Leaking: Chromjuwelen Motor Oil

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 ...  

Deichkraft: Tri-Axle Two-Stroke Diesel Godzilla

"Diamond T" "980 M20" GM-Diesel "Detroit-Diesel" "6-71" "Hot Rod" "old style" "old school" Truck 1940 diesel-power tank car real-rod Herrenrod cooldstart "cold start" www.deichkraft.com

Eine neue Operater-Centrale bietet nunmehr höchsten Fahrkomfort bei minimalem körperlichen Einsatz...

real men dont need instructions Wintertime in the north of Germany lifesaver saves lifessaver

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!

NAIAS 2012: Detroit Out Of Focus

I just had to borrow thess beautiful photos from Dylan Culhane my travelling companion Kai Petermann just posted on his brand-new site "For Love And Glory". They are just gorgeous. Please make sure you do not only pay Dylan Culhane a visit, but also Kai's main site stilsucht.de. Kai is by far one of the best truffle pigs I know out there, and if you want to know what is hot and fresh – just follow him. In this regard, Kai, you make me blush. Thanks for your opening "For Love And Glory"-article!

While Kai has been in Detroit with Ford, I was invited by Mercedes-Benz – as a guest of their tradtional New Year's Reception and to be present at the unveiling of their new generation Mercedes-Benz SL. As soon as my Aperture has navigated me through my pictures, I will post some details. 

Needless to say the SL is a beauty, isn't it?

Continental Extreme: Chromjuwelen En Route Travelogue

You may still remember our last Chromjuwelen En Route tour called "Continental Extreme". And if you do so, you probably wonder what happened to us and our self-attempt with the 1964 Imperial Crown. And why you have never heard any time later about that project. Here is the simple answer: It took us donkey's years to sight our material. And to understand what happened. In Los Angeles, in Las Vegas, in Dubai.

3000 photos and several hard drives filled with video material later we get a breath of an idea: WE HAD A BLAST! We just published our (German) travelogue, including a selection of 332 photos ("Los Angeles, Las Vegas (SEMA 2011)", "Dubai (Dubai Motor Show)"). So is time to get lost. Our Chromjuwelen En Route Road Movie will follow in January. 

At this point we would like to thank once again some guys for their help:

• Klaus Rasch (race-dezert.com): Thanks for helping us buying and overhauling the Mopar! And thanks for feeling like home every time we are in LA.

• Mike Musto (mrangryinc.com, ridelust.com): Dude. This has been the fourth time (!) I was trying to ride your #§%#* Winged Warrior. And I failed again. It must be jinxed. But you know what? I will keep on trying. Hell Yeah.

• Frederik Faidhi (select-nano.ae): If you will ever be in Deutschland ... can you help us polishing our Imperial Crown? Just kidding. Thanks for your open sesame!

• Phil McGovern (crankandpiston.com): Damn. We have to come back. And not only for the reason we have to do this dune thing with you guys.

Mates – we take a bow.

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!

Jo Fischer: Calendar 2012

We are not the biggest fans of "calendars". But there are always some exceptions. Like this one. This one is a MUST HAVE — regardless of whether you hang it to your wall or use it as a "coffee table calendar". The point is: there will not be a better opportunity to get 13 Jo Fischer photographs for a special rate of EUR 39,-.

When Jo Fischer and Jörg Heikhaus aka Heliumcowboy Artspace asked us to "fuel" Jo's Calendar we did not have to think twice. Jo has shot a ton of breathtaking photos for us — Agnostic Front, VW Berlin, Ken Block, Jesse James, B.J. Baldwin — so it is a matter of honor for us to support him.

Head over to Heliumcowboy Artspace to place your order.