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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

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(Vignale) Ferrari Beaters

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A personal account by Eric Davison
With thanks to Marcel Massini and Richard F. Merritt

The recent story by Wallace Wyss about Ferrari ‘beaters’ (The Joy of Beater Ferraris) brought back a memory about a time when there were even Vignale Ferraris that were beaters, although that pejorative had not yet been used in conjunction with automobiles.

Unlike today when the name Ferrari evokes dollar signs and the older the Ferrari the more dollar signs, in the late 50s and early 60s an old Ferrari sports racing car was just a tired old piece of outdated aluminum that had outlived its competitive life having been surpassed by the latest model.

0332MM in the early 1990s after a complete restoration. Car in lead image above is not 0332MM. Photo courtesy Marcel Massini

But, there were people who had an inkling of what was to come. One such man was a gentleman named Herb Armstrong. Herb was employed by Chrysler International and was headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. [Read more…] about (Vignale) Ferrari Beaters

24 Karat Ferrari GTO Art to be Unveiled at Pebble Beach

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Dante Rubli is an internationally known artist who has been creating unique works of art for twenty five years. Based in Bern, Switzerland, Dante uses such diverse materials as wood, steel, gold, and platinum for his custom furniture, and now, automobiles. [Read more…] about 24 Karat Ferrari GTO Art to be Unveiled at Pebble Beach

This Week, of Interest: Time Warp 275 GTB; Win a Poster

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Stop press

Although a Ferrari 275 GTB was NOT the car used in the famous video “Rendezvous”, (see article below) here’s one that has been in a time warp that just came to our attention. Ferrari hunter Tom Shaugnessy recently obtained this totally original, virtually untouched alloy bodied 275 GTB and it will appear at Concorso this year, then be up for auction at the Gooding later in the weekend. Tom found it ealier this month at a Ferraris specialist shop. Good luck Tom…

This week’s contest

To win this poster courtesy of the Simeone Foundation , tell us what Frenchman, later to drive for Scuderia Ferrari, did not finish in this event. Last week’s winner was Gérard Gaud from France. We had multiple winners and we drew the name from hat. This week we’ll do the same. Entries close on Friday at 12 noon EDT USA. Send all entries to pete@velocetoday.com.

This week, things French

*Film maker Stephen Mitchell, new to VeloceToday, starts off the set by telling us how director Claude Lelouch influenced his life and work and ponders a recreation of his most famous work, “Rendezvous.” “Let’s do it again in a 458 Italia”, he says.

*Next comes two articles about the amazing blazing Renault Shooting Star, which sounds even nicer in French as “Etoile Filante”. The first part is free, (Freemium) feature, the second is for our Premium Members only. So please join up. You won’t be disappointed!

*Then, top photog Hugues Vanhoolandt sent us what he liked about the Goodwood Festival this year–at least the French and Italian cars he caught going up the hill.

Renedezvous Redux? Reflections on Claude Lelouch

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Would it be possible to recreate Claude Lelouch's legendary film 'Rendezvous'? Director Stephen Mitchell would use a new Italia.. Original art, 'Rendezvous with 458 Italia' for VeloceToday by Chad Glass.

By Stephen Mitchell
Artwork by Chad Glass
French Translation follows English text

When Stephen Mitchell was recently introduced to VeloceToday by Wallace Wyss, he told us a bit about himself, mentioning Ferrari, film making, and Paris. We added this up and asked him his thoughts on, of course, Claude Lelouch’s film ‘Rendezvous’. Bingo!! We pressed the right button.

Mitchell was born and raised to have a Hollywood career–literally. A native of Los Angeles, he studied sound, cinematography and editing with department heads from CBS Cinema Center in Studio City, California where Steve McQueen had his Solar Productions. Working as an extra and in small speaking parts in Hollywood films, he practically lived on the set of the television series Mission: Impossible as a family friend directed many of the show’s episodes. Obviously a film career was in the making, but instead of Hollywood, Mitchell’s film career began in France. “I went to Paris because I saw a film by Claude Lelouch—“A Man and a Woman”. It showed me exactly the kind of film I wanted to be making and it wasn’t happening in Hollywood.” We’ll let Mitchell take it from here…

While my interest in films was already well established, strangely enough my passion for cars took root while I was recovering from a head-on collision on the Ventura Freeway. I wasn’t expected to live through the first night but, in the end, my father and I both survived. I read one Road & Track magazine after another, learning and becoming excited about Ferraris, Formula One and the incredible collection of personalities that populated those worlds. It was family friend and mentor Paul Stanley, the director who issued a standing invitation to visit the sets he worked on, who told me I should see A Man and a Woman. (1966) It had impressed him and he figured I would like it, too. That was an understatement. [Read more…] about Renedezvous Redux? Reflections on Claude Lelouch

French and Italian Cars at Goodwood Festival

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Renault has come a long way since the post-war days of the Shooting Star and the Dauphine. The 1977 Renault RS01 was Renault’s first attempt in Formula 1, using turbo technology. Nicknamed ‘the yellow teapot’, Renault became a winner only two years after their difficult debut in F1.

Hugues Vanhoolandt brings us the best of France and Italy, Goodwood Style.

Every year since 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Southern England attracts the best of the cars and drivers from past and present and even provides a look at the future of the automobile.

One of the themes of this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was “Giant steps in motor racing history”, and to illustrate the theme, some French cars in attendance were really appropriate. To mention a few, a 1930 Bugatti Type 53 four-wheel drive, the 1964 CD-Panhard with its aerodynamic shape to suit the straights of Le Mans, the four-wheel steering Peugeot 405 T 16 ‘Pikes Peak’, the 1977 Renault Turbo that revolutionized F1 and the 2010 electric powered Citroën Survolt. French cars have been on the leading edge of technological changes since the invention of the automobile.
Only the Festival of Speed can bring together so many different cars to give an instant view of more than a century of automotive history and this year Ferrari and Fiat were in showing cars that covered the span of that century. Chris Evans’ collection alone was worth the trip!

Peugeot won three times Indy 500, in 1913, 1916 (this car) and 1919.

Bugatti was a pioneer of four-wheel drive and tried it in the Bugatti T53.

Bugatti T54 of 1931 won on the Avus circuit, near Berlin, with Achille Varzi at the wheel.

The CD-Panhard (1964), propelled by a little .85 litre 2 cylinder engine, was build to win the Index of Performance at Le Mans. With its drag coefficient of 0.12, it topped out at 140 mph in the Hunaudières.

With the V12 MS670 of 1972, Matra became the first French marque to win at Le Mans since 1950. Here is the MS670B model of 1973.

The Peugeot 905, with carbon fibre monocoque and F1-style engine, succeeded Matra on the Le Mans winner’s list in 1992 and 1993.

Peugeot not only won Indy on American soil, but also Pikes Peak with the four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering 405 Turbo 16 in 1988 with Ari Vatanen driving.

After retiring from F1 in 1985, Renault became engine supplier for Williams with whom they won nine F1 world championships between 1989 and 1997. Renault recently announced that they will again provide engines to the Williams team next year.

Is the future electric ? Citroën seems to think so but electric is not necessarily dull and boring as demonstrate the Survolt.

Italians

A hundred years ago, engines with huge capacity were common on the racing scene as this Fiat S74 Grand Prix of 1911 using a 14.2 Litre 4-cylinder engine.

Originally a Grand Prix racer, this Fiat was rebuilt as a record-breaker in 1923 by Ernest Eldridge, using a 21.7 Litre aero engine. Called the ‘Mefistofele’, it reached 146 mph top speed in 1924.

Ferrari 340 America Touring coupé s/n 0122 A of David Cottingham of DK Engineering took Best of Show in the Cartier Style and Luxe Concours d’Elégance.

This Ferrari 375 MM spyder Pinin Farina s/n 0382 AM has been raced extensively in the US by Bill Spear and Duncan Black between 1954 an 1958.

250 GTL, 275 GTB, 365 GTC, 288 GTO, F40, all part of the collection of BBC Radio & TV presenter Chris Evans ...

as is this 250 GTO s/n 4675 GT that Evans acquired last year from the Matsuda Collection.

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason brought his 365 GTB/4 Daytona Group 4 with 1972 Le Mans Ecurie Francorchamps livery.

In 1952, Ferrari sent some 375 Grand Prix cars to Indianapolis in order to conquer the brickyard, but without success. This car is now part of the Louwman Collection, in the Netherlands.

Lancia D50 had fuel tanks placed in the pontoons for a better weight distribution. This example is an exact replica of the 1954 model.

The Ferrari 312 B3, due to Mauro Forghieri, brought three wins to the Cavallino Rampante in 1974.

Every year, most of the F1 teams are present at Goodwood and Ferrari is no exception, with the F10 model of last year, driven by test driver Marc Gene.

This Week, of Interest: Win the Best Nardi Book Ever

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To win a copy of Dino Brunori's Nardi book, (click on photo to read book review) tell us the year and make of the car in this photo. Send your answer to pete@velocetoday.com before 12 noon EDT, Friday, July 15th 2011.

Our winner last week was Paul Jewell, who, along with many others, correctly answered that the mascherina was the Giulietta grille and of course in front of the car. Paul told us his father owns a Giulietta and he would give Evan’s book to him as a present. Now that’s neat. Many thanks to all who entered!

This week, an even bigger book is our prize as we celebrate another successful Le Mitichie a Bassano. Last week’s contest process worked well, so it will continue; there will probably always be mulitple correct answers, so we’ll put them in a hat and make a drawing the old analog way. In addition, our friends from Australia said, please, add another day before closing the contest as they are a day behind us. Identify the car and year made in the photo above and send your answer to pete@velocetoday.com before 12 noon EDT July 15th 2011.

Not only has Dino Brunori authored the best Nardi book ever (and our best selling book), but is instrumental in organizing the beautiful barchettas at Bassano event. Again this year Charles Schoendorf writes the story from behind the wheel of his Arnolt Bristol.

To keep with the theme of small Italian cars this week, we offer up a bit about Abarth Days in Italy, thanks to Roberto Motta. More to come on Abarths soon.

We welcome a new advertizer, and an important one. Borrani Americas wants to make sure you know all about Borrani’s current line of wheels and services. We want you to know all about the fascinating history of Borrani and the wire wheel, and kick it off with an introduction in this edition of VeloceToday. We’ll start with the basics…like did you know you could get Borranis for your Cadillac? And be sure to check out the new line of Borrani wheels from X to S.

The we have the sleeper GP–which came alive in a big way on the very last lap. See Erik’s report on the British Grand Prix.

Scroll away!

Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano 2011

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By Chuck Schoendorf and Dino Brunori
Photos by Dino Brunori

If you own an open sports car from the golden era of the great Italian road races like the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio or Coppa d’Oro, you must attend Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano. Come once and you will become a Mitiche addict, and both a certified sports car driver and a certified nut ! A certified driver because of the gruelling, non-stop challenging mountain roads, a certified nut because all the cars are barchettas, meaning open cockpit, and it always rains in the mountains!
[Read more…] about Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano 2011

Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano 2011 Images

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Photo Story by Dino Brunori

Le Mitiche Sport brings out a wide variety of historic racing cars not seen elsewhere in the world including a great number of of our favorite small displacement Italian sports racers. But also eligible are the legendary big cars like the Mercedes SSK below making it an event not to be missed.

1928 Mercedes SSK is a huge affair next to the miniscule Italian specials. It was driven by the team of Bernhard and Henry Bauer from Germany.


[Read more…] about Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano 2011 Images

Ruote Borrani, Then and Now

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The latest wire wheel from Ruote Borrani is the X Ray, here making a big difference for the Maserati GTS.

In 2010, Borrani Americas partnered with Ruote Borrani Milano to be the exclusive importer and restorer of Borrani rims in North, Central and South America, thus bringing to the forefront a very relevant new story with a significant historical aspect that is rarely told. Our thanks to Ruote Borrani Milano, Borrani Americas, Roberto Motta, and David Seielstad for their help with this article.

For classic car enthusiasts, the name Borrani is synonymous with excellence. Their famed wire wheels have become an icon, known for quality, performance and design. In fact, the strength of Borrani is in its history and quality of its products. Borrani is still producing quality products, including their famous Borrani Classic wire wheels and new line of Xray, Sray and Bi Metal alloy wheels.
[Read more…] about Ruote Borrani, Then and Now

This Week, of Interest: Win Evan Wilson’s Giulietta Book

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It looks like our contests have been so successful we’ll just have to keep them going for a while, at least through the months of July and August. We congratulate last week’s winner, Virgil Taylor, who correctly and firstly identified the Wyss-Warhol as a 1964 GTO.

This week, something different. Alfa owner, writer and enthusiast Evan Wilson has revised his very enjoyable book about Giuliettas, a must have for anyone seriously interested in these small Alfas. We review the book below, and to win a copy of the latest and much improved book, Evan has supplied this quiz question:

On a Giulietta or a 101 Giulia, where is the mascherina typically installed?

Heads UP! New Contest Rules

Answer the question above as clearly as possible. But to accomodate our readers who don’t always open VT the instant it arrives and also give our readers in different time zones a chance to win the contest, we have devised a new way of conducting our contests:
*Please send your answer to the above question via email to pete@velocetoday.com, NOT the comment box below.
*(Entries will close at 12 noon EDT on Thursday July 7th (tomorrow).
*We’ll print out the correct answers and draw the winner from a hat.
*We’ll notify the winner via email and send out Evan’s excellent Alfa book to the winner by Friday. THere are NO strings attached; we won’t use your email address or geographical address for any reason other than to ensure you receive the book. Good Luck!

Below, the third installment of the Alfa 1300 Berlina series, Alfasud owner Evan Wilson’s Giulietta book is reviewed and the Revenge of the Lion. Scroll on.

This Week, of Interest: Win a Wyss Warhol

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WYSS GOES WARHOL (ESQUE)

Our frequent contributor, scribe/artist Wallace Wyss announced his newest illustration trend–a la Warhol. “I really didn’t think of making a tribute to Andy,” Wyss says, “but when I had to change the color a few times on the printing press for my illustration of one car, I thought , why not show the variations? Maybe that’s how Andy thought of it.”

Wyss will award one signed print to the first person who posts a comment below identifying the make and model of the car.

Those who are planning on attending the Concorso Italiano on August 19th should find a booth where Wyss will be displaying the tribute to Andy print, plus a few other design rendering prints in the original designer’s styles along with his regular full color depictions of Italy’s greatest sports cars. Those who won’t make Monterey can find his work on www.albaco.com Also, interested parties can write photojournalistpro@hotmail.com

Winner of last week’s contest

Last week’s winner of a copy of McQueen’s Machines was Barry Morgan, who almost instantly bought several raffle tickets in support of the Waktins Glen IMRRC. Thanks Barry!

This week’s articles
*Oosthoek’s book on sports car racing in the south is reviewed
*What’s in Your Driveway? Alfa 2600 Zagato
*Premium Article Update: See them all!
*Snooze Alert: Grand Prix of Europe

What’s in Your Driveway?: Zagato’s Alfa Romeo 2600

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2600 Alfa Zagato in 1970. Credit VeloceToday.com

By Pete Vack

“It looks like a giant praying mantis about to leap.” Kyle Fleming’s assessment of the Alfa 2600 Zagato, was, if not overly kind, at least somewhat accurate. Zagato was never known to be anything but bold about its designs, and the Zagato was big, bold and eye catching. Fleming, used to dealing in Maseratis and Ferraris, couldn’t quite put the Alfa Zagato into focus. Such was the attraction of Zagato. The Big Z was different, rare and unusual at a time and place when the U.S. was a veritable candy store, full of rare and unusual cars at bargain basement prices.
[Read more…] about What’s in Your Driveway?: Zagato’s Alfa Romeo 2600

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