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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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The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, 2023

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Bert: “…but, is the shadow really black ENOUGH?”
Nigel: “Oh, I see what you mean – there’s a sort of greyishness to it…”
Morton: “And, of course the main part, the LARGEST part, has the greenish tinge of the turf to consider: Zoysia – Fescue…?”
Herbert to Thorndyke (Standing): “Vincent who?”

Our caption winner is Rick Hayden who wins a year’s subscription to VeloceToday!

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

If you were seriously interested, really interested, in motorcycle history and design, where would you like to go if time and money were not an issue? There were over 2500 bike manufacturers since 1900 and of course you would like to see many of them.

Most collectors, restorers and historians would mention the famous Isle of Man TT, held in late May/early June. I suspect this would be first on most peoples’ lists. [Read more…] about The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, 2023

Brandes, Stan, and the Big Snow

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Brandes and Stan in warmer times. Stan was adopted from a local animal rescue organization in Sacramento called “Hearts For Paws”

Brandes Elitch needs no introduction here. But you may not know that he lives in Yuba county California, in a rather remote town. Last week, when the big storm hit California, he was in the path of the historic snow. On Friday March 3 I emailed him to ask how he was doing. Of course we had heard about the snow, but didn’t realize how devastating it was until Brandes emailed me with this response. Ed.

By Brandes Elitch

Saturday, March 4, 10:50 P.M. You have probably heard about the famous film “Lost Weekend,” but since I have given up drinking, this is not about a Lost Weekend in that sense.

It is about the fact that I had no internet last Saturday, February 25, all day and finally by 7 PM I was so frustrated that I just went to bed. Immediately thereafter, the power went out. We were without power Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and it finally came back on Friday, around 3 PM. [Read more…] about Brandes, Stan, and the Big Snow

Nino’s P4 takes your breath away….

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John and Debbie Nino with the 412 P at the Quail where Elitch first saw the car.

By Brandes Elitch
Photos courtesy John Nino

“When it does not exist, design it,” Henry Royce

At Monterey Car Week you would rightfully expect to be surprised and delighted by some of the things you will see, both on the show field and in the streets. After all, between the three major shows (Quail Lodge, Pebble Beach, and the Concorso Italiano), not to mention the Historics at the Laguna Seca racetrack, there will be over a thousand show cars on display, many of them quite fantastic. This year was no exception, an embarrassment of riches, so to speak. It can be quite overwhelming. You have to pace yourself, and from time to time just have a sit down and catch your breath, because some of these experiences can take your breath away. [Read more…] about Nino’s P4 takes your breath away….

Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Cattaneo/Riva

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The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Cattaneo/Riva at Pebble Beach, 2022. Photo by Brandes Elitch

Story by Pete Vack

Earlier this year, Brandes Elitch returned from Pebble Beach with photos of one of the most significant and interesting Alfas we have encountered recently, igniting our curiosity. From a variety of sources, VeloceToday uncovered letters from the designer himself, Count “Johnny” Lurani, a description of how the car was found by an American Alfa enthusiast, original drawings of the tubular chassis, a Touring drawing of a proposed body for the chassis, a rare Colli bodied sister car, and a few photos of other cars bodied by the Riva brothers of Merate, Italy. And that’s just for starters! [Read more…] about Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Cattaneo/Riva

Velocity Invitational at Weathertech Raceway, Laguna Seca

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Goodwood, anyone?

Story by Brandes Elitch, Photos by Dale LaFollette

As of October 14-16, 2022, there is a new star in the small firmament of international historic racecar events: The Velocity Invitational at Weathertech Raceway, Laguna Seca. The creator and organizer, Jeff O’Neill, saw an opportunity to create something new: he reached out to owners of famous and iconic historic racecars that in many cases are seldom raced because of their skyrocketing value. As he said, “All of the great cars are staying in their garages!”

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Art and Cars at Hershey

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Art by Dan McCrary

Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Guy Towle
Art by Dan McCrary

Brandes has been a busy guy lately, covering a variety of west coast events and yet traveling from California to Pennsylvania, determined not to miss his annual and traditional jaunt to Hershey. This is brief but well said. – Ed.

When you go to

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Pebble Beach and the Grand Sports

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Duesenberg Figoni:Best of Show

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

The history of the “Contest of Elegance” dates back to 17th century France, when aristocrats paraded their horse-drawn carriages in Parisian parks during summer weekends and holidays. Today the oldest Concours is the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, first held in 1929. The first Concours in North America was in 1950 at Pebble Beach. [Read more…] about Pebble Beach and the Grand Sports

Fiat through OSCA at Concorso

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What car?

Photos by Brandes Elitch

Last week we brought you a report from Concorso Italiano, but only published half of the photos supplied by Brandes Elitch. This week we present photos of the Fiats through OSCA and beyond.

And like last week there are a few that are either not identified or incorrectly identified. As Elitch wrote last week, “Because of the informal nature of this show, the cars on display do not have placards that show who the owner is or where they live. This is why we are not able to show the owner’s name in the accompanying pictures.” And which is why we need your help. [Read more…] about Fiat through OSCA at Concorso

Concorso Italiano 2022

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Maserati T151

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch
Scroll down for Alfa to Ferrari photo gallery

The third week in August is known on the California Monterey Peninsula as “Car Week.” The population of the small town (1.06 square miles) of Carmel-by-the Sea has about 4000 residents, but during car week they will see an additional 85,000 visitors, according to the Monterey County Visitors Bureau. This is primarily a four-day event, but there is even a “Pre-Historics” the week before at the Laguna Seca racetrack. Car week now spans ten days and stretches from Seaside to Carmel Valley to Big Sur. Aside from the three major shows, there are another dozen or so smaller events, spread out all over the Monterey Peninsula. The pandemic put the brakes on some Car Week events for the last two years, but now, “It’s all right here!” [Read more…] about Concorso Italiano 2022

Why Are Italian Cars Beautiful?

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Marque et modele: Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Touring “Flying Star.” Chassis number 10814341

Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

About thirty years ago, someone gave me a copy of a book titled Touring Superleggera, by Carlo Felice Anderloni. It was published in 1983. I started to go through it and was overwhelmed by the staggering beauty of Mr. Anderloni’s creations. Even though I had been observing automobile design for many years previously, I had never seen anything like this before. At some point, I had to physically put the book down and take a deep breath. I had to revise my conceptions of automotive design. [Read more…] about Why Are Italian Cars Beautiful?

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