The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Guillermo Fierro’s 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage #2466.
Story and Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Firmly anchored in the historic racing calendar since its creation in 2002, the Le Mans Classic, traditionally held every two years, was already in its twelfth edition this year. Given the success of this event, it will enter a new dimension next year by becoming an annual event, albeit with different grids from one year to the next. [Read more…] about Le Mans Classic, 1923-1961
A Le Mans-style start was organized for grid 4, in order to recreate a moment in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Story and Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Vanhoolandt continues his coverage of the 2025 Le Mans Classic with Grids 4-6.
Winner of the Spirit of the Show award, Keith Harrison’s 1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Alleggerita. Built on the second day of the lightweight ‘Alleggerita’ production and supplied to Swedish racer Joachim Bonnier. This works prepared example, in Jo Bonnier’s hand, finished 3rd in class and 15th overall in that year’s Mille Miglia, and later in the year, again in the hands of Bonnier, finished first in class at the Nurburgring 1000km. One of only 58 known Alleggerita survivors.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
There is a new kid on the block when it comes to Concours of Elegance in the UK. Wednesday July the 9th was the date for the inaugural Royal Automobile Club Concours of Elegance. Held at the club’s country estate Woodcote Park located on the Epsom Downs in Surrey, just up the road from the Epsom Downs Race course. So bright and early on a boiling hot day I took the short trip up from the coast, followed the signs to the car park located on the golf course and took the short walk down to the show ground.
1939 Hawker Hurricane Mk 1, P2902 served with 245 Fighter Squadron initially on the east coast of Scotland patrolling local shipping routes but was soon ordered south to provide air cover for the little ships and naval craft involved in operation Dynamo… the evacuation of Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk. On the 31st May 1940 19-year-old Pilot Officer Kenneth McGlashan was attacked by two bf109s sustaining major damage to the airframe, believing that a Hurricane could out dive a bf109 the by now seriously injured McGlashan put in the aircraft into a steep dive outrunning his attacker, pulling up just 10 feet above the beach. McGlashan then managed to land the stricken plane on the beach and walked away to join the troops awaiting evacuation. P2902 eventually was swallowed by the sand were it would remain until being exhumed in 1988. It would then be a further 29 years before P2902 took to the air again following a painstaking restoration by Hawker Restorations.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Those who visited the Heveningham Hall Country show on June 28-29 and purchased the additional ticket to view the Concours cars on the terraced lawn were also entitled to view the entrants for the Hanna Aviation Trophy, a concours for aeroplanes, which is run alongside the main event. It was but a short walk up the hill to a little copse of trees, around which were displayed a mouth-watering display of vintage aircraft. The Hanna Aviation Trophy is named in honour of the late Ray and Mark Hanna, Two of the greatest Warbird display pilots to grace the skies and the silver screen. [Read more…] about Heveningham Hanna Aviation Trophy
Mario Andretti
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Jonathan Sharp, and on occasion, Hugues Vanhoolandt, have been snapping happy faces at Goodwood for many, many years. One of our favorite years for faces was 2014, and we presented both the FOS and Revival drivers in our gallery.
More than 10 years later, the drivers are still smiling. Says Sharp, “I enjoy spending time in the assembly area as you can really feel the atmosphere, the drivers definitely enjoy it, and the mechanics are under far less pressure than they would be at a race meeting so do not seem to mind us getting in their way.
1938 Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Some thoughts on this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 10-13). Very very hot. It is said that over the four days of the event over 200,000 attended and yet it did not seem as crowded as in previous years. Easy to get into (but then I arrive very early each morning), and not so bad getting out again (but I do leave very very late). Plenty to see, especially if you like F1, as this year’s event focused on celebrating the 75th anniversary of the first official points scoring F1 Grand Prix.
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
One year after the centenary edition, the 2025 24 Hours of Spa (June 28-29) marked the 77th edition of the race around the clock, taking place on the legendary Francorchamps track. Stéphane Ratel, head of the organizer SRO, also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first edition reserved for GTs, a change that took place at his instigation, while historically the 24 Hours of Francorchamps was reserved for touring cars.
Third place in the Silver class was taken by BMW Century Motorsport, here battling a Ford Mustang on the Kemmel Straight.
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Hugues continues with his superb coverage of the Spa 24 Hours held June 28-29.
Wim Oude Weernink with Jean Pierre Ploue, Stellantis head of Lancia design in 2022.
Story by Wim Oude Weernink with Pete Vack, photos courtesy the Author
Although Dutchman Wim Oude Weernink has accomplished a great deal over the past 55 years, his name will most likely be associated with La Lancia, the first and perhaps best book on the history of the marque. Its genesis, however, was in Great Britain. Wim recalls:
“I drove my Aurelia B20 to England for the 1973 International Lancia meeting, organized by the Lancia Motor Club. During that event I got the idea to write a book on Lancia’s history because that subject had not been covered yet. It marked the beginning of a fascinating but also challenging journey, with support from London photographer John Maltby.” [Read more…] about Wim Oude Weernink: More Than Just Lancia
Book review by Pete Vack
Norfolk, Virginia, 1976. I know it was 1976 because I had recently received my hot-off-the-press copy of Michael Frostick’s photo history of Lancia. Sitting in our living room were Sue Dixon and Keith Goring, down from Connecticut to deliver an old Appia sedan and pick up an Alfa Sprint Veloce. Sue was eager to take a look at the Frostick book; we were all starved for information about Lancia, and this was the first history of the marque in English. Sue perused through the pages and then stopped.
“Frostick’s got this wrong,” she said, pointing to page 126. [Read more…] about Fuoriserie Lancias Reviewed
Tom Matano’s Miata Front Design sketch, 1984. Early idea sketch of the front end. “Finned Oilpan” was one of his favorite details, yet to be recognized on Miata, FD RX-7.
Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos courtesy Tom Matano
About a dozen years ago, I commuted to downtown San Francisco from Sonoma County, an arduous drive which entailed crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and coming down Van Ness Street to get to the financial district. Every morning, I would try to catch a glimpse of the showroom at the Academy of Art, which housed one of the most spectacular car collections anywhere in the world. But I never got the chance to pay a proper visit.
That changed when I was given an introduction to Tom Matano. It was a great honor as Tom Matano is a very special person. In addition to being the Chief Designer at Mazda and responsible for notable designs such as the Mazda RX-7, Mazda MX-5, the Miata “M-Coupe” concept car, Tom was the Executive Director of the Academy of Art University’s School of Industrial Design since 2002. After many years, he stepped down in January 2025 and is now Director Emeritus.
Cisitalias wanted for Concorso Italiano. Plus get a 20 percent VeloceToday discount on admission!
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Concorso Italiano. Alongside our event’s anniversary, we are observing the following marque milestones and seek additional vehicles for our show field. Overnight transport parking is available at our event for those exhibiting a vehicle. Owners can register directly at www.concorso.com, or they can contact me with any questions or for further details: cindy@carprusa.com
In addition, for VeloceToday readers, we are offering a 20 percent discount, applied to vehicle registration and/or the purchase of General Admission tickets. [Read more…] about Get 20% off Admission at Concorso Italiano