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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

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The Essential Etceterini

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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

This Week, of Interest

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We have for you an unusual piece by Brandes Elitch about an unusual person behind an unusual car blog; Wallace Wyss begins a series of Guest Speakers, and we chat up one of the Amelia Etceterini entries.

This year, we’ll try to feature two cars in depth per month, one French, the other Italian. We’ve gotten off to a good start, for in January, we worked up the Talbot Darracq and the Nardi. The other two weeks of each month will be reserved for events, races, odds and ends and guest editorials.

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Just a Car Geek

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By Brandes Elitch

Every passion borders on the chaotic, but the collector’s passion borders on the chaos of memories. (Walter Benjamin)

I have a limited amount of time for discretionary reading. This is because I have to go to work every day. My employer takes a dim view of me spending time on websites not directly related to our business. As you might expect, collecting old cars is not in this category. [Read more…] about Just a Car Geek

This Week, of Interest

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This week, Nardi for our readers. Click on the story of choice;we hope you choose all four. Thanks to Dino Brunori, Cliff Reuter, Mary Decker Vack and Frank Shaffer.

Don’t forget to read Philippe Defechereux’s updated review of the silliest season ever, in part II of The Inter-Seasonal Sounds of Fury. What else should we expect from the greatest spectacle in racing? We hope the races will be as interesting as the pre-season games. BTW, Defechereux’s James Dean book is on sale at a special price for VT readers.

Below. We have four photos of Etceterinis to illustrate that this year’s Amelia Island Concours on March 12-14 will be the first time a large event has recognized a class for Etceterinis, thanks to the efforts of Cliff Reuter and Bill Warner. The class is already filled, but we will feature each entrant in VeloceToday in the next two months. Hopefully you’ll be there to see all of these rare jewels in person.

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And, while we are at it–if you like what we are doing at VeloceToday, please, tell a friend and get them to subscribe. No, tell three friends. Subscriptions are easy, and no strings attached…we don’t use or sell lists or email addresses.

Nardis in America..Where are They Now?

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Macdill AFB, Florida in February 1953. Paul Gougleman, left with his Nardi 750 and fans. Photo credit: Mark Brinker and Paul Gougleman Jr.

By Cliff Reuter

Nardis were some of the first Italian racing cars to be imported to America following World War II. The first three Nardis to come ashore were the Danese Alfa 2500cc cars, a coupe and two spyders with a cycle fendered “siluro” body.
[Read more…] about Nardis in America..Where are They Now?

Just for Fun–Nardi for Free

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Frank Shaffer photographed the Jim Pauley Nardi at Watkins Glen in 1950. Below, the full article about this famous Nardi can be ordered from VeloceToday.

Getting by with a lot of help from our friends

This week VeloceToday is devoted to Enrico Nardi, triggered by the publication of an important new book about the man and his cars. Here is the backstory: [Read more…] about Just for Fun–Nardi for Free

Nardi Today

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Big wheels keep on turnin’

By Pete Vack

I have in my hands a Nardi steering wheel. It is 380 mm, or 14.9 inches in diameter. The material for the rim is mahogany and the wheel itself is 4mm aluminum. There is a black inlay on the front side of the brown mahogany wood rim. The hub is slightly dished, 40mm 1.6 inches in depth, and the spokes are embossed with a cross hatch pattern similar to the wheels made for the Ferrari GTO in 1961-2. [Read more…] about Nardi Today

The Inter-Seasonal Sounds of Fury

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By Philippe Defechereux
Photos courtesy Planet F1

Well, well, well. This may be the first inter-season in a long time to prove more thrilling, exciting and dramatic than the racing season itself. Last month in Part 1, we used the words “staccato of events” to describe the early post-season events. Now, we need to use something much stronger like “major news releases at maximum revs.” And that’s 19,000 rpms as befits F1. Let’s hear these latest loud sounds of fury; we suggest wearing earplugs.

In order of amplitude:

* Schumi is back. Great blasts of trumpets and fireworks! Anybody who would have predicted this in writing six months ago would have quickly been taken to the loony house (next to Max Mosley’s favorite club). [Read more…] about The Inter-Seasonal Sounds of Fury

This Week, of Interest

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This week, something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Bet you’ve heard that before but trite or not, it is so true. The old is the Talbot Darracq Grand Prix car of 1926, the new is our three layer in-depth coverage, the photos we borrowed from Stuart Anderson, LAT via Austin Harris the Ultimatecarpage and Vince Johnson. The blue is obvious.

Although our journey with the Talbot Darracq began long ago in April of last year, since that time, owner Stuart Anderson decided to put the magnificent beast up for sale. It will be at the Bonhams Auction on January 23rd, at Retromobile, Paris.

Not included in the triptych is our book review of “The Classic Twin Cam Engine” but a perfect tie-in anyway. Don’t miss it.

Stuart Anderson was absolutely wonderful and patient through the entire process of putting together the articles for this week. We are looking for other owners of both French and Italian cars who can take the time and provide the photos and information we need to bring you in depth articles such as these.

VeloceToday is now up on Facebook. Click here: VeloceToday. Your editor is also on Facebook. this will give us a way to present material such as backstories, anecdotes, previews or discussions which don’t really have a place in the VeloceToday today website. Facebook allows us an informal structure, while the WordPress VeloceToday.com is a formal, weekly presentation. Or at least that’s the thinking here. Your opinions are welcome. My facebook page is http://www.facebook.com and search Pete Vack, so check there for daily items of interest and log your comments.

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