TODAY'S MOTO PHOTO - TYPE II 42WLA

HARLEY DAVIDSON "EVERDRY RAINSUIT"

This rainsuit sold at auction for $161.30 - It pretty much sold for around same amount as the original price of $16.95.  Not bad for an interesting hunk of Harley history.

1938 INDIAN

TODAY'S MOTO PHOTO - WWII BOPPIN' BOOT CAMP FUN

I was always told that boot camp was "much harder back in the day," but I never experienced anything close to these shenanigans when I went through.  Where did those instruments come from?  Cigarettes - REALLY???  Good on 'em...

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, South Carolina - 1940's:  Marine recruits sing and play instruments during boot camp.  Is it just me or are these Cats boppin'?

iPHONE 4 "DEATH GRIP"

Since the release of the new iPhone 4 last week, buyers have reported that the new Smartphone drops its signal if the bottom left corner of the device is covered by the palm of the user's hand - a situation that's common when the phone is wielded by left-handed folk.

As an iPhone owner, I wish they'd solve this and other reported issues soon so I can upgrade and relish the fun of a new toy.

An Apple spokesman said, "Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas."  

Here is Gizmodo's solution:

1953 CORVETTE

I was never a big fan of the newer Corvette's, but have been very fond of the very first model from 1953.  It's just a great looking vehicle all around.  On June 28, 1953, the first Corvette - a two-seater sports car - was assembled.  The first production one of its kind rolled off the assembly line on June 30, 1953.  Only 300 were made that year and was offered for a mere $3,498.00 (or $28,583.77 today).

WHO IS THIS LOVELY LOOKER?

Click on the photograph to find out

1950'S ENGINEER BOOTS

Brand: Unknown
Circa: 1950's
Color: Black
Size: "7 1/2 - 8"
Measurements:
Length: 10 5/8"
Sole: Leather with "US Army" Half Soles / B.F. Goodrich heels
Hardware: Nickel
Condition: Good used condition
Sold For: $303.00 / 17 Bids 
     Buying Power - 1955: Approx $37.00
Seller: dnd8871

Here's a nice pair of Vintage Engineer Boots.  The price is a bit steep for a pair of boots with nothing amazing about them.  In fact, the profile is very reminiscent of a current-day pair of Frye Engineer Boots (last picture).  I've run into plenty of pairs with US Army half soles.  Were these aftermarket surplus half soles period coblers used or were they factory furnished?   I'd be happy to take these home for about a bill and a half.

Frye Engineer Boots

LICENSED REPRODUCTION BROWN'S BEACH JACKET

Japan (surprise!) is now offering fully licensed Brown's Beach Jackets and vests.  Not a bad job - though not as good as the shawl collar jacket Freewheelers pushed out last year, in my opinion.  Pre-orders for the jackets and vests are $619 and $399, respectively.  One might want to get an original for this much scratch.

 

TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY!!

Olive is a regal, low-maintenance "baby" and Jillian has been recommending that I bring her to my office for quite some time now.  She could sit in my roomy office and not be bothered by my Marines.  It wasn't until Jillian reminded me about today's special event - National Take Your Dog To Work day - that I jumped at the opportunity. 

We hung out just for a little bit, but I think Olive really enjoyed her time with me...

ROAD RACERS

In the early '90's cable television came out with a series of B-rated, rebel-style films. One of them, and my favorite of the series was Road Racers, which starred David Arquette and Salma Hyek.  El Mariachi director, Robert Rodriguez, hit a home run with this film - in my eyes, at least.  Rockin' soundtrack, too.



Hazel Adkins "No More Hot Dogs" - background music during the roller rink scene

TODAY'S MOTO PHOTOS - WOMAN MARINES

Camp LeJeune, 1943 - Woman Marines learning how to disarm an opponent  as they practice the art of self defense.


Cherry Point, 1944

SANTA ROSA ENGINEER BOOTS

Brand: Santa Rosa
Circa: 1950's
Color: Black
Size: 8E
Measurements:
Length: 11 3/8"
Width: 4 1/8"
Sole: Leather
Hardware: Nickel
Condition: "Pre-owned Condition"
Sold For: $158.49 / 16 Bids
Seller: jidaporn

Here's another pair of vintage Engineer Boots from jidaporn who suspects that the patches on the vamp were added to cover slits that were cut in order to provide more room for the original owner's high instep.  Plausible yet truly odd.  At this price, I imagine a cobler could tone down on the slit repair and make these boots less of a visual felony.  The heel and toe caps would definitely have to come off, unless one intended to actually race with them.  Overall good price!

1950'S WOMAN'S INDIAN MOTORCYCLE SHIRT

TODAY'S MOTO PHOTO - JAYNE MANSFIELD

December 23, 1961 - A Marine Private First Class dances the twist Jayne Mansfield during a Christmas USO show in Canada.

"BLACK DENIM TROUSERS AND MOTORCYCLE BOOTS"

This song became a number six hit on the Billboard charts for The Cheers in 1955.  They also recorded song with different lyrics and title, "Chicken", about kids who play chicken in their cars - perhaps due to the popular film released the same year, Rebel Without a Cause.



Chicken


Veteran Big Band Leader, Vaughn Monroe, providing publicity shots for his version of the song

TIMES SQUARE, AUGUST 14, 1945

Edith Shain, the nurse famously photographed being kissed by an Sailor in New York’s Times Square in 1945, passed away at the age of 91.  Photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the epic moment in U.S. history and became an iconic image marking the end of World War II after being published in Life magazine.

TODAY'S MOTO PHOTO - BEER

25 July 1951 - Corporal William Goodman carries a full load of beer donated by the Marine Corps League for Marines in Korea.  There's nothing better than beer in a combat zone!!