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

Please post your feedback.

Which is your favorite?

What adjustments would you prefer?

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

Publication in fibreQUARTERLY

My new friend Joe Lewis, who I met at the Inspired Design Jacquard Weaving Conference in January, has released his newest issue of fibreQUARTERLY on the Velvet Highway. This is an online publication, which I have mentioned before, that aims to "Explore Canadian Textile and Fibre Arts and Craft History, yesterday, today and tomorrow, if it's spun, woven, printed or just quickly stitched up, we try to give it a voice"- Joe.

This issue focuses on the art and artist featured at the Conference. I had the honor of submitting a review of the Conference, and Joe included images of 2 of my woven works. Please check out my write up as well as the rest of the issue. It is truly inspiring!

fibreQUARTERLY

Jenna's Article

2009 Camry Car Picture

2009 Camry Car Picture

2009 Camry Car Interior

2009 Camry Car Side View

Nostalgia

I’m back!

I spent the past week in St. Louis, Missouri…my family’s hometown. I stayed with my Grandma and my parents came to visit as well. If you can’t tell from the hundreds of images of vintage vehicles I’ve already posted on my flikr or facebook pages, I have a nostalgia for eras that I’ve never experienced first hand. Visiting St. Louis reaffirms this nostalgia and helps me understand where this love developed.

My mom and I spent more time than usual visiting the parts of the city that remind her of her childhood. Most of this revolves around food: Pretzels at Gus’s, BBQ at Phil’s, Slyders at White Castle, and of course multiple trips to Frederhofer’s Bakery. It also involved the more traditional tourist stops: the Arch and the Museum of Westward Expansion in the Arch’s foundation, the NEW Busch Stadium, and the warehouse and brewery (Busch and Lemp) district where my grandparents and their parents worked long, back-breaking hours. The city is nothing like the hustle and bustle days that my parents and grandparents grew up in…the stadium has been completely rebuilt (twice), the New Cathedral is rather old, hundreds of thousands of square footage of factory and brewery has been abandoned.

Despite all the negativity that surrounds the city’s disrepair…you can catch promising glimpses of what the Gateway to the West might have in store for the future. Warehouse space has been converted into uppity apartment lofts for young professionals. The introduction of America's Center Convention Complex, Edward Jones Dome, Ferrra Theatre, and the Executive Conference Center are drawing huge professional crowds and encourage Cards, Rams, and Blues, fans nationwide to bring their business downtown. And fundrasiers and live music festivals on the Riverfront are increasing in number and popularity. Just this past Saturday, over 66,000 participants gathered downtown for the Susan G. Komen Race.

In the area where my grandma lives, about 30 minutes outside the city, its an entirely different world. While much has changed, so much has remained the same. Some of the largest grocery stores, pharmacies, auto parts suppliers, and restaurants are still family owned…as they have been for the past 100 years (or more)! Grandma’s house is on one the most prestidgeous streets in the area…or at least it was 60 years ago when it was built. She raised her family there since 1950 and many features of the house remain completely original. The houses being built just 10 minutes down the road have maintained high quality…but the 2500 or so square footage of my grandma’s 60 year old house, could fit in the basement of the multi-million dollar monsters down the road. Also 10 miles from Grandma’s are most of the food selections mentioned above, Laumeier Sculpture Park, and the historic Grant’s Farm. Grant’s Farm was founded by President Ulysses S. Grant in the 1850s. The Busch family purchased the farm from President Grant over 5 decades ago. The 281 acres is the home of more than 100 species of animals from 6 continents and now serves as a stable for the famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales and an interactive, safari-style park, which is open to the public to increase wildlife conservation and education.

And there is SO MUCH I am leaving out!

Now you know, just in part, where my love for St. Louis and the historic past comes from….but what does this have to do with automotive? For one, the rise, and fall, and new rise of the city, should bring hope to those in Motor City during these trying times. For another reason...well just check out my next post…and my flikr picture set (which will be added soon)…and I think you’ll be in for a treat! I certainly was!

Yaris 5-Door Liftback

Yaris 5-Door Liftback Side View

Yaris 5-Door Liftback Interior

Yaris 5-Door Liftback Rear View

Fast Lane Classic Cars

St. Charles, Missouri is home of Fast Lane Classic Cars Inc. This extraordinary garage house over 180 of the most beautiful classic vehicles still around. They only buy cars that are in pristine condition, many with all original parts. Cars range from a 1931 Studebaker at $38,995, to a 2008 Porshe Boxster Convertible at $35,995 (one of the least expensive vehicles on the lot). The highest price tags seem to be the 2005 Ferrari F430 Coupe at $149,995 the 2005 Ford GT at $159,995, the 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special at $199,995. Some of my favorites included the red 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster at $74,995, and the yellow 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster at $53,995 (with many upgrades and few original parts....but who could pass on this color). More favorites included the 1948 Indian Chief Vintage Motorcycle at $29,995, the 1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible at $57,995, the 1956 Ford Parklane Station Wagon w/Matching Teardrop Camper Trailer at $42,995, the 2 1970 Plymouth Cuda Hemis at blue $63,995 and red $79,995.

Details for the vehicles mentioned above are linked.

I've uploaded pictures on my Flikr photoset. This is linked in the right column.

But certainly check out the website for more information and a full inventory:

www.fastlanecars.com