AUTOS: Bugatti Blitzes Autobahn in Berlin

And to think that Once upon A Time, 300kph was the Holy Grail of Automobiles…

 

Strangely, Tuning into The Bob and Sheri Show, a nationally syndicated Radio Talk show the Friday morning prior to this year’s “Getter done” Day-toner’ 500, I just so happened to Drop-in when Bob Lacey was telling the tale of a Bugatti Chiron doing an Insane speed upon the Autobahn, which I hadn’t heard about.

 

As it was funny Hearing Bob butcher the word Chiron as Shurron, and then Daftly guessing said Bugatti cost $300,000; Uhm, Strike 2 Bob!

 

Yet it’s somewhat amusing how Slow News cycles can go. Since Bob was regaling us about a story that first broke a month ago…

 

As perhaps you’ve already heard or read about the Czechoslovakian Businessman who decided to test the outer limits of his fairly exclusive Bugatti Chiron supercar on the Autobahn. Ultimately claiming having reached a peak speed of 417kph, nearly an astounding 260mph!

(259.7mph)

 

Since reputedly the $3 million Bugatti chiron, successor to the Veyron was limited to 500 examples, All of which have been purchased. And the Chiron’s  8.0-litre Quad turbocharged W16 engine is electronically governed to a maximum velocity of 420 Clicks’ ( Kilometers per Hour) in “New Money” as Professor (Steve) Matchett used to Chime. Or 261mph for us Yanks’, Shiesa! As Bugatti was concerned that no modern tyre could withstand such top speeds! Although probably truly more worried about the driver’s ability, and impending litigation…

 

As Radim Passer, a Czech Real Estate tycoon’s real “Crime” seems to be having been brash enough to post a video of this top speed run upon Youtube this January! Presumably filmed by a passenger Ridin’ Shotgun (with him) during the early Sunday morning Blitz upon a fairly deserted portion of the Autobahn with No posted Speed limit. Yet German Prosecutors are now considering a penalty of up to two years in Jail for Reckless Driving!

 

But even better yet was Sheri’s cluelessness during the segment. Innocently asking How Fast does NASCAR Go? To which Bob quickly claimed Strike 3 when saying 220mph…

 

But Sheri Lynch’s insistence that NASCAR were the Fastest racing cars on the planet made me not only chuckle, but realize just how Humungous of A Hole IndyCar lives in! Since IndyCar Doesn’t even register in the common person’s brain! Making me wonder if IndyCar can ever Alleviate this perception?

 

Yet like Groundhog Charles, chuck, Sam, Phil or whatever his name is? RASSCAR’s shadow is so Humungous, that we’ll be Seeing another 35 weeks of it!

 

Sadly, I’ll suggest this common American perception of Only NASCAR exists Stateside is largely due to that nefarious period of time in Open Wheel Racing simply, and forever known as The Split!

 

As IndyCar’s, err Penske Entertainment Corporation’s Numero Uno Puffed Shirt Mark Miles can pontificate until the Hens come Home, or Punxsutawney Phil Doesn’t see His Shadow! About how it’s ratings are Up, Viewership’s Up, Attendance is Up and So on and So on, But! As I’ve scribbled countless times before here on No Fenders. If you’re ratings and other metrics are All at Rock Bottom, then you’ve got only two options, i.e.; go Up or go Out of Business…

 

And if Roger Penske’s so worried about getting Eyeballs on IndyCar, hence why the push to have it on Big NBC 14 of it’s 17 race calendar this season. Then why is NBC Shaving a Half hour Off of the normal three Hours timeblock devoted to traditional IndyCar Broadcasts? Uhm, No Post-race after the series kickoff event? Knock this Shit Off IndyCar, NBC and Comcast! 

RETRO: McQ - The Man, The Movie and The Myths

As where’s ‘Ol Marty mcFly’s time Machine when Yuhs Needs it?

 

As a Blind Automobile and Racing Enthusiast, for which Y’all know Heavily centers round Open Wheel Racing, i.e.; formula 1 and IndyCar, like Ye sub title of thoust “Award Winning” No Fenders Blog denotes. Along with Sports Cars, predominantly the Blue Ribbon Round the Clock Endurance events, Obviously it’s Hard to know what any of today’s vehicles look like! Be that on the road or racetrack…

 

Thus I’m just reduced to my memories of years, Err Decades past when I was able to truly See what I was looking at or watching on TV, and it’s still pretty funny to think that I once held a valid Driver’s license for nearly two decades, especially now since I’ve long eclipsed my “Driving Time” since Surrendering said license…

 

Have to say I’ve never been a Fan of the late John Wayne, for which Family lore claims that “The Duke” used to visit my Grandparent’s upstairs tenants of the Duplex they owned whenever he was visiting Seattle, but I suppose everybody’s got some Crazy, Zany, Wacky Mythical story like that, Righto?

 

As recently I was listening to The Bob and Sherry Syndicated Talk Radio Show here on Ye Isle ‘O Nofendersville along thou Oregon coast and Bob Lacey went down another Wabbithole’ about The Duke whilst waiting in the Checkout line at some Home Improvement store.

 

Noting that The duke who was a prolific Chain Smoker, smoked Seven Packs a Day! Which I believe equates to 140 Cigarettes Daily, Holy Puffing Chimneys Batman!

 

This sent me down my own Wabbithole’, as the only John Wayne movie I carry round memories of from Wayback’ when, since I’ve only ever seen it on television long after it’s debut, is the long forgotten, and arguably either Obscure or totally Unknown 1974 movie simply titled McQ, for which Y’all can watch a Smidgen in the Youtube video Teaser below.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0P1yim4SPc

 

As John Wayne, who plays Detective Lon “McQ” McHugh  drives a 1973 Brewster Green Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in the movie, although I’ve got Zero Clue if it was one of the ultra rare (1973) SD 455’s or Not? Which reportedly there were only 252 total built with only 72 being four speed manual transmissions!

 

As “SD” reportedly is revered Pontiac parlance known for Super Duty for it’s most Beefed Up engines. And the 455 denotes the 455cubic inches (7.5-litre) Big Block displacement V-8 lump propelling the General Motors 2^nd Generation F Body platform vehicle, which it shared with it’s Bowtie’ “Kissing cousin,” the Chevrolet Camaro.

 

Reportedly the Brewster Green body colour was only available in 1973, and if I recall correctly from another No Fenders tome about the late James Garner; ‘Ol Jimmy Rockford preferred the 1973 Trans Am model over the ’74, presumably due to it’s looks, since in 1974 Government mandates required uglier “Crash” protective front and rear bumpers to All vehicles.

 

Whale’, at least I had the Pontiac Firebird part right. But the Rockford Files car in question was actually the 1978 Pontiac Firebird Esprit instead…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2014/07/james-garner-movie-star-and-man-of-auto.html

 

While Indianapolis 500 Aficionados will know that not only did Garner drive the Pace Car three times, but also that the Pontiac Trans Am paced the race twice. First in 1980 with a Turbocharged variant with Johnny Parsons behind the wheel. And then  in 1989, when the 20^th anniversary Trans Am was chauffeured by Uncle Bobby’, aka Bobby Unser. But that’s entirely another story for a Nutter’ day…

 

The main reason I carry this virtually unknown Film in my own “Movie Vault” is because of it’s Seattle locale as the “backdrop” for the film. Although I only seem to have two fleeting memories of the movie today. As I think it opens with either McQ or somebody else roaring up ‘N down the deserted Freeway of Seattle? Since my memory says it always cracked me up how there was Zero traffic on presumably (Interstate) I-5, since I tend to believe it showed the backdrop of the entire Downtown Seattle on a brilliant sunny Day! For which both of are rarities! And I’d say it’s almost impossible to not encounter traffic on any major thoroughfare today, especially thru the choked Arteries of roads thru Downtown Seattle!

 

Also for some weird, strange reason think Thars some Automotive footage upon the now demolished Alaskan Way viaduct? But not sure now…

 

And although I never picked up on the fact that Wayne was wearing a toupee, since after all he’d just turned 66 if I did my math correctly when filming one of his latter movies. Instead I seem to recall that he had a ridiculous looking pencil thin Clark Gable mustache that looked totally outta place to Mwah! Which I now think matched the colour of his toupee? Although the more I think of it, I do think I recall his toupee since his hair seemed a tad too dark for his age…

 

Reputedly the required Car Chase scene in McQ was inspired by the legendous’ Steve McQueen’s 1968 Bullitt chase thru the streets of San Francisco, albeit when reading about the movie, it claims the chase scene took place on a beach instead. So I don’t know it that’s where it ended, after having started in Seattle or what?

 

Interestingly, the Stunt Man who was the very first to use a black powder Cannon charge to flip the leviathan trans Am without ramps was the legendous’ Hal Needham. As I can only wonder if this use of the ’73 Trans Am with it’s smallish “Flying Chicken” hood Deckel’ (Decal) led to another movie starring Burt Reynolds in a later model Black Trans Am?

 

While one of Wayne’s best lines in the McQ movie comes after his Trans Am has been Squashed by two Semi Trucks in an attempt upon McQ’s life. Where he tells one of the On-scene Police Officer’s while trapped in the wreckage: “I’m Up to My butt in Gas!”

 

According to one Los Angeles Times Movie Critic, the Film has a similarity to Clint Eastwood’s Magnum force, albeit Wayne’s McQ Blustering and Bombastic as always character shows more Humanity. While Eastwood’s Film just shows violence for violence’s Sake.

 

Reportedly Wayne regretted having turned down the Dirty Harry role, with Magnum force’s early drafts utilizing Seattle before switching to San Francisco after Eastwood took the role instead… 

Remembering Bob Jenkins

Who for Mwah, will Always be The voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway…

 

Won’t go into the whole Wooly Irony thingy’, other than it’s ironic that when I last mentioned Bob Jenkins name on No Fenders, Sadly it would be the very same day he died from Brain Cancer at Age 73. Thus it naturally seemed appropriate to wait until the just concluded IndyCar NASCAR Double Header weekend at Bob’s favourite Haunt to mention this news.

 

As Robin Miller, who we all know if fighting his own fight with Cancer and Leukemia, gave a wonderful tribute to Bob during Saturday morning’s IndyCar Pre-race show on NBC Sports…

 

For Mwah, bob as the lead Announcer with BP’, aka Benny Parsons and Ned Jarrett alongside made watching NASCAR quite palatable, which being an Open Wheel Racing Fan speaks volumes, as they were my favourite Roundy round TV Broadcast Crew! Since Bob never pontificated Thar Duh Greatest Drivers in the World like Mike Joy does. And he certainly never stooped to the Hijinx of ‘Ol DW’s boogity-boogity-Boogity…

 

As I’ll let IndyCar Curmudgeon ‘Ol r’, aka Robin Miller recount Jenkins career path to Speedway Stardom instead.

 

https://racer.com/2021/02/22/miller-saluting-a-humble-speedway-icon/

 

As I truly didn’t appreciate Bob’s immense Broadcasting Talents until he became the Anchor of the Versus/NBC Sports Network IndyCar TV Broadcasts between 2009-2012, when he retired at season’s end to take care of his wife of 44 years Pam, who ultimately Died from Brain Cancer herself in October, 2012. As what are the Odds of both of them dying from Brain Cancer?

 

As it’s somewhat funny to note that I scribbled some words here on No Fenders eleven Gory years ago Defending bob, since apparently somebody had Attacked him verbally, for which I still Don’t know what their ridiculous complaint towards Jenkins was.

 

Since the more times I heard bob on Don Kay’s ‘lil Autosport Radio show over the years, the more Bob became a truly Humble, Caring and Passionate Fan of Auto Racing to Mwah, not to mention just being a Stand Up guy!

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2010/03/so-what-about-bob.html

 

And now that it will b 20 years ago this September when I made my Debutante Trek to Mother Speedway Thanks solely to Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen, her wonderful Hoond Sarah and ‘Ol blue’, her Ford Econoline Campervan, having driven Coast to Coast for that year’s United States Grand Prix. I can no longer recall if the Great Tom Carnegie was talking over the IMS Public Address system that long ago Fall weekend?

 

Since now in my memory, I’ve only heard Dave Calabro as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s PA “voice” in person, for which Calabro is instantly recognizable to Mwah, and does a great job, but he just doesn’t Ooze Passion for the Speedway the way Jenkins does!

 

Since for Me Bob Jenkins is the voice I always wanted to Hear the Most over Mother Speedway’s loudspeakers, since he epitomized the Brickyard for Mwah! As what did ‘lil Al (Unser) once famously say? You just don’t know what Indy Means!” For which I’d say Jenkins surely did!

 

Salute Bob!

 

As here’s the great video montage put together for Bob’s retirement from the (Versus) NBC Sports  TV Booth in order to take care of his Ill wife Pam, with Professor B’, aka Jon Beekhuis Heaping rightfully glowing Praise upon his colleague…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-_n22oGqm4 

Sir Stirling Moss Speaks No More

Although I'd surmise that many today outside the UK Don't know who he was?

By now, presumably Y'all have heard of British Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss's passing on Easter Sunday, Righto?

Sir Stirling Moss, Legendary British Racer Dies at 90

Yet for Mwah, it's pretty Funny that the first thingy' that comes to mind is a very old post from the No Fenders Archives, now an Uber long 12yrs ago - when this Blog-site was in its infancy; Aye Karumba! As 'Ol Salt ex-Blogger Mark of Full Throttle Fame was giving me some good natured grief upon posting a picture of Stirling along with the story.

Whilst Mark was also responsible for christening Max Mosley Thee littlest Curve' in deferance to his Bondage Fascinations; Ja Volt! For whom I followed up by calling him Sir maXXam! But careful Y'all, as Max is a bit touchy over that subject Ja-Ja!

As it was my take upon a wonderful interview by Dave Despain on that long missed television Talk Show called Wind Tunnel which got scuttled during the mighty Fox Sports neutering of the Speed Channel; Sigh!

Stirling Moss onWind Tunnel

 

Since although Ye Mighty Windbag Messer Despain is still on the Airwaves, now on MAV TV, it's on a Freakin' Pay Channel on my Spectrum Cable TV Service, Alas I Don't get It! Since we All know how Overpriced Cable TV is these Days, El Correctomundo!

Although my favourite memory of Moss has to be upon walking past the mangled front bodywork of an extremely rare Shelby GT350R at the Monterey Historics that he'd crumpled against his opposition upon giving it the Rowdy Holmes treatment, as Moss’s solution to the crumpled front fender was to autograph it and simply walk away! (Although you’re NOT supposed to have any contact when Vintage Racing…) Whilst I no longer remember which Hystericals' event this was...

As Stirling raced during a time of Chivalry, when Formula 1 racecars ran in Thar Nation's colours sans thou litany 'O Sponsors! And Moss's overlying Dedication to keep a Stiff Upper Lip and Drive only British marques whenever possible seemingly cost him opportunities to become a Formula 1 World Champion, albeit I wasn't aware of his turning down somebody named Enzo initially!

Stirling Moss took High place among Greats with Dash and Elan

Whilst Thar are countless tributes right now over Sir Stirling, and I was tempted to use Sir Jackie's, it was the remembrances of a Wee lad Idolizing him that paints a most wonderful portrait of Moss instead...

Farewell to Stirling Moss - My Childhood Idol and Pen Friend

And although Stirling is best known for finishing runner-up or as Ye Bloody Brits enjoy calling Vice Champion four times while amassing 16 Grands Prix victories in 66 F1 Starts. Moss was an All-rounder' for which I'd say his mercurial 1955 Mille Miglia victory aboard a Mercedes Benz 300SLR, finishing 32mins ahead of Mercedes Benz team-mate Juan Manuel Fangio has to be his most impressive win.

And I also enjoy knowing the trivial fact that his father Alfred, a Dentist contested the 1924 Indianapolis 500 and finished 14th. Which I tend to recall it was Grizzled F1 Journo' Joe Saward telling me this in one of his myriad 'O F1 Fascinating Factoids.

Stirling Moss follows Father's Racing lead

Actually I first learned this fact when reading Donald Davidson's 1st edition massive Autocourse Book Detailing the History of the Indianapolis 500 many, many years ago...

While Stirling showcased his racing diversity by taking victory in the 1954 12 Hours of Sebring in a small displacement OSCA MT4 Sports Car with unheralded Yank' Co-driver  Bill Lloyd in a Briggs Cunningham entry. Just one of his Mega' 200+ victories over 500+ starts! Claiming a 40% Winning Average - Not too Shabby, Eh?

As Y'all can read a more Honed version of Sir Stirling's Motor Racing exploits in the following Obituary...

Sir Stirling Moss Obituary: British Motor Racing Ace Who...

The Tomaso Files: Lumbering On Beneath Summer's Cumulonimbus Skies...

Some clever persons row of inuksuit spotted on Whidbey Island by Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen. (The Tomaso Collection)

As who's Parade will No Fenders Rain upon Now?

Ironically, having just posted thou 4,000th Post here on No Fenders a Fortnight ago, on Thursday June 20th. Just hours prior to Summer Solstice, I found Thyself simply running outta Steam for conjuring up Oh, So Delectable Stories for your Reading Pleasure.

"Working at Perfect

Got Me Down on My Knees

success to Failure

Just a Matter of Degrees..."

VIDEO: Geddy Lee - Working at Perfect Song

As Y'all know the Drill here, Righto? When your Humble No Fenders Scribe Tomaso becomes lethargic whilst Time Screams By... Feeling completely KNackered as Good 'Ol Darren "Dangermouse" Manning would say; Hya!

As it's really hard to believe it's already 12 years now since I met Darren Manning at McGilverie's in Speedway, Indiana at one of Don Kay's 'lil 'Ol autosport Radio shows...

Hence I'm foregoing my typical witty No Fenders Homily to thoust Mack Daddy El Stupidio BOOM-BOOM ANNOYING! Holiday 'O Thee Year!

Red, White, Green and Defiantly Bleu

Thus I found it quite Apropos, with more Salty Sea Foam tickling thoust Shores 'O Synchronicity here upon Nofendersville when beginning in earnest to unpack my cherished Diecast Collection into its Garage. A now well traveled IKEA Bookcase utilized as Thy "Supersized" 1:18 Display Case appropriately at the beginning of Thee Month 'O May.

As the thought struck Mwah after having listened to 'Ol superTex opine upon the Speed Freaks how He feels when May rolls around each year...

A.J. Foyt on The Month of May, The Indy 500 and Life

Although I wasn't aware of it when beginning, that I'd accidently placed the first two cars on "floor no. 6" in reversed order when trying to replicate how they'd appeared in Thar Garage spaces previously, preferring to work from top to bottom.

But when I got down to the row of Ferrari's on Floor 2. Hey, doesn't everybody "Own" a fleet of rosso Prancing Horses?

Somehow I'd inadvertently labeled them incorrectly, but was Amused to note that I could tell it weren't one of my All-time Favourite Ferrari's, thou legendous F40. But instead it must be the "Magnum PI" 328 GTB instead simply by feel as I lightly ran my fingers over the tissue paper wrapped vehicle in Questione.

As this unique method 'O discovery; Uhm, have I mentioned I'm Blind lately? Made me immediately recollect some Wisenheimer' pulling thoust Chain last Fall at the Rods 'N Rhodies Car show, telling me his Oh, So Clever rendition of A Scent of A Woman, which I've previously regaled Y'all in the following No Fenders tome.

AUTOS: 2018 Rods 'N Rhodies Car Show - The Deluxe edition

And even funnier yet, when attempting to place my '97 Dodge Viper GTS/R racecar in its Grid Spot; Err parking stall, I was surprised to discover that it's front engine cover; Err Bloody Bonnet! Is completely removable, which I'd never known in the some two decades I've owned said vehicle; aye Karumba!

Lamenting if I'd been able to position it's hood back on correctly, or was it now lying crooked? And would anybody be able to notice this indiscretion?

Or worse yet, after carefully handling some twenty-plus 1:18 Diecasts with a cloth rag in hand to protect against fingerprints, I managed to dislodge the passenger side mirror off of that very same Kyosho Ferrari 328 GTB and was pretty Bummed over this! For which Thankfully, Florencian F1 Spotter Jeannie repaired for Mwah!

Along with asking me if I knew that a Black 'N White Mustang, a 1969 BOSS 302 No less was pointing nose-in, with its Hindquarters jutting out vs. the other assorted Mustangs facing forward's. Then asking me, Do you want me to fix that for you?

While I'll rightly catch Bloody Hell if I Don't Acknowledge Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen's Mega' efforts in getting me Moved, from start to finish. Including diligently packing and transporting All of my precious Artwork, along with securing Storage lockers for temporary moving and overseeing my entire move! Along with subsequently helping me unpack everythingy in thou garage, including All of my precious Diecast models...

As I've just got eight more Diecasts to park back in Thee Garage on Thar respective level's, with Floor 5 completely empty and Floor's 2 & 4 having one empty parking stall apiece. For which hopefully the Garage will be Full by the time this story Rolls Out, as I should be parking thou last of my GT 40's right about now...

LE MANS: The Un-Le Mans Report in Miniature Detail - Strolling Across thou Tarmac to My Virtual Racecar...

HURRAH! It's Done! Although magically my "Pinky" finger discerned that either the tow strap, or the strap to secure the Bloody Bonnet on Thy Gold No. 5 Holman & Moody GT 40 Mk II has become Dislodged! For which I'll just say it's now looking a Wee Bitamyte' race worn, Eh?

Meanwhile, Arizona Bureau Chief Snowbyrd MJ' visited once again, and continued putting up thou Artwork for Mwah. As it seems a Wee Bitamyte' Karmic that 19yrs after purchasing a Nicholas Watts Monaco Ferrari F1 collage autographed by DER TERMINATOR', nee Michael Schumacher replete with Double Ought' - none other than at Portland International Raceway, was being affixed to my "Bungalow-by-the-Sea's" walls.

For which I'm totally unsure why, but Michael's current Sleeping status somehow caused me to become quite entranced upon wanting to know the outcome of Car and Driver's Contributing Writer Davey G. Johnson's whereabouts, having learned about his Disappearance when scouring the Magazine's June Online contents via my NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone service.

Davey G. Johnson, Writer: 1975-2019

As ironically I'd previously heard the Headline in Oregon's The Register Guard about how Drowning rise during Summer and to take precaution, also when perusing my Daily Newsline News Feeds. And then last night hearing about a prominent Football; err Soccer player succumbing in Lake Como...

As I immediately knew his name from only having had "My Gal" Lucy', My ARSE-STEAMED Screen Reader read me one of his stories some two years ago, since it was in a Digital Format that could be read via Screen Reader, for which I believe everything should be for those of us Blind or Visually Impaired, who are Denied the pleasures 'O reading Books, especially of Motor Racing tomes...

Alas, Davey's story stood out like a tall Douglas Fir in a forest of Deciduous Pines when accidently finding it upon my Newsline's Car and Driver Magazine option, which I suppose is also somewhat ironic that it was about his riding his Moto Guzzi to the Wreck Site of a Downed U2 Spy-plane, and the Death of one of its pilot's...

Goose Deuce and the Dragon Lady: A Journey to the U-2 Crash Site

As Davey's writing was refreshing for its difference vs. the myriad 'O Cookie Cutter automobile Previews, Test Drives et Al. Not to mention having an enjoyable writing style for which I only wish I'd have been able to read; Err listen to more of his work.

Yet sadly, Davey's Body was found after having been missing for over two weeks in what is presumed to have been an Accidental Drowning...

On Davey G. Johnson: A Memoir by the Guy who Built The Car Internet with Him

Partial Song lyrics from: Geddy Lee

Song: Working at Perfect

Album: My Favourite Headache

Year: 2000