VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Eugenio Castellotti by Graham Gauld

By

Eugenio Castellotti at the wheel of the Lancia-Ferrari at the 1956 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Story and photos by Graham Gauld

There are times when we can all be rather pretentious. I fell into that trap thirty years ago when I had the idea of writing a subjective book on the psychology of the racing driver. I have always had an interest in the variety of people who come into motor sport and what makes them tick. I had read a lot about psychology in general, then dropped the idea when I realized what a fool I might have made of myself. However, if Central Casting in Hollywood were ever asked for a “racing driver type” back in the 1950s, they would have to have chosen Eugenio Castellotti. [Read more…] about Eugenio Castellotti by Graham Gauld

Experiencing Giotto, Part 2: Lamborghini and Europa

By

Lamborghini in Bizzarrinil. Photo courtesy of Graham Earl.

By Graham Earl

Bizzarrini Lamborghini

One interesting car which came and went through my hands while working for auction companies was a prototype for the America, based on a Lamborghini 350GT. The story, which came directly from Giotto himself, is that after designing the V12 engine for Lamborghini he somehow ended up with a rolling chassis for a 350GT, possibly as part payment. He used this chassis to develop the car, which would become the America. I believe this is the only genuine Bizzarrini GT with a Lamborghini V12 motor, although I think another copy exists somewhere. [Read more…] about Experiencing Giotto, Part 2: Lamborghini and Europa

Clipsal 500 Adelaide, South Australia, March 2, 2014

By

Prettiest pair: Graeme Wright’s Mallala leads its predecessor, the Streamliner of John Becker into turn 1.

Story and photos by Vince Johnson

With the Australian GT Championship missing from the program at the opening round of the Aussie V8 Supercars at the Adelaide street circuit, the only Italians to be found were the club and dealer displays of the two-wheeled variety. Taking the place of the Gallardos and 458 Italias was the Touring Car Masters category. Six years ago, this group of 60’s and 70’s muscle cars held their first race around the streets of the South Australian capital at this event and twenty-seven of them formed up behind the pace car for the first race late on Friday afternoon. [Read more…] about Clipsal 500 Adelaide, South Australia, March 2, 2014

VeloceToday for March 4, 2014

By

*Our $25 ads are GREAT! Recently, the Mille Miglia Yearbooks were sold immediately!
*Our weekly subscriber emails simply serve as a reminder that the latest VeloceToday is online. If links don’t work, search “www.velocetoday.com”.
*We’ll announce the winner of the Alpine book next week. This month’s drawing is for the Alfa Romeo GT and GTA book. Become a Premium Subscriber now to get eligible to win.


$25 Ads for Everything and Everyone*

Carrera Panamericana “Mexico” by Adriano Cimarosti.
381 pages. Printed in 1987. The history of this famous road race from 1950-1954. Complete separate list of the results and a list with some chassis numbers. Language Italian/English. Very good condition. Price 295 euros excluding delivery. For more information please info@du-commerce.nl .

DAVOSA Swiss – commemorative chronograph with Centum tri-motor in a custom wooded box and certificate – serial # 103/400. NOS, mint, 1 yr warranty. This hi-grade Swiss-made watch has a Valjoux 7750 – 25 jewel automatic movement, highly decorated. Size is 42mm – water resistant to 5 ATM. Call 877 236 9248 or www.dfreemontwatches.com. Click pic for large images

I would like to offer a complete set of Automobile Quarterly for sale. Slip covers and indexes included. No library is complete without this set. A set sold at Bonhams last year for $3,500.00. I am asking $2,400.00 USD.
David W Hewitt, contact m33n3@rcn.com Click pic for large images.

Cisitalia by Nino Belestra and Cesara De Agostini.
There are many books on the Cisitalia. However, the original is still the greatest, the definitive book on the history of Cisitalia. A must for all Cisitalia, Fiat and Abarth enthusiasts. Printed in 1980. 198 pages. Text Italian/English. Very good condition. Price 225 euros excluding delivery.
For more information please contact info@du-commerce.nl info@du-commerce.nl .

*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


Experiencing Giotto Part 1

By

Strada coming at you, but is it the real thing? Photo Courtesy Graham Earl.

By Graham Earl

Words of wisdom from one who knows

(Note that none of the photos herein should be misconstrued as to being a replicar; they represent Bizzarrinis in various forms.)

My first encounter with Bizzarrini was as a student in London in the late 1970s. I was walking home along the A316 at Richmond one afternoon, vaguely noticing the busy rush-hour traffic hustling along the two-lane road. There was an old car repair shop on this road, and for a couple of weeks, I had been intrigued by a Fiat 2300 Ghia Coupe which had been languishing on the forecourt waiting for attention. [Read more…] about Experiencing Giotto Part 1

Outside Race Retro with Jonathan Sharp

By

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

The view from a muddy field, the Live Rally stage at Race Retro

Race Retro is not just a show of static racing cars. (Read Roy P. Smith’s report of the show inside). A key element of the show is the live Rally stage in which various Rallying greats are demo’d enthusiastically by their passionate owners. The highlights on the stage this year for VeloceToday readers had to have been the Lancia Delta S4, a Ferrari 308 GTB Michelotto, a pair of Renault 5 Turbos and an Alpine 110. [Read more…] about Outside Race Retro with Jonathan Sharp

Inside Race Retro with Roy P. Smith

By

Stunning Sprint Speciale at Race Retro.

Story and photos by Roy Smith

Roy P. Smith takes a look at Race Retro’s Inside Offerings

29,000 visitors were greeted by James Hunt’s McLaren M23 Formula One car on arrival to this year’s Race Retro before heading towards the popular ‘Speed Street’, passing a superb line-up of McLarens on the way including the centerpiece of the 50th anniversary celebrations – Emerson Fittipaldi’s 1974 double championship winning M23. [Read more…] about Inside Race Retro with Roy P. Smith

Montier Ford in Classic & Sports Car

By

From the pages of Classic & Sports Car, March 2014:
“Few know about French Ford dealer Charles Montier’s pre-war exploits with the Blue Oval at both Le Mans and at Grand Prix events.Chris Martin has put this right with this fascinating 32 page ‘Folio’ from VeloceToday Select. Highlights include the story of the 1933 twin engined GP challenger. $20 available from the author.”

We might at that if you are in Australia or New Zealand, do order your copy direct from author (and VeloceToday correspondent) Chris Martin at cmscarstuff@bigpond.com. However, if you forget and order from us, we’ll send your order to Chris to fill and it will arrive much sooner. At the same time, drop an email to the offices of Classic & Sports Car, mick.walsh@haymarket.com telling them you saw the Montier review. [Read more…] about Montier Ford in Classic & Sports Car

VeloceToday for February 28, 2014

By

Win Roy Smith’s Alpine Book!
Do those new video pop up advertisements on websites drive you nuts? Want them HERE? We don’t, so PLEASE support VeloceToday by becoming a Premium Subscriber. Plus get eligible to win the Alpine Berlinette book! Become a Premium Subscriber now.
Click on pic to read review of Roy’s superb book. Shipping is free to our winner, wherever they are!


$25 Ads for Everything and Everyone*

Carrera Panamericana “Mexico” by Adriano Cimarosti.
381 pages. Printed in 1987. The history of this famous road race from 1950-1954. Complete separate list of the results and a list with some chassis numbers. Language Italian/English. Very good condition. Price 295 euros excluding delivery. For more information please info@du-commerce.nl .

DAVOSA Swiss – commemorative chronograph with Centum tri-motor in a custom wooded box and certificate – serial # 103/400. NOS, mint, 1 yr warranty. This hi-grade Swiss-made watch has a Valjoux 7750 – 25 jewel automatic movement, highly decorated. Size is 42mm – water resistant to 5 ATM. Call 877 236 9248 or dfreemont@earthlink.net. Click pic for large images

I would like to offer a complete set of Automobile Quarterly for sale. Slip covers and indexes included. No library is complete without this set. A set sold at Bonhams last year for $3,500.00. I am asking $2,400.00 USD.
David W Hewitt, contact m33n3@rcn.com Click pic for large images.

We need your photos of Chevrolet-engined Ferraris! Good historic/contemporary photos of Ferrari street, Grand Prix, Gran Turismo or racing cars with a Chevy, 1949-1965. Color, B&W, slides ok. Engine shots and overall views. Please contact me at vack@cox.net.

*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



Maserati 5000GT

By

Maserati 5000 GT 103.60 by Frua was built for the Aga Khan (Aly's father). Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt.

The Trident’s Car for Kings

By Wallace Wyss

I think there’s a thing with rulers, heads of state, kings or captains of industry.

They don’t like to see the same car they are driving coming the other way.

It is, I think, to protect their reputation. If they have a one-off car, they don’t have to worry about someone saying ”Wasn’t that your such-and-such parked outside Fifi’s Massage last night?” Sort of like a Dior gown for a woman.

Anyway that’s my reasoning why there are so many variations on the coachwork of hand-built exotics. [Read more…] about Maserati 5000GT

MENU