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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Michael T. Lynch on the Alfa S11 Project

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This picture of the engine as found sent David Smith on the journey that resulted in the Alfa S 11 project.

By Michael T. Lynch
Color photos courtesy David Smith

This article was originally published in 2012.

When the world’s automotive elite gather at Monterey, they bring an amazing array of machinery with them. VeloceToday is previewing two cars that will be present, one Italian and the other French. Both will be the subject of much controversy. Some will see then as logical completions of concepts that were interrupted by World War II, done to the highest standards. Others will opine that they are sacrilegious creations putting false Gods before us. One thing is for sure. Much fine wine will be downed discussing their merits and shortcomings. Both have revered nameplates. One is an Alfa Romeo and the other, a Bugatti.

This week we will begin with the Italian vehicle, with the Bugatti following in the next issue. The nomenclature for the Alfa, chosen by the owner David Smith, is a 1938 Alfa Romeo S 11 Corto Spyder Speciale.

It all began when David was offered an unusual Alfa engine by an Italian broker. It was pictured strapped to a pallet, rough with no accessories. David realized it was one of the three S 11 V-8s made in 1938. Despite the fact that he was told the engine was frozen and there was water on the oil dipstick, the purchase was completed. [Read more…] about Michael T. Lynch on the Alfa S11 Project

1923 French Grand Prix Part 1: The Circuit and Practice

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By Gijsbert-Paul Berk

The circuit was a closed-off triangle of public roads, just north of the city of Tours. The starting line was situated just outside a small borough called La Noue-Guérinet, between the villages Neuillé-Pont-Pierre and La Membrolle on the Route Nationale 158. The numbers on the map above correspond to the photographs below. The 1923 Grand Prix of Tours was much tougher and much longer than today’s Grand Prix events. In order to finish, the participants had to cover a distance of 800 km (497 miles). As the ‘Circuit de la Touraine’ had a total length of 22.83 km, (14.1 miles) this meant 35 grueling laps. On the straights some of the cars reached speeds of nearly 200 km/h (125 mph). Around the circuit. 22 marshaling posts had been installed each of them equipped with a telephone in direct and permanent contact with the officials at race control in front of the grandstand.

Come with us as we take a lap around the 1923 French Grand Prix.

Photo 1: At the starting line. At one side were the tribunes and a grandstand for 4000 spectators. Note the direction of travel.

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Gauld at Silverstone

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Jim Clark at the wheel of UUL 442 at a small MG Car Club Sprint in 1958 winning the sports car class with the 356 Super. Photo by Graham Gauld.

It doesn’t seem like a year since the last Silverstone Classic event, and with the rain-soaked British Grand Prix just two weeks before, I was prepared for rain. It came on Friday but throughout the rest of the weekend the weather was good. There was an enormous entry this year split into both the old traditional Silverstone Paddock and the new “Wing” Paddock which is the site of the Grand Prix start and finish line.

I had various reasons to be there, but mainly to do research for a book. Thus, I had less time to go on the wander than in the past, but still I am always amazed at the surprise meetings and coincidences that just happen.

Jim Clark’s Porsche
Take for example the ex-Jim Clark Porsche 356 Super; well, it was his after he bought the car from Ian Scott Watson who was his entrant.

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German Grand Prix 2012

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Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button

By Pete Vack
All photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

Ferrari has the new—well, seven-month-old—F2012 well sorted out. Pirelli has introduced new tire compounds. And Alonso is proving to be the driver of the year, a champion of champions. All is well in Maranello.
[Read more…] about German Grand Prix 2012

Smith at Silverstone

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Right before I left for Silverstone, your kindly Editor asked me to keep an eye out for any French oddities which might appear. At the auction, I found these two, both of which definitely fit the bill. Color photos by Roy Smith.

Claude in the Ferry during the 1950 Le Mans.

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Our Features This Week, July 18th 2012

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We sadly note the loss of L. Scott Bailey, founder of the influential “Automobile Quarterly”.
An obit can be found on the New York Times website.

Something that L. Scott Bailey would have appreciated is our landmark series by Gijsbert-Paul Berk on the 1923 Grand Prix of Tours…the famous race of the “Tanks”. Berk takes a different approach, and in doing so completely describes every detail of the event, accompanied by many historic photos. We’ll publish this in Internet-size bites over the next few weeks.

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A Fine French Tradition: Citroëns Invade Manhattan on Bastille Day Weekend

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Story by Philippe Defechereux
All photos by Philippe Defechereux

“Bastille Day,” which marks the official beginning of the French Revolution, is celebrated each July 14 in Paris along the Champs Elysées with great fanfare and a military parade. In the large cosmopolitan centers around the world where, often, sizeable French communities thrive, the commemoration varies according to the whims of the local French expatriate groups.

In New York City, this celebration of the French revolutionary spirit is conducted with particular audace and flair. In an event called “The Annual Bastille Day Rally and Rendez-Vous,” up to 40 vintage French cars and their owners gather up in the early morning in Grant’s Tomb Park, on Riverside Drive and 122nd Street. As the event’s key organizers are also the founders of the “Greater New York Citroën and Velosolex Club,” a majority of the cars are Citroëns, though you’ll find an occasional Peugeot or Renault.
[Read more…] about A Fine French Tradition: Citroëns Invade Manhattan on Bastille Day Weekend

Goodwood’s Tribute to the Queen

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Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

A very special event at Goodwood was a motoring tribute to compliment Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. You won’t find an Italian or French car in the lot, but we think you’ll like this at any rate. Congratulations to the Earl of March for this historic and timely display. Also, thanks to that new guy we introduced last week, Jonathan Sharp for coming up with the most interesting and comprehensive explanation of the very special entries. [Ed.]

This being Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the theme chosen for this year’s Cartier “Style et Luxe” display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed was “Transport fit for a Queen”. The display featured cars that were either owned by or used by the Queen or other members of the Royal Family. The display also featured a Royal Train Carriage, children’s electric ride in toy cars and even an aeroplane. The displays, in five classes, were arranged on the grass in front of the stable yard of Goodwood House.
[Read more…] about Goodwood’s Tribute to the Queen

1000 Cars for the Silverstone Classic

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Photography by Jonathan Sharp

In the United Kingdom, there is only one event which can be mentioned in the same sentence usually only reserved for the Goodwood Revival Meeting…the Silverstone Classic which is being held this year on the weekend of July 20. This event can trace its history way back to 1990 when it was known as the Coys Historic Festival. Until a few years ago it had somewhat lost its way but now it is back up there with the best.
[Read more…] about 1000 Cars for the Silverstone Classic

Our Features This Week, July 11th 2012

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A tribute to the late Martin Swig, Eric Davison rides with Bobby Unser, the Alfa T183T, Hugues Vanhoolandt at Goodwood and the Grand Prix of Great Britain.

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McCahill and the Bugatti

Bill Giltzow remembered he had this slide while reading Brandes Elitch’s ” The Constant Search“. This picture of Tom McCahill has never been published, taken at Linden Airport Races in 1949. Original Agfachrome slide by William G Giltzow (1914-1979) scan & copyright William A Giltzow.

Tom is in the white ball cap. But who is the driver and whose Bugatti is the centerpiece of this rare photo? Our thanks to Bill Giltzow.

British Grand Prix 2012

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Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, and Sebastian Vettel

By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

For being a pretty boring race, all in all, the British Grand Prix was a real nail-biter. Jimmy Clark would have felt right at home as thousands of Ferrari faithfuls chewed the keratin to the quick waiting to see if Webber would catch Alonso or if Alonso would hold off Weber. [Read more…] about British Grand Prix 2012

Peak Experience

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Bobby Unser in his heyday. IMS Photo.

Eric Davison has had many interesting experiences in the automotive field; his epic eight-part memoirs of Watkins Glen appeared last year in VeloceToday and more recently his recollections of Le Mans in the 1970s brought a lot of appreciative comments. The other day, noting the sad news in Colorado, he sat down and wrote about his adventures at Pikes Peak with a guy named Bobby Unser. Enjoy, we did! Ed.

Story by Eric Davison

The devastating fires that have ravaged the Colorado Springs area of Colorado have caused the delay of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, originally scheduled for last weekend, until August 12. Both events are cause for sadness. Colorado is considered one of the most majestic of states and to think of it in ashes is heartbreaking.

Anything goes at Pikes Peak...the diversity is astounding.


To me, the Pikes Peak event represents what is perhaps the most inclusive and unusual of motorsports events. In many respects it is the opposite from the other famous American race venue, Indianapolis. The lack of creativity and individuality on the Indy car circuit is the obverse of the technical variety seen and promoted at Pikes Peak. The organizers have a competitive category for just about anyone. If someone showed up with a motorized uni-cycle I feel pretty sure that he would have a chance for a trophy. Run what ‘ya brung seems to be the byword and what’s more, local residents are as likely to be as competitive as the international stars.

The Unser Experience
While I have only attended the actual hill climb once I have had a Pikes Peak experience that many could only dream of. I had a ride part way up the hill with Bobby Unser at the wheel. For those who don’t follow Pikes Peak, there was a time beginning in 1934 that the name Unser was synonymous with first place at the event and Bobby Unser could surely be labeled ‘king of the hill.’ The Unsers, from the local area, literally owned the hill beginning with Uncle Louie. Bobby Unser still holds the all time win record at the mountain and his son Rob won the event driving a Peugeot 405 in 1989.

Which reminds us that there is often a French flavor to rustic Colorado hillclimb. French star Michèle Mouton won with the Audi Quattro in 1985 (watch video ) …. And of course there was the famed Milliken Bugatti that placed 6th overall in 1947.

Bill Milliken (with tie) at Pikes Peak with his team. Yep, that's a Bugatti.

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