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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

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Giuseppe Merosi and the Alfa Romeo RL series Part II

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Merosi's Masterpiece, the RLSS. Photo by Harry Hurst.

By Nicholas Lancaster with thanks to the AROC of Great Britain

Part I covered the Merosi cars designed from the beginning of ALFA in 1910 to the introduction of the RL in 1921, which would be the mainstay of the company until production of the Jano-designed 6C 1500 was underway in 1927. Part II features the details of the RLS, RLSS and the RLTF cars.

For 1926 several improvements were made as the RLN became the RLT (for Touring) and the RLS became the RLSS (Super Sports) The latter had dry sump lubrication, while the RLT now also had an engine capacity of 2994cc (and in the UK became known as the 22/70); power improved to 61bhp at 3200rpm, while the RLSS now revved to 3600 and produced 83bhp providing a maximum speed of just over 80mph. [Read more…] about Giuseppe Merosi and the Alfa Romeo RL series Part II

VeloceToday Drives the Alfa Romeo RLSS

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By Pete Vack
Color photos by Harry Hurst

Thanks to the kind offices of the Simeone Foundation, VeloceToday was recently given the opportunity to drive two rare pre-war Alfa Romeos. While driving the “Legendary” 2.3 Castagna was a dream come true, it was perhaps even more fortunate to have been able to sample an even rarer Alfa–a 1925 RLSS, “Merosi’s Masterpiece” as some have called the breed. Rare, did we say? How about 392 ever produced, of which perhaps a dozen are left, scattered across the globe. To see one is an event; to drive one is to experience motoring’s Shangri-La. Here is our report:

Being able to drive both the 8C 2300 and the 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 an bit down. [Read more…] about VeloceToday Drives the Alfa Romeo RLSS

This Week, of Interest

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ACTIVITIES AT THE SIMEONE
NICE BUGATTI ART ON EBAY
BANDINI DOHC FOR SALE
ABARTH DOUBLE BUBBLE SELLS FOR $91,260
LANCIA MYSTERY CAR STILL THAT
ALFA SPRINT NORMALE GOES FOR $39,780

At the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum Saturday, June 19th - Sunday, June 27th A special exhibit: Cent Anni, Alfa Romeo, Honoring this famous marque on its 100th anniversary.


[Read more…] about This Week, of Interest

Charles Addams: The Bugatti Years, 1960-1988

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Legendary mechanic Jim McGee works on the Bugatti while Charles Addams looks on. Watermill, NY., 1978. Photo by H.R.Krause. Used with permission from the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation.

By Pete Vack

Read Part I, Charles Addams and His Cars, 1948-1960

In 1960, Charles Addams was about to embark upon the most lucrative years of his career as a cartoonist, even having enough spare cash to renew car insurance.” By 1964 his income had almost tripled and the “Addams Family” was just making its debut on nation-wide TV. Like never before, Addams, an otherwise “normal boy” from New Jersey, would be able to enjoy both his cars and his freedom.

After two years of racing the Alfa 8C2300 (see Driving the 8C2300) around eastern Long Island, Addams began looking for a Bugatti. Already well known by Vintage Sports Car Club of America (VSCCA) members, Addams was an active member in the nascent club, and even though he rarely sallied forth to events at Lime Rock or Thompson, Connecticut, he seldom missed a vintage meet at

Addams, left with Ken Purdy (glasses and white hair) at the annual meeting of the American Bugatti Club at Le Chanteclair, circa 1960. Photo from the collection of Ralph Gross and first published in My Two Lives.

Bridgehampton, Long Island. But he was at the right bar at the right time when “Kings of the Road” author Ken Purdy decided to part with his well-known T35C. Ed Bond got involved with a complex brokered deal between Derry Mallalieu, Addams and Purdy. “When the four way transaction was complete the results were as follows: Addams owned Ken’s T35C, (s/n 4813) Ken was Bugless, Mallalieu had the Alfa, and I purchased the Alfa from Mallalieu.” The Alfa was purchased by Fred Simeone a few years later and can be seen today at the Simeone Foundation.
[Read more…] about Charles Addams: The Bugatti Years, 1960-1988

Charles Addams and his CAR Toons

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©Charles Addams With permission of the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation

By Pete Vack
From the VeloceToday Archives, June, 2010

A deep interest in classic cars was bound to reveal itself in the art of Charles Addams. When the Tee and Charles Foundation began to collect and identify the Addams cartoons, they found over 70 related to the automobile. [Read more…] about Charles Addams and his CAR Toons

Lancia Mystery Car

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Side view indicates an attractive but not Italianate design. But the mechanicals are all Lancia.

Ok, we give up. As so often happens, a reader will send us some images of a car that no one can identify. Usually we can find the answer without a great deal of research.

But this one left us stumped.

Despite its short wheelbase, the car is quite attractive. Think Denzel with a front engine.

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VeloceToday Drives the 8C 2300 Alfa Mille Miglia Castagna

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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