January 23, 2004

WHEELS

Tex, who knows his motorbikes, wrote a year ago (can't find the link) about the disgusting styling of the 2003 Ducatis. They looked as though each square millimetre had been designed by a separate committee of people whose only point of commonality was an allergy to compound curves.

But if Ducati put these delicious prototypes into production -- check the 70s Ducati script! -- well, I believe Tex would join Greenpeace if that could somehow clear his way to owning one of them. They’re beautiful. Jeebus, I’d join the Taliban for a shot at one of these.

In other speedy news, Wallace of Big Gold Dog writes:

Thought you might like to see this. We are building a new wing at our Petroleum Museum to house all the Chaparral road racing and Indy Cars. Grand opening April 15th. Come on over ... a big time.

There exists on this earth a place called the Petroleum Museum. Life is great.

Posted by Tim Blair at January 23, 2004 02:48 AM
Comments

Ok Tim I have insomnia but what the fck is your excuse for posting at this hour. i have always wanted to ask?

Posted by: Zombium at January 23, 2004 at 02:53 AM

Yes, Tim. What the heck are you doing awake at 3am? I'm in California, and I'm beginning my work day. I do enjoy starting my day by reading new postings from you, but I worry about your health.

Posted by: Polly at January 23, 2004 at 03:03 AM

I'm only the nightshift Tim. I finish in about two hours. Morning Tim -- he and I don't really get along, since that fight over the car space -- will then take over.

Posted by: tim at January 23, 2004 at 03:56 AM

We don't need no stinkin' sleep when Ducati turns out bikes like those. Hit one bump and you're a soprano, but hey; it'd be fun while it lasted. By the way: check out the nifty little button at the lower right of the picture when you drag the cursor over the picture.

Posted by: Gary at January 23, 2004 at 04:25 AM

the Petroleum Museum

A large, grand and very interesting place that honors the fluid that greases the wheels of capitalism and those that produce it.

And Tim, hope you come for the Chaparral exhibit opening. Standing next to those vintage machines that changed racing is stunning.

Posted by: Wallace at January 23, 2004 at 07:06 AM

Here's the link about the ugly-ass '03 Ducati:

http://whackingday.com/permarch/17jul02.html#ducati

I posted about the lovely new retro-prototypes a few months back.

http://whackingday.com/permarch_oct03/23oct03.htm#duc

Let's hope Ducati puts them into production. They are seriously beautiful objects.

Posted by: Tex at January 23, 2004 at 09:04 AM

If you want to see a truly beautiful Duke, have a gander at this.
The bevel drive engine looks a lot better than the belt drives (and sounds shitloads better as well, thanks to virtually baffle-less Contis- in fact it sounds like one of these), and it goes as well as it looks.
Not as fast as the Imola SS I had a few years ago, but more civilised; actual padding on the seat, so no longer sound like a castrato after a run, and an electric start.

Posted by: Habib at January 23, 2004 at 10:23 AM

That's not a delicious bike. This is a tasty bike.

Posted by: slatts at January 23, 2004 at 11:58 AM

Is that the clubhouse of The Mongrel Mob?

Posted by: Habib at January 23, 2004 at 12:22 PM