The world's rarest Indian Stylemaster scooter

Indian Scoot Today we will return to discussing about the scooters. Well, the two-wheeled vehicle mode could be said the transitional vehicle product that usually had become one of the options for the automotive industry players in facing the world's economic downturn that occurred shortly after the 2nd World War ended.

1949 Indian Stylemaster posed along with another American-made scooter, 1948 Salsbury Model 85 in the museum. (Picture from: Motoredbikes)

Reportedly, the scooter was started from the unique formed two-wheeled vehicle vehicle named the Autoped firstly invented by Arthur Gibson in Long Island back in 1916, it later developed into a trend for decades all over the world following the success of two Italian manufacturers, Innocenti and Piaggio through their legendary scooter brands (Lambretta and Vespa). 

Meanwhile in America, which is the birthplace of scooters, many scooter manufacturers have also emerged at that time, including those whom are well-known and have long been known in the manufacture of ordinary motorcycles. It was recorded in history that famous American motorcycle manufacturers such as Harley-Davidson also had produced scooter in 1960 named Harley-Davidson Topper.

1949 Indian Stylemaster is powered by 6 horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine. (Picture from: Bonham)

But not many know that long before the Milwauke-based motorcycle maker produced a scooter, it turned out there's another American motorcycle manufacturer, Indian Motorcycle had ever produced scooter model named Indian Stylemaster back in 1949 (some said that's only reached up to prototype and never produced). Indeed, there is very little information related to scooters made by Indian Motorcycle in the past.

It began shortly after World War II ended, Indian Motorcycle was in deep trouble, their dealer network was deteriorated, their factory equipment was outdated, not to mention many other things continued to suck the life blood of a once prosperous company. Peak in 1949, they should killed their famous Indian Chief models and replaced it with a series of small vertical single cylinder and twin cylinder motorcycles.

1949 Lowther Lightnin known as one of the world's rarest two-wheeled vehicles and probably taken as the base of the Indian Stylemaster scooter made by Lowther Manufacturing Co. (Picture from: VespaForever)

And to solve these problems, the management of the company based in Spirit Lake, Iowa then contracted Lowther Manufacturing Co. of Joliet, Illinois to produce a series of small motor scooters. 

At that time the company was known to produce several types of small motorcycles or scooters, and the most famous ones was the Lowther Lightnin', possibility it was then used as the basis for a new scooter to fulfill its contract with Indian Motorcycle.

At the time the Indian Stylemaster scooter was selling poorly despite being advertised as 'America's Most Modern Motor Scooter'. (Picture from: Bike-Urious)

As quoted of Bonham, at that time around 24 scooter variants were offered but it's possible that only 3 models were successfully marketed, namely the Spartan, Vagabond, and the futuristic Stylemaster.

The Indian Stylemaster is powered by 6 horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine, at the time the scooter was selling poorly despite being advertised as 'America's Most Modern Motor Scooter,' and is hardly seen it again nowadays. The scooter has a fairly unique shape featuring front and rear fenders, magneto ignition, a jiffy stand, a locking key ignition, front and rear safety guards, 2-passenger seat, and engine air scoop and a sparkling chrome headlight. 

The Stylemaster production (as well as the partnership with Lowther) was discontinued after run only one year and today about 18 units of the Indian Stylemaster scooter had survived. And the scooter finished in black and brilliant red has been part of a private collection for 5 years, and also is claimed to be museum quality.

No idea if that means it’s only cosmetically perfect, or if it’s capable of running, as well. The seller claims that this is only one of two known Stylemasters in the United States, but we’re having trouble verifying that notion. Whether or not it’s 1 of 2, it’s still definitely a rare scooter and had been sold at Bonham's auction back in 2009 with the price of $10,530.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE | BIKE-URIOUS | BONHAM ]

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Falcatus, a Russian-made special-ops tactical armored vehicle

Putin's Batmobile Have you ever seen this Russian-made fierce car similar to the Batmobile before? It is certain that some of you have never seen it before. And we saw it for the first time in Russia Beyond's video story on Facebook social media while surfing the internet.

This is a Russian-made Batmobile likened vehicle bears unusual name of the Falcatus and is said to be the most secret custom-built vehicle for the Russian government's Federal Security Service (FSB). (Picture from: ArmyRecognition)

As quoted of the Russia Beyond, this Russian-made Batmobile likened vehicle bears unusual name of the Falcatus and is said to be the most secret custom-built vehicle for the Russian government's Federal Security Service (FSB) is built and developed by a Russian automaker Zil. This tactical armored vehicle is also known as 'Putin's Batmobile' or 'Karatel,' which means 'chastener,' and was first tested on a series of special missions of the Dagestan conflict areas in April 2016.

The Falcatus is built and developed by Zil based on the KAMAZ Master armored vehicle platform. (Picture from: Defence-Blog)

It looks like this armored tactical vehicle was developed from the ZIL Futuristic Assault Wagon Concept, and the Russian Falcatus 4-wheeled armored monster is also equipped with a number of weapons, besides being able to be used as a tactical personnel carrier in various urban missions, it can also be used as a light attack vehicle to attack or break enemy fortifications.

The Falcatus is used as a a tactical personnel carrier in various urban missions, it can also be used as a light attack vehicle to attack or break enemy fortifications. (Picture from: Behance)

From the outside, the Falcatus tactical vehicle looks aggressive similar to the Bruce Wayne's Batmobile and includes to the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) category. This 12-tons weighted armored vehicle is built on the KAMAZ Master platform with a four-wheel drive system powered by an eight-cylinder engine with more than 700 horsepower. So it is not surprising, if the Falcatus is rumoured capable run up to 200 kph while carrying 12 personnel at once inside its belly.

The Falcatus is powered by by an eight-cylinder engine with more than 700 horsepower coupled with four-wheeled drive system. (Picture from: Behance)

In general, this Russian armored personnel carrier is specially made with a design that would be protected all crew inside from heavy machine gun fires, while its V-shaped bottom section will break the waves of mine explosions. Unfortunately the detailed specifications are kept secret (due to since the beginning this is the most secret Russian's military-purposed vehicle).

The Falcatus is rumoured capable run up to 200 kph while carrying 12 personnel at once inside its belly. (Picture from: Behance)

Meanwhile the Falcatus driver is protected by three armored glass plates, although somewhat blocking the view, these plates can ensure the driver is completely protected from enemy bullet targets. Not to mention the hood of this armored monster is made very long. Therefore, to overcome blind spots or parts that are not visible when driving the vehicle, the designer then added a number of cameras. That way, the driver will get a fully 360-degree view of the situation suround the vehicle.

The Falcatus is specially made with a design that would be protected all crew inside from heavy machine gun fires, while its V-shaped bottom section will break the waves of mine explosions. (Picture from: Behance)

In addition to the driver, the 12 soldiers who were carried inside the Falcatus' cabin reportedly also equipped with night vision equipment and rifle slots on the sides of the vehicle which were protected by bulletproof glass. The machine gun can be fired from two places, namely the gun slot in the rear door and the hole in the roof (where the shooter climbs out and opens fire). Not only that, at the bottom there is a special weapon that can shoot fire.

For an urban raid mission, the soldiers inside Falcatus could exit through five doors, two on each side and one at the back of the vehicle. Uniquely, the doors open in different directions so that they can also be functioned as an extra protection during a firefight.

This futuristic tactical vehicle will replace the outdated Russian army APCs used for urban missions and also said that the vehicle is stronger and faster than ordinary Soviet-made vehicles, and is claimed to be able to follow and even chase the Western countries-made cars like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, etc. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RUSSIA BEYOND | BEHANCE | ARMY RECOGNITION | DEFENCE-BLOG ]

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Wanna try the British classy car driving sensation

Spy Who Rides Me - Driving a super car at high speed is believed to provide a different sensation for some connoisseurs of the automotive world compared to ordinary cars. Well, it's an activity that can pump adrenaline to its maximum level, however, keep in mind that being able to do it smoothly and well without injuring yourself and others requires good skills.

British Automotive Engineering (BAE) is recently completed working on a new Bond-style sports car in Essex, Great Britain named Vantare GT. (Picture from: Enioquevedo)

If you have good driving skills plus have a lot of money today, you don't have to be the leading actor on the spy-action movies like James Bond, and others to be able to get behind the wheel and drive supercars like Aston Martin and others. Because some time ago British Automotive Engineeeing (BAE), a leading British coachbuilder company has managed to build a new supercar for you built based on one of James Bond's fast cars, Aston Martin DB9.

BAE Vantare GT is a new Bond-style grand tourer exclusively built based on the Aston Martin DB9 with a V12 engine under the hood. (Picture from: Enioquevedo)

As quoted of Secret-Classics, BAE built the sports car in Essex, Great Britain is expected to continue to carry a new Bond-style grand tourer with a V12 under the hood. Furthermore, the supercar's development process was led by an actor and TV presenter Bradley Walsh whose chosen to build it exclusively based on the Aston Martin DB9, which was launched off the production line at Gaydon between 2004 and 2016. 

BAE Vantare GT is appeared with a new look in the style of the DB5 classic sports cars, such as those driven by Sean Connery's while roled as James Bond, the famous British 007 spy-agent. (Picture from: Secret-Classics)

And in the car building process, the donor was stripped of up to leave only the roof and windows, and then re-formed in such way to a new sporty ride in the style of a classic sports car, such as those driven by Sean Connery while roled as James Bond, the famous British 007 spy-agent. State-of-the-art hybrid materials such as carbon fiber composite are used for this purpose.

As a result, we can now see a classy sports car called the BAE Vantare GT which is made in a limited number of only 10 units, it is also mentioned that each car owner can configure their respective cars freely.

State-of-the-art hybrid materials such as carbon fiber composite are used for this BAE Vantare GT's bodywork. (Picture from: Enioquevedo)

In addition to the colors for the paintwork and interior, it also includes mechanical upgrades that provide more power. For your information, without any modifications, the six-liter V12 with automatic transmission has ensured that this sporty Bond-style car can accelerate from rest to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of over 180 mph.

Then in the cabin, installed a pair of leather seats which are available in a choice of smooth or suede colors and modern or classic. There are also polished aluminum elements and handcrafted exposed carbon trim. Standard equipment also includes an advanced infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen, navigation system, DAB radio as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Now for those of you who are interested in driving it at high speed, then prepare a lot of money, because this car is priced by the maker starting at £275,000 or approx Rp. 5.3 billions. Wow..! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES  | BAEVANTARE | SECRET-CLASSICS | ENIOQUEVEDO ]

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The future electric-powered aircraft named Alice

Electric Wings The trend of vehicle electrification has grown steadily over the last few years. Not only targeting motorcycles, cars, to buses and trucks, the trend has also begun to penetrate the aircraft industry. This could be seen on an electric powered small private aircraft developed by Eviation, an Israeli technology start-up.

This is Alice, an electric-powered aircraft developed by an Israeli company named Eviation and was debuted at the Paris Air Show 2019. (Picture from: IndoZone)

Recently the Israeli start-up developed its first commercial electric-powered aircraft named Alice. The electric-powered aircraft was exhibited for the first time at the Paris Air Show 2019. This aircraft is scheduled to fly for the first time this year and be sold to the market in 2022.

As quoted of Bussines Insider, the Alice eco-friendly aircraft is able to carry nine passengers and two crew and also capable of traveling a distance of 1,000 km, with a maximum speed of 240 knots or 445 kph on a single battery charge.

The Eviation Alice eco-friendly aircraft is able to carry nine passengers and two crew. (Picture from:OtoDetik)

And the battery of the aircraft was a very large lithium-ion battery weighing around 3,600 kg. For the business purposed, the fuselage design is made of lightweight materials with three propellers attached on both wings and tail.

This eco-friendly aircraft fleet is claimed to be able to reduce air ticket prices between 40% -80%. This is because electric aircraft do not cost as much as the operating costs of conventional aircraft. The calculation is that electric planes only need US$ 200 per flight hour for operation.

The Eviation Alice electric-powered aircraft also capable of traveling a distance of 1,000 km, with a maximum speed of 240 knots or 445 kph on a single battery charge. (Picture from:OtoDetik)

Seeing this, the CEO and Co Founder of Eviation, Omer Bar-Yohay estimates that the Alice aircraft will be certified in 2022. Where, US-based airline Cape Air has decided to buy this plane at a price of US $ 4 million or approx Rp. 56.4 billion.

And the American company itself plans to use Alice's electric plane to serve regional routes from Boston to Nantucket, Marthy's Vineyard, to New Hampshire and New York. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | EVIATION | ]

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The newest Noble M500 typical sports car would be revealed soon

Savage Noble As a typical British car marque, perhaps Noble is a brand that not many people know. Understandably the British car maker has never again sold its car products since the launch of its last model, the Noble M600 in 2011.

The new Noble M500 has all the qualities needed to compete on an equal footing with all other sports cars in its class. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

For those who are familiar with the Noble brand, they must have imagined the deep acceleration, masculine, and extreme touch. As always, the Noble supercar uses a manual gearbox and doesn't like the unnecessary weight through safety features, so the car has something to impress while to drive.

This is unlikely to change, when the manufacturer intends to launch a new model called the Nobel M500 while sticking to the tradition of allowing only experienced drivers behind the wheel to get the most out of it.

Noble clarified that the M500 is still a prototype, but will retain most of the exterior and interior elements. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Although allegedly less extreme, the new sports car is targeted to replace the M600, the only car made by the company at this time. The Nobel M500 was first revealed at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the latest news being that the British brand was producing it with a target of the delivery to customers starting later of this year.

As is the case with its predecessors, such the very rare M600 and M400, the Noble M500 is a mid-engined two-seats sports coupe, which has also a powerful rear axle. But as its drivetrain instead of a V8, the M500 uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine which can also be found under the rear deck of the Ford GT and the mentioned engine is claimed capable to produce power around 550 horsepower, which makes it a good competitor to the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

The new Noble M500 bodywork uses composite panels reinforced with glass built over steel tubes chassis, with the engine mounted in the middle. (Picture from: TracedNews)

Speaking to the media, Peter Boutwood, Managing Director of Noble Automotive is mentioned that the offering for this less extreme and 'very much like the M600' model will continue to run. Beside it's equipped with a double-wishbone suspension with coilovers and passive dampers, the Noble M500 also offered exclusively with a six-speed Graziano manual transmission.

While the steering wheel performance will be hydraulically assisted, it is intended to guarantee enricher feedbacks with thrilled driving experience. Although to this day, there are no images related to the M500 interior, as reported by Autocar that the car cabin has digital instrument panel and central infotainment screen assist the driver during intense driving, also a pair of Recaro Podium racing seats, although seats that are not too extreme will also reportedly be offered.

The Noble M500 is powered by the same twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 as the Ford GT and coupled with a six-speed manual transmission. (Picture from: GoOto)

Furthermore, when compared to the Noble M600, access to and from the M500's cabin is much easier thanks to the smaller door frame. As before, anti-lock brakes and airbags were avoided, meaning there's no single one M500 could be legally run in the US roads due to absence of such those safety features mentioned above.

As before, anti-lock brakes and airbags were avoided, meaning there's no single one M500 could be legally run in the US roads due to absence of such those safety features. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Currently, the high-speed testing isn't over yet and there may still be some minor changes, the bodywork uses composite panels reinforced with glass built over steel tubes chassis, with the engine mounted in the middle. However, Noble also intends to offer carbon fiber components as an option to reduce weight. Even without this, the company targets a production weight of around 2,750 lbs.

When the production phase finally gets underway, the automaker hopes could be produced the M500 as much 50 units per year. Regarding the price, although until now the British auto company hasn't revealed yet but reportedly has a price around £ 150,000 or equivalent to Rp. 2.94 billion. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOCAR | TRACEDNEWS ]

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Did you ever heard the 1980s wedge-shaped sports car of the Kiwi land named Heron MJ-1?

Wedge Shaped Now we will look at a classic car that comes from a country in the southernmost hemisphere, namely New Zealand. Indeed, the car industries of the Kiwi-land are rarely heard if compared to its neighbor Australia. So it's not surprising that some of you may have never known the following unique sports cars made by the automaker from New Zealand.

The Heron MJ-1 is a two-seater sports coupe with a fiberglass body that was produced in limited quantities from 1981 to 1998 by Heron Cars. (Picture from: Issuu.com)

The mentioned car is the Heron MJ-1, a two-seater sports coupe with a fiberglass body that was produced in limited quantities from 1981 to 1998 by Heron Cars, a New Zealland automotive craftsmen founded by Ross Baker. This car began to be designed in 1980, and made its debut at the 1981 Auckland Motor Show,

It's style was derived from the Lotus Esprit, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design in 1972. It featured very similar proportions and angular shapes or what is commonly called the wedge shape which was widely used in mid-engined cars of the era.

The Heron MJ-1's style was derived from the Lotus Esprit, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design in 1972. (Picture from: Issuu.com)

The first production version was built in 1984 with engine options ranging from a Fiat 125 4-cylinder engine to V8. It was built on a fiberglass monocoque chassis, to which tubular steel front and rear subframes mounted, with parts from various donors, and fiberglass body panels.

The first production version was built in 1984 with engine options ranging from a Fiat 125 4-cylinder engine to V8. (Picture from: Issuu.com)

Then the Summit Engineering became involved into the company to provide the necessary finance in return for a two-thirds share. The original concept was a very simple car using reconditioned parts supplied by the customer, after that Heron assembling them into a complete roadworthy car.

The original concept was a very simple car using reconditioned parts supplied by the customer, after that Heron assembling them into a complete roadworthy car. (Picture from: Issuu.com)

Instead Summit wants the cars to be built entirely in-house using new parts. This caused serious problems in production, as the cost of production increased drastically. After an acrimonious split, Heron's founder Ross Baker bought them out and carried on until 1998.

The Heron MJ-1 was built on a fiberglass monocoque chassis, to which tubular steel front and rear subframes mounted, with parts from various donors, and fiberglass body panels. (Picture from: Auto5p.eu)

It is believed that 6 prototypes and 19 production MJ-1's were ultimately built. Because of the costs of importing vehicles to New Zealand, Heron Cars was among a number of homegrown sports cars sold in that market which also included the Almac Sabre, Buckler, and Scorpion (a Sterling/Nova clone).

Eventually, the Japanese cheaper competitors were came and killed a number of these local makes. However, a small specialty car industry such Heron Cars still survives in NZ at least until 2018. But now they are no longer visible in the global automotive world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HERON CARS | RARECOMPONENTCARS | ISSUU.COM ]

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