The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Corrina Fendt's cycle fendered Bandini.
Next week both SportsCar Digest and VeloceToday will present all the cars with voting numbers so that you, our readers, can select your favorite Etceterini. We’re glad it’s you and not us, because everyone one is a joy to behold. We’d vote for them all. But do limit your voting to only one, sorry. [Read more…] about More for Amelia
This week we feature the Moretti Branca Formula Junior, one of the first rear engine Juniors built, raced in Europe and then in the U.S. by Augie Pabst, used as a restaurant sign and finally ending up remarkably intact, in the hands of VeloceToday correspondent, Australian Ean McDowell.
It fits in nicely with our work on the Amelia Etceterini contest and entries. Every week we receive more great photos of the entrants, and what a great class they are. From iconic cycle fendered siluros to tiny but thrillingly artistic barchettas to streamlined sports racers, they are all assembling here for your perusal. And vote.
Finally, what may be the last report on the Ferrari Historic Series, which has been “suspended” in Europe. In North America only one date in September appears on the Ferrari NA web site (and that under the 430 Challenge). None of the traditional dates are scheduled. These are not good times in Italy, and we have heard several rumors about Fiat’s plans for the future which include the possible elimination of the Alfa Romeo brand and closing of the famous Museum. We hope they are rumors only, and we’ll keep you posted on future developments.
By Ean McDowell
Australian Ean McDowell is no stranger to the pages of VeloceToday, and one of his most interesting articles is Night Drive in an ASA. Ean knows that while the climate, road conditions, availability of restoration services, events, and the general social environment make Australia an ideal country for car enthusiasts, the opportunity to purchase special cars is not as great as in USA or Europe. That has not stopped him amassing a private collection that includes cars imported from UK, USA, Spain, France, and Mexico. Whether a high revving V12 or a rusty Fiat 1100, Ean has a love for all Italian cars. In this article he describes the amazing history of a Moretti Formula Junior that will be restored and used in events “down under”. Ean has a Stanguellini FJ and compares the Moretti design and innovation to the 1959 championship winning Stanguellini.
“Like you, I bought my most interesting cars unseen, and instantly!!!!” These words came as warm reassurance from Duncan Rabagliati, a very well known motoring historian and Formula Junior expert, in response to the slight apprehension that, without an inspection, I had just bought a 50 year old racing car in need of total restoration. [Read more…] about The Salvation of a Moretti Branca: Origins
Moretti Branca under construction as Buscate. One of several original photos supplied by Mr. Branca in 2009
By Ean McDowell
In Part I, Ean McDowell interviewed Aquilino Branca who told him how he had created Championship winning 750cc race cars in the mid 1950s and how, in 1958, a new rear engine Formula Junior car was created. In Part 2, McDowell describes the mechanical aspects of the three Moretti Branca Formula cars.
In the initial discussions leading up to the birth of Formula Junior there was consensus only on the fundamental principle that it should provide low cost racing. There was no agreement at first on how this would be achieved. [Read more…] about The Salvation of a Moretti Branca: Tech Description
Madero at Monaco in what is almost certainly chassis 2.18 judging by the rear suspension, color scheme, head rest, and the position of the panel fixing bolts.
By Ean McDowell
In Part 1, Ean McDowell interviewed Aquilino Branca who told him how he had created Championship winning 750cc race cars in the mid 1950s and how, in 1958, a new rear engine Formula Junior car was created. In Part 2, McDowell describes the mechanical aspects of the three Moretti Branca Formula cars. Part 3 concludes with the racing history of the owner‘s Moretti Branca.
The earliest appearance of a Moretti Formula Junior appears to have been on 29th June 1958 at Monza. Stanguellinis dominated but were challenged by the lone Moretti (probably the front engined car) driven by Aquilino Branca which placed sixth. [Read more…] about The Salvation of a Moretti Branca: The Races
Are F Jrs. Etceterinis? Only the Italian ones!
We continue to feature the cars entered in the Etceterini class at this year’s Amelia. We will combine them all into one article on March 3rd to present them all at one time for voting purposes. The winner will receive a copy of “Nardi, A fast life”, donated by author Dino Brunori. Below are four more excellent Etceterinis.
[Read more…] about Four More for Amelia
Todd Morici, BB/LM 512. Juha Lievonen/photosbyjuha.com
Photos by Juha Lievonen/photosbyjuha.com
Todd Morici and Peter Giddings were the first two drivers to be named “Grand Masters” in the Ferrari Historic Challenge, reflecting their multiple wins and championships. At the 2010 Cavallino Classic the pair proved they’ve lost none of their skills, as each was an overall winner in the event’s Historic Races. [Read more…] about Cavallino Classic Historics
Up and Running…
We are back online with a new everything! Over the next few weeks we’ll be doing some fine tuning to the site. If you have any suggestions or comments, let us know.
This week …we have new Etceterini entrants for Amelia featured, and Alessandro Gerelli reports on Retro from three different angles.
Dino Brunori to present Nardi biography to Etceterini Winner
Nardi book to be awarded at Amelia and you choose the winner!
Author Dino Brunori has kindly donated a copy of his book, “Enrico Nardi, A fast life”, as an award for the most popular Etceterini entered at Amelia Island Concours in March.
Each of the entrants will be featured in VeloceToday prior to the event. (We have already featured four). There are no criteria. Vote just once for whatever Etceterini tickles your fancy. All entrants will be featured in one article on March 3rd to present them for our voters.
Votes will be sent via email to pete@velocetoday.com. Closing date for voting is March 9th. On Wednesday March 10 we will announce the winner and the book will be awarded at Amelia by Cliff Reuter.
Bill King in the 1100cc Bandini Siluro.
Here are the details of two more of the Amelia entrants in the Etceterini class. We will feature the remaining six in the next few editions of VeloceToday. Previously, we featured the Reuter Bandini and the Stanguellini.
By Cliff Reuter
1947 Bandini Fiat 1100 Siluro
This is the second Bandini made and it features a 65 bhp Fiat 1100 engine and weighs in at 1,100 pounds. Bandini himself raced it at the 1948 Giro dell’Umbria, Pescara, Ferrara, Senigallia, and the 1949 Mille Miglia. [Read more…] about More Amelia Etceterini Entries
Four door Lambos, beautiful Bandinis, fast Fiats
Mark Stehrenberger’s work is familiar to us all, we probably just don’t know it. Sorta like James Patterson, that mysterious writer who has sold more books than both Stephen King and John Grisham. Our man Wallace Wyss uncovers the man, presents his work and his many interesting comments about the state of the art.
What exactly is an Etceterini ? Are they fun to own and drive? What’s the history and what does one do with one? We start this week, but the final word will come a bit later from the author of “La Sport e i suoi artigiani” himself, world famous Italian car historian Andrea Curami. Only here in VeloceToday.
New to VeloceToday is Simon Wright, who totes a good camera, knows his cars and how to write as well. His first for us is a short on the Fiat 500 Trofeo cars at Birmingham UK. We wish the new Fiats were in the U.S. now, but Chrysler seems intent upon NOT. Much more of Simon is on tap for next month as we get deeply into Citroens, designers, and old old Renaults.
Remember this week to give generously to my favorite organization, VeloceToday.com and become a fan of VeloceToday on Facebook, where you’ll see updated information and comments from around the world on a daily basis. Like, a little bit of VeloceToday, every day!
Mark Stehrenberger is an artist, familiar to most Road & Track and Motor Trend readers for his many projected visions of what the world’s automakers are building next. Mark has also been involved with real life car design and in the past has been a consultant to various automakers such as VW, Peugeot, Renault, Ford, KIA, Subaru, Rolls Royce, Jeep, and Toyota. He resides alternately in Montreux, Switzerland, and Ventura, CA but comes over to Ventura, CA every so often to recharge his batteries (yes, three AAA batteries, not included).
By Wallace Wyss
WYSS: I often look at the major car magazines such as Road & Track, just to see what you are going to predict. Where do you get your information?
STEHRENBERGER: By listening what the car honchos do NOT tell at press conferences, by info obtained from within and without the car makers’ studios, by doing my own, sometimes elaborate and extensive, research, then connecting the dots!
[Read more…] about Master Class Stylist: Mark Stehrenberger
Why are we so fascinated by Ecterinis?
Because we don’t know much about them. Because they are so rare. Because they are so tiny. Because they are so cute. Because they raced the great races. Because they were built by artisans. Because they are like miniature Ferraris. Because they sound great. Because they represent an era we will never see again. Because they are Italian.
So, exactly what is an “Etceterini” anyway?
Broadly speaking, Etceterinis are tiny, jewel-like race cars from Italy with names that usually ended in a vowel. But today, with vastly increasing prices, limited availability, and international recognition, it might be time to definitively define the word, the class, the car. So we asked two who should know, Italian car historian John de Boer, and Stu Schaller, who reportedly coined the term back in the 1970s. [Read more…] about The Essential Etceterini