UPDATE and let's go for when Portlanders needed umbrellas for Throwback Thursday

UPDATE:

My hair is loose, y'all. If I run my fingers through what's left after that short hair cut on July 21, I have hairs between my fingers. I don't feel them leaving my head, there's no tugging or pulling or pinching. It comes out while I'm sleeping, too. I'm OK with this because I know why it's happening. What if I didn't know the reason? I'd be panicking right and left. As it is, I'm centered by knowledge.

Yesterday, since I took a several-hour-nap, right after noon through 3:30 p.m., I was wide awake until 12:45 p.m. Then I managed to sleep until 7:15 a.m. although I woke up twice during the night. 

I've got to get this sleep thing worked out because two weeks from yesterday, I'll return to work part-time, August 26 through September 8, then have Chemo Round Three on September 9.

That's what I expect to happen, that's what I'm planning for. It all depends on what sort of whammy Chemo Round Two is on August 19.



Cars in the Park, June 18, 2011--theme of the day, Chevrolet. Folks came out to enjoy the vintage vehicles on display in the South Park Blocks in downtown Portland, umbrellas and other rain wear at the ready. We're in front of the Portland Art Museum--inside it there was an outta sight wonderful exhibit, The Allure of the Automobile. Every week throughout the summer, cars shows with a particular theme took place. A vintage vehicle lover's paradise, let me tell you.



Every which way, pedestrians with umbrellas. I remember when I moved here, the guys told me I'd want a raincoat with a hood so that rain wouldn't run down my neck at the collar, dripping there from a rain hat. They also said that umbrellas proved to be a pain. I took their advice and never looked back, until I realized that sometimes I'd be OK with my little travel umbrella given to me by British Airways on my last student/teacher/stray adult trip to Europe in 2001 when some of us got upgraded to Business Class--wow, that was superb! I love that little umbrella which easily slips into one of the water bottle pockets in my everyday purse. Very seldom do I have to use it because when rain is predicted, I wear my hooded raincoat. It's a back-up I'm blessed to have with me.



I like this one a whole lot. You can see the raindrops on the Chevy.



Nope, this car show's not going to the dogs even though this dog came prepared for the weather.



One more photo that gives you an idea of the rain.

A one-day, multi-photo, YouTube video, break from the Nature's Beauty series, brought on by a Facebook post from Grandma Retro

Hope you have as much fun with this post I have. Please stick around past the text, enjoy the YouTube video, and then the photos that I took. Thanks!

The minute I saw this vintage add on my Facebook wall, found and posted by my FB friend Grandma Retro, I immediately remembered having seen one of these unique little vehicles in person. Picking through my vintage vehicle memories, I headed for Flickr and my photos taken at Cars in the Park, July 23, 2011. That summer, just months after Mama had died in January, over a dozen Saturdays I thankfully engaged my mind with the glories afforded by vintage vehicles, hundreds of them. Yet, I saw only one Isetta 300, easily for me the most unique vehicle that I can remember from those special Saturdays. Here are photos I took from all around the butter-colored beauty. Yes, I believe it's beautiful. How about you? My biggest regret? I didn't try to find the owner and ask if I could get a photo with the door closed. Ah, the joys of hindsight.

However, we've all been given a great gift--a YouTube video called Isetta 300 Drive which is this actual Isetta 300--I know because the license plates match. I didn't find it until after I'd already blanked out the plates on the photos that showed it--that's why you see two versions of the first photo, I wanted you to be able to see the plate so you'd get to have the same grin that I had when this man walked around the car and showed the license plate ! I read Oregon and got all excited, headed right back over to Flickr and checked it out. Yea!

Here is some info specific to the BMW Isetta 300 that I found online: In production from 1956 to 1962, with 161,360 produced. The engine is a 298cc single-cylinder 4-stroke with 53 mph as the top speed. The transmission is a 4-speed manual with reverse.

In 1956, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany changed the regulations for motor vehicles. Class IV licences issued from that time onward could only be used to operate small motorcycles and could no longer be used to operate motor vehicles with a capacity of less than 250 cc. At the same time, the maximum capacity allowed for the Isetta's tax category was 300 cc. Class IV licences issued before the change in the regulations were grandfathered and allowed to be used as before.

This change in regulations encouraged BMW to revise their Isetta microcars. In October 1956, the Isetta Moto Coupe DeLuxe (sliding-window Isetta) was introduced. The bubble windows were replaced by longer, sliding side windows. The engineers had enlarged the single cylinder to a 72 mm (2.8 in) bore and 73 mm (2.9 in) stroke, which gave a displacement of exactly 298 cc; at the same time, they raised the compression ratio from 6.8 to 7.0:1. As a result, the engine power output rose to 10 kW (13 hp) at 5200 rpm, and the torque rose to 18.4 N·m (13.6 ft·lbf) at 4600 rpm. The maximum speed remained at 85 km/h (53 mph), yet there was a marked increase in flexibility, chiefly noticeable on gradients.
 



I started grinning the minute I laid eyes on the BMW Isetta 300.
 

Info I found on the Web: The Isetta is an Italian-designed microcar built under licence in a number of different countries, including Spain, Belgium, France, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Because of its egg shape and bubble-like windows, it became known as a bubble car, a name later given to other similar vehicles.
 

Info I found on the Web: The BMW Isetta was in 1955 the world's first mass-production 3-Litres/100 km car. It was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world, with 161,728 units sold.
 

Info I found on the Web: The Isetta caused a sensation when it was introduced to the motoring press in Turin in November 1953, it was unlike anything seen before.
 

Info I found on the Web: Small (only 2.29 m (7.5 ft) long by 1.37 m (4.5 ft) wide) and egg-shaped, with bubble-type windows, the entire front end of the car hinged outwards to allow entry. In the event of a crash, the driver and passenger were to exit through the canvas sunroof.
 

Info I found on the Web: The steering wheel and instrument panel swung out with the single door, as this made access to the single bench seat simpler. The seat provided reasonable comfort for two occupants, and perhaps a small child. Behind the seat was a large parcel shelf with a spare wheel located below. A heater was optional, and ventilation was provided by opening the fabric sunroof.
 

Info I found on the Web: The car originated with the Italian firm of Iso SpA. In the early 1950s the company was building refrigerators, motor scooters and small three-wheeled trucks. Iso's owner, Renzo Rivolta, decided he would like to build a small car for mass distribution.[9] By 1952 the engineers Ermenegildo Preti[10] and Pierluigi Raggi had designed a small car that used the motorcycle engine of the Iso Moto 200 and named it Isetta—an Italian diminutive meaning little ISO. BMW began talking with Rivolta in mid-1954 and bought not just a licence but the complete Isetta body tooling as well. Rivolta did not stop with licensing the Isetta to BMW. He negotiated similar deals with companies in France and Brazil. After constructing some 1,000 units, production of the Italian built cars ceased in 1955, although Iso continued to build the Isetta in Spain until 1958.

#4, Blastolene Brothers--wildness on wheels--at Cars in the Park, Portland Art Museum, September 3, 2011

A very big hot rod with a powerful engine. Very big.


A very big hot rod with a powerful engine. You can see how tall it is, in comparison to the nearby people.


This photo also gives you an idea just how tall this thing is!


And this one gives you an idea just how long this thing is, even with part of it not in the shot!


A close-up of the brakes on the very big hot rod with the powerful engine.


The view along the side of the very big hot rod with the powerful engine.


The front end of the very big hot rod with the powerful engine. To me, the wheels look like they belong on an 18-wheeler.


One more view of the very big hot rod with the powerful engine. It was something to see, let me tell you!


One more view of the back end of the very big hot rod with the powerful engine.

I really like the streamlined design of the very big hot rod with the powerful engine.

#3, Blastolene Brothers--wildness on wheels--at Cars in the Park, Portland Art Museum, September 3, 2011

I think this just might be the vehicle that I found on the Blastolene Brothers' Web site, listed as Michael's new 1942 Ranger v-12 airplane engine.


Needle nose, this photo ought to be in the dictionary by the definition of needle nose. And one has to wonder, just how long does it take to make some sort of adjustment to raise the chassis high enough for the vehicle to the correct clearance for travel on the streets? I am assuming that something like that has to happen before anyone ought to even start the engine.


A pair of bucket seats?


Looks to me like those buckets are in a wash tub.




I couldn't figure out why that blue cloth seems attached to the engine. And are those things with the yellow cables a distributors? Anyone? Anyone?


The brakes and the back tires. And what's that big silver shape to the left? For some reason I don't totally understand, I think it's the differential. Y'all who know, please tell me I'm right. Or tell me I'm wrong. Please and thank you.

#2, Blastolene Brothers--wildness on wheels--at Cars in the Park, Portland Art Museum, September 3, 2011

I found this on the Blastolene Brothers' Web site. I think it is about this vehicle: Rocket II by Michael Leeds. Debut at 2009 Grand National Roaster Show where it won best Engineered. Features blown Hemi, Stainless Kulgul independent Rear end.


Can you tell what this one is? I couldn't, at first, because there was just so much to notice.


I walked up to the front for a look from a different angle. It's a motorcycle!


The seat looks comfortable, but do you put your foot in those recesses that look sort of like ice cream scoops?


This is a hoot!


Wonder what that silver loop is? And the black cloth-covered box? Wonder if it's a parachute? You know, to help it slow down.


Wings on the motorcycle!


Does anyone know which engine this seems to be?

#1, Blastolene Brothers--wildness on wheels--at Cars in the Park, Portland Art Museum, September 3, 2011

I found this one online, identified as The Decoliner. Randy's Vision: Flash Gordon's Motorhome! This 26' polished aluminum beauty features a flying bridge, complete with driving station and room for 5 passengers on the roof.


Oh, how I wish I could have seen the Blast-o-liner on the move! Not that I'm not happy to have seen this and several other Blastolene Brothers outlandishly wonderful vehicles. I couldn't resist using the Picnik special effect HDR-ish.


Another view of the Blast-o-liner, as I took it, no special effects so that you can see how it really looked.


Stairway to heaven? Yes, it is. If you're someone consumed with the desire to drive a vehicle from on high.


These convex windows fit perfect/y, don't you think? The Picnik special effect here is Orton-ish.


Looks like it ought to have wings to me.


I'm not sure how these two mirrors help with a side view if you're driving from on top of the Blast-o-Liner. Maybe since you're so high up, you've got great sight lines for safe driving. Speaking of sight lines, that's me in the hat reflected in the top mirror!


I know from looking at their Web site and the Works in Progress photos that there was a steering wheel originally on the lower level, where steering wheels usually are located. You can see from this photo that it is not there now, though.


It's just too cute!