Recent Comments From Our Readers

We realize that we get many interesting comments from readers which are posted to the article in question but then rarely seen, as the article and the comment section then go to the archives. Plus, we get many emails which are sent directly to the editor at vack@cox.net, but do not get posted under any particular article. Herein then, are some selected comments and emails that we recently received on a variety of subjects and articles.

The GTO and the Hole in the Donut

I have known Larry as a sculptor/artist for many years. To read about his experiences as a race car driver is always fascinating. This one is truly hilarious!
Well done, Larry!
Manijeh Badiozamani

In 1977 I travelled to the USA in search of an IT guy to help with my big European systems project and found Larry, and also discovered a racing driver, sculptor and one of the best raconteurs you’ll ever meet. His experience is so wide he is never at a loss for a yarn, so I am really looking forward to reading the unexpurgated story of his love affair with the GTO. His laconic writing style is a favourite of mine, so despite his American spelling I’m confident his book will prove a great hit with racing fans in the UK.
Brian Halling

As Trooper Thornton said earlier, I could read or listen to your stories for hours at a time – and I have been fortunate to have heard many of Larry’s stories over coffee and a bear claw at our local Panera Bread – which reminds me Larry it is time to schedule our next meeting at The Bread.
Doug Harris

Keep those great stories coming!
Debra Specht

I could read or listen to your stories for hours at a time. You do that great era justice. Don’t stop now!
Trooper Thornton

Only Larry Perkins can come up with a story like this one! Well done Larry!
Jeff Allison

That picture of the GTO on the Pebble Beach tour in 2011 has David Seielstad driving and me in the passenger seat taking a photo. A great run in a GREAT car.
Alan Boe

Absolute vintage stuff — I love it!! And, the writing style is so good — I laughed out loud many times. I know the feelings; so, this piece really hit home! Doc — what a novel, practical way to “rectify” that most uncomfortable curse!
Thank you. George C.

“Sebring” was very big in the late 1950s. Even for those not participating.
For those of us who had sportcars, usually TR3s or MGTFs, it was a long and cold winter.
And insiders in looking forward to the change in season, would utter “when Sebring comes”. Or “Soon it will be Sebring”.
Non-afficionados didn’t get the phrase. Sportscars and cold weather! I think I hold the world’s record for starting an Alfa on a cold morning.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1965. Giulia Spider parked outdoors, and “plugged in” with a rad-hose heater and electric warmer for the battery.
My memory had the temp at 48 below F.
Checked the archive and it was -49, official, no windchill BS.
Bob Hoye

Barossa Vintage Collingrove Hillclimb

Brilliant photos, excellent words. Thanks Vince.
Malcolm Ebel

Wonderful article Vince, well done!
Andrena

How wonderful to see Collingrove again getting some well-deserved exposure. I recall so many good days there in the 1970s and 1980s. There were some very special cars in Adelaide back then – like the Sandford-Morgan Bugatti and the K3 Magnette (gone to Queensland). Thanks Vince!
John Waterhouse

The Cars of Giovanni Savonuzzi

Regarding the “aerodynamica Savonuzzi” with a 1100cc engine: with probably 60-65 HP, it went 200 km per hour. 124.74 miles per hour on 60-65 Hp is serious aerodynamics especially for 1946. See page 105 of Balestra’s book Cisitalia. Obviously Savonuzzi’s aircraft education was equally useful on the ground.
Steve Snyder

Wow, thanks Veloce Today for another very insightful look at yet anther unsung hero. I can never get enough of the bright minds who could put the artistic sensitivity to engineering. That was another excellent article.
Cheers! Nicolas

Pete, this article (Savonuzzi, Designer, Engineer Part 1) shows how interwoven the automotive landscape was in post war Europe. As mentioned, after the war everyone was full of enthusiasm (and thankful to be alive!) and the resulting design and engineering accomplishments of that early post war period speak for themselves. You didn’t mention the Abarth/Porsche Austrian connection, but that is another closely interwoven story that led to the payoff and subsequent release of Dr. Porsche from the French prison and his contract with Cisitalia. I did not know of the Savonuzzi influence on the famous Abarth exhaust, but knowing his aero experience,it is not surprising.

Personal thanks for the picture of the Savonuzzi designed and Massimo Leto de Priolo piloted speedboat world record holder. Massimo was the first owner of a Touring Lamborghini I’ve been able to enjoy for 45 years, and he and his brothers were some of the best “gentleman” drivers of the post war years. He even specified the Lambo with special “low bottom” seats with head rests and chronometer as one-off options. And the Zagato bodied Alfa Giuliettas owe their founding to Massimo and his brothers as well. He and Elio Zagato were good friends and racing partners in the 8V Z Fiats.

Yes, the automotive landscape is definitely interwoven in this period, and Savonuzzi was a major part of the fabric. Thanks, Pete.
Denton

A wonderful article about one of my favorite cars. Thanks for writing/sharing this Pete.

Geoffrey Hacker

Salon Prive at Blenheim Palace

Fessio’s Ferrari: Is that a chin spoiler? Amazing!
Toly Arutunoff

Jonathan Sharp is the best thing that ever happened to VeloceToday!
Charles Meschter

Salon Prive’ is indeed a concours that keeps getting better and better. We are very pleased organizers Andrew and David Bagley have adopted the ICJAG (icy-jag) judging process that focuses on originality and authenticity while recognizing that cars are meant to be driven and motorcycles are meant to be ridden. I am very honored to be President of the Jury for the Salon Prive’ Concours d’Elegance working with Chief Honorary Judge Derek Bell and Chief Judge Adolfo Orsi at beautiful Blenheim Palace.
Ed Gilbertson

Alfa Interchange

Fantastic set!
I never saw a battery-operated version of these tin Sprints
We would love to see a video of the cars moving on the track!
Marc Zebouni

Interesting, these tinplate Giulietta sprints.
For those like me it is … a postcard from the past.
In the 50s and 60s, Japan, together with Germany, had the supremacy on the games of tin, push, friction, with the siren, battery operated, guided wire.
As a child I received many as a gift.
Giovanni Petta

Fabulous set. As a long-time collector of Japanese and German tinplate toy cars (note: I did not say “model cars”, but “toy cars”). I truly appreciate the charm of such (as I quote you) “ungainly” toys. To each his own I guess, but I so prefer such a rendition of the Giulietta, of which tooling was lovingly crafted by Japanese tool makers, unlike the cold and heartless models produced in virtual slavery conditions in China.
Philippe de Lespinay

Albert Sorlini, Visual Poet of the Mille Miglia

I was lucky enough to be able to be able to buy a number of Alfa Romeo 1900 photos direct from Alberto Sorlini a few years before his archives came up for sale at auction in Italy. Fortunately, they remained intact and the archives was bought by Giorgio Nada. I WISH that I had bought more prints for Sorlino direct. Nada will sell them, (100 €uros each) but copyright remains his.
Peter Marshall

Wonderful pictures showing both the Mille Miglia as well as everyday 40s and 50s Italy. On top of racing testimony, they are equally significant for sociological reasons. Thumbs up to Giorgio Nada for making sure this treasure is secured for the future generations. Can’t’ wait to discover them all, after the books already published by Giorgio Nada Editore.
Dimitri Urbain

A fascinating report on an historically important subject. As somebody whose lifelong interest in classic motorsport began with vivid press reports and fleeting newsreels of the Mille Miglia in the fifties, the release online of these historic photographs can’t come soon enough.
Tim Chapman

Somewhere, SOMEWHERE, I have 50? of 16mm color film I took from a ditch on the outside of a medium-fast righthand bend, about 10 miles before Portago’s crash. I remember checking his car number against the movie film to be sure. it’s with several other reels. But WHERE?
Toly Arutunoff

And finally,

Pete,

I’m remiss as I received the Montier’s French Racing Fords booklet and failed to thank you. Thanks for that and for continuing to provide interesting and rare material.
Bill Barker

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