Oxnard, Calif. (April 16, 2010) – In an ambiance of stylish luxury, priceless treasures that glowed in soft light and live jazz music, the Mullin Automotive Museum celebrated its grand opening in great style. The evening, like the museum, was a commemoration of the art deco design era when exquisite art and magnificent automobiles were elements of an artful, futurist culture. The museum displayed both in a luminous Grand Salon worthy of that extravagant time
[Read more…] about Mullin Automotive Museum Celebrates its Grand Opening
Jeff DiCicco: Interview with an Artist
By Wallace A. Wyss
For a better view of Jeff’s work, click on paintings to enlarge.
Jeff DiCicco is based in Santa Monica. Born in Pittsburgh, DiCicco’s artistic abilities were recognized at a very young age. From his youth he has been an avid car enthusiast and autos have since been the subjects of his work. Now living in California, his works were prominently displayed at the Greystone Mansion Concours de Elegance in early April where Wallace Wyss interviewed him for VeloceToday.com
[Read more…] about Jeff DiCicco: Interview with an Artist
Book Review: Rebel Rebel
Hardback, 160 pages, color and b&w photos
$80 USD, plus $20 Shipping
By Marc Sonnery and Keith Bluemel
Parker House, 2010
Order here
Review by Pete Vack
The cover: A tall young man in horn-rimmed glasses has a beer while taking a break. He must be tall, for the coupe he is working on appears to be about groin high. Behind this doorless, bare-aluminum Ferrari is a 1956 Chevy and what appears to be an apartment complex. The photo looks to have been taken in the 1960s.
The faded, poorly-focused color snapshot stimulates synapses: This is either something I’ve done or something I have dreamed of doing. Or both.
[Read more…] about Book Review: Rebel Rebel
The Count’s Revenge
Mr. Wyss wrote this for us some time ago but it still passes muster even with the revelations of the new book “Rebel Rebel”. And a nice way to introduce one to the subject of the incredible Ferrari Breadvan. Ed.
By Wallace Alfred Wyss
Yes, there are Ferrari racers with a sense of humor. The Ferrari 250GT ‘Breadvan’ is a result of one such owner’s sense of humor. It was based on a 1961 competition 250 GT SWB modified by Ing. Giotto Bizzarrini.
[Read more…] about The Count’s Revenge
Chinese Grand Prix
Chinese Grand Prix
McLaren Tops China in the Rain
By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
There were two camps that were excited about the race in Shanghai this weekend. McLaren was able to capitalize on tire strategy and left the field behind by finishing one-two. The race promoters were also excited because with the rain, the camera angles were low and no one really should have noticed that the stands were empty, except on the main straight. If you Tivo’d the race, go back and compare it to the first couple of years that the race was held there. See anything missing? People maybe?
[Read more…] about Chinese Grand Prix
Hull, Slater and the Best Damn Alfa Book Ever Written
By Pete Vack
In the beginning, when Peter Hull was only four years old, it is said that his father took him and his older brother Douglas to Brooklands. That’s a fairly young beginning, four years old, and the following recollections as published in “Alfa Romeo, A History” may in fact have been those of his older brother:
[Read more…] about Hull, Slater and the Best Damn Alfa Book Ever Written
Elite from Essen
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Techno-Classica Essen 2010
During the five days (April 7-11) of Techno-Classica in Essen (Germany), there are more classic, vintage and racing cars offered for sale under one roof than anywhere else in the world.
[Read more…] about Elite from Essen
Formula 1 Pre-Race Preview: Shanghai
You might know Philippe Defechereux by his books—”Watkins Glen, 1948-1952, The Definitive Illustrated History,” and “James Dean: From Passion for Speed to Immortality”. Oh yes, and the three part look at the D.B. at Sebring in VeloceToday. Since 2010 is turning into a thrilling F1 season, and Defechereux is literally chomping at the bit to express his considered predictions, we have asked him to craft regular pre-race articles (a high-risk occupation). Note that Erik Nielsen will cover the race for us and see how far off the saddle Philippe falls every week.
Ok, ladies and gentlemen, I might just be the way my mind works.
The Editor-in-chief of this fine online magazine has now asked me to write the Formula 1 “Pre-Race Preview” for the Formula 1 races to come. Imagine if I had started doing this before Melbourne and Sepang… I would already look like a total fool.
[Read more…] about Formula 1 Pre-Race Preview: Shanghai
This Week, of Interest
This week’s stories are below, but be sure to keep your eye on the David Seibert Classic Book Sale, in the ad column at right. Every week we’ll be adding more classic books for sale, but there is only one copy each. Coachbuilders, Maserati and French cars to come.
Some news for our long-suffering subscribers who wish to subscribe but can’t. There are a number of reasons a subscription might fail:
1. If you are using AOL, it probably will reject the subscription and you will not see a confirmation email. AOL does this, not VT nor our new mailout system. Try with a different mailbox.
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4. When the confirmation email is received, it tells you to click, then suddenly you are on the VeloceToday homepage. Then you know you have succeeded in subscribing.
Finally, we are experimenting with various newsletter formats which are sent via the email. No more full homepage, but smaller formats just to let you know VeloceToday has arrived.
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Alfas Take Phillip Island by Storm
Melbourne Australia, 19 – 21 March 2010.
To celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Phillip Island Classic, the Victorian Historic Racing Register fittingly chose Alfa Romeo as the featured marque for the event. Held annually at the sweeping 4.4 km circuit south of Melbourne, the international stature of this meeting is well established. Its reputation is such that the Alfa Romeo factory, in its centenary year, sent one of its irreplaceable Alfettas, chassis #159.111, engine #159.221. [Read more…] about Alfas Take Phillip Island by Storm
Rare Prototype Citroëns at Birmingham
We thought it appropriate to run this report with another Citroën article, even though it’s a bit late it is excellent. Read on. [Ed.]
Story and Photos by Simon Wright
To celebrate Citroën’s 90 years of car production, Citroën UK arranged for several rare prototypes to be shown at the Classic Motor show held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England from the 13th to the 15th of November 2009. [Read more…] about Rare Prototype Citroëns at Birmingham
Why Citroën?
Brandy Elitch on the Enigma that is Citroën
For many American collectors, the French automobile industry is an enigma. France is in many respects the birthplace of the automobile, and has produced advanced cars since the turn of the century. [Read more…] about Why Citroën?