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.
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.
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)
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 ...
Deichkraft: Tri-Axle Two-Stroke Diesel Godzilla
I am not quite sure when I first have had heard of "Deichkraft", but it must be some years ago. A good friend of mine sent me a shaky video of a tri-axle Dimond T 980 N20 truck, which has been converted into a roadster. But it was not only the fact the basis of Deichkraft is a tri-axle truck which is for that reason alone kinda odd — the steampunked hot rod comes with a GM two-stroke diesel.
From that day on I wanted to meet Carsten Plötner, who is one of the blokes behind that project. Last weekend the moment has finally arrived — we met each other at a birthday celebration. I am sure all others guests were a little unhinged by us, because we chatted the entire time about cars, the narrowmindedness of some German hot rodders and possible Deichkraft destinations.
Carsten, what about bringing your little Chromjuwel to the Race 61 and Rust 'N' Roll? But before you do that I will pop in to have a ride!
1964 Imperial Crown: The Eagle Has Landed
Our 1964 Imperial Crown, which we bought during our "Continental Extreme" trip last year, has meanwhile arrived in Hamburg, Germany. Good to welcome our old fellow, which is one of the main actors in our upcoming "Continental Extreme" video, in our hometown!
I know: Having something is better than needing something. But with the Imperial I have too many projects in my garage. So — anybody interested in a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 W108 or a 1972 Pontiac "LeSupra" LeMans Project? Just shoot me an email if you are looking for a perfect familiy Chromjuwel or — if you have got the guts — a Pearl Harbour Muscle Car.
BTW — we are on the home stretch with our 70 minutes video (Los Angeles - Las Vegas - Dubai). We will showcase the video next week in Hamburg, so it is time to put on your dancing shoes and celebrate the online roll out with us!
Monster Beats Solo HD vs. Bowers & Wilkins P5
I am a huge fan of my Monster Beats Solo HD by Dr. Dre. You might have noticed that already. I love the design, the colors, the thick cables and—of course—the phat sound. Although the quality is really crappy (I had to fix my headband and ear pads with (double-sided) duct tape), I never thought I would ditch 'em. Till that moment Bowers & Wilkins asked me if I would like to give their P5 headphones a shot.
To be honest: The conservative design of the P5 is not my cup of tea. Maybe I am not old enough for Bowers & Wilkins' restrained and classical design. But the quality of their luxury materials is unbelievably high. Ok, as I pull off the cables of my Monster Beats minimum three times a day (when the cable gets caught by door handles, for example), I will see how often I can do that with the P5.
Bowers & Wilkins gave me a pair of their headphones to play with them on my flight to Detroit. So I had enough time to compare them with my Monster Beats. The sound of the P5 is incredible. Once you get "used" to it. To explain it with an example: You probably know what it is like when you switch between snapping photos in a camera program mode and shooting raws. At that moment you shoot your first raws, your images looks pale, kinda washed out and somehow boring. But they are looking natural. No hotted up eye candy.
In comparison with switching your camera settings it is the same when you compare Monster Beats with Bowers & Wilkins P5. At the first moment the P5 may sound too soft. But it will not take long and you will not miss the typical "American" sound of Monster Beats any longer. But you will love the pure sound of Bowers & Wilkins.
Will I send them back to Bowers & Wilkins? No siree. I will case-mod 'em!
Mission: Impossible 4 Ghost Protocol, BMW Munich
"Mission: Impossible 4 – Ghost Protocol (Phantom Protkoll)" just had it's European premiere in Munich, at the BMW Welt. Accompanied by Tom Cruise aka Ethan Hunt, Paula Patton, und Simon Pegg I had the privilege to enjoy massive explosions, fabulous car chases and tons of sci-fi gadgets.
Usually we meet a lot of brand officials at events like these – but it seemed BMW, our host, followed the movie motto "Ghost Protocol" at that evening. Well – if anybody @BMW reads this: Thank you for the invitation!
Chromjuwelen Brand Ambassadorship extended by Continental
Holy cow! Our Chromjuwelen Brand Ambassadorship just has been extended for another year by Continental. If you don't fear a German article, follow this link.
We could not be prouder. That's awesome!
Chromjuwelen En Route: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dubai
The most stupid mistake you ever can make? Buy a typical "needs some TLC" and "runs and drives" car and hope it will take you from A to B. Ha – we just did that. Deliberately. In our case A is Los Angeles, B stands for Las Vegas. And the car is a 1964 Chrysler Imperial Crown. Mopar or no car.
We are in preparation for take-off. Our mission is to shoot another Chromjuwelen Road Movie. Destinations: Los Angeles (October 31 till November 2), Las Vegas (SEMA Show; November 3-6), Dubai (Dubai Motor Show; November 7-12). Motto: Continental Extreme.
If you are interested how far the Imp' will take us – or if wanna join us – just hook up on our Instagram, Tumblr or Twitter. Btw, we are still looking for car culture stories in Dubai (underground, drift, off-road). Unfortunately our contact to Dubai is broken down. If you have got a tip, just shoot us an email!
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