Chromjuwelen Électrique: Are Friends Electric?
Not all that long ago we made a self-attempt: we eBay-ed a 1964 Imperial Crown and drove it from Los Angeles to Las Vegas – and back to Los Angeles. As you can imagine, we had a blast.
Not all that long ago we made a self-attempt: we eBay-ed a 1964 Imperial Crown and drove it from Los Angeles to Las Vegas – and back to Los Angeles. As you can imagine, we had a blast.
Now it is time for another self-attempt. But this time we will change to the other extreme: We will travel in a smart fortwo electric drive from Paris to Le Mans (Classic). Yup. Battery-driven.
Of course – we know this electrified fellow isn't made for long distances. Even worse – we know it will not be easy to find enough charging stations. But hey, that exactly is the challenge.
Our aim is to shoot another "Chromjuwelen En Route" video. This is why we are accompanied by our friends faust & heisler. If anybody of us speaks fluent French? Er ... no.
Our first appointments will be with our French soulmates from the Blenheim Gang – since we are in France, we have to learn more about "Français Moteur Culture". And if you do not follow the Blenheim Gang yet – do it now.
Btw, "follow" – stay in contact with us via Twitter, Instagram (Chromjuwelen), Tumblr or the time-waster social network!
(Image borrowed from Mercedes-Fans.de)
Faust & Heisler: Herr Fischer bittet zu Tisch
For more then two years photographer Jo Fischer is touring Germany with his project "Herr Fischer bittet zu Tisch". He invites people to take a seat at his table, arranging characteristic pictures of people within seconds - and with one shot only. Already more than 1.800 guests sat at the always same wooden table in front of plain backcloth.
It is a major honor for me to have friends like Jo Fischer, Jörg Heikhaus, Arthur Heisler and Tobias Faust. Guys, I am not sure you really know how much your work inspires me. Mr. Heisler, Mr. Faust: Awesome video portrait – can't wait to work a lot more with you. Mr. Fischer: Get yourself some kneepads.
Please visit their websites as well: jofischer.com, heliumcowboy.com, vimeo.com/faustheisler.
Alex Diamond: Magazine Drawings
One of my personal long-term objectives was to mix Motorkultur and Art. I had some discussions about giving my Poncho (which is white at the moment) as a canvas to an artist, another thought was to do some kind of Motorkultur-/Chromjuwelen-exhibition with galleries. But you know how it is — those soul projects always take some time. And time is money. Unfortunately.
One of my personal long-term objectives was to mix Motorkultur and Art. I had some discussions about giving my Poncho (which is white at the moment) as a canvas to an artist, another thought was to do some kind of Motorkultur-/Chromjuwelen-exhibition with galleries. But you know how it is — those soul projects always take some time. And time is money. Unfortunately.
Some days ago my favorite art dealer, Heliumcowboy Artspace, contacted me and asked if I could donate some car magazines to one of his artists, Alex Diamond. Alex Diamond is just producing a side kick — he is doing some artsy magazine rip offs (2007-2008; 2012). His work is drawn straight into the magazines with fine ink pens. On-the-road, instant artworks. I have seen some of them, and they are simply gorgeous.
So I gave it a try and donated an old issue of Carl*s Cars (oups – website broken?) which I had twice. Today Alex offered his fist set of drawings on Etsy (just hit one of the images above), which are stunning. It has never been easier to get some unique Motorkultur art.
Luke, we definetely have to talk soon. About a special Fuel Magazine edition. What do you think?
Note to self: Get a Benzo Rod
I think it is obvious we have tremendous respect for the hot rod spirit. There is a simple reason for that: We are living in Germany. Well, on the one hand Deutschland has all its fingers in every pie regarding all worldwide highest desirable automotive brands – Audi, BMW (MINI, Rolls Royce), Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen (Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini) –, but if you think about a unique culture which is driven by passion and individuals … there is none. At least not if you compare it to the American hot rod culture, which started in the late 1930s.
I think it is obvious we have tremendous respect for the hot rod spirit. There is a simple reason for that: We are living in Germany. Well, on the one hand Deutschland has all its fingers in every pie regarding all worldwide highest desirable automotive brands – Audi, BMW (MINI, Rolls Royce), Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen (Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini) –, but if you think about a unique culture which is driven by passion and individuals … there is none. At least not if you compare it to the American hot rod culture, which started in the late 1930s.
Maybe we Germans are overall too square to respect people who modify their vehicles by themselves, maybe the creativity which is needed to build a car to one's wishes is not valuated that high. Not to mention the fact that the whole trailer-queen adoring and producing tuner society in Germany gets seriously derided for their work. For a good reason, btw, if you ask me – they should rather prove their competence by building street legal race cars instead of distorted plastic funfair sculptures.
Ok. I run off the track. In the early days of Chromjuwelen.com we featured a 1952 Mercedes-Benz W 191 170 Sb, which got rodded by Heiko Sude. At the Race 61 in Finowfurt we ran into Niko Kahn's chopped and channeled Mercedes-Benz W 189 300 d "Adenauer". In the meantime Ingo Recktenwald debuted with his 1939 Mercedes-Benz W 136 170 V. And a few days ago our friends form the excellent Stipistop presented us another Mercedes-Benz 170 S hot rod.
Enough already. I am hooked. I want a Mercedes-Benz hot rod. With a supercharged AMG M113 5.4 L "Hammer" V8. Or – even better – with a 7.3 L V12 SL 73 AMG V12. You think this would is blasphemy? No. It would not. This would be the perfect German Engineered hot rod.
(Please hit the images for additional information)
Leaking: Chromjuwelen Motor Oil
I agree — speaking of "leaking" in the context with a motor oil is kinda awkward. But "leaking" refers more to the fact it had to happen sooner or later somebody snaps a shot of our latest Chromjuwelen project and posts it on the interwebs. So it is our own fault. Nobody has forced us to showcase a handful of oil can dummies on our Continental Extreme film premiere. We knew what would happen — as we would do exactly the same. But to be honest: We wanted to know, what would happen. Precisely because we had a lot of automotive yournalists and gearheads on our guest list.
Via Kai Petermann (stilsucht.de)
Via Sven Wiesner (beesocial.de)
Via Mark Bourichter (Dederichs Reinecke & Partner)
I agree — speaking of "leaking" in the context with a motor oil is kinda awkward. But "leaking" refers more to the fact it had to happen sooner or later somebody snaps a shot of our latest Chromjuwelen project and posts it on the interwebs. So it is our own fault. Nobody has forced us to showcase a handful of oil can dummies on our Continental Extreme film premiere. We knew what would happen — as we would do exactly the same. But to be honest: We wanted to know, what would happen. Precisely because we had a lot of automotive yournalists and gearheads on our guest list.
Ok, let's let the cat out of the bag. We teamed up with Mathy to design a Chromjuwelen Motor Oil specially made for classic cars. Formulated by Mathé Classic, both oils (15W-40, 20W-50) provide optimal protection against wear and corrosion — especially for vehicles only used occasionally. More to come soon, but maybe this helps to understand my Prototyp Museum post where I mentioned first that we have been fallen in love with Otto Mathé.
The feedback so far is overwhelming. It seems we have touched a nerve.
Continental Extreme: Chromjuwelen En Route Road Movie
And finally — here it is. Our "Continental Extreme" video. The latest Chromjuwelen En Route road movie starring five German blokes on a Motorkultur-expedition. Intention: To draw an analogy between Las Vegas (SEMA) and Dubai (Motor Show).
Co-starring among others not only our 1964 Imperial Crown, but also family and friends like Klaus Rasch (race-dezert.com), Mike Musto (ridelust.com), Ryan Friedlinghaus (West Coast Customs), Sven Gramm (BRABUS), Bear Garcia (Hooligan Customz), Frederik Faidhi (Select Nano), Sam Badawi (1000 Dunes), David Mitri (1000 Dunes) and Phil McGovern (crankandpiston.com).
Thanks to everyone who joined our film premiere at the EAST Hotel in Hamburg. We had a blast!
The Most Amazing Location Ever For A Birthday Celebration
Actually, I should have been at the 82nd International Motor Show in Geneva today. But I could not accompany my partner Chris, so he had to go alone. The reason for not going "Hunting the new A-Class" with Mercedes-Benz was I was invited to a birthhday celebration which I did not want to miss.
The party was held at the Prototyp Museum Hamburg. Of course — I know the Prototyp Museum Hamburg from different events. But being seated in the middle of the exhibition was simply stunning. My seat was just next to Otto Mathé's "Fetzenflieger", a car I got bond with especially in the last months ...