The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
1958 250GT Berlinetta owned by Matthias Ficht faces the rain.
Story and Photos by Roberto Motta
Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge
Monza, 29th March 2009 – The first Ferrari Racing Days of the 2009 season circuit hosted a very intense program for the season’s first round of the European and Italian Ferrari Challenge, Trofeo Pirelli, and the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge Europe.
[Read more…] about Ferrari Days 2009 Monza
Where’s “A Car Life?” We let Larry slide this week as he’s up to his elbows in deadlines. Besides, we have this Press Release about his future appearance, live, at La Dolce Vita. Larry will return here next week. [Ed.]
AUBURN, WASHINGTON. (April 24, 2009) – La Dolce Vita Automobili at Black Horse announced today that automotive aficionado Larry Crane will join the event as guest Master of Ceremonies. Co Founder Kerry McMullen notes, “Larry Crane has incredible car knowledge related to technical specifications and provenance and he’s a great storyteller. He’s highly respected as both an automotive historian and journalist and we’re thrilled to have him emcee our Monterey Car Week event at Black Horse.”
The Greatest Stories Ever Told
By Pete Vack
The Immortal 2.9
Price: $295
Pages: 480, with 500 b&w and color photos
Dimensions: 10.5″ x 10.5″
Order here
A question: Which member of the Romanian royalty purchased a Touring bodied 2.9 in the early years of World War II? Was it Carol, the King himself, brother Nicolas “who drove a Duesenburg at Le Mans,” or the exuberant young son, Michael? For forty years arguments reigned among the historians. In 2007, when the intrepid (never was the adjective so fitting) Simon Moore was finally able to turn his full attention to the matter, he thought “enough of this,” used his many contacts to obtain King Michael of Romania’s email address, and asked the exiled 86 year-old King himself. The resulting story of the Alfa Romeo 2.9 made for a king, restored by a mechanic and confiscated by the communists just as the evil empire fell is one of Moore’s finest chapters.
[Read more…] about Book Review: The Immortal 2.9
Tracy Crane (nee Stuart) and her 1600cc Alfa Sprint coming down through Laguna Seca’s famous Corkscrew, running away from a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing.
Tracy Stuart quit college to take an advertised position as librarian’s assistant at Road & Track magazine. Legend has it that the first words she spoke to her new boss, Otis Meyer, on her first day in the library were: “Who’s single?”
Otis later remembered thinking, “Crane’s in trouble.”
Tom Price’s Ferrari 250 GTO is seen at Laguna Seca. It will be on the lawn at the first Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance on May 17. This car won the Dakar 12 Hours in 1962 and also had GT class wins at Spa, the Nurburgring, Reims, Montlhery and the Mount Ventoux hillclimb.
Marin Sonoma Concours Ignores Gloom and Doom
By Michael T. Lynch
If automotive enthusiasm is a leading indicator, then the stock market may be due for a turnaround. Marin County California collector Charlie Goodman will launch the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance on May 17. Goodman is not only undeterred by the present financial situation, but he is celebrating the 1929 crash by allowing free entry to cars of that model year, which will be grouped in a special display. We hope this isn’t tempting fate.
[Read more…] about Marin-Sonoma Concours, May 17th 2009
The Motor Trend Award For The Editor’s Choice–1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic David and Ginny Sydorick, Beverly Hills, CA. Note wheelcovers by Lmarr Disk LTD.
It just keeps on getting better and better..
By Robert Landman
Photos by Robert Landman
March 14-15th 2009 Amelia Island, Florida
Saturday
The weather is like the economy, grey and depressing, but the gloom soon lifts as we see that everyone present is happy to see friends whom they haven’t since last years’ Amelia Concours or Pebble Beach. Events like Amelia are as much about friends as they are about cars.
[Read more…] about Amazing Amelia
The Crane B20 near the top of the Stelvio Pass in northern Italy in an attempt to duplicate a photo in the 1955 Lancia calendar.
“Of all the cars you’ve owned, which would you like to have back?” Always a popular question from friends who have most of their life’s income carefully invested rather than using it for an endless string of automotive experiences and adventures.
[Read more…] about A Car Life, by Larry Crane
L. Tyrone Stoner’s Italia, number 195, one of three Italias owned by the Author. Photo courtesy of Collectible Automobile magazine.
The Triumph Italia is one of the best looking Anglo-Italian creations ever, and they are extremely rare. If you’d like to see them in person, the 50th Anniversary celebration will be held at the Shelton Vineyard, Dobson, North Carolina, April 17-19. Contact L. Tyrone Stoner at tstoner@mac.com. Below, three time owner Stoner tells all about this fascinating beauty. For Italia Literature, click here.
Triumph Italia/Italia 2000 GT
By L. Tyrone Stoner
All photos courtesy Tyrone Stoner
What “Wacky” Arnott and Bertone did for Bristol and MG, and what Zagato would do for Aston Martin, Italian entrepreneur Salvatore Ruffino figured he could do for the Triumph TR3; modernize and Italianize.
[Read more…] about Italia’s Triumph
Courtesy of the L. Tyrone Stoner Collection
Ads, brochures, and prototype photos of the Triumph Italia are even rarer than the car itself. Thanks to Tyrone Stoner for sharing his passion and literature with us.
[Read more…] about Italia Literature
Photos by Robert Landman
The French flag flew high at Amelia Island this year as a 1931 Voisin C20 Demi-Berline won Best of Show.
[Read more…] about French Voisin Wins Best of Show at Amelia
International champions spellbound by their hero, Rene Dreyfus (in blue sportscoat), at the 1976 Long Beach Vintage Grand Prix.
Heroes
Joel Finn had been my host for nearly a week. We were assembling the pieces for his soon to be produced history of Ferrari’s 250 Testa Rossa. As I prepared my luggage for a next-day departure, he suggested I leave a little earlier the next morning to have time to stop in Manhattan for lunch at Le Chanteclair Restaurant and Bar on 18 East 49th, the legend-filled necessary stop for every one in the world of motor sport. [Read more…] about A Car Life, by Larry Crane
New Monterey Car Week Event Returns Italian Cars and Culture to the Fairways at Black Horse Golf Course
We are proud to announce our sponsorship of La Dolce Vita-Automobili at Black Horse. This event will be held Friday, August 14, 2009 during this year’s Monterey Car Week. Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course has been completely upgraded and the fairways will be lined with Italian cars and vendors who offer wonderful art and Automobilia as well as other products and services of interest to car enthusiasts.
[Read more…] about La Dolce Vita at Monterey on the Fairways