The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
A 2500cc Alfa engined Nardi Danese.
Photos by Alessandro Gerelli
Our man Alessandro Gerelli was at this years’s Retro in Paris, clicking away. He sent us the Italian cars of interest, the French and those cars which we mark as the Cost of Our Passion. Here are the Italians.
Photos and captions by Alessandro Gerelli
Citroen 15 AL Rosalie from 1933.
A half scale Ferrari 312T for children with a 2-stroke 50cc engine sold for 6900 pounds (11,238 USD).
Story and photos by Alessandro Gerelli
The Bonhams London auction on December 7th included about 80 cars and a great deal of memorabilia, with many books and magazines coming from the collection of George Horne. The cars were mostly English but there were a few Italian and three very rare French cars on the block.
[Read more…] about The Cost of our Passion at Bonhams
Peter Giddings, Drum Brake Champion 2009 in the 250F Maserati.
Photos by rprincephoto.com
The Shell Ferrari Historics will begin 2010 at the Cavallino Classic, at Palm Beach International Raceway, on January 21 and 22, 2010.
For 2010, the purpose of the Shell Ferrari Historic series will remain unchanged, to allow the drivers of historic Ferrari race cars (and selected others: Maserati race cars and pre-war Alfas) to enjoy their cars in a safe competitive environment on historic tracks in North America, with the maximum track time possible.
[Read more…] about Shell Ferrari Historics For 2010
Story and Photos by Vince Johnson
November 18-22 2009
South Australia’s Classic Adelaide Rally celebrated its 13th anniversary with the tried and true formula of four days of loops into the hills and surrounding country on closed public roads. Home base was once again the Hilton Hotel in the center of the city. [Read more…] about Classic Adelaide Rally 2009
The French and Italians at Hershey…
Story and Photos by Brandes Elitch
For many years, I have attended the Antique Automobile Club of America’s (AACA) Annual Fall Meet, also known as “Hershey,” its actual location. By some happy coincidence, my birthday usually falls during the Hershey swap meet. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate it than walking through the flea market that has attracted car collectors worldwide since 1955. [Read more…] about Hershey: An American Tradition
1936 Delage LeMans, Bruce Thomas
Story and Photos by Vince Johnson
South Australia, 5 October 2009
The Vintage Collingrove Hill Climb was conceived by the Sporting Car Club of South Australia as an event for cars built between 1919 and 1939. This year, on October 5th, the venue was honored with the presence of a dozen Delages–a particular honor, since the event takes place on land purchased from the Angas family’s Collingrove property near the Barossa Valley town of Angaston. [Read more…] about Delages Rally at Vintage Hillclimb
Story and Photos by Dale LaFollette (Vintage Motorphoto)
There are many lists of things you must do before you die but if you are a car enthusiast just put down September in England. That will make sure that you are there for both the Beaulieu International Autojumble and the Goodwood Revival. I have gone to one or both for the last dozen years and even with the exchange rate turning me into a window shopper I wouldn’t miss the Autojumble. [Read more…] about French at Beaulieu International Autojumble
Last time we bought an Alfa GT, circa 1980, it cost $900. It was a hobby then.
Photos by Alessandro Gerelli
Since in these electronic pages we constantly discuss or present or otherwise dither about French and Italian classics, we should, from time to time, check to see what the price of our hobby actually is these days. As one reader pointed out, the price of most classics have escalated far beyond most people’s ability to purchase them. Witness above, the Alfa Giulia GTV which reached a bid of twenty three thousand dollars and yet remained unsold.
[Read more…] about The Cost of Our Passion: Italian and French at RM London
Kent Patrick’s Type 37A GP rounds Mill Corner
The only Alfa G1 left.
Lobethal Grand Carnival, South Australia, 3-4 October 2009
Story and Photos by Vince Johnson
Seventy years ago the 1939 Australian Grand Prix was held on the Lobethal circuit in the Adelaide hills. According to the excellent book, “The Official History 50 race of the Australian Grand Prix” (R&T Publishing 1986) there were three Alfa Romeos entered in the event. The 2.9 litre Tipo B Monoposto, chassis 50002 finished sixth after 150 miles of racing; a 2355cc Monza chassis 2211134 driven by Alf Barrett finished 8th; and a 8C (2373cc) 2 seater chassis 23112028e (believed to have been raced in 1933 Le Mans by Chiron) driven by John Crouch, which finished 7th. [Read more…] about Lobethal Grand Carnival 2009
What makes Goodwood great. The cars, the pits, the clothes, the drivers, the backdrop, are all presented with relentless historical accuracy. Then they go out and race like hell.
Color Photos and captions by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Text by Pete Vack
Goodwood’s history has a very Italianate connection. The 9th Duke of Richmond better known as “Freddie” March, was an engineer and engaged in coach building in a business arrangement with Kevill-Davies.
Lancia Augusta March.
Their favorite subjects were Lancias, and the firm produced a number of sporting Lancia Augustas and Aprilias in the 1930s. In 1936, a hill climb was held for a small group of Lancia owners on the grounds of the March’s estate in West Sussex. Freddie reportedly won, of course. The fun was short lived as war was just around the corner. The March’s backyard became an airfield during WWII, and being only 60 miles south of London, served as a base for the Battle of Britain. [Read more…] about Goodwood the Great
Jim Hall in the Chaparral 2E, Gil de Ferran in the Chapparal 2 and Simon Pagenaud in the Acura ARX-02b circulate at Laguna Seca. Credit: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
By Michael T. Lynch
Believe it or not, there are occasional heartwarming automotive stories that have nothing to do with French or Italian cars. This one concerns Paris-born (to Brazilian parents) Gil de Ferran, who came to the United States to join Hall/VDS Racing in 1995. [Read more…] about Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca mixes Hall and de Ferran, History and Great Racing