The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
A Zagato in the closet
Bill Henry called me at Automech. We met a couple of weeks earlier during a Riverside SCCA weekend. He had stopped by the shop and admired my bright turquoise Mini, with the ivory stripe to match its wheels. Now he was proposing a trade. An even trade for pinks. [Read more…] about A Car Life by Larry Crane
Today the subject of this article resides in a collection in New York.
The story of a particular Zagato in America
Story and Photos by Pete Vack unless otherwise noted
The name sounded odd–Fiat Derivazione Abarth 750 GT Zagato–and did not easily roll off American tongues. But once seen, the car was not easily forgotten, while the long, strange name was quickly replaced by the nickname “Double Bubble”. Not only did it refer to the unique top, but Dubble Bubble is also the name of the original chewing bubble gum, which was very popular at the time, that being 1958-59.
[Read more…] about A Zagato in America
Nuvolari and Guidotti at a control point in the 1930 Mille Miglia, which they won with this Zagato bodied Alfa 6C Gran Sport.
The late Elio Zagato learned his trade from the very best
By Pete Vack
A free pdf version of this article can be ordered from Pete@velocetoday.com.
April 17, 1930, Brescia
In an awesome demonstration of speed, reliability and advanced design, Alfa Romeo 6C 1750s, all with ultra-light bodies by Zagato, won the first four places in the 1000-mile Italian marathon known as the Mille Miglia. It came as little surprise to master coachbuilder Ugo Zagato, for he had seen it before; Alfa Romeo Zagatos had already won the epic event in 1928 and 1929.
[Read more…] about Masters of Light
Pininfarina designed Chevrolet Corvette Rondine-Best of Show winner at the Fairfield County Concours last year.
By Werner Pfister
In a few weeks the Sixth Annual 2009 Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance will be held in Westport, Connecticut, and it will be expanded to a two day event. On Saturday, September 12th, a fifty mile rally through Fairfield County for classic cars. In addition, a Classic Car and Bike Club show will be added to the schedule. On Sunday September 13th, the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo will be celebrated and a complete array of historic Alfas, including Dr. Gary Kaberle’s B.A.T. 11 dk will be on display.
[Read more…] about Preview: Fairfield County Concours
By David Seibert
Photos by Bruce B. Miller
Facebook/MySpace: bruce@forza.cc – wtiger
(Mont Tremblant, PQ, Canada, July 27) A small field and a wet race track don’t sound like the ingredients for a fun weekend, but Shell Historics drivers at Mont Tremblant faced just those conditions last weekend–and yet it was a really enjoyable event. The small field removed some of the usual pressures, and the weather allowed drivers more time to relax and talk with other drivers and enthusiasts, making for a low key, fun weekend.
[Read more…] about Shell Ferrari Historics at Mt. Tremblant
Thinking about buying a new illustrated book on racing or your favorite car? Soon, in fact now, you can easily view the entire book online at no cost. Here’s one on Porsche.
By Pete Vack
There is a lot of buzz going on these days about the free economy–those services and products offered via the Internet for free. For example, Google is free. WikiPedia is free. Social networks like My Space and Twitter are free. Winding Road is free.
[Read more…] about Great Books for Free Online
This beautiful Lamborghini will be auctioned by Gooding & Co.
By David Seielstad
The August Monterey automobile extravaganza is fast approaching. What has now become a weeklong event of shows, vintage racing and parties will have five different classic and sports car auctions this year comprising nine days of sales.
[Read more…] about French and Italians at Gooding Auction
CORPORATE SP0NSORS NEEDED FOR FERRARI SHELL DOCUMENTARY
A very few sponsors are needed for the broadcast of the 2009 Ferrari Shell Historic Challenge on the SPEED network.
The “Shell Historics,” as the series is known, was created by Ferrari North America, and is limited to authentic Ferrari and Maserati competition cars built prior to 1980, plus pre-war Alfa Romeos raced by the Scuderia Ferrari in the 1930s. In this series you’ll see 250 GTOs, 512 BB/LMs and 512 Ms, 250 Competition SWB Berlinettas, as well as earlier cars: 250 TRs, 212s, Alfa Romeo Tipo Bs, Monzas, and the 8C/35, and Maseratis: the 200 SI, 300 S, and the 250 F Grand Prix car.
Drive Digital Media, the company producing the SPEED broadcasts of the 2009 Ferrari F430 Challenge, is producing a one-hour television documentary on the series, with limited sponsorship opportunities available for the national broadcast.
Corporate sponsors will receive two 30-second advertisements and a mention of and display of the company’s logo at the beginning and end of the broadcast. These sponsors will also receive custom DVDs of the show along with other benefits. All of this branding will also be in place for all digital and Internet rebroadcasts.
Please contact Matthew Barksdale, President, Drive Digital Media, at 913-647-6110 ext. 682, or email Matthew at mbarksdale@DriveDigitalMedia.com to discuss specific opportunities and pricing.
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Erick Shirley was driving a 500 Mondial in his first Historics event.
Fuchs, Giddings, Stroll, Top Ferrari Shell Historics
By David Seibert
Photos by Bruce B. Miller
Facebook/MySpace: bruce@forza.cc – wtiger
(ELKHART LAKE, WI, June 30, 2009) Family vacations, other conflicts, and mechanical problems made for a small field at the Ferrari Shell Historics at Road America track last weekend, but the racing more than made up for the small grids.
[Read more…] about Road America hosts Ferrari Shell Historics
An almost perfect example of a fourth series Lancia B20.
Part II
Read Part I
By Pete Vack
Very special thanks to Geoff Goldberg and Nigel Trow
An article or three, about the Lancia Aurelia, one of the most significant and important cars of the twentieth century. This week, Lancia’s famous independent suspension systems.
There is no doubt that the Lancia Aurelia B20 was technically advanced when it was introduced in 1951. As we will see, the B20 Aurelias–production-based Grand Turismos– won the Targa Florio outright and nearly won the Mille Miglia, largely due to the successful implementation of its four wheel suspension and transaxle.
As successful as it was, however, when reviewing the Lancia B20 suspension, two questions arise. Why did the Series 4-6 B20s series use de Dion type rear suspension, why with leaf springs, and secondly, why did Jano continue to use the somewhat antiquated sliding pillar front suspension?
The Monte Carlo not seen on SpeedTV
Photos copyright Mario Marchesini
Captions by Lorenzo Marchesini
“Me pay? No, give him the bill..” submitted by Michael Gordon.