The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Saved--the Alfa Giulias and Giuliettas on display at the Alfa Museum!
Story and photos by Roberto Motta
Over the past weekend, the Mayor of Arese, Gianluigi Fornaro told the Italian press that the Alfa Romeo Museum, with all the cars and all the valuable historical archives, cannot be moved from its home of Arese. [Read more…] about Alfa Romeo Museum: No One Can Touch it Now
The Ferrari 166 MM is the car on which Ferrari built its legend. This is chassis 0008M which finished seventh in the Targa Florio and fourth in the Mille Miglia in 1950 driven by Bracco and Maglioli. But who first called it a “barchetta”? Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt
In Dino Brunori’s article about Le Mitiche a Bassano, Johnny Lurani was credited with first calling the Touring bodied 166 Ferrari a ‘barchetta.’
We were incorrect. But every cloud has its silver lining, however, and in this case it was an email from Karl Ludvigsen who wanted to set the record straight and has further allowed us to publish the below article, which came from his book,
“Ferrari – 60 Years of Technological Innovation.”
by Karl Ludvigsen
Since the term barchetta, once reserved specifically for small row boats and Touring-bodied Ferrari spiders has long since passed into the lexicon as meaning any open two seater, we thought we might add to the confusion with a sense of humor. And so, below are a few more ideas of what a barchetta might be.
Barchetta Before. The late historian Stan Nowak with Ferrari s/n 004.
A Jodi Ellis rendition of the Lancia Special as raced in 1953 at Avus.
By Pete Vack
We were just beginning to think that the case of the Lancia Mystery car would go unsolved. It was probably a one off, and it was described as having mechanical components from a Lancia Aprilia, including the engine, transmission, and front end, all connected by a tubular or ladder chassis.
The steering wheel, headlamps and fasteners were of German manufacture. The body was made of thin aluminum and covered with a light layer of fiberglass. It was probably built as a racecar but had a full windshield from an MGA and a spare tire. The style was more Teutonic than Latin, and yet it is attractive despite a very short wheelbase and large wheels. Was it built to race or drive on the streets or both? Was this an Italian or Swiss Etceterini? Or a German home built special that never crossed the Alps?
For our readers: This is a review of last year’s Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano.
For information about the 2011 event which will take place from 16 to 19 June and is open to 100 sport cars:
Click here for the Bassano website.
Click here for direct contact withe the organizers.
For information about renting a classic sportscar for the 2011 event, please contact the editor at pete@velocetoday.com.
A wonderland of Italian toys surrounds the Nardi of Dino Brunori, number 72.
Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano 2010, 17 – 20 June
By Dino Brunori and Chuck Schoendorf
Photo by Brunori unless otherwise noted.
When Italian journalist and race driver Count Giovanni Lurani coined the nickname “barchetta” after seeing the new Touring-bodied 166 Ferrari Spider, I’m sure he didn’t have in mind Bassano 2010.
[Read more…] about Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano 2010
Fred Simeone in the Alfa Monza s/n 221112 which placed second in the 1933 Mille Miglia, is followed by Curator Kevin Kelly in the 8C 2900B MM Spyder s/n 412031 which won the Mille Miglia in 1938.
A hands on approach brings ancient Alfas to life at the Simeone Foundation
By Pete Vack
Photos by Harry Hurst
Thomas Hoving assumed the directorship of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1967 and began a number of building projects and renovations. He brought new life to the aging Museum and was often said to be “making the mummies dance”, a phrase he used to title his best selling memoirs.
[Read more…] about Making the Mummies Dance
The fascinating history of the Alfa Romeo RLSS MUG 412. Upper left, letter from Tom Goodman; upper right, the Hull and Slater book; original registration from 1927; MUG 412 plate and the RLSS at the Simeone.
By Pete Vack
Fred Simeone became the owner of this rare Alfa Romeo RLSS, chassis number 69013, because he rarely forgets a mug. “I was at Goodwood in 2002 and noticed the Bonhams’ catalog had an RLSS for sale with a British license plate which read ‘MUG 412‘. It struck me as being very familiar, and I then remembered I had read about this car in the Alfa history by Peter Hull and Roy Slater some forty years earlier.” And sure enough on page 63 of the first edition, was a description of this particular Alfa and how it was built for a relative of actor Michael Rennie. Simeone didn’t need to know too much more to bid successfully on the RLSS. (Read Driving the RLSS) It wasn’t the first time the unusual tag was the object of attention.
[Read more…] about MUG 412 and the story of an Alfa Romeo RLSS
Merosi's Masterpiece, the RLSS. Photo by Harry Hurst.
Part I covered the Merosi cars designed from the beginning of ALFA in 1910 to the introduction of the RL in 1921, which would be the mainstay of the company until production of the Jano-designed 6C 1500 was underway in 1927. Part II features the details of the RLS, RLSS and the RLTF cars.
For 1926 several improvements were made as the RLN became the RLT (for Touring) and the RLS became the RLSS (Super Sports) The latter had dry sump lubrication, while the RLT now also had an engine capacity of 2994cc (and in the UK became known as the 22/70); power improved to 61bhp at 3200rpm, while the RLSS now revved to 3600 and produced 83bhp providing a maximum speed of just over 80mph. [Read more…] about Giuseppe Merosi and the Alfa Romeo RL series Part II
By Pete Vack
Color photos by Harry Hurst
Thanks to the kind offices of the Simeone Foundation, VeloceToday was recently given the opportunity to drive two rare pre-war Alfa Romeos. While driving the “Legendary” 2.3 Castagna was a dream come true, it was perhaps even more fortunate to have been able to sample an even rarer Alfa–a 1925 RLSS, “Merosi’s Masterpiece” as some have called the breed. Rare, did we say? How about 392 ever produced, of which perhaps a dozen are left, scattered across the globe. To see one is an event; to drive one is to experience motoring’s Shangri-La. Here is our report:
Being able to drive both the 8C 2300 and the RLSS meant that we were given the even rarer opportunity to drive the work of both Giuseppe Merosi and Vittorio Jano. We’ll tell you which was more fun an bit down. [Read more…] about VeloceToday Drives the Alfa Romeo RLSS
RLSS radiator featured two badges. Photo by Harry Hurst
By Nicholas Lancaster
With thanks to the AROC of Great Britain
Most enthusiasts will be familiar with the famous Alfa Romeo designs of Vittorio Jano including the P2 Grand Prix car, the eight cylinder 8c 2300 sports cars, and the glorious Tipo B Grand Prix single-seater — but perhaps fewer know that the legendary Alfa Romeo competition story began several years before Jano joined the Milan based company. The man responsible is now largely forgotten, but his place in the Alfa Romeo story, and his greatest creation deserve to be remembered.
[Read more…] about Giuseppe Merosi and the Alfa Romeo RL Series Part I
Abarth Osella PA1 owned and driven by Grant Tromans of Monte Carlo.
Story and photos by Roberto Motta
“58th Coppa Intereuropa Autostoriche”
On June 4-6th the “58th Coppa Intereuropa Autostoriche” was held at the historic circuit of Monza. The “Intereurope Cup” is the main Italian event for historic cars and this year had competition events for over 350 racing cars: From Tourism classes to Formula 1 and sports prototype, the Autostoriche featured the cars of the classes that participated in the classic “1000 km of Monza”. In addition, the weekend had parades, rallies, shows and a marketplace, all strictly reserved for cars that wrote the racing history.
[Read more…] about Italian Historic Cup at Monza
Side view indicates an attractive but not Italianate design. But the mechanicals are all Lancia.
Ok, we give up. As so often happens, a reader will send us some images of a car that no one can identify. Usually we can find the answer without a great deal of research.
But this one left us stumped.
Despite its short wheelbase, the car is quite attractive. Think Denzel with a front engine.