Alfa Romeo B.A.T

2 of my favorite things: Concept Cars, Vintage Cars

The Alfa Romeo B.A.T., designed by Guiseppe "Nuccio" Bertone, exemplifies the fact that design is never complete and has resulted in some of the most coveted collectors cars in the world.

The project began with the BAT 5 in 1953. In 1954, the BAT 7 was introduced. And in 1955, the Bat 9 was created. this series of vehicles was designed to test the effects of air drag. All three cars were built on the 1900 Alfa Romeo chassis, featured large rear bumpers and curved fins, and were featured at the Turin Auto shows in the respective years they were introduced. The vehicles achieved a drag coefficient of 0.19 (according to wikipedia) and were propelled by a 4-cylinder, 90 hp engine capable of reaching 125 mph top speed. These 3 vehicles are currently displayed at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, CA. But to my surprise, I found the BAT 11 in Detroit this year!

The BAT 11 debuted last year in the Geneva Auto Show. This concept was built on the 8C Alfa Romeo Competizione (picture above provided by Jalopnik), which is obvious by the exterior detailing...but under the shell is a Maserati GT chassis and Maserati V8 propulsion. This vehicle certainly makes an impression at a length of 16 feet, width of over 6 feet, and height under 4.

The best part: this concept is actually being considered for very limited production! I'll take one, please!

More Great Sites and Organizations

Hey hey its been a lovely day!

I've got some great new links for you guys as I've been extending my virtual network.

First...today has been wonderful because I got to sign for a $3000 check!

But the reason I'm sharing this information is to promote Industrial Fabrics Association International. IFAI is a not-for-profit trade association representing the entire spectrum of the specialty fabrics industry. These include: Awnings and Shades, Geosynthetics, Graphics, Lightweight Structures, Marine, Protective (Safety & Medical), Tents & Temporary Shelters, Transportation & Automotive, Truck Covers, and Upholstery. Check them out: www.ifai.com.

So where does the money come in? I was selected to receive the 2009 Industrial Fabrics Foundation Student Scholarship, along with Jeff Hillenbrand at Ivy Tech Community College. Here is the link in order to download the application: www.indfabfnd.com/scholarships. The new application is not yet posted, but will be due in September of 2009.

Another site definitely worth checking out is: www.InnovationInTextiles.com.

The Founder and Editor, Billy Hunter, came across my blog and introduced me to this successful and informative resource. Innovation in Textiles is an up-to-date source for online news and technology for the global textile industry.

Also be sure to swing by his other site: www.KnittingIndustry.com.

Also interesting is an online fiber publication creator by a contact from the Inspired Design Conference, Joe Lewis: www.VelvetHighway.com host the Canadian publication, fibreQuarterly. Please be sure to check out the latest issue!

Joe also keeps a blog: www.JoeLewisTextileArt.blogspot.com

And just 1 more for now: www.AmericanCraftMag.org.

American Craft has been around as a physical publication created by the American Craft Council for decades, but has recently been revived and made its mark on the virtual world. Andrew Wagner, Editor-in-Chief has played a key role in this process. Andrew was a key note speaker at the Inspired Design Conference and a pleasure to listen to. He has a very hip and modern approach to the craft world, which has recently gotten a bad rap for outdating itself. But with publications like this, crafts are sure to be recognized for their true value and make an outrageous comeback!

College of Textiles Bookmark Competition

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Ben Bruzga at the Durham Arts Council

Ben Bruzga was one of the main team members for the Splinter Wooden Supercar. But far more than that, Ben is an incredible artist, which I got to see first hand this past weekend at his exhibition in Durham. His installation "Wasted" incorporated all used and recycled materials in order to create a beautiful scene comprised of cardboard trees, candy wrapper flowers, and an entire pizza box house. Please check out the pictures linked to the right, as well as his digital portfolio to learn more about Ben's work: www.thebrewfactory.biz All pieces from the exhibition are for sale.

2009 Corolla XRS Picture

2009 corolla XRS Wallpaper

2009 corolla XRS Interior

2009 corolla XRS Images

Ann Arbor, Michigan

To back track a bit...

...While in Detroit I had a chance to meet Stephanie Rodgers. Stephanie is the President and Founder of Automotive Textile Solutions Inc. It was her company that co-sponsored the Automotive Design Competition along with Kolon. Automotive Textile Solutions is an engineering firm devoted to the practical engineering, development, and implementation of textile structures used in vehicle applications. ATS was created to be the bridge between the inner workings of textile structures and the achievement of performance characteristics that vehicle and component manufacturers demand. To learn more about this company, please check out their website: www.autotexsolutions.com

While in Ann Arbor, Johanna and I visited with my friend Charlie. I met Charlie this past summer while studying at Nagoya University. Six students from the University of Michigan attended the summer program (most of which were on ski trips since it was the MLK holiday). But it is still good to know that I have friends in the area (more incentive for moving to Detroit) and it was wonderful to spend the day with Charlie and catch up with each other. Charlie gave us a tour of campus...which was beautiful!...especially in the snow!

He took us into a building with a huge water-filled room, which was labeled "Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory". As we were peering in, making guesses as to what it might be, a man stopped to talk to us and asked if we wanted to see it...of course we did! It turns out that this is the Physical Modeling Basin, originally built in 1904! The model basin was the first of its kind owned and operate by an educational institution. It is equipped to facilitate a full range of classical, innovative, and unique experimental procedures encompassing all areas of the marine environment. The model basin measures 360 feet in length, 22 feet wide at the water surface, and has an average depth of 10.5 feet. The towing carriage can accomadate models up to 25 feet in length and several tons in weight. We also discovered that it can carry the 3 of us and 2 operators when we took it for a test drive! The maximum carriage speed is 22 ft/sec, controlled by a computer. A computer also controls a wedge type wave maker which is capable of producing regular or irregular sea states. To learn more, check out the UofM Engineering program: www.engin.umich.edu

Artsplosure!

Downtown Raleigh just keeps getting better and better! I LOVE promoting it!

This weekend the City of Raleigh Art's Commission is hosting the annual art's festival known as Artsplosure! Artsplosure's mission is to produce high quality annual festivals that celebrate excellence in the performing and visual arts; to promote and bring recognition to national, regional, and local artists; and to bring artists and the larger community together to improve the quality of life and cultural environment.

Artsplosure was created in 1978 and realized with its first festival in 1980. Today and tomorrow artists' booths are arranged around the park as well as local food vendors and live music and entertainment. Here are some of the highlights of what NOT to MISS:

SATURDAY
MUSIC
7:00-noon Dixieland Jazz @ Big Ed's in City Market
2:00-3:00 Eve Cornelious & Chip Crawford, Jazz
4:00-5:00 Kellylee Evans, Jazzy Soul
6:00-7:00 Lonnie Walker, Rootsy Americana & Dance Party Punk (NC Locals)
8:00-10:00 Buckwheat Zydeco, Rocking Jazz & Blues!

ENTERTAINMENT
Aerial Angels acrobatic show 11:00, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00

SUNDAY
MUSIC
1:00-2:00 The Johnny Folsom Four, Johnny Cash Tribute
3:00-4:00 Funkuponya, Jazz Funk
5:00-6:00 Jonathan Scales, Steel Drums
7:00-8:00 Mel Melton & the Wicket Mojos, Bayou Jazz

ENTERTAINMENT
Aerial Angels acrobatic show 12:00, 4:00

EVENTS BOTH DAYS
Art, Art, everywhere Art! Be sure to check out all the local galleries..most are only open until about 5:00

Sand Art
Art-On-The-Move winners displayed, Saturday 11:00-noon
Marbles Exhibitions
Triangle Restaurant Week (last days) Saturday and Sunday: http://www.trirestaurantweek.com/
Winesplosure: Wine Tasting at Metro Cafe