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Archives for May 2008
Mille Miglia 2008: French Cars
All photos by Alessandro Gerelli at the 2008 Mille Miglia.
Text by Pete Vack
Bugatti still life.
In 1928 Count Aymo Maggi, Franco Mazzotti and Giovanni Canestrini, three of the four founders of the Mille Miglia, traveled to Paris to meet with a variety of French automobile companies. [Read more…] about Mille Miglia 2008: French Cars
Mille Miglia 2008: Post-War Italians
All Photos by Alessandro Gerelli at the 2008 Mille Miglia
Text by Pete Vack
1949 Cisitalia 202 MM, the model Nuvolari drove to second place in the 1947 Mille Miglia. Body was designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi.
The Italians would also dominate the post-war round of Mille Miglia races, but it would no longer be just Alfa Romeo. [Read more…] about Mille Miglia 2008: Post-War Italians
Mille Miglia 2008: Pre-War Italians
All photos by Alessandro Gerelli at the 2008 Mille Miglia.
Text by Pete Vack
Decorative flowers seemed to be popular this year.
As we have seen, the founders of the Mille Miglia did not intend for the race to be a benefit for Italian manufacturers. [Read more…] about Mille Miglia 2008: Pre-War Italians
Monaco Grand Prix
 Hamilton Prays for Rain
Massa beneath the layers of Nomex practicing a winner’s gesture. He didn’t get to use it.
By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
Without sounding too much like an old fart, I can remember about ten years ago being a dyed in the wool tifosi praying for rain at Monaco because the Scuderia cars of the early Schumacher era were nothing to write home about and it was the only chance for the red cars to win. [Read more…] about Monaco Grand Prix
Beverly Rae Kimes
We have just learned of the death of Beverly Rae Kimes.
A longtime contributor and editor of Automobile Quarterly, and author of many books, she was one of our pre-eminent historians of automobiles. Kimes died on May 12 at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. She was 68.
Legend of the Motorcycle 2008
This 125 Monoalbero owned by Gary Kohs was just one of a remarkable collection of MV Agusta tiddlers. Note the wonderful exposed hairpin valve springs. Credit: LoM
Story by Michael T. Lynch
For some, the Legend of the Motorcycle celebration began mid-week as small groups began to depart for the event. More organized was a private MV Agusta group that came up from Los Angeles. [Read more…] about Legend of the Motorcycle 2008
Book Review: Steve McQueen: The Last Mile
Steve McQueen: The Last Mile
By Barbara McQueen, Dalton-Watson Publishing
Hardcover, 233 pages
ISBN-13 978 1 85443 227 8
$49.00 USD
Book Review by Pete Vack
The Gospel According to Barbara
Peter Borsari caught Barb and Steve enjoying an ACE motorcycle.
Steve McQueen would have loved the Legend of the Motorcycle (LoM) shows gaining in popularity in California, (see report by Michael T. Lynch), for McQueen was, at heart, a down-to-earth motorcycle and car enthusiast. Both forms of transportation (as well as vintage planes) competed for his attention in the last few years of his life. [Read more…] about Book Review: Steve McQueen: The Last Mile
A Look at the Facel Vega
By Brandy Elitch
The first Facel Vega, built in 1954, seen at Monterey last year.
Facel Vega: Le Dernier Astre Francais.
At the end of the second world war, France was destitute and virtually bankrupt. Much of its industrial base was destroyed, as well as the basic infrastructure, such as railway lines, bridges, roads, etc. A socialist government took power, and their tax policies taxes on luxury cars were punitive. [Read more…] about A Look at the Facel Vega
New Ferrari California
New Ferrari California retains many of the styling themes of the 599, keeping it all in the family.
On May 13th, Ferrari presented their new California, a front engined V8 to the press. Powered by the 4.3 460CV fuel injected engine, it features the now-traditional transaxle with a 7 speed dual clutch transmission, an aluminum body as well as an all aluminum chassis. The new Cal represents the latest in technology from Maranello, and is a package few enthusiasts with enough money will be able to resist.
The Ibrido as featured in Forza magazine.
Rumors of a front-engined V8 Ferrari were circulated last year but the company kept a tight lid on the project. In the meantime, artist Raffi Minasian and Christopher Keller had developed an idea for a front engined V-8 or V-12 Ferrari spyder, but the design incorporated a KERS device to increase gas mileage. [Read more…] about New Ferrari California
Book Review: Red Hot Rivals
Red Hot Rivals: Ferrari vs Maserati
Epic Clashes for Supremacy
By Karl Ludvigsen, Haynes Publishing, Somerset, England
Hardcover, 336 pages
ISBN 987 1 84425 412 5
$54.95 USD
Book Review by Pete Vack
Nino Farina in the Ferrari battles with the Maserati of Marimon at the 1953 British G.P. Close battles were the norm for the 1952-53 season.
It is amazing, in a world filled with remarkably good books on Ferrari and an increasing number about Maserati, that yet another volume has arrived to dance in what seems like a very crowded ballroom. [Read more…] about Book Review: Red Hot Rivals
Ferrari vs Maserati at Infineon
All photos by Richard Prince Photography
Bill Noon waves to the photographer, obviously enjoying his run in the A6 1500 Maserati.
The Shell Ferrari Historics traveled to Infineon Raceway on the weekend of May 3-4, the gang was joined by a few old friends who hadn’t had the chance to race yet this year. Bill Noon brought a rare Maserati A6-1500, Tony Schwartz came with an yet unpainted Maserati 200SI, chassis 2401, and Jeff O’Neill in a 250F, number 2527.