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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

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

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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

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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!

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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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A Lady Sells her Jewels: Lancia and Corvair

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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 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy, 21st May, 2011.
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Rally Jordan

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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