The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Porporato finishes 4th in the 1908 Targa Florio with the Berliet.
By Graham Gauld
About fifteen years ago I was appointed a member of the FIA Historic Commission in Paris. As such, I met up with some interesting people and one fellow member, probably the oldest at the time, was Paul Berliet whose family had created the Berliet company. [Read more…] about Gauld at Retro Take Two
French cars from lost manufacturers are a common sight at Retromobile. This 1950 DB HBR cabriolet by Antem was produced in 32 examples; some competed in great motorsport events like Le Mans and Sebring.
Photos and captions by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Patination, Bugatti on Lukas Huni's stand.
Photos and captions by Jonathan Sharp
A Ferrari painted by Duaiv.
Part 3 of this year’s Florida Ferrari Fest
By Alessandro Gerelli
Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-Lago
The end of the Cavallino Classic long week-end is always at Mar-a-Lago club on Sunday, with a charity brunch and an exhibition of stunning cars, this year featuring the classic Bentleys and the most charming cars of the Ferrari meeting. I have focused on these cars plus other Italians old and new; a wonderful environment and wonderful cars. [Read more…] about Cavallino Part 3: Mar-a-Lago
1955 Simca Comete Monte Carlo with bodywork by Stabilimenti Farina taking pride of place on the 'L adventure automobile Poissy Stand.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
“Have you set the alarm dear?” my wife asks as it rings. Yes, what time is it? 3.30am; 3.30am! “You must be stark raving mad. Why would you want to get up in the middle of the night on a cold and very wet Saturday in England in February to go all the way in Paris to see cars that you have probably seen already!?”
The plane leaves Heathrow an hour late and the pilot sounds like Alan Prost. The landing into Charles De Gaulle is the bumpiest I can remember. Then it‘s public transport to the hotel, dump the cases and straight to the show. Things start to improve as does my mood as I walk into the exhibition hall. I wonder what delights await me. [Read more…] about An Enthusiast’s Retro
Win Roy Smith’s Alpine Book!
Sign up to WIN Roy Smith’s brand new Alpine Berlinettes book, compliments of our friends at Veloce Publishing. Same rules apply as usual; only Premium Subscribers are eligible to win the drawing and MUST contact vack@cox.net to enter. Free shipping world wide. Another good reason to become a Premium Subscriber now. Click on pic to read review.
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As fast as the race itself, The 1000 Mile Dream, is a novel about the Mille Miglia. Author Jim Fontana ably creates characters that are reminiscent of a number of drivers, team managers and journalists of the era. He knows his Mille Miglia history. A fascinating winter read for everyone. On sale for $23 Hardcover, $19 Softcover, all signed by the author and shipping is FREE. jfont29118@aol.com .
Click here for review.
The second place Bugatti Type 37A of “Sabipa” at the Grand Prix of Boulogne (France) in 1927. Like several racing drivers of the era, he raced under this name to hide his adventures from his family. Order this original period photograph (8.5 X 6.5 inches) from Vintage Motorphoto for $95 plus shipping. Click pic to enlarge. Visit Vintage Motorphoto Or contact me at Dale LaFollette.
*ONE TIME ads ($25 USD) for anyone who has something to sell, to giveaway, or to holler about. Ad will be placed above the fold. Contact vack@cox.net .
Our Features This Week
The Baird-Griffin Maserati at the Craigantlet hill climb driven by Sydney Durbridge, about 1953-4. It re-appeared at this year's Retro. 
Story and most photos by Graham Gauld
Small stand, big transporter
Retromobile time again! For me it was fun to ferret around and under the stands looking for things that others might have missed, and some things you simply couldn’t miss, such as the 1956 Bartoletti Ferrari transporter.
As soon as I saw it, it brought back fond memories of the 1956 British Grand Prix, when I photographed it arriving at Silverstone with the factory Lancia-Ferraris on the back for Fangio, Castellotti, Collins, Gendebien and Fon Portago; five cars, none of this two cars per team business. [Read more…] about Graham Gauld at Retromobile
One photo captures the excitement of the Alpine Display. Photo by Jonathan Sharp.
Roy Smith on Retro’s fabulous Alpine Renault exhibition
Photos by Roy P. Smith and Jonathan Sharp
One of the best qualified persons to write about this year’s Alpine Renault Exhibition at Retro is Roy P. Smith, author of four books on the complete history of the Alpine saga, from the 4CV to the F1 Turbo cars. We asked Roy to do a bit about this remarkable display while he was at the show and from Retro, Smith turned in this equally remarkable story.
How great to see part of the private collection of rare Alpine Renaults of Jean-Charles Rédélé, son of Alpine’s founder Jean Rédélé, on display at this year’s Retro! Rarely seen in public all together, this was a show coup, ably organized by Hervé Charbonneaux under his Rally Story banner.
[Read more…] about Retro Alpine Exhibition by Roy P. Smith
Ferrari 625/500F2 (#0210F) of 1952.
Photos by Alessandro Gerelli
Alessandro Gerelli, a native of Milan, has been submitting interesting photos and stories to VeloceToday over 10 years. He has covered most of the Mille Miglia Retros and this is his fourth time at Cavallino. He prefers to let the cars speak for themselves-Ed.
Win Roy Smith’s Alpine Book!
This month we’ll be giving away one copy of Roy Smith’s brand new Alpine Berlinettes book, compliments of our friends at Veloce Publishing. Same rules apply as usual; only Premium Subscribers are eligible to win the drawing and MUST contact vack@cox.net to enter. Free shipping world wide. Another good reason to become a Premium Subscriber now.
$25 Ads for Everything and Everyone
Over the fold, Under the table, Around the world!
*ONE TIME ads ($25 USD) for anyone who has something to sell, to giveaway, to holler about (a special sale), a change in address, venue or schedule, you name it.
*Ad will be placed RIGHT here RIGHT UP FRONT where it will be seen by 10 to 20 thousand eager beaver car nuts all over the globe. Contact vack@cox.net .
As fast as the race itself, The 1000 Mile Dream, is a novel about the Mille Miglia. Author Jim Fontana ably creates characters that are reminiscent of a number of drivers, team managers and journalists of the era. He knows his Mille Miglia history. A fascinating winter read for everyone. On sale for $23 Hardcover, $19 Softcover, all signed by the author and shipping is FREE. jfont29118@aol.com .
Click here for review.
SOLD! 1949 Ferrari Yearbook with Peter Coltrin Translation iinsert. Excellent but aging condition, no rips, tears. This is the Richard F. Merritt version from 1969. Price Reduced to $250. Original versions are worth thousands. Check Contact me at vack@cox.net.
We believe that searching for that special car can be more fun than owning it. We call it passion. Mint2Me scours the globe for great cars to consider and if you choose, you can receive our Daily Digest. Visit Mint2Me.com Or contact me at
1953 Bentley R Type. Only post-war example known w/freestanding Lucas P100 headlamps. Fully documented, hi comp ‘Continental R’ head, high-speed rear end, 4-speed, sunroof. $49,500 353199@gmail.com or call (971) 998-2703. Read the FULL STORY.
Our Features This Week
Last of the Red Hot Alfas, Maseratis, and Ferraris.
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Last week we took our readers to the top floor of the Museo dell’Automobile in Turin. This week, Jonathan and Jose Sharp complete the tour, taking us down to the first floor and the ground floor. Click on photos to see much larger image.
The first floor which contains the exhibit “Man and the Car,” is spread over eight rooms. It explains “the relationship the modern world (meaning us) has with the car.” This display contains a wide selection of automotive jewels, and the culmination of this portion of the museum is the display of Formula cars. [Read more…] about Museo dell’Automobile, Part 2
Maserati 300S at the Palm Beach International Raceway.
Story and photos by Alessandro Gerelli
Even though the Cavallino Classic event is now in its 23rd year, it is still very young and healthy.
As usual, the four days were very busy with Thursday and Friday reserved for track time at Palm Beach International Raceway.
On Saturday, the main exhibition at The Breakers Resort takes place, this year’s theme being the 50th birthday of the Ferrari 275 GTB.
And finally, on Sunday everyone gathers at Mar A Lago for an exhibition of cars produced up to the 1970s, and a charity brunch. As usual it was a great success of weather, people and, last but not least, of cars! [Read more…] about Cavallino 2014 Part 1: Palm Beach International Raceway