The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Story by Sean Smith
From our Archives, 2017
In Part 1, Sean Smith relates the fascinating life of a Siata that has been in the same family for almost 60 years, a story that begins back in 1952 with a most unlikely car….Ed.
Dr. Julius Eisenstark had an eye for unique cars. In 1952 when everybody else was buying Fords and Chevys, he bought a Hudson.
Not just any Hudson, but a Teaguemobile.
Isotta Fraschini was Milan’s premier marque, to be enjoyed by the upper class wealthy patrons of the city.
By Aldo Zana
Graham Gauld’s feature about the September 7, 1908 “Targa Bologna” (see Veloce Today) prompted the idea to tell the following short story about a little known historical fact: The early capital city of the Italian automotive industry wasn’t Turin, nor the Motor Valley around Modena, as Maranello entered history about half a century later.
It was Milan.
Wallace Wyss art.
By Wallace Wyss
You have to admire Ferrari. They bring out almost half a dozen new models in one year, and constantly cope with the pressure from Lamborghini and McLaren.
Yet they still manage to bring out fresh new designs. Ferrari must have figured out that part of their appeal is not only to have all that tradition going for them, but to constantly introduce new models and be the newest kid on the block. In 2018 they introduced the SF90 Stradale Hardtop, and new for 2021 is the SF90 Stradale Spider convertible with a power-folding hardtop.
Story and photos by Graham Gauld
Above: Somewhat ironic that the iconic statue of Williams in the Bugatti by Francois Chevalier is removed from St. Devote during the race! From the VeloceToday archives, October 2013.
If you should ever be in Monte Carlo, keep a look-out for an almost life-sized bronze statue to “Williams”, or William Grover-Williams to give him his correct name, the winner of the first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929.
Story and photos by Dale LaFollette
It was a typical spring day sometime in the mid-1990s, with a light mist in the air as I was on my way to work. We were going to have an Indy Lites test session and I already knew there would be complaints about the weather. As manager of Portland International Raceway (PIR) weather was one thing that I did not manage nor did I make excuses for. It just was.
When I got to the office, one of the Lites drivers, Ray Richter, was on the phone asking about the weather and then asked if he could land his RV4 airplane on the main straight. This was something I had allowed before as the FAA seemed to have no problem with it as long as he stayed below 800 feet. I asked what time he would arrive, after he told me I said I would have everyone on the property alerted to his arrival so there would be no issues.
By Pete Vack
It was just the other day, as I was sitting here minding my own business when the doorbell rang. I turned to see the postman run away as fast as possible, leaving a mysterious, unexpected package on the porch. [Read more…] about The James Bond Pegaso & More
And How! features open and innovative formats for notices, articles and posts
Story and model photos by Pete Vack
From the Archives, January 2018
Following our Alan Boe feature on the 166 MM Ferrari 0010 M in the past two editions of VeloceToday, I thought it might be fun to show a very early model Ferrari. It dates from about 1953. And like most old Ferraris, it has an interesting history.
Le Mans, June 1963. Aston Martin’s project cars during practice, headed by the DP 215 of Phil Hill/Lucien Bianchi. Bill Kimberly is seen next to his #7 DB4GT, internally known as DP 214. (Ed Matsuishi)
By Willem Oosthoek
After a disappointing finish with the Cunningham Jaguar E-type at Sebring in March 1963, Bill Kimberly picked up his corporate job in London again and did not expect to do much racing for the rest of the season, with -perhaps- Le Mans and the Cunningham team being the exception. An unexpected call changed things completely, thanks to one of Bill’s occasional boarders in the London apartment. [Read more…] about The Racing Career of Bill Kimberly Part 6
A rare trio for Perth: Panhard PL17, 1959 Facel Vega HK500 and rear-engined Simca 1000.
By John Waterhouse
French cars appeared in the state of Western Australia within a few years of the 1901 federation process that formed modern Australia. Readers may recall last year’s article, “A Tale of Two Renaults”, concerning two rarities in WA, a 1900 Type A car and a 1903 Type N that was imported as early as 1904. Both cars were restored in Perth in recent years.
Le Mans, June 1962. The Kimberly/Thompson Tipo 151, chassis 006, being pushed to its start position. On the left Maserati suspension designer Gianpaolo Dallara and chief mechanic Guerrino Bertocchi, on the right Cunningham team manager John Baus. (Flip Schulke)
By Willem Oosthoek
The 1962 season would turn out to be a low point in term of the number of race appearances for Bill Kimberly. Occupied with his corporate job at Kimberly-Clark in London, and with his Ferrari 500TR sold, he appeared trackside only twice. But they were memorable rides, both again with the Briggs Cunningham team.
Although Briggs showed up in force at Sebring in March, Bill was unable to make it. But in Europe competition would be easier to arrange based on his vacation days. Across the English Channel, Le Mans was only a short distance away. [Read more…] about The Racing Career of Bill Kimberly Part 5
Scene in Malibu. Photo by Wallace Wyss
A recent sighting of the Porsche Zagato coupe described by Wallace Wyss
Graham Gauld recounts the re construction of the Porsche Zagato Spyder
Strange Apparitions in Malibu–Wallace Wyss
Call it what you want, but the Storez Zagato coupe I saw in Malibu at Cars ‘n Coffee was more than a replica. It was a re-creation; a continuation or tool-room copy of a configuration that Zagato purportedly planned to build but never did.
1972 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato at the Floriopoli,the location of the old pits. Photo by L. Ariosto.
Photos by Gianni Petta and friends as noted
VeloceToday covers the Mille Miglia every year, but rarely have we seen photos from the similar Targa Florio event in Sicily. The following are from several recent editions of the Classic Targa Florio, when both spectators and entrants were abundant. In fact before the Pandemic, there were so many spectators that the traditional paddock location by the old pits was no longer sufficient. [Read more…] about A Taste of Targas Past