The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Mike Lowe & Lindsay Lyons 1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato, Tour, Vic Pk turn 5.
Story and photos by Vince Johnson
Local and interstate crews and their cars were back in the South Australian capital November 24-27 for the Shannons Adelaide Rally. Along with the untimed Tour groups, all were looking forward to three days of closed road stages, hill-climbs, an auto-test and a circuit sprint.
Intro by the Editor
Gijsbert-Paul Berk once described for us his first adventure in mobility. “A Bugatti Type 40 was discovered by one of my friends in the port of Rotterdam, where it was used as a tractor. The car was in a sorry state and looked tatty and tired. I knew that it would need a complete restoration. But I was young and could do a lot of the work myself with the help of a few friends.” It served him well, providing him with a great deal of experience as well as a distinctive means of transportation.
Today, at 92, Gijsbert is still getting around, although no longer via Bugatti. He has something much more up to date. [Read more…] about The Gift of Mobility
A true story of giving from Dick Ruzzin
At a recent car show I was about to get into my car and leave when a woman and a boy about seven walked over to me. We spoke briefly about my car and then she asked if I had time to take her son for a ride. She explained that she was an engineer and that she was trying to acquaint him with different kinds of cars. She thought mine was special and their favorite car in the show. She said that she would really appreciate it. Of course I could not turn down such a heartfelt request. [Read more…] about Tom Goes for a Ride
Ettore Chimeri and his 250TR. Is there a problem or is he just showing off the car to the local constabulary?
Story by Willem Oosthoek
Photos by Bob Jackson and Bob Bellows [Willem Oosthoek Collection]
Fantasy Football anyone? Oooops, wrong site. How about your fantasy road race? In my case, no need to fantasize since it actually happened way back in 1959, when the Nassau Speed Weeks took place from November 27 to December 7. The event that gets my vote would be the Speed Weeks-ending feature for the Nassau Trophy.
Standing by the Stanguellini Ala d’Oro is the photographer’s wife, Leah Adams.
A note. We are working on a multi-part story on the restoration of Howard Banaszak’s Stanguellini 750 Bialbero (read Part 1) which will continue in January with some amazing news. In the meantime, we remembered this article about the Stanguellini Museum from 2003, and asked Howard if he had any updated photos that we could use to illustrate it. He referred us to his nephew, Rob Adams, a British car enthusiast who visited the factory recently. Photos thus ensued and will keep the fires burning on the Stanguellini front.
Story by Lorenzo Marchesini
Photos by Rob Adams
Situated in Northern Italy at the foot of the Apennine mountains, Modena is located about 15 miles west of Bologna. Modena is famous for the Italian Military Academy, a centuries old University, numerous churches and piazzas and of course as the epicenter of “Motor Valley”. As in most of Italy, the Modenese are fond of their wines, in particular Lambrusco, and their cuisine. It was here that the famous “tortellini” was invented.
Stanguellini's Ala d'Oro bodied Fiat 1100. Photo by Graham Gauld.
From the VeloceToday Archives, March 2012. Some time ago, reader Bill Spear emailed a photo taken from Life magazine back in the 1950s. We don’t know when or where the photo was taken but he had no idea what the car is or who built it. So of course he sent it to us. But after that was published, we hear more about this post war classic Stanguellini.
1980 Citroen CX2400 Pallas, 1973 DS23 Pallas and in the center, a rare 1960 Panhard PL17 Relmax in the French section.
Story and photos by Paul Blank
On the last Sunday of November each year, Perth, in Western Australia, becomes a focus for classic car enthusiasts with the Celebration of the Motorcar show. Held since 1993, the event encompasses classic, prestige and exotic cars, exhibited by invitation. The curated displays are by marque or country of origin.
Held in the grounds of an old mansion overlooking the Indian Ocean and now owned by the local shire, the exhibition includes 150 cars.
Review by Pete Vack
Order from publisher: https://www.crowood.com/products/alfa-romeo-alfasud-by-chris-martin
Alfasud The Complete Story
176 pages, Hardcover $25-35 on Amazon
Crowood Publishing, UK
By Chris Martin
Chris Martin’s new book, Alfasud, the complete story, answers a lot of questions that begin with ‘why.’
Why was the Alfasud necessary?
Why was it designed by Rudolf Hruska?
Why was it not built at Arese?
Why was it built in Naples?
Why were there so many problems with the labor force and factory?
What was unique about the design?
Why were the Russians blamed for the rust problems?
Was it a success? [Read more…] about Alfasud The Complete Story, Reviewed
Abarth 1000 Sport
Photos by Alessandro Gerelli
Text by Staff
Recently longtime VeloceToday contributor Alessandro Gerelli had a chance to take in the annual AutoClassica show in Milan, which ran from November 16-20 at the Fiera Milano. The show offers a large exhibition of cars for all tastes and of all eras including Youngtimers to keep the younger generations excited about the history of the automobile.
Nicolini on the grid.
From the VeloceToday Archives June 2012
Photos by: Roberto Motta, “Alfa Romeo Automobilismo Storico, Centro Documentazione (Arese, Milano)” and Carrozzeria Cristallo di Castelnovo Vicentino
The Alfasud still divides fans into two categories: the admirers and detractors. The first recall the unique engine, advanced suspension, driving pleasure and exuberant performance. For all of its faults, the new Alfasud was a brilliant design and always fun to drive. But many others objected to the dramatic changes that were reflected by the coming of the Alfasud: a new factory in Naples, (in the Mezzogiorno!) a new chief engineer (Viennese Rudolf Hruska) and a completely different engineering and marketing philosophy (an inexpensive front wheel drive sedan).
Warming up for the 1000 Miglia.
Last time we heard from Joe Hurwich was when he returned from the 2021 Mille Miglia and the Gran Premio Nuvolari in Italy where he drove his superb Aston Martin. Last month, he caught the Mille Miglia event right here in the good ol’ U.S., where the organizers set up a Mille Miglia warm up event in Northern Virginia. They figure if you and your car can do 500 miles here, doing the 1000 miles in Italy is feasible. Joe took from his stable a more comfortable car this time, and Alfa to boot. -Ed.
By Joe Hurwich
Photos courtesy 1000 Miglia/@stefanoguindani@sgpitalia1000 Miglia
and Joe Hurwich
In October 2022, I shipped my 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS to my cousins’ house in Bethesda, Maryland and then drove the 50 miles to the start of the 1000 Miglia Warm Up in Middleburg, VA on October 18th.
