With our thanks to Michael T. Lynch, William Edgar, Willem Oosthoek and David Seielstad.
Dale LaFollette of
The Allante: Ultimate Italian Cadillac
Jet black is one of the colors that make an old Allante look new.
By Wallace A. Wyss
Captions by Wyss
All photos courtesy of
Norman Penfield, President Allante Atlanta Car Club
Like a lot of other trends in the auto industry, it started with all good intentions—the creation of an American car with the added glitz of Italian styling and coachwork.
I speak of the Cadillac Allante. The Allante has a name which Cadillac picked out of the air. It is not an Italian word like Avanti was for the Studebaker Avanti (which means “forward” in Italian.) I always thought it sort of hinted at the mythical undersea town of Atlantis. But the car, like the fabled city , sunk beneath the waves….
The two-seater was in production from 1987 through 1993.
Cadillac had seen the success of the Mercedes 450SL (introduced as the 350SL in 1971) and the Jaguar XJS and hungered for their own two seater sporty car. I say “sporty” not “sports.” There’s a difference.
[Read more…] about The Allante: Ultimate Italian Cadillac
Hungarian Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber
Webber on Top
Schumi on Bottom
By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
There is an old lesson in racing that you don’t necessarily need to be the fastest car out there to win, you just need to be the first to cross the finish line. Mark Webber drew a line under that statement with his uneventful win at the Hungaroring. It really wasn’t his race to win, but it was his team mate Vettel’s to lose. And lose he did. The young German seemed to have the race in the bag with a strong pole performance and outstanding opening laps. [Read more…] about Hungarian Grand Prix
French at Le Mans by Vanhoolandt
Still looking for the Pink Panther.
Last week Hugues Vanhoolandt displayed the Italian effort at this year’s Le Mans Classic, which everyone is saying gets better and better every year. For the 5th time, Le Mans Classic celebrated the greatest long distance race in the world. With more than 420 cars on the track, ranging from 1923 to 1979, it was close action from Saturday at 4 pm to Sunday same hour.With 96,000 spectators, Le Mans Classic proved to be one of the world’s greatest historic racing car event.
Photos and captions by Hugues Vanhoolandt.
[Read more…] about French at Le Mans by Vanhoolandt
In the Alpes Maritimes with an Alpine-Renault
The Alpine overlooking the Riviera. Photo by RentaCarClassic.
We last engaged Skip Cook as Philippe Defechereux described the Deutsch-Bonnet at Sebring, and Cook’s adventures running a DB coupe at the Le Mans Classic. Cook recently returned to France to drive an Alpine Renault in the California Classic Rallye event, this year held in the French Riviera. Below is his report.
PARTICIPANT’S DIARY
By Skip Cook
Photos by the author unless otherwise noted
The California Classic Rallye has been held for many years throughout California, but in the last two years has expanded its reach to Europe, first in Tuscany in 2009, and this year in the French Riviera. [Read more…] about In the Alpes Maritimes with an Alpine-Renault
German Grand Prix
Alonso and Massa on the podium: anything but a joyful pair
Ferrari Win/Lose
by Philippe Defechereux
Photos courtesy and copyright Planet F1
During Friday’s qualifying practice at Hockenheim, as well as Saturday’s qualifying, Ferrari dominated the pack for the first time since… the 2010 season’s first Grand Prix in Bahrain. [Read more…] about German Grand Prix
This Week, of Interest
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.
The Art of Retro
Text and photos by John Sexton. Art and layout by Jodi Ellis.
[Read more…] about The Art of Retro
Italians at LeMans 2010
Fantastic imagery from our man Hugues Vanhoolandt at the LeMans Classic, July 9-11th 2010. Next week the French–
Argentine Luis Perez Companc trying hard with the 330 TRI spider Fantuzzi that won the 1962 edition with Phil Hill and Gendebien.
Photos and Captions by Hugues Vanhoolandt
[Read more…] about Italians at LeMans 2010
Roy Smith: A Good Go
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
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
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