Phlog

Sooner than expected
the Christmas Concert
by Wibi Soerjadi!

In mijn Franse lijfblad 'La Vie de l'Auto' van deze week trof ik deze schitterende foto aan van de equipe Tillieux die met een Sunbeam racer uit 1912 deelnam aan de 32ste randonnée du Hain in België. Ja, België! De chauffeur en zijn bijrijder (riding mechanic zoals die vroeger heette) zijn helemaal in stijl gekleed en dragen grote stofbrillen en lederen renkapjes. Dus niet van die vreselijke baseball petjes die je tegenwoordig zelfs bij rallyes met antieke auto's maar al te vaak ziet. Wat moet het een feest zijn om met zo'n auto te mogen rijden. Ik zou er wel eens mee door de PC Hooftstraat in Amsterdam willen tuffen, of hem in de Brusselse Avenue Louise parkeren. Met uiteraard twee Mechelse herders aan boord om het juweel te bewaken. Helaas, het blijft bij dromen!
(Gijs Berk)

From Xmas tree to Xmas tree
in the new Jaguar XF.

It's the most eagerly anticipated car of the year - and we're first behind the wheel. We give our verdict on the Jaguar XF. You've seen the spy shots, read the news stories and now the year's most awaited car has finally come into our hands and hit the road. We went to Phoenix in Arizona to drive it and deliver the most eagerly anticipated verdict of the year.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/213933/jaguar_xf.html

Xmas shopping.
(Guy)

Xmas shopping.
(Guy)

"Too cold outside."
(Guy)

:Got it from Santa Claus yes."
(Guy)

Cold in Amsterdam.
(Guy)

Cold in Toronto.
DDOI.

From the new library.
(Guy)

"Follow me, I'm on my way to the bank."
(Guy)

A certain air.
(Guy)

Land Rovers more popular than ever.
Land Rover sales break through
the 200,000 barrier for first time ever.

Despite Land Rover's troubles of late the car maker has just announced record sales. The firm announced today that it broken through the 200,000 sales barrier for the first time in its 59 year history. Global sales of Land Rovers reached 205,717 in November, 27 per cent ahead of the same month last year. This puts the company on course for its third successive record sales year. The fact that Land Rover, along with Jaguar, is in the process of being sold by Ford doesn't appear to be putting off buyers. An announcement is expected very soon about the sale following final bids from India's Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and private equity firm One Equity Partners. Land Rover's managing director, Phil Popham, said of the latest sales figures: 'This is a significant milestone in Land Rover's history and puts us on a firm footing as we approach our 60th anniversary. 'Confidence is high - we're firmly in the black with innovative new products that will continue Land Rover's sustainable development.'

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=17312

Aston Martin

Fastest accelerating Aston ever
With a 600bhp V12, this amazing new Aston Martin Vantage is
the fastest accelerating road car the firm has ever made!

By Chris Thorp

Aston Martin is ready to take the supercar market by storm with this sensational new super-Vantage - its fastest accelerating road car ever.
Just revealed, the stunning new model is called the V12 Vantage RS. Based on the standard V8 Vantage Coupe, the thriller has a specially developed chassis and Aston's flagship V12 powerplant.
The two-seater sprints from 0-62mph in an incredible 4.0 seconds and from 0-100mph in an even more impressive 8.5 seconds.
To set the RS apart from the standard model, the supercar gets dramatic bonnet vents together with a carbon fibre splitter to increase downforce. At the rear a spoiler rises at high speeds for extra stability.
As if the blistering 600bhp powerplant wasn't enough, engineers have also gone to work on the Aston's weight. The RS weighs less than 1,600kg, which is over 30kg lighter than the standard V8 model. Just like the DBS, the kilograms have been saved by a carbon fibre bonnet and bootlid, while carbon ceramic brake discs are also fitted.
With much of its development carried out on the racetrack, the 600bhp engine has a dry sump, tuned exhaust system and heavily modified mechanicals. Peak power arrives at 6,250rpm and maximum torque of 690Nm is available at a heady 5,000rpm.
While it's officially described as a "production feasible concept car", the RS is almost certain to be available to a select group of dedicated supercar buyers.
Aston Martin boss Dr Ulrich Bez explained: "We will listen with interest to feedback on this concept and, as ever, if there is sufficient demand then we will seriously consider a low volume production run in the near future with a price that will reflect the exclusivity of the car."
"With our dedicated production facilities, our own engine plant, our own unique vehicle architecture and now a dedicated design studio, we have the ideal framework to bring new models such as this to market and to further establish Aston Martin as the ultimate independent luxury sports car company," he added.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/213918/aston_martin.html

What's he running from into the Piet Hein-tunnel?
We'll have to wait for an answer in the news.
(Bart van Dijk)

Not more than ten minutes.
(Guy)

"Yes dear, ten minutes, at the most."
(Guy)

"Ik ben er met tien minuten oma!"
(Guy)

"I always say shopping is cheaper than a shrink."
(Tammy Faye Bakker)

"It's faster I think, but not cheaper I guess."

Yes, the tide is out, revealing a cautionary tale for us all.
It is clear that the bike rider ignored the sign
and dropped anchor here, and the graphitologist's sketch
says it all: ahchor here and you are toast.
(Lewis)

"In case arms are too short
we'd recommend to adjust
the height of the saddle."
(Guy)

The Elder Statesman
(Guy)

T. S. Eliot once quipped:
"A play should give you something to think about.
When I see a play and understand it the first time,
then I know it can't be much good."

The other brand.
(Guy)

"Good heavens!"
(Guy)

Gold at the end of the Prinsengracht.
(Guy)

Can't find it, I must say it's a bit fishy.
(Guy)

Yet another Fietsfabriek.
(Guy)

Tuesday.
A song from the musical.
(Guy)

I went to Cambridge the other day, to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and I went over to see what Frank Gehry had come up with... and to see why MIT is suing him. Apparently the roofs and windows and joints of this huge complex are all leaking mightily and MIT is unhappy. The builders say that they told Gehry over and over that it "wouldn't work," but he said build it.

Even on a gloomy, snowy day it was a pretty lively piece of architecture. Looks vaguely medieval with all its angled towers and cockeyed windows. (Lewis)

Fine weather most of the time.
(Guy)

Monday.
Backlight.
(Guy)