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VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone, April 23, 2016

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Balilla 508S. Oh yes!

Geoff Toms’ 1935 1089cc Fiat 508S Balilla.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

Hi Pete,

April 24, 2016. Spent a very enjoyable but wind swept and somewhat cold day at Silverstone yesterday. It is such a lovely atmosphere at the VSCC Spring Start. All the pit garages are open to all and there are cars literally all over the place. You never know what you will find in the next pit garage or parked in an easyup awning, or on a trailer behind a beaten-up tow car. The driver and mechanics are in the main very approachable and more than happy to answer questions or simply let you take a shot before returning to the preparation of the car.
[Read more…] about VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone, April 23, 2016

Of Counts and Castles

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Castle image by Henk Brouwer, inset by Graham Gauld.

Castle image by Henk Brouwer, inset by Graham Gauld.

Copyright Henk J. Brouwer

[Henk Brouwer visited the von Trips Museum in 2001 and wrote about it for VeloceToday. It may be one of the only complete descriptions of the Museum as it apparently closed its doors in 2014. Ed.]

As we have recounted in Part 1, Count “Taffy” von Trips lived in a castle, whose foundations dated from the late 14th century. The castle Hemmersbach was awarded to Franz Adalph Ansem Berghe von Trips in 1751 and extended by Wolfgang’s grandfather in 1899. Wolfgang’s father Eduard continued to live in the castle until his death in 1971. The widowed Thessa, then moved out of the castle into the nearby Villa Trips which she had built, until her death in 1978.

The castle was sold in 1984 to a private owner who restored it in 1988. After that, the castle seemed to be neglected. In 1999 it was sold to a software engineer, and there was a very radical restoration of the whole castle in progress, starting with the outbuildings. The estate directly around the castle is fully fenced in. Warnings of big, mean dogs are posted on the fences. The castle leaves a ruinous impression, caused by the rampancy of ivies and weeds between the bricks of the entrance and some blisters on the paint. With thunder, lightning, rain and wind, the castle even can look lugubrious.

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The Effeffe Berlinetta: Back to the Fifties.

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By Gijsbert-Paul Berk

The event Top Marques Monaco 2016, which took place from April 14-17 in the Mediterranean Principality, was the 13th edition of what has evolved from a glittering show of premium automobiles to become THE trade fair for the super-rich, with a wide variety of exclusive and expensive products from powerboats, fast motorbikes, design jewelry to grand-cru wines and alcoholic drinks. The exhibition in and around the modern ‘Grimaldi Forum’, attracted a great number of wealthy residents and tourists. However, the supercars proved to be still a powerful magnet. [Read more…] about The Effeffe Berlinetta: Back to the Fifties.

Painting with Light: From Digital to Analog

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There are a lot of problems with this shot– crooked background, shadows from booth to right, but it conveys the ambiance of the event with European style outdoor cafes. I did the artwork for this article based on this photo.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Wallace Wyss is both a photojournalist and a fine artist. Here he explains how to use light to create “art” with photographs.]

Story and photos by Wallace Wyss

As longtime VT readers might know, I wear a few different hats. At a car show I am a reporter, i.e. photojournalist, taking the pictures to go with my report for Internet sites, magazines or for my Incredible Barn Finds series of books.

At the same time I see the show through the eyes of a fine artist and, if the light is right, try to attempt to portray the cars in my photos in a certain light and background that is not always identical to the pictures taken while wearing my photojournalist hat and “shooting for the record.”

And I’m here to tell ya that those two roles don’t necessarily mesh–often they fight each other tooth and nail…

For example, when I went to the Ferrari Club of America Southwest Region concours on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena in April, my overall assignment was to select the most interesting cars and shoot them for a straight story. [Read more…] about Painting with Light: From Digital to Analog

Jerry Melton: Artist, Photographer, Friend

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Ken Miles flying in the Shelby GT 350.

Ken Miles flying in the Shelby GT 350.

Tribute by Cliff Reuter, Editor, www.etceterini.com

[Cliff Reuter’s website is always a treat and always growing, thanks to a lot of friends. One such was enthusiast and artist Jerry Melton. Jerry recently passed away after a battle with cancer and this article and photos are a tribute to him and his passion. Cliff was kind enough to allow us to share the following fantastic images of drivers, team owners, cars and a few of Melton’s cartoons (cartoons originally published in Sports Car Graphic magazine). Ed.]
[Read more…] about Jerry Melton: Artist, Photographer, Friend

Wolfgang von Trips and His Museum

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Wolfgang von Trips, 1958. Photo by Graham Gauld

Wolfgang von Trips, 1958. Photo by Graham Gauld

Copyright Henk J. Brouwer (Arnhem – NL)

(July 2001, Boxmeer, Germany) On July 28th and 29th, the FCN (Ferrari Club Nederland), organized a rally which started at the former castle-convent “Elzendaal”. This convent was built in 1667 in a little town called Boxmeer, very near to the German border. The rally brought the participants and enthusiasts to Villa Trips “Museum for Racing History” (in German, “Museum für Rennsportgeschichte”). The location of the Villa Trips is very remarkable. It is set in a National, protected park in Kerpen/Horrem, next to Burg Hemmersbach.

Entering the area of the estate, the silence is serene. Ancient oak and beech trees rustle gently, although it was a calm day. A brick paved road lined with tall trees and old street lamps leads to the Villa Trips, and a Ferrari-flag attracted my attention. I became very curious about this famous home of Wolfgang von Trips.

Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips

Before learning something about Villa Trips, the museum and what it stands for, it’s necessary to know something about the famous race driver who was born and raised here. Wolfgang Alexander (“Wölfchen”) Graf Berghe von Trips was the son of Eduard Reichsgraf Berghe von Trips and his wife Thessa and was born in Köln on May 4th, 1928. The family lived in Bonn until 1932, when his father inherited the Hemmersbach castle. Castle living was the main motivation for moving to Hemmersbach. Here Wolfgang had a wonderful youth. In the years 1935 to 1938 he enjoyed the GP of Germany at the Nürburgring, so close it was nearly in the back garden of the Castle Hemmersbach. He never forgot those experiences.

At Silverstone in 1958, von Trips was driving the Dino 246.

At Silverstone in 1958, von Trips was driving the Dino 246. Photo by Graham Gauld.

His driving license was obtained in 1946 just after the war. Von Trips was sent to college to obtain a degree in agriculture, as his parents wished that he would work on the large estate.

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A Little on Lancia Track Day

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All the way from Germany only to run into some hail. But it didn't last.

From Germany, this Aurelia is gorgeous in any weather..

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

I took a quick trip to Goodwood the morning of April 16 as the Lancia Motor Club were having their annual track day. Nothing much to report other than lots of Fulvias but only one Intergrale. The event used to be an Intergrale fest. Typical spring weather with sun, rain and then hail. We drove the Alfa GT and stayed dry and un-pummeled while the Lancias braved the hail.

There are a few questions for our Lancistas below, perhaps you can help identify a couple of models.

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La Leggenda di Bassano: Register NOW

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There are events, and there are EVENTS. VeloceToday covers the gamut, from the huge such as Concorso Italiano, Retro, Mille Miglia and Goodwood, to obscure, smaller affairs like those held each year at Bassano del Grappa, Italy which caters to barchettas particularly of the etceterini kind. It has got to be one of the most delightful affairs of all; a warm, friendly gathering of truly knowledgeable car enthusiasts.

Bassano-11---pso-Falz [Read more…] about La Leggenda di Bassano: Register NOW

Miura Poster to the First Five to Subscribe to VeloceToday!

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Lambo-iMiura-300Please subscribe, but also note that the five posters are already gone!

Wallace Wyss, a contributor to VeloceToday, has run off a few artist’s proofs of his new work “Miura”, inspired by Andy Warhol. Wyss sent us five posters to give to the first five new paid subscribers this week.

Each 11×17″ poster is signed by the artist. They will be shipped anywhere, free in a heavy tube, to the first five paid subscribers to VeloceToday who will be determined by the PayPal date of billing. Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below to get started!

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Lamborghini Miuras: On the Road

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Guy Anderson is a famous exotic car dealer from the South who has identified himself with some of the most exciting cars including Ferrari, Lamborghini and the Cobra. Along the way he has had many adventures, some of which were harrowing at the time but are a good laugh now. He shared one story after being prodded by VT contributor Wallace Wyss.

Story and Photos by Guy Anderson

This tale begins with the purchase of a pair of Miuras. One was a 1966 P400 that was painted in white with red and blue accents. The slats, eyelashes, rockers, bumpers and grills were painted in either red or blue. It was bizarre to look at, kind of a “beater”. The second car was a pale blue 1969 “S” with the paint being considered flat, not very glossy. [Read more…] about Lamborghini Miuras: On the Road

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