pete

Finotto, Facetti and the Ferrari Carma

August 19, 2014 By pete

Photographed around 1996, the Carma FF is in almost concours condition.

Story and photos by Graham Gauld

Has anyone seen the Carma FF lately?

Recently Martino Finotto died of cancer at the age of 80. He was a Milanese gentleman driver, his family fortune stemming from their pharmaceutical company. Finotto was the man behind various racing ventures with his business partner and racing driver Carlo Facetti. Together they ran Achille Motors in Milan where Facetti was in charge. [Read more…] about Finotto, Facetti and the Ferrari Carma

VeloceToday for August 12, 2014

August 12, 2014 By pete

Ferrari 410 Sport Prototype, first raced by Carroll Shelby; Offered by Rick Cole Auctions in Monterey. Click on image for details.

Before you leave for Monterey, be sure to download this Digital Pocket Guide to Monterey, courtesy of Alan Taylor and Keith Martin’s Sports Car Market Magazine. This compact guide includes a map, event timeline and auction details in eight-page digital package — perfect for your tablet or phone.

This week, something a bit different. We present all three parts of Gijsbert-Paul Berk’s enlightening look at self-drive cars; Part 1 of ADA published last week revealed a long history of attempts to create a self-driving automobile. Part 2 discusses the political, social and legal issues confronting such vehicles. In Part 3, Gijsbert-Paul Berk wonders if the fun will go out with the steering wheel. Lastly don’t miss our article on the Lanciana publication, with Steve Snyder, Ed Godshalk, Howard Moon and more.

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1997 BMW M3 4 door auto. No rust, straight, Good alloys, new tires. Interior needs minor repair, car overheated VANOS needs replacement but runs. Boston Green with tan/brown. 179K, needs tlc. Asking $4600 or best offer. 703-534-5015 Washington D.C. area.

SOLD! 1959 Citroen 2 CV “Dans son Jus”! Imported from Avignon France and shipped to California in 1984. Running and has new convertible top, a new wiring harness and five new Michelin 135 X 400 tires. contact Clark Rodgers clark@f1weekly.com Click to see photos.

SOLD!! Lancia Brochures: Lancia Flamina Zagato Supersport from 1966 and another from 1959 which features all 4 Flaminia models. Excellent condition, never drooled on. Click on pic to see complete brochures. $100 for both. Contact:vack@cox.net

As fast as the race itself, The 1000 Mile Dream, is a novel about the Mille Miglia. Author Jim Fontana ably creates characters that are reminiscent of a number of drivers, team managers and journalists of the era. He knows his Mille Miglia history. A fascinating winter read for everyone. On sale for $23 Hardcover, $19 Softcover, all signed by the author and shipping is FREE. jfont29118@aol.com .
Click here for review.

Lancia Aurelia B 20 GT. Third Series, 1953 Engine: B20 3201 Chassis : B20 2923 Imported to Uruguay in the 1950s and used in a few races, reportedly driven by Juan Carlos Gutiérrez and dismantled. It was completely restored beginning in the mid-eighties and finished three years ago. Click photo for more details. Contact:julioberges@gmail.com

*$25 Ads for anyone who has something to sell, to giveaway, or to holler about. Ad will be placed above the fold and run for one month. Contact vack@cox.net .

ADA Part 2: Legal and Social Issues

August 12, 2014 By pete

Don’t try this at home! A suggestive photo published by Volvo to illustrate the advantages of semi self-driving cars. Experts think that even before 2020, the combination of adaptive cruise control and autonomous brake systems will allow drivers of cars in the premium segment to cruise along in convoy, without having to pay attention what is happening in front.

Part 1 of ADA revealed a long history of attempts to create a self-driving automobile, while Part 2 discussed the political, social and legal issues confronting such vehicles. In Part 3, Gijsbert-Paul Berk considers the needs and fears of the marketplace.

By Gijsbert-Paul Berk

Li Shufu (Li), Chairman of the Chinese Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely and Volvo), has confided in an interview with Chengdu Business Daily (CBD) in February, that his company has as goal to produce fully autonomous automobiles by 2020. This may be a reasonable goal if China does not have to deal with the complex politics and legal systems in place in Europe and the U.S.

Carlos Ghosn: The industry is ready, but are the legislators?

Back in Europe, Carlos Ghosn, head of the Renault-Nissan alliance, declared at a recent meeting at the French Automobile Club in Paris, “Cars that drive themselves can be on the roads four years from now, provided red tape does not get in the way. The problem isn’t technology, it’s legislation, and the question of liability that goes with these cars moving around … especially who is responsible once there is no longer anyone inside.” [Read more…]

ADA Part 3: Goodbye Nardi?

August 12, 2014 By pete

The Rinspeed XchangE concept car offers passengers virtually any seating or resting position and the interior they want and provides the relaxing business-class comfort found with major airlines. The seats allow more than twenty possible seating arrangements with a host of adjustment, tilting and swiveling options.

By Gijsbert-Paul Berk

Aside from legal, political, and social issues, a growing market for ADAs also depends to a large extent on the price and consumer trust.

That there exists a market for such cars is beyond doubt. There are sufficient people who dislike driving in today’s dense traffic; some of the younger generation will certainly prefer sending SMS message with their smartphone or playing with their tablet over concentrating on the traffic around them. In Europe and the U.S. there are a great number of older drivers who are conscious that their reaction time is gradually slowing down or who have other minor handicaps. [Read more…] about ADA Part 3: Goodbye Nardi?

VeloceToday for August 5, 2014

August 5, 2014 By pete

Ferrari 410 Sport Prototype, first raced by Carroll Shelby; Offered by Rick Cole Auctions in Monterey. Click on image for details.

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The most successful series in the 12 year history of VeloceToday.com! Click each icon to read.

Two Lancia Sales Brochures: Lancia Flamina Zagato Supersport from 1966 and another from 1959 which features all 4 Flaminia models. Excellent condition, never drooled on. Click on pic to see complete brochures. $100 for both. Contact:vack@cox.net

*$25 Ads for anyone who has something to sell, to giveaway, or to holler about. Ad will be placed above the fold and run for one month. Contact vack@cox.net .

An Alfa in the Mille Miglia Part 1

August 5, 2014 By pete

La Mille Miglia, Part 1 UK to Brescia

A longtime contributor to VeloceToday, Graham Earl entered this year’s Mille Miglia with one of our favorite cars, an Alfa Giulietta Sprint. Earl is a veteran of three Mille Miglias, and in no respect a novice. This three part article is an absolute must-read and like the Alfa and the Mille Miglia, itself a classic. Remember Henry Manney’s account for Road & Track? This one is better! Ever wanted to run the Mille Miglia? Read it! Owned an Alfa? Delight in it! Earl writes the truth while composing one of the most maddeningly humorous and interesting series of articles to appear in VeloceToday. Ever. We’ll also make it available as a pdf so you can read it at your leisure. Ed.
[Read more…] about An Alfa in the Mille Miglia Part 1

Self-Drive Cars and You: A History Longer than You Think

August 5, 2014 By pete

Playing scrabble while your car is driving itself on the Turnpike. As early as 1956 the Central Power and Light Company inserted this ‘inspired’ advertisement in leading US newspapers. Under the intriguing heading 'Electricity may be the driver', its text read: 'One day your car may speed along an electric super-highway, its speed and steering automatically controlled by electronic devices embedded in the road. Highways will be made safe – by electricity! No traffic jams ... no collisions ... no driver fatigue.'

Forget all of what you have considered major advancements in the development of the automobile: Ford’s assembly line, automatic transmissions, disc brakes, fuel injection, computerized fuel systems. By far the most important and far reaching automobile innovation since the very invention of the automobile is just taking form. ADAs (Autonomous-driving-automobiles) are not just around the corner but here, much to the delight of aging baby boomers who will never be immobile, and younger generations who will be able to play computer games and message text all while being driven automatically. Gijsbert-Paul Berk helps us understand where we’ve been, where we are going, and can we get there without the steering wheel and gas pedal.

By Gijsbert-Paul Berk

Part 1

The well-known high-tech company and Internet search-site now intends to produce this urban ADA that even has no steering wheel. Legislators and managers in the car industry are skeptical about the feasibility of such a project in view of the high financial risk law suits over product liability. But Google is determined.

Recently Mark Reuss, Chief of Product Development at General Motors, confided to journalists that if Google pursued its development of ADAs (autonomous-driving automobiles), it could become a “serious competitive threat”. Reuss admitted that GM is developing its own self driving systems as well. “But we are not in a race with Google to create driverless cars. Our industry will phase in these technologies over years. I don’t think you’re going to see a fully autonomous car take over the city anytime soon.” [Read more…]

Silverstone in One Day

August 5, 2014 By pete

The 512M was driven by Paul Knapfield and Jamie Campbell Walker finishing 8th out of 32 cars.

Photos and story by Jonathan Sharp

Amongst the myriad of press releases I received from the Media department of the Annual Silverstone Classic race meeting, was one which told me that spending only one day would not be sufficient to see and enjoy everything that the event had to offer. Unfortunately, one day was all that I had available, but as the final race finished at 9pm maybe I could just fit it all in. The morning was therefore spent nosing around the two different paddock areas. [Read more…] about Silverstone in One Day

VeloceToday for July 29, 2014

July 29, 2014 By pete

Ferrari 410 Sport Prototype, first raced by Carroll Shelby; Offered by Rick Cole Auctions in Monterey. Click on image for details.

*$25 Ads for anyone who has something to sell, to giveaway, or to holler about. Ad will be placed above the fold and run for one month. Contact vack@cox.net .

REVS, Cunningham, the Glen and Me

July 29, 2014 By pete

Briggs Cunningham in the 166 Ferrari at Bridgehamption in May 1953. The author would follow the legend from Watkins Glen to Costa Mesa and finally to Naples Florida. Courtesy Briggs Cunninham III.

By Eric Davison

Bruce, Eric and Mary Davison at the Revs Institute.

[The re-opening of the Revs Institute prompted Eric Davison to pay a visit with his wife Mary and son Bruce. Davison has an unusual and long history of involvement with the early years at Watkins Glen, as recounted in his eight part Memoirs of Watkins Glen for VeloceToday. For Davison, this visit to the Revs Institute brought it all together. It began when Davison’s father brought young Eric to Watkins Glen, beginning a three generation span of Davison car enthusiasts. Next week, Revs welcomes the Davisons, where the Bu-Merc and Ferrari 166 are on display once again. Ed.]

Cunningham, Colliers, and the Glen [Read more…] about REVS, Cunningham, the Glen and Me

VeloceToday for July 22, 2014

July 22, 2014 By pete

Ferrari 410 Sport Prototype, first raced by Carroll Shelby; Offered by Rick Cole Auctions in Monterey. Click on image for details.

Name the Make, Model, and Year! Bill Giltzow did and won a copy or Dino Brunori's great book, 'Nardi, A fast life'. It's a 1955 357 Ermini. Below, read Brunori's story about how many were built and by whom, and what Enzo Ferrari had to do with it!

BARN FIND! 1959 Citroen 2 CV “Dans son Jus”! Imported from Avignon France and shipped to California in 1984. Running and has new convertible top, a new wiring harness and five new Michelin 135 X 400 tires. contact Clark Rodgers clark@f1weekly.com Click to see photos.

SOLD! An Opera program? But wait, this nearly mint original La Scala official program is from the 1927-28 Opera Season and is full of colorful car and parts ads, including the new Alfa 6c1500 and Lancia Lambda. This would make a great accessory for a mid-to late 1920s classic car. Click on pic to see full article about the program. Available now for only $100, free shipping. Contact:vack@cox.net

*ONE TIME ads ($25 USD) for anyone who has something to sell, to giveaway, or to holler about. Ad will be placed above the fold. Contact vack@cox.net .

Devin’s Father: The Ermini 357

July 22, 2014 By pete

Bill Giltzow quickly identified the contest car as a 1955 357 Ermini. Below, Dino Brunori tells us how many were made and by whom.

The fascinating story of the 357 Ermini

By Dino Brunori
Photos courtesy Dino Brunori

Pasquale Ermini (1905-1958) aka ‘Pasquino’ was a former driver and pre-war racing mechanic of great experience. He started his career when he was 21 years old in Emilio Materassi’s workshop in Florence. Materassi was running his own racing team, Scuderia Materassi, using Talbot and Bugatti GP cars and soon Pasquino became chief mechanic of the team. In 1932, with the death of Emilio, the team was liquidated and Pasquino set up his garage in Via Campo d’Arrigo in central Florence devoted to tuning and preparing racing cars for the great racing events of the period. [Read more…] about Devin’s Father: The Ermini 357