The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
All photos by Alessandro Gerelli at the 2008 Mille Miglia.
Text by Pete Vack
Decorative flowers seemed to be popular this year.
As we have seen, the founders of the Mille Miglia did not intend for the race to be a benefit for Italian manufacturers. [Read more…] about Mille Miglia 2008: Pre-War Italians
 Hamilton Prays for Rain
Massa beneath the layers of Nomex practicing a winner’s gesture. He didn’t get to use it.
By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
Without sounding too much like an old fart, I can remember about ten years ago being a dyed in the wool tifosi praying for rain at Monaco because the Scuderia cars of the early Schumacher era were nothing to write home about and it was the only chance for the red cars to win. [Read more…] about Monaco Grand Prix
We have just learned of the death of Beverly Rae Kimes.
This 125 Monoalbero owned by Gary Kohs was just one of a remarkable collection of MV Agusta tiddlers. Note the wonderful exposed hairpin valve springs. Credit: LoM
Story by Michael T. Lynch
For some, the Legend of the Motorcycle celebration began mid-week as small groups began to depart for the event. More organized was a private MV Agusta group that came up from Los Angeles. [Read more…] about Legend of the Motorcycle 2008
By Brandy Elitch
The first Facel Vega, built in 1954, seen at Monterey last year.
Facel Vega: Le Dernier Astre Francais.
At the end of the second world war, France was destitute and virtually bankrupt. Much of its industrial base was destroyed, as well as the basic infrastructure, such as railway lines, bridges, roads, etc. A socialist government took power, and their tax policies taxes on luxury cars were punitive. [Read more…] about A Look at the Facel Vega
New Ferrari California retains many of the styling themes of the 599, keeping it all in the family.
On May 13th, Ferrari presented their new California, a front engined V8 to the press. Powered by the 4.3 460CV fuel injected engine, it features the now-traditional transaxle with a 7 speed dual clutch transmission, an aluminum body as well as an all aluminum chassis. The new Cal represents the latest in technology from Maranello, and is a package few enthusiasts with enough money will be able to resist.
The Ibrido as featured in Forza magazine.
Rumors of a front-engined V8 Ferrari were circulated last year but the company kept a tight lid on the project. In the meantime, artist Raffi Minasian and Christopher Keller had developed an idea for a front engined V-8 or V-12 Ferrari spyder, but the design incorporated a KERS device to increase gas mileage. [Read more…] about New Ferrari California
All photos by Richard Prince Photography
Bill Noon waves to the photographer, obviously enjoying his run in the A6 1500 Maserati.
The Shell Ferrari Historics traveled to Infineon Raceway on the weekend of May 3-4, the gang was joined by a few old friends who hadn’t had the chance to race yet this year. Bill Noon brought a rare Maserati A6-1500, Tony Schwartz came with an yet unpainted Maserati 200SI, chassis 2401, and Jeff O’Neill in a 250F, number 2527.
By Pete Vack
June 1956, Sport Cars Illustrated, Very Sincerely Yours
Ludvigsen gets behind the wheel of
Gus Andrey’s T61 Maserati for an SCI
track test in the April 1961 issue.
“We can say without a doubt that [Ludvigsen’s article on the Ferrari 750 Monza] is the most exhaustive piece of literature available on Enzo’s fantastic four barrel, and this includes Ferrari factory literature. We guarantee that [our new technical series] will delight even the most sharp-eyed reader.” With that short paragraph, John Christy launched the long and fascinating career of Karl Ludvigsen. Sports Cars Illustrated (later Car and Driver) itself had recently been purchased by Ziff-Davis Publishing Company, intent on capturing the hobby magazine niche with a series of magazines such as Flying, Hi-Fi and Photograph.
[Read more…] about Karl Ludvigsen: His Excellence is Expected
Press Release By RM Auctions
With the countdown underway to this weekend’s much-anticipated Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event,
RM Auctions is excited to announce the inclusion of a race winning 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, s/n 5845GT, to the auction line-up. This ultra-desirable example will be just one of over 45 of the world’s rarest and most sought after road and race Ferraris to cross the block on Sunday 18th May at the legendary Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy.
[Read more…] about RM to Auction 250LM at Maranello
ATS stand at Paris in 1963. Note the hood ridges. Photo by and courtesy of Graham Gauld.
Story by Alessandro Gerelli and Staff
As a member of the group who walked out of Maranello during the great Palace Revolt in November of 1961, Carlo Chiti left Ferrari for good. “I shut the door behind me, forever!” he said.
Obviously a chief engineer like Chiti would never end up on the dole, so it was merely a matter of time before he would find employment. “It was said that the real reason for my leaving [Ferrari] was connected to the birth of ATS [Automobili Turismo e Sport]. This is not true. When I left Ferrari I had no idea what the future had in store for me.”
Bare chassis at Paris. The lattice/space frame construction was extremely rigid. Photo by and courtesy of Graham Gauld.
An ATS 2500GTS, during the Coppa d’ Oro delle Dolomiti for historical cars in 1987. Photo Alessandro Gerelli.
Chiti arrived in ATS and in a very short time was able to design and produce a nice formula one car with a new 90 degree V8 engine, making sure that the design was much different than the 60 degree V6 he had already designed for Ferrari. Chiti told Graham Gauld (writing in his book Modena Racing Memories ) that “…it took five months to design and build the first prototype.” The GT car would boast a 2.5 liter variant of the F1 engine. According to Gauld Chiti stayed under 3 liters because he didn’t want to compete directly with Ferrari in that class.
Through the rear window one could gaze at the V8 engine of the ATS and preceded the 360 Ferrari idea for same by some thirty years. Photo Alessandro Gerelli.
If the team’s first season in Formula 1 was while not the success many had hoped for, it was a bad run, either. In 1963 ATS entered nine races, did not start in three and finished only once, when Hill took 11th and Baghetti came in 15th at Monza.
ATS in fact had a great future. But the money simply dried up, and did so very quickly for a variety of reasons. By May of 1964, when Griff Borgeson visited the factory, there was still hope, all of it now centered around the 2500GT.
But instead of fuel injection of the 360 Ferrari, the ATS engine had four Webers which could be seen through the rear window. Photo Alessandro Gerelli.
The ATS 2500 GT (the racing version was the ATS 2500 GTS) was presented at 1963 Geneva Motor Show. If not radical it was certainly more advanced that most Gran Turismos of the era. The engine was mounted longitudinally just behind the driver’s back, there was a very rigid tubular frame, independent suspension and rear inboard disc brakes.
Thomas McGough owns this rare and original ATS, chassis 2003.
The engine had a capacity of 2.5 liters; the GT sported two 42mm Webers, the GTS four 42 mm Webers. The GT was rated at about 210 bhp and 250 bhp for the GTS. A ZF five speed transmission was available on the street car, and a Colotti designed crash box was fitted to the GTS.
Spare wheel takes up all of the front boot space. Photo Alessandro Gerelli.
In May, Borgeson had been lucky enough to get a ride and a quick drive in a GTS which was shortly to be shipped to Bill Mitchell, head of GM;s styling department. Borgeson’s report appeared in the September 1964 issue of Road & Track.
McGough’s car has the original leather upholstery which shows its age of forty five years. Photo Alessandro Gerelli.
Teodoro Zeccoli took Borgeson on an electrifying ride down Via Pila and the outskirts of Bologna. “Zeccoli turned in a performance of dazzling skill and virtuosity. Thank to that and to the absolute perfection of the car’s performance in every way, I have never felt safer in a car at high speed nor have I been more impressed.”
The two covers of the engine bay fold out like the DeTomaso Mangusta. Photo Alessandro Gerelli.
The body, designed by the great Franco Scaglione and built by Allemano was very aerodynamic. The car was very light: 810 kilos for the road version and only 750 for the GTS. The top speed was of 240 km/h and 250 km/h respectively.
The ATS 2500 GTS appeared in a few endurance races: the debut was in the Targa Florio of 1964 with Baghetti and Frescobaldi and a second car with Zeccoli and Gardi. Plans to enter the car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans were scrapped as the car did not reach the circuit because of custom problems at the border.
It was also entered in the 12 Hours of Reims with Zeccoli / Cabral, but did not start.
In 1965 there were a few non-official entrances in endurance and hill climb races, without significant results.
The production was very limited: only 16 chassis were built. The number of the cars really produced and delivered was even less. The production stopped in 1964.
Photos by Alessandro Gerelli
Delahaye 135M of 1937: a 2-seater roadster by Figoni & Falaschi (winner of a BMW trophy at the 2008 Villa d’Este concours).