The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
By Gijsbert-Paul Berk
From the VeloceToday Archives, 2012
When Pierre Louis Delâge (1874 – 1947) was still a child he lost the sight of one eye. This did not prevent him from graduating in 1893 from the Ecole des Arts et Metiers in Angers with an engineering degree and then to fulfill his military service in Algeria. In 1905, after working for Turgan-Foy and Peugeot, Louis Delâge began for himself as a car manufacturer and soon engaged his cars in races with considerable success.
Another in our series of sports cars in America.
Porsche Fageol on the grid for the C-Modified SCCA event a Westover, Massachusetts AFB, June 13, 1954. Photo by Robert Pauley.
Story by Pete Vack
Born into a family of entrepreneurs and engineers, Louis J. Fageol (pronounced fadjl) would take over the family’s Twin Coach bus and tractor business as planned, but at the same time was hell bent for leather to satisfy his need for speed despite the wishes of his wife Caryl. Already famed for his speedboat victories, Fageol would push the envelope of all-wheel-drive race cars with his ultimate creation, the Fageol Porsche sports racer. In doing so, his life would literally hang by a thread. [Read more…] about The Twin-Engine Life of Lou Fageol
My favorite car of the show, this 1937 Talbot Lago T15 Cabriolet by Worblaufen – FRITZ RAMSEIER & CIE.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Writing in the 16th edition of the Salon Prive event guide, the 12th Duke of Marlborough stated that the Salon Prive team had once again risen to the occasion with an incredible line up of exquisite cars to enjoy. The Bagley brothers, Andrew and David, put together a wondrous programme with what seems like effortless elegance. I could not have put it better myself! [Read more…] about Jonathan Sharp at Salon Prive, 2021
In previous chapters, Gijsbert-Paul Berk has described the background of the epic 1923 French Grand Prix. For the next few installments, he will describe a few of the major entrants, including Bugatti, Sunbeam, Fiat and below, Voisin. Ed.
In the early twenties Voisin was a relative newcomer in the auto industry. But Gabriel Voisin (1880 –1973) had already made his mark as an aviation pioneer and a creative designer of aircraft. From 1914 till the armistice in 1918, the Voisin factory in Issy-les-Moulineaux had become one of France’s major manufacturers of military aircraft. [Read more…] about 1923 French Grand Prix at Tours: Voisin
From the Archives, November 2012
The rebirth of a 1923 Voisin ‘Laboratoire’ was inspired by a book.
What moves man to recreate a masterpiece that someone else has already created a long time ago? In the world of music this is quite common. We all love to listen to concerts in which conductors and orchestras recreate the music from scores that were penned down by famous composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Sibelius or Leonard Bernstein, to name a few.
Hill Tribute Number 4 for September 7
Sixty years ago this week, Phil Hill won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and the World Championship. Photo by Jim Sitz
This is the last of Jim Sitz’s recollections of Phil Hill as we celebrate his World Championship year with the victory at Monza on September 10th. We have also combined all four of Jim’s photo recollections we have previously published this summer, so scroll down to read them all. Our thanks to Jim and his incredible memory, photography, and never ending contributions to the history of motorsports. [Read more…] about Jim Sitz Remembers Phil Hill
Photo courtesy Jean Pierre Legras.
Story by Brandes Elitch
To state the obvious, if you own or plan on getting an Italian car (and why not?), the Concorso Italiano should be a mandatory destination before you buy. It is located on a 36-hole golf course with a spectacular view of Monterey Bay, about a two-hour drive south of San Francisco. There is certainly nothing like it anywhere outside of Italy. I was at the first Concorso, which was 35 years ago, and I wouldn’t miss it. If you want to learn about a particular Italian car, there will be one there, and the owner will be quite pleased to show it to you and fill you in on the details. Just imagine if somehow you could attend the annual meeting of all the Italian car clubs in the country, in one day, talking to marque experts who are anxious to tell you why their favorite car is just the thing for you! [Read more…] about Concorso Italiano, 2021
A Dino Fiat sports a rather unusual hardtop.
Photos by Brandes Elitch
Smart ass remarks by Staff
Here’s Elitch’s selections of Italian cars from this year’s Concorso. Bear in mind that there was really no way to positively identify the cars at Concorso, which makes it a lot of fun and serves as a test of your knowledge when walking through the hundreds of great cars. But if you are lucky, the owner will be around, usually sitting in a beach chair, and would be willing to bend your ear for an hour or so about his favorite car. Not having time for much for that, we thought that readers can help us through the minefield below.
Is that oil? No, it couldn’t be!! Judges inspect the 1926 Miller 122 Locomobile Junior 8 Special owned by Richard H. Driehaus, Chicago, Illinois
Story and photos by Brandes Elitch
August 15, 2021 Pebble Beach is the most famous car show in the world, and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Yes, there are other shows such as Villa d’Este at Lake Como, and Chantilly Richard Mille. The thing about Pebble Beach is the sheer amount of energy and excitement in the air, which is palpable. You can actually feel it as you walk down the hill and see the cars spread out before you. As Chief Judge Chris Bock said, “One thing that has changed since the 70’s and 80’s is that it has become the World’s Concours.” [Read more…] about 70th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
This Alfa took second place in the Pre War preservation class.
Photos by Brandes Elitch
A selection of photos from Pebble Beach this year. Thanks to Kandace Hawkinson, Pebble Beach Marketing & Media Relations, for helping identify many of the owners.
Ah, yup, a new Delage for the Evolution of the Supercar class.
Story and photos by Brandes Elitch
As most of our readers know, Steve Earle started the first annual Monterey Historic Car Races in 1974.
1963 Jaguar E Type, driven by Guy Ziser and Oliver Webb.
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
See Post 1970 Racecars at Silverstone
How should I sum up the delayed (by a year) 30th Silverstone Classic race meeting held over the weekend of the 30th July to the 1st August?
Huge is the first thought that would normally come to mind. 21 races, 900 race entries. Dozens and dozens of car clubs with tons of cars on display including no less than 375 Triumph Stags along to celebrate its delayed 50th birthday. Car parades, a fair ground, Rock Bands on the live stage, food, beer and multiple opportunities to spend money amongst the various traders, or if you had a lot of money burning a hole in your pocket, then at the Silverstone Classic car auction. But for me the word WET first springs to my mind, sometimes the sun popped out but often the heavens simply opened but that did not stop the racing as you will. The stand out race for me was the Royal Automobile Club Historic Trophy for MRL Pre 63 GT cars with a fantastic win by Lukas Halusa in my favorite Ferrari, the 250GT Breadvan.