CADILLAC

BONHAMS INVISIBLE RUNWAY – PART 1

~ CRANKHANDLEBLOG ~ Leave a comment

The last spectacle of the Parisian week starts with a little war… The day before the Bonhams auction in the Grand Palais the party already took off and since Mr. Brown ‘from London town’ and his wicked friends chose this auction over the RM one, I followed. However, before we arrived at the Grand Palais we ended up in a taxi war. Since the fake Uber taxis are not appreciated by the official ones, the official taxis parked their cars in the middle of the roads and left them there as a protest. Were we glad that we were fit enough to simply walk and not spend hours in a taxi!

The Grand Palais is incredible, just look at the view of the roof construction. I saw something even better then stars… Continue reading 

DSC01742

THE GREAT ARTCURIAL MOTORCARS AUCTION CINEMA

~ CRANKHANDLEBLOG ~ Leave a comment

We have all been waiting for the legendary sale of the Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti, or as my mom called it, that “little red car” of the auction. The Retro week was quite busy with three major auctions, but for sure Artcurial stole the show in a typically passionate French way. A large collection went under the hammer, and 80% sold for a total of €56 million, a European record, of which the 335 is claimed to be the world record for a motor car at auction. The 335 sold for €28 million, but with premium added, it actually yielded €32.1 million! A price unaffordable except for the few. Four automobiles were sold over a million, so enough ‘bargains’ still.

The big and black room downstairs was incredible and very very busy! The auctioneers knew how to fill the space with their voices/songs, and even if they made a mistake, I still like them. The 335 was one big spectacle. The lights were switched off and then… A movie started showing in full song the excitement of the 335. It took a while to… Continue reading

http://crankhandleblog.com

THE MOST FAMOUS INFAMOUS CARS – PART 4

~ CRANKHANDLEBLOG ~ Leave a comment

To end this series about the worst criminals in history, we take a look at one of the ‘best’. CHB loves the cars of maffioso’s, so we sorted out Al Capone for you.

AL CAPONE

The world’s most famous gangster seems to have been, for his part, a Cadillac enthusiast. The king of bootleggers is reported to have owned at least two fully armored Cadillacs.

Although Capone had amassed a certain amount of wealth during his reign as gang czar of Chicago, his personal net worth may have been exaggerated somewhat. The huge amounts of money made by “The Outfit” belonged and was spread amongst “The Outfit”. Capone’s share as CEO was a very sizeable one. Problem was that Capone spent… Continue reading

http://crankhandleblog.com

RABBI PIVERT AND THE GUM-POOL PARTY

~ CRANKHANDLEBLOG ~ Leave a comment

http://crankhandleblog.comMah Ha’Inyanim? Today we head back to the gangster-scene! This great Funès movie, titled Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob, is about Victor Pivert (like Woody the Woodpecker) who gets himself into some big trouble in the underworld… By the way Pivert a is great driver, safety at all times, as you can see… Continue reading

POTW – THE CHESHIRE CAT APPEARING ON A CADDY THIS TIME!

~ CRANKHANDLEBLOG ~ Leave a comment

http://crankhandleblog.comTo get back to the amazing Maharajas, here is a POTW with a kind of ‘Cheshire Cat’ (re Alice in Wonderland) sitting on a 1930 7-passenger V8 Cadillac hood. Wondering if this is the Caddy of The Queen of Hearts… ; ) If so then better run for yr life! Like me this Cheshire Cat is just a crazy madhatter! So a very suitable POTW that represents the CHB concept; cars, jokes and fun with a touch of seriousness. Let me surprise you next time, who knows what I have in store then, of course after you became famous in de the Dutch WW2 movie… Missed that one? Make sure to check it out NOW!

LE CORNIAUD GANGSTER – UN CAPOLAVORO FRANCESE!

~ CRANKHANDLEBLOG ~ Leave a comment

http://crankhandleblog.comAnd … ACTION! Let’s get into some French humor with the incredible Louis de Funès movies! I’ve been watching all those movies and the Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez series since I was very young and I continue to just love it! And another good thing about these movies is that they used great cars, as well as funny ones, on the set. Not to forget the ultimate French actors Louis de Funès and especially Bourvil, who plays truly convincing as a naïve Corniaud, which… Continue reading

THE SPORT OF SHIKAR, AT YOUR SERVICE YOUR HIGHNESS!

~ CRANKHANDLEBLOG ~ Leave a comment

http://crankhandleblog.comIf you heave read the previous ‘Maharaja’ articles, you may have noticed the term shikar several times. Before Independence in 1947, the Indian Royalty had an exclusive privilege for hunting, known as the sport of shikar. As a vegan quite sad to write about those shikar expeditions where many of those beautiful and now very rare (Bengal) tigers were killed. Anyhow, some very fine shikar vehicles were involved with this ‘sport’! It was a way of sharpening the senses, keeping the reflexes up to date and being active. The Maharajas needed to be prepared for war at all times… Continue reading

THE ART DECO LOVING DANDY MAHARAJA YESHWANTRAO HOLKAR II OF INDORE – PART 1

~ CRANKHANDLEBLOG ~ 1 Comment

http://crankhandleblog.comFirst some background! Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar III (1890-1978) ruled the Princely State of Indore (9,519 square miles with 19 gun salutes) from 1903 to 1926. He was already quite an unconventional Maharaja and one of the first in Central India who, around 1906, acquired an automobile! He always purchased (lots of) cars for a reason… for some kind of a utilitarian purpose. He was just more of a practical collector than a petrol head.

Now about that futuristic master dandy, which he really was… Continue reading