VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Tazio Nuvolari Meets Gabriele D’Annunzio

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By Peter Darnall
Our thanks to Matteo Rinaldi at the Museo Nuvolari

The AIACR (Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus), which was the governing body controlling Grand Prix racing, issued an innovative ruling which would define racing events beginning with the 1934 season. Known as the 750-kilogram rule, the weight of a race car was limited to 750 kg, less tires, liquids, and driver. Intended to restrict the ever-increasing speed and power of Grand Prix machines, the ruling had quite the opposite effect: German interests, closely followed by Italian efforts produced the fastest and most powerful racing cars the world had ever seen.

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Gauld at Retro 2017 Take One

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What’s special about this special Lancia?

Story and photos (except as noted) by Graham Gauld

This year Retromobile was bigger than ever with a surprise every ten yards. And that’s why most of what is contained in this early story is a mere fragment of the kind of stuff you can find if you look in all the nooks and crannies. I’ll be writing more about this year’s Retro so just stay tuned to VeloceToday.

I am always on the lookout for cars that remind me of times gone by when they were new and fresh and so it came as a surprise to find a very interesting stand supported by Fiat Group, concessionaires and associated car clubs as they had brought along a number cars that all had stories to tell.

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VeloceToday for February 7, 2017

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I want an Amilcar, maybe you’d like a Ferrari? Jonathan Sharp takes off with the Bluebirds at Beaulieu to weave a fascinating story of life, death and heredity; Toly goes from Brescia to Rome, and a stunning presentation of 50s Fiat brochures.

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Donald Campbell’s Tragic Odyssey

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Before his second run for the LSR in 1964, Donald Campbell thought he had had it. But then, “I suddenly looked up and there was my father reflected in the windscreen as clearly as you are sitting there now…”

Why a story about the LSR Bluebirds in VeloceToday, one that has no Italian or French connections? Jonathan Sharp is our writer and our connection, as he not only has several Alfas but has a superb story to tell about the short and heroic life of Donald Campbell, including an exclusive story about the Campbell’s wallet, retrieved from his XKE right after the fatal accident in 1967 and never been on public display. A great story is a great story, whatever the country. Ed.

Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp

Donald Campbell and the LSR

On Friday the 17th July 1964, after four years of struggle, Donald Campbell, CBE, finally broke John Cobb’s 1947 Land Speed record speed of 394.20 mph, driving his Bristol Proteus Gas Turbine powered Bluebird CN7. His friend Craig Breedlove had gone faster but his J47 Jet powered Spirit of America was considered by the governing body to be a tricycle, and more importantly, was not wheel driven so did not at the time meet the rules laid down. [Read more…] about Donald Campbell’s Tragic Odyssey

Arutunoff on the Mille Miglia Part 2

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At the 1988 Mille Miglia with a 1951 Cooper MG.

Part 2 of the Excerpt from Steering with your Knees by Anatoly Arutunoff
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By Toly Arutunoff

We overnighted in Rome at the midpoint of the event, and my timing was such that while Karen was smart enough to grab a Coke and head straight for bed, I hit the lobby at the exact time another dining room was opened up to accept the overflow of competitors from the main room. Chicken, veal, pasta, pasta, antipasto, wine, beer — it was all there, fresh, and as much as you could choke down if you weren’t too tired to swallow. [Read more…] about Arutunoff on the Mille Miglia Part 2

VeloceToday for January 31, 2017

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This week Jonathan Sharp shows us more cars from the National Museum, an update on the Fiat and Abarth Rally scene, a hilarious excerpt from Toly Arutunoff’s latest book, and from the archives, Arutunoff and the Appia Zagatos.

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Arutunoff on the Mille Miglia

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At the 2005 edition of the Mille Miglia retro, Toly is seen here with Sandy Orttewell in Orttwell’s totally original 1928 1500S Alfa.

An Excerpt from Steering with your Knees by Anatoly Arutunoff published with permission of the author.

By Toly Arutunoff

It’s difficult to know what to say about the Historic Mille Miglia … it’s been covered by all the enthusiast press in articles of varying lengths, and since I subscribe to most of them I’m mildly saturated … I guess I just don’t want to simply rehash, from my personal point of view, all the things you might’ve read elsewhere. Now that that’s outta the way, let me say that the event taken as a whole is inspiring and enthusiastically stimulating to an American; more so I think than it is to a European.

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The National Museum at Beaulieu, Cars M-Z

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Actor, wit, car nut and raconteur Peter Ustinov once owned this 1928 Supercharged Mercedes 36/220 S Type. One of only 146 examples built of this very successful Ferdinand Porsche-designed vehicle which has recently been restored by the Museum. This model was one of the first to appear after the amalgamation of Daimler and Benz in 1926.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

This is the third part of Jonathan Sharp’s visit to the National Museum at Beaulieu and there will be one more segment devoted to Land Speed Record Cars. There is just so much at the Museum to see; we have just scratched the surface and there is much more waiting for the museum visitor. [Read more…] about The National Museum at Beaulieu, Cars M-Z

Arutunoff and the Lancia Appia Zagatos

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Toly, number 29, getting by an Elan and a Ferrari at the Bahamas. With Dick Irish he would finish 39th in the Nassau Trophy race in 1964.

Story by Toly Arutunoff

In 1964 it seemed like I needed a companion in the garage for my Lancia Flaminia Zagato. The previous year, after our good finishes in the Targa Florio, Nurburgring 1000km, and Spa 500km, the factory offered me a straight swap for my car and one of the GTS Appia Zagatos, guaranteed for 117 mph. I turned the offer down, but later I saw an ad for an Appia Zagato in Rhode Island for $900. I heard it call my name and before I knew it we were on our way east from our lair in Oklahoma. [Read more…] about Arutunoff and the Lancia Appia Zagatos

Fiat Abarth Hope for Successful Rally Season

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The Abarth 124 Rally of the ACI Team Italia; Fabio Andolfi with Manuel Fenoli on the Monte Carlo Rally.

Story by Roberto Motta
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

On the tarmac, ice and snow of the French Alps, the new Abarth 124 Rally, driven by three private crews, demonstrated its competitiveness and excellent performance. Last weekend the Abarth 124 rally enjoyed a promising debut in the Monte Carlo Rally, the first event of the World Rally Championship. In South America, the Fiat Panda finished well in the Dakar rally. [Read more…] about Fiat Abarth Hope for Successful Rally Season

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