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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

This Week, of Interest

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Some articles you may enjoy….

Driving the RLSS Alfa
Being able to drive both the Alfa 8C 2300 and the much earlier Alfa RLSS meant that we were given the even rarer opportunity to drive the work of both Giuseppe Merosi and Vittorio Jano. We’ll tell you which was more fun and why.
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Solving the Mystery of the Lancia Special
We were just beginning to think that the case of the Lancia Mystery car would go unsolved. It was probably a one off, and it was described as having mechanical components from a Lancia Aprilia, including the engine, transmission, and front end, connect by a ladder chassis.
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Below are Roberto Motta’s sketch of Michele Alboreto in both English and Italian, Alboreto’s life in photos, Matra in both English and Mp3, and a dueling book review and aliens at Le Mans. They are all free. So scroll down and enjoy!

Matra’s V12: Upholding the Honor of the French

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The Matra MS12 V12, 1970. Photo by Brandes Elitch. To listen to the Matra V12, click on the photo.

By Brandes Elitch with photos and music by John Sexton

Matra has a wonderful history of building successful racing cars, but it is a name unknown to most Americans. The French love acronyms: Matra stands for Engins Mechanique Aviation-Traction, SA. It is an old company, founded in 1941 by Marcel Chassagny. It was and is an aerospace company and arms manufacturer for the French government.

In 1964, with absolutely no automotive racing experience, Chassagny tapped one of his engineers, Jean-Luc Lagardere, also without any automotive background, to create a new enterprise to build race cars: Matra Sports. He assembled a team, one of which, Andre Legan, summoned his friend Bernard Boyer by saying, “Bernard, on est chez les fous; il faut venir!” This could be translated as, “Everyone here is crazy; you must get over here!” Lagardere announced at the outset that within a few years, they would win both LeMans and a Formula One Championship – no wonder they thought him mad! But when it was all over, Matra had won at F-1 (1969, including the Constructors and Driver’s F1 World Championship) and captured the Manufacturer’s World Championship (1973 and 1974), and won LeMans in 1972, 1973, and 1974.

Rene Bonnet began producing the Djet with a 1108cc Renault engine in the rear, fiberglas body and four wheel disc brakes, but Matra took ownership in 1964 and continued to produce the Djet.

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Remembering Michele Alboreto: In English and Italian

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Michele Alboreto, 1956-2001. Credit Audi Motorsport.

This article appears in Italian below the English text.

For more images of Michele Alboreto’s life, see “Michele Alboreto, A Life in Photos”.

Ten years ago last month on April 25th, Michele Alboreto died in Germany during a private test with the Audi R8 with which he was to have participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The causes have not been completely clarified, and it seems that the accident was caused by progressive failure of the rear tire.

By Roberto Motta

Michele Alboreto was one of the best Italian drivers and the last Italian driver anointed by Enzo Ferrari, who saw in him the heir to the throne of Alberto Ascari.

Alboreto had a great talent and an uncommon determination but unfortunately he was never a truly successful driver, mainly due to a lack of luck.

His career began in 1976 in Formula Monza events at Monza. His first car was an old Vargiu, built in 1967. Michele had purchased this in partnership with his friend Alberto Hertel. (Formula Monza was an entry class for young driver. The cars were powered by a 500cc engine of the same type as used on the Fiat 500 Giardinetta.)

In the beginning at Monza, circa 1976. Can you help identify the car?

[Read more…] about Remembering Michele Alboreto: In English and Italian

Michele Alboreto: A Life in Photos

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1976, Michele Alboreto in the 500 cc Vargiu. Credit Achivio Automobile Club Milano

The racing years of Michele Alboreto in photos.

For text, in both English and Italian, read “Remembering Michele Alboreto”.

1976, testing at Monza with an unidentified race car. Can reader

1976, at Monza on the track.

Late 1970s. At the wheel of a Fiat Abarth Formula Italia, powered by a 1600cc Fiat 124 engine.

1979, driving the Lancia at the Giro d'Italia. Credit: Roberto Motta.

1979. Driving a March F3.

1981, quickly graduating to F2, here in a Minardi.

1982: Alboreto competes in the Sports Car Championship with the Lancia LC-2. Credit: Archivio Lancia.

1983, trying hard in the Tyrrell.

1983, Michele marries Nadia. Note Ferrari cups.

1983, suddenly Alboreto arrives at the pinnacle and blessed by Enzo Ferrari. Credit: Archivio-Pippo-Bianchi.jpg

1988, his final year with Ferrari. Credit: Roberto Motta

1991, with the Porsche powered Footwork entry at the Phoenix Grand Prix. Credit: Porsche Werkphoto.

1996, Michele trys out the Indy Racing League. Credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1997, victory at Le Mans with Porsche was a dream come true.

2000, Alboreto poses with the championship Audi team. Credit: Audi Motorsport Media.

2001. Still determined and competitve, Alboreto won the Sebring 12 hours only a month before his death.

Audi and Peugeot at Le Mans by Roberto Motta

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Peugeot 308 coupe.

By Roberto Motta

Photos by Peugeot-motorsport-media and Audi-motorsport-media

Looking like something from the dark side of “Star Wars” the Audi R18 TDI has achieved success during its first public appearance and made the fastest lap on the track during the Le Mans Test Day on April 24.

That best lap posted by the eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, registering the lap in 3 minutes, 27.867 seconds, 0.128 seconds faster than teammate Mike Rockenfeller, who co-drove the 2010 winner.
[Read more…] about Audi and Peugeot at Le Mans by Roberto Motta

What is a Premium Article?

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We have made much ado about our Premium Service, Premium Subscriptions and Premium Articles. But what makes a Premium Article so different and actually–heavens forbid–worth paying for?
Let’s take this week’s offering, “French Survivor”, for example. It’s free—a Premium Freebie, as we want everyone to see what we are talking about. (we will continue to offer these “Freemiums” on occasion).

First, it is written with the support of the owner and a leading Delage historian, Daniel Cabart, combining both driving impressions, details and accurate historical accounts.
Second, it includes a history, rare factory drawings, specs and documents pertaining to the exact car.
Third, it includes rare historical photos of the car as purchased by the first owner as well as excellent contemporary images.
Fourth, it is well written and enjoyable to read: in this case the author was ably assisted by the owner and the historian.
Fifth, it is exclusive to VeloceToday. You will not find it anywhere else.
Sixth, Premium Articles are similar in scope and quality to those the editor and our authors submit to major automotive journals, which would in turn be sold via paid subscription or on the newsstand.

You’ll find that similar criteria apply to all of the Premium articles now available, which can be found on the Premium Service Page.

Scroll down with us as we take you from beater Ferraris to Delage survivors and some delicious Delage historic eye candy from “Delage, France’s Finest Car”.

Ferraris on the Road

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Mike will wear red and black but if you want him to wear a Prancing Horse, well...

By Wallace Wyss

To Sedona in an e-Bay Ferrari

In my experience both here and abroad, the Ferrari world is a sea of pristine well-cared for finely-fettled cars, whose owners seem to hover near them at every car show, dreadfully fearful some interloper will touch their car.

Then there’s my high school friend, Mike, a retiree from the Phoenix area.

His 1979 Ferrari GTB has seen better days. The paint is a bit rough (Mike claims that he had seen worse paint jobs, but they were done with a brush), the leather seats have popped their seams so there’s sponge rubber showing, there’s a piece of fiberglass hanging down somewhere at the back, the engine is dirt covered, the air conditioning compressor is missing, the tires don’t quite fit.

But, to his mind, it’s perfect. Why? Because he drives it. [Read more…] about Ferraris on the Road

French Survivor: Delage 105S

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By Pete Vack with comments and research by Daniel Cabart
(This great Delage has changed hands since this article was originally published in 2011)

The last time our readers heard much of Alex Vazeos was in an article about last year’s Ville d’Este, where he was the first entrant to brave the judges with an Etceterini, in this case the ex-Rafi Minasian Giaur. Seemingly bent on buying small Italian cars, Vazeos found others, including the purchase the editor’s old Abarth 750 Zagato to sit next to his Record Monza. Alex also owns the ex-Jack Reuter Bandini, an Abarth Simca 1300 Corsa and a very rare Moretti 1200 Grand Sport.

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Delage, France’s Finest Car: A Brief History Part 1

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By Pete Vack

Read Part II
All images are from the book “Delage, France’s Finest Car”

It is not our goal here to provide any kind of in-depth history of Delage; that is the purpose of the two volume set we describe. The following are just a few highlights of the fantastic cars from this distinguished French manufacturer. Part I will deal with the years up to 1920, in Part II will briefly cover the 1920-1935 years, the difference between Delage and Delahaye, and why. All of this is based on information and images from “Delage, France’s Finest Car, Volume 1 and 2 by Cabart, Rouxel and Burgess-Wise.

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Delage, France’s Finest Car: A Brief History Part 2

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By Pete Vack

Read Part I
All images are from the book “Delage, France’s Finest Car”

The Great War came and went, and the fortunes of Louis Delage increased manifold as the factory turned out bullets. A failure to ensure munitions quality which caused a scandal. After the devasting war profiteering became an issue, and the French government would argue over how to tax excess war profits until the start of World War II.

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This Week, of Interest

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The Matra MS12 V12, 1970. Photo by Brandes Elitch. To listen to the Matra V12, click on the photo.

What’s in YOUR driveway?

We all know that Ralph Lauren (see below) has one of these in his driveway, and it may even be the one below. Dale La Follette of Vintage Motorphoto sent his our way. Dale says that the photo was taken by Strother McMinn in 1949 in a garage in Los Angeles. I daresay our Bugatti friends out there will firmly nail this one down for us?

Photo Courtesy of Vintage Motorphoto.

Ralph Lauren brings his collection to Paris.

Lauren with his Mercedes SSK. Courtesy DNA.

The only way a mortal might be able to see a great selection of his collection aside from Paul Russell are those who will be lucky enough to attend the incredibly upscale art show beginning on the 28th of April. A selection of seventeen of Ralph Lauren’s most prestigious sports cars from the 1930s to the present day will be on show for the first time in Europe at Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs

For a sneak preview video of his private estate and garage, click below. This video provides an exclusive look behind closed doors at Ralph Lauren private estate where the designer takes us on a personal tour of these stunning machines. Ralph Lauren Collection Preview

Toly Arutunoff Updates Himself

First off, I thank God for saving my life and also for not being able to remember anything. Next: the less said about “phantom pain” the better. I once thought “how can something that’s not there hurt?” Anyway I’m doing physical therapy and additional general exercises–when you lie abed for a few weeks boy do your muscles shrink. And when you’re kinda old to start with, well, I’m adjusting to it and improving on it. I’ll get my C (for computer) leg in the not-too-distant future. A friend who has one rides his motorcycle; my doc looks upon my resuming such a practice with disfavor. I have many dreams about running down the street, scrambling up and down stairs,even being at a racetrack–my favorite so far! Finally, I’ve been overwhelmed (overused word but absolutely true in my case) with the love and concern expressed toward me since early February. Several freakin’ hundred emails, cards, photos, flowers, posters…it still brings tears to my eyes as I think of all you guys’ feelings for me. Thank you so very very VERY much! Karen thanks you for your prayers (as do I). She knows they’re helping my recovery, so I’ll be able to have autonomy and every day won’t be, as she sez, like the movie “Groundhog Day.”

There are five new articles this week, so please, scroll down!

More Great Reasons to Subscribe to Our Premium Service

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Alfa March Indy Cars
Twenty one years ago Alfa Romeo made its last appearance at the Indianapolis 500 with a promising effort put forth by the Patrick Team of Chip Ganassi. In this exclusive report, Roberto Motta tracks the history of the March-Alfa Romeos.
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Bugatti Before Cars
Larry Crane takes us on an exclusive tour of the furniture of Carlo Bugatti on display in the Mullin Museum, which in addition to cars, celebrates the art of the first half of the Twentieth Century with a focus on the decorative arts movement universally known as “Art Deco.”
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Nardi Book Review
“Enrico Nardi, a fast life” is mot only a biography but a remarkable compendium of races in which Nardi cars participated plus a full history of the marque itself, from 1947 to 1957. Read the review again and you’ll end up ordering one of the few remaining English versions left!
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Paris Retro, Art on Art
John Sexton and Jodi Ellis teamed up to bring us a delightful look at the Paris Retro. Retro is amazing, with cars, parts, books, models, glass, and posters. Sexton, a French car expert and Ellis, a superb layout artist, show us Retro as never been seen before, from Panhard to Voisin.
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