Articles that Ben 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 -
Suunto Elementum Terra All Black
Suunto build some of the most intelligent watches, or wrist-top computers, that money can buy. This watch, the Suunto Elementum Terra All Black features an altimeter, barometer, chronograph, a 3D compass, it tells the time and it’s water resistant to 100m (300ft).
Trecol 39294 Amphibious 6×6
Meet the utterly unnecessary and batshit-fabulous Trecol 39294 6×6. You can keep your Hummer. We want one of these. Designed for use by the Russian military, Trecol are now selling these zombie-crunchers to civilians who find themselves needing an amphibious, six-wheel-drive hell-mobile. The 39294 has a top speed of 80kph but it’ll do that speed over any surface (think snow, ice, tundra, peasants and desert sand), it seats 8 in comfort and has a temperature operating range of -60C to +60C.
Wiesmann GT MF4
The Wiesmann Gran Turismo is in many respects, Germany’s answer to The Morgan Motor Company. They both produce classically styled coupés with modern engines and running gear, appealing to the segment of the car buying public who want a classic car but don’t want the maintenance issues that come with a 50+ year old automobile.
Biltwell Shield Tee
Biltwell produce some of the most iconic helmets and custom motorcycle parts on the planet, the company is a favourite of men like Shinya Kimura, which kind of tells you all you need to know. This understated Tee features the Biltwell logo and looks just about perfect for summertime beach-boulevarde cruising.
Twinline Yamaha RD350 2-Stroke
You don’t often see 2-stroke bikes getting the makeover treatment, Twinline decided to step up and make things right with this exceptional Yamaha RD350 custom featuring a phenomenal paint work and a unique “goldhead” power-plant.
Ryca Motors CS-1 Café Racer
I’m a die-hard fan of lightweight thumpers. I’ve tried my hand at everything over the years, from adventure bikes to Ducati racers to Vespa 2-strokes but if I had to pick one style of bike to ride for the rest of my life it would be something very much like what you see in the picture above.
Evel Knievel Interview – 1971
This 1971 interview on The Dick Cavett Show features a relaxed, wise-cracking Evel Knievel. The interview has been split into 3 parts and, rather brilliantly, still has all the original early-70s television advertisements in place.
Terrot Motorcycles Poster
Terrot was a French motorcycle manufacturer based in Dijon, they started building motorcycles in 1902. By 1932 they had won the triple-championship in France having taken victories in the 250cc, 350cc and 500cc motorcycle racing classes. A few years later during the second world war, Terrot supplied thousands of sidecar motorcycles to the French army.
Deus Leather Briefcase
These leather and canvas briefacases/courier bags from Deus Ex Machina are perfect for those days you need carry more than your cellphone, helmet and keys, they’re big enough to carry up to a 17″ MacBook Pro and they come with detachable shoulder straps.
Jaguar V12 Coffee Table
The idea of coming home from work and placing a glass of cold beer on a coffee table made out of a Jaguar V12 milled from an aluminium mono-block has significant appeal to me. The block isn’t just for show either, the same company that produces these coffee tables also sells vehicle-ready V12 blocks
Steampunk Cufflinks by London Particulars
I’m not a big fan of the sort of attire that requires the use of cufflinks but in this particular case, I think I’ll make an exception. These magnificently intricate cufflinks are made by London Particulars and cost just $69 USD.
MG EX 181
In 1957 the MG Car Company arrived at the Bonneville Salt Flats with an unusually shaped vehicle and legendary racing driver Stirling Moss. The car was called the MG EX 181 and it was entered into the Class F land-speed series for cars with engines between 1.1 and 1.5 litres.