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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

And the Monte Winner is…Peugeot 207 S 2000

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Once in the snow, the game changed for Bouffier.

By Roberto Motta
Photos by Peugeot-media and Renault communication

This year, Peugeot badly wanted to win the centenary Monte, and they succeeded! The 2011 Rallye Monte-Carlo was won by Bouffier/Panseri at the wheel of the 207 S2000.

After the first stage, the 207 S2000 and the Peugeot France driver controlled the rally and went on to take the win.

“At the beginning, I wasn’t the fastest driver on this rally which was never easy. This is the best win of my career,” said Bryan Bouffier. “I wonder whether I will ever experience anything like this again. Winning the Monte Carlo is magic!”
[Read more…] about And the Monte Winner is…Peugeot 207 S 2000

This Week, of Interest

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50th Anniversary of Formula One at Watkins Glen Events and Programs

The International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen has announced that Mario Andretti will be serving as the honorary chairman for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Formula One at Watkins Glen, a year-long celebration with a lot of great activities and events planned for 2011. Below is a calendar of confirmed events as of January 18th. We urge our readers to support these events and support the IMRRC with a donation. For details, go to their website at www.racingarchives.org.
January
~ Sir Jack Brabham’s Cooper Climax T51 on display at the Center.
~ Full series of Watkins Glen Formula One event posters on display at the Center.
~ Michael Turner paintings used for Formula One program covers and posters on display at the Center.
~ Bob Gillespie paintings of the 1961 and 1969 Formula One races on display at the Center.
February~ Feb. 26, 1 p.m.: Center Conversations talk by Bill Green and Michael Argetsinger about the Formula Libre races leading up to the Oct. 8, 1961 debut of Formula One at Watkins Glen, with a focus on the first race through film and slides.
April~ April 16: Formula One cars on display all day at the Center.
~ April 16: Showing of the documentary, “Making of Grand Prix,” all day at the Center.
~ April 16, 1 p.m.: Honor the 100th birthday of Bill Milliken, chief steward for Formula One races for the series’ first 10 years at Watkins Glen.
~ April 16, 3 p.m.: Center Conversations talk by motorsports writer Pete Lyons speaks about Formula One in the 1970s, when he was working in Europe for Autosport.
~ April 16, 6 p.m.: Showing of “Grand Prix” at The Glen Theater, Franklin Street, Watkins Glen. $5 donation for the Center requested.
~ April 17: Formula One cars on display at Watkins Glen International for Opening Weekend.
May~ May 7: Center Conversations talk by racing great Bobby Rahal on his experiences in both Formula One and the Indy 500. The Indy 500 is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
July~ July 9, 1 p.m.: Center Conversations talk by race fan and history buff Kevin Hughey to honor the American Formula One drivers who raced at Watkins Glen.
September~ Sept. 9: Launch of Michael Argetsinger’s new book “Formula One at Watkins Glen: 20 Years of the United States Grand Prix 1961-1980” at the Grand Prix Festival.
~ Sept. 9, 3 p.m.: Legends Speak at the Grand Prix Festival presents a panel of speakers about Formula One at Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen: A Walk Through History Then and Now

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A walk through the streets of Watkins Glen in 1950 would have revealed this Simca 8. Photo by Frank Shaffer.

In this article we have combined recent images of the town of Watkins Glen as it is today with never before published photos of a walk through the town in 1949 and 1950.

By Pete Vack with historic photos by Frank Shaffer

Visiting Watkins Glen is taking a walk—and a drive–through the history of American sportscar racing. Through the efforts of the late Cameron Argetsinger, road racing in U.S. began right here; you can tour the original, dangerous, yet beautiful circuit, virtually unchanged in 59 years. The original and complete circuit consisting of public roads has been not only preserved but protected under the National Register of Historic Places.

[Read more…] about Watkins Glen: A Walk Through History Then and Now

First Ferrari Challenge, Now the Maserati MC GT Stradale

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Credit Maserti/Mario Chiarappa

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale will be the fastest, lightest and most powerful model in the company’s range, and promises to match great performance with supreme refinement

By Roberto Motta
Photos courtesy Maserati/Mario Chiarappa

While the Ferrari 458 Challenge had its world debut at the Bologna Motor on December 2nd, 2010, a few meters away Maserati presented is new car, the GranTurismo MC Stradale. The Stradale was first presented at the Paris Auto Show two months earlier.
[Read more…] about First Ferrari Challenge, Now the Maserati MC GT Stradale

The Renault DeZir: The Emotional Concept Car

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Photo courtesy Renault Communications

Words by Roberto Motta
Photos by Renault Communications

Last week we brought you a bit of news about Renault’s plans for the new range of electric cars to go on sale in mid-2011.

This week, we present the DeZir electric concept car, first seen at the Paris Auto show in October 2010. The Z is for zero emissions, and the name is pronounced desire, even in French. And it is desirable—along with the Citroen Survolt certainly one of the most interesting and attractive concept cars we’ve seen in a long time. In the past few years, it seems that the French have taken the lead in both styling exercises and pushing the envelope on diesel and electric forms of propulsion.
[Read more…] about The Renault DeZir: The Emotional Concept Car

Designing the DeZir

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Photos courtesy Renault Communications

By Staff

Photos courtesy Renualt Communications

Despite computer technology and CADs, the design and construction of a prototype or show car is still a matter of art and heart. Clay is still clay, craftsman still create the chassis by hand, and stylists still do their magic. These recent photos showing the development of the fantastic DeZir electric car seem to reinforce those thoughts. Enjoy.

Photo courtesy Renault Communications


[Read more…] about Designing the DeZir

Premium Subscription Article: From Showcar to Turbine

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This interview with Gilda’s owner Scott Grundfor is the first in a series of Premium articles about Gilda, the car, the legend and the designer.

By Roberto Motta

Scott Grundfor, left, confers with another turbine enthusiast Jay Leno.

Scott Grundfor is the CEO of Scott Grundfor Company, a firm devoted to the conservation, restoration and sales of classic cars. Located in Arroyo Grande, California, Grundfor has garnered 34 Best in Show awards, primarily with Mercedes Benz automobiles. In the past five years, he acquired several Ghia showcars, among them the 1955 Ghia “Gilda” showcar which is our feature.

Roberto Motta has been involved researching turbine powered cars and was very interested in the installation and drivability of the Gilda turbine project. He conducted this interview with Scott Grundfor in 2010 for VeloceToday.

Tell us about how you found the car.
I was offered Gilda (Chassis 9969 Carrozzeria Ghia) in 2005 when the car left the Blackhawk Museum. I wanted it because of its important history in automobile design and because I think it is beautiful. Gilda was offered to me by a broker, Mike Fairbairn, from RM Classic in Chattam Canada, who knew I had an interest in these special show cars.

1955 Brochure with surprisingly similar greenhouse to the Alfa B.A.T.s

We understand you have an interesting collection.
Cars of interest to VeloceToday readers include a 1965 Citroen ID 19; 1973 Ford Ghia Mini Max Concept; 1979 Ford (Ghia) Probe I Concept; 1982 Ghia Brezza Concept; 1982 Ghia Barchetta Concept; 1984 Ghia Pockar Concept; 1985 Ghia Shuttler Concept; 1985 Ford (Ghia) Probe V Concept.

In what condition was the car when you purchased it and did it have the OSCA engine at that time? [Read more…] about Premium Subscription Article: From Showcar to Turbine

Celebrating Fifty Years of the Renault R4

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1963, going to the Opera

by Roberto Motta

Photos: Renault communication- RENAULT INTERNAL/PRESS

You may think this sad, funny, or just a sign of the times. If you Google “Renault R4”, there will be more results than if you Googled “Brigit Bardot”. [ PS: Brigitte, you have been redeemed. Reader Matthew Boyer says, “That’s only because you spelled Brigitte Bardot wrong. 1.5M hits for Renault R4 vs. 2.3M for BB.” Our faith in lechery has been restored–Ed.]

But the old R4 and its familiar French silhouette still turn heads like Bardot did in the early sixties. Not the most curvaceous of bodies, a half-century since its introduction in 1961, its fans still love the R4, like a favorite pair of blue jeans. And the R4 is the object of obsession for many collectors. Rare in the U.S.—it was never imported here—it was at least famous for its performance in the movie “Romancing the Stone” with Michael Douglas and Danny Devito.

This content is for Premium Subscriber members only.
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Ferrari Art

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I don't know who did the original Pininfarina Dino road car prototype drawing, maybe Pietro Brovarone? Of course, the first production 206GT road car had quite a few differences, but this was probably done after the Plexiglas- nosed four headlamp prototype. I like to find references to the designs early in the game so you can see how the designs developed.

By Brian Winer

Wallace A. Wyss is known to most sports car folks as a writer and author (with ten car history books to his credit), but in 2007 he re-discovered a long dormant talent for putting a brush to canvas and has since painted over 50 portraits of Ferraris. Brian Winer, Boston-born free lance writer and art connoisseur, interviewed Wyss to ask him what fascinates him so much about the prancing horse.
[Read more…] about Ferrari Art

New Renault Electrics–Good Enough to Steal

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Renault's new line of electric cars will soon be on the streets of the city of light.

Industrial espionage uncovered as Renault launches new line of electrics

News from Renault Media and Roberto Motta
Photos Renault Media

Renault President Christian Husson has suspended three senior managers after an investigation into the possible leaking of electric vehicle secrets to rivals. “The suspension of three group executives was decided following an investigation launched by the Renault group’s compliance committee. The procedure is fully standardized, highly rigorous and entirely in line with the ethical principles of our Group,” Husson said in a statement dated January 6th.
[Read more…] about New Renault Electrics–Good Enough to Steal

All About our Premium Services

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This month we’ll officially launch our Premium Subscription Service, which will probably cause a bit of confusion. Above, the Gilda Epic begins next week for our Premium Subscribers. Please allow us this space to explain in some detail.

VeloceToday now effectively has two different subscription services—one free, just as before, and another paid subscription which offers exciting new features as well as access to our massive archives.

Regular Free Subscription—Nothing has changed
The regular, free subscription is easily accessed by putting your name and email address in the blue and white pop up box that you often see when you open VeloceToday. If you are not subscribed, but wish to receive VT every week for free, sign up there. To eliminate the pop up box, just click on the circled X. Subscribers will continue to receive VeloceToday fifty times a year with three or four free articles, just as before. If you already are a subscriber and do not wish to have the Premium Service, nothing changes, there is no need to do anything.

New Premium Subscription service—Subscribe only if you want
Our thanks to the many readers who have already subscribed to our Premium Service! As many have noted, most of our 1000 plus archived articles are now part of the Premium, or paid, subscription service. But in addition to that, for our Premium customers only, there will be additional, exclusive and in depth features, pdfs, and mcuh more. Next week we’ll begin with the first of four new and exclusive articles about the Ghia Gilda, the car, the legend, and a two part article about the designer, Giovanni Savonuzzi. There is much to come and a lot lined up. You will see banners such as above (the art thanks to Jodi Ellis) which will announce the new features as they go online. You can tell it’s going to be good!

If you choose not to pay for the premium service, but are a regular subscriber you will continue to receive VeloceToday just as before. You need do nothing.

If you would like to subscribe to the Premium Service, simply follow the form, using either credit card or paypal. Best bet is one year at $4.95 a month ($59.40 per year). Your credit card will show “Media Pass” as the biller, not VeloceToday, as Media Pass is the company handling the software and service. I’ve been working with the staff at Media Pass for a couple of months now, and I am very pleased with their help, knowledge, and ability to solve any problem or work any issue. If you have any problems, there is a help number, or email me directly at pete@velocetoday.com. We want to make sure ALL of our customers are satisfied.

Why are we doing this?
Premium Service seems to be the best of both worlds—VeloceToday continues on for free, maintaining a growing a huge subscriber base, and as an option, we can offer Premium Services for those who chose the new service. There are many other reasons, and I’d like to list four:
1. Overhead costs continue to rise. For example, once our mail out subscription service was free; is it now $50 a month and will double soon. Office supplies, computer upgrades, new software, increased server capacity are all on the increase. We also pay for advertising in “Classic and Sportscar” magazine every month, which unlike Internet ad rates, is very expensive.
This is a business, albeit a small one. So, Please Subscribe!
2. We would like to be able to pay our contributors—something we have not been able to do before. I’d guess a lot of our readers were not aware of this. Since other Internet periodicals are also beginning to charge and offer to pay contributors, we must stay ahead of the curve to retain the wonderful men and women who give their all for VeloceToday. How much and how often we pay will depend upon our reader’s willingness to subscribe to the Premium Service. So, Please Subscribe!!
3. Over the past year we have conducted a very successful contribution drive. IF the Premium Service succeeds, we can do away with the contribution drives, and actually offer something special to our supporters while costing them less. That’s the plan, and again, only our readers will determine if we can totally drop the rather annoying contribution drives. So, please Subscribe!
4. If VeloceToday is to survive, and in particular survive the editor and publisher, we must actively seek and train a qualified person who can assist when necessary and take over the reins when the time comes. We would be amiss if we did not address these needs now, while we can. Needless to say, such a position, unlike now, will require a salary. Our help wanted sign is out, btw, so send in your resumes.

Click here to sign up for the Premium Service! Form is at bottom of article.

And now we return you to our regular (and free) scheduled programs featuring OSCA Berlinettas, Bugatti World Record, and the Ferrari 458 Challenge.

Veyron Record: 2010’s Top Story?

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Making a big splash in 2010 was the Bugatti SuperSport at 267+ MPH. Photo Bugati Press.

Bugatti Veyron “World Record Edition“

By Roberto Motta and Staff

When Roberto Motta sent us this article, we thought it might be an appropriate candidate for 2010 top stories. If not, it certainly is right up there; readers comments and opinions are welcome. We will, of course, pretend that the new Bugatti is a French car, if only in spirit. But exciting, nonetheless! [Read more…] about Veyron Record: 2010’s Top Story?

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