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
Other Italians 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.
Sebring 1960: John and Jack Win the Index
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Monterey Car Week On a Dollar a Day
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
European Grand Prix
Kimi Raikkonen
BRAWN BACK ON TOP
by Erik C. Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
Don’t stick a fork in them. Contrary to some members of the press singing lyrics to Monty Python musicals, Brawn GP is not dead yet. [Read more…] about European Grand Prix