The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
A Zagato in the closet
Bill Henry called me at Automech. We met a couple of weeks earlier during a Riverside SCCA weekend. He had stopped by the shop and admired my bright turquoise Mini, with the ivory stripe to match its wheels. Now he was proposing a trade. An even trade for pinks. [Read more…] about A Car Life by Larry Crane
Today the subject of this article resides in a collection in New York.
The story of a particular Zagato in America
Story and Photos by Pete Vack unless otherwise noted
The name sounded odd–Fiat Derivazione Abarth 750 GT Zagato–and did not easily roll off American tongues. But once seen, the car was not easily forgotten, while the long, strange name was quickly replaced by the nickname “Double Bubble”. Not only did it refer to the unique top, but Dubble Bubble is also the name of the original chewing bubble gum, which was very popular at the time, that being 1958-59.
[Read more…] about A Zagato in America
Nuvolari and Guidotti at a control point in the 1930 Mille Miglia, which they won with this Zagato bodied Alfa 6C Gran Sport.
The late Elio Zagato learned his trade from the very best
By Pete Vack
A free pdf version of this article can be ordered from Pete@velocetoday.com.
April 17, 1930, Brescia
In an awesome demonstration of speed, reliability and advanced design, Alfa Romeo 6C 1750s, all with ultra-light bodies by Zagato, won the first four places in the 1000-mile Italian marathon known as the Mille Miglia. It came as little surprise to master coachbuilder Ugo Zagato, for he had seen it before; Alfa Romeo Zagatos had already won the epic event in 1928 and 1929.
[Read more…] about Masters of Light
Among Peter Sachs’ tasty collection was the perfect car to bring to the NART Reunion, held at Saratoga, New York on September 10-12. This Ferrari 365 P2 was sold new to Luigi Chinetti and entered under the NART banner. It won the Reims 12 Hours in 1965 for Pedro Rodriguez and Jean Guichet, was 2nd at the Bridgehampton 500 Kilometers (Pedro again) and had top-10 placings at Le Mans and Daytona in 1965 and 1966 respectively. It is shown in its Le Mans livery.
By Michael T. Lynch
Photos by Michael T. Lynch unless othewise noted
Saratoga, New York is a beautifully restored city that thrives on horse racing (both thoroughbreds and harness racing) and the performing arts. It became a spa in the 19th Century because of its mineral waters and gambling also became part of its attraction. [Read more…] about NART Reunion at Saratoga
Michael Sheehan looks at the Ferrari Supercars-Part I
All photos courtesy Michael Sheehan unless othewise noted.
Below, the evolution of a species.
288 GTO s/n 54231
288 Evo s/n 79888
F40 s/n 90568
Before they were called Supercars
Through the 1950s and up to the mid-1960s Ferrari built a very limited series of luxurious, big-engined, custom bodied supercars, starting with a short run of only six 342 Americas,the 375 America, followed by the 410 Superamerica, the 400 Superamerica, the 500 Superfast and ending with the 365 California. [Read more…] about Ferrari by Sheehan
Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, and Kimi Raikkonen
Barichello Conquers Monza
by Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
At Spa, we saw the familiar face of Kimi Raikkonen, who seems to be the current master of this circuit, on the podium. Monza is starting to be the favorite track for Rubens Barichello, who has now won in Italy three times, with two different teams. The Brazilian more importantly finished ahead of Jenson Button and closed the gap in the driver’s championship. [Read more…] about Italian Grand Prix
1962 Lancia Flamina Sport Zagato. Federico Alzona
A wonderful variety of Lancias parade for Alessandro Gerelli at this year’s Coppa d’oro delle Dolomiti.
[Read more…] about Lancias at Cortina 2009
Alfa Romeo 1900 sprint (1953). Samuel Barozzi
A view of some of the other entrants at this year’s Coppa d’oro delle Dolomiti , run September 4-6 2009.
All photos by Alessandro Gerelli. Names at end of captions are the entrants as listed in the program.
Read about the Lancias at Cortina 2009.
John Bentley at the wheel of the OSCA S/N 769 which won the Index of Performance at Sebring, 1960. Co-driver Jack Gordon tells the story. Credit Jeff Allison.
By Jack Gordon
Jack Gordon continues his narrative of the Le Mans and Sebring events of 1960, in which he and journalist John Bentley competed in two different 750cc OSCAs. His first article covered the Le Mans event (read OSCA at Le Mans) which came after the Sebring race addressed here. Also read Karl Ludvigsen’s track test of OSCA 750 S/N 769.
In 1957 I began to think seriously about driver schools and what to take to school, knowing that my 56 Healey’s handling and (un)reliability needed improvement. A friend of mine told me that John Bentley had a used Alfa for sale that ought to be suitable, so I went over and liked it as the Alfa already had the stock 4.1 axle changed to a 4.55, which is what you want for short or medium SCCA courses.
[Read more…] about Sebring 1960: John and Jack Win the Index
The OSCA 750 of Gordon/Bentley when owned by Oliver Collins. Credit Lucine Collins
In 1960, shortly after the team of John Bentley and Jack Gordon won the Index of Performance at Sebring, Karl Ludvigsen asked them if he could drive the car for an article in “Sports Cars Illustrated.” The report was published in the August 1960 issue. Karl has given VeloceToday express permission to republish that article. Also, read Jack Gordon’s account of the race.
By Karl Ludvigsen
One of the most consistently successful makes of cars in racing over the past decade has been one of the smallest machines from one of the smallest factories: the OSCA. [Read more…] about Tech and Track Report: OSCA 750
The owner of this 3500 is happy to drive it around as is. Reverse snobbery or a truer perspective of the hobby?
By Brandes Elitch
Photos by Petya Elitch
Many years ago, there was a publication called “Special Interest Autos”. It was one of the best examples of automotive journalism anywhere on the planet. For the August, 1987 number (the hundredth issue of SIA), Editor Dave Brownell asked the Founding Editor, Michael Lamm, to write an editorial about the state of the collector car hobby. Recently I reread this column, and it resonates for those of us who have just finished the Monterey weekend. [Read more…] about Restoring Perspective
At Pebble Beach, Arnold explains the fine points of the MT4 to an eager audience. Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Motoring journalist and artist Wallace Wyss, has worked for Car Life, was an associate editor at Motor Trend, and is the author of ten automotive books. Below, he continues his humorous look at the Monterey Car Week on a motoring scribe’s budget. (Read Part I)
By Wallace A. Wyss
Saturday August 15th
Saturday morning Sylvia’s still back at her ranch messing with horses so I roll to Mecum’s auction at 9:30 kick-off time. They have a table of delectable fruit, and coffee and rolls and I ask first who’s it for and they say “bidders”. I look at my badge, I’m a seller but figure, hey, we’re all here to have fun so I dip in with both hands and nobody shoots me.
[Read more…] about Monterey on a Dollar a Day: Sat, Sunday