CRANKHANDLEBLOG is a blog aimed at historic/classic cars. When I start telling about a Delahaye or Hispano-Suiza most people look at me wondering what on earth I’m talking about. With this blog I intend to change that because these special cars, generally known as classic cars, are fascinating in their appearance and the stories behind them are often at least as intriguing.

What are the stories behind well-known brands like Lamborghini or Mercedes-Benz, how did they start out? What did the car-world look like with so many unique cars and so much diversity in coachworks. The coachwork was mostly designed by a specialist coachbuilder on a chassis that was built by an automobile manufacturer. Because of the mass production these days, more cars look alike. And what has changed after the second world war that has separated prewar cars from postwar cars?

The name CRANKHANDLEBLOG is derived from the crankhandle which can be found on almost every prewar car, including the beloved Bugattis. Shown in the photograph is a Bugatti Type 35 or 37 with crankhandle. The crankhandle is used to start the engine manually. I thought it was a good name because it typifies what the blog is about and it is just a good distinctive name that attracts people’s attention.

I started this blog because I want to improve my knowledge about, inter alia, mechanical aspects and especially to indulge in many interesting historical stories. And of course to share all this such that I can make more people excited about these lovely cars!

I grew up with classic cars, something I am extremely grateful for to my dad. The best memories I have gained are those of chasing classic cars that I made with him, and hope to continue to make! Bizarre adventures and of course very special cars, which is something that certainly will be discussed in this blog. Furthermore I have the luck that I am named after the magnificent Bugatti Type 57 Atalante, because Atalante is my second name. The pictures above and below show the beautiful sleek Bugatti 57S Atalante.

In addition, this blog is a good way to give my life a positive impulse, by being involved in something that gives me a tremendously good feeling! And to create something I can be proud of.

In a nutshell, this is a blog with many stories about the history of classic cars and reports from, inter alia, events and rallies.