VeloceToday.com – Page 191 – The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Four Guys at Retro: Sharp on Art

February 12, 2015 By pete

From the Baillon barn find, a Facel Vega interior.

Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Click on pics to enlarge

It was whilst sitting in the comfort of a Eurostar train returning from the fortieth edition of what is arguably the best classic car show in the world that my pal and I got to reminiscing about our first trip to Retromobile around about 34 years ago.

In those days, circa 1981, we could not afford to take time off from work; we decided we would leave home on the Saturday evening to attend the show on the Sunday. No Eurostar or channel tunnel in those days, no Internet, and no great plan as to how we were going to actually get there. 6 pm arrives and we piled into my pal’s company Nissan Sunny and departed for Dover for the ferry. We parked the car on the top floor of the multi story car park, (I cannot remember why it was the top floor), and found out the time of the next ferry. We must have waited some time as the ferry crossing only took an hour and we arrived in France at about 2am. The next train to Paris did leave until 4am. It was not a high speed train unlike nowadays but a normal suburban train with bolt upright seats covered in vinyl and it seemed to stop at every station. I also think we had to change trains as I do recall being stuck on a cold dark French railway station in the middle of nowhere for an hour or so.

Anyway we finally pull into Gard Du Nord in Paris and work out how to use the Metro. As none of us spoke anything more than schoolboy French, this was quite a feat. The Metro is crowded and my pal nearly lost his wallet to a pick pocket but we finally arrive at the show. We must have been impressed with what we saw but all I can now recall is that I bought a model kit of the Ferrari Pinin which I must get round to building one day. At the shows end it was time to take the same journey in reverse. By the time we arrive in England my Nissan Sunny-driving pal is having to be kept awake by the combined efforts of the rest of us. I recall putting the key in my front door at 6am. Then it was back to work for 9am Monday morning.

This year it’s an easy one hour drive to Ebbslfleet station and then a comfortable train seat for a few hours to Paris. A great show, an excellent dinner and a comfortable hotel for the night. Another morning at the show, lovely lunch. Then the same journey in reverse but this time it does have the added excitement of a bomb scare and controlled explosion at Gare Du Nord. Much improved, however, and easier on much older enthusiast.

I hope you will enjoy my look at the Art of Retro.

No comment necessary.

Grand Prix models

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Four Guys at Retro: More from Graham Gauld

February 12, 2015 By pete

This B52 Lancia with Bertone coachwork designed by Michellotti back in 1952.

Story and photos by Graham Gauld

Last week I talked about some of the cars lined up at Retromobile in Paris; I must admit that I mostly walk past the more obvious stands with spectacular cars and items but rather tend to keep an eye open for cars that I have either met before or have interesting back stories, so to speak.

This week I would like to continue with some more observations. Take, for example, the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 long tail that was on show. This was one of the last 33/2’s built. Design work on the Alfa tipo 33 can be traced back to 1964 when Alfa started out to produce a sports racing car around the 1570cc engine they had developed for the Giulia TZ2.

The first real 33 was produced in 1967 and was called the “Periscopio” named after the high periscope air intake behind the driver. It won first time out on a Belgian hill climb. By now it was a 2 liter V8 developed by Carlo Chiti.

Alfa and Autodelta entered the World Constructors Championship the following year and the car shaped up well against Ferrari and Porsche opposition. At Daytona that year Ugo Schuetz and Nino Vaccarella finishing fifth in this actual show car behind three Porsche 907’s and Jerry Titus’s Mustang. More importantly it was ahead of the other two 33/2 factory cars of Mario Andretti and Mario Casoni. This same car was to finish 4th at Le Mans with Ignazio Giunti and Nanni Galli.

The Alfa Romeo 33/2 long tail Daytona named after its fifth place at the 24 Hour race.

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VeloceToday for February 10, 2015

February 10, 2015 By pete

Randy Cook’s Bowtie Ferraris chronicles the history of 71 Ferraris with Chevy V8 engines, Michael Lynch reviews; Gauld returns from Retro; Part 2 of Brescia Corse; Dumpster diving at Autodelta. Special Retro Edition of VT this Friday!

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Delahaye 135M by Guilloré, 1949. Single carburetor, good condition with strong underpinnings;could do with retrimming of seats. Half of the car has been polished up to show how good the paint still is underneath. The Cotal box is in working order. 0nly 3 or 4 estimated to have been bodied in this pontoon shape. 128 000€. Contact Tom Bromehead at: lesalfistes@gmail.com

An Italian rarity: One-off Fiat Osca 1600 GT bodied by Savio in 1964 (one of two). Same owner since the late sixties, recent full restoration including engine rebuild. Correct-spec Osca engine with forged crankshaft and alloy pistons. Price on demand. Contact Tom Bromehead at: lesalfistes@gmail.com

WANTED! Style Auto Many thanks to your readers for the leads! Location unimportant providing you will ship to the UK! I realize a full run is rare, willing to purchase a part/incomplete run of copies. The numbers I need are 3,6,7,11,15,16,18-19,20,29,34-35. Can you help complete the set?
Contact:willgrant@yahoo.co.uk

Rent a Race Car to drive in the 2015 Mille Miglia, Bassano, and other Italian Vintage events! Drive this rare Siata Daina Coupe, an A.C. Ace, or a Colli barchetta or others. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.
Don’t wait, these cars are rented out quickly for 2015!
Contact vack@cox.net for further details.

*$25 Ads for anyone who has something to sell, to giveaway, or to holler about. Ad will be placed above the fold and run for one month. Contact vack@cox.net .

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Scuderia Brescia Corse Part 2

February 10, 2015 By pete

'Pam' in the Scuderia Brescia Corse Alfa T33. Note the car is painted with the colors of Scuderia. Credit Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo

Part 2 of Brunori’s Brescia Corse follows the action as the team has its most successful season ever.

In 1971 two other fabulous cars joined the Brescia Corse garage; an Alfa Romeo 33 and a Ferrari 512 M, both personal purchases of Belponer. As Belponer revealed the day of the delivery when announcing the new Scuderia’s acquisitions, it was the sole Ferrari 512 sold to a private individual at the remarkable cost of 27 million lira, tires excluded.

The team of Ferdinando Latteri and Nino Todaro in the Scuderia Brescia Course T33 at the Targa Florio in 1971. Credit Archivio Scuderia Brescia Corse

Brescia Corse also signed an agreement with Autodelta to borrow the services of Carlo Facetti when he’s free from official engagements, to drive the Chevron B 19 of the Scuderia. Casoni, Pam and Facetti also shared the 512 in the World Interseries Championship, racing at Monza, Imola, Zolder, Zwelteg, Norisring, Hockenheim. Our little club from Brescia was the sole private team to enter such a championship against the official team. Fighting with giants! [Read more…] about Scuderia Brescia Corse Part 2

Inside Autodelta Part 5

February 10, 2015 By pete

Story and photos by Robert Little

(Read Part 1)
(Read Part 2)
(Read Part 3)
(Read Part 4)
(Read Part 6)
(Read Part 7)

Treasures in the Dumpsters and on to the Targa

“Welcome back to “Inside the Walls” Part Five. I hope you have been enjoying it as much as I have delighted in sharing it with all of you. Now it is starting to get even more interesting.

The year 1972 became the most exciting period of my entire automobile racing life…travelling to Autodelta and a short time later witnessing and participating in several of the great moments in modern day Alfa Romeo racing history; the Targa Florio – where we lost by a mere 17 seconds over about 490 miles of twisting, circuitous Sicilian countryside; the epic struggle to capture the 24 Hours of Le Mans; the secret preparation of the new 33TT12 at Balocco; the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Six Hours of Daytona and the 500 Kilometers of Imola at the Circuit Dino Ferrari. Whew! What a year!

But for now, let’s take a short and final look at another area of Autodelta…the customer vehicle area and prepare ourselves for the long drive from Milano to the shores of Sicily where the Autodelta team had already established itself in the tiny village of Cerda for early testing.

And next week you will be given a front row seat for the Targa Florio and Le Mans.”

“Alfa Romeo. Racing Since 1911”.

Andiamo!

Archive parts storage area and customer GTA and GTV Rally preparation area. Chiti's white Berlina and Ing. Garbarino's Berlina are pictured in this area where new vehicles were delivered from Arese for disassembly, all non-essential parts being removed here. Lots of interesting items in rafter storage - including sets of Firestone tires made outmoded by new Goodyear contractual obligations - but retained for eventual historical reconstitution of early cars at some later date. Some early T-33 chassis are seen stored away in the upper left corner of the photograph.

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Gauld at Retromobile

February 10, 2015 By pete

The Pegaso Le Mans Coupe on Gregor Fisken’s stand.

We’ll have a lot more from Retro, but here’s a sneak peak from the most senior of our correspondents at Retro this year….more from Gaul coming up as well! Ed.

Story and photos by Graham Gauld

Paris in February can really chill the blood and this year was no exception. However inside Retromobile – that truly great annual historic event – there were plenty of things to keep the blood warm and in my usual mooching round I came across a number of interesting cars and stories which in turn I hope will keep you warmly entertained.

Now, as my first journalistic efforts took place around 1952, the whole of the fifties saw me absorb everything, and one marque which really caught the imagination was a car made by a Spanish truck company called Pegaso. It was a sensation when it was introduced; it was designed by Wilfredo Ricart, formerly of Alfa Romeo, and just sixty-eight of them were made. The company was in business for just six and a half years as the cost of building them was greater than the income from selling them.

The Retromobile organizers went to a lot of trouble to gather together the largest display of Pegasos I think anyone has ever seen, as they had twelve in a special area that my colleagues will no doubt photograph for you. But, there was a thirteenth Pegaso at the Show, and to me the most interesting. It was my Scottish pal, Gregor Fisken,who had it on his stand and it was one that was raced.

Fisken holds open the trunk lid on the Pegaso to show the twin fuel tanks.

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VeloceToday for February 3, 2015

February 3, 2015 By pete

Scuderia Brescia Corse, Autodelta constructs the 33TT, Cavallino 2015.

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The Porsche 924 Carrera now available. Author of the four volume Alpine & Renault series, “Gordini-a true racing legend” and a VeloceToday correspondent, Roy Smith is photographed signing a limited number of copies of his latest book “The Porsche 924 Carrera”.
Order your signed copy from Veloce Publishing now.

*$25 Ads for anyone who has something to sell, to giveaway, or to holler about. Ad will be placed above the fold and run for one month. Contact vack@cox.net .

Scuderia Brescia Corse Part 1

February 3, 2015 By pete

1969: Gigi Taramazzo in an Abarth 2000 at the Trento - Bondone hillclimb. Photo courtesy G. Tomazzoni

This week we present an exclusive story about the famous yet little known Scuderia Brescia Corse. Dino Brunori, author of “Nardi, A fast life”, has done a lot of research on the team from Brescia; this is the first of two parts. Ed.

This is a story of men, cars, races and a story of Brescia. Called ‘the lioness of Italy’ for its strong and fierce resistance to the Austro-Hungarian army before surrendering during the first war of independence in 1848, Brescia became the capital of car racing from the very beginning of the automobile.

Brescia is not just the Mille Miglia; on September 14, 1899, it hosted one of the first road races in the world, on a circuit touching Brescia, Cremona, Mantova and Verona; on March 3, 1904, the ‘Coppa Florio’ road race held there by Vincenzo Florio, a precursor to the fabled Targa Florio; September 10, 1905 and September 2, 1907, were the dates of the ‘Brixia Week’ with races of cars, airplanes and boats on Lake Garda; and on September 1921, Brescia hosted the first Italian Gran Prix. The Mille Miglia was a latecomer, established in Brescia in 1927.

This story, however, begins with the ashes of the 1957 Mille Miglia; its demise left Brescia with no famous auto racing event. But there was fire smoldering in the ashes. With the 1960s came the young and rebels, miniskirts, fast cars, the incredible economic boom, all of which also affected Brescia. Car racing boomed as well; on any Sunday there was a hillclimb or a circuit race to be found somewhere. [Read more…] about Scuderia Brescia Corse Part 1

Inside the Walls of Autodelta Part 4

February 3, 2015 By pete

Story and photos by Robert Little

(Read Part 1)
(Read Part 2)
(Read Part 3)

Constructing the World Famous 33TT12 Chassis and body

“Descendants of the Italian Renaissance”

The very heart of race car fabrication are the artisans who mold and shape raw materials with their bare hands …transforming metal into valuable and highly unique works of art; all in a day’s work for these exceptionally skilled individuals.

This segment of “Inside the Walls” goes to the very core of Autodelta – featuring those men I choose to term “the true Descendants of the Italian Renaissance” – creating some of the most emotionally captivating and fastest moving pieces of art we as mere mortals have ever seen.

The photographs you are about to see are among my most highly treasured, recapturing the hours, days and weeks spent on the shop floor with these men, who were entrusted by Ing. Chiti to execute his aspirations to perfection.

And that they did.

In fact this entire website series “Inside the Walls” has been dedicated to those men and their legacy.

Beginning the process of constructing the T-33 is the physical transfer of the tubular chassis fabricated by next door neighbor Aletti and parting a leather curtain between the wall of the two adjoining firms and carrying the chassis through the wall to the Autodelta carrozzeria area. I had only seen it done once and was not in a position at that moment to get my camera and record the actual birth of the 105.33 chassis…much like, perhaps the fumbling that goes on in advance of the birth of a child.

I simply wasn’t ready. I missed it.

Everything else you will see was captured exactly as it occurred 43 years ago.

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Cavallino Classic 2015: Ferrari

February 3, 2015 By pete

Story and photos by Alessandro Gerelli

Cavallino is the Ferrari enthusiast magazine that began publishing in 1978. In 1991 owner/editor John Barnes organized a winter event in Palm Beach with a gathering of classic Ferraris. This year was the 24th edition of the Cavallino Classic, held on January 21-25.

The event now takes four days. The first two days take place at the nearby Palm Beach International Raceway. This year on the track, there were Testa Rossas, a Dino 206, GTOs, and many newer Ferraris, but no Ferrari single seaters. There were also Alfas, Maseratis and Bugattis.

In the third day there is the traditional Ferrari celebration at the Breakers with a large exhibition of old and more recent Ferrari cars. This year, the cars shown at the Breakers were really fantastic with many never seen before 375s. In this article we feature the Ferraris seen throughout the four days; cars other than Ferraris can be seen here.

Ferrari 375 MM Pinin Farina spider

Ferrari 250GT SWB

Ferrari FXX ready to fly.

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Cavallino Classic 2015: Cars other than Ferrari

February 3, 2015 By pete

Delahaye 145 GP

Story and photos by Alessandro Gerelli

This year was the 24th edition of the Cavallino Classic, held on January 21-25. The fourth and last day of the Cavallino Classic is dedicated to a charity brunch at Mar A Lago with the exhibition of stunning cars other than just Ferraris. At Mar A Lago, many wonderful cars were on the lawn. The parking lots were also full of interesting cars, many for sale. These photos were taken both at Mar A Lago, the Breakers and some at the Palm Beach International Raceway.

Delahaye 145 GP

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VeloceToday for January 27, 2015

January 27, 2015 By pete

Robert Manzon remembered, G.N, Georgano’s photos from Spain, Auotdelta and Don Black, Dino Brunori on the history of Scuderia Brescia Corse

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