Wednesday

WHO'S ON FIRST?

SYLVESTER HOWARD ROPER, STEAM POWERED, AROUND 1867

"Who invented the motorcycle?" That should be a simple answer to a simple question. But the answer to "who invented the motorcycle" is quite complicated.
There was a debate among historians on who invented motorcycle. One group argued it was Sylvester Howard Roper, who invented the steam powered motorcycle in the year 1867. Second group stressed it was Gottlieb Daimler who invented the first gas-engined motorcycle in 1885.

Gottlieb Daimler who invented the first gas powered motorcycle in 1885, had one wheel in the front and one in the back, and a smaller spring-loaded outrigger wheel on each side. Daimler's motorcycle was built of wood with iron banded wooden spoked wheels. Motorcycle invented by Gottlieb Diamler was built on the "bone-crusher" chasis. It was indeed powered by a single-cylinder Otto-cycle engine, and had a spray-type carburetor.

Next notable invention in the motorcyle came in 1892 with the introduction of Millet. It used a 5-cylinder engine built as the hub of the motorcycle rear wheel. The cylinders rotated with the wheel, and its crankshaft constituted the rear axle.

The first known production of a two-wheeler was the Hildebrand & Wolfmueller in Germany in 1894. This motorcycle sporting a step-through frame, with frame mounted fuel tank on the downtube. The motorcycle engine was a parallel-twin, mounted low on the frame, with its cylinders going fore-and-aft, and was water-cooled. The water tank/radiator was built into the top of the rear fender.

In 1895 French firm DeDion-Buton invented a motorcycle engine and mass produced the motorcycle engine and peeved the way for the common use of motorcycle. Metz Company made the first USA production motorcycle called Orient-Aster in 1898. The Aster engine used in the motorcycle was a French-built copy of the DeDion-Buton.

American Invention, Production and improvement of motorcycle skyrocketed with the launch of Indian in 1901 and Harley Davidson in 1902.

In Modern America, Indian was the only motorcycle manufacturer among the crowd of 20 odd which was competing with Harley Davidson. Indian Motorcycle was invented by a young self-taught engineer and builder of racing bicycles named Oscar Hedstrom. Oscar and entrepreneur George Hendee came together to build the first Indians out of the Hedstrom's design. This Indian motorcyle invented by Hedstrom was powered by copy of DeDion-Buton engine and an excellent carburetor rolled out in 1901. At one time Indian was largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world rolling out 20,000 motorcycles per year.Indian motorcycles strongly supported racing during this period as a way to improve their product and to present it to the buying public. The Indian factory motorcycles dominated all forms of racing in the US, and in 1912, Indians won first, second and third at the Isle of Man TT. Indian motorcycle engineering department invented new models and variants of motorcycles and continued to roll out excellent motorcycles off production lines. Model such as the much-beloved model 101 Scout of 1919, the original Chief of 1920, and the highly successful Sport Scout of 1935. Indian also acquired a magnificent four-cylinder bike in 1927 by buying the tools, dies, and assets of the Ace Motorcycle Company.

In 1903, 21-year old William S. Harley and 20-year old Arthur Davidson invented the first production Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. The newly invented harley-davidson motorcycle was built to be a racer, with a 3-1/8 inch bore and 3-1/2 inch stroke. The factory in which they worked was a 10 x 15-foot wooden shed with the words "Harley-Davidson Motor Company" crudely scrawled on the door. The only American motorcycle manufacturer still in existence from the early days is the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, which celebrated its centennial in 2003.

In 1910 The Belgian arms company FN invented the first 4-cylinder motorcycle. This newly invented motorcycle was named FN and it had a shaft drive.

In 1914 Triumph Tourist Trophy-Type G motorcycle was invented and manufactured specifically for the dirt track at IOM. This newly invented motorcycle was a single cylinder, 4 horsepower, 4 stroke engine of 550cc with a 3 speed transmission. It featured adjustable tappets and a side by side valve placement. This motorcycle used an Aster engine that was copy of the DeDion-Buton.

In 1918 Cleveland Motorcycle Company built a 2 stroke lightweight motorcycle- almost an exact copy of Triumph's Junior model. It continued production of the motorcycle until 1924.
This motorcycle sported a coil producing spark, a two speed lever hand operated transmission that could reach a speed of 45mph.

GOTTLIEB DAMILER, GAS POWERED, 1885

Saturday

#4 - FERRARI DINO 206/246 GT

The Ferrari Dino's 206 and 246 came in the number four slot of the Telegraph.co.uk top 100 in 2008. Here is some information.

Dino was a brand for mid-engined, rear-drive sports cars produced by Ferrari from 1968 to 1976. The Dino brand was meant to be used for cars with engines that had fewer than 12 cylinders, reserving the Ferrari name for the V-12 and flat 12 models. The Dino name was retired after that point, in favour of conventional Ferrari branding. The Dino brand was an attempt by Ferrari to produce a relatively low cost sports car by using components from other vehicles.

The Dino models used Ferrari racing naming designation of displacement and cylinder count with two digits for the size of the engine in deciliters and the third digit to represent the number of cylinders, i.e., 246 being a 2.4 liter 6 cylinder and 308 being a 3.0 liter 8 cylinder. Ferrari street models of the time used a three digit representation of the displacement in cubic centimeters of one of the 12 cylinders which would have been meaningless in a brand with differing numbers of cylinders.

The Dino 246 was the first Ferrari model produced in high numbers. It is lauded by many for its intrinsic driving qualities and groundbreaking design. In 2004, Sports Car International placed the car at number six on its list of Top Sports Cars of the 1970s. Motor Trend Classic placed the 206/246 at number seven in their list of the 10 "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

HISTORY

The name "Dino" honors the founder's late son, Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari, who was credited with the design of the V6 engine. Along with famed engineer, Vittorio Jano, Dino influenced Enzo Ferrari's decision to produce a line of racing cars in the 1950s, with V6 and V8 engine designs. History shows that Alfredo Ferrari did not have a hand in the actual design of the V6 motor that made its way into the Dino.

The "Dino" brand was created to market a lower priced, "affordable" sports car. The first brochure described the Dino as "almost a Ferrari". Ferrari intended to do battle in the marketplace with Porsche and its 911. The more expensive road going Ferrari V12's of the time were no match at their much higher price point. But Enzo did not want to diminish the Ferrari brand with a cheaper car, and so "Dino" was born.


Lorenzo Bandini's Ferrari Dino 166P, 1000km Nürburgring 1965
Derek Bell's Ferrari Dino 166 Formula 2, practice for the Eifelrennen at the Nürburgring, 1969In addition to being a lower priced, "affordable" sports car, it was a car built in Alfredo's honor after he lost his battle with muscular dystrophy. While in hospital, he discussed technical details with the engineer Vittorio Jano. Dino would never see the engine; he died on June 30, 1956 at the age of only 24, before his namesake automobiles Fiat Dino and Dino were produced.

In 1966 Ferrari wished to race in the 1.6 L class of the Formula 2 racing series with Dino's V6. However, the company could not meet the homologation rules which called for 500 production vehicles using the engine. Enzo Ferrari asked Fiat to co-produce a sports car using the engine, and the front-engined, rear-drive Fiat Dino was born. It used a 2.0 L (1987 cc) version of the Dino V6, allowing Ferrari to enter the series.

At the time, the thought of using a mid-engine layout in a production car was quite daring, although the design was common in the world of sports car racing. A mid-engined layout placed more of the car's weight over the driven wheels, and allowed for a streamlined nose, but led to a cramped passenger compartment and more challenging handling. Lamborghini created a stir in 1966 with its mid-engined Miura, but Enzo Ferrari felt that a mid-engine Ferrari would be unsafe in the hands of his customers. Eventually he relented, and allowed designer Sergio Pininfarina to build a mid-engined concept for the 1965 Paris Motor Show, but demanded that it wear the Dino badge alone. The 1966 Turin car show featured a refined Dino 206S. The Turin 206S was a closer prototype to the actual production version. Response to the radically-styled car was positive, so Ferrari allowed it to go into production, rationalizing that the low-power V6 engine would keep his customers out of trouble.

FERRARI DINO 206

The production Dino 206 GT had the soft edges and curving lines typical of earlier Italian cars, unlike its successor, the Bertone designed 308 GT4, which has the straighter lines and crisp edges seen most boldly in Bertone's later Fiat X1/9.

The 206 GT used a transverse-mounted 2.0 L all-aluminum, 180 hp (134 kW) @ 8000 rpm redline, 65 degree V6 engine, Dual overhead camshafts, 9.7:1 Compression ratio. Torque was 138 pounds*foot @ 6500 rpm. The crankshaft featured four main bearings. Induction was via three Weber 40 DCN/4 2-barrel carburetors.

The 206 GT frame featured a light-weight, 1980 pound, aluminium body, full independent suspension, and all round disc brakes. The 206 GT had a 90.0 inch wheelbase.

The 206 had a top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h).

152 were built in total during 1968 and 1969. The same 2.0L engine was used in the Fiat Dino coupe and spyder produced during the period. It was a slightly detuned engine, producing somewhat less horsepower. Later Fiat Dinos also used the 2.4L motor, although significanly fewer were produced with this motor.

FERRARI DINO 246

Calls for more power were answered with the 2.4 L (2418 cc) Dino 246. The motor was a 65 degree, dual overhead camshaft, 9.0:1 compression ratio, iron block with alloy heads. The European motor produced 195 bhp (at 7,600 rpm), and was available as a fixed-top GT coupe or, after 1971, an open Spyder GTS. The American version had an exhaust air-pump, and timing changes which created 175 hp (130 kW). The GT had 3 Weber 40 DCNF/6 or 40 DCNF/7 carburetors.

The 246 Dino GT weighed 2380 pounds. The 246 Dino GTS weighed 2426 pounds. The body was now made of steel to save cost. The 246 Dino had a 2.1 inch longer wheelbase than the 206, at 92.1 inches. The height of the 246 was the same as the 206 at 43.9 inches.

Production numbered 2,487 GTs and 1,274 Spyders, the latter being built from 1972 to 1974 only, for a total production run of 3,761.

The 246 had a top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h).

The Dino's 2.4L V6 found its way into a number of other Italian performance cars after its application in the 246, most notably the Lancia Stratos rally car.

AMA'S MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM

1953 VINCENT BLACK SHADOW

The AMA’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is offering enthusiasts the opportunity to add a historic machine to their collection. Beginning today, Jan. 23, the Museum is auctioning a 1953 Vincent Black Shadow on eBay. The auction will run through Feb. 1, 2009. You can view the auction and bid at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160311565061

The 1953 Vincent Black Shadow on the auction block was restored by famed Vincent restorer Mike White of Ontario, Canada, and Brent Mayfield of Centerville, Ohio. The 1953 production is fully documented through copies of factory paperwork and photos of the machine prior to restoration are available.

The Vincent was originally purchased by the Museum specifically for the annual 2008 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum raffle. This year, for the first time, the winner of the Museum’s raffle chose to accept an alternate cash prize instead of the motorcycle, allowing the Museum the opportunity to auction the 1953 Vincent Black Shadow. Riders can log on to eBay.com and enter ID number 160311565061 to bid on the classic Vincent. Winning the bike is a perfect way to kick-start 2009, and all proceeds will support the non-profit Museum and its mission of telling the exciting stories and preserving the history of American motorcycling.

In addition, enthusiasts can enter the 2009 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum raffle for a chance to win a pair of Bonnevilles. The 2009 raffle winner, to be picked during 2009 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, will be able to choose one of two prizes: a prize package valued at $35,000 featuring a fully restored 1959 pre-unit T120 Bonneville and an all-new limited edition 2009 50th Anniversary T100 Bonneville, or a $25,000 cash award. Tickets can be purchased at www.motorcyclemuseum.org or by calling (614) 856-2222.

Fundraisers such as the Vincent auction and Triumph raffle -- as well as the recently concluded 2008 Leather and Ice Online Holiday Auction -- are vital to supporting the Museum’s award-winning exhibitions as well as the AMA's Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which honors the men and women who shaped the industry and sport of motorcycling. Over 400 items donated by 142 museum supporters were up for grabs in the 2008 Leather and Ice Auction, which raised over $25,000 for the Museum.

Sunday

RIGHT HERE IN CYPRUS


1965 Turin Salon Lamborghini Miura chassis that has been searched for many years has been found. It had been thought that it must have been destroyed since it had not resurfaced.

The show chassis had been stored for the past 30 years here in Cyprus by the original Lamborghini dealer, Marios Kritikos, in Nicosia. Kritikos documented his collection of the car on April 7th, 1978.

It is considered to be the Holy Grail from which all road going supercars descend. Discovered in December it now rests in the United States. It is going to be redone to its former glory and be shown this coming summer.

FROM THE 40'S.....FOR SALE

1940 FORD
www.autohauslosgatos.com

1940 LINCOLN ZEPHYR CONTINENTAL
www.stableltd.com

1946 MORRIS 8
www.mathewsons.co.uk

1948 MG-TC
www.classic-sportscar.co.uk

1949 VERITAS BMW RENNSPORT
www.autocollections.com

ARIZONA ON THE 22ND

1930 FORD

1947 MERCURY


Kruse International Auction
Arizona State Fair Grounds
Phoenix, Arizona

www.kruse.com

1-815-568-8888

1948 CHEVY

1949 PACKARD

FLORIDA ON THE 22ND

1951 MERCURY

1954 BUICK


Mecum Auction
Osceola Heritage Park
1875 Silver Spur Lane
Kissimmee, Florida

www.mecum.com

1-815-568-8888

1955 T-BIRD

1959 MGA

BARRETT-JACKSON

How could I have missed the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. One of the best in Arizona for January. Started on the 11th and runs through today, the 18th.

Tuesday

FIVE MORE

9 - LOTUS ESPRIT

8 - ASTON MARTIN DB9

7 - ASTON MARTIN DB4

6 - ASTON MARTIN DB4-5-6

5 - LAMBORGHINI MIURA

Saturday

ARIZONA ON THE 17TH

1949 STUDEBAKER

1951 HUDSON

1957 CHEVY


Silver Auctions
Fort McDowell Resort Casino
10424 N Fort McDowell Road
Fort McDowell, Arizona

1957 DESOTO

1959 EDSEL

1969 TRIUMPH TR6

ARIZONA ON THE 17TH

As usual, no photographs for this company, but a really nice auction.

Gooding & Company
The Scottsdale Auction
Scottsdale Fashion Square
Corner of E. Camelback Road and N. 68th Street
Scottsdale, Arizona

www.goodingco.com

1-310-899-1960

WATCH IT LIVE: www.sportscarmarket.com/goodingsale

ARIZONA ON THE 16TH

As usual, no photographs, but always a great auction...

RM Auctions
Automobiles of Arizona
Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
Phoenix, Arizona

www.rmauctions.com

1-800-211-4371

ARIZONA ON THE 14TH

1951 STUDEBAKER CUSTOM

1953 ALLARD K3

1955 CHEVY


Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction
Scottsdale Road at N. Loop 101 Freeway
Scottsdale, Arizona

www.russoandsteele.com

1-602-252-2697

1957 THUNDERBIRD

1961 TRIUMPH TR3A

1977 TOYOTA

Thursday

MOTOR ART...FIRST THURSDAY

"Sports Car Market" is still doing their First Thursday art sales. This month it is the first working Thursday. A nice selection.
"Mirabeau 1955" - 47" X 36" on canvas - $1,260

Alfredo De la María was born in Uruguay in 1945. He studied art and architecture at the Bellas Artes School in Montevideo. In 1966, De la María left for Europe, where he settled in Paris for the next three years. After returning to Montevideo for a short time, he traveled to Argentina to take a position with an important publishing company in Buenos Aires. There he created illustrations for the covers of many major magazines, including Automundo, Parabrisas, El Tony, and Dartagnan. During this time he became totally involved in automotive art, and in 1989 he made the first of his many exhibits at the Buenos Aires Classic Cars Club.

"1970 Nurburgring 1000K" - 42" X 26" on canvas - $650

Michael Mate is a Colorado native who has painted since he was a child. Over the last 25 years his artwork has appeared in both magazines and racing posters across the U.S. Mainly painting by commission, he has only quite recently made his original artwork, limited-edition prints, and giclees available to the public.

Available through steveaustinsautomobilia.com, offer expires at midnight Friday, January 9th,

Wednesday

ENGLAND ON THE 10TH

1974 ALFA ROMEO TZ2

1983 ALBA AR-3


Coys
Autosport "The Racing Car Show"
NEC, Birmingham,
United Kingdom

www.coys.co.uk

+44 208 614 7888

1986 PORSCHE 944

1997 SUBARU "WORLD RALLY"

ARIZONA ON THE 10TH

1941 LINCOLN

1947 NASH


International Classic Auctions
Diamond Ranch
1265 S. Gilbert Road
Gilbert, Arizona

www.icaauctions.com

1-800-243-1957

1970 CHEVY CUSTOM

1972 OLDS CUTLASS 442

NORTH CAROLINA ON THE 9TH

1929 FORD

1930 FORD


Tom Mack Classics
Metrolina Expo
I-77 at Sunset
Charlotte, North Carolina

www.tommackclassics.com

1-888-TOM-MACK

1931 FORD

1951 CHEVY