Here’s a great event to attend at the end of this month. The Petersen Automotive Museum will have its first annual Automotive Authors Book Signing on Saturday, October 29, 2011 and several authors of particular interest to readers of VeloceToday will be present. The first is Wallace Wyss, who will be introducing his new suspense thriller, “FERRARI HUNTERS“, as well as signing some of his previous non-fiction books and art work. The second is Iso/Bizzarrini expert Mike Gulett, author of “European Style with American Muscle“. They will be accompanied by some other familiar names; Matt Stone, author of “McQueen’s Machines”, Michael Furman, “The Art of Delahaye”. Richard Addato, “French Curves” are among the confirmed authors so far. “Enthusiasts, historians, and gear heads will have the opportunity to meet their favorite automotive authors as they learn about the history of the automobile and its impact on our life and culture from a variety of perspectives. The event will be open to the public and included in the regular price of admission to the museum,” says the Petersen, so make plans now. More Info Here.
Abarth
This Week, of Interest
Today:
*Brandes Elitch on the Alfa 1900SS Ghia
*Alessandro Gerelli takes us to the Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti
*Newcomer Al Axelrod highlights WWII planes and classic cars at Morgan Adams, Colorado
*Roberto Motta’s full report with images of the surprising Rally Australia
*Erik Nielsen is back with the Grand Prix of Italy
Coming up:
*Larry Crane reviews a Delahaye history
*Ed McDonough drives a very special Delahaye
*Karl Ludvigsen on his Talbot
*Michael T. Lynch on the GTO
*Roberto Motta and the Editor on the Abarth SP 1000
*Eric Davison’s Watkins Glen Memoirs
Brandes Elitch on the Abarth 750 and Scorpion
By Brandes Elitch
Photos by Petya Elitch
For the automotive enthusiast, there cannot be too many experiences like the Monterey Historics. The two Goodwood events might come close, but I draw a blank after that. I started attending in 1979, and I have never missed a year. For me, it’s just a three hour drive south, so as I see it, it would be negligent of me not to attend, right? Yet, even after all those years, the first few hours there are still a shock.
The most amazing cars are everywhere, on every street and in every driveway (the good citizens of Carmel-by-the-Cash-Register are happy to rent rooms in their homes for the visiting hordes). As my photographer/wife and I drove the detour through Seaside on our way to the Concorso, a small green car pulled up next to us at the light. She asked me what it was, and I turned to look at it. I started stammering, and she said, “What’s wrong?” I said, “Well, it looks like it looks like the Frazer Nash coupe that raced at LeMans in the 1950’s, but I’ve only seen it in photographs.” Here is a car that you could spend an hour looking at; the problem is that there is stuff like this everywhere! Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of activity, it is easy to see just the most outrageous and miss many other jewels that are not so obvious. In this column, I want to talk about two cars that you might have missed, but it would have been a shame if you did. They are Abarths.
Day of The Scorpion: In English and Italian
Words and photos by Roberto Motta
Italian text at end of photo selection
The idea of creating a gathering dedicated to owners of Abarths stems from the fact that there are not many opportunities to enjoy Abarths. Therefore, about a year ago, a few friends and sympathizers of the marque decided to organize the Historic Abarth track day.
Friends included Tony Berni, Abarth specialist and founder of Berni Motors, Perry (Pierangelo) Passini of Franzoni’s Auto Brescia, and Giuseppe Giuffré, president of the Italian Abarth Historic Register.
This year was the second event and was held on June 30 2011 at the Circuit de Francia Corta ‘Daniel Bonera’, (located in the province of Brescia in Lombardy) with participants from all over Europe, had both a race and show. Abarth owners were able to prove their car on the track, and a show is held for those not eager to race. This year the show turned the paddock of the circuit in a real open air museum.
The event drew about 100 participants and over fifty cars registered for the track. The cars were divided into four categories, and each category was allowed to use the track for a test period of 25 minutes each.
This Week, of Interest: Win a Wyss Warhol
WYSS GOES WARHOL (ESQUE)
Our frequent contributor, scribe/artist Wallace Wyss announced his newest illustration trend–a la Warhol. “I really didn’t think of making a tribute to Andy,” Wyss says, “but when I had to change the color a few times on the printing press for my illustration of one car, I thought , why not show the variations? Maybe that’s how Andy thought of it.”
Wyss will award one signed print to the first person who posts a comment below identifying the make and model of the car.
Those who are planning on attending the Concorso Italiano on August 19th should find a booth where Wyss will be displaying the tribute to Andy print, plus a few other design rendering prints in the original designer’s styles along with his regular full color depictions of Italy’s greatest sports cars. Those who won’t make Monterey can find his work on www.albaco.com Also, interested parties can write photojournalistpro@hotmail.com
Winner of last week’s contest
Last week’s winner of a copy of McQueen’s Machines was Barry Morgan, who almost instantly bought several raffle tickets in support of the Waktins Glen IMRRC. Thanks Barry!
This week’s articles
*Oosthoek’s book on sports car racing in the south is reviewed
*What’s in Your Driveway? Alfa 2600 Zagato
*Premium Article Update: See them all!
*Snooze Alert: Grand Prix of Europe
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OSCA 1600GT at Le Mans Part I
Part I deals with the team of John Gordon and John Bentley, whose exploits and successes at Le Mans and Sebring in a 750 cc OSCA led to the drive of an official OSCA factory entry at Le Mans. Their mount was the only flat-topped Zagato coupe, with a twin plug head and live rear axle. Co authored by Sebring Index winner John Gordon himself. Part I will be published April 13th.
OSCA 1600GT at Le Mans Part II
There were two OSCA 1600GT entries at Le Mans in 1962, s/n 0036, driven by Gordon and Bentley, and 007, entered by N.A.R.T. for Arents/Behra. Yet 007 appeared to be a very stock GT2 model, with IRS and a 108 hp single plug engine. We investigate these mysteries; relate what happened to the cars at Le Mans, and where they are now. Co authored by John Gordon. Part II will be published on April 20th.
Alfa Giulietta Berlina Manual
Part of an in-depth series of Premium articles about the much-neglected Alfa Giulietta Berlina, this segment offers a rare look at a Alfa 1300 Berlina owner’s manual. The series also includes factory brochures, a full history, variants, and much more, all dedicated to what should have been the most advanced sporting saloon of the 1950s.
Coming soon.
Savonuzzi, the Designer, Part II
In Part II of Savonuzzi, the Designer takes us from Ghia to Chrysler, then on to Fiat. Never-before published documents and photos illustrate Savonuzzi’s role in the Ghia Chrysler Turbine and his fascinating American adventure. Written with the help of his daughter Alberta, Savonuzzi, the Designer describes his accomplishments and frustrations while at Chrysler. April 6th.
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This Week, of Interest
Toly Arutunoff update
Toly Arutunoff, race driver, racetrack owner and VeloceToday contributor, was severely injured last week after stopping to help a motorist in a snowstorm in Texas. He lost one leg at the scene of the accident and the other was crushed.This is the latest from his wife Karen:
Tomorrow will be surgery #4. Toly continues to amaze with his strength of spirit and mind if not body. He has no memory of the past week for the most part but seems to know exactly how this tragedy happened. He survived by the grace of God. Please send Valentine cards to: OU Medical Center-Presbyterian 700 NE 13th Street, Room 318 (Anatoly Arutunoff), Oklahoma City, OK 73104. Karen is updating information on his condition on her Facebook page, Karen Arutunoff
This week: One Premium article, and four regular features, so scroll down.
Veyron Record: 2010’s Top Story?
Bugatti Veyron “World Record Edition“
By Roberto Motta and Staff
When Roberto Motta sent us this article, we thought it might be an appropriate candidate for 2010 top stories. If not, it certainly is right up there; readers comments and opinions are welcome. We will, of course, pretend that the new Bugatti is a French car, if only in spirit. But exciting, nonetheless! [Read more…] about Veyron Record: 2010’s Top Story?
New Abarth 500 Estremo, 260 HP on Demand!
By Roberto Motta
photos: Romeo Ferraris press office
In the tradition of the famous Italian “sorcerers”, Romeo Ferraris of Milan started his tuning career with the Fiat 500 and since then has progressed from BMWs to Ferrari 360s, all of which were tweaked to unbelievable levels. His son Mario is now in charge of the business, but the game remains the same; high performance. The firm as just announced an “Extreme” version of the Abarth 500. The name chosen by Romeo Ferraris for the transformation of the 500 Abarth leaves no doubt of the intent. The new car is a blend of raw power and extreme emotions. [Read more…] about New Abarth 500 Estremo, 260 HP on Demand!
Design Critique: Ferrari 599 SA Aperta
By Wallace A. Wyss
And now, the third iteration of the streetable 599, following the GTB, the halfway new “ Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione”,and the GTO, introduced last April, is the Aperta, or “open” 599.
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Hugues Vanhoolandt at Goodwood 2010
The Girls, the Background, the Cars of Goodwood in that order
Photography by Hugues Vanhoolandt