The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Delahaye 135 body as it appeared for sale in 1981.
As Found Classic Number Twenty Five
See all https://velocetoday.com/as-found-classics/
By Alden Giddings
It has been a while for an “As Found” and I think you will find the following worthy. Please note that I absolutely will not sell the body, please don’t ask. I am however very willing to talk with anyone who has actual knowledge that may pertain to this body.
While VeloceToday and Jim Sitz have been concentrating on remembering Phil Hill’s Championship year, we should not be neglecting America’s other Formula 1 World Champion, Mario Andretti.* (Read Who’s the Greatest, Andretti or Hill.) Andretti is renowned as perhaps the most versatile racer of all time, he was named “Driver of the Century” by the Associated Press in 2000, and is one of only two drivers to have won races in Formula 1, IndyCar, the World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR. Luckily, Jonathan Sharp ran into Andretti at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, July 8-11. Take it from here, Jon!
Story and photos Jonathan Sharp
I have been ever so luck over the years to be able to grab shots of many a great driver, both ancient and modern; dear old Sir Stirling and Il Grande John Surtees, Sir Jackie and Derek Bell. But when I read in the press releases that Mario Andretti was to be honoured at this year’s Festival I did feel a certain buzz of excitement and anticipation.
Rare color image of Ascari at the Brickyard in 1952, courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
From the VeloceToday Archives, May, 2012
During the month of May and the Indy 500, it’s appropriate to think about two events, Monaco and the Indy 500. Most of us are probably very aware of the appearance at Indy of Alberto Ascari in 1952 and the broken wheel which ended his drive. However, more obscure are the other Ferrari entries that continued for some years after the 1952 event. Below Roberto Motta puts it all together in two parts with the help of images from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. [Ed.]
By Roberto Motta
Photos courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ferrari’s attempts at “The Brickyard” began in 1952, but continued in subsequent years until 1956, with the last Ferrari Bardahl Experimental car. The results were never encouraging, partly because of a lack of preparation and commitment. Perhaps Ferrari did not take the unique and difficult requirements racing at the Indy 500 as seriously as was warranted. [Read more…] about Andretti’s Hero…at Indy!
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
I had no intention of visiting the Stonor Supercar Sunday event on July 4th until I reread the press release a few days before the event. Note to self, next time read the whole press release when you get it; note to the writer of press releases, best put the important bit (in my mind anyway) earlier in the release.
It is great that Ferrari 250 GTEs are no longer being made into something they are not.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Whilst it was the Alfa 8Cs (see story) I went to see on July 4th, there was a lot more to this year’s Stonor Supercar Sunday. Co-sponsor of the event, Bremont watches brought along a FW41 F1 car to celebrate its recent tie in with the Williams Grand Prix team, around which was surrounded by a large crowd for most of the day.
Phil Hill, World Champion. 60 years ago this week Phil entered the British Grand Prix for Ferrari. We celebrate his championship year. Photo of Phil Hill at the LA Times Grand Prix by Jim Sitz courtesy IMRRC.
Jim Sitz’s first tribute to Phil Hill, Jim Sitz Remembers Phil Hill was published on June 14 and received a great number of very complimentary comments. Jim’s recollections and insights illuminate a rarely seen side of the champion. This week, as we celebrate the British Grand Prix (held on July 15, 1961) of Hill’s championship year, Sitz recalls seeing Hill at Torrey Pines and Sebring, 1956 as both gain in stature in their respective careers. [Read more…] about Jim Sitz Remembers Phil Hill Part 2
Bandini Dora by Giugiaro, 2020
By Alessandro Gerelli
text by Staff
Last week Alessandro Gerelli sent us his report on the MILANO MONZA Auto, held on 10-13 June 2021, a unique event in which spectators walked from the Piazza San Babila to the Castello Sforzesco while viewing the latest in supercars, hypercars, and regular production cars. For this second MIMO feature, we highlight a couple of the cars that seemed interesting. The first was the Pambuffetti, which is striking even among today’s hypercars. [Read more…] about Milano Monza Auto show, Part 2
Bugatti Chiron Supersport
Story and photos by Alessandro Gerelli
Milano Monza Auto (MIMO) is an event that has been on the agenda for a few years, involving Milano and the circuit of Monza with displays and testing of cars and motor bikes.
The pandemic compelled the organizers to review the program, concentrating the car exposition outside in the city center of Milano where they were on display for the public; the tests on the road and driving on the Monza circuit were invitation only. [Read more…] about Milano Monza Auto 2021
Some lesser known items from the Porsche Museum
By Graham Gauld
We live in an age where we have created almost an obsession about electric powered cars, but the concept is not new. Over one hundred and twenty one years ago at the 1900 Paris Expo the German coachbuilding company Lohner exhibited the Lohner-Porsche Mixed Hybrid. It was a car developed by their 24-year-old engineer Ferdinand Porsche who had joined the company with no particular qualifications as an engineer but who, from an early age, had been fascinated by electricity and electric power.
Letting loose in the Delage.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
After missing 2020 for the usual reason, the London Classic Car show was back for 2021 and took place June 25 – 27. Not at the London Excel exhibition center as before, but in West London at Syon Park, and out in the open! [Read more…] about London Classic Car Show, 2021
Story by Brandes Elitch
“There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell them” – Louis Armstrong
Why would a person in their fifties, sixties, or seventies still collect model cars, spending perhaps hundreds of dollars on an individual model? Well, if I have to explain it to you, this quote from Louis Armstrong is right on the money.
Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? Collecting is so widespread that there is even a “psychology of collecting,” which says that “this allows people to relive their childhood, and connect themselves to a period or time that they feel strongly about.” Collecting “helps people to relieve insecurity and anxiety about losing a part of themselves and to keep the past to continue to exist in the present.” Someone once said that collectors have “a genetic defect.” These comments are beyond psychobabble – they are nonsense, of course.
