VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

This Week, of Interest

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Contribution Drive News

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Hellé Nice to R.I.P.

Foundation Will Position Grave Marker during September 4th Ceremony in Ste Mesme

Artwork by Larry Crane
The Hellé Nice Foundation has announced a ceremony to be held in Ste Mesme, France on September 4, 2010 honoring French female racecar driver Hellé Nice. “For 26 years, Nice has rested in an unmarked grave and our foundation’s first project has been to raise funds and place a marker on her grave”, said Sheryl Greene. A Service of Commemoration will be held at the Ste Mesme church and in the adjoining cemetery where the marker will be placed. Speakers will include Miranda Seymour, author of “The Bugatti Queen”, essayist, lecturer and author of the Hellé Nice biography; VeloceToday correspondent and motorsports historian Dr. Patricia Lee Yongue and Sheryl Greene, originator and founder of the Hellé Nice Foundation.

Additional ceremony guests include: Annie Soisbault, Triumph works driver famous for her performances in races and rallies and Jean-Pierre Beltoise, who restored hope to French motor sport and won the 1972 Monaco Grand Prix. Club Bugatti France will bring several examples of Bugattis similar to the ones Nice drove on the track. Those attending are invited to bring their own classic and vintage cars along with flowers to place on the grave. “We invite lovers and devotees of the car in general, and of motor sport in particular, to join us in restoring the memory of one of automobile history’s great women racers”, said Greene. The ceremony begins at the church in Ste-Mesme located at Chemin de l’Eglise, 78739 Sainte-Mesme, France, on September 04, 2010 at 11:00AM (Paris time)
For more information contact Sheryl Greene at Sherylgreene@gmail.com or 404 429-9600 in Atlanta, GA, USA.

Roy Smith: A Good Go

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Alpine Renault author Roy Smith has had a go at all the fine and fun things in life

The Alpine that launched a series of books. Roy Smith gets drive in a ex-works Tour de Corse car in 1983.

By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy Roy Smith

Roy Smith has given the motoring world three very special, often brilliant, and thoroughly delightful books about Alpine and Renault in the space of the same number of years. That’s an amazing feat, his works are well researched, with hundreds of photos, first person interviews, diagrams, and fresh new information about a rare subject. There is no doubt they are landmark books on the subject of Alpine Renault. And if that’s not enough, his latest work on Gordini is due out in 2011. [Read more…] about Roy Smith: A Good Go

This Week, of Interest

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Lancias Meet the Fokkers at the 2010 ALC Reunion in Rhinebeck NY

The 2010 AMERICAN LANCIA CLUB reunion will be held at the historic village of Rhinebeck, New York on 10-11-12 September. Rhinebeck is 1.5 hours from any New York airport and 45 minutes drive from Stewart Newburgh airport. The club welcomes ALL Lancia enthusiasts, even non members.

On Friday night there will be a wine and cheese party, followed by a rally on Saturday morning, ending with lunch and an exhibition of Lancias. On Saturday afternoon you’ll be treated to an airshow at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, the only place in the world where real WWI-era fighter aircraft perform mock dogfights, including Fokker Tri-Planes. The Aerodrome also has an extensive airplane and car museum. We have booked accommodations in the Delamater House of the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck, the oldest operational Inn in the United States, where our banquet will also be held on Saturday night. On Sunday morning we have our traditional concours before departing in early afternoon.

The reunion fee is $100 per adult, including party, lunch and the banquet. Anyone interested in attending please contact ALC East Coast Vice President Walt Spak (b20swalt@city-net.com), and/or reunion coordinator James Steerman (aureliaspider@yahoo.com) or on his cellphone 845-216-0461. Hotel bookings MUST be made before 10 August to qualify for our special club rate.

Scroll on. Five articles this week: Karl Ludvigsen (Disconcerting Barchetta), Roberto Motta (Alfa Museum Saved), Editor’s bio, British GP, and Barchetta Lite.

Last Week What We Are, This Week Who We Are

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The Editor at Lime Rock in the Alfa Sprint Coupe, years ago. Photo by Mary Decker Vack.

Since we are asking our readers for dollars, euros, pounds or what have you, here’s a brief on the guy behind the site. Then, please take the time to contribute $25 or whatever you wish, and keep VeloceToday coming to your inbox every week. It’s easy and safe. Simply click here for details.

By Pete Vack, Editor and Publisher

Someone recently told me that they weren’t ever going to contribute to some website unless they knew something about the people who were asking for his hard earned dollars. That makes sense, thought I. Since I am asking you for dollars, you have a right to know a little about your editor. [Read more…] about Last Week What We Are, This Week Who We Are

Alfa Romeo Museum: No One Can Touch it Now

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Saved--the Alfa Giulias and Giuliettas on display at the Alfa Museum!

Story and photos by Roberto Motta

Over the past weekend, the Mayor of Arese, Gianluigi Fornaro told the Italian press that the Alfa Romeo Museum, with all the cars and all the valuable historical archives, cannot be moved from its home of Arese. [Read more…] about Alfa Romeo Museum: No One Can Touch it Now

Origins of the Name: Ferrari Barchetta

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The Ferrari 166 MM is the car on which Ferrari built its legend. This is chassis 0008M which finished seventh in the Targa Florio and fourth in the Mille Miglia in 1950 driven by Bracco and Maglioli. But who first called it a “barchetta”? Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt


In Dino Brunori’s article about Le Mitiche a Bassano, Johnny Lurani was credited with first calling the Touring bodied 166 Ferrari a ‘barchetta.’

We were incorrect. But every cloud has its silver lining, however, and in this case it was an email from Karl Ludvigsen who wanted to set the record straight and has further allowed us to publish the below article, which came from his book,
“Ferrari – 60 Years of Technological Innovation.”

by Karl Ludvigsen

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Barchetta Lite

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Since the term barchetta, once reserved specifically for small row boats and Touring-bodied Ferrari spiders has long since passed into the lexicon as meaning any open two seater, we thought we might add to the confusion with a sense of humor. And so, below are a few more ideas of what a barchetta might be.

Barchetta Before. The late historian Stan Nowak with Ferrari s/n 004.


[Read more…] about Barchetta Lite

British Grand Prix

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Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa

A Bad Day for Ferrari, a Good Day for Webber

by Pete Vack (Erik is still on the road.)
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

As runner ups to the raging Red Bulls, Ferrari had half a chance this weekend. Alonso had qualified in third and put his car on the second row, Massa in row four. An early puncture put Massa near the back of the pack from where he would not recover, seemingly off form. After flat spotting his tires on lap 40, Massa made a trick or treat call on the pits and they simply weren’t ready. [Read more…] about British Grand Prix

This Week, of Interest

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What makes VeloceToday special, and why should I contribute?

Last week we figured that VeloceToday is worth at least one dollar per week and asked for donations of $25 which would cover us to the end of the year. The response was truly heartening and we thank all of those who have contributed. Nevertheless, the answer to the question of “Are we there yet?” is “Not yet.”

As we begin our 10th year of continuous publication, here are some reasons why VeloceToday is worth at least a buck a week. Since January, there have been over 100 articles published, including reports of all 10 Formula 1 events. Below are just a few of the exclusive (you won’t find them anywhere but in VeloceToday) feature articles we have published this year:

The Grand Prix Talbot Darracq * The Essential Etceterini * Nardis in America * Moretti Branca * A Shared Retromobile * Intermeccanica F Jr. * Geneva Show, French and Italians * History of the March Alfa Indy cars * Charles Addams and His Cars * Gerelli’s Mille Miglia * Driving the 8C Alfa Romeo * Oliver Collins and the Villa d’Este * Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano * Merosi and the RL Alfa Romeos * Driving the Alfa RLSS * Charles Addams, the Bugatti years

Take a click. And, keep in mind that the year is only half over! There is an exciting line up for the rest of 2010.

If you donated $25 USD right now you’d cover that cost for the rest of 2010. Please take the time to contribute and keep articles like these coming to your inbox.
It’s easy, simply click here for details.

Cars of Italy and France Featured at Capitol Concours September 19th

The 17th annual Capitol Concours d’Elegance presented by Shriners Hospital for Children-Northern California will be held in a new location along the grass median and streets of Capitol Mall beneath the state capitol in Sacramento, California September 19, 2010. The event has selected Cars of Italy & France along with the Ford Thunderbird as this year’s European and American feature. All proceeds from ticket sales, car entries, sponsorships and vendors support children in need of serious medical treatment for burns, spinal injuries and more who otherwise could not afford it. Planned weekend events include a Saturday evening reception on the 25th floor of a high rise overlooking the city and venue, Saturday morning Tour d’ Elegance and Sunday Concours where competing cars are judged per SCCA rules. More at Shrinersconcours.com

VeloceToday Helps Solve Case of the Mystery Lancia

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A Jodi Ellis rendition of the Lancia Special as raced in 1953 at Avus.

By Pete Vack

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, all connected by a tubular or ladder chassis.

The steering wheel, headlamps and fasteners were of German manufacture. The body was made of thin aluminum and covered with a light layer of fiberglass. It was probably built as a racecar but had a full windshield from an MGA and a spare tire. The style was more Teutonic than Latin, and yet it is attractive despite a very short wheelbase and large wheels. Was it built to race or drive on the streets or both? Was this an Italian or Swiss Etceterini? Or a German home built special that never crossed the Alps?

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