the friday time machine

Jesse Lopez' 1941 Ford Kustom. For more info, ask Kustomrama. Happy weekend.

the corbusier chop (part 3)

Welcome back at the Le Corbusier workshop. Some progress was made.

The c-pillar is starting to look like a c-pillar again.

Same for the passenger side.

Two freshly chopped Fords.

The stock rear window will return to its familiar place soon.

And the coupe looking like a coupe again.

>> Click here for part 4.

black bomber

In between all of that chopping, welding and grinding, let's have a rest and just stare at a great looking roadster. It's been in the works at Schaub Metalworks for a little cosmetic surgery – with amazing results. The heavily chopped windshield and the new 16 inch front wheels make it look like it just returned from the lakes. Nice work, dude.

the corbusier chop (part 2)

It's time for the first magic moment: lifting off the roof!

Cutting the pillars.

Another magic moment: putting the top back on.

The new roofline!

Kyle working his magic by determining the correct placement of the high point of the window... for a harmonious driving experience with man and machine as one.

The final roofline.

C-pillar under construction.

>> Click here for part 3.

the corbusier chop (part 1)

This is gonna be some serious scientifically accurate chopping work. But before that, there's some good down to earth cleaning to be done.


Welding the doors shut so the body won't warp.


After several days of figuring out the perfect roof height, the decision was made: four widths of period correct masking tape in the front. Five in the back.


A cut here. A cut there.


The grinder massacre.


One more cut.


A couple of window frames.


Still more cutting.


And finally the last cut for today. Watch this space for more cuts to come.

>> Click here for part 2.

coming next: the corbusier chop

This probably is a world premiere. The 1950 Ford shoebox you see above will be chopped along the lines of the Modulor, an anthropometric scale of proportions devised by the Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier (1887–1965). The system is based on human measurements, the double unit, the Fibonacci numbers, and the golden ratio. Le Corbusier described it as a "range of harmonious measurements to suit the human scale, universally applicable to architecture and to mechanical things." Rad, not? The work will be executed by Kyle Phillips from San Diego, assisted by Raphael Schaub from Lucerne. Stay tuned.

railroad crossing

Public transport is a pain. It keeps getting in your way.

the friday time machine

As seen on the HAMB.

the beauty of speed

We declare that the splendor of the world has been enriched by a new beauty: the beauty of speed. A racing automobile with its bonnet adorned with great tubes like serpents with explosive breath ... a roaring motor car which seems to run on machine-gun fire, is more beautiful than the Victory of Samothrace.

The Futurist Manifesto, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, 1909

back from the ashes

In only a couple of weeks, the "back from the ashes" fundraising project raised some serious funds. As we all know, the money is destined to help the Crazy Cruisers getting back on track after their club house had burnt down earlier this year. Last saturday was the ceremony of handing over the money and it was good to see them guys smiling again. Thanks to everyone who helped and/or is willing to help out in whatever way possible. And all the best to the Crazy Cruisers. (pics © Frederic Ortolani)

easter time, cruising time

Happy easter!

border patrol

Some more pics of Sandro's beautiful Impala cruising the austrian and swiss border. No illegal immigrants in sight nor girls to pick up so we headed back home. With the rumble of the 283 and the smooth shifting of the two-speed powerglide.

survivor sixty-four

Going artsy with a 1964 Impala. The car was sold new in Vienna, Austria and never restored. My buddy Sandro recently bought it as his daily driver. This car has soul. More pics coming soon.