was a small manufacturer in Chicago, Illinois that made small engines and propellers. They mated these two products together to make a semi-universal propeller propulsion unit. These units were to be used on bicycles, small boats, and ice sleds. What you see here is an Aerothrust unit mounted to a B. Klinedinst
C.B. Klinedinst Special Bicycle with Aerothrust Propeller – 1914 Read More »
By the year 2000, carbon fiber had emerged as the leading material for high end-bikes. Early models such as this one used lugs and glued-tube construction. Later models were “monocoque” or 1 piece construction. Carbon fiber was laid down in molds and shaped by inflated bladders within the molds. By carefully shaping the finished product,
Trek Carbon-Fiber Road Bike Frame – 2000s Read More »
By the 1980s, advantages in manufacturing allowed the extensive use of TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas).No lugs were required, and frames became lighter. More importantly, the method allowed greater automation and reduced manufacturing costs, at the expense of less craftsmanship and individuality. Specifications:Designer/builder: TrekCountry of Origin: Waterloo, Wisconsin, USAWeight: 2721.55g/ 6lbs.
Trek TIG-Welded Steel Mountain Bike Frame – 1980s Read More »
Kestrel, a company formed by a group of ex-Trek Bicycle Corp. employees, set out in 1986 to revolutionize performance bicycles. When the Kestrel 4000 was introduced, it was the first commercially available bicycle frame completely made of aerodynamic carbon fiber tubing. Although carbon fiber, a super-lightweight, and strong material, had been utilized in smaller bicycle
Kestrel 4000 – 1987 Read More »
First proposed in 1987 by Norwich based bicycle designer Mike Burrows, the original design of this bicycle was rejected by many British bicycle manufacturing companies as the monocoque frame was deemed illegal by the UCI for use in competitive cycling events. When the ban was lifted in 1990, Lotus Engineering agreed to further develop and
Lotus Type 110TT – 1992 Read More »