Below Photos and captions by Alessandro Gerelli
All sales prices include 12% buyer’s premium
The cars from the Bertone Museum
[Read more…] about Highlights of RM Auction at Villa d’Este
French Cars at Florida’s Tampa Bay Museum
Panhard: the Dynamic was made from 1936-9. It was the largest unibody car made at that time, with the steering wheel in the center of the dashboard. Even today, the styling is very dramatic!
Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos courtesy of the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum
At Retromobile, a few years ago, I picked up a copy of “Le Guide: Musees Automobiles de France,” published by the magazine “Auto Passion.” The guide covers 36 car museums. Some are well known: the museum at the LeMans circuit, the Schumpf (their equivalent of a National Motor Museum), Le Manoir, near Rennes, the Cadillac museum near Tours, the Henri Malartre museum, housed in an old mansion, near Lyon. I’ve seen all of these, and they are definitely worth seeing. But as it turns out, you can visit one of the most outstanding French car museums, without even leaving the US. That’s because it is located on the west coast of Florida – the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum. [Read more…] about French Cars at Florida’s Tampa Bay Museum
Maserati’s Indy Interludes
We always believe in eye catching lead photos. Don't we?
A brief look at Maserati at Indy
By Roberto Motta
Photos Courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
The American racing world has many famous and prestigious races and tracks, like the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. But while these venues are undoubtedly rich in history, nothing compares to the one whose name immediately reminds us of the American dream. For millions of Italians, the Indianapolis 500 is truly “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
[Read more…] about Maserati’s Indy Interludes
Spanish Grand Prix
The start was the most exciting part of the race.
By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
McLaren challenges, but Vettel prevails; Welcome back, Bob
Sebastian Vettel did something different this weekend, for the first time in memory, the pole sitter did not win at Barcelona. He also needed to actually work for this win, holding off a hard charging Lewis Hamilton who was hot on the German’s rear wing for the closing laps. The Brit could not find a way around for the win. History will likely show that this was one more incremental step for the Red Bull driver’s 2011 championship, but those that watched the race know that this was closer racing than has been seen so far this season.
[Read more…] about Spanish Grand Prix
1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Berlina e t.i. Brochure
Alfa’s Giulietta Berlina
The Alfa Giulietta Berlina should have been the greatest sedan of the 1950s. We kick off a multi-part look at the semisweet success of Alfa’s first Giulietta, the Berlina, with a fascinating original brochure, reproduced as accurately as possible. This will be followed by a owners’ manual, full history of the 1300 Berlina, variants, competition history and much more. Giulietta Berlinas area actively raced by Scuderia del Portello also featured in this edition of VeloceToday.
Interview With Marco Cajani of Scuderia del Portello in Italian and English
Marco Cajani with the Alfa T33 and a variety of Alfas used by Scuderia Portello.
Story and Photos By Roberto Motta unless otherwise noted.
NEW! Scroll down for the Italian language version.
Most vintage car enthusiasts are aware of the famous Scuderia del Portello, named after the town near Milan where Alfa Romeo was born. Its distinctive shield has been seen all over the world on a great variety of Alfa Romeos. To learn more about the Scuderia del Portello and its president Marco Cajani, we had a meeting with him in the team headquarters in the town of Seregno. We found that Cajani is an inexhaustible source of ideas, a passionate collector and a good driver. During his life with cars, thanks to his organizational skills and an innate charisma, he was able to bring the world famous Scuderia del Portello to new levels of excellence. A graduate in architecture, Cajani is responsible for recovery and building restoration. But the Alfa Romeo is his great passion, a passion that binds him hand in glove with the Scuderia del Portello.
But who is Marco Cajani and what is his background? We’ll let him tell his story without interruption:
[Read more…] about Interview With Marco Cajani of Scuderia del Portello in Italian and English
Inside Scuderia del Portello with Roberto Motta
A group of Alfa 1300 Berlinas waiting for their day in the sun.
Roberto Motta gets an exclusive look at the jewels in the Scuderia del Portello. All photos by Roberto Motta unless othewise noted.
Scuderia Portello has been at the forefront of Italian Vintage Racing since its creation in 1989. At first a small but enthusiastic group of Alfa owners began competing in European vintage car events, but as the sport grew the Scuderia was also entrusted by the company of Alfa Romeo to manage the appearances and transportation of the Arese Museums’ jewels. ( See Interview with Marco Cajani, President, Scuderia del Portello )
Below is the lair of the famous Scuderia, opened to our correspondent Roberto Motta. It is not open to the public and naturally discretion is always optimum.
[Read more…] about Inside Scuderia del Portello with Roberto Motta
Mille Miglia at Brescia with Alessandro Gerelli
One of our most outstanding long term contributors has been the Milanese Alessandro Gerelli who first came to these pages in 2002 with a story about his experiences at Monza: Monza, a Personal Look.
From then on Gerelli has never stopped filing excellent stories from all over Europe and the U.K, and even the United States. From 2004 on, Alessandro provided the color in blue and red for every single Mille Miglia event, rain or shine.
As we kickoff VeloceToday’s First Ten Years Celebration (yes, it’s been that long), we present the below urls from Gerelli’s coverage of this great event since 2004, and cap it off with the Mille Miglia of 2011.
We thank you again, Mr. Gerelli!
[Read more…] about Mille Miglia at Brescia with Alessandro Gerelli
This Week, of Interest
Welcome to VeloceToday! Please scroll down to read: Rally Sardinia in Italian and English, The OSCA GT S/N 0094, Broadway Bugattis, and F1 in Turkey.
Morry Barmak sent us a brief description of a sign he just acquired that may be of interest to our readers. It’s pricey, but certainly caught our attention! If you are interested, drop us a line at pete@velocetoday.com.
Has anyone seen this car? This car was built by Andy Schwartz in the early 2000s. At the time he was an engineer with the Ford racing group but is currently not working there. He built this car in his home workshop from his own design using basically stock Cosworth Vega engine. We have not been able to locate Mr. Schwartz or the car. Can you help? Email pete@velocetoday.com.
We received an email from Bill Miller, who happened to purchase some items from the estate of the late John Bentley, who passed away on 10/26/98. Email pete@velocetoday if you are interested in purchasing these rare items. Omega watch engraved on the back as follows: 12 Hours Of Sebring 1st place Index of Performance 3/26/60. Helmet and software, SCCA driver’s license.
The Fabulous OSCA 1600 GT
Childe Freeman's OSCA 1600GT Zagato of the double bubble variety, S/N 0094.
By Antony Childe-Freeman and Mark R. Brinker
You’ve already read about the exploits of the OSCA 1600GT at Le Mans. Here’s a bit more history of the car itself, with a focus on another ex racer, S/N 0094.
The OSCA 1600 GT Zagato is perhaps one of the most underappreciated and misunderstood GT cars of the post war era. Signaling a close to the Maserati brothers dynasty and remaining in the shadow of the legendary OSCA MT-4 (overall winner at Sebring in 1954), the 1600 GT emerged with a very different goal in mind; to produce an agile and stylish coupe. The results were an international success.
The OSCA 1600 GT Zagato prototype debuted at the 1960 Turin Auto Show. The car was tested by Ludovico Scarfiotti (Auto Italiana Sport, February 1, 1961), receiving rave reviews. The Maserati brothers knew they had a winner. OSCA 1600 GT Zagato production quickly commenced.
An All-New Tubular Chassis
The 1600 GT was built on a specially designed tubular OSCA chassis, not on a Fiat 1500 or 1600 unit as some authors have incorrectly described. The chassis for the 1600 GT was constructed at the OSCA factory with some components sub-contracted out. The wheelbase was 2250mm (88.5 inches), 50mm longer than the MT-4. The majority of cars were equipped with independent suspension front and rear, although a few cars had live axle rear suspension. The rear live axle, also known as the Ponte Rigido (PR), was a less expensive alternative, but also used on the Le Mans Experimental flat topped OSCA Zagato s/n 0036.
Alberto Luti in 0094 before the start of the Ascoli-Colle San Marco event.
Rally Sardinia 2011 In English and Italian
Fords few high but couldn't stop the Citroens.
By Roberto Motta
Photo credits: Citroën Communication, Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, BMW and Volkswagen-Press-Media
After victories in Mexico, Portugal and Jordan, the DS3 WRC Citroen won a fourth consecutive victory on dirt, allowing Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena to achieve a major success that helps them to strengthen their leading position in the drivers’ standings World Rally Championship. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia finished in fourth place scoring valuable points for Citroën Total World Rally Team, which is also leading the standings in the Constructors’ Championship.
[Read more…] about Rally Sardinia 2011 In English and Italian
Rally Sardinia in Photos
Mini Clubman WRC.
Photo credits: Citroën Communication, Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, BMW and Volkswagen-Press-Media
One of the most interesting aspects (and there are many) of the WRC is the fantastic photography made available via the press services of all the major players. Italian Editor Roberto Motta and I have developed a way to sort through the hundreds of images that Motta gets after each event. He will sort through and send me as many as one hundred images, and from there I’ll pick 20-30 for the article, or as in this case, articles. It is always a difficult joy to make the selections.
[Read more…] about Rally Sardinia in Photos