FEATURED DESIGN

LAST AMERICAN HERO

"This radio station was named Kowalski, in honour of the last American hero to whom speed means freedom of the soul" raps Super Soul, the blind radio DJ with a police radio scanner who is broadcasting a live commentary of a car chase which is central to the film 'Vanishing Point'.

 The cult 1971 movie stars Barry Newman (as Kowalski) and an Alpine White 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T. The car, being arguably one of the baddest looking muscle cars ever made, is undoubtedly the best thing about the movie, apart from a naked chick on a motorcycle of course.

Vanishing Point Challenger Trivia:

Cool as it is, The Challenger may not have been the director's first choice of Pony Car for the film, but Chrysler's policy of renting cars to the studio for one dollar a day may have swung the deal for producer Richard Zanuck.

In all, five Challengers were loaned from the Chrysler Corporation during the filming, but not all of them were white. In some scenes you can see the original green paint beneath dents and scrapes on some of them.

While many believe that the Challengers used were equipped with the classic 426 Hemi V8, most of the cars had a 440ci V8 under the hood.

While four of the five cars used came with the 440 and 4-speed manual, number five packed a 383 with an automatic transmission. The automatic was likely the car used for particularly difficult stunts.
All the cars were virtually stock. No power upgrades, no mods apart from heavy duty shocks.

During filming, camera crews had a hard time keeping up with Newman's Charger in their usual camera cars, so they had to use a Charger too. As the cops in the '96 remake of the film said when getting in their personal Charger R/T "It takes a Mopar to catch a Mopar".

Although all five of the Challengers used in filming the stunts were battered beyond repair and had to be salvaged, the motors were all in fine working order. 

Spoiler Alert! In the final scene in which Kowalski crashes into a pair of bulldozers, none of the Challengers were used. Instead, the shell of a 1967 Camaro with explosives replacing the engine and transmission was towed into the barricade. Boom!

Celebrate this iconic ride with our exclusive t-shirt, paying homage to one of the coolest muscle cars ever to hit the big screen.

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FEATURED DESIGN

SWEDISH HARDCORE

The bike in our new 'Swedish Hardcore' design is the Husqvarna 400 Cross, a motorcycle that transcended its status as a mere machine to become an icon of motocross history. Born in Sweden in the late 1960s, the 400 Cross quickly established itself as a game-changer in the world of off-road racing. Known for its powerful single-cylinder two-stroke engine, lightweight steel frame, and exceptional handling, the bike offered a perfect blend of power and agility that set it apart from the competition.

At a time when bulky four-stroke bikes dominated the scene, the Husqvarna 400 Cross emerged as a breath of fresh air. It was designed for serious riders who demanded performance without compromise, and it delivered in spades. The bike’s minimalistic design, with alloy fenders and a painted steel gas tank featuring Husqvarna’s signature chromed panels, was as functional as it was stylish. This combination of rugged durability and sleek aesthetics made the 400 Cross a favourite among motocross enthusiasts.

The motorcycle’s reputation was further solidified by its association with Hollywood legend Steve McQueen. McQueen, an avid motorcyclist and the embodiment of cool, was drawn to the Husqvarna 400 Cross for its performance and reliability. He famously rode the bike across the Mojave Desert in a now-iconic shirtless cover photo for Sports Illustrated, showcasing both his athleticism and the bike’s raw power.

But the Husqvarna 400 Cross truly cemented its place in history with its appearance in the 1971 documentary On Any Sunday. Directed by Bruce Brown and funded in part by McQueen himself, the film is often hailed as the greatest motorcycle movie ever made. It captured the essence of motocross racing and the camaraderie among riders, with McQueen prominently featured riding his Husky alongside fellow legends like Malcolm Smith and Mert Lawwill. The movie’s closing scenes, with McQueen and friends racing on the beach, have become legendary, immortalising the 400 Cross as much more than just a motorcycle.

The Husqvarna 400 Cross’s impact on the sport is undeniable. It dominated the motocross world in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, winning 14 world championships and countless other accolades. Its blend of power, handling, and style set the standard for what a motocross bike could be, and its legacy continues to inspire riders and enthusiasts to this day. For those who ride or simply appreciate motorcycle history, the Husqvarna 400 Cross remains an enduring symbol of Swedish engineering excellence and the spirit of adventure.