Commercial Break: Triumph Stag, 1978 (AUS)

T.W.O. - The Venice Bobber by Venice Choppers

From Venice Choppers' website:

'This bare-knuckle Venice Bobber is a product of its environment. A light, compact weapon was needed to slice through the traffic-choked urban sprawl surrounding the sea-side oasis where it was conceived. Lightweight, quickness, agile handling, and good brakes were top priority. The resulting menacing appearance would give murderous cagers something to text about.
To achieve these criteria, an early 70's Amen rigid frame was scored, complete with it's unique oil tank/battery tray.  A stock length CB750 front end, combined with a 21" rim, had the frame sitting low, and level. A 17" CB750 rear wheel kept things slim, it's drum brake actuated by a 40' Ford brake pedal, itself operated from solid mid-mount foot pegs. Confident the chassis was up to the task, it received a silky coat of satin black powder coat, topped with stainless steel spokes, and polished caliper, triple clamp, and rear sprocket.
Motivation comes from a '78 CB750F motor.  Stripped down, and rebuilt, with chrome covers, and stainless hardware, it breathes through early CB carbs, jetted to suit the vintage Dunstall exhaust.  This rare 4-2 collector is tipped with 2" exhaust cutouts. 8" baffles attach to the end caps, providing a mellow exhaust note from discreetly drilled outlets.  Removing the end caps reminds the neighbours who the bad boy on the block is. Sparking the mix are chrome Harley coils, with copper core wires, and "Rajah" caps, more commonly found on flathead Fords. Coil position mimics drag racing magnetos, in case anyone questions your intentions, which should be clear, based on the aggressive riding position.
Clubman bars get your hunch on, while keeping your knuckles below mirror level when splitting lanes. A Hayabusa master cylinder feeds the venerable Honda disc some extra juice, in a world of ABS induced delayed reactions.
Completing the interface of man, and machine, is a West Eagle seat, sprung with 2" Bates springs.  It's kicked up rear keeps yours in its place, and off the 5" rear fender.
Joining the minimalist movement is an Alien gas tank, powder-coated charcoal metallic, with a candy red top coat. It's 50+ mile range will see you clear to the edge of town. Spontaneous, nocturnal missions are illuminated by a Lucas driving lamp. Backup is provided by a VW turn signal, stuffed with red LEDs. Wired up, and fired up, this bike has proven to be an effective tool for traversing the urban landscape. It's lean looks are a direct result of it's dedication to function, proving less is more, and if you need more, here it is.'

1978 Land Rover Series III Royal Review State Car

A car fit for royalty. Or maybe even a caravan-towing dictator.

The first owner on this 1979 Land Rover's logbook is the Ministry of Defence, but it was commissioned for royalty, and by that I mean top of the shop regalness - the Queen herself.

Despite being seen largely in Rolls-Royces and Bentley limousines (with the odd Daimler DS420 interloper on the side), Ma'am is rather partial to Land Rovers for personal use. She has apparently had a string of Solihull's finest, including a black 2001 model, with the 4.2 litre V8 and a radio that was hot-linked to the Home Office (they have a great Northern Soul show on Saturday night, so I'm told) that she donated to the Heritage Motor Centre with a mere 43,000 miles on the odometer, barely broken in for an LR. And this 1978 Royal Review State V Series III that was specially built for her, has only done 1,892 miles, or just over 55 miles a year. The car was consigned to the sale by the MOD, who had recently been granted royal permission to sell it. It was auctioned at Brooklands on November 24 for an impressive £28,380 - above its £18,000 estimate but still a damn good price given it's history.

This vehicle is certainly fitted out for royalty, with a ‘traffic light' system which is fitted in the rear passenger area. It works by allowing the monarch of choice to signal to the driver what to do, whether to stop, start or even just slow down (rolling burnouts were not an option). This is of course, a far more discreet way of controlling your driver than a quiet “ahem” and a velvet glove politely tapping his shoulder; heaven help if HRH should have to stick two fingers in her mouth and whistle to get his attention.

Mechanically, it's regular Series III Land Rover; produced between 1971-1985, this was the first Land Rover model to feature synchromesh on all forward gears and had the modest but robust 2.25 litre engine that could trace it's roots back to the late 50's and was also used in the P4-shape Rover 80.

The Queen may not have seen much action on AWDC events with it, but this SIII has the royal seal of approval. And now someone out there is hopefully being driven down their local high street playing the part of monarch, or indeed oligarch, and having the time of their life.

The instrument cluster has been resited to in front of the driver  from it's usual central location. But Landie fans knew that anyway.

"He's Got To Be So Macho"

This may be the coolest truck you've never heard of. Who called it a Macho Power Wagon? Dodge did. I don't know who's idea it was in 1977, but painting a mid-70s 4WD truck like a 1960's muscle car, equipping it with big off-road tyres and a 440ci V8 (catalyst-free dues to a loophole in the emissions regs)  was a stroke of marketing genius. The Macho was released under the 'Adult Toys' range, along with a van and a sports wagon.

The Macho was based on the Dodge D-series range that was introduced in 1972 and introduced a contemporary look more in keeping with the rest of Dodge's range than it's predecessor. it was long-lived, as it it was face-lifted in 1980 and ran until 1993 with minor changes. They were built with more galvanized steel than their predecessors (as was Mopars' ongoing programme at the time) to help stave off corrosion; as a result they survive in large numbers. 1972 also saw the introduction of the 440ci V8 engine as a standard option for the light trucks.

There were also a number of special editions with great names; the Li'l Red Express (aping a fire engine, with exhaust stacks, wheels, and gold pinstriping), the Warlock, the Adventurer, the Midnite Express (a weird one that, considering it was released the same year as the film - a unfortunate association?) and the subject of this post, the Macho Power Wagon. Lets just dwell on that name; you can just imagine the likes of Chuck Connors or James Arness (oh OK, maybe Burt Reynolds), replete with denim or check shirt attire, medallion, cigarette on the go and fully-stocked rifle rack in the bed. A creek swimming, moonshine sippin', deer skinning, beer drinking, Johnny Cash listenin' S.O.B. A man with a 'tasche you could lose a hand in. A man that smokes Marlboro Red Tops so strong the passengers get a buzz off them and whose idea of a light lunch consists of a whole Deer and a coupla six packs.
Where do we sign up?

Er, ahem, this great restored example sold on eBay recently for $7,500 recently:

And a guide to being macho here.