Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is....
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#1: Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is.... Author: JG300-Stoopy, Location: Group W bench PostPosted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 4:37 pm
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This unique item found at www.jwoodandcompany.com :



PARILLA RACING IRON 1800
This is the Parilla formula one racing iron used by the countess Maria Bandini “Mama” when she won the 1953 Italian speed ironing championship at Rome. The countess vanquished all her opponents with her tremendous, on the edge, display of blistering speed and amazing control over a track of both linen and silk, becoming a racing legend in Italy. Just imagine the sheer adrenaline buzz of witnessing a pack of these screaming machines at speed, cheered on by delirious Italian fans.

While training for the World Speed ironing championship to be held in Paris, her beloved son, Luigi was tragically killed practicing for the 1954 Milano Taranto endurance race on his experimental MV Agusta Monomoto. The Countess’ husband, count Enzo Bandini “The Falcon” forbid her to ever race again, declaring that racing was just too dangerous! A short time later, due to some rather nasty explosions during iron racing events, the Italian government outlawed the sport and ordered its citizens to turn in all internal combustion powered irons. The Golden Age of iron racing was over. No one knows how the Contessa was able to keep her Parilla iron, but it was discovered among her effects after her death at age 103 in 2004. A family member contacted the collector Todd Fell offering him this fascinating piece of Italian racing history.

This championship machine is in its original unrestored condition, the only known survivor of the Golden Age of Iron Racing.
#2: Re: Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is.... Author: JG300-Ascout, Location: Cyberspace PostPosted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 4:57 pm
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It was a tragic period that forever ended some of the great "open road" events and forced many overdue safety changes to all forms of racing. Coming as it did before Leveigh's disastrous crash at Le Mans in '55 and Portago at the Mille Miglia, Luigi's crash fortunately did not result in the death of any spectators, but the writing was on the wall, and it would not be long before the gaps in safety regulations would be "ironed out" following those tragic episodes.

Still, we can admire the uncluttered lines of this early '50's machine, devoid of any restraint or crash protection systems for the operator, it was frequently a good thing when the driver was thrown clear of the machine which helped many escape burns from the ensuing fire that could erupt spontaneously after an incident (particularly on such hazardous substrates as 100% pure cotton and silk). Note also the delightfully simple instrumentation, representing an era devoid of any "driver aids" and other computer controls that have mimimized driving skill in the modern era. A typical Black & Decker iron of today will have a plethora of gauges and inputs that literally allows the driver to tune the machine to varying ironing board conditions. A modern driver has temperature control at the turn of a knob and steam at the press of a button, making the driver more of a "systems operator" than many would like. The modern iron is a mere shadow of it's former self, a time when the "drivers were fat and the irons were skinny."
#3: Re: Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is.... Author: Thud68, Location: AZ USA PostPosted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 5:23 pm
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...you guys are funny, but whacked too....................
#4: Re: Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is.... Author: Shades, Location: 3rd Branch up, 'Ye Olde Oak', Green Wood. PostPosted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:16 am
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I believe the event should be rejuvenated and can often be found encouraging 'wayward' ladies to practise more.
I also enjoy the 'high-dive cooking' and 'endurance gardening' events.
#5: Re: Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is.... Author: Shadow_Bshwackr, Location: Central Illinois, USA PostPosted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:26 pm
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LMAO
#6: Re: Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is.... Author: JG300-Ascout, Location: Cyberspace PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:42 pm
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- 401RCAF_Thud68
...you guys are funny, but whacked too....................


That's been said. Well, at least that last bit.
#7: Re: Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is.... Author: HF_SlowHand, Location: Meeechigan PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 4:02 am
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I JUST FORWARDED THIS TO MY WIFE AND STEP-SON IN ITALY FOR REVIEW LOL...
#8: Re: Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is.... Author: JG300-Ascout, Location: Cyberspace PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 5:01 am
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- HF_SlowHand
I JUST FORWARDED THIS TO MY WIFE AND STEP-SON IN ITALY FOR REVIEW LOL...


You're not long for this world, Slowhand, what with your casual attitude to la cosa nostra. The sanctity of the Com-Central secret society has been needlessly exposed to public scruitiny by your indiscretion. Even now, the exectutive committee is considering the magnitude and ramifications of your momentary lapse and considering your fate.
Take heart in the fact that your transgressions are likely to produce swift and relatively painless transitions to "the other side" Compared to the abnormally prolonged period of gratutioutous suffering that can be avoided by your timely and enthusiastic committment to cooperate with the admins. I'm sure you recognize the advantages and disadvantages of willfull cooperation and will respond accordingly.

Da' Ascout

Thank you in advance for your cooperation....

Best regards,
The Oher Side
#9: Re: Next entrant in the "Strange But True" category is.... Author: HF_SlowHand, Location: Meeechigan PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 5:47 am
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La mafia che spara è una mafia che è spaventata

we are safe, they are not afraid (of us) LOL

ciao tutti!
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