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The Birth of Thoroughbred & Classic Cars

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My first Thoroughbred & Classic Cars.

By Pete Vack

When I first discovered Thoroughbred & Classic Cars magazine in the mid-1970s, I was beyond thrilled. But until now, I knew very little about how it came about, so I asked an early contributing artist, Rodney Diggens, to give us his insights. He did so, then got in touch with TCC’s founder Lionel Burrell, who in turn emailed first editor Michael Bowler and features editor Jonathan Wood, and suddenly we had a great story! We hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed those early, breakthrough issues of this incredible magazine that changed our hobby. [Read more…] about The Birth of Thoroughbred & Classic Cars

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2024

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Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

The tagline from The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is “the world’s preeminent motorcycling celebration.” This is not an exaggeration. This is due to the hard work, dedication, vision, and contacts from two individuals that are responsible for this show. [Read more…] about The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2024

And How! Speaking of Birthdays…

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Frank Lance on his 91st birthday.

Making it all worthwhile…

I’m sure you remember the massive nine part article written by Willem Oosthoek about the adventures of Lone Star Mechanic Frank Lance. It was another, and perhaps the best yet, of his histories of American sports car racing heroes.

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Imola WEC Hypercar Class

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Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

After experiencing a reawakening in 2023 with the arrival of new manufacturers and the resounding victory of Ferrari on the occasion of the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship continues its momentum in 2024 with the arrival of Alpine, BMW and Lamborghini in the premier category, the Hypercar class.

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Prive Concours de Vente

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1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider. A rare right hand drive example, subject to a full nut and bolt rebuild by DTR Sportscars in 2017 and still in lovely condition. £89,995

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

Held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, famous as the home of the annual Chelsea Flower Show, Salon Prive London is now in its third year and is the only concours in the world where all the entrants are for sale. Known as a Concours de Vente, over 50 cars of various ages were on display, and should you be lucky enough to be in the market, for you to buy.

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Imola WEC LMGT3 Class

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In the LMGT3 category, Ferrari is represented by two 296s entered by AF Corse. The best of the two finished 4th in category, the best it could hope for given the domination of the two BMWs and the #92 Porsche.

Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

Throughout history, endurance races have consisted of a mix between prototypes and grand touring cars, based on commercially available vehicles. This is still the case today with the prototypes competing in the Hypercar class and the GTs in the LMGT3 category.

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Alfa’s Exclusive Swiss Facility Part 3

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Passing the torch. Peter’s son Dino at Hockenheim with Peter’s Alfa. Photo Peter Zahnd

By James Lanoway

Regarding the many exotic Alfas that Peter Zahnd saw and worked on at the Agno facility:

“The rare cars like the TZ, TI Super, GTA 1.6 and 1.3, went to wealthy customers or the sports drivers. Prominent Swiss drivers well-known on the TZ 1 included Clay Regazzoni, [Read more…] about Alfa’s Exclusive Swiss Facility Part 3

Auction at the Mullin

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Story and photos by Joseph Duray

Peter Mullin was a world-class collector of French cars from mainly the pre-war era. His collection was magnificently housed in warehouse that was recreated to represent a car show from the late nineteen thirties, with all the appropriate art deco architectural details. This museum was open to the public. Located in Oxnard, California it was a one and a half hour drive north of Los Angeles, but it was worth traveling to it. Once you entered the museum, it felt as if you were sent back in time to view the car displays of Bugattis, Delahayes, Delages, Voisins and Citroens, each with large advertising banners.

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More Members Meeting 2024

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Shadow Prototype

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

Earlier this year when the post card from Goodwood landed on the mat inviting me to attend the 81st Members Meeting, on the front was written “Can-Am.” I knew right then I was going to be attending. I have always had a soft spot for monster McLarens, Marchs and Lolas with bodywork big enough to land a helicopter, but this year it was the seven Shadow Can Am cars of the James Bartel collection that really grabbed my attention; mini sized front wheels, twin rear wheels, spoiler mounted radiators, and aerodynamic devices like the wing fences of an old MIG 15 fighter jet! Fantastic stuff, and all the Shadows took to the circuit instead of just static displays. In fact the daily Can Am demo included 19 various examples of V8 Thunder, plus two 12 cylinder Porsches for good measure. Truly made my day.

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Larry Perkins, August 4, 1932-April 26, 2024

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We have just learned that the irrepressible and multi-talented Larry Perkins passed away on April 26. Our sincere condolences to his wife Petra. We thought it fitting to republish this 2021 review/interview with Larry on the occasion of publishing his book Full Circle.

Review by Pete Vack
Full Circle: A Hands-on Affair with the First Ferrari GTO
Hardbound, 228 pages, Foreword by Denise McCluggage
ISBN 978-0578-97104-9
US $45
Order here: www.FullCircleFerrariGTO.com

Larry and Petra Perkins are no ordinary couple. They met while both were working at an aerospace company and began to share a life of travel, sailing, cycling; they married in 1991. Then one day Petra overheard Larry talking about a Ferrari GTO he raced at Sebring in the 1960s. She had attended one race there, and hoped it would be her last. It was the year of the scary fire in the pits; earlier in the day she remembered watching a red number 82 car go round and round and so asked Larry if he was at that race. Larry was taken aback.

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Alfa’s Exclusive Swiss Facility Part 2

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This photo was taken by the late Steve McKelvie at the Lime Rock Historic Festival in 2012. Steve had a blog called SteveMcKelvie.com where he posted the article “More Car Transporters And Service Vehicles.” It is published here with permission of the copyrightholders.

By James Lanoway

As his grandfather owned an Alfa Romeo sales outlet and his father owned an Alfa service outlet, it was natural for Peter Zahnd to grow up surrounded by the fruits of Portello’s production. His grandfather’s dealership, Garage Metropol Ernest Zahnd on Bahnhofstrasse in the heart of Zurich, sold at first 6C 2300s, then 6C 2500 Touring Villa d’Este’s, and later the “modern” 1900 models. Peter’s father took over this family business and evolved it into an Alfa Romeo service center, Garage Hans Zahnd, keeping the same location. Since Peter’s busy father did not have the time to train his son, he sent Peter to a nearby Alfa Romeo dealership, Garage Werner Brüngger, to gain experience. Peter takes up the story:

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