VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Brandy

Restoring Perspective

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The owner of this 3500 is happy to drive it around as is. Reverse snobbery or a truer perspective of the hobby?

By Brandes Elitch
Photos by Petya Elitch

Many years ago, there was a publication called “Special Interest Autos”. It was one of the best examples of automotive journalism anywhere on the planet. For the August, 1987 number (the hundredth issue of SIA), Editor Dave Brownell asked the Founding Editor, Michael Lamm, to write an editorial about the state of the collector car hobby. Recently I reread this column, and it resonates for those of us who have just finished the Monterey weekend. [Read more…] about Restoring Perspective

New Museum for French “Grandes Routieres”

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Bugatti sculpture in front of Mullin museum display at Retroauto, Pebble Beach 2009. Photo by Petya Elitch.

Exclusive story by Brandes Elitch

There are always a few surprises at the Monterey Historics, and this year was no exception. A few years previously, a very large tent appeared at the Equestrian Center at Pebble Beach, called Retroauto, a collection of about forty vendors of automobilia-artwork, posters, books, models, all the things that you would absolutely need to have if you hit the lottery and had the room to put them. This year, a new tent appeared next door, with two Bugattis inside, cars never before seen in the US. The display announced a new museum opening next year, founded by Peter Mullin. [Read more…] about New Museum for French “Grandes Routieres”

The 43rd Annual Palo Alto Concours

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1959 Ferrari Testa Rossa, John Mozart, Mozart Automobile Foundation, 650.493.9000 for appointment.

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

Palo Alto is a legendary community, the epicenter of technology. In 1939, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, recently graduated from nearby Stanford University, created what is today the largest technology firm in the world, while messing around in their garage. [Read more…] about The 43rd Annual Palo Alto Concours

Secrets of Driving in Italy

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ltaly

By Brandes Elitch with Excerpts by Joe Pelanconi
Photos by John Sexton

Owning an Italian car in America almost inevitably gives rise to an inexplicable longing to visit Italy, and that means, of course, driving there. I have done this a few times, the last one being a visit for the Lancia Centenary. Yes, it is different over there, as I found out when I tried to follow someone else for a two hour drive without having written directions or a European cell phone. This is not advisable in Italy.
[Read more…] about Secrets of Driving in Italy

Bay Area Italian: Tutto Non Originale

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1964 Fiat Abarth 850TC, owned by Andrew Schank.

The 21st Annual All Italian Car and Motorcycle Show

By Brandes Elitch

October 12, 2008

The San Francisco Bay area has many car events, but if you have an Italian car, chances are your favorite is the Italian car show held in Alameda, a charming town just fifteen minutes east of the Bay Bridge. [Read more…] about Bay Area Italian: Tutto Non Originale

The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia

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Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt.

By Brandes Elitch

As recounted in a previous article, the organizers of the Pebble Beach concours, in an effort to dispel the image of the entrants as so called trailer queens, initiated a drive for the entrants around the Monterey Peninsula.
[Read more…] about The Ford That Thought It Was a Cisitalia

“Stinky”: Quail’s Most Interesting Car

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The Lee T150C SS Talbot

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An unrestored classic among the finest restored classics on one of the world’s most prestigious golf courses.

Story and Photos By Brandes Elitch

For the sixth year, Quail Lodge, a prestigious hotel and golf course in Carmel Valley, California, served as host for one of the most elegant shows on the concours circuit. [Read more…] about “Stinky”: Quail’s Most Interesting Car

The Evolution of a Tradition

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1930 Tracta E Henri Lemoine coupe, Alain Cerf, Tampa Bay
Automobile Museum. Traditionally, Pebble Beach brings out the best these rare and fantastic cars. Wheel discs are from Lmarr Disk LTD.

by Brandes Elitch
Photos of the 2008 events by Hugues Vanhoolandt

The week of cars at Monterey, a huge and still growing conglomeration of automobile events, has been around now for fifty eight years. [Read more…] about The Evolution of a Tradition

Virgil Exner Jr. Reunited with Diablo

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Virgil Exner, Jr., stands next to the Chrysler Ghia Diablo.

By Brandes Elitch
Color Photos by Brandes Elitch

Most car collectors are familiar with the GM “dream cars” of the 1950’s, the heyday of the Motorama. But not many people are familiar with the Chrysler show cars of the same period, most of which were built in Italy and styled by the famous Virgil Exner.
[Read more…] about Virgil Exner Jr. Reunited with Diablo

A Look at the Facel Vega

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By Brandy Elitch

facel vega
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

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