“Art is science made clear.” Jean Cocteau summed up the essence of the exotic coach-built automobile – a work of originality, drawing upon a storied bespoke tradition.

Cocteau lived through the era when cars were expressionistic and authentic —the early half of the 20th century – and was a lover of automobile. “A car can massage organs which no masseur can reach. It is the one remedy for the disorders of the great sympathetic nervous system,” he also once said.

A new automaker, Rossi Motors, relies on the example set in the auto industry’s banner years – an homage to the glory years in Detroit, when companies like Fisher Body prevailed with unique craftsmanship. The flagship vehicle, the 2010 Rossi SixtySix, is one such ode to the elegance of yesteryear and a suggestive exploration toward the future in automotive design. As a modern classic performance car, its capabilities are considerable.

Built upon the chassis of the C-6 Corvette, Rossi SixtySix is more than the sum of it’s parts, which are assembled by a collaborative team in what is proving to be an innovative approach to car manufacturing.

The standard car is equipped with a V8 engine producing 430 hp or customers can option for increased performance with Sport and Competition versions, including a GT2 racing class. The Rossi Sixtysix is laced with wide Michelin Tires and Billstein shocks. “A lot of people who wouldn’t buy a Corvette would by this car,” Dave Robison, founder of Rossi. “We’re bringing an environment that brings the hand built element of fit and finish. We’re focusing on stance and agility.”

For it’s flagship automobile, Rossi revisits the iconic 1963 – 1967 Corvette in its sculptural cues. In the tradition of futurist painter Umberto Boccioni, its proportions are stunning, utilizing the tenements of a movement conceived by dynamism, speed and technology. “As we start the build process we are doing it virtually,” Robinson, said, who is also president of the parent company Blue Fusion, the parent company to Rossi, and a longtime supplier to Ford Motor Company. “It’s the first car from a completely virtual standpoint.”

The 1963 Corvette’s split window set the precedent for the SixtySix’s body styling. “It’s a modern reproduction, the essence of that period. Designs from ’63 to ’67 appeal to people’s emotion,” Robison explains.

Using computerized technology produced by Bunkspeed, the Rossi SixtySix can be perfectly rendered to customer specification. This approach is honed through Robison and his self-described “tribe of misfits” including partners Sam Ajluni and Tom Luke, a team that relies on decades of experience across the car business as a designer, sculptors and engineers.

“Cars have been in my blood, focusing on car and design fabrication,” Robison, a California native said. He started out as a clay modeler, with a career dating back to the 70s. He has worked with Toyota, Mazda, Opel, Saab and Ford. After several season spent overseas, he settled upon Detroit as a home base. “Detroit is where I wanted to go because that’s where cars are made. “I understood the language of the designer and the language of the engineer.”

Rossi operates out of the Detroit area, with plans to manufacture vehicles in the Midwest,operating through a top-tier supplier chain. “We said let’s develop it in Detroit where we have the best mind and talent and we can build it anywhere.”

What also adds to the uniqueness of Rossi is the virtual dealer experience. The customer goes online to select model and specifications, and upon completion the car is delivered to the customer’s door. Robison explains that customers will be able to get their cars serviced at Cadillac dealerships.

“We taking art and bringing it to part,” Robison quips, one of his many mantras for the Rossi brand, seeking a new business model based on a classical premise, where art and science intertwine.

The Rossi SixtySix is popping up at events around the Midwest including the 2010 Eyes on Design Detroit and the 2010 Bloomington Gold Illinois events. What’s inside — the interior remains to be seen — in the next episode.

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The Quiet Life has a certain appeal. It helps that all orders over $100.00 will receive a free QL Day Bag ( $40.00 value. )

The 12 new t-shirts are catchy — two of which are designed by Mark Owens. A new Good Cause Charity shirt by Evan Hecox is also notable. The patched sweater by Todd St. John is fetching along with stocking caps, hats, bag and a ping pong paddle case.

We’re obsessed with the C1962 Ford wares produced by the font-minded geniuses at House Industries. The T-shirts come in these replica cans – perfect for the automotive-minded consumer.

If you had a better year than the rest of us go big for your favorite Corvette enthusiast.ProTeam Corvette is hositng a popular Year End Sale until December 31st, 2009 with ProTeam featuring Bloomington and/or NCRS certified Corvettes.

If you’re Go Green Gotryke, we recommend Pommery Pop Earth Champagne for your gift bags. POP Earth NV is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier making for a distinctive Brut style Champagne. But Pop does it the eco-way. The bottle is made of lighter glass (1.85lbs) than conventional champagne bottles (2lbs), which in turn reduces pollution and energy costs during shipping. The bottle features a label made from recycled materials and is printed with water soluble inks. Pommery is not new to the greenscape, they have been practicing sustainable wine-growing, managing waste and limiting water and energy consumption for over a decade.

Your home will sound as good as your new Jag, while almost with the new Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Mini acquires ann audio signal from a docked iPod or iPhone in pure digital form, performing the critical digital-to-analog conversion onboard using, audiophile-grade circuitry. A mini-USB port on the back of the Zeppelin Mini permits program material from outboard sources, such as desktop or laptop Macs or PCs, to stream content to the Bower & Wilkins system for musical playback. There’s also an analog-audio AUX input that allows the Zeppelin Mini with older gear.

Miss Feeney’s ties are perfect for the naughty rat-rod driver, or the kind of guy who adds a little pizazz to his wardrobe.

With the Mad Men craze placing a focus on 1950’s advertising, one of our favorite writers Phil Patton’s 100 Years of Automotive Ads has definite culture cache.

The Dude wore The Big Lebowski bowling shirt and so can your ’60s throwback. The shirt features the 1964-1965 League Champion patch from the American Bowling Congress. “Art” is embroidered above the chest pocket and team sponsor “Medina Sod” is printed across the back. $36 from www.80stees.com

Our muscle car devotee, Lee Quinones is hoping to score a copy of Motion Performance: Tales of a Muscle Car Builder. Pure car geek — we love it.

The power of pets to lift the human spirit continually fascinates me — and this book will tug on their heartstrings as much as a trotting new puppy. Monica Holloway write about her golden retriever Cowboy and her son who was only three years old when he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Cowboy was more than a pet; she was the bridge between himself and the rest of the world. Cowboy’s very presence in his life empowered Wills to take risks, to engage and socialize, to establish meaningful and intimate connections with the world around him.” When Cowboy takes ill, keep the tissues handy.

For the reader in the crowd, buy Colin McCann’s book prize winning feat Let the Great World Spin and dazzle your book worm with literary perfection. We can’t say enough about 1001 Children’s Books to You Read Before You Grow Up. Check our book review section for more words for fodder.

If you’re opting for benevolent gift option, former Universal/Motown Records music executive Shanti Das has an interesting initiative that is accepting donations. With May WE Rest in Peace, Das has raised $20,000 to cover 20 burials in Detroit, with support from Busta Rhymes, Akon and the Kid Rock Foundation in the name of Detroit Clothing Company. Das wanted to provide burials for the unclaimed 67 bodies lying in the Detroit morgue, after viewing a CNN report. To make donations, visit www.maywerestinpeace.org,

For more gift background on Gotryke:House Industries C1932Phil Patton’s 100 Years of Automotive Ads1001 Children’s Book to Read Before You Grow Up

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