Three Wheels and Sexy

I had previously considered the evolution of cars to be at a dead end because no one would change to another form of motoring because it would not have the power of a V8 engine or a great body design.

Here are two vehicles that seem to solve the compromise between power and sexy. They are elegant, economical and powerful  alternatives to traditional motoring.

 I reproduce these articles with thanks to 'The Kneeslider' and salute their efforts to promote vehicles that offer all the comfortable powerful benefits of a car and the economical excitement of a motorbike.

Three wheels and sexy :

 



 http://thekneeslider.com/elio-motors-planning-new-3-wheeler-in-former-louisiana-gm-plant/#.UXehW5U9PpQ.blogger

http://thekneeslider.com/terracraft-tilting-enclosed-reverse-trike-concept/


Many people have envisioned an alternative to the traditional car and motorcycle, maybe either or both of these concepts will offer motorists an escape from the often mundane car or the danger of a motorbike. By combining all the positive attributes of both these vehicles they may also ease traffic congestion and conserve natural resources and give drivers a new travelling experience.

Marketing Discussion - Linkedin

I have been following and contributing to a discussion on 'Linkedin' regarding - "Sure could use some advice". Here are their comments and mine.

Sure could use some advice on how to promote my auto-art.

Many of my photos lend themselves to the 'diner' mentality and certainly to automobile shops, both repair and sales... No idea how to market to them. Any ideas? Check out what I mean? Click on the link here. Feedback valued.

Cars that make you think Diner, Cruising and Drive-in. rashleyphotography.com

Mark Kaye Kaukas • Don't..............If you are a true artist, your work will promote itself ! If you need to push it - You are a fake. There was an artist who cut off his ear (that is what he is remembered for), there was an artist who spent 30 years on his back, painting a ceiling (that is what he is remembered for). How many body parts are you willing to give up, to become a celebrity ? The last thing you will give up......................is your soul. 

Tracy Lee Carroll • I'm sorry, but Mark Kaye Kaukas, I can't agree with your advice to Rita, especially in a time when there is so much out there screaming for our attention. As an artist, I have seen so many talented people in all genres in creative fields _not_ get noticed. Just because someone is talented, does not mean that their work will be seen or heard. Have you ever heard a talented musician who never makes it big? How about a musician that is not all that talented, but does make it big? What's the difference? Promotion.

Art for art's sake is great and pure, but if one wants to make a living through art, they need to promote their work. To do so, they do not have to cut off their ear or lay on their back for 30 years (Is that really all you think about when you think of these artists?).

The real trouble artists have and have had through the ages is now to be a successful business person as well as a successful creative person. Those two traits rarely go hand in hard easily together. If you know anything about how the brain works, that is easy to understand. That is often why artists (as well as other talented people, think athletes) hire agents or agencies to, like Jim Palam's, to help promote and mange their business side of things so they can concentrate on doing what they do best -- create.

Marketing one's work does not mean they have to sell their soul, although there are many that do. We all know plenty of examples of that. There is a delicate balance that can be made in which the artist is successful in their craft and is able to monetize their work and be successful as a business as well.

Lastly, Mark Kaye Kaukas, let me ask you a question, where would your business be if you didn't promote it? 

Mark Kaye Kaukas • My business promotes itself. I learnt long ago that if have to search for customers, I generally end up with 1% of all the time, effort and budget that I put into it. After any particular 12 month activity period it always seems to be 99% non productive. I am sure the Advertisers and Marketers want to convince me that advertising and promoting works - but it really only works for them to line their pockets.
Someone famous once said that "Only 50% of your advertising budget works - the problem is, which 50%". If my business is good, if my art is good, it will eventually sell itself. Only "salesmen" like to think that you need them - wrong!
I have run my business as a sole operator since 1982. I sold my first business for a profit (I started that, in 1980). Since then, I have acquired a 'Bachelor of Arts' an 'Associate Diploma in Marketing Management' and various Teaching and Training qualifications.
I love what I do for money - that is: Polishing Cars, it is an artform. I could do lots of other things for money, but I don't - I love playing with cars and motorcycles.
I do not waste money and effort on promotions and advertising - my work speaks for itself - 90% of my work comes from "word-of-mouth". My customers sell my business for me!
I have a niche market - this business is so much about personality and knowledge. I know that the customer who goes out of his/her way to find me, is a customer who really 'wants' me, and I will retain them forever.
Here, have an acorn. - In the end it all comes down to 'me'. And I tell them honestly when I know they are shopping around for price and quality, that what it all comes down to is : Do you like me or not? As simple as that. I am an artist, and if you like my product (which is me) you will buy. If you don't, fuck off and annoy someone else.
I offer integrity - there is no compromise.

Building your own Toy

I posted this comment in relation to a discussion on 'Linkedin' regarding building your own toy or buying it.

Here is the address of the discussion post :

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=138935&type=member&item=87765286&commentID=63736368&report.success=8ULbKyXO6NDvmoK7o030UNOYGZKrvdhBhypZ_w8EpQrrQI-BBjkmxwkEOwBjLE28YyDIxcyEO7_TA_giuRN#commentID_63736368

............And here is one of my responses :

"Here in OZ, I blame the demise of the Quarter Acre Block of Land for most folks lack of experience or knowledge of cars and modifying and customising. Way back in the 50's, 60's and 70's each family was lucky enough to have a block of land large enough to fit a house, a double garage, a shed, a front and back yard, and enough room to drive a car down each side of the house into the back yard. It was there that kids played cricket and football and still had enough room to tinker on an abandoned car and learn about tools and bodies and paint and stuff and maybe eventually get the thing running - this eventually became their first car! Nowaday's we are cursed with the so-called McMansions on blocks half that size, with no side yard and hardly a backyard and a front yard that is only for show...............But, I will add that money is not always the best option. I have seen cars painted by hand with a paint brush (and then properly sanded and polished) that present better than a 20,000 dollar paint job. I have also enjoyed the enthusiasm of those who knew sweet-bugger-all about mechanics or bodywork but taught themselves out of pure necessity and lack of money, but they had a vision and a bucket load of ideas. And eventually they created a true masterpiece of motoring !"

Polishing is an Art

Anyone can be a "Cowboy Car Cleaner" - and that is the operative word : Cleaner. I have been swinging a Buff around for over 20 years- And I can swing it like a Samuri Sword. Soooomany folks have thought - "yeah I can do that" - Bullshit. It's not a skill, it's an art.
Car Cleaners have ruined this business of detailing, especially in OZ. Too many Indian and Malaysian immigrants/imports/refugees have denigrated this occupation - and what is so annoying is that the public will go to them because of cheap price. I tell my enquiring potential customers that they are welcome to shop around for a cheaper price - but when you come back to me after some "cowboy" fucked your paintwork, I will double my original quote to you. **************** It's crap that some people neglect or abuse their car for 5 or so years and expect me to restore the paintwork for around 3 to 6 hundred dollars. I just tell them to fuck off and pay $5000 + for a new paint job......For christ's sake - my skill is dying with me when I die.

Classic Aussie Car Racing

This the best thing I've seen for ages.

Classic Aussie Car racing at its best. See if you can name all the cars.

Notice his wipers lifting at speed; the way he shoots through the pack at the start; his little wave as he passes the Ford Escort and the way he sits on the Charger's tail.

( I didn't want to risk messing up the link so I'm afraid that you will have to 'copy' and 'paste' into your browser ).

http://www.mustang.org.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=15263

Enjoy - if it doesn't connect, please let me know.

The Pagani Huayra

This could well become one of the most sought after cars - art and technology beautifully defined by designer Horacio Pagani, the father of the 2003 Zonda 5 Roadster.

If you wish for more information, here is the link to Horacio's own site : http://www.pagani.com/huayra/default.aspx

World's Rarest Automobile - Olds' F88

This is the car that in 1954 could have "killed" the Corvette.

So, Chevrolet, being GM's big sales and profit division, campaigned to GM to "kill" this car.

When Chevy was coming out with its 6-cyl. sports car with its 2-speed "powerglide" transmission and side curtains, here was a sports car from Olds' with a big old V-8 and power windows.

So, GM said "no" to Oldsmobile on building this car.

The world's rarest automobile : a 1954 Concept Oldsmobile Rocket F88 - the only one in existence.

John S. Hendricks (Discovery Communications founder), paid $3.24 million for this 1954 Motorama Dream Car, one of only two, or an unconfirmed three ever created.

After spending decades as a collection of parts stuffed into wooden crates, the F-88 was reassembled.

The F-88 seen here is literally the only car left of its kind and was sold to John and Maureen Hendricks at the prestigious Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction in Scotsdale, Arizona.

The acquisition made automotive history, and is in the cornerstone of the Gateway Colorado Automobile Museum.