The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
By Pete Vack
A significant portion of the new book, Ballot, is comprised of chapters by Karl Ludvigsen. In “The Technology of the Ballot Grand Prix Engines,” and probably for the first time in text, he provides a history of the early development of the racing straight eight engines (while acknowledging the importance of William M. Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Eights). [Read more…] about Ballot Discussion Part 2
Story, color photos and model by Aldo Zana
It is quite unusual that a particular model car exhibits so many unique values: the only three-dimensional image of a racing car 1) built in a single unit, 2) raced only once, and 3) then destroyed for good. [Read more…] about 1927 Fiat 806
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Held during the last weekend of July, the 24 Hours of Spa, now in its 71st edition, confirmed its status as the world’s premier endurance race for GT cars with a line-up of no less than 72 entries. [Read more…] about Total 24 Hours Spa 2019
Review by Pete Vack
Photos from the book with permissions, and by Jonathan Sharp
Ballot: A Review, a Discussion, an Enigma
With the publication of Ballot by Daniel Cabart and Gautam Sen, this obscure French marque is now honored with a classic, beautifully luxurious, extraordinarily illustrated, well-documented two-volume set that casts a great deal of light on Ernest Ballot, his company, and his cars. [Read more…] about Ballot Book Review
From the Archives, November 2015
Story and photos by Graham Gauld
[Lead photo: In 1995 the author persuaded Griff Borgeson to come to the Ferrari Club of France private test day at the Mas du Clos circuit.]
I think if you do not have someone to look up to and respect, there is no incentive to improve. When it came to motoring journalism there were a handful of people I respected, and one of the first to become a hero was American writer and historian Griffith Borgeson.
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Citroën is turning 100 this year and, to celebrate this unique occasion, the French manufacturer organized a huge gathering, called the ‘Rassemblement du Siècle’ (or Gathering of the Century), at La Ferté-Vidame, which is situated 125 kilometers west of Paris. The event was held from July 19 to July 21, 2019.
By Willem Oosthoek
The above title quote is how a Maserati-loving bottling magnate always ended his correspondence.* The bottling magnate was J. Frank Harrison Jr., whose father was a nephew of John T. Lupton, one of the Coca-Cola pioneers. [Read more…] about Maserati 450S, SN 4508, 4509, 4510
By Hugues Vanhoolandt
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt and Bruno Dugauquier
This year, the Festival of Speed was celebrating motorsport’s record breakers, and among them Michael Schumacher. In addition, the Bentley Centenary, 70 years of Aston Martin at Goodwood, as well as fifty years of a car with a cult following like no other, the Porsche 917, were featured this year.
By Wallace Wyss
It’s so beautiful, you want to get closer. The interior out Paganis Pagani, it’s so rococo and SteamPunk.
It’s got a Ferrari V12.
The De Tomaso P72 street car made its debut at the Goodwood event a few days ago and was not just a static display—it went out there and buzzed the track, singing the siren song of the V12. Then, crap hit the fan as the anguished cries from the folks that spent a good deal of money to revive this shape a few years ago called out the Apollo De Tomaso as a copycat. And do you blame them?
