MACA AND T HE NEW B REED
“When I came back to scooters I wanted to do something different,” Maca explained to Scootering. “The Rosa Bianca scheme was very successful, and I still enjoy painting them. Unfortunately it’s also fairly easy to copy – I think they can still be ordered direct from India! My idea was to create a new scheme that could be replicated in various colour combinations but wasn’t easy to reproduce. New Breeds were the end result.”
From a distance the New Breed scheme looks fairly simple, it’s only on closer examination that their complexity becomes apparent. “In the main I use Spin Drift on the New Breeds. Depending on the light conditions, or the angle from which it’s viewed, its square cut flake produces a colour changing effect. For some reason the lights used on garage forecourts at night give the best effect.”
Maca realised long ago that wedges were important in creating effective scooter schemes as they give the impression of speed, even when the machine is static. The New Breed’s panel band sticks with this formula and the depth of effect is incredible – it really does look like it’s possible to reach into the panel. Final touches include hand-applied pin striping, painted logos and a barbed wire effect that’s popular among motorcross riders and pays homage to the success of his children in that sport.
Although its proven popular Maca sees the New Breeds as a work in progress: “Each one has been slightly different as the scheme evolves, for example Keith’s machine has the third type of updated rose I’ve tried so far. Interestingly most owners have left the choice of colour to me. The Rosa Bianca scheme was also intended to work in different colours but there’s been little variation with that.”
As the original scheme’s being copied with varying degrees of skill, how does Maca feel about them? “I can spot them a mile off. So long as they don’t try to pass them off as an original I take it as a compliment. Anyone who picks up a spray gun deserves some credit for trying. So far as the New Breed’s concerned I’ve only seen one attempt at a copy and it wasn’t anywhere close.”
Maca closed our interview with a tease about the future. “I’ve plenty of work lined up and while I’m enjoying things I’ll keep going. Nothing lasts forever though and I’ve been looking for fresh avenues to express myself. I’m a trained commercial artist and have found that recently I’m leaning towards oil on canvas.” Maca’s chosen subject is of course scooters. This raises the exciting prospect that in years to come enthusiasts may be able to boast that they’ve got ‘Genuine Macas’ both in the garage and hanging above the mantelpiece.