The Kasper Stromman Design Blog

Car sponsorship update

Regular readers of this blog might remember that we here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog are actively looking for a car sponsorship, and have been doing so for a while.

After going through our records for the last six months we can now tell you that applications to sponsor us so far add up to: none.

That’s cool though, you guys. Totally understandable “in this economy”.

But what if it’s not the economy at all? Maybe you guys have really wanted to sponsor us, but just haven’t found the right vehicle to offer us?

That’s why we are now happy to announce that we have found a new brand of car we might consider driving around in: the Carat 900. 

Designed by Teuvo Karvonen in 1988, this is truly a beast of a car. Does it have it’s own toilet? It does, with a separate entrance (why?). Does it have a sauna? Yes it does, with a ladder leading directly up on the roof (why?).

We guess this model hasn’t been in production for a while, what with being 25 years old and everything. But if you are a private owner, don’t think twice about contacting us on contact@kasperstromman.com.

You’re dream of sponsoring the Kasper Stromman Design Blog just might come true.

Car sponsorship update

Folks, we have some bad and some good news considering the car sponsorship which we have reported on earlier.

Bad news is we still have no car sponsor.

Good news is that Mercedes-Benz yesterday reported that they will start producing the new A-class model in Finland. 

So if we could have one of those, that would be great.

Mercedes people, drop us a line on contact@kasperstromman.com and we’ll get the details sorted out.

Thanks!

We need to talk about this car sponsorhip

You guys, we need to start talking seriously about this car sponsorship. Don’t know if you realize, but we’re already two weeks into June, so now would definitely be the time to start making arrangement for this sponsorship. Please hurry. sales@kasperstromman.com will be going through your applications.

At the same time it goes without saying that we can’t be seen driving around in just about anything: this Teijo pick-up truck is a current favourite, built from 1973 to 1976.

And just so you know: the Teijo was supposed to be followed by the Monika van, but for different reasons that never happened and only one prototype was ever built in 1981. This vehicle we also wouldn’t mind driving around in. Just so you know. 

We are looking for a car sponsorship for the summer

Since we here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog finally have a beer sponsor – thanks to the “More Beer” team at Futurice – we are now ready to take the next logical step:

We are now looking for a car sponsorship for the summer.

Now, we’re not going to be unreasonable about this sponsorship. We understand the whole summer might be stretching it a bit, so if we could just have the car for the month of July, that would be great. And not too much to ask, right?

Also, since we are all about Finnish design we’d prefer a Finnish car. Of course we understand that’s impossible since such cars don’t exist. But there is Valmet Automotive who have been manufacturing foreign makes of cars since the 1960s, so that’s what we are going to settle for.

Here’s our preferred Top 5 Finnish-made cars we might consider:

1. Saab 900 Convertbile, 1986–2003

The obvious choice for summer, and such a classic. Only problem is that Saab kind of went bakrupt at the end of last year, so sponsorship looks unlikely at this point. But still our number one choice. No air-conditioning needed.

2. Euro Samara, 1996–1998

This “Eurofied” version of the Soviet/Russian economy car Lada Samara looks like a fine automobile, and is thus our second choice. We understand that Ladas are no longer sold in Finland, so sponsorship could be tricky. But maybe you are a private owner who wants to sponsor us?

Talbot Horizon, 1979–1985

A classic compact car, and probably real nifty to navigate around town. And judging from the picture above you can even drive it on some kind of moore. If Talbot as a brand didn’t cease to exist in 1986 this would so be our number one choice.  

4. Porsche Cayman, 2005–2011

We’re going to be honest here: we are not really feeling the Porsche Cayman. Not really our style, and looks unpractical if we want to head out in the countryside. But if Porsche really wants to sponsor us, I guess we could drive this for a month. But we won’t be happy about it.

1. Fisker Karma, 2011–

The only car Valmet Automotive is manufacturing at the moment, so I guess this is the one that makes sense from a sponsorship perspective. Although we have to say that while we’re not usually that sensitive about these things the advertising for this car really is a bit much. Sure, the slogan goes “Pure Sensuality”, but to us it looks more like the driver just killed a prostitute and threw the body in the backseat. But maybe that’s just us.

Anyhow, Fisker people, get in touch for that sponsorship: you can reach us at contact@kasperstromman.com. And it’s going to be July pretty soon you know, so please hurry.

Magazine of the month: Autojen maailma, 1966

The Kasper Stromman Design Blog magazine of the month is the nice looking Autojen maailma from 1966. It was published by car importer Berner Oy, who is cleverly trying to disguise this 30 page car ad as a normal magazine.

The magazine sure enough starts off by reporting on current automotive trends. By the way, when are we finally going to get these fantasy vehicles we have been promised since the 50s? You do realize Back to the Future II was set in 2015, and they had hoverboards? That’s less than four years away.

Some pictures kind of give away the fact that we are essentially dealing with a catalogue for Simcas, but that’s alright as long as they style them like this. We’re starting to feel Simca might actually be the Kasper Stromman Design Blog’s favourite brand of car.

Or perhaps the Fargo? Seriously, what was wrong with Berner exclusively representing cars that seems to have gone out of production only a few years later?

Or have you seen many Imperials around lately? We thought so.

This picture makes the Le Baron look perfect for picking up high-class prostitutes, by the way.

“You don’t really know who I am, do you? Well, let me tell you who I am: I’m the CEO of Berner, importer of soon-to-be discontinued automobiles, and I will not use a condom. Only sailors use condoms.”

It has to be said though that in many ways Autojen maailma was quite modern: the compact Simcas seem to be marketed exclusively for a woman driver.

Ha ha. Look at that poor schmuck having to carry all that shopping.

Although when it comes down to actual driving, a man is still needed.

“Don’t worry sweetheart, a man will soon come and grab the wheel. So who’s the schmuck now?”

On the whole Autojen maailma was very entertaining though, and made us feel like doing donuts on an empty parking lot while driving an Imperial Le Baron. And that has to be considered an achievement.

It’s also interesting to note that Berner Oy is still in business, and “represents Audi, Seat and Volkswagen in the Kouvola and Lappeenranta economic regions”.

So look out for these brands. They might soon not exist anymore.