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Iso Rivolta Anniversary, 2002

May 19, 2015 By pete

Thirteen years have passed since our faithful Italian correspondent Alessandro Gerelli submitted this story about the 50th anniversary meeting of Iso enthusiasts at Bresso, Italy. And what has changed?
The prices!

Iso Rivolta GT at the 2002 meet.

October 11, 2002 Iso Rivolta Anniversary

Story and photos by Alessandro Gerelli

The Iso Rivolta company was born in 1939 in Bresso, a small town just bordering Milan in the north of Italy. Iso was characterized by an amazing variety of production during its life including refrigerators and water heaters, motorbikes, small city cars, sport cars, and other sundries; most of which were manufactured after the end of WWII. The founder, Renzo Rivolta, was as interesting as the product line. He even built the factory in the park of his villa! [Read more…] about Iso Rivolta Anniversary, 2002

VeloceToday for May 8th, 2015

May 5, 2015 By pete

To all of our premium (paid) subscribers who have received a cancellation of recurring charges notice from MediaPass, don’t worry: All of the old and new content will be able to be viewed by our existing premium subscribers, even though the recurring billing has stopped.

We are working on a new subscription service that will allow VeloceToday to significantly reduce our paid subscription rates. In order to accomplish this, we have automatically stopped all recurring charges for our existing paid subscribers via MediaPass. Stay tuned to VeloceToday and we’ll let you know how and when to subscribe for less!

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Etceterini Guy Cliff Reuter

May 5, 2015 By pete

Jack and Cliff Reuter in Bandini #358 at the 2010 Amelia Island Concours

By Pete Vack and Cliff Reuter
Photos courtesy Cliff Reuter

VeloceToday has been publishing articles weekly since 2001, but Cliff Reuter’s excellent site, Etceterini.com, is almost as old. “I started my first web site cliffreuter.com in 2002 as a way to connect with friends around the world (before Facebook) and then in 2005 launched Etceterini.com”, said Cliff.

In 2006, Cliff and VeloceToday shared a unique experience we found the ex-Clair “Sonny” Reuter Bandini. VeloceToday did the story and Cliff and his father Jack (no relation to Clair Reuter) rescued the car and it is now being restored. A few years later in 2010, Cliff helped organize an Etceterini show at Amelia Island Concours, and with Sportscardigest.com, we ran a series of articles and a contest for the favorite Etceterini entry at Amelia.

Etceterini.com has turned out to be the ‘go to’ site for anyone interested in SCCA racing in the 1950s and 60s. “I started my SCCA results pages in 2006 after we purchased the ex-Sandy MacArthur 1951 Bandini Siluro Motto Crosley Mercury Devin. We knew some of the history of the car but wanted to know more. I searched the Internet for 1950s SCCA results and was VERY disappointed with what I found – almost nothing. I then began going through my Father’s boxes of 1950s-60s race photos, car magazines, racing memorabilia, SCCA race programs and these yielded some very enlightening information!”

While Cliff’s site focuses on Etceterinis, all cars are included, particularly Ferraris. “I’m constantly buying and adding to this collection of American sports car racing history so keep checking back (and refreshing)! Also, PLEASE help me grow these pages by sending YOUR scans of SCCA race results, programs and articles,” said Cliff.

Jack Reuter, left, with his 330 GTO Ferrari and at right, Dick Merritt.

Cliff’s background is as interesting as his site. He is originally from St. Louis Missouri, and his mother is from Liverpool, UK. Father Jack is from St. Louis and was a passionate car enthusiast from early on. Growing up, Cliff says he “played a lot of tennis and shared my dad’s love of European cars.”

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Italian Car Day at Brooklands, 2015

May 5, 2015 By pete

This is billed as a 1905 Fiat with an Isotta Fraschini 250 hp engine. Apparently Fiat drew plans to create record car in 1905 but aborted the effort. The drawings were picked up by Mike Vardy who recreated the monster using a Gar Wood supplied I-F aero engine.

Probably the most appropriate Fiat for Brooklands Italian Car Day. This is billed as a 1905 Fiat with an Isotta Fraschini 250 hp engine. Apparently Fiat drew plans to create record car in 1905 but aborted the effort. The drawings were picked up by Mike Vardy who recreated the monster using a Gar Wood supplied I-F aero engine.

Story and 40 Photos by Jonathan Sharp

Having just returned from the annual Italian Car Day at Brooklands in Surrey (May 2-3 2015) I think they will need to come up with a new cliché to fit the event. It’s still the right crowd but as to crowding, I do not think I have seen the old place so full…Italian cars everywhere. Lamborghini’s under Concordes, Fiat 500s around the Vickers Vanguard, Alfas not just in their main display area but also spilling out along the old banking as well.

Probably the most appropriate Fiat for Brooklands Italian Car Day. Note the chain drive which is an unusual reverse drive set up. Whichever direction, one does not wish to have the chain break at speed, which is limited to 120 mph though no doubt would go faster with a brave man.

Note the chain drive which is an unusual reverse drive set up. Whichever direction, one does not wish to have the chain break at speed, which is limited to 120 mph though no doubt would go faster with a brave man.

I think I have mentioned before but this event is not just about the exotics, of which there are plenty. It’s the stuff you just do not see any more. Immaculate Mk1 Fiat Pandas rub shoulders with 850 Coupes. Fulvias behind a line of Fiat X19s. New Giuliettas next to the original models. Abarths old and new. I felt like a kid in a sweet shop, these were the cars I wanted to own back in the 1980s but could not afford them then, and with certain cars still can’t.

Brooklands is also about aircraft, so you will see some photos of significant WWII aircraft interspersed with the Fiats; we hope you don’t mind. In fact, we’ll begin with a Loch Ness Legend…

Vickers 290 Wellington MK1A N2980 R. 11,461 Vickers Wellingtons were built, 2515 of which were constructed at Brooklands. Only two Wellingtons remain and this is the only Brooklands-built example. First flown on the 16th November 1939 by Vickers chief test Pilot Mutt Summers the aircraft was then issued to 149 Squadron based at RAF Mildenhall. The aircraft took part in the infamous Heligoland Bight raid on the 18th December 1939. 22 Wellingtons took part, 11 returned. During a training flight on the 31st December 1940 she developed engine trouble and the pilot was forced ditched into Loch Ness. All of the crew managed to escape but alas the rear gunner was killed when his parachute failed to deploy. In 1976 a group of American divers searching for the Loch Ness Monster found her and she was finally returned to the surface on the 21st September 1985. After 45 years under the water she had remained in a remarkable state of preservation-even the tail lights worked when connected to a new battery.

The annual Italian car day at Brooklands just seems to make people smile!

[Read more…]

Ferrari vs. Facebook

May 5, 2015 By pete

At the 2015 edition of the Shanghai Motor Show, held from 22 – 29 April, attracted 813,000 visitors plus some 10,000 journalists to see the latest Ferrari. But is it possible that the Facebook Generation no longer needs or even wants such a vehicle?

Why Ferrari will not be beaten by Facebook (but watch out for Apple!)

By Gijsbert-Paul Berk

No, Facebook does not compete in Formula 1 races and has neither announced any intentions of building fabulous sports cars. Nevertheless Facebook, as the world’s leading social networking service, is fast becoming serious competition for the magic Italian carmaker and other auto manufacturers. This is why!

Last December Sergio Marchionne, the Chief Executive of Fiat-Chrysler group which owns Ferrari, hinted at the possibility to raise cash for his company with an IPO (Initial Public Offering) to sell 10% of Ferrari to interested shareholders. Based on the actual turnover and profit margins, independent financial analysts have calculated that Ferrari has a market value of between 5 billion and 9 billion Euros. The difference is explained by the fact that some consider Ferrari simply as a car manufacturer and others as a luxury brand, a segment in which shares fetch a premium. As everyone knows the value of shares also depends on the expectations of investors concerning future profits.

Who needs one anyway?

For many generations automobiles were a symbol for freedom to travel and meet friends and family. But Internet and ‘social networking services’ provide the Z generation with alternatives.

Launched only 11 years ago, Facebook now has an estimated market value of nearly 225 billion USD (roughly 193 Euros). That is at least nearly 22 times the market value of the valiant Italian carmaker, officially established in 1947 but whose origins go back to 1929, when founder Enzo Ferrari established the Scuderia Ferrari in Modena. However, that is not all.

Another thought provoking fact is that a high percentage of students in the 17 to 23 years age group, are no longer very interested in owning a car. At least that is the conclusion of surveys in several countries in industrialized Western world.

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VeloceToday for April 28, 2015

April 28, 2015 By pete

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Techno Classica Essen 2015

April 28, 2015 By pete

Reunited in the same image (and now in the same VW group), the car of the people and the car of the Kings, the VW Beetle and the Bugatti Royale.

Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

More than 190,000 visitors attended the 27th edition of Techno Classica in Essen, Germany, making it once again the biggest indoor classic car show on earth, despite the competition from the more recent Stuttgart Retro Classics show.

More than 2,500 classic cars were on sale and 1,250 exhibitors were on stage as well as 220 clubs. Of course, as we are in Germany, the offers of local dealers mainly concentrated on Porsche 356s or 911s as well as Mercedes 300 SL or 190 SL. But the demand on Italian classics remains as strong as the prices.

As ever, the local German manufacturers took the opportunity to show their heritage and every German make had special displays celebrating model or racing victory anniversaries like 30 years of the Porsche 959 and the BMW 3 series or 60 years since the Mercedes-Benz victory in the Mille Miglia.

Mercedes-Benz also focused its exhibition on aerodynamic research through the ages. But enough speeches, let’s see a selection of what was not to miss in Essen.

Based on the popular Alfa Romeo 1900, this coupé was built in 1957 by the Swiss coachbuilder Ghia-Aigle on a design by Giovanni Michelotti. Only five examples were built.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the legendary victory of Moss and Jenkinson onboard their Mercedes 300 SLR at the 1955 Mille Miglia. In perfect weather conditions, they established a record average of 97.90 mph that remained unbeaten.

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VeloceToday for April 21, 2015

April 21, 2015 By pete

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We have successfully completed our WordPress update with the help of Vectec, a great local firm. They are now assisting us to redesign the homepage of VeloceToday. Get ready for changes!
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Spring Arrives at Silverstone

April 21, 2015 By pete

A beautiful and rare Triumph Gloria.

By Roy P. Smith

Silverstone, April 18th 2015…Now for something different…the incredible race meeting that is the VSCC (Vintage Sports Car Club) Spring Start. Roy Smith brings us the news in pictures of just some of the hundreds of amazing vehicles to be seen in the paddock. Not just the racers, there were parking areas full of exotica. We can say no more other than just enjoy. And perhaps our readers might help us with the background of the last car in this feature.< ERA Type R4A[/caption]

1932 Austin 7 Special

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The King’s Bandini

April 21, 2015 By pete

January 1952 Motorsport cover. The Bandini powered by a 1100cc Fiat engine finished 10th at Elkhart Lake, owned by Tony Pompeo, New York. With car is Perry Fina. Photo by Bill Finn.

Story by John Wright

The neat little cycle-fendered sports car pictured here is one of a few Bandinis which were exported to the U.S.A. in the immediate post war era. Their creator, Ilario Bandini was born in Forli, Italy, and because he was mechanically inclined, set himself up as a creator of sports cars using Fiat parts only as the basis of his pretty and slinky designs in coupes, roadsters and race cars. [Read more…] about The King’s Bandini

VeloceToday for April 14, 2015

April 14, 2015 By pete

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Listen up now…VeloceToday is undergoing an upgrade as well as coming up with a new and (of course) exciting homepage. During the month of April there may not be a normally scheduled Tuesday edition of VeloceToday. Do not fear if you don’t get your weekly fix or if you see glitches on the homepage.
We are on it.
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Cisitalia Ford

April 14, 2015 By pete

The unusual Cisi Ford..no match for the classic 202. Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt.

By Brandes Elitch

A few years ago, 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.

In the event of a tie in class, the car that has completed the drive gets the nod in the judging. As part of this procession, the cars are parked in downtown Carmel for a few hours in the middle of the day, and in the middle of the street, for everyone to see. As I was threading my way through them, I saw something I had never seen before. It was obviously an early fifties car, obviously Italian, and the script said “Cisitalia.” I approached the owner, Urs Jakob, and said, “I’ve never seen a Cisitalia this big before,” he replied. “This isn’t a Cisitalia; it’s a Ford!” Boy, was that a shock.

Interior is similar to the early Corvettes. Photo by Brandes Elitch.

He went on to explain that in the early 1950’s, Ford was considering the idea of what we now call a personal luxury car, which later became, of course, the two-seater Thunderbird. Keep in mind that, unlike GM and Chrysler, up until then, Ford did not really have any dream cars except the three cars made for Edsel Ford for his own personal use, which were never displayed for the public to see. In the early 1950s, Ford commissioned the building of six prototypes: two were bodied by Ghia, and four by Vignale, including Mr. Jakob’s car. Ford shipped 6 stock Ford chassis to Vignale; this particular car had a straight six, some of the others had the V-8. The current owner told me that he owns two of the cars, and he is hot on the trail of a third.

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