It wasn't the mythical box, just the 1950s Japs scarce scooter

The presence of many new scooter models today does not necessarily make classic scooters lose their prestige. Likewise, the classic scooters presented by the Japanese brands from around the 1950s may still be few who know of its existence. As has been known and been presented in previous articles about the existence of several early scooters made by Japanese companies from the era of the 1950s.

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XT3ZlL)

Now on this occasion, we still discussed one of the unfamiliar Japanese-made scooters of the 1950s. Maybe some of you are not familiar with the Tosho brand that we will discuss in this article. The Japanese manufacturer with the formal name 'Tosho Auto Industry Co., Ltd.' is known for its two-wheeled vehicle products only for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) in a relatively short period of times, namely 1958 and 1963. So this is probably why the company's products are only known in Japan.

1958 Tosho Echo 50 cc moped. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37CkzKM)

From a source we found in cyberspace which later quoted by us, namely www.oldjapanesebikes.com, this company is a joint venture company between a Japanese pioneers Tohatsu and Changwon so that's known as Tochang (while other sources mention that the company collaborated with Showa).

The company has a base in Chiyoda, Tokyo. And during its time in the world of the two-wheeled vehicle industry, the company was recorded to have ever produced a moped in 1958 named Tosho Echo, which uses an engine of its own-made with the capacity of 50 cc.

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37CkzKM)

Then in 1959, the manufacturer was later launching a prototype scooter that was named Tosho Pandora or Pandra, in contrast to a moped powered by a machine with a displacement of 50 cc, then this Pandora scooter used a 125 cc engine displacement. Interestingly, both of them turned out to apply the pull-starter system to start their engine, instead of the kick-starter like most motorbikes at the time.

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OKneK5)

Then no less unique, the Tosho Pandora scooter was looked pretty cool with a tailfin shape that at a glance similar to one that pinned on the American car-made at the time such as the Chevrolet Bel Air and others. At that time, the existence of the tailfin was believed to be a 'stabilizer' to place the 'pressure center' as far as possible behind the vehicle (if it's applied to cars). But if it is applied to a scooter, what should the function of it? What do you think?

Finally, in 1963, the company was taken over by Yamaha Motor Company, one of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers after being unable to survive the harsh business competition in the two-wheeled vehicle industry and since then this brand was disappeared.😢

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XGJ2KD)

Hence, the existence of the Tosho Pandora scooter today is very rare, even in Japan too. This is indicated by the rarity of pictures from this scooter in cyberspace and even some of the images that were later displayed in this article were also coming from those few sources.

Due to its rarity, it made seem like a mysterious figure like the mythical box Pandora's box. If you have additional information regarding this unique Japanese scooter. Don't hesitate to comment in Our comments column below. We really appreciate all the information you submit.

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 | PICUKI | OLDJAPANESEBIKES]
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Paul Vallée scarce scooter

Whether we realize it or not, in reality, that the presence of the scooter that begun in the early 20th century has given its own color and style to the automotive world. How not, a type of vehicle that initially only has a very simple construction, which is a board, two wheels, and a handlebar in such a way then can develop into a vehicle with various shapes (while maintaining its basic characteristics) and made by many manufacturers around the world. For example, look at how's unique the scooter below...

1954 Paul Vallée's SICRAF BO 54 175 cc 'Grand Luxe' scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2D7nehF )

This unique scooter was made by a French company named SICRAF in 1954. The company founded by a Frenchmen named Paul Vallée in 1949. Paul Vallée was a wealthy industrialist with a complex and interesting personality. He could anticipate novel ideas before others, yet sometimes he did not carry them through in practical ways. Known, he ran a successful transport business, married into wealth, and opened a mechanical shop called SICRAF (Société Industrielle de Constructions et de Réparation des Automobiles Francaises). 

1949 Paul Vallée's SICRAF S 149 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34jGJ2I)

Besides that, he founded and ran a successful Grand Prix team named the Écurie France, which fielded the magnificent Talbot-Lago T26 racing cars driven by legendary drivers like Louis Chiron. However, he regarded the Grand Prix team not as an end in itself, but as a way of promoting his other businesses, scooters included. That's proved shortly then he's left and abandoned his racing team and gets more seriously involved in his business.

1954 Paul Vallée's SICRAF BO 54 125 cc 'Grand Tourisme' scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OFtjYd)

The company produced commercial three-wheeled vehicles, light motorcycles, microcars, and two-stroke-engined scooters by using 125cc and 175cc engines from Aubier-Dunne and Ydral. And the company's early scooters have similarity styled with the early Lambretta, but there was apparently no contract related to the Italian company.

1954 Paul Vallée's SICRAF BO 54 125 cc 'Grand Tourisme' scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OFtjYd)

Sales brochure of Paul Vallée Triporteur.  
(Picture from:  http://bit.ly/2Dl47Rz)

The company's first scooter was the P.Vallée S 149 appeared at the 1949 Paris Salon de l'Auto fitted with a 125cc Aubier-Dunne 3-speed engine and bore a resemblance to the first Lambretta 124M (A) scooter.

While the next version presented at the 1952 Salon de l'Auto had a 4-speed Ydral 125, and the following year the P.Vallée BO 54 model appeared in the 'Grand Tourisme' and 'Grand Luxe' versions with 125 or 175cc engines. Later the scooters were made in a different style with two-tone paint.

The company-made S 149 scooter then evolved into a three-wheeled utility vehicle and about 5,000 examples ever made at the time. At the 1952 Salon de l'Auto, besides shows off the S 149 scooter,  the company also showed off the Chantecler, a very cute microcar. Unfortunately, it did not enter production lines until 1956, and only around 200 units were produced ever.

1956 Paul Vallée Chantecler microcar. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XIXPEG)

But his business journey did not go smoothly. The scooter's relative failure in the market was far from devastating loss to Monseigneur Vallée. He simply shrugged and moved on, buying into ownership of a large Rolls-Royce and Ferrari dealership. But who can avoid death? On April 3, 1957, Paul Vallée unexpectedly died. Left everything behind and once again sad-ending happened.😢

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 | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | GRAMHO | RM SOTHEBYS | GOOGLE SEARCH]

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Look how's unique these Schweppe Pirol scooters

It is undeniable if the scooter has become one of the very popular vehicles. And it is no exaggeration if there are those who argue that a scooter is a type of vehicle with the most usage population and is unmatched by other man-made contemporary vehicles.

Well, on this occasion, once again we want to give You an example of how diverse the scooters shaped has ever been made back in the 1950s. After in a number of previous articles, we have discussed the mysterious/uniquely shaped scooter like the Lutz rounded design scooter, the several French-made scooters: the Baudier Super B58, the Gloobyscoot, and Proto Delaplace.

1950 Schweppe Pirol 145. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rk31Cv)

Now let's take a look at Germany, in the country was known as the birthplace of pioneering (all of the kinds) motorized vehicles which are also home of many the world's leading automotive manufacturers.

Especially in the world of scooters, so many brands have been born and died here, starting from the pioneering era until today. The numbers are innumerable. One of them was Schweppe also known as the Pirol scooter.

1950 Schweppe Pirol 145. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rk31Cv)

This Dillenburg-based company formally named 'Schweppe-Mechanik' Fahrzeugfabrik, founded in 1949 has been known for some of its scooters, albeit for a short time (1949-1954). The company's first scooter made in 1949 called Schweppe Pirol 145. The scooter's unique appearance can be seen at the front, where it has an unusual inverted-open front structure with the headlight sitting on the frame.

Sales brochure of 1950 Schweppe Pirol 145. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qrd3C4)

This scooter used a 2-stroke 143 cc single-cylinder JLO engine able to spew 4.5 horsepower which combined with the 3-speeds manual transmission system. Then the 90 kg weighted scooter is claimed to be able to drive up to the top speed of 80 kph. Even, in one of its sales brochures, it is said the scooter managed to win a gold medal at the ADAC-Zuverlässigkeit (a vehicle endurance race in Germany) in the 200 cc class (45 Std.-D.) after circled the circuit as far as 1,800 km. 

Sales brochure of 1950 Schweppe Pirol 145. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33blG0J)

Because this was a small company that wracked with severe financial problems, making it unable to compete in the scooter market with other companies such as the Italian scooter giants, Piaggio and Innocenti. Eventually, the company's Dillenburg plant ceased producing in 1951. In the same year, the company's name changed to 'Pirol Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH.' and moved all of its operational activities from Dillenburg to Dortmund.

1951 Pirol 200 (Miranda) Roller. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rhMsHm)

Under the new Dortmund-based company, the Pirol brand had launched a scooter with a form that was no less unique and was named Pirol 200 in 1951 and a year later relaunched the scooter with a sidecar in 2 choices namely Baby-Beiwagen and Transport-Leichtrollerbeiwagen.

Sales brochure of 1952 Pirol 200 Roller with sidecar. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Odhiu5)

While the engine is still using a 2-stroke 198 cc JLO engine able to spew 4.5 horsepower which combined with the 3-speeds manual transmission system. In addition, the Patrol 200 scooter has a distinctive rounded shape from front to back. The most striking' rounded shape was under the seat, front shield, and big-bulge headlight.

Sales brochure of 1952 Pirol 200 Roller with sidecar. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Odhiu5)

At first glance, the shape of the Pirol 200 scooter looks similar to Bernardet, a French-made scooter. This can be seen in the shape of the headlights that sit on the front fenders. It is not known whether there is a connection between these two brands. Is this German brand just inspired by the French scooter or vice versa? 

1951 Pirol 200 (Miranda) Roller. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34h3K6o)

In the end, this company apparently was not able to survive anymore. In 1954, the company stopped all productions and since then its brand disappeared from the world's scooter market.😢 If you have additional information about the Pirol scooter brand, don't hesitate to submit it to the comments box below. We really appreciate your help.

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 | PICUKI | ROLLERWELT | SCOOTERLAB | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | HIVERMINER] | WIKIPEDIA | OTTW | MOTOR-LIT-BERLIN]

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McLaren released its newest roadster

Recently, McLaren introduced a new variant of the Ultimate series named the McLaren Elva. The car's name and design were inspired by Mclaren-Elva M1A of the 1960s. Unique is the right word to describe Elva. It is not only without a roof, but also windows, including the windshield.

McLaren Elva, the newest McLaren roadster with no windshield, roof, or windows. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/35fKZjw)

Even so, passengers and drivers remain protected from wind exposure, thanks to a design that carries the Active Air Management System feature. This feature is able to collect high-pressure air in front of the car, then drain it back past the top of the cabin. The airflow is also regulated as speed increases, by using a deflector at the back which can rise as high as 5.9 inches.

McLaren Elva uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that able to reach 100 kph under three seconds and claimed faster than the track-focused Senna. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2QulQO4)

If it isn't needed, the device is kept neat and level with the hood. The system works automatically, but the driver can turn it off to feel the wind when driving 321 kph. Other sophisticated devices are also embedded, such as large spoilers that can be adjusted height and angle, in order to optimize the aerodynamic balance. As well as being an additional feature to heave the pace at high speeds.

McLaren Elva's dashboard has been designed for a clean ‘pebble-like’ feel, with the only instrument cluster moving with the steering wheel to ensure optimum visibility. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2QulQO4)

Its engine was the latest version of the Mclaren twin-turbo V8 4.0 liter. The configuration can produce peak power up to 815 PS and the highest torque moment of 800 Nm. All thrust is channeled to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gear shifting system.

McLaren Elva's Active Air Management System (AAMS) works as a windshield, forcing oncoming air when the car is going above about 25mph to create a 'bubble of calm' around the driver and passenger. (Picture from: https://dailym.ai/2XpLt3S)

Not yet known what the power-to-weight ratio of this car, but certainly Elva has a lighter weight than the Senna. It even became the lightest Mclaren' street-legal model.

Elva may look like a car that is more concerned with performance than functionality. However, in fact not so. Inside the cabin, there is an infotainment system in the form of an 8-inch touch screen. In addition, there is a compartment room in the back that can be used to store two helmets.

Mclaren's plan is to produce Elva in limited numbers, only 399 units. Prices offered start at $1.69 million or Rp.23,812 billion. The value can increase if consumers want to customize, such as adding a windshield. The McLaren Elva roadster will begin shipping to consumers by the end of 2020. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MCLAREN | DAILYMAIL | AUTOCAR | THE ECONOMIC TIMES]

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Suzuki's weird retro-classic motorcycle of the 1990s

When you first seeing this two-wheeled vehicle figure, what's comes to your mind? You might see it as a unique-shaped two-wheeled vehicle that tends to be weird. Yes, it looks like a some-kind-of-motorcycle as the result of cross-breeding between a classic Italian scooter and a Japanese typical moped.

This unique motorcycle made by one of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Suzuki and launched in 1992 later known as the Suzuki SW-1. Indeed, the physical appearance of this motorcycle looks very strange for us, the people who live in modern times.

1992 Suzuki SW-1, one of the scarce and outlandish Japanese motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Qz6qbr)

Due to most of the two-wheeled vehicles like these usually were produced by the European or American motorcycle manufacturers back in the 1950s. But, this motorcycle was made in the 1990s, that's weird, isn't it? Let's take a look at the motorcycle. If you look at the rear section, it's like an Italian antique scooter, but on the front like a motorcycle in general.

This outlandish motorcycle concept design was done by Naoki Sakai and uniquely, the retro-futuristic themed motorcycle was awarded the 1992 Good Design Award. We wonder, so what's actually thought by this Japanese manufacturer while making this motorcycle.

1992 Suzuki SW-1 was the combined design result of the Italian scooter with the Japanese moped. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/336PvQ2)

Even more strange, if you know that the part shaped like the fuel tank in the front actually is a toolbox or luggage, instead the real fuel tank is under the seat such the one in a typical Japanese moped. And even more astonishing was the engine. It turns out that this unique-shaped motorcycle uses the GN-250 purely sport engine with a displacement of 250 cc and equipped with the SOHC system. Noted, the same engine was applied to the other 250 cc Suzuki-made motorcycles such as Suzuki GZ250, Suzuki TU250, Suzuki Thunder 250, etc.

1992 Suzuki SW-1 has a unique toolbox or luggage resembled a fuel tank and two on both sides. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/336PvQ2)

The engine is capable of spraying power up to 20 horsepower and 21 Nm of torque. But don't be wrong, just because you saw there are two exhausts sticking out on its left and right sides and then You think that the motorcycle's engine has two cylinders. That's because the motorcycle is adopted the Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber (TSCC) technology so that's why it has two exhaust outlets. Even, the motorcycle's final drive system also doesn't use the chains, but the belts which mated with the 5-speeds manual transmission system.

1992 Suzuki SW-1 used the GN-250 purely sport engine with a displacement of 250 cc. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rZEbbr)

The engine is mounted upright plus using an oil cooler, then the round-retro designed headlight, equipped with telescopic shock absorbers, then there's a trunk shaped like a fuel tank to the handlebar area and the instrument panel similar the one in the sport motorcycle. The funny thing is, this bike uses wings on either side of it as a moped.

This motorcycle also has unusual wheels size, for the front uses 16-inch rims, while the rear 15 inches. With a dry weight of up to 183 kg, so the Suzuki SW-1 is included in a big motorcycle. Hence, even though it is equipped with a derivative of a sports motorcycle engine that has a decent performance, but its top speed stuck at the numbers of 115 kph.

1992 Suzuki SW-1, a retro-designed motorcycle may only be one in Indonesia. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KDXYE4)

And don't ever think it's as a creative or crazy modified result motorbike, but it has actually been this way since it left the factory in 1992. Then, if you wanna ask whether these motorcycles are produced in a limited way? The answer could be 'Yes' and be 'No'. Due to actually, the motorcycle is produced only for the Japanese domestic market or commonly known as the Japan Domestic Model (JDM). So no wonder if these motorcycles were many seen in the Japan streets only.

When its launch in 1992, the company set at a fairly expensive price of 600 thousand Yen or equivalent to Rp.57 million for the motorcycle. By the combination of anti-mainstream designs, and high selling prices, that's natural if the motorcycle becomes a failed product because not many consumers buy it. Hence, the population was quite rarely and so made it as one of the targets of the retro vintage-themed motorcycle collectors.

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 | MOTORCYCLESPECS]

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