VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

pete

The Fabulous OSCA 1600 GT

By

Childe Freeman's OSCA 1600GT Zagato of the double bubble variety, S/N 0094.

By Antony Childe-Freeman and Mark R. Brinker

You’ve already read about the exploits of the OSCA 1600GT at Le Mans. Here’s a bit more history of the car itself, with a focus on another ex racer, S/N 0094.

The OSCA 1600 GT Zagato is perhaps one of the most underappreciated and misunderstood GT cars of the post war era. Signaling a close to the Maserati brothers dynasty and remaining in the shadow of the legendary OSCA MT-4 (overall winner at Sebring in 1954), the 1600 GT emerged with a very different goal in mind; to produce an agile and stylish coupe. The results were an international success.

The OSCA 1600 GT Zagato prototype debuted at the 1960 Turin Auto Show. The car was tested by Ludovico Scarfiotti (Auto Italiana Sport, February 1, 1961), receiving rave reviews. The Maserati brothers knew they had a winner. OSCA 1600 GT Zagato production quickly commenced.

An All-New Tubular Chassis
The 1600 GT was built on a specially designed tubular OSCA chassis, not on a Fiat 1500 or 1600 unit as some authors have incorrectly described. The chassis for the 1600 GT was constructed at the OSCA factory with some components sub-contracted out. The wheelbase was 2250mm (88.5 inches), 50mm longer than the MT-4. The majority of cars were equipped with independent suspension front and rear, although a few cars had live axle rear suspension. The rear live axle, also known as the Ponte Rigido (PR), was a less expensive alternative, but also used on the Le Mans Experimental flat topped OSCA Zagato s/n 0036.

Alberto Luti in 0094 before the start of the Ascoli-Colle San Marco event.

This content is for Premium Subscriber members only.
LoginSubscribe

Bugattis On Broadway

By

It is hard to attract a crowd on Broadway. It takes something like a Bugatti Veyron, suitably roped off to get bystanders to notice. And that is what you need to wear, automotive wise, in NYC to get gawkers. Photo by Werner Pfister.

Story and photos by Werner Pfister

Not one but two Bugattis debuted on Broadway recently. A White Grand Sport and an all Blue Carbon Fiber Super Sport were displayed in front of the landmark Sardi’s Restaurant on West 44th Street in New York. It is most appropriate that the latest Bugattis had their coming out party at Sardi’s which is a Broadway institution after being located continuously for 90 years in the Theater District. [Read more…] about Bugattis On Broadway

This Week, of Interest

By

Some articles you may enjoy….

Driving the RLSS Alfa
Being able to drive both the Alfa 8C 2300 and the much earlier Alfa RLSS meant that we were given the even rarer opportunity to drive the work of both Giuseppe Merosi and Vittorio Jano. We’ll tell you which was more fun and why.
Click here

Solving the Mystery of the Lancia Special
We were just beginning to think that the case of the Lancia Mystery car would go unsolved. It was probably a one off, and it was described as having mechanical components from a Lancia Aprilia, including the engine, transmission, and front end, connect by a ladder chassis.
Click here

Below are Roberto Motta’s sketch of Michele Alboreto in both English and Italian, Alboreto’s life in photos, Matra in both English and Mp3, and a dueling book review and aliens at Le Mans. They are all free. So scroll down and enjoy!

Matra’s V12: Upholding the Honor of the French

By

The Matra MS12 V12, 1970. Photo by Brandes Elitch. To listen to the Matra V12, click on the photo.

By Brandes Elitch with photos and music by John Sexton

Matra has a wonderful history of building successful racing cars, but it is a name unknown to most Americans. The French love acronyms: Matra stands for Engins Mechanique Aviation-Traction, SA. It is an old company, founded in 1941 by Marcel Chassagny. It was and is an aerospace company and arms manufacturer for the French government.

In 1964, with absolutely no automotive racing experience, Chassagny tapped one of his engineers, Jean-Luc Lagardere, also without any automotive background, to create a new enterprise to build race cars: Matra Sports. He assembled a team, one of which, Andre Legan, summoned his friend Bernard Boyer by saying, “Bernard, on est chez les fous; il faut venir!” This could be translated as, “Everyone here is crazy; you must get over here!” Lagardere announced at the outset that within a few years, they would win both LeMans and a Formula One Championship – no wonder they thought him mad! But when it was all over, Matra had won at F-1 (1969, including the Constructors and Driver’s F1 World Championship) and captured the Manufacturer’s World Championship (1973 and 1974), and won LeMans in 1972, 1973, and 1974.

Rene Bonnet began producing the Djet with a 1108cc Renault engine in the rear, fiberglas body and four wheel disc brakes, but Matra took ownership in 1964 and continued to produce the Djet.

This content is for Premium Subscriber members only.
LoginSubscribe

What is a Premium Article?

By

We have made much ado about our Premium Service, Premium Subscriptions and Premium Articles. But what makes a Premium Article so different and actually–heavens forbid–worth paying for?
Let’s take this week’s offering, “French Survivor”, for example. It’s free—a Premium Freebie, as we want everyone to see what we are talking about. (we will continue to offer these “Freemiums” on occasion).

First, it is written with the support of the owner and a leading Delage historian, Daniel Cabart, combining both driving impressions, details and accurate historical accounts.
Second, it includes a history, rare factory drawings, specs and documents pertaining to the exact car.
Third, it includes rare historical photos of the car as purchased by the first owner as well as excellent contemporary images.
Fourth, it is well written and enjoyable to read: in this case the author was ably assisted by the owner and the historian.
Fifth, it is exclusive to VeloceToday. You will not find it anywhere else.
Sixth, Premium Articles are similar in scope and quality to those the editor and our authors submit to major automotive journals, which would in turn be sold via paid subscription or on the newsstand.

You’ll find that similar criteria apply to all of the Premium articles now available, which can be found on the Premium Service Page.

Scroll down with us as we take you from beater Ferraris to Delage survivors and some delicious Delage historic eye candy from “Delage, France’s Finest Car”.

French Survivor: Delage 105S

By

By Pete Vack with comments and research by Daniel Cabart
(This great Delage has changed hands since this article was originally published in 2011)

The last time our readers heard much of Alex Vazeos was in an article about last year’s Ville d’Este, where he was the first entrant to brave the judges with an Etceterini, in this case the ex-Rafi Minasian Giaur. Seemingly bent on buying small Italian cars, Vazeos found others, including the purchase the editor’s old Abarth 750 Zagato to sit next to his Record Monza. Alex also owns the ex-Jack Reuter Bandini, an Abarth Simca 1300 Corsa and a very rare Moretti 1200 Grand Sport.

This content is for Premium Subscriber members only.
LoginSubscribe

Delage, France’s Finest Car: A Brief History Part 1

By

By Pete Vack

Read Part II
All images are from the book “Delage, France’s Finest Car”

It is not our goal here to provide any kind of in-depth history of Delage; that is the purpose of the two volume set we describe. The following are just a few highlights of the fantastic cars from this distinguished French manufacturer. Part I will deal with the years up to 1920, in Part II will briefly cover the 1920-1935 years, the difference between Delage and Delahaye, and why. All of this is based on information and images from “Delage, France’s Finest Car, Volume 1 and 2 by Cabart, Rouxel and Burgess-Wise.

This content is for Premium Subscriber members only.
LoginSubscribe

Delage, France’s Finest Car: A Brief History Part 2

By

By Pete Vack

Read Part I
All images are from the book “Delage, France’s Finest Car”

The Great War came and went, and the fortunes of Louis Delage increased manifold as the factory turned out bullets. A failure to ensure munitions quality which caused a scandal. After the devasting war profiteering became an issue, and the French government would argue over how to tax excess war profits until the start of World War II.

This content is for Premium Subscriber members only.
LoginSubscribe

This Week, of Interest

By

The Matra MS12 V12, 1970. Photo by Brandes Elitch. To listen to the Matra V12, click on the photo.

What’s in YOUR driveway?

We all know that Ralph Lauren (see below) has one of these in his driveway, and it may even be the one below. Dale La Follette of Vintage Motorphoto sent his our way. Dale says that the photo was taken by Strother McMinn in 1949 in a garage in Los Angeles. I daresay our Bugatti friends out there will firmly nail this one down for us?

Photo Courtesy of Vintage Motorphoto.

Ralph Lauren brings his collection to Paris.

Lauren with his Mercedes SSK. Courtesy DNA.

The only way a mortal might be able to see a great selection of his collection aside from Paul Russell are those who will be lucky enough to attend the incredibly upscale art show beginning on the 28th of April. A selection of seventeen of Ralph Lauren’s most prestigious sports cars from the 1930s to the present day will be on show for the first time in Europe at Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs

For a sneak preview video of his private estate and garage, click below. This video provides an exclusive look behind closed doors at Ralph Lauren private estate where the designer takes us on a personal tour of these stunning machines. Ralph Lauren Collection Preview

Toly Arutunoff Updates Himself

First off, I thank God for saving my life and also for not being able to remember anything. Next: the less said about “phantom pain” the better. I once thought “how can something that’s not there hurt?” Anyway I’m doing physical therapy and additional general exercises–when you lie abed for a few weeks boy do your muscles shrink. And when you’re kinda old to start with, well, I’m adjusting to it and improving on it. I’ll get my C (for computer) leg in the not-too-distant future. A friend who has one rides his motorcycle; my doc looks upon my resuming such a practice with disfavor. I have many dreams about running down the street, scrambling up and down stairs,even being at a racetrack–my favorite so far! Finally, I’ve been overwhelmed (overused word but absolutely true in my case) with the love and concern expressed toward me since early February. Several freakin’ hundred emails, cards, photos, flowers, posters…it still brings tears to my eyes as I think of all you guys’ feelings for me. Thank you so very very VERY much! Karen thanks you for your prayers (as do I). She knows they’re helping my recovery, so I’ll be able to have autonomy and every day won’t be, as she sez, like the movie “Groundhog Day.”

There are five new articles this week, so please, scroll down!

More Great Reasons to Subscribe to Our Premium Service

By

Alfa March Indy Cars
Twenty one years ago Alfa Romeo made its last appearance at the Indianapolis 500 with a promising effort put forth by the Patrick Team of Chip Ganassi. In this exclusive report, Roberto Motta tracks the history of the March-Alfa Romeos.
Click here

Bugatti Before Cars
Larry Crane takes us on an exclusive tour of the furniture of Carlo Bugatti on display in the Mullin Museum, which in addition to cars, celebrates the art of the first half of the Twentieth Century with a focus on the decorative arts movement universally known as “Art Deco.”
Click here

Nardi Book Review
“Enrico Nardi, a fast life” is mot only a biography but a remarkable compendium of races in which Nardi cars participated plus a full history of the marque itself, from 1947 to 1957. Read the review again and you’ll end up ordering one of the few remaining English versions left!
Click here

Paris Retro, Art on Art
John Sexton and Jodi Ellis teamed up to bring us a delightful look at the Paris Retro. Retro is amazing, with cars, parts, books, models, glass, and posters. Sexton, a French car expert and Ellis, a superb layout artist, show us Retro as never been seen before, from Panhard to Voisin.
Click here

Great Reasons to Subscribe to Our Premium Service

By

Alfas on the Track
Jeff Allison, editor of “Prancing Horse”, switches to Alfas and writes a first hand tribute to Alfa Romeo’s 100th anniversary. Many unpublished color photos from races where Alfas competed in 1972 and 1974. In two parts.
Click here

An Atlantic Reappears
Much of the breathless reportage in the business and popular press of the recent sale of a Type 57SC Bugatti Atlantic focused on its price and the supposed fact that there were only two — some said three – Atlantics built. Michael T. Lynch tells all.
Click here

Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano
What is Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano? Roughly, it means “Mythic Sport Cars in Bassano”. Bassano is more correctly Bassano del Grappa, and Grappa is a Brandy. It’s nice to have both an entrant and an organizer write the story of this delicious event in Italy.
Click here

Rebel Rebel
Probably not unique, this book is the only hardbound-full sized volume I have on my shelves that is devoted to only one serial number (2819 GT). The subject is “Rebel Rebel”, a book about the legendary Ferrari “Breadvan”. An in-depth review of a best seller.
Click here

OSCA 1600 GT at Le Mans: Heads and Tails Part I

By

By Pete Vack and John Gordon

While researching the story of the two Le Mans OSCA 1600GTs, we became delightfully enmeshed in the elusive search for truth and justice, Italian style. Heads, we searched rare OSCA twin plug heads created for a few of the GTS designated cars; and tails, we entertained discussions on the numbers and types of 1600s built with a solid rear axle versus the IRS. Serving as an anchor to our story is Sebring Index winner (1960, OSCA 750) John Gordon, who purchased OSCA 1600GTS s/n 0036 to race at Le Mans in 1962. Gordon, a rocket engineer by profession, OSCA pilot by choice, was an insightful and intelligent eyewitness to the events of that legendary era.
[Read more…] about OSCA 1600 GT at Le Mans: Heads and Tails Part I

MENU