Gerald Roush, one of the major figures in the Ferrari world, died on Friday, May 21st, at the age of 68. On March 12th of this year, Roush suffered a stroke while en route to Amelia Island to judge at the Concours. He was recovering at an Atlanta facility when he suffered a heart attack. [Read more…] about Gerald Roush 1941-2010
VeloceToday Drives the 8C 2300 Alfa Mille Miglia Castagna
As part of the series of Demonstration Days at the Simeone Foundation VeloceToday was provided an opportunity to drive two very special Alfa Romeos, an 8C 2300 and an RLSS. A special thanks to Fred Simeone, Harry Hurst and Curator Kevin Kelly.
Please make note that on June 19, the Foundation will present “Alfa Romeo turns 100” and bring out eight Alfas ranging in date from 1927 to 1975, including five rare 8C models.
By Pete Vack
Color photos by Harry Hurst
Serial number 2211072, the Alfa Romeo 8C2300 MM Spyder on display at the Simeone Foundation in Philadelphia, is the only 8C 2300 Spyder to be bodied by Castagna. According to Simon Moore, it likely started life as a factory racecar before being sold to privateers. Raced in the 1935 Mille Miglia by Catullo Lami and Pasquale Ermini, (who would later build Etceterinis) it was forced to retire. Exported to the UK it led a happy and active life for many years with a number of enthusiastic owners. It has a few famous ex’s, but our favorite is Charles Addams, who is also the editor’s favorite cartoonist. (Next week we’ll tell you more about Addams and his family of cars.) Furthermore, aside from an engine rebuild in the UK, this 8C 2300 is apparently original and unrestored. All of which make this a very, very special Alfa 8C 2300. (For more details on this Alfa, see “Reflections on a Castagna Alfa”). So, without further wordiness, let’s get it on. [Read more…] about VeloceToday Drives the 8C 2300 Alfa Mille Miglia Castagna
Reflections on the Alfa 8C 2300 Castagna
The Alfa 2300 Castagna, created in a period when the “pursuit of balance and elegance both in substance and shape expressed itself in sheer majesty.” Photo by Harry Hurst.
By Pete Vack
The four of us paused to stare at the lines of the 8C 2300 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Castagna Spyder, now on display at the Simeone Foundation. Had one the time, it’s something that could be done all day long with pleasure. Everyone agreed it was perfectly proportioned; the short wheelbase accentuated the long hood line and swooping fenders, and huge black wire wheels stood out against the red finish. “The Alfa makes it easy to appreciate pre-war cars”, said Harry Hurst, the Simeone PR director and author of Sebring 1970. “There is not a bad line anywhere.” [Read more…] about Reflections on the Alfa 8C 2300 Castagna
This Week, of Interest
We doubt if anyone out there in Internetland aside from VeloceToday offers this kind of reporting and inside views of Europe’s most prestigious Concours d’ Elegance.
Noted Canadian collector Oliver Collins describes his experiences before, during and after entering his Alfa 6C2500SS in the Villa d’Este, a primer for anyone interested in entering a car in a European event.
Hailing from Greece, Alex Vazeos shows us how the crowd and judges loved his Giaur, the first Etceterini race car ever to be shown at Villa d’Este. Alessandro Gerelli finds that the Iso Rivolta is now back in production, and gives us his view of the rest of the cars at Ville d’Este.
We have not forgotten about Formula One: Philippe Defechereux is taking bets on the next F1 race at Barcelona, a risky proposition at best.
A note to all those who have ordered “Rebel Rebel”. Flight delays have meant that the book shipments will also be delayed–we will have all copies shipped soon and will keep you posted!
Next week, VeloceToday drives the ex-Charles Addams Castagna-bodied 8C23000 Alfa Romeo. Don’t miss it!
Participating in the Concorso d’ Eleganza Villa D’Este
Exclusive interview with Entrant Oliver Collins by Pete Vack
That's our car! Oliver Collins' Alfa in front of the gardens at Villa d'Este as seen from the hotel. A scene like this makes it all worthwhile. Photo by Lucine Collins.
Some guys just dream, other guys dream and do. Oliver Collins, of Toronto, Canada is one of the latter. But better yet, he not only lives his dream but comes back and is glad to tell the world (via VeloceToday) what and how he did it and how you too, might be able to be a contestant in Europe’s most famous and most prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este. There’s great advice herein so save this under same.
[Read more…] about Participating in the Concorso d’ Eleganza Villa D’Este
Etceterini Wins Hearts and Minds at Villa d’Este
Etceterinis have truly arrived. Alex Vazeo’s Giaur pulls up next to the Alfa 6C2500SS of Oliver Collins and a Maserati Spyder entered by Mr. Ferretti, owner of the famous Ferretti yachts. Below, Alex tells VeloceToday about his experience in Cernobbio.
[Read more…] about Etceterini Wins Hearts and Minds at Villa d’Este
Gerelli at Villa d’Este 2010
Best of the Rest at Cernobbio, April 23-25 2010
By Alessandro Gerelli
A Selection of the Entrants
Alfa Romeo, Giulia 1600 TZ2, Coupé, Pininfarina, 1965, Shiro Kosaka (J) Received Mention of Honor in Class H, Trofeo FIVA, for the best preserved car by the Jury and the Trofeo Auto & Design for the most exciting design by the Jury.
[Read more…] about Gerelli at Villa d’Este 2010
Peter Mullin Automotive Museum: Bugatti Before the Cars
The Mullin Automotive Museum entry includes a dramatic portico, made up of dozens of tinted windshields on an iron frame that would make Gustave Eiffel proud.
Larry Crane takes us on an exclusive tour of the furniture of Carlo Bugatti.
Photos by author except as noted.
Peter Mullin is a gifted artist, at least equal to his talents as a businessman. In spite of his new museum’s name, he wants the public home of his collections to be seen as an art museum, celebrating the art of the first half of the Twentieth Century with a focus on the decorative arts movement universally known as “Art Deco.” [Read more…] about Peter Mullin Automotive Museum: Bugatti Before the Cars
Mullin Automotive Museum Celebrates its Grand Opening
An opening in grand style for the Mullin Automotive Museum.
Oxnard, Calif. (April 16, 2010) – In an ambiance of stylish luxury, priceless treasures that glowed in soft light and live jazz music, the Mullin Automotive Museum celebrated its grand opening in great style. The evening, like the museum, was a commemoration of the art deco design era when exquisite art and magnificent automobiles were elements of an artful, futurist culture. The museum displayed both in a luminous Grand Salon worthy of that extravagant time
[Read more…] about Mullin Automotive Museum Celebrates its Grand Opening
Elite from Essen
In 1965 the Italian magazine Quattroruote had the idea for the Gran Sport 1750 replicar that was inspired by the 6C 1750 and based on the Giulia Spider platform.
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Techno-Classica Essen 2010
During the five days (April 7-11) of Techno-Classica in Essen (Germany), there are more classic, vintage and racing cars offered for sale under one roof than anywhere else in the world.
[Read more…] about Elite from Essen
This Week, of Interest
This week’s stories are below, but be sure to keep your eye on the David Seibert Classic Book Sale, in the ad column at right. Every week we’ll be adding more classic books for sale, but there is only one copy each. Coachbuilders, Maserati and French cars to come.
Some news for our long-suffering subscribers who wish to subscribe but can’t. There are a number of reasons a subscription might fail:
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Alfas Take Phillip Island by Storm
Alfa Romeo 159 was the star of the Phillip Island Classic. Photo and story by Vince Johnson.
Melbourne Australia, 19 – 21 March 2010.
To celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Phillip Island Classic, the Victorian Historic Racing Register fittingly chose Alfa Romeo as the featured marque for the event. Held annually at the sweeping 4.4 km circuit south of Melbourne, the international stature of this meeting is well established. Its reputation is such that the Alfa Romeo factory, in its centenary year, sent one of its irreplaceable Alfettas, chassis #159.111, engine #159.221. [Read more…] about Alfas Take Phillip Island by Storm