Articles that Ben Branch has written have been covered on CNN, Popular Mechanics, Smithsonian Magazine, Road & Track Magazine, the official Pinterest blog, the official eBay Motors blog, BuzzFeed, Autoweek Magazine, Wired Magazine, Autoblog, Gear Patrol, Jalopnik, The Verge, and many more. Silodrome was founded by Ben back in 2010, in the years since the site has grown to become a world leader in the alternative and vintage motoring sector, with well over a million monthly readers from around the world and many hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.
Ben Branch -
1933 MG K3 Magnette
The MG K3 Magnette is quite a remarkable motor car, this example actually won the Mille Miglia in 1933 in the hands of the capable racing driver Earl Howe. The Earl is also largely responsible for the model’s existence as he pressured the MG factory to build it, even going so far as to underwrite the development costs.
Spitfire Wallpaper
This beautiful image shows a WWII era Spitfire starting its V-12, 27-litre (1,650 cubic inch) Merlin engine. The Merlin was (arguably) the most successful aircraft engine of World War II…
The Subculture Of Barbershops
This film, “The Subculture Of Barbershops”, is an interesting look into the world of the traditional men’s barber.
Everyday Carry Brass Compass Keyring
These Everyday Carry Brass Compass Keyrings are made in Minnesota and come with an unlimited, lifetime warranty. Which is not something you hear all that often in today’s world of flimsy plastic nonsense. Each of the compasses are waterproof, weatherproof and made from solid brass.
The Motorcycles of Chicara Nagata
Chicara Nagata is one of those Da Vinci types who’ll never be a household name because instead of painting moderately attractive smirking Italian housewives he builds motorcycles, and sadly that just doesn’t have the same mainstream, Louvre-friendly appeal.
Wheelmen & Co. Merchant Daypack
This is the Merchant Daypack by Wheelmen & Co., it’s designed as an alternative to all the polyester bags that seem both incredibly popular and hideously ugly.
A 1993 Jaguar XJ220
The Jaguar XJ220 is one of those cars that helped define a decade, it was first shown to the general public in 1988 at the Birmingham Motor Show where it lit up the automotive press from England to New Zealand.
Belt Knife by The Bowen Knife Company
The idea of having a small blade tucked away somewhere safe seems like a rather good idea to me, especially if you’re planning a trip to one of the less than savoury parts of the world. Or if you’re just a big fan of spur-of-the-moment whittling.
1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A by Reutter
The Porsche 356 is one of the most memorable pre-911 cars from the marque, it’s the car that was tweaked for American tastes by North American importer Max Hoffman – a man who convinced Ferry Porsche that the 356 needed a name as Americans wouldn’t by a car with a number.
Hip Flask by Pick Your Poison
These beautiful, steam-punk hip flasks are each made to order by Pick Your Poison and each one includes the surname of the order in the engraving – which I think is fantastic.
Honda XL350 Grass Tracker
This fantastic looking retro-racer is a Honda XL350 based Grass Tracker built by Phil Little Racing, the frame is an English-style tracker frame and was found hanging in the Minneapolis area shop of Merritt Cody, along with its matching fuel tank.
Unbelievable Pocket Chain Saw
This is the “Unbelievable Pocket Chain Saw”, it’s a fantastic little piece of gear to toss into the rucksack before a weekend out in the mountains.