The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Bill Tuer teeters on the edge in his 1932 1208cc Morgan Supersport. Fortunately he collected it all up and continued on his way on all three wheels.
Photos and Captions by Jonathan Sharp
Without further fanfare, Fiat through Willment.
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This week, two totally excellent views of the spectacular Silver Flag Hillclimb in Vernasca, Italy as seen and photographed by our own Jonathan Sharp.
You may have missed Graham Gauld’s profile of Griff Borgeson. “In his prime, Borgeson was one of the truly great auto historians…” said ex-Automobile Quarterly editor Jonathan A. Stein. Borgeson had a great influence on Graham Gauld as well, so catch this exclusive VeloceToday article below.
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Pierre Macchi in his 1961 Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale leads Giorgio Ambriogione in his 1960 Giulietta SZ.
Photos and captions by Jonathan Sharp
Read Abarth and others at Vernasca
Read Cars in the Paddock
Read Vernasca 2015
Our man from the U.K. is a real trooper. Jonathan Sharp liked Vernasca so much last year that despite getting ill while in Italy, he wanted to go again this year, and did. And again was caught out by a some sort of bug. Yet he stayed the course (literally) and came back home with hundreds of great images, so many that we had to separete them into three stories. We owe a huge debt to Sharp for his over-the-top accomplishment. Below, thirty Alfas at Vernasca; Part 2, also in this edition, features Abarth and others.
Vernascas’s Silver Flag event was held on June 17-19. It is becoming very popular and the entry list consists of over two hundred cars, many of which are rarely seen at other events.
So exciting is the event that of course Sharp wants to return again next year. We hope he does. Ed.
Raimondo Roseto’s 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ Trofeo.
Philip Van Looy’s amazingly loud 1966 Abarth 1600 OT Periscopio.
Photos and captions by Jonathan Sharp
Read Alfa Romeo at Vernasca
Read Cars in the Paddock
Read Vernasca 2015
In addition to the dozens of Alfas, our man Sharp also photographed other makes, and here we present Abarth, Fiat, Ferrari, Iso, Lancia, Porsche Serenissima and Veritas and more. Ed.
From Team Abarth France Christophe Pont’s 1970 Abarth 3000 V8 SE 020.
A scale drawing of the production Mangusta.
Story and Photos by Dick Ruzzin
Be sure to watch this extremely interesting interview with Dick Ruzzin on Sean McElroy’s Autoline After Hours. The segment with Dick begins at about the 49 minute mark, right after the commercial. If you don’t know Dick’s background as a GM designer, you will be impressed.
Vehicle Architecture
The mid-engine architecture is very exciting to design around as it provides unique proportions that can be interpreted in profile with almost a single curving line. The Mangusta design is enhanced greatly by the architecture, the short overhangs, wide front and rear tread, the low front suspension, and the large wheels and tires encourage the design of a shape that is very idealistic. The architecture delivers proportions that are very dramatic and the idea that there is an inherent special high performance functionality included in the vehicle concept only enhances the simple, sporty and elegant design solution that was conceived and executed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. [Read more…] about Art and the Design of the Mangusta Part 3
Dave Wolin goes back a long way; he got a bank loan to buy a used Porsche 550 Spyder for $2000 (that was a long time ago!) Today he is recording and preserving racing history and helping retired race drivers.
By Brandes Elitch
All photos courtesy Dave Wolin
You will not be surprised to learn that there is no pension plan for retired race car drivers like there is in the movie industry; they often depend on the kindness of strangers During the Monterey Historics this year, there will be a new and very special event, called “Tribute to the CanAm – 50th Anniversary.” Proceeds benefit the Racing History Project, (www.racinghistoryproject.com) and specifically two drivers: Charlie Hayes and Tony Adamowicz. [Read more…] about Dave Wolin: The Kindness of Strangers
Without doubt my favorite car of the event (and my wife’s favorite as well) was this this 1932 Alfa Romeo 1750 Supercharged Grand Sport with bodywork by Figoni of Paris, hence the Alfa Romeo Paris badge. The car was known in Paris prior to WWII before moving to the French Riviera during the conflict. It resided in Florida before being returned to the UK about 15 years ago. This was the first time the car had been publicly displayed in the UK.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Heveningham Hall is a 5000 acre estate deep in the heart of rural Suffolk. The house or hall as it is described was mostly designed by Sir Robert Taylor in 1778 for Sir Gerrard Vanneck, a wealthy Dutch merchant. [Read more…] about Heveningham Concours d’Elegance, Suffolk, U.K.
Drivers at Goodwood, June 24-26 by Jonathan Sharp
James Martin is a famous British TV celebrity chef and a big petrol head. He is about to driver Jaguar D type XKD605 reg number 393RW, winner of the 1956 Reims 12 hour race.
Having managed to miss last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed due to illness, I was very keen not to miss this year’s event no matter what the weather. The prediction of rain proved to be very accurate especially on Thursday when during the afternoon the heavens opened and what was already a muddy site became in places a quagmire. Still this is England and rain will not stop play. [Read more…] about Goodwood Festival of Speed Part One
Drivers at Goodwood II, June 24-26 by Jonathan Sharp
Susie Wolff was the development driver and then test driver for Williams F1 between 2013 and 2015. From 2006 to 2012 she drove a Mercedes Benz in the German DTM series. Her husband is Toto Wolff, executive director of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team.
Mr Goodwood Sir Stirling Moss reflected in the mirror of a Mercedes Benz 300 SLS.
French at Goodwood,June 24-26 by Hugues Vanhoolandt
The Cartier Style & Luxe Concours d’élégance included a class dedicated to the French marque Alpine. This car is the second prototype built by Jean Rédélé, based on a Renault 4CV with a glass-fibre body. It was called Le Marquis and was shown at the 1954 New York Auto Show.
RELATED LINKS:
https://velocetoday.com/marquis-of-mystery-barn-find/
https://velocetoday.com/marquis-of-mystery-part-2-dreams-of-glass/
https://velocetoday.com/the-marquis-of-mystery-part-3-shattered-dreams/
Take advantage of the 3000 articles in the VeloceToday archives! If you would like to learn more about the subject in many of the photos in this article, click on the links which appear right below Hugues Vanhoolandt’s photos. [Read more…] about Goodwood Festival of Speed Part Three
