VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Balancing the Lancia V4

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The Lambda was the first in a long line of narrow angle V4 Lancias. Did the V4 generate more vibration than the standard four? And how were they balanced? Geoff Goldberg wanted to know. Photo by Jonathan Sharp

By Pete Vack with Geoff Goldberg and Jonathan Sharp

From the VeloceToday Archives, August 2021

NOTE: To order either of Geoff Goldberg’s books and avoid confusion, go directly to the author at gg@g2a2.com. He will provide the method best for you and apply the VeloceToday discount.

The display of Lancia Lambdas at the London Classic was a wonderful outing for this rare Lancia. In a serendipitous moment, while ace photographer Jonathan Sharp was snapping at every Lambda he could, back in Chicago Geoffrey Goldberg emailed and asked if we would like a copy of his latest publication, a booklet entitled Balancing the Lancia V4. Since the Lambda was the first production V4, a good opportunity.

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Frank Lance: Lonestar Mechanic Part 9

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Indianapolis, May 1967. Delayed during qualifying, Frank Lance and A.J. Foyt are in the process of installing a new magneto in Foyt’s Coyote/Ford. [Photo Frank Lance Collection]

Story by Willem Oosthoek

With John Mecom winding down his racing program, Frank Lance left the Mecom team at the end of 1966, but he had fond memories of his time there.

Frank: “In 1966 Mecom flew in some of his company people, as well as my wife Carolyn, to see the Indianapolis 500. His company airplane was a four-engine Lockheed Electra. They flew up just for the day, and flew back to Houston that night, after celebrating Graham Hill’s win in the Mecom Lola. I got to see Carolyn for a few minutes before the race and for a couple of hours afterward. I had been away from her for the whole month. Carolyn had a seat in the stands behind the pits, with all of the drivers’ wives. I thought it was very thoughtful of Mecom to include her on that trip to Indy. By 1967 the theaters would show the race in closed circuit. My mother came up to Houston to help Carolyn with the kids, and they all went to see the race there in Houston. This was the first time my mother ever got to see what it was that I was doing for a living.

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American Etceterini: Scanning the PBX

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The PBX and other H Mod racers at Lime Rock Park.

Story by Sean Smith

Santo Spadaro saw Orrie Simko in the PBX buzzing around the A and B paddocks at the 2021 Lime Rock Historics and asked if he could take it for a spin. Just driving it around the infield was a blast. Santo came back from his ride. He was interested. He loved the history, the car had Italian components that gave it extra interest, and Candy was a mechanic/racer similar to Santo. He was hooked. It was the perfect fit. This way, the PBX would stay in the VSCCA and be raced and not hidden away where no one would see it and get to appreciate it. For Orrie Simko and Jeb Ebbott, finding the PBX a new and understanding caretaker in Santo Spadaro was a privilege.

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Dibdin’s 3D Printer Keeps OSCA Going

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How to keep an OSCA MT1500 TN on the road…


Story and photos by Sean Smith

From the VeloceToday Archives, November 2019

Steven Dibdin had been working flat out for a startup company in Brooklyn and was rather burned out; he wasn’t sure if he wanted to work for someone else, and anyway he had an idea for a new company. He went over to White Plains, NY, and asked Santo Spadaro of Dominick’s European car repair https://dominick-european-car-repair.business.site/ if he thought the idea was viable. Santo thought for a minute and came back with “Do you think you can make one of these?” It was a twin spark rotor arm for an OSCA. The honest reply was “I think so.” And behold, a 3D printed OSCA distributor rotor became the first project for Steven’s new company,

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Jim Sitz: Faces ’57

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Behold the art of Jim Sitz, an 18-year-old Californian who was already steeped in racing knowledge and an expert photographer when arrived in Europe in the summer of that magical, epochal, dangerous year of 1957. Sitz was not wealthy, but worked and saved for two years in order to afford the trip that would change his life forever. And after 67 years his photographs and memories are still enriching our lives.

We have assembled a portrait gallery of fourteen of the greatest race drivers of the era, adding Jim’s personal recollections including his first-hand report of Fangio’s German Grand Prix. Also herein are Jean Behra, Mike Hawthorn, Luigi Musso, Stirling Moss, Peter Collins, Oliver Gendebien, Ron Flockhart, Archie Scott Brown, Masten Gregory, Wolfgang von Trips, Phil Hill, Harry Schell and Ken Miles.

Story and photos by Jim Sitz

Lead Photo: Masten Gregory (29 February 1932 – 8 November 1985) sitting in the Testa Rossa prototype before the 1957 Swedish 6 Hour on August 11 where the car was retired with gearbox failure. A week earlier at the Nurburgring I joked with him, saying he’d should be very careful and that I’d seen him spin his C type Jag at March Field in 1953. “Oh God, you mean you were there?” he replied. [Read more…] about Jim Sitz: Faces ’57

American Etceterini: The PBX Goes Racing

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One of the first pictures taken of Candy and the unpainted PBX before it went racing. Credit Poole collection.

By Sean Smith

The PBX was also punching above its class. Some of its victories were against cars with twice the displacement. Candy was an excellent driver, but he was also a great tactician. He didn’t just arrive and drive. When he went to a track, he came with multiple differentials with ratios from 6.0 to 4.875. He would match them with multiple sets of wheels 12”, 13”, 14” right up to 15”, depending on the length and grade of the course. Candy also added a jack to the front springs, allowing him to dial more spring tension and dial it out as needed. The same went for the rear. The differential acted as an anti-roll bar, and depending on how he adjusted the radius arms and upper control arms, he could get more stiffness in the rear. That way, he could totally control the front and rear handling dynamic and make the car completely neutral.

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Frank Lance, Lonestar Mechanic, Part 8

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Galveston, Summer of 1966. Frank Lance next to one of John Mecom’s Lola T70s. Although Galveston was not an important race, the car was entered for George Follmer since Mecom liked to support his hometown events. Afterward the crew would have a party at John’s apartment at the Galveston Yacht Club. No, your eyes are not going bad, the face is a bit blurred int the original photograph. [Photo: Frank Lance Collection]

Story by Willem Oosthoek

After a year with Shelby American, the lack of insight in the future with the Ford program after the Le Mans disaster made Frank Lance return to his previous employer, John Mecom in Houston. Little did he know what a success story the Fords would become at Le Mans in 1966 and 1967. He rejoined the Mecom Racing Team in July 1965.

Frank: “When I got back to Mecom’s I never saw the Hussein. I didn’t know where it was. It was not in the shop. The Lola Mk 6 Coupe wasn’t there either. John didn’t keep his old race cars for long. All that was present at the time were two Lolas T70.”

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2023 Freddie March Spirit of Aviation

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Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

The 2023 Freddie March Spirit of Aviation (as differentiated from the Freddie March Memorial Race for automobiles) was again held as part of the Goodwood Revival on September 13th. For VeloceToday, this is not a time sensitive event, and allows us to publish this unusual article at any time. And time just flies by…

Whilst it would be very easy for a UK-based aviation event to fill a whole airfield with warbirds of the fighter and bomber variety, it is the mix of aircraft found at Goodwood that makes the Freddie March event so special. [Read more…] about 2023 Freddie March Spirit of Aviation

American Etceterini: Genesis of a Champion

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The PBX racing at Brynfan Tyddyn courtesy of The Old York Road Club Collection.

Story by Sean Smith

Shelby, Balchowsky, Poole. We all know about Carroll Shelby modifying a diminutive English roadster, sticking an American V8 under the bonnet, and taking on the racing world. Many might have heard the legend of Max Balchowsky, who took a plethora of parts sourced from the junkyard, dropped in Buick V8 nailhead engine and beat the best of Europe with some of the most significant racing drivers of the time behind the wheel.

But how many can say they know of Candy Poole and the PBX? [Read more…] about American Etceterini: Genesis of a Champion

Frank Lance, Lonestar Mechanic Part 7

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Le Mans, June 1965. Saturday 4 PM and in front of a full house, the always spectacular Le Mans-type start. The white Maserati Tipo 65 of Jo Siffert makes the fastest getaway, but up front the Fords manage good starts as well, with Chris Amon [#2], Bob Bondurant [#7] and Bruce McLaren [#1] on the move. [Photo by Flip Schulke, Willem Oosthoek Collection]

By Willem Oosthoek All photos by Henri Beroul [Willem Oosthoek Collection], unless stated otherwise.

After the GT40 successes at Daytona and Sebring in early 1965, it was time to concentrate on the June Le Mans 24 Hours, for which a test weekend was scheduled in April.

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Gauld Visits Aladdin’s Motor Sport Cave

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Story and photos by Graham Gauld

Most of the finest motor sport collections and museums are well known, but this is one I first heard about a few years ago now thanks to the late Adrian Hamilton who, with his father Duncan Hamilton, ran a successful garage business which specialized in buying and selling racing and sports cars in Hampshire, England.

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