Graham Gauld “I Knew Them When”…Nardi
The mystery BMW Special. Note the two hoods, the front holding the engine and the top one holding the spare wheel.
Story and photos by Graham Gauld
Last week I talked about the car that truly stopped the show at Retromobile, the Ferrari 335S, so now I will go from the sublime to the ridiculous.
A tale of two? Nardis
I happened by the stand of Christophe Pund who runs La Galerie Des Damiers and has a habit of digging up remarkable cars that no one has ever heard of. This year he went better and put on show a car he told me he had found as a wreck – and by the time of Retromobile it was little more than that – but did not know exactly what it was. I mention it because some reader in Italy may remember something about it and be able to help out.
Fundamentally it is a two-seater sports car with a lightweight body and powered by a 750cc BMW motorcycle engine mounted in its own compartment at the front of the car. There is a second hood under which is the spare wheel so the driver sits in one of two sketchy seats holding what appears to be a Nardi steering wheel. [Read more…] about Graham Gauld “I Knew Them When”…Nardi
A Moving Experience in London
A superbly restored Alfa Duetto.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
This year’s London Classic Car Show,now in its second year, has to my mind two unusual selling points. Firstly it is the only indoor show that I know of where some of the cars are actually driven during the event. [Read more…] about A Moving Experience in London
As Found Classic Number 20: Mexican Siata
As Found Classic Number Twenty
Carl Goodwin on a Siata find that needs your help
Somewhere south of the border, a Siata waits for someone.
Art and the Design of the Mangusta
I have written this article for the art and design enthusiast. As a car designer, I will explain the look of the Mangusta and how it is inexplicably tied to its function. My observations are based on my professional career experiences as an automobile designer for over forty years as well as my experiences with my own Mangusta 8MA-670, seen here. Photo Dick Ruzzin
Introduction
Much has been written about Alessandro deTomaso and his automotive trials and successes, including racing and production cars. One of those cars is the Mangusta, a car designed singularly by Giorgetto Giugiaro who did the prototype and the production version, interior and exterior.
I have written a small book using my design experience to give insight into the Mangusta design and why it is so special. Pete Vack and VeloceToday have graciously offered to present part of it on their site in three parts. Below is Part 1. My goal is to present the book at the fiftieth anniversary of the Mangusta at Concourso Italiano in 2016.
Dick Ruzzin, General Motors Design Staff, retired.
VeloceToday for February 23, 2016
Portello Awards at the Alfa Arese Museum
Story by Roberto Motta
Photos courtesy Scuderia Portello
Arese (Milan), February 6, 2016 – Each year, the Scuderia del Portello Alfa Romeo rewards its drivers during a meeting in the multipurpose room of the renovated Museo Storico Alfa Romeo. For the first time since it was renovated, the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese hosted the traditional awarding of the Portello Scuderia Champions. More than 300 guests from Japan, Portugal, England, Belgium, Germany, Mexico and Australia came together to celebrate with great enthusiasm and emotion their common passion for the brand Alfa Romeo. [Read more…] about Portello Awards at the Alfa Arese Museum
Vignale History Part 3: The Good Years and Maserati
As we have seen in Part 2, about 156 Vignale Ferrari bodies were built, and after 1954 Vignale gradually stopped producing bodies for Ferrari and instead concentrated on the new Maserati 3500 as Ferrari teamed up with Pinin Farina for a new line of Ferraris.
Vignale would quickly win over the Orsis at Maserati, helping establish the 3500 as a serious contender to the Pinin Farina designed Ferrari 250GT series. And by the time it was over, Vignale produced over 2,400 bodies for Maserati. Despite the loss of Ferrari, Vignale had some very good years to come before his untimely death.
By Pete Vack
Heads Up! Be the first to identify the ultra-rare Vignale in the photo below by make and serial number and win a signed Paul Chenard 8×10 poster!
The Good Years
In some respects, Alfredo Vignale was much like Ferrari. He had humble beginnings and like Ferrari relished in having total control of his growing enterprise. He traveled rarely, and according to his brother, never set foot in Maranello.
What is this? Click to enlarge to see details. If you are the first to properly identify this car by make AND serial number, we’ll send you a free 8×10 art poster by artist Paul Chenard. Send your guess to me at vack@cox.net. Photo by Jonathan Sharp.
VeloceToday for February 18: Special Rétromobile Edition
*This is a Special Edition of VeloceToday with our exclusive Rétromobile coverage. All six articles are free to all readers, but please, subscribe to VeloceToday (for only $5 a month) so we can continue to bring you exclusive articles from around the world.
To subscribe, click on this article, Vignale Part 1, The Early Years, scroll to find the ‘Subscribe’ button, click it and sign up easily and securely with Paypal.
Rétromobile in Blue by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Editor’s Choice: The booth of the Swiss dealer Lükas Hüni is always one of the attractions of the show. This particular Bugatti Type 55 Roadster is considered to be the most original as it is the sole example that remains unrestored.
Photos and text by Hugues Vanhoolandt [Read more…] about Rétromobile in Blue by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Rétromobile in Red by Jonathan Sharp
Editor’s Choice: Sold new to former Italian hillclimb champion Franco Cornaccia of Scuderia Guastala in Milan, this 1951 212 Export Berlinetta by Vignale was entered in that year’s Carrera Panamericana II where Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi won second place overall. Then 0161EL was sold to Santiago Ontanon, owner of Industrias 1-2-3. Driven by Paco Ibarra and Vincent Solar, this handsome little Ferrari Berlinetta finished the 1952 Carrera 7th in class and 24th overall.
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Rétromobile Artcurial Auction by Alessandro Gerelli
Editor’s Choice: Stanguellini Motto coupè Motto (1949) did not sell; estimate was 220,000 to 280,000 euros.
Photos and Text by Alessandro Gerelli [Read more…] about Rétromobile Artcurial Auction by Alessandro Gerelli