Viper, Meet Hellcat

Isle Of Man Tourist Trophy, 8 - 12 June 1970

Giacomo Agostini riding the MV Agusta 350cc racer at the 1970 Isle Of Man TT.
Agostini dominated the 1970 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season, having won nine of the twelve races (the 350cc class wasn't contested at the French or Belgian GPs he didn't race a 350 at the Spanish GP); he also won ten out of  the twelve 500cc races ran in 1970.

Ferrari 488 GTB Popolare - Basi Puri

Oh Dacia, what have you done? Car manufacturers have striven for years to take their model lines upmarket; ever more comprehensive trim levels, electronic gizmos coming out the wazoo, over-elaborate styling that's shorn of rubbing strips or any other concessions to practicality. And then you had the cheek to bring out the Sandero, a car that harks back to the bad old days of solid colours, unpainted bumpers, minimal electronic aids and steels wheels. It doesn't even come with a radio as standard, godammit!
This fresh approach to trim specification has shaken some car companies to the core, none more so than Ferrari. Their new 488GTB - the 458’s turbocharged successor, takes its name from the cubic capacity of each of its cylinders: 487.75, rounded up to 488. 'GTB' comes in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the gorgeous 308 GTB of 1975. The standard version has just been launched at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, but Ferrari have made no secret of that fact that there will be a stripped out model; not a racer like the 458 Speciale Aperta, but a true base model. Gone is the unnecessary flappy paddle gearbox, replaced with a proper six-speed manual. The alloy wheels have been supplanted by slightly narrower steel wheels with 60 series tyres while the mirrors & front and rear bumpers are unpainted in the quest for lower weight. Inside, painted bare metal abounds; the floor has simple rubber mats and the seats are vinyl covered; headrests, a heater and a radio are optional cost extras.
Opinions about the looks of this 488 Popolare (Italian for Popular) have been divided, but I think you'll agree that the steelies and plaggy  bumpers give just a hint of honest aggression, while adding a lot of day-to-day practicality: kerbs and barriers that once proves terrifying can now withstand low speed impacts from supermarket trolley attacks, while repair costs will be a lot lower in the event of more high-speed prangs.
Heres to the 488 Popolare - a true entry-level Ferrari that even the likes of the merely well-off can aspire to.

- Amazosan

US MotoGP, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 10 August 2014

Marc Márquez (no.93) on the Repsol Honda RC213V makes the move on Jorgé Lorenzo (99) and Valentino Rossi (46) on Movistar Yamaha YZR-M1s to take the lead at the 2014 Indianapolis Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Lorenzo was on a mission to put an end to Márquez's winning streak, having won nine races in a row. Lorenzo, Marquez, Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso waged a fierce battle for the lead and while Dovizioso kept up during the opening laps, he dropped back during the latter stages to finish in seventh.
Márquez scored his tenth win of the season, while Lorenzo, Rossi and Dani Pedroza finished second,third and fourth respectively.

McLaren V8 powered '37 Chevy - Brucie Bonus

At first glance, stating that this is a Mclaren V8-powered car seems rather bizarre; after all it is a big-block Chevy engine, right? Surely it would be as incongruous than calling it a Pantera-powered car if it has a 351ci Cleveland engine from DeTomaso's finest?

Well not really; the engine (from a McLaren M8F Can-Am racer was originally built by Gary Knutson, engine builder supreme for McLaren at the time (he also worked for Chaparral and Carl Haas Racing, among others) and differed quite substantially from a standard big block Chevy; to go into detail as to how different is an article in itself, but suffice to say its a great base for a rod.
And lets not forget the car that mighty McLaren lump resides in; a 1937 Chevrolet Master Coupé that has had some great metalwork. A subtle top chop and wings that have been stretched, widened and sectioned every which way but loose ensure that the car itself is the main star of this attraction, and that 1962 Corvette interior ensures that the driver has a relaxing place to try out the 927bhp that the modernised MacRat is now pumping out.
Can-Am wait for more details? They're here.

- Amazosan

Buildup pics from 2007; only if you know what a standard 1937 Chevrolet Master Coupé looks like do you appreciate how much metalwork has gone into this car:

Top Trumps Bike Of The Day - Suzuki RE 5

Classic Car Boot Sale, Southbank Centre

14th - 15 March, Southbank Centre, London.

The organisers describe the show as:

 'the finest vintage fashion, accessories and homeware traders operating from the boot of their vintage vehicles alongside a show stopping exhibit of classic cars, London's finest street food wagons, impromptu musical performances, street theatre and all manner of vintage fun that can be had on two and four wheels'

A very apt description; and while it isn't a big show like Wheels Day, Enfield Pageant etc, it certain;y packs a lot into the small space it's held in. And how many car shows would you come back from with two bags full of vinyl? *looks at empty wallet*

- Amazosan

This Ferrari-liveried Renault Estafette starred in the film Rush, the story of the 1976 F1 championship battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda. It's a replica of the Scuderia Ferrari pit van:

Raleigh RSW bicycle and the motorised version, the Wisp:

Is that a sign or an invitation?

'She's so fine, my six-point-nine'

Retina searing Allegro:

Although badged a Triumph, I suspect this bike is a Triton; the tank and frame look suspiciously like a Norton Manx and featherbed respectively:

Jaguar MKVIII:

Humber Super Snipe series I:

'Single to Trafalgar Square and a single malt to my lips please'

Peugeot 203:

Vauxhall Velox PB with small block Chevy V8 and Jensen Interceptor wheels:

It shouldn't happen to a Alvis:

MGA and a really big wheel:

I see ya, Scimitar:

Tiki Type 2:

'Lengthy list of optional extras'

Dolly and her playthings:

The Bentley has enough toys as standard, thank very much:

Nine lives and the Devil:

Lovely Mercedes W108 Coupé:

Paper and 'glass:

Insert gratuitous Sweeney joke here:

Patina'd Tri-Chevy:

The ugly bugs ball:

An FMR Tg500, the four wheeled version of the Messerschmitt Kabinroller, built after FMR took over production in 1956:

Bond Minicar Mark A. The company lasted from 1949 (as Sharp's Commercials, changing it name to Bond Cars Ltd in 1963) to 1969, when it was taken over by their arch three-wheeler rival,  Reliant. The name existed until 1974 on the Bond Bug:

And now, a cavalcade of catering vans. If only more conventional car shows had these serving nosh rather than a bland trailer:

This Morris LC5 is a regular on the south bank:

Austin LD ambulance by Lomas, now a different kind of meat wagon:

AEC Regal (booze) bus:

A collection of Cadillacs: 1958 Series 62 Hardtop, 1954 Series 62 Eldorado, and 1959 Coupé DeVille. A '59 Chevy Impala gatecrashes the lineup:

Is it time to go yet?

Alfa Giulia Spider:

Beardmore MK7 Paramount taxi:

Gorgeous Alpine GTA:

Not the globe-trotting Multipla from this feature; it had a considerably lower mileage:

'Am I too late to get in? I don't take up much space'

FIN