An American scarce Crocker Scootabout

From a number of references, we have found that the actual culture of scooters first appeared in America with the appearance of the first scooter in the world called the Autoped around 1915. Then the global popularity of scooters increased by the end of World War II, marked by the presence of Vespa and Lambretta in the pizza country.

The Three Stooges on the 1941 American-made, Crocker Scootabout. Surprised Moe let Curly be in the driver's seat. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qmraIF)

The popularity of these scooters in the post-war period was largely driven by the sluggish world economy, especially in countries directly involved in the war and made the people's purchasing power at that time were so low so then they were not afforded to buy the four-wheeled vehicles.

1941 Crocker Scootabout with its typical teardrop bodywork. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NZUMVn)

With the presence of scooters intended to provide low power personal transportation (50 to 250 cc engines). The original layout is still widely used in this application. Scooters are popular for private transportation, partly based on the low cost of purchase and operation and benefits that include convenience in parking and storage. Licensing requirements for scooters are easier and cheaper than those for cars in most parts of the world, and insurance is generally cheaper.

The Crocker Scootabout sales brochure. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2QpVzQZ)

Among American scooters before and after the war, one of them was made by the Crocker Motorcycle Company, the company known of single-cylinder speedway racing motorcycles from 1932, powerful V-twin road motorcycles from 1936, and the "Scootabout," one of the first modern styled motor scooters, in the late 1930s.

A telegraph cable delivery man uses the Scootabout in the 1942 movie-titled 'Talk of the Town'. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qmraIF)

1941 Crocker Scootabout in a magazine
article. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ObXzJJ)

Have you ever watched the Three Stooges' classic film series? Well, in one episode, there was a scene where three of these hilarious friends were riding a Crocker Scootabout scooter and sidecar with all their funny behavior (see the picture above). The Los Angeles-based company made these scooters in short production periods.

The step-through scooter, designed by Al Crocker and distributed by Floyd Clymer, featured one-up seating, a centrifugal clutch, and a 2.3-hp Lawson air-cooled engine hidden behind a teardrop-shaped cowling pressed from sheet metal. The simplicity of operation was obtained through the use of an automatic clutch that engaged as the foot throttle was depressed. And by removing the foot from the throttle quickly, disengaged the clutch.

The operation is said to be somewhat similar to fluid drive such as used on some makes of 1941 cars. A foot lever operated an internal expanding brake band on which was mounted Ferodo lining. Choke and compression releases are combined in one lever on the right handlebar. The standard color was black with red panels. And a tow-back attachment was available for use in attaching the unit to car bumpers.

Sales brochure of Crocker Scootabout
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NZVBNZ)

The Crocker Scootabout was considered a forerunner at the time it was released. Scooters of the time were very plain, no-nonsense fun machines, and the Crocker Motorcycle Company gave them style with a streamlined design including two-toned paint jobs and skirted fenders even before Indian made that look famous, and the company furthered scooter design by adding a crude suspension to the front end in 1941.

At the time, the scooter was sold for $139.00. Unfortunately with the war underway and the supply of the Lawson air-cooled engines dried up so the production ceased in 1942. It's thought at the time, less than 100 units of these little scooters were ever produced.😢

In 1997 the Crocker name was resurrected by collectors Markus Karalash and Michael Schacht in order to supply replacement parts for the original Crockers. After an enthusiastic response to reproduction parts produced for a restoration, the partners decided to officially incorporate Crocker Motorcycle Company in January 1999. In 2002 steps began to trademark Crocker Motorcycle Company Worldwide, and they anticipate the ability to eventually assemble complete reproductions of all Crocker Motorcycles. Wanna see the Lutz scooters.

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 | CROCKER MOTORCYCLE COMPANY | KICKSTARTKAREN | FLESH&RELICS |  HAGGERTY]

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Dubai's dragon finally revealed

Finally, the United Arab Emirates' hypercar that we have first saw in the teaser image some time ago revealed. As promised, the hypercar has debuted at the 2019 Dubai Motor Show. And no doubt, the hypercar comes in a style that can be said to be inspired by a Lamborghini as said by the company founder Bashar Ajlani in an interview with Top Gear.

Ajlani Drakuma concept car appeared at the 2019 Dubai Auto Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37a3OGU)

The Ajlani's hypercar was named Ajlani Drakuma to have "a production inspired by Pagani." We are not sure what it really means, but we know the intention is to make 99 cars, with each of them fully customizable to suit customer preferences. 

The Ajlani's hypercar carries a V8 turbocharged engine mounted in the middle and is claimed to be able to spew 1,200 bhp of power equivalent to the power produced by the engine of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

Rear three-quarter of Ajlani Drakuma concept car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37a3OGU)

As quoted from Top Gear, Ajlani said that while the chassis has not been finalized. The company has "few options" that are being considered. Regardless of the solution, Drakuma will boast a carbon fiber body for maintaining low body weight. Speaking of the body, the doors seem to open like "dragon wings," but all the pictures we have so far are showing the car with the doors closed.

Rear-left side view of Ajlani Drakuma concept car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37bLpt2)

But unfortunately, there is not a single picture that shows the hypercar's interior and from the showcar in Dubai had all the windows blacked out. The possibility is predicted by many who say that the Dubai-based company isn’t ready to reveal what’s inside. This car is actually a design prototype that was built for five years and represents Bashar Ajlani's dream of creating the next Pagani. In fact, he explicitly admitted that Horacio was one of his idols "because he did not compromise on quality."

So it is perfectly understandable why some parties became skeptical about Drakuma's opportunity to actually achieve production, but for what value, at least the car appeared in Dubai as had promised before. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AJLANI MOTORS | TOP GEAR | MOTOR1 | YAHOO NEWS | WHEELS]
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A snail-likened mini bike creeping on the streets

Still discussing the unique creativity of the world's automotive fans. When We first saw the figure of this mini bike, a unique and funny impression immediately appeared. How not a minibike made by a man from Indiana, the United States named Brent Walker some time ago had attracted a lot of attention in cyberspace when it was first shown.

A unique snail-likened mini bike named Volkspod by Brent Walker made of the VW Beetle's front fender. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qaZLJO)

This mini bike is named Volkspod, seeing from its name, it can be seen that there is a connection with the VW car due to it was actually built by Brent Walker from the VW Beetle's front fender. The idea to make this unique vehicle, apparently departed from the maker who is also a VW Beetle fan, thus arousing the idea of ​​making a unique vehicle from those vehicle's components. Might be the initial idea that has similarity to the vehicle that was discussed earlier by us, namely Paul Gorell's Crosley sign-turned-scooter. 

As quoted from Rideapart, the making of this unique mini bike by Brent Walker can be said success. By its snail-likened body, will immediately make people directly pointed their two eyes by frowning in amazement when this funny mini bike passes in front of them.

The Volkspod by Brent Walker used a small-capacity 79 cc engine capable of producing power of 6.5 horsepower. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rTEy7z)

As mentioned above, this mini bike has a body taken from the VW Beetle' front fender which is supported by a frame structure made of small tubular pipes. This cute mini bike wore a pair of 13-inch alloy wheels wrapped in thick tires to make its figure look proportionate.  

The Volkspod by Brent Walker supported by a frame structure made of small tubular pipes. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rTEy7z)

Also not to forget, Walker then pinned a small-capacity 79 cc engine capable of producing power of 6.5 horsepower. The engine was taken from a lawnmower and paired with an automatic transmission system to be able to make this funny mini bike crawling on the streets. 

From the workmanship in detail, this cute two-wheeled vehicle also features a bike's standard handlebars, kickstand, throttle cable, then there's around the front headlight and rear brake light has taken also from the VW Beetle. And to make the rider can sit comfortably also pinned a single soft seat to hold the rider's body so as not to sag while riding this snail-likened two-wheeled vehicle.

Brent Walker said that everything was made by hand without using any factory machinery. Until now there are only 2 units of snail-likened mini bikes that have been successfully made, each with a color of birch green and pastel blue. When uploaded on his Instagram, many people are willing to spend to buy this Volkspod. Do you want to have this snail-likened two-wheeled vehicle? If Yes, please Direct Message (DM) the Brent Walker's Instagram account.

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 | WALKER WERK | RIDEAPART | THE DRIVE | VISORDOWN]

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Black on black 'Countach Periscopio'

According to Lamborghini's records, 1120182 as recorded initially was destined for Toumblast in Lebanon. The order requires the vehicle to be filled in black with a black interior. This is the only complete example of 150 built. Because of the civil war in Lebanon, orders were changed and vehicles were not completed until May 14, 1976. Shortly after completion, the LP400 was photographed during a driving test and photos used by Lamborghini for promotional purposes.

1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 'Periscopio'. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37aXij2)

In the autumn of 1976, the LP400 was sold and shipped to a Lamborghini Distributor in Japan where it was photographed again shortly after arriving which now shows equipped with the required side, rear view mirror, and a larger front turn signal light. It remained with the Lamborghini Agent in Nagoya, Japan until it was finally sold to the first owner on December 12, 1977.

Front three-quarter of 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 'Periscopio'. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NU120N)

The original owner was Mitsuo Sanami from Tokyo, Japan. Sanami is a famous Japanese celebrity and leading car collector. He was the champion trapper who represented Japan at the 1964 Olympics. The car was sent to him but was not registered on the road and remained undriven for five years of ownership.

Interior of 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 'Periscopio'. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NU120N)

In 1982, Sanami sold this vehicle to Isao Noritake, the most famous Lamborghini collector in Japan and also the chairman and founder of the Japan Lamborghini Owner's Club. Like the previous owner, Noritake did not register the LP400 and remained unmanageable in his private museum until it was sold to his friend Yoshiaki Okada who also had never driven on the street or registered this Lamborghini. 

Rear three-quarter of 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 'Periscopio'. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NU120N)

In 1990, Noritake bought back the LP400 and, due to lack of use and service, he sent it back to the Lamborghini Plant where it was given full service, and the interior was completely repainted and refurbished. The work took two years at a cost of $ 160,000. The car was then returned to Noritake where it remained not use and not serviced. Odometer currently only shows the original 540 kilometers, all of which are believed to have been added only by Lamborghini during testing after completion refurbishing in 1990-1992 before Lamborghini returned it to Noritake.

The engine view of 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 'Periscopio'. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NU120N)

In 2015, the car's ownership moved from Noritake to Symbolic International San Diego, California, and then moved back to Peter Dyson in the same year. Now, the elegant black-colored Countach has returned to belong to Symbolic International San Diego, California after buying it back from Peter Dyson in 2018.

And in October 2019, once again this beautiful car will be sold by Symbolic International. But there was no mention of the selling price. Are you interested to have it? Please contact the seller to find out how much the price of this beautiful car. Of course, the price isn't cheap, the estimated price can reach five to six digits. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORIOUS | JUST CAR GUY]

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The world's first of scooter has no rider's seat

Two wheels and a plank. It would be a modest beginning for a mode of transportation characterized by peaks and troughs in use and popularity unrivaled by any other contemporary human-created vehicles. Nowadays scooters have become one of the very popular vehicles. Since the appearance of the first scooter on a century ago or rather 1915 ago and did you know that the world's first scooter is called the Autoped.

The Autoped was seemingly well-publicized in its day, and contracts were gained with the U.S. Postal Service as a delivery vehicle and police forces as a patrol vehicle. It clearly performed its tasks as advertised, as this was a significant public expenditure. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32JKdtq)

As quoted from Newatlas, this scooter was initially used by people in New York, United States, and then spread to Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. The first scooter is considered quite efficient because it has a small size and has no rider's seat.

Besides ridden by US Postal service delivery men, traffic officers, the Autoped also was seen using by high society in the time. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KhQo1E)

The world's first scooter maker was Arthur Gibson through his company named The Autoped Company of Long Island City. Initially, this vehicle is intended for children by using a 155 cc engine and able to ride with a maximum speed of 48 km/hour. Initially, this scooter was also made because it was inspired by the needs of public service providers, such as the U.S Postal Service and Police forces.

With its small dimension, thus allowing the scooter to pass through small aisles in the country. And to do the braking, the rider who rides it in standing position just needs to pull the handlebars a little downward to slow down the speed of the Autoped.

Schematics for the Autoped were patented and awarded to inventor Arthur Hugo Cecil Gibson in 1916, although it would seem that Joseph F. Merkel - creator of the Flying Merkel motorcycle - played a large hand in the Autoped’s completion. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KhQo1E)

With the development of this vehicle, and coupled with the transfer of ownership of the company which was previously owned by Arthur Gibson, and in 1918 the company was bought by the famous battery company, Eveready. Since then, the product changed its name to Eveready Autoped and also equipped with batteries and coil.

The Autoped with optional seat licensed and offered by the German industrial giant Krupp. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32JKdtq)

Finally, the use of the scooters expanded and in Europe, there's great acceptance and the Autoped was manufactured by the giant Krupp company in Germany under license from 1919 to 1922. The idea then grew and received significant international support when the German industrial giant Krupp licensed and offered an Autoped with optional seat.

1919 ABC Scootamota, a seated, single-cylinder, 123cc rear-wheel powered scooter with a top speed of 15mph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KhQo1E)

Other companies would enter the scooter industry following the Autoped, prominent among them ABC Motorcycles, a British motorcycling outfit that sponsored several moto films of the early 20th century some of which starred by an American famous actress at the time, named Shirley Kellogg. In 1919, the company developed the Scootamota, a seated, single-cylinder, 123 cc rear-wheel powered scooter with a top speed of 15 mph that was manufactured between 1919 and 1922. 

1919 ABC Scootamota, a seated, single-cylinder, 123cc rear-wheel powered scooter with a top speed of 15mph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NZUMVn)

The 1930s was seen an increase in the use of motorized scooters around military bases, airports, throughout urban areas, and even in many Hollywood film studios, and, in the 1940s, featured usage as a low-energy mode of transport during wartime fuel rationing.

The next scooter such as the Cushman Airborne Scooter then known becomes one of the Lambretta and Vespa scooter design references made by Corradino D'Ascanio for Innocenti SA and Piaggio & Co. S.p.A. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32JKdtq)

Thus it is no exaggeration if the Autoped is called the ancestor of all motorscooters with its DNA has proven in Italy (Vespa and Lambretta) scooter craze of the 60s and Honda's rise to become the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the 70s. To this day, there are more scooters than motorcycles sold globally.

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 | NEW ATLAS | UNAGI SCOOTERS | WIKIPEDIA]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.