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Hershey 2024 by Brandes Elitch

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1960 Imperial

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

In this brief column, I would like to introduce you to two organizations that are worth getting to know: the Antique Automobile Club of America, and the Society of Automotive Historians.

The AACA is the largest car club in the world, and the Eastern Fall Meet in Hershey is the largest car event in the world. The club was founded in 1935. In 1955 a new group petitioned the club to become a region. This became the Hershey Region, and the first Fall Meet was held then. Things started slowly, but by 1965 there were 1100 cars registered for the show and 35,000 visitors. They were just getting started, and by 1979 over 5000 spaces in the swap meet were filled.

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The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2024

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Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Lon Price unless otherwise noted

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, was started by Gordon McCall way back in 2003. I have said before in these columns, and it bears repeating, there are two people responsible for creating this wonderful week in August in Monterey: Gordon, for this show and for the Jet Center show, and Steve Earle, for creating the Monterey Historic Automobile Race since 1974, as a way for his friends to exercise their old racecars at Laguna Seca. Every car enthusiast who comes to Monterey in August owes a debt of gratitude to these two men whose genius (and luck) created this ecosystem. Gordon is still in charge of entrant selection for this show. [Read more…] about The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2024

More from Pebble Beach 2024

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1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports shown by The Pearl Collection/Fritz Burkard, Zug, Switzerland

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

“This is the only car show where a simple millionaire can beat the billionaires.”-Jay Leno

Car Week, and particularly the show at Pebble Beach, is a spectacle that every car person must experience at least once in their life, if they are lucky. Last year I had the privilege of walking the show with someone who came all the way from Australia for this experience. We met each other for the first time while walking in, and we spent five hours together walking the show – a wonderful time. [Read more…] about More from Pebble Beach 2024

Raymond Henri Dietrich, Automotive Architect

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Review by Brandes Elitch
Photos from the book

After voraciously consuming this book by Necah Stewart Furman, Brandes Elitch gives us a look at the life of this great American designer while commenting on the book.- Ed.

Raymond Dietrich was born in 1894 and passed in 1980, at age 86. What a time to be alive, and what a life he had in a world he helped to create: automotive design. [Read more…] about Raymond Henri Dietrich, Automotive Architect

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2024

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Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

The tagline from The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is “the world’s preeminent motorcycling celebration.” This is not an exaggeration. This is due to the hard work, dedication, vision, and contacts from two individuals that are responsible for this show. [Read more…] about The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2024

ArtCenter Design Invitational 2023

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Joe Duray, left and the author with Joe’s 3500GT Maserati.

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

On October 28th, the Art Center in Pasadena hosted the ArtCenter Design Invitational for their alumni, famous designers, and guests, including a small display of show cars of the past, today, and the future. This has been an annual event, which began in 2002.

The Art Center itself is 75 years old. The Automotive Design Department was founded in 1948. The mission is to develop creative leaders and innovators in art and design. Their vision is to create a new model for art and design education in the 21st century, which they characterize as: “Learn to create and influence change.” I think it is fair to say that this is the most famous design college in the world. [Read more…] about ArtCenter Design Invitational 2023

Humor at Hershey, 2023

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P-Hershey Squirts? B-We call this the “Hershey Highway.” Where else would you find something like this?

Wise-ass comments on this year’s Hershey from our favorite car guys, Quick and Quack (with apologies to the Magliozzi brothers). P comments first, then B. You guess who they are, we are too embarrassed to say. Be nice or we’ll call in Kuhn.

All photos by Brandes Elitch

P-Moveable Quonset hut. B-These cars are very rust prone (ask me how I know) but this one is very clean.

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Packard Epiphany

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1934 Packard Senior Series

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

I can remember riding my bicycle to the local Packard dealer in South Orange, NJ, to get a 1956 brochure, which I still have. I also own an original, unrestored 1956 Patrician, the last Packard. I consider Packard to be the greatest American marque, and I had a bit of an epiphany at the show, which I will explain below.

For our many readers who may not be familiar with the marque, here is a brief overview.

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Elitch and Friends on the Green

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1959 Maserati 3500 GT Bertone coupe, owned by Jim Utaski, Skillman, NJ. I have never seen this before, even in a picture, another one-of-a kind example, quite striking.

Intro by Grant Black, Brisbane Australia

Walking along a narrow road by Carmel Bay, leading to the famous Pebble Beach golf course, two shadowy figures exchanged ‘Good Mornings’ in the misty pre-dawn light. This was my serendipitous meeting with your VeloceToday reporter, Brandes Elitch. [Read more…] about Elitch and Friends on the Green

Pegaso and Figoni at Pebble Beach, 2023

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Delahaye 135 competition coupe is featured in Richard Adatto’s excellent new book, Figoni on Delahaye. This is the first Figoni aerodynamic coupe, from 1936. It appeared at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours. Brandes Elitch has much more below.

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

This was the 72nd year of the Pebble Beach Concours. Yes, this is the ultimate Concours in the world. This is due to the enormous amount of time, energy and planning, that goes into making it happen, and the I would say incomparable pool of knowledge and talent of the organizers, entrants, judges, volunteers, sponsors, and employees of the Pebble Beach Company. The planning starts at least a year or two before the actual show, and it takes that much time to assemble the cast. Yes, there are other shows in the US and Europe with these characteristics, but none to this level or degree. That is the difference. [Read more…] about Pegaso and Figoni at Pebble Beach, 2023

Concorso Italiano 2023

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Special Coachworks winner, 1947 Cisitalia 202 Sport, Alex Pilibos

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

This is the 37th Concorso Italiano. But I was there at the beginning.

Back around 1984, my friend Joe Duray found a 1962 Maserati 3500 GT coupe for sale in a lock-up in Vallejo. He asked me if he should get it. The price was $6,500. It was a very clean and unmolested original car, but it did not run well and had no brakes. Of course, I told him he must get it, and he did. I went with him on the inspection to make sure he did not back out. [Read more…] about Concorso Italiano 2023

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, 2023

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Roger Barlow’s Simca. Click on photo for more on this car.

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

“There is nothing more worthless than last year’s racecar.” Steve Earle, circa 1974

In this, the 49th year of racing at Laguna Seca, there were more than 400 race cars in 14 classes. It marks the return of Formula 5000 cars for the first time since 2018. We should note that the track has made significant (and expensive) improvements including a new track surface, which must be very good news to the drivers! It seems that the track is now firing on all cylinders, a very good thing indeed.

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