The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
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 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy, 21st May, 2011.
[Read more…] about A Lady Sells her Jewels: Lancia and Corvair
Felipe Massa
By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
Eric and Hamilton are back with a vengeance…
Lewis Hamilton was making the rounds late Saturday suggesting that rumors of McLaren’s demise this season where vastly exaggerated.
[Read more…] about Chinese Grand Prix 2011
Narrow victory in the desert for Citroën .
By Roberto Motta
The past weekend the battle for the FIA World Rally Championship was fought in Jordan. The third running of the ‘Blue Riband Event in the Middle East’ was conducted over its usual itinerary. The service park overlooks the Dead Sea and the start was in the ancient city of Jerash, while the stages were in the Jordanian desert.
[Read more…] about Rally Jordan
Alfas on the Track
Jeff Allison, editor of “Prancing Horse”, switches to Alfas and writes a first hand tribute to Alfa Romeo’s 100th anniversary. Many unpublished color photos from races where Alfas competed in 1972 and 1974. In two parts.
Click here
An Atlantic Reappears
Much of the breathless reportage in the business and popular press of the recent sale of a Type 57SC Bugatti Atlantic focused on its price and the supposed fact that there were only two — some said three – Atlantics built. Michael T. Lynch tells all.
Click here
Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano
What is Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano? Roughly, it means “Mythic Sport Cars in Bassano”. Bassano is more correctly Bassano del Grappa, and Grappa is a Brandy. It’s nice to have both an entrant and an organizer write the story of this delicious event in Italy.
Click here
Rebel Rebel
Probably not unique, this book is the only hardbound-full sized volume I have on my shelves that is devoted to only one serial number (2819 GT). The subject is “Rebel Rebel”, a book about the legendary Ferrari “Breadvan”. An in-depth review of a best seller.
Click here
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.
[Read more…] about OSCA 1600 GT at Le Mans: Heads and Tails Part I
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.
[Read more…] about Hi Def Clipsal
Featured Car: 1923 RLTF Alfa Romeo.
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Merosi's Finest Hour was achieved with the Alfa Romeo RLTF of 1923.
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.
[Read more…] about Concours d’Elegance of America includes Track Event
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.
[Read more…] about Ferrari 458GT2 Takes First Four Places at Castellet
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.
[Read more…] about Malaysian Grand Prix 2011
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.
[Read more…] about A Lady Sells Her Jewels: Lamborghini Showcars
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