VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Wilton House Part 2

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1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 ‘Testa Fissa’ meaning fixed head in this instance refers to the engine in that the block and cylinder head are all of a piece. Purchased new by British racing driver Sir Ronald Stewart and then raced at Brooklands by Land Speed Record holder Captain George Eyston, who it is believed designed the Leadbetter Coachworks-built aerodynamic body. Sold abroad, the bodywork became separated from the chassis but survived, allowing it to be reunited with the original chassis many years later.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

I thought, as it features quite heavily in the background of some of the photos, that I should perhaps give you a bit of history about Wilton House itself before we delve into what’s in the driveway and on the grass.

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Expedition Michèle Ray and the Renault R4

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Four beautiful girls, two R4s, and an expedition the length of the Western Hemisphere leave a trail of broken hearts… From the Archives, April 2011

By Roberto Motta

Photos Courtesy of Renault Communications

Renault R4 has allowed generations of drivers the opportunity to take up the challenge of motorsports and to see the world at the same time. This tough little car competed in the 1962 East African Safari Rally (finishing fifth in class), the Monte Carlo Rally, the Expedition Michèle Ray, and the tough 1980 Paris-Dakar, all with success, proving that despite its ungainly looks, it was both reliable and versatile.

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Wilton House Concours 2026

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Wilton House

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

I have to say that I was feeling just a bit jaded as it has been so very busy this season, but I decided that I really should attend the first running of the ‘Concours des Legendes’ being held in the grounds of Wilton House just outside Salisbury Wiltshire, the ancestral home for more than 400 years of the Earl of Pembroke, and boy was I glad I did.

As the Earl says in his welcome message in the event daily newspaper “The concept behind this event has been a vision of mine for over a decade. I’ve always felt that the greatest cars deserve more than to be admired simply for their aesthetic. They deserve to have their stories told.”

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Little Things Mean a Lot

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By Pete Vack

“Back in 2015, VeloceToday’s editor Pete Vack came searching for that fellow Diggens, and in particular an illustration of Jean-Pierre Wimille. Seems that he remembered my work for the British magazine, Thoroughbred and Classic Cars. And that was many years ago, in the 1970s!” – Rodney Diggens

From this relationship developed a three-part series about Rodney’s life in the UK, published in 2024, from growing up in London during the Blitz, to becoming a very well known artist, to working with the great team at T&CC.

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Classic Panoramic Headgear

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Assuredly stiloso and with an exceptional product association; a 1970s safety helmet that owes its design inspiration to an iconic rally car. Image from Stellantis Media.

Many years…oh, say about 15…Simon Grand submitted a few good stories about life in Turin, where he was living and working for Fiat. Well, he still remembered VeloceToday, and recently sent us this interesting article about the Stratos Helmet. We didn’t forget Simon either, and we are happy to republish this article from Simon’s new Substack column, The Crafted Car.

By Simon Grand

Far from being merely an item of protective headgear, safety helmets are intimate to wear and, one can safely assume, purchased on the merits of their design and image as well as for the level of protection they provide. A mask, a glossy and imposing technical facade that represents our outward ‘face’ whilst riding a motorcycle or driving a racing car; Daft Punk have cultivated much of their image based on headgear that affords anonymity and projects a futuristic, humanoid aesthetic.

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About Time: Rodney Diggen’s Art

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Gouache of Alberto Ascari Ferrari 500 British GP 1953.

Maybe we’ve done this backwards. Not the first time and we try to avoid it. But in the past months, Rodney and the editor have revealed to the readers a life of excitement, danger and art. We said he was an artist who worked for Thoroughbred and Classic Cars magazine, and we told of how the magazine was founded by Lionel Burrell and edited by Michael Bowler.

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24 Hours of Le Mans 2026, Hypercars

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The three-time defending champions, representing the hopes of the Maranello firm thanks to the 499P, which is already making its fourth participation.

Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

This latest edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans posed a crucial question: would Ferrari achieve a fourth consecutive victory, following the wins of the #51 in 2023, the #50 in 2024, and the #83 last year?

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24 Hours of Le Mans, LMGT3 and LMP2

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The #74 of Kessel Racing for Blattner, Marschall and Lorenzo Patrese, another son of a former Grand Prix driver placed 9th at Le Mans.

Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

For the 2026 edition, 25 LMGT3s were entered, including the 18 competing in the full WEC championship. This represents nine manufacturers involved: Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.

In the first two rounds of the WEC, McLaren particularly stood out, narrowly missing victory at Imola in the final hour due to a mechanical failure, but winning at Spa.

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