The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
1953 DB racer
Story by Eric Davison
Photos courtesy Dale Powers
From the Archives, December 2016
Read Part 1
Read Part 2
Read Part 3
Over the course of his life Dale Powers searched out, owned, repaired, restored and driven too many cars to be either recorded or described. They have included, Jaguars, including an SS100, Porsches, Fiats, a Sprint car or two, MGs and just about anything else that is interesting.” What an automotive life!
Dale and his very special 4 1/4 sports racing Bentley posed with the motor home that took him and Marcia to vintage events around America.
Story by Eric Davison
Photos courtesy Dale Powers
From the Archives, December 2016
Vintage racing was an activity ideally perfect for Dale Powers. He joined the SVRA in 1978; his membership is #9. In 1978 vintage racing was a great place for those who had dreams of being Stirling Moss, and magnificent old race cars were available on the cheap.
By Pete Vack
From the VeloceToday Archives, June 2013
“I have to say, that despite all, I liked Erwin Goldschmidt.” Cameron Argetsinger had the opportunity to know the flying Allard driver better than most others. In fact, it was Argetsinger who gave Goldschmidt the opportunity to race at Watkins Glen.
Come on in, we are going to show you the neatest Museum in all of the British Isles.
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
It’s funny; I have driven, and flown hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles to visit various car museums, shows and race meetings around the world, and yet I had not visited the National Motor Museum (also known as the Beaulieu) less than two hours west of my home on England South Coast, for nearly 20 years.
The National Motor Museum is located in Beaulieu Hampshire deep in heart of the New Forest. The museum was founded by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu in 1952; I will tell you a little bit more about Lord Montagu in part two. I have dim memories of visiting Beaulieu with my parents during the late 1960s before holidaying on the nearby Isle of Wight. Those memories are rather less about the cars then on display and more of the monorail built around the grounds and the replica veteran London bus that one could take a ride on, both of which are still part of the Museum today. [Read more…] about The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu Part 1
LeMay, center, with Frank Burrell on his left, looking over the Warner J2X. Courtesy Barry Burrell.
By Eric Davison
In Part 1 of the Frank Burrell story, Davison tells us how Burrell was Cadillac’s secret weapon, the guy behind the scenes, modifying and supplying Cadillac engines to race car mechanics and owners. And here the plot thickens, as Burrell meets another Allard enthusiast, one General Curtis LeMay and moves on to GM.
Yet another Allard owner and friend of Frank Burrell was General Curtis B. LeMay. LeMay was an Allard owner and he was directed to Burrell after he made inquiries to Cadillac about achieving more performance in his J2X.
Burrell receives his award after placing 8th overall at Sebring in 1950 with Fred Wacker. Burrell rarely raced, but did well when he did! Courtesy Barry Burrell.
While LeMay did not drive himself, he was known to get grease under his fingernails in preparation. During his ownership period, Fred Warner drove his car in several events.
Wacker with the Burrell-prepared Allard at Watkins Glen. Frank Burrell is standing behind Wacker's right shoulder.
By Eric Davison
All photo courtesy of Barry Burrell and the Allard Register
Eric Davison, who originally hails from the Detroit area, witnessed the birth of sports car racing from a unique perspective; his father was an early SCCA member who traveled to Watkins Glen every year with his son, driving exciting cars like the drop dead gorgeous British Squire. Davison has not only written a series of eight chapters on those years for VeloceToday, but continually brings us new and interesting stories about the pioneers of the sports car movement.
While we are all familiar with the use of Cadillac engines in the Cunningham cars at Le Mans, the famous Cad Allards and the Frick Vignales, little is known of Cadillac’s behind the scenes involvement with the sport, encouraged by the team of Ed Cole, Harry Barr and the subject of this article, Frank Burrell. With the help of Frank’s son Barry, Davison traces the little-known involvement of GM’s Cadillac division which was looking for ways to bring the excitement of speed to their flagship luxury car. [Ed.] [Read more…] about Frank Burrell and the Cad-Allard Part 1 of 2
Del Lee's Allard, which he would give up in order to get a Bugatti. Photo by Eric Davison.
By Eric Davison
I am about to do something that on one should ever do: That is to repeat a story once told by a legendary story teller.
The late David E. Davis told this tale many years ago. He may go down in history as one of the great story tellers of all time and that is a tough act to follow. Since he is no longer around I think it is my responsibility to keep this bit of lore going. The story involves two men who have been part of earlier stories that I have related and is just too unforgettable to let fade. Both parties were friends of David E. who watched the following drama unfold when he was a young salesman at Falvey Motors.
Lee in his Bugatti Type 37 which would later be determined to be a T35. Photo by Harold Lance.