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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

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Andrea Curami

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Professor Andrea Curami, surrounded by some of his famous books.

From the archives: A Tribute by Dino Brunori

Last Thursday, June 24th 2010, the author of so many of the books we cherish, Andrea Curami died suddenly of a stroke. He was only 63 years old. Our condolences to his wife Maria Cristina, his daughter Marianna and a beloved nephew, Ginevra.

“Tschao Dino”, “Ciao Andrea”, was a typical beginning of conversations with my late friend Andrea Curami. His way of saying ‘ciao’ had a small inflection of ‘s’ in front of the word and always sounded, well, like Andrea. The first time we met was about fifteen years ago at the Mille Miglia scrutineering in Piazza Vittoria in Brescia. I had heard of the well-known historian but never met him. So it was that I was introduced to a tall man with white hair and a cigar in one hand. For some reason I immediately associated him with Yogi the Bear from the TV cartoon series. I wasn’t the only one. Later I discovered that ‘little bear’ was a nickname often used by his friends.
[Read more…] about Andrea Curami

Making the Mummies Dance

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Fred Simeone in the Alfa Monza s/n 221112 which placed second in the 1933 Mille Miglia, is followed by Curator Kevin Kelly in the 8C 2900B MM Spyder s/n 412031 which won the Mille Miglia in 1938.

A hands on approach brings ancient Alfas to life at the Simeone Foundation

By Pete Vack
Photos by Harry Hurst

Thomas Hoving assumed the directorship of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1967 and began a number of building projects and renovations. He brought new life to the aging Museum and was often said to be “making the mummies dance”, a phrase he used to title his best selling memoirs.
[Read more…] about Making the Mummies Dance

MUG 412 and the story of an Alfa Romeo RLSS

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The fascinating history of the Alfa Romeo RLSS MUG 412. Upper left, letter from Tom Goodman; upper right, the Hull and Slater book; original registration from 1927; MUG 412 plate and the RLSS at the Simeone.

By Pete Vack

Fred Simeone became the owner of this rare Alfa Romeo RLSS, chassis number 69013, because he rarely forgets a mug. “I was at Goodwood in 2002 and noticed the Bonhams’ catalog had an RLSS for sale with a British license plate which read ‘MUG 412‘. It struck me as being very familiar, and I then remembered I had read about this car in the Alfa history by Peter Hull and Roy Slater some forty years earlier.” And sure enough on page 63 of the first edition, was a description of this particular Alfa and how it was built for a relative of actor Michael Rennie. Simeone didn’t need to know too much more to bid successfully on the RLSS. (Read Driving the RLSS) It wasn’t the first time the unusual tag was the object of attention.
[Read more…] about MUG 412 and the story of an Alfa Romeo RLSS

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

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