A PHOTO STORY BY NICKI TWANG/  TEXT BY CHRISTER LUNDEM

We always had a soft spot for Scooters and cafe racers. It all started in the 60s. The Rockers saw themselves as working class heroes and fans of rock n´roll. They liked to keep away from society and had their own rules and rituals. Their idol was the typical Marlon Brando type, as seen in the movie “Wild Ones” - a macho fantasy of freedom and recklessness. Mods on the other hand were fashion-conscious and by rockers looked as less masculine. Dressing sharp was considered “suspect”. The mods where ambitious, aspirant working class kids that liked to take drugs. Preferred transport was Vespa’s and Lambrettas.  The cocktail for a conflict was served cold.

Back in 1964 gangs of Mods and Rockers fought battles on the British beaches in the holiday town of Clacton-on-Sea, South-East England famed for its eleven hundred foot pier and golden sand. This was the first major battle between twenty-something Rockers and their teenage rivals the Mods. 97 people where arrested, and Clacton was reportedly beat-up by scooter gangs. But it was only the start of trouble between the two rivals. Over the May and August bank holidays over thousands of rockers and mods collided in what must have appeared as war like scenes at the seaside resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Brighton.
 
Today it is all-together a much friendlier mood between the rivals. The conflict is more of a friendly bullying than real fights. Flat Out Oslo and Restless SC Oslo organizes for 4th time Rockers versus Mods in Oslo. Mods and Rockers meet at their respective venues. Isabella Alexander Kielland plass for Mods and Ryes on Olaf Ryes plass for Rockers. Mods on the west side of the Eventyrbrua Bridge, Rockers on the eastern side of the bridge.
 
The dresscode is strict and required. For Mods : Italian suit or Fred Perry shirt, pointy shoes, parkas and thin leather gloves. Sunglasses must have real glass and be expensive. Style is everything. Dress Code for Rockers: Cafe racers of all motorcycle brands are welcome. Choppers are of course unwelcome. Clothing:  Leather, jeans and open-faced helmets. No Gore-Tex, reflective vest, full helmet or any camouflage. 
 
Rockers versus Mods in Oslo will be held in Oslo in May. Follow Flat Out Oslo on Facebook and join, if you think you can handle it. Benzina is attending, well if we get that Guzzi café racer that is.

We love this video enjoy:

The art calendar 2016 from Benzina and Presserommet. A little Christmas joy for petrolheads!  It is not easy to be pushed around the mall, hating shopping and feeling left out: Nothing to buy for Christmas for those who love classic cars. Therefore, Benzina and Presserommet have taken action and created something unique just for you. This is a calendar with cars that matters both in history and for those who simply are enthusiasts. The calendar is made ​​with love by hand on an old classic Heidelberg press. It is limited to 120 copies hand numbered by yours truly. It is delivered in a beautiful handmade box.  The perfect gift for those who want to enjoy the holidays the car way. For only 450 NKR you get pure art and an awsome gift. Order now while copies exist!

ORDER HERE!

PHOTOS/ VIDEO: FREDRIK LØVGREN BRYN / FREDRIK TEMTE / CHRISTER LUNDEM

The classic Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAM is one of Alfas most iconic race cars. Seeing on in the flesh is a great experience. Seven years ago we did just that and some more. It was supposed to be only a small pilot to open doors for other projects. It ended up with a DVD called “Nurburgring Legends”. As nobody buys DVD´s anymore we decided to release some of the movie clips on VIMEO. So join us for a lap around Nürburgring. Listen to the two-litre Alfa play its wonderful tune in the Eifel Mountains or rather the Green Hell, as Sir Jackie Stewart famously called the track.

WARNING SEMI NUDE CONTENT A PHOTO STORY BY KIMM SAATVEDT / TEXT CHRISTER LUNDEM

Pack your bags with vintage dresses, suits, scarfs and good hat. Get on a plane to Italy. Breath in the air of culture. Bring a wine cooler, buy some prosecco from the local shop. Purchase a checkered cloth, one straw basket, some cheese and crackers. Rent a classic car - if only for a day. And voila, you will feel like Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita . For life is beautiful, now live it!
 
Sometimes pictures say more than words. Thanks to photographer Kimm Saatvedt for making our fantasies real.
 
These guys are great, get the classic car here