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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

OSCA 1600 GT at Le Mans: Heads and Tails Part I

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By Pete Vack and John Gordon

While researching the story of the two Le Mans OSCA 1600GTs, we became delightfully enmeshed in the elusive search for truth and justice, Italian style. Heads, we searched rare OSCA twin plug heads created for a few of the GTS designated cars; and tails, we entertained discussions on the numbers and types of 1600s built with a solid rear axle versus the IRS. Serving as an anchor to our story is Sebring Index winner (1960, OSCA 750) John Gordon, who purchased OSCA 1600GTS s/n 0036 to race at Le Mans in 1962. Gordon, a rocket engineer by profession, OSCA pilot by choice, was an insightful and intelligent eyewitness to the events of that legendary era.
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Hi Def Clipsal

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Maximum Impact from the lense of Bob Taylor
Story by Vince Johnson

The V8 supercars were back in town for the Clipsal meeting on South Australia’s Adelaide street circuit in March. While the home-grown Holdens and Fords had the track to themselves for two 250km races over the weekend, the GTs had centre stage on Friday evening. The first round of the 2011 Vodka O Australian GT Championship kicked off with a one-hour race into the sunset following Thursday’s practice and qualifying.
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Concours d’Elegance of America includes Track Event

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Concours d’Elegance of America Announces Track Event

TROY, MI–The Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s (formerly held at Meadow Brook Hall) is pleased to announce the First Annual Concours Track Event at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). Owners of classic cars from around the country are invited to bring their machines to MIS on Friday, July 29, 2011 to experience thrill of driving on a high speed raceway.
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Ferrari 458GT2 Takes First Four Places at Castellet

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Great start for Ferrari in the 2011 Le Mans Series.

By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari-Media and DPPI: Lead photo above by Phototheque

Le Castellet 2- 3 April- The weekend went very well for AF Corse and for the Prancing Horse in the opening round of the thirteenth Le Mans Series at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit at Le Castellet, fulfilling the earlier promise of the new Ferrari 458GT2.
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Malaysian Grand Prix 2011

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Felipe Massa

By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

Malaysia. One of those new-fangled F1 venues one has to Google to get a location, despite being more than a decade old. It’s new to someone who remembers Avus. Hot, humid, huge, teaming with the energy of a new world, the Malaysian Grand Prix is new money. Bernie goes where the money is and of course, Bernie himself was on the grid at Malaysia.
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A Lady Sells Her Jewels: Lamborghini Showcars

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Courtesy Bertone Group.

By Roberto Motta and Pete Vack

As a consequence of the financial reorganization of Bertone, the liquidators of the Bertone Museum have chosen to offer six automobiles to collectors. These wonderful cars will be auctioned by RM at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy, 21st May, 2011. Three of the most original, thought provoking and classic Italian designs launched on high performance Lamborghini chassis are previewed in depth below. The remaining three–the Stratos Zero, Corvair Testudo and Lancia Sibilo will be showcased next week.
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The Expedition Michèle Ray, 1963 Monte Carlo Rally and Other Worldly Adventures of the Incredible Renault R4

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Four beautiful girls, two R4s, and an expedition the length of the Western Hemisphere leave a trail of broken hearts…

By Roberto Motta

Photos Courtesy of Renault Communications

Renault R4 has allowed generations of drivers the opportunity to take up the challenge of motorsports and to see the world at the same time. This tough little car competed in the 1962 East African Safari Rally (finishing fifth in class), the Monte Carlo Rally, the Expedition Michèle Ray, and the tough 1980 Paris-Dakar, all with success, proving that despite its ungainly looks, it was both reliable and versatile.

As we noted in “Celebrating Fifty Years of the Renault R4”, this small car was a huge social phenomenon. It was also a great commercial success. But the “Regie” wanted more, so to support and increase sales the company decided to demonstrate the reliability and versatility of the R4 with a series of memorable feats. We’ll begin with the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally.

The R4 number 44 makes its way through the snow during the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally.

Monte Carlo Rally

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Monza Weekend: Formula Junior and Vintage

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M. Antoniazzi, De Tomaso Vallelunga worked his way throught field to take fourth overall.

Story and photos by Roberto Motta

The first round of the historical racing championship on the Monza track

On March 26th and 27th, the Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale hosted the first round of the 2011 Italian Historic Championship and the event was well attended.
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Ferrari 430GT 1-2 at Monza Four Hours

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Marco Cioci and Piergiuseppe Perazzini in the F430 GT2

Ferrari dominates the first round of the Endurance Championship Cup 2011

Story and photos by Roberto Motta

On March 26th and 27th, the Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale hosted the first of four rounds of the 2011 Endurance Champions Cup and attracted more than thirty entries. The fastest and most powerful cars were the Ferrari 430 GT2, the Ferrari 430 Cup, the Porsche 997 GT3 and Lamborghini GT Cup.
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OSCA 1600GT at Le Mans Part I
Part I deals with the team of John Gordon and John Bentley, whose exploits and successes at Le Mans and Sebring in a 750 cc OSCA led to the drive of an official OSCA factory entry at Le Mans. Their mount was the only flat-topped Zagato coupe, with a twin plug head and live rear axle. Co authored by Sebring Index winner John Gordon himself. Part I will be published April 13th.

OSCA 1600GT at Le Mans Part II
There were two OSCA 1600GT entries at Le Mans in 1962, s/n 0036, driven by Gordon and Bentley, and 007, entered by N.A.R.T. for Arents/Behra. Yet 007 appeared to be a very stock GT2 model, with IRS and a 108 hp single plug engine. We investigate these mysteries; relate what happened to the cars at Le Mans, and where they are now. Co authored by John Gordon. Part II will be published on April 20th.

Alfa Giulietta Berlina Manual
Part of an in-depth series of Premium articles about the much-neglected Alfa Giulietta Berlina, this segment offers a rare look at a Alfa 1300 Berlina owner’s manual. The series also includes factory brochures, a full history, variants, and much more, all dedicated to what should have been the most advanced sporting saloon of the 1950s.
Coming soon.

Savonuzzi, the Designer, Part II
In Part II of Savonuzzi, the Designer takes us from Ghia to Chrysler, then on to Fiat. Never-before published documents and photos illustrate Savonuzzi’s role in the Ghia Chrysler Turbine and his fascinating American adventure. Written with the help of his daughter Alberta, Savonuzzi, the Designer describes his accomplishments and frustrations while at Chrysler. April 6th.
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Incredible Balilla Spider Barn Find: SOLD!

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What you need to know:
Is it for sale? SOLD

The vast majority of enthusiasts cannot afford a pre War Italian sports car. This Fiat Balilla, a truly rare barn find, may be the last opportunity to own a genuine pre War Italian classic at an affordable price.

By Steve Gurr and Pete Vack

All photos by Steve Gurr

Last month Steve Gurr and his wife were minding their own business happily driving to their home in Gainesville, Ga. when they spotted what looked like an old Austin Bantam on a trailer a short distance ahead. Catching up, a closer look revealed a pre-war Fiat roadster with a “Balilla” script across the grille.

Steve is a longtime car enthusiast who has owned MGs, Porsches, Miatas. He owned only one Italian car, an Alfa GTV, but was astute enough to know that he should find out more about whatever kind of Fiat was on that trailer. At the next traffic light he hopped out and approached the driver. “What are you going to do with the car?” he asked. The two young men in the truck enthusiastically hollered back, “Want to buy it? We have more!”
By Steve’s watch, it was about 4 P.M. on Sunday when the traffic light turned green.

Ahead of Steve and his wife in the traffic of an Atlanta suburb was a Fiat Balilla, identified by the script on the grille. It turned out to be a 508 M, found in Ethiopia and probably used in the Italian-Ethiopian war in the mid 1930s. This would lead to the discovery of the Balilla Coppa d’ Oro.

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