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auto museums

Three Alfa Romeo 2.9s in America

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Win a Premium Subscription to VeloceToday if you can who can tell us exactly when and where this photo was taken, and prove it. Photo by Jerry Lehrer.

By Pete Vack

Alfa Romeo 2.9 S/N 412014 Halley’s Comet

Frank Cantanzariti, he of the above placard, was reportedly in the electronics business and lived on Partridge Rd, Cornwall-On-Hudson, Newburgh, New York, about 40 miles north of New York City. Very little is known about him today, and though his business and life may have been exemplary, his main claim to fame via the internet may be that for one shining year circa 1952, Mr. Cantanazariti owned this fabulous Alfa 2.9. Furthermore, he had it on display at the 1952 or 1953 New York Auto show, where it was photographed by Jerry Lehrer. Mr. Cantanzariti put about a 1000 miles on the car, making a grand total of 16000 miles before selling it to Mike Garber via Zumbachs’ in New York.

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History at the Italian National Motor Museum

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Mariella Mengozzi, the new Director of the Italian National Motor Museum with Graham Gauld.

Story by Graham Gauld

I am sure that when most readers see the word “Museum” they shudder and move on. But wait a minute, times have changed and with modern communications, the whole concept of museums and how they should serve the public has changed enormously.

This is why the Italian National Motor Museum in Turin is justly proud of the fact that it is one of just 50 museums, of all types and persuasions, nominated by the London Times as one of the finest in the world. [Read more…] about History at the Italian National Motor Museum

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu Part 1

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Come on in, we are going to show you the neatest Museum in all of the UK.

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

Museo dell’ Automobile Part 1: The Car and the XXth Century

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For about ten years, the Isotta-Fraschini was perhaps the world’s most refined car, a rival of Rolls-Royce’s and Hispano-Suiza’s models as the status symbol chosen by the celebrities of the hour. This one on display features a splendid example of the torpedo body designed by Castagna of Milan.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

History

Rare document from the Museo prior to its official opening and before the death of Carlo Biscaretti in 1959.

After dropping our bags in our super nice room in the Lingotto Hotel, (See part 1) we decided to go straight to the nearby Museo dell’Automobile. I was afraid my wife Jose would stay behind, but she came along and later said that “To my amazement I really enjoyed it. Usually I go and sit in the coffee shop or sit in the car and read a book – not this time.”
[Read more…] about Museo dell’ Automobile Part 1: The Car and the XXth Century

The Alfa 8C2900 Experience

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By Alan Yankolonis

In preparation for the 100th birthday of Alfa Romeo, the staff at the Simeone Foundation brought out the famous 8C 2900. This car is the “crème de la crème” of Alfa Romeo race cars; the 1938 8C2900B MM serial #412031 which won the 1938 Mille Miglia. Of the five original Mille Miglia cars only two remain intact and restored to the 1938 configuration (Simeone Museum & Ralph Lauren’s). There are two others that have been extensively modified with different body styles and chassis changes and look nothing like the Mille Miglia cars; the last car was the Le Mans coupe that had been reconfigured from the 1938 Mille Miglia Spider and is now in the Alfa Romeo Museum. (see Mike Sparken)

What’s nice about this author’s job at the Foundation is working on the cars. What is really great is that the Foundation’s collection focuses on sport racing cars that have two seats. In this case, one for the author and another for curator Kevin… who did the driving “chores”.

The staff at the Simeone out in the Alfas. Alan is in the 8C2300 in this shot.

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