VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

VeloceToday Drives the 8C 2300 Alfa Mille Miglia Castagna

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As part of the series of Demonstration Days at the Simeone Foundation VeloceToday was provided an opportunity to drive two very special Alfa Romeos, an 8C 2300 and an RLSS. A special thanks to Fred Simeone, Harry Hurst and Curator Kevin Kelly.

Please make note that on June 19, the Foundation will present “Alfa Romeo turns 100” and bring out eight Alfas ranging in date from 1927 to 1975, including five rare 8C models.

By Pete Vack
Color photos by Harry Hurst

Serial number 2211072, the Alfa Romeo 8C2300 MM Spyder on display at the Simeone Foundation in Philadelphia, is the only 8C 2300 Spyder to be bodied by Castagna. According to Simon Moore, it likely started life as a factory racecar before being sold to privateers. Raced in the 1935 Mille Miglia by Catullo Lami and Pasquale Ermini, (who would later build Etceterinis) it was forced to retire. Exported to the UK it led a happy and active life for many years with a number of enthusiastic owners. It has a few famous ex’s, but our favorite is Charles Addams, who is also the editor’s favorite cartoonist. (Next week we’ll tell you more about Addams and his family of cars.) Furthermore, aside from an engine rebuild in the UK, this 8C 2300 is apparently original and unrestored. All of which make this a very, very special Alfa 8C 2300. (For more details on this Alfa, see “Reflections on a Castagna Alfa”). So, without further wordiness, let’s get it on. [Read more…] about VeloceToday Drives the 8C 2300 Alfa Mille Miglia Castagna

Reflections on the Alfa 8C 2300 Castagna

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The Alfa 2300 Castagna, created in a period when the “pursuit of balance and elegance both in substance and shape expressed itself in sheer majesty.” Photo by Harry Hurst.

By Pete Vack

The four of us paused to stare at the lines of the 8C 2300 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Castagna Spyder, now on display at the Simeone Foundation. Had one the time, it’s something that could be done all day long with pleasure. Everyone agreed it was perfectly proportioned; the short wheelbase accentuated the long hood line and swooping fenders, and huge black wire wheels stood out against the red finish. “The Alfa makes it easy to appreciate pre-war cars”, said Harry Hurst, the Simeone PR director and author of Sebring 1970. “There is not a bad line anywhere.” [Read more…] about Reflections on the Alfa 8C 2300 Castagna

Monaco: The Principality of Ultra-Precision

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Mark Webber driving his Red Bull. He dominated the race in Barcelona from start to finish.

Exclusive Formula 1 Preview
By Philippe Defechereux

Ok, Ladies and gentlemen: we learned a lot in Barcelona, and Monaco arrives just at the right time. The Monte Carlo casino is exactly that: one blink at the wrong moment, and you hit the barrier, losing any chance to even finish. “Rien ne va plus.”
[Read more…] about Monaco: The Principality of Ultra-Precision

This Week, of Interest

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We doubt if anyone out there in Internetland aside from VeloceToday offers this kind of reporting and inside views of Europe’s most prestigious Concours d’ Elegance.

Noted Canadian collector Oliver Collins describes his experiences before, during and after entering his Alfa 6C2500SS in the Villa d’Este, a primer for anyone interested in entering a car in a European event.

Hailing from Greece, Alex Vazeos shows us how the crowd and judges loved his Giaur, the first Etceterini race car ever to be shown at Villa d’Este. Alessandro Gerelli finds that the Iso Rivolta is now back in production, and gives us his view of the rest of the cars at Ville d’Este.

We have not forgotten about Formula One: Philippe Defechereux is taking bets on the next F1 race at Barcelona, a risky proposition at best.

A note to all those who have ordered “Rebel Rebel”. Flight delays have meant that the book shipments will also be delayed–we will have all copies shipped soon and will keep you posted!

Next week, VeloceToday drives the ex-Charles Addams Castagna-bodied 8C23000 Alfa Romeo. Don’t miss it!

Participating in the Concorso d’ Eleganza Villa D’Este

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Exclusive interview with Entrant Oliver Collins by Pete Vack

That's our car! Oliver Collins' Alfa in front of the gardens at Villa d'Este as seen from the hotel. A scene like this makes it all worthwhile. Photo by Lucine Collins.


Some guys just dream, other guys dream and do. Oliver Collins, of Toronto, Canada is one of the latter. But better yet, he not only lives his dream but comes back and is glad to tell the world (via VeloceToday) what and how he did it and how you too, might be able to be a contestant in Europe’s most famous and most prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este. There’s great advice herein so save this under same.
[Read more…] about Participating in the Concorso d’ Eleganza Villa D’Este

Etceterini Wins Hearts and Minds at Villa d’Este

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Etceterinis have truly arrived. Alex Vazeo’s Giaur pulls up next to the Alfa 6C2500SS of Oliver Collins and a Maserati Spyder entered by Mr. Ferretti, owner of the famous Ferretti yachts. Below, Alex tells VeloceToday about his experience in Cernobbio.


[Read more…] about Etceterini Wins Hearts and Minds at Villa d’Este

Gerelli at Villa d’Este 2010

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Best of the Rest at Cernobbio, April 23-25 2010

By Alessandro Gerelli

A Selection of the Entrants

Alfa Romeo, Giulia 1600 TZ2, Coupé, Pininfarina, 1965, Shiro Kosaka (J) Received Mention of Honor in Class H, Trofeo FIVA, for the best preserved car by the Jury and the Trofeo Auto & Design for the most exciting design by the Jury.


[Read more…] about Gerelli at Villa d’Este 2010

Europe Beckons. Starting with Barcelona.

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Button at speed. The one to beat?

F1 Preview by Philippe Defechereux

Here we are, after a three-week hiatus, waging our reputation at the game of forecasting once again. Barring rain in Barcelona –somewhat unlikely in May- it should prove a little easier this time.

Perhaps not. Those three weeks were, in fact momentous, off the track. First, the volcanic plume from Iceland left a lot of F1 people ashen-faced in China (pardon the pun), as they wondered how or even whether they could get home to Europe. Good news, after a few stressful days, it all calmed down and everybody got home early enough to plan new tricks. [Read more…] about Europe Beckons. Starting with Barcelona.

Peter Mullin Automotive Museum: Bugatti Before the Cars

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The Mullin Automotive Museum entry includes a dramatic portico, made up of dozens of tinted windshields on an iron frame that would make Gustave Eiffel proud.

Larry Crane takes us on an exclusive tour of the furniture of Carlo Bugatti.
Photos by author except as noted.

Peter Mullin is a gifted artist, at least equal to his talents as a businessman. In spite of his new museum’s name, he wants the public home of his collections to be seen as an art museum, celebrating the art of the first half of the Twentieth Century with a focus on the decorative arts movement universally known as “Art Deco.” [Read more…] about Peter Mullin Automotive Museum: Bugatti Before the Cars

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