Posted on 21/06/2007 at 13:17
Menton 1995
Starting from the statement that "Self-derision is always a good thing", here is a TV coverage, broadcasted on August 1995 on the french channel FR3, from the Annual VW Meeting of Menton...
OK, now, the fun part of this video : your faithful webmaster, me myself & I, by then aged 20, at 01:05! I'm already 32 today... But when I see the weird face I had, I feel like getting older can be a benefit!
Come on, laugh at me - I do so myself!
For those of you who know him, you can even see Marco at 00:12... Hello buddy!
Anyway, I'm feeling older with that...
[Link to the video on YouTube]
2 comments
Posted on 19/06/2007 at 00:44
45.000
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Here we are, 5000 more visits, ShamWerks goes though the 45.000 hits boundary!
Many, many thanks to you all for your comments, advices, congrats... As the tradition wants, here is the usual pin-up to celebrate the event... But to be real sure not to give you a pinup you've already seen on 15 blogs, I draw it myself...
Some of you noticed that my blog was less often updated than some others over the Internet... That's right. And this is probably the reason why I don't have that many visits, compared to some super-star blogs that have as many hits in one single week, as myself in years... But I still prefer prepared articles wih a real, serious, original content, with some logic and text... Instead of just throwing a picture probably stolen from another site...
See you in two month from now for the next big boundary stone... I'll have to find something phat to celebrate this one! Thanks again to you all, see you back soon! |
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Posted on 04/06/2007 at 18:10
Men at work...
For those who think I'm twiddling my thumbs... More to come real soon!
Stay tuned...
Posted on 31/05/2007 at 23:51
Fifties Fan...
This is a Calor fan, probably built late 50's, early 60's. The propeller is chrome plated, without the mere rust spot : things were built to last by that time... The leg is made of marbled Bakelite...
So, more or less, here is a pure incarnation of what I love in the production of this era!
If you like it, do a search on eBay, I see pretty often this kind of items, at very affordable prices...
And guess what, the icing on the cake? It works perfectly under 220VAC, and it's absolutely silent... So, despite its highly respectable age, I use it every summer!
Click on the picture to see full sized...
Edit 15/03/2016 : Romain, who's a ShamWerks reader, indicated that this fan date probably from the 30's, most probably before 1937 as Calor started to date its devices from then on. By that time the whole network was running 110V (with few exceptions). By the end of the 60's one could give his devices to EDF (that which from Electricité De France) to get them converted to 220V (they would then received a small sticker showing the conversion).
Thanks a lot Romain for these informations!
Posted on 28/05/2007 at 14:52
Guèpe Upholstery
Here is a link to a blog I visit on a daily basis... You may have already found the link to it in the left column : it's Jérome "La Guêpe" Gomez's blog (nb: "La Guèpe" means "The Wasp" in French, 'cause of his needles...).
He already impressed a lot of people over the Internet forums, like on the mICROCOSME Project, or on Soldeli's Karmann-Ghia.
Real competent craftsmen are uneasy to find ; those who have the passion, who share it, and show the way they work, are extremely rare... So, make sure you keep this address, and have a look at this website...
Waiting for the day I'll send you my KG's bucket seats, La Guêpe...
Posted on 25/05/2007 at 14:07
Buried Plymouth Belvedere...
June 15th 1957, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
To celebrate the town's 50th anniversary, a brand new Plymouth Belvedere V8 Coupé Sport has been buried (!) in a concrete sarcophagus... The final goal being to unearth it 50 years later, right in time to celebrate the city's Centennial Anniversary!
That's how this car will be awaken from it's half-century sleep on next June 15th, i.e. in less than 3 weeks!
No one knows in which shape it will be... Everything had been done to keep it safe, but 50 years six feet under...
The Plymouth had been buried with many objects representing this era ; they even put a gasoline tank, just in case fuel had disappeared in 2007! (anyway, after 50 years, the Octane index will be so low, it won't even be usable!).
A contest had been set up : the population was asked for to guess the number of inhabitants of Tulsa in 2007. Their guesses were sealed on microfilm in the car... When it will be unearthed, their estimations will be compared to the actual figures, and the one who made the best guess will win the car! (uh, well, if he's still alive...)
So, rendezvous in three weeks from now, to know the final episode of this nice story...
For more information :
To celebrate the town's 50th anniversary, a brand new Plymouth Belvedere V8 Coupé Sport has been buried (!) in a concrete sarcophagus... The final goal being to unearth it 50 years later, right in time to celebrate the city's Centennial Anniversary!
That's how this car will be awaken from it's half-century sleep on next June 15th, i.e. in less than 3 weeks!
No one knows in which shape it will be... Everything had been done to keep it safe, but 50 years six feet under...
The Plymouth had been buried with many objects representing this era ; they even put a gasoline tank, just in case fuel had disappeared in 2007! (anyway, after 50 years, the Octane index will be so low, it won't even be usable!).
A contest had been set up : the population was asked for to guess the number of inhabitants of Tulsa in 2007. Their guesses were sealed on microfilm in the car... When it will be unearthed, their estimations will be compared to the actual figures, and the one who made the best guess will win the car! (uh, well, if he's still alive...)
So, rendezvous in three weeks from now, to know the final episode of this nice story...
For more information :
http://buriedcar.com(dead link identified on 19/03/2015)- Period video reportage on TulsaFilms.com
- http://www.tulsaworld.com/buriedcar
- http://www.madness-us-cars.com
Posted on 25/05/2007 at 12:57
Cannes' Festival
The 60th Movies' Festival of Cannes currently takes place just a few kilometers from where I live (well, to me it's more the Annual Botox, Silicon and Cocaïn Festival)...
Usualy, I keep myself far from those places... But a very good friend of mine, working for a certain company that's worth it, proposed a night party paid by the same company... I couldn't miss such an occasion!
So, here is a picture I took from the top of famous palace of the Croisette... Enjoy it, having access to such a terrace, that won't be happening again in a hurry!
Thks for the party Flow!
Usualy, I keep myself far from those places... But a very good friend of mine, working for a certain company that's worth it, proposed a night party paid by the same company... I couldn't miss such an occasion!
So, here is a picture I took from the top of famous palace of the Croisette... Enjoy it, having access to such a terrace, that won't be happening again in a hurry!
Thks for the party Flow!
Posted on 17/05/2007 at 21:18
Krugger.net
And here is one of those exceptions, and not the least : Fred "Krugger" Bertrand (looks like his site is down currently), in Belgium, prepares HD/Buell based monsters, from which I love the neo-retro, or even fully vintage (yet high-tech!), style...
Go have a look at his gallery, especially his latest realization, a "Bonneville Lakester" monster, a pure engineering marvel...
By the way, yet another feature, for the excellent French magazine "Kustom Garage", which uses as a cover the latest creation from Krugger. Great lay-out, superb pictures, very well-written... If you've got any chance to read it, don't miss it!
Posted on 17/05/2007 at 20:21
Bye bye Leone...
OK, you're allowed to laugh at me if you want, but here is a news that sadden me...
The disappearance of Leone, a 2m60 female lemon shark, which was a regular visitor of shark feeding sessions in Moorea for the past 15 years.
It was a beautiful animal, very calm (well, kids, don't try this at home, Nico on the video know very well sharkies, for years...), with a very sharp smile , that I met several times... What a feeling the first time I met her, when it crushed a frozen tuna fish head just a few centimeters above my mask, with that loud sound I'll never forget...
Yep, I had some kind of tenderness for this beast. Bye bye Leone...
The disappearance of Leone, a 2m60 female lemon shark, which was a regular visitor of shark feeding sessions in Moorea for the past 15 years.
, that I met several times... What a feeling the first time I met her, when it crushed a frozen tuna fish head just a few centimeters above my mask, with that loud sound I'll never forget...
Yep, I had some kind of tenderness for this beast. Bye bye Leone...
Posted on 10/05/2007 at 21:55
Monomaniac?
Yeah, yeah, I know, I should grow up a little bit... And guess what, you see here only a small part of my collection...Anyway, an hibiscus'd Hawaiian shirt, a coconut and Elvis as musical background, I can't resist : Lilo and Stitch is a reference to me, I saw it tenth of times! Plus, they look very decorative to me those Stitch, on my rack...
Finally a Walt Disney without any crappy music to hurt your ears : the King sounds way better...
Ohana!
Posted on 10/05/2007 at 18:24
Pure Collector...
Yet another vintage Albatross picture, found on VintageSkiBoats.com...
But not the least, not less than 2 Albies towed by a VW Split pickup, painted with the name of the company - Albatross Marine Ltd.! Isn't it a pure collector??
But not the least, not less than 2 Albies towed by a VW Split pickup, painted with the name of the company - Albatross Marine Ltd.! Isn't it a pure collector??
Posted on 10/05/2007 at 02:03
Moulinex Sixties
Let's give back to Caesar what belongs to him : it's my girlfriend who found this beauty... Her GrandMother's sixties meat grinder, shamefully abandoned for years in a closet... I know, I've got a weird sense of beauty, but I love this object...
Posted on 10/05/2007 at 01:01
Ice-O-Mat...
I told you recently about that... Here is a first article of a new section : Fifties Stuff!
You probably noticed (if not, please see an ophthalmologist) that I'm a true Fifties-Sixties/ streamline design enthusiast. As time goes, my collection grows, and now I've got a pretty nice collection of vintage object decorating my interior... Some ideas you might find useful, if you like this style as well!
So, to start, here is a pair of Ice-O-Mat, ice crusher devices : you just put ice cubes in the top compartment, turn the handle, and voila ; clockwise to make fine ice, counter clockwise to make coarse ice ("F" and "C" are written above the handle).
Not only this helps you making the best Mojito you've ever drink, but their look is so vintage! And guess what, you can find them at very affordable prices on eBay US. The standard models are pretty usual to find, while the "luxe" ones (chrome platted, like mines) are less easy to find. But patience helps...
At last, they ll are equipped with a wall mount : ideal in a kitchen, right?
Funny detail, marvel of the all-on-the-internet : on each of the ice crushers, there's a US patent number ; by giving those references to Google Patents, we find back the original technical drawings!
You probably noticed (if not, please see an ophthalmologist) that I'm a true Fifties-Sixties/ streamline design enthusiast. As time goes, my collection grows, and now I've got a pretty nice collection of vintage object decorating my interior... Some ideas you might find useful, if you like this style as well!
So, to start, here is a pair of Ice-O-Mat, ice crusher devices : you just put ice cubes in the top compartment, turn the handle, and voila ; clockwise to make fine ice, counter clockwise to make coarse ice ("F" and "C" are written above the handle).
Not only this helps you making the best Mojito you've ever drink, but their look is so vintage! And guess what, you can find them at very affordable prices on eBay US. The standard models are pretty usual to find, while the "luxe" ones (chrome platted, like mines) are less easy to find. But patience helps...
At last, they ll are equipped with a wall mount : ideal in a kitchen, right?
Funny detail, marvel of the all-on-the-internet : on each of the ice crushers, there's a US patent number ; by giving those references to Google Patents, we find back the original technical drawings!
- Design Patent (1953, pat. D173548)
- Container engaging mecanism (1955, pat. 2947434)
- Design for an Ice Crusher (1948, pat. D151102)
- Crusher (1940, pat. 2213166)
Posted on 05/05/2007 at 01:05
Site map...
Just a quick news...
In order to help you finding your way in the structure of this site (which starts getting big!), or to find back an article more easily, I've just put online a site map, which you can reach by clicking the banner above, or the "site map" link in the left menu.
At the same time, the tooltip bubbles turn a little bit "sexier"... You lucky guys.
This bloody recursive function has been a nightmare to tidy up... My neurons are still warm from this exercise...
Posted on 28/04/2007 at 20:00
Monaco Marques Show 2007
The Top Marques Show, in Monaco, is an annual show where supercar builders come to present their production : Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Brabus, Gemballa, etc, etc... The 2007 edition was from April 19th to 22nd.
I'm usually not that fond of this kind of very expensive cars, but as I was given a VIP Pass, it would have been a pity to miss the chance to get you some pictures...
Here we are, Sham takes his reporter cap, and ahead to the Principality...
- Ariel Atom (a must-see : the video of the test-drive of the Atom by Jeremy Clarkson in Top Gear...)
- Carver One
- Gemballa
- Wiesmann
- Yes Roadster
- Weber Sportcars
- Venturi
- Koenigsseg
- SSC Autos
- Seabob
- Caparo T1
Posted on 25/04/2007 at 12:43
Modern Mechanix
Just a link today, to a blog that I visit quite often : Modern Mechanix.
This blog, updated daily, presents "futuristic innovations" of the past century, scanned out of magazines like Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated... You can find there jewels like the car above, and they're available in hi-resolution!
Thx aSa for the link...
Posted on 24/04/2007 at 12:08
Lackadaisy...
I'm fond of comics books for a pretty long time now... We can find many cartoonists over the Internet, more or less talented... I follow Maliki on a regular basis, as well as the Lemur and Yoh, I like the Geek-ish under-culture of Megatokyo, I'm fan of the Arthur de Pins' style...
But I've found way better : Lackadaisy.
The action takes place in the US, in St Louis, in the 20's, during the prohibition. The scenario is good, there's a lot of references to the interwar years style, omnipresent humor, I love the Cajun accent of some characters... But moreover, bloody great drawings! Backgrounds and characters (have a closer look to faces' expressions), everything's just superb...
Looks a bit like BlackSad, but less dark.
Anyway, Lackadaisy, a pure marvel to discover. And read it from the beginning!
Great job, Tracy.
Posted on 23/04/2007 at 17:54
Period accessory...
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Till the day I'll be able to ask La Guèpe (the wasp) to make me dream bomber seats (see Soldeli's under restoration KG), the Karmann has just received a pair of head rests... Those are period accessories, that crimp around the backrests of the seats. First, it reassures me, as I always think about the whiplash injury riding the KG (but not in the '59 nor the Thing, God knows why?)... Plus, it gives the seats a little 911-ish look, uh?
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Posted on 20/04/2007 at 15:55
Den of iniquity
What the f***!? I've just discovered my (ex-)Lambretta, which now has a peaceful (or supposed so) life in Paris... Hanging around in some dens of iniquity!
Many thanks to Pierre (whose superb orange GTR is in the background) for letting me publish his photo here!
All the pictures of this meeting of the Tontons Scooteurs can be seen by clicking on the above picture...
A though to my mate Flo, who lives just a few meters from the place where this picture was shot...
All the pictures of this meeting of the Tontons Scooteurs can be seen by clicking on the above picture...
A though to my mate Flo, who lives just a few meters from the place where this picture was shot...
Posted on 18/04/2007 at 19:03
Back in time...
Juan les Pins, 60's...
Everything has changed, and at the same time, everything's the same.
In the end, only the girls have really changed, leaving the class and sexy fashion from the sixties for the disgusting flesh and silicon market of the 3rd millenium... Times change!
To listen while looking at this picture : Dany Logan, "Mon cœur à Juan les Pins"...
Edit 18/04/2007 :
Till now I only had a partiel scan of this photo... I come back today on this picture (original article from 2006/09/30), as I finally found the original post card (thanks to eBay, as usual!)!
The card has been send on August 20th 1967. Dauphine and DS populated the streets, a big "Fly TWA" sign was above the Crystal... The GrandMarnier on the left still exists, as well as the LunaPark on its right side, which has became a place full of noisy, blinking arcade games... I imagine that by that time, it was full of Flippers!
Posted on 13/04/2007 at 01:10
40.000 visitors!
Therefore, here is the traditional pin-up, this time out of the pencil of Gil Elvgren (by far my favorite pin-up drawer). Next one in 5000 hits from now...
The number of daily visits on ShamWerks is pretty stable, between 50 and 80 visitors... From which a large majority of regular readers (contact me to get your Frequent Flyer card, you'll get miles!), mainly in France, but as well more and more from the USA... Plus some regular islanders, either from French Antillas, Polynesia, or Reunion!
Many thanks to all of you, for your comments, advices, help, support... Thanks!
Soon some more news on ShamWerks... I'm preparing a "Fifties Deco" section for the newt few days (Teddy, you'll like it!)... But as well, the Mini 181 will re-start its building process, some news about the Ghia, some Vintage stuff, and even some R/C modeling!
Thank you for flying ShamWerks Airlines... The seat belts fasten, adjust and unfasten this way... Emergency exits are at front, rear, and middle of the site...
Posted on 09/04/2007 at 00:31
Sentier de la Brague
/div>
October 2006, 2 pictures taken on the Sentier de la Brague (Path of the Brague)...
The surprising thing is that this so peaceful place, this little nature's jewel, is right in the heart of Sophia-Antipolis, surrounded by hi-tech companies, 10 minutes walking from the road and the Air France headquarters!
This is just a marvel of quietness, a path following a little river - populated with trouts, i.e. not polluted! - a bright red lone tree in a field, a low wall which has probably been mounted more than a century ago...
9 kilometers of calmness (around 2h30 walking end-to-end), between Biot and Valbonne, a must see...
Posted on 03/04/2007 at 13:51
DKW RT125 Handbook
Yet another manual on ShamWerks!
Technical data about the DKW/IFA RT125 being pretty hard to find (part from German stuff), I put online today a DKW RT 125 Care manual (date unknown, between 54 and 57)... Plus, it's in french! (Sorry, you English-speaking reader!)
This is another discovery made on eBay... That I scan for you today, hopefully it could be useful to some others! (drop me a line if so!)
You can download the full manual at once as a Zip archive here : [download manual] (12 pages 990x706, 5.6Mo).
Technical data about the DKW/IFA RT125 being pretty hard to find (part from German stuff), I put online today a DKW RT 125 Care manual (date unknown, between 54 and 57)... Plus, it's in french! (Sorry, you English-speaking reader!
)
This is another discovery made on eBay... That I scan for you today, hopefully it could be useful to some others! (drop me a line if so!)
Posted on 30/03/2007 at 13:33
Juan-Les-Pins, 50's...
Yet another vintage postcard found on eBay... I've been seeking it for a while, and I finally got it! A pure marvel, with a shiny Karmann-Ghia Low-Light as guest star...
Having a closer view to the picture, I discovered it was black and white, then colorized added later on. The sky, so perfect, is a fake : under high magnification, it appears that the original sky has been cut off and replaced by this blue shaded background! The vintage Photoshop retouching...
There's no indicated date, but referring to the ID plates (most recent is DL 06) I assume it's been taken around 1956. The poster on the Casino announces the election of the Reine des Fleurs de la Riviera (the Riviera's Queen of Flowers) on Saturday June 23rd. In 56 only, June 23rd was a Saturday, which confirms the year. Due to the light and the way people are dressed, we can guess the picture was taken in May-June 1956...
Half a century later, the Crystal bar is still at the same place, the book store as well... The Eden Beach Casino, on the right, unfortunately turned into a huge glass-covered building, throwing shadow on the street from the middle of the afternoon...
In the far background, the Hotel Provencal was still in activity ; the yellow-earth color of the top is a colorization mistake, it was pure white. This beautiful, huge building was built in 1927, and was one of the most important palaces on the Riviera. It then was abandoned in the mid-seventies, and it's nothing but a giant ruin today. A renovation project has been set up to turn it into luxury lofts, but there's been so many projects already... wait'n'see...
Posted on 30/03/2007 at 01:17
1965 Albatross Sports Runabout and Continental Handbook
But fortunately, I've got in my hand a photocopy of a Albatross Sports Runabout & Continental 1965 manual...
So here we go, some scanning action, and I share it with the community!
Hope you've find it useful!
A world of thanks to Richard who provided me with the photocopy of this precious document...