Freak of the Week: Buzz-by

June 10, 2011 marks the end of the Isle of Man TT event and also marks the centenary of its mountain course. First held in 1907, this incredible venue is even older than the Indianapolis 500, of which only celebrated its 100th anniversary last month.

More than an event with an illustrious past, the Isle of Man TT is also an event that warmly embraces the future. In FotW #21, we take a look at the third annual Isle of Man TT Zero, the clean emission electric motorcycle race.



Arguably the most stand out team in the electric class is Portland based, two-time TT Zero winner, MotoCzysz. This year, MotoCzysz fielded their unique Segway-Czysz motorcycle to win their event and to set a new electric lap record of 99.513 average mph, thanks to their newly developed 3-phase AC motor capable of producing an equivalent of over 200hp.

Moreover, the fairings on this year's motorcycle completely shroud its innards. Last year, the 2010 MotoCzysz E1PC's fairings were conveniently stuck in customs, allowing fans to get a closer look of the Czysz's brilliantly engineered battery array design.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to dig up any substantial specs on the 2011 model but I imagine it's essentially an enhanced and refined version of their 2010 bike. Undoubtedly, the battery array is the E1PC's party piece. The 2010 E1PC possessed a 10 individual lithium polymer cell array, each cell weighing 19.5 Lbs.

Rather than have wires connect batteries to the bike, MotoCzysz created these docks that lock the batteries into receivers integrated onto the bike’s frame, conducting the batteries and supporting the batteries’ weight at the same time. This allows for lighter weight, stronger rigidity, durability, and quicker servicing.

The TT Zero is a fantastic event that deserves it's place in the Isle of Man program as we benefit from innovations emerging from MotoCzysz's and their competing teams. Both batteries and electric motors will get lighter and lighter as well as better packaged within a chassis. Whether you are an advocate of alternative energy or not, the question is no longer "if", only "when".

Freak of the Week: Frenchie Fiat

Alain Bublex, anybody? Alain Bublex? No?

According to fr.wikipedia, l’encyclopédie libre, Alain Bublex graduated from the Graduate School of Industrial Design in Paris to later join Renault's design team. Unfortunately, his career did not continue for very long as Bublex says, "I wanted to make cars, they wanted to make a profit."

Freak of the Week: Truck Fitter, Aston Martin. Aston Martin, Truck Fitter.

Meet FotW #19, Guy Martin, 28 year old truck mechanic. This is the cold "office" from which he travels to and from in a Ford Transit van, ideal in handling the decrepit roads of the truck yard six days a week. Those are his goggles propped on his mucky hair, that's his name on the breast pocket of his overalls, and these are his tools held between his greasy hands. Martin does not have a pension plan, has nothing in savings, and doesn't have a mortgage either because he never bothered to own a home. He lives in the home of his girlfriend's parents.

But what Martin DOES own... is this--

Freak of the Week: Groendyke & Samples '49 Carrera Panamericana Cadillac

In 1950, Mexico had completed their stretch of the Panamerican highway. To celebrate this amazing feat, as well as to advertise and attract business towards an artery that will eventually stretch across 14 countries in the western hemisphere, the Mexican government organized a fiesta (see what I did there?) in proper 1950s fashion-- La Carrera Panamericana was born.

Freak of the Week: Chris Harris' Kermit 911

There are two schools within the general field of automotive journalism. Actually there are more, but let's keep it at two for the sake of simplicity. The first school is those who write with number-centricity; laying out straight line performance data as well as cornering speeds, lateral g, etc. The second school is sensation-centric where the overall driving "experience" is of paramount. How does a car make you feel inside?

Freak of the Week: Hyper-articulate

Whenever there's a claim that something is purpose built, chances are you're in for a treat. The builder will tell you that it's built from the ground up with a singular idea in mind and with the aspiration to indisputably conquer anything that dares to challenge it.

Freak of the Week: Road Star 2000GT

While working on the Toyota compilation earlier this week, I rekindled enthusiasm for the legendary Toyota 2000GT.

Freak of the Week: Beep Beep!!

My last post was a rant towards Chrysler, but today in FotW #14, we take a look at a specimen from the Pentastar's "Golden Years."

After the domination of the Dodge Charger Daytona during the 1969 season of NASCAR, Plymouth would get its own version with "King" Richard Petty behind the wheel. In fact, the Superbird was so dominant, NASCAR's decided to implement a 305 cubic inch displacement limit for "aero cars." We all know, in the world of motor sports, there's no bigger compliment for a car's racing success than a ban.

Forty years later, Aussie Murray Markwell of Southern Customs shows off his Plymouth GTX-to-Superbird conversion with the help of Bandit Films.


Welcome to Murray Country from Bandit Films on Vimeo.

Happy Monday, everybody!

Freak of the Week: Say What?!

In Freak of the Week #13, we look at a 1941 Willys... with a twist. This Willys body style is very popular amongst Hot Rodders. You'll usually find these stuffed with some kind of big block, always a V-8, usually blown. Several popular customizers have created their own vision, such as this Bob Ida 1941 Willys RAZRBACK:

But that’s not why we’re here is it? After all, while beautiful and clean in it’s own respect, does it really bring anything totally different to the table?

Take a look at this!

From the outside, it appears to be another Willys fiberglass recreation. However, let’s pop the hood and start it up shall we? As Sam Jackson said in Jurassic Park, "Hold on to your butts".

That’s right! How many people can say they have an AWD hot rod? Taking a donor EVO VIII, the car was cut up until it was down to the just the “frame” and suspension. The Willys fiberglass body was modified to fit over the chassis, but what a job! Add some Torq Thrusts and no one is the wiser.

End result is a 5 speed, AWD, 354 whp, 375 ft-lb pumpkin. Can you imagine the initial shock of people expecting a deep rumble or supercharger whine, only to hear a turbo spool?

I can think of only one thing:: Autocross anyone?

Freak of the Week: Up To No Good

I decided to go underground for our FotW # 12. The Cannonball Run was an "organized" event in the '70s where participants gathered at a hotel in New York City to set off for a coast-to-coast race to see who could cover 2,800 or so miles in the shortest amount of time, finishing at another hotel in Los Angeles.

I would like to make it crystal clear to everyone that Flappy Paddle Heads does not condone activities the following vehicles will tempt you into committing. Please drive carefully! That said, if danger is what you seek, you might as well come prepared.

Freak of the Week: Very Conspicuous.

Freak of the Week: Marcus Moto Design F1 Tracker

Marcus Moto Design F1 Tracker

Freak of the Week #10, woohoo! Every week, I'm out looking for something balls off the wall crazy, polarizing or just weird and worth talking about.

Freak of the Week: Green Machine

Welcome to Freak of the Week #9. A while back, I posted a FoTW on the "Angrier" Dodge Daytona pro touring. The idea behind the car was to modernize a muscle car so that it can accelerate, brake, and turn as well as a present day sports car.

Well, it seems like the idea has already been very popular and have ventured to less likely platforms. I present you Anthony's pro-touring Datsun 510.

Freak of the Week: Practically Impractical

Welcome to Freak of the Week #8, where for every weekend, we look for something balls off the wall crazy, polarizing or just weird and worth talking about.

Ever since hot hatches became popular, so too have there been mid-engined hatchbacks. Unfortunately, though I can clearly see why, the idea never caught on...

In MOTORING CON BRIO fashion, I've compiled my own grab bag of photos of mid engine hatches.

Freak of the Week: 2500+ whp/ton

Welcome to #7 of Freak of the Week, where for every weekend, we look for something balls off the wall crazy, polarizing or just weird and worth talking about.

Freak of the Week: Land Down Under

Welcome to Freak of the Week #7. Every week, Weimann, Chin, and I look for something balls off the wall crazy, polarizing, or just weird and worth talking about.

This week's search took me to a continent that I know relatively little about. However, there is one thing about Australia's car culture that is very clear. They love their Supercar V8 Series. And so do I.

Freak of the Week: VWtf?? Bitchin' Wagon edition.

Welcome to #6 of Freak of the Week, where for every weekend, Weimann, Chin, and I look for something balls off the wall crazy, weird, or just polarizing and worth talking about.

credits: www.hotrod.com

This week, we feature Ken "King of Chop" Prather's '62 Minibus.

Freak of the Week: Dammit Jalopnik! Big ups to Speedhunter!

Welcome to our fifth installment of Freak of the Week, where for every weekend, Weimann, Chin, and I look for something balls off the wall crazy, weird, or just polarizing and worth talking about.

Freak of the Week: It's a Monster

Freak of the Week: Blizzy-B

The F2000 has something the Ford Raptor doesn't