a breakdown of the 1920 car year sales, in 4, 6, 8, and 12 cylinder cars, and how many companies made those engine sizes

body dimensions of various British cars, 1920

What are you staring at? Avoins Voisin

Voisin was notorious for his intolerance of noise, which he considered to be the greatest assault on human senses. His sleeve-valve engines may have been nearly silent while idling, but most cars of the time also used noisy Bendix-patent electric starters, the grinding from which offended his ears. He designed and made his own, superior starter – the “DynaStart” – which cranked the engine over smoothly and quietly. It is visible on most of his cars, in the center of the front, below the radiator. Voisin also designed and built the world’s first hydraulic brakes, the first hydraulic clutch and first hydraulic suspension.

A Voisin was the auto of choice when one wanted to show off not only ones means for being able to afford such an expensive vehicle, but also to demonstrate ones intellect, sophistication and individuality. H.G. Wells was a customer, as were Josephine Baker, Maurice Chevalier, Anatole France and Raimu. François Mitterand owned no less than four Voisins, and Rudolph Valentino was sufficiently impressed to order two

Although body styles evolved over the years, one thing remained a constant: Voisin's "Cocotte" mascot (based upon an ancient Egyptian figure of a winged Isis) graced every radiator cap. In an era where radiator mascots were often made of silver- or gold-plated bronze, or of glass, Voisin stayed true to form with one machined out of solid aluminum.

the enameled badge was based on the stylized Egyptian motif scarab beetle in keeping with the Cocotte radiator mascot.

The C27 "Ski Coupé" was Art Deco styling. Even the interior fabric was designed by Gabriel Voisin. The roof literally slides out of the way, leaving no framing at the top of the windshield, for an un-obscured view of the road and sky. Note the shape of the window sills - intended for comfort when resting one's arm on while driving.

here is the tool case in the trunk

The 1932 wicker bodied C14 was for going to picnics.

the fabulous C28 Aerosport of 1935, the last car that Gabriel designed. This was the first passenger car to ever use the "pontoon" body-type, where the front fenders blend directly into the sides of the car.

When Gabriel Voisin realized that his era was past, he closed his workshop, and wrote his memoirs in two volumes, which he titled "My 10,000 Kites" and “My 1001 Autos”.

Much to Gabriel's surprise, when he was 85, the French government informed him that he was to be made a Commander of the Legion of Honor. The recognition must've been bittersweet. With only a small pension to live on, Gabriel Voisin continued on until 1973, when he died in poverty and obscurity, at 93 years old.

Avions Voisin built somewhere in the region of 11,000 automobiles in its 19 years of existence. Unfortunately, since aluminum was a material of vital strategic importance during World War Two and, since Voisins had aluminum bodies, most of them were destroyed; ironically, melted down to make military aircraft. Perhaps 200 Voisin automobiles still exist. Compared to many of its contemporaries such as Bugatti, Delage and Delahaye, Voisin is quite obscure; even most vintage car enthusiasts are unfamiliar with the marque. But among the cognoscenti, they are highly prized. In 2006, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance featured Voisin, and 7 of them attended; nearly all of them the last of their type. That's why something like this totally original Voisin, recently discovered in a barn, is such a remarkable thing.

http://refinement.livejournal.com/259849.html

the Buffalo Central Terminal, one of the world’s largest and most impressive abandoned railway stations.

Other buildings included a Pullman Company service building (demolished 1966), an ice house (demolished 1966), and a coach shop (demolished 1966), and power station smokestack which were all torn down to lower property taxes. The last time this changed owners at auction it sold for only $100,000

http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Buffalo_Central_Terminal

when it was abandoned in 1971, as the railroad empire collapsed, and people turned to cheap and fast passenger airliners, it was deemed to expensive to demolish, and so the city didn't bother wasting the money. Just like Detroit's many abandoned and standing big buildings... no one wants to deal with the hazmat and asbestos removal

The clock in the center of the concourse, sold by earlier owners, was located in Chicago in 2003. In late 2004, the clock was purchased for $25,000 through fund raising. The clock was on display in the Terminal during the 2005 event season. In the fall of 2005, it was relocated to the lobby of M and T Center in downtown Buffalo, where it remained until spring of 2009.

The clock was then moved back to its original location in the Terminal concourse where it will sit permanently on public display.

With help from public donations, the CTRC acquires one of the Terminal's original light fixtures for $3,000 from a Toronto antique dealer. After raising the $3000, the dealer agrees to donate the fixture to the CTRC.

http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2014/05/10-abandoned-art-deco-buildings-of-the-world/

and there are a couple good galleries at http://opacity.us/gallery230_another_tour.htm from about 12 years ago

the Michelin Tyre / Bibendum Building, Kings Road, London

Its exuberant stylistic individualism has been variously described as an example of Art Nouveau, proto-Art-Deco, Secessionist Functionalism and geometrical Classicism. It has even been described as 'the most completely French of any Edwardian building in London'! Designed by an employee of the company, probably under the guidance of Edouard and Andre Michelin, it owes more to the imagination, vivacity and outrageously irreverent flair for public relations of these two men than to any notion of the architectural taste of its time. The bee hives on the upper outside corners, are representing piles of white

Michelin's slogan claiming that these tyres "drink up obstacles" is the literal theme of this stained glass window, and there are sharp rocks in his toasting glass. On the table in front of him are a variety of tire repair tools of the 1910s

http://jboard.tv/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3254&start=20

http://www.bibendum.co.uk/the-building.html#.Vo1A1vkrKM8
http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/london/tiles/michelin/mosaic.shtml

Tiles on the building exterior
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/snaps/bibendum_restaurant_london_chelsea.htm

http://conranandpartners.com/project/the-conran-shop-ltd-michelin-house/

60 years after Edouard Daubrée married a Scot, niece of the scientist named Mackintosh who discovered the solubility of rubber in Benzene, and she introduced rubber into the Auvergne region of France by manufacturing balls out of rubber for her children to play with, Edouard Michelin, who had been operating a painting studio in Paris, takes over management of the J.G. Bideau company and renames it Michelin and Co.

A bicyclist happens to show up on the doorstep of the Michelin Co. looking for materials to repair a damaged Dunlop tire for his bike. It takes 3 hours of labor and an overnight drying time to repair the tire.

The next morning when the bike was ready, Edouard Michelin tried to ride the newly repaired bike, but within minutes, he returned on foot - the repair had failed! Edouard could not believe this ordeal and set off to develop a bicycle tire that is easier to repair.

This single event is credited for igniting the Michelin tire empire. Later that year, Michelin files its first patents for detachable tires (this tire can be repaired in 15 minutes!).
http://www.nwcitroen.org/mag/articles/CC155/michelin_museum.htm

Thanks to Steve for inspiring me to do a post about Bibendum!

Car makers of the most powerful engines, had horsepower ratings published at an engine speed below maximum... to try and fool the NHRA and the car insurance companies

Roger Huntington, author and automotive historian, researched these classic muscle engines to determine, scientifically rather than hearsay and rumor, if these monster motors were underrated, and  by how much.

By taking samples from many different areas – dyno tests of exact rebuilds of classic motors, drag race results, and 0-60 times, he developed an algorithm by which he could compare claims to reality.

the Chevrolet L-78 big block was being under-reported by 25 hp, 375 hp at 5600 rpm in the sale literature versus 400 hp at 5600 rpm in his evaluations.

Chevrolet L88 power was rated at just 430 hp @ 5200 rpm. Huntington calculated 480 hp at 6400 rpm

Ford claims 335 hp at 5200 rpm for the 428 Cobra Jet versus Huntington’s analysis which determined output closer to 410 hp at 5600 rpm. Note the difference in engine speed between the two specs. Another clue this engine was underrated, was the smaller 390 V8 with a four-barrel carb was also rated at 335 HP.

the Mopar 440 Magnum was tested only to 4600 rpm, which produced 375 HP. When Huntington’s research found the engine to produce power reliability to 5400 rpm, he revised maximum power to 410 horsepower.

 Chrysler told the public the Mopar 440 Six Pack was making 390 hp at 4700 rpm while in reality its actual capability was 430 hp at 5600 rpm.

Pontiac Ram Air 400 was also a victim of underrating, advertised at 366 HP at 5100 when in fact maximum power is 410hp @5600.

The Buick GSX 455 Stage 1 was overlooked because of its lowish published horsepower of 360 hp at 5000 rpm. In reality the big Buick produced 420 hp at 5400 rpm,

Olds told the public the 455 W-30 produced just 370 hp @ 5300 rpm, in reality the output at 5600 rpm was closer to 440 horsepower.

The Ford Mustang Boss 429 was sold to the public as producing 375 hp at 5200 rpm while in fact the 429 produced closer to 420 hp at 5600 rpm.

The spec sheet from Chrysler said the 426 hemi had 425 hp @ 5000 rpm but in reality the power keeps producing reliable power to 6000 rpm where the output is a whopping 470 horsepower.

http://gearheads.org/the-true-hp-of-the-10-most-powerful-classic-era-muscle-cars/

Hope Memorial Bridge: Formerly the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge, Cleveland Ohio, the "Guardians of Traffic" statues designed by sculptor Henry Hering and architect Frank Walker

The 8 figures were carved in sandstone and created by sculptor Henry Hering and architect Frank Walker. They were meant to “typify the spirit of progress in transportation”, so each figure holds a different form of ground transport.

http://www.clevelandclimateaction.org/lorain-carnegie-bridge/

http://www.davidschwartzphoto.com/Fine-Art-Prints/Cleveland-Ohio/Cleveland-Hope-Memorial-Bridge/i-7mzDbCx

https://www.pinterest.com/chrisarnotlouis/deco-details/

The Hope Memorial Bridge was renovated and christened as such in the 1980's in honor of a family of Cleveland stonemasons, who also happened to be the family of native son, Bob Hope.

The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, the year that then County Engineer, Albert Porter, threated to remove the historic pylons, calling them "monstrosities".

Romanised assyrian genii, with wrap around wings, that guarded the cities and palaces were given mercury helmets, bookended the four pylons. The 43' pylons were cut from local, Berea, sandstone. The bridge was opened in 1932 after more than a decade of carping, and delays. This is the most monumental display of Cleveland deco.

http://rustbeltvoice.blogspot.com/2011/07/art-deco-cleveland.html

According to the NHTSA, these are cars that have been denied a request in the USA for import under Show and Display for one reason or another:

2010 Alfa Romeo 8c Spider Roadster
1993 Aston Martin Virage Volante
1989 BMW M3 Cabriolet
1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution III
1993 Jaguar XJ220S
1993 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo
1995 Nissan Skyline GTS-T
1998 Nissan Skyline GT-R Autech Version 40th Anniversary Edition
1989-1994 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R
1989 Porsche 959S 1990 Porsche 962 RLR
1992 Porsche 964 RS
1990-91 Nissan Figaro
2008 Fiat 500 Abarth

But here is the non-shocking non-surprise, the US govt in it's typical screw Americans way of doing business and failing at everything, is just fine with Canadians and Mexicans bringing them into the USA and enjoying them for up to a year, so long as they don't sell them to Americans.

Or wait until the vehicles are at least 25 years old

Full list of the rest of them at http://blog.dupontregistry.com/features/2014-foreign-cars-that-are-illegal-in-the-usa/

Chris Fix finally found an engine cleaner that works to remove carbon deposits on your pistons

Truckers weigh in on the best dash cam

https://www.facebook.com/cdllife/posts/1040386479317630

remember the publicity machine that used to make choppers? West Coast Customs? Here are excerpts from the Wikipedia article, lots of stuff I didn't know

West Coast Choppers began selling screen-printed T-shirts and stickers with the company's Iron cross/Maltese cross logo while Jesse James was finishing high school, (grad 1987)long before any actual West Coast Choppers customs had been ordered or sold.

James's website states that his great-great-grandfather was the notorious outlaw's cousin. However, the James Preservation Trust, which tracks claims of being a relative of the outlaw, says it cannot find a record of him in the family tree, and he has not provided the requested DNA sample for the Trust to review.

After several years working as a bodyguard for Danzig, Slayer, and occasionally for other bands such as Soundgarden, James opened West Coast Choppers in his mother's garage in 1992.

Even after the company did begin building custom choppers, 60% of revenue still came from sales of WCC-branded clothing, and merch. Yearly sales of approximately 12–15 motorcycles at prices of around US$150,000 each actually lost money for the company, but attracted positive attention.

At one time, there were five clothing lines, including two sold by West Coast Choppers, two at Wal-Mart, as well as high-end lines available in more expensive department stores, such as T-shirts for "$100 a pop in Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's and Fred Segal".

Publicizing the names of celebrity clients was a central feature of the WCC marketing strategy. The other key to this strategy was the star power of Jesse James, presented mainly through television on the Discovery Channel in the 2002–2006 series Monster Garage.

West Coast Choppers also signed a multi-year agreement with Huffy in which West Coast Choppers will design Huffy choppers, to be sold at Wal-Mart. The objective was to duplicate success of Pacific Cycles' Schwinn Sting-Ray model designed by rival Orange County Choppers (OCC).

The motorcycle made for Shaquille O'Neal was customized for the athlete's 338 lb weight and 49 in  inseam, and enormous hands, resulting in a dramatic 11.5 feet long bike with footpegs made for size 24 feet. The result was, "priceless publicity".

In 2005 James married Sandra Bullock, in April 2010 she filed for divorce after several women claimed to have had affairs with James in March, and he issued a public apology.

He was the owner of the Cisco Burger restaurant, which opened in April 2006, the 1950s style hamburger stand featured Angus beef burgers, low-fat burritos, organic vegetables, and biodegradable wrappings. It closed in late 2010.

James took over Garage Magazine in 2006, it's went out of business in summer 2014. Garage represented the best in the hot rod culture - cool cars, genuine hotrodders, great events, the race tracks and drag strips, cool fashion, great photography, wicked music (http://www.kustomink.com.au/garage.html)  https://twitter.com/thegaragemag

In 2007 Jesse James was fined $271,250 because West Coast Choppers sold more than 50 motorcycles from 1998 to 2005 that failed to comply with the air pollution limits of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). James explained that he was unaware of rule changes that required small-volume manufactures to comply with regulations.

In 2009 West Coast Choppers stopped selling motorcycle customizing parts, offering only complete bikes, or clothing and other non-bike merchandise.

Between Aug 2010 and Sept 2011 he was engaged and broken up with Kat Von Dee twice.

In October 2010, West Coast Choppers closed the shop in Long Beach.

In 2012 James engaged drag racer Alexis DeJoria, married in 2013

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_Choppers
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14041593/#.Vl-p4vmrSUk

The Best of George Harrison, 1976. Photograph by Bob Cato

The UK edition contained Bob Cato's color photo of Harrison sitting in front of an antique car, with art direction for the package being credited to "Cream" designs.

Bob Cato, a ground-breaking graphic designer who helped turn the record album cover into an important form of contemporary art, During 10 years as an art director and the vice president of creative services for CBS-Columbia Records, Mr. Cato created or supervised some of the most memorable record-album covers of the 1960's. It was his idea to put the work of the underground illustrator R. Crumb on Janis Joplin's ''Cheap Thrills.''

Some covers featured his own photography, for instance on Miles Davis's ''Miles'' album. Mr. Cato employed some of the era's most influential painters, designers and photographers for other covers, among them Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg.

He also worked with musicians ranging from Thelonious Monk to the Band to Johnny Mathis to Leonard Bernstein.

For his cover designs, Mr. Cato was awarded two Grammys by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. During World War II he was imprisoned as a conscientious objector because he was a Quaker.

While vice president of Revlon, he conceived and designed the Charlie fragrance campaign, contracting Lauren Hutton to be the brand ambassador.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Best_of_George_Harrison
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Cato