VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Italian Grand Prix

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retro
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

Sebring 1960: John and Jack Win the Index

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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

Tech and Track Report: OSCA 750

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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

Restoring Perspective

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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

Monterey on a Dollar a Day: Sat, Sunday

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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

Preview: Fairfield County Concours

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Pininfarina designed Chevrolet Corvette Rondine-Best of Show winner at the Fairfield County Concours last year.

By Werner Pfister

In a few weeks the Sixth Annual 2009 Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance will be held in Westport, Connecticut, and it will be expanded to a two day event. On Saturday, September 12th, a fifty mile rally through Fairfield County for classic cars. In addition, a Classic Car and Bike Club show will be added to the schedule. On Sunday September 13th, the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo will be celebrated and a complete array of historic Alfas, including Dr. Gary Kaberle’s B.A.T. 11 dk will be on display.
[Read more…] about Preview: Fairfield County Concours

Three Sisters

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Above is the Carmel Bay Company’s display, created by stylist Sandra Griswold. Sandra knows all the right people in the collector car hobby and got her pictures from author/photographer John Lamm. She also arranged a Lamm book signing at the store during the Concours. Credit: Keith Bleumel

By Michael T. Lynch

The Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on the Avenue

The three major shows of the Monterey Peninsula automobile festival week have established distinctive personalities. The newcomer among them (2007), the CCoA has the widest range of vehicles, including hot rods (there was a vintage dragster this year), mini cars, motorcycles and other unexpected treasures, as well as the classics and vintage racers. The show had its first overseas entrant this year and a Good Humor ice cream truck even won a prize.
[Read more…] about Three Sisters

Grand Prix of Belgium

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retro
Giancarlo Fisichella, Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel, and Stefano Domenicali

Kimi Wins at Spa, Again
by Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

At what is starting to be jokingly referred to as “Kimi’s track,” the flying Finn was able to hold off the Force India car of Giancarlo Fisichella (no, you read that correctly) to earn Ferrari their first win of the season. [Read more…] about Grand Prix of Belgium

Hugues Vanhoolandt at Monterey

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After winning Best of Show Award at Carmel on Tuesday, Jon Shirley and his 250 TR s/n 0666 had a moment in the corkscrew on Saturday.

With Porsche as the featured marque at this year’s 36th Monterey Historic Automobile Races, and more than 145 cars from Stuttgart on a field of 450 race cars, non-Porsche fans could fear to be bored. But, as always at the Monterey Historics, there was enough for everyone, French and Italian enthusiasts included. Here is my selection for VeloceToday.

[Read more…] about Hugues Vanhoolandt at Monterey

Monterey Car Week On a Dollar a Day

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Citroens were featured at La Dolce Vita, while our correspondent sold paintings there to get him through the night. Credit: Petya Elitch.

The Internet abounds with blogs about Monterey Car Week impressions, or ‘what I did this summer.’ Some are very good indeed. But none are written by a motoring journalist and artist who has worked for Car Life, was an associate editor at Motor Trend, and is the author of ten automotive books. Below, Wallace Wyss of the above description gives us a unique and humorous look at the Monterey Car Week on a motoring scribe’s budget.

By Wallace A. Wyss

Wednesday, August 12th
Leaving a smog-shrouded Los Angeles at Wednesday morning of Monterey Car Week, I toodled northward in a wheezing Geo Metro loaded to the gills with art and memorabilia. My goal was to immerse myself in that heaven-on-earth for exotic car enthusiasts known as Monterey for as many days as I could on as few dollars as I could spend. [Read more…] about Monterey Car Week On a Dollar a Day

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