The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
After thousands of no doubt happy laps the new 458 Challenge is ready.
By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari-Media
With the new 458 Challenge, Ferrari puts an exceptional combination of extreme performance, superb fun behind the wheel and unique driving emotions at the finger-tips of its sporting, professional and gentleman-driver clients.
[Read more…] about Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge–Over the Top
The fantastic OSCA Coupe Vignale, chassis number 1153.
Story by Pete Vack
We’ve long been interested in the OSCA MT4 Berlinettas–a particularly virulent form of OSCA-it is, as there were so few built. Several years ago Christophe Pund contacted us and said he had found there remains of 1176. It is being restored but no photos of the original car exist. He hopes someone might be able to help. In addition to Mr. Pund’s story and photos, we’ve also provided the details of all the OSCA coupes in our article below.
[January 4, 2011: Since this was written chassis 1176 has changed hands, but their are still no photos or drawings of the original engine!]
[Read more…] about From the Archives: The OSCA Berlinettas
Halfway home, somewhere south of Kiev. Photo: Ufficio Stampa Presidenza Provincia di Milano
An adventure that marks the passing of the Expo from China to Italy, and the end of the Alfa Romeo Centenary celebration.
By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ufficio Stampa Presidenza Provincia di Milano
Milano, December 18, 2010
Four Alfa Romeo Giulias arrived in Milano after a grueling 35 days and 25,000 kilometers of travel. The team drove through China, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia and finally into Italy. [Read more…] about From Shanghai to Milano in Four Alfas
Strombecker's Lancia-Ferrari D50, before being set up for slot car tracks. The original receipt for this model was found in the box. It was sold on October 27th, 1960, at Bowen's Toyland in the Bedford Shopping Center in Bedford Massachusetts. The cost was $1.29.
Two brothers discuss a tradition of slot car racing that started in 1960
1959-1966 By Pete Vack
In December of 1957, Sports Cars Illustrated published an article about a Scalextric/Triang slot car set that author Bob Coogan had found at Polks Hobby Shop in New York City. Coogan called the table top track “The Ultimate Christmas Gift”. It was a great story, and clearly, a kid could get pretty juiced up on this new hobby. We’d have to wait for a while, but this was one young sports car nut that simply had to have a slot car track. There were no ifs, ands, or doubts about it. Remembering those days allows one to understand the tremendous anticipation of the latest version of the Ipad. [Read more…] about From the Archives: Fifty Years of Slot Cars
Hyper Abarth by Romeo Ferraris puts out 260 hp.
By Roberto Motta
photos: Romeo Ferraris press office
In the tradition of the famous Italian “sorcerers”, Romeo Ferraris of Milan started his tuning career with the Fiat 500 and since then has progressed from BMWs to Ferrari 360s, all of which were tweaked to unbelievable levels. His son Mario is now in charge of the business, but the game remains the same; high performance. The firm as just announced an “Extreme” version of the Abarth 500. The name chosen by Romeo Ferraris for the transformation of the 500 Abarth leaves no doubt of the intent. The new car is a blend of raw power and extreme emotions. [Read more…] about New Abarth 500 Estremo, 260 HP on Demand!
By Wallace A. Wyss
Illustrations: Original paintings by the author. Prints available from www.albaco.com
Ask any Ferrari enthusiast what is the greatest Ferrari and most will say 250GTO. [Read more…] about Pebble Beach to Feature GTO Class
Roy Smith, right, with Lord Montagu.
Said the otherwise unflappable Smith, “Apparently it was a hotly contested award with nine nominations. I knew was nominated but I was up against much more experienced and eminent writers in the field of historic motoring.” The names on the Trophy read like a who’s who of British historic motoring writing for the last 30 odd years or so; the name of Roy Smith is now added the trophy held in perpetuity at the RAC Club.
“The runner up was Sir Stirling Moss who has done a book with Alan Henry, so we had a bit of banter, it being the only time I would ever take a ‘class win’ over Stirling Moss!!…”
Congratulations to Roy from VeloceToday!!
And, order at left!
The Doctor's fine four door carriage. Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt.
Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt and Steve Snyder
“I like cars that nobody can maintain!”
Dr. Rick Zeiger, on the restoration of Excellence sedan EX12A
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is still the most famous in the world, and likes to feature recently restored cars that have never been shown since their restoration. This year, Dr. Rick Zeiger entered his 1958 FACEL Excellence sedan, a car that he has owned for 12 years and only recently finished. [Read more…] about Facel Vega Excellence Sedan
By Daniel Tomicic and staff
Dateline Istria
At Volosko, part of the tourist city of Opatija, the Stewart SS takes a break.
All of which make the ingredients for an interesting car tour. On November 5-7th, the Scuderia Zagreb tossed up a small six car tour of the area. Significantly the entrants were all Alfas and three of them part of Scuderia Portello of Milan. [Read more…] about Alfas Tour Istria, November 5-7th 2010
From the side, Mighty Mouse is recognizable as a Fiat 850 Spider by the long nose.
By Brian Winer
Photos by Mitch Schwartzburg
It sometimes happens that a man falls in love with a car. Not just “falls in love,” no that’s not a strong enough phrase; let’s say “passionately” in love. Because how else could you explain someone buying a $300 Fiat 850 and pouring over $32,000 into it?
Captured in Ann Arbor, a new Alfa Giulietta. Photo by Larry Crane.
The rear is chunky but distinctive. Photo by Larry Crane.
Larry Crane was in his old stomping grounds of Ann Arbor, Michigan recently, and what should he see but a brand new spanking Alfa Romeo Giulietta four door sedan, sitting in a local bank’s parking lot. Being the sharp kinda guy he is, he grabbed his digital camera and got off these shots.
So, is Alfa really coming to the U.S.? Well maybe. The presence of a test car seems to bode well for the possibility. Maybe we are something like half way there. Nice looking car though and distinctive. The Giulietta has been awarded the prestigious Euro NCAP five-star rating and an overall score of 87/100: an extraordinary result that makes it the safest compact ever. In Europe, the Giulietta is offered with three turbo gas engines, 1.4 liter with 120 hp, 1.4 with Multi Air and 170 hp, and a 1750 cc with 235 hp.
The very first street Series 1 R5 Turbo shown at the Geneva Motor show 1980. Photo Renualt.
By Wallace Wyss with Roy Smith
Somewhere it is written that all mid-engined sports cars have to be shaped like, well, sports cars.
Whoever wrote that is wrong.
[Read more…] about Renault 5 Turbo