Steve McQueen was the embodiment of rugged sexiness. The fact that he was as masculine offstage as on, makes his appeal timeless. So it's no wonder that clothing company Barbour has introduced a Steve McQueen Collection consisting of good-looking outerwear, rough-hewn workshirts, knits and tees. Created to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the International Motorcycle jacket, the iconic British Brand designed this limited edition capsule collection featuring the King of Cool.
Items in the new collection are worth a gander and are playfully named after his movies or interests. Sweaters, outerwear, buttoned work shirts and t-shirts make up the small line. Although the t-shirts are nothing to write home about (colored tees with images of McQueen and Barbour International printed upon them), the jackets even have inner linings which feature black and white images of the handsome legend.
Below is a reprinted interview with Chad McQueen, the son of the film star, motorcycle racer, stuntman and style icon.
Your father is often described as the 'King of Cool'. How would you describe his dress style? Classic, elegant, cool and timeless.
Why do you think your father's dress style is still relevant today? Cool doesn’t go out of style.
Knowing the heritage of the brand and the fact that your father is one of its most famous wearers, what does Barbour mean to you? Is it a brand you feel particularly aligned with? Do you wear Barbour yourself? I have some great memories with the Barbour jackets. They were always around and I remember the way they smelled, the way they felt, and the weight of them. I do wear Barbour and of course it’s because of the images of my dad on the Triumph. It’s such a cool image that it’s burned in to my mind forever.
Back in the 60s when your father competed in the ISDT, he wore Barbour. You are also well known for racing 2 and 4 wheels. How did you and your father choose the clothes that you wore to race cars/bikes? Sponsorships started coming in to play in the 70s so that really dictated what I wore while I raced, but I’m sure that Bud’s influence was a big part of my dad’s decision to wear Barbour.
What do you like best about the collaboration with Barbour? I am happy to be part of the 75th anniversary of the motorcycle jacket with this exciting collaboration. All of the designs capture my dad’s sense of style and the timing is perfect - Chad McQueen for Barbour
I wrote a long and informative post about the raw and rugged luxury motorcycles by Confederate last October.
Since then they've improved their B120 Wraith and introduced the radical looking, part steampunk, part Terminator P120 Fighter Combat just this past month at the Quail Motorsports Gathering in Carmel during the world-renowned Pebble Beach car week.
Images below are from the unveiling of both the 2010 B120 Wraith and the 2010 P120 Fighter Combat at the Pebble Beach Concours D'elegance courtesy of Autoblog (who, in their gallery, mistakenly titled the images of the Wraith as the P120 Fighter and did not distinguish between the two bikes):
The 2010 P120 Fighter:
The 2010 B120 Wraith: Concours D'elegance photos by Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.
THE FIGHTER
As with previous Confederate models, the new Fighter is big on power and aesthetics. Incorporating a massive 120cu motor (1966cc) into a lightweight aluminum frame, producing claimed 145 pounds-feet of torque and 160 rear wheel horsepower, the agile and powerful machine is said to take Confederate’s hallmark design to new heights.
Made primarily from aircraft-grade aluminum, the exposed inner workings of this bike make it look like a terminator itself. The radial-twin engine puts out 160 horsepower and the P120 is equipped with 4-piston Brembo brakes to handle the power. On their site, they claim that 120 of these bikes will be produced, carrying an 'introductory' price of $72,000. However, conflicting reports from The Concours D'elegance say that only 25 will be produced, two a month.
CAD renderings of the P120 Fighter Combat:
Described by Confederate Motorcycles: The Fighter clarifies opaqueness and nullifies hype with straight-forward true to concept certitude. At the source is a classic right triangle. Proportion is classically derived. Scale is middle way. Bearing exudes structural permanence. Human integration deploys yang energy, vitality, and power in the most simple, pure and direct form. Geometry is optimized for the medium and/or long disciplined journey of sensory heightened motion.
Torque to weight is maximized. Engine, suspension and ergonomic luxury and ease of use is optimized. Materials utilization is the finest. Individual piece and component specification is highest and best.Craft preparation and specification is uncompromised. The aesthetic is fresh, industrial, sculptural, holistic and honest. The saddle of the Fighter is your place for those outings which require extended time, geography, meditation and distance.
Here's a video of the first build of the bike:
P120 Fighter Combat Specs: ENGINE: Radial twin / 120 cubic inches POWER: Rear wheel torque - 135 ft lbs | Rear wheel horse power - 160 DIMENSIONS: Wheel Base: 64 inches; Seat Height: 27 inches; Rake: 30 degrees; Trail: 4 inche; Weight: 460 lbs; Fuel: 4 gallons; Oil: 4.5 quarts CHASSIS: CM design triple load path 6061 aircraft grade aluminum monocoque backbone, bulkhead, fuselage side plate construction; oil/fuel in frame SWINGARM: CM design 6061 aircraft grade aluminum FRONT END: CM design double wishbone machined from 6061 aircraft grade aluminum linked to aerodynamic dual lightweight tubular wing blades PRIMARY: CM design; machined from 6061 aircraft grade aluminum; belt drive TRANSMISSION: CM design vertical close ratio 5 speed SUSPENSION: Race tech; low/high speed compression and rebound adjustable BRAKES: Brembo high output race derived 4 piston technology; radial pumps; carbon, ceramic, aluminum matrix lightweight discs WHEELS: CM design carbon fiber; Front: 19” x 3” Rear: 18” x 8” GAUGES: Precision integrated analogue meter; warning, speed, RPM IDENTIFICATION: Limited edition; each example is one of 120; fuselage, bulkhead, engine VIN
The B120 Wraith: Please click to enlarge the image below to see the tech specs of the Wraith:
About Confederate Motors
Founded in 1991 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by Matt Chambers, Confederate Motors designs and handcrafts limited edition motorcycles for the serious motoring aficionado. The Company set out to create machines utilizing a holistic, avant-garde process to embody their philosophy.
The antithesis of mass production, their bespoke creations embody the credo "Art of Rebellion", where preconceptions are purposefully rejected and innovation embraced. In our uncompromising approach to excellence, Confederate has adopted a distinctive, minimalist work model with the goal to be on the cutting-edge of performance and world design.
As the winner of numerous international awards and holder of an AMA world speed record, Confederate Motors is proud to be at the forefront of the American motorcycle industry, with offices located in Birmingham, Alabama.
For additional information on Confederate Motors and our F131 Hellcat, B120 Wraith or P120 Fighter motorcycles, visit http://www.Confederate.com
all CAD renderings, video, Wraith photos, bike specs and company info courtesy of Confederate.
