The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Review by Pete Vack
Hey Little Cobra…
Oh no, we are not going to bring up that old ditty…
Oh, yes we are, because in Volume 2 of the Shelby Cobra book, author Bob Walker has revealed the full story about the song that made the Cobra famous. Or was it the other way around?
[Read more…] about Cobra MK I Chassis History, Vol. 2 Reviewed
Review by Pete Vack
Shelby Cobras: CSX 2001 – CSX 2125
The Definitive Chassis-by-Chassis History of the Mark I Production Cars
by Robert D. Walker
In 1963, 23-year-old jazz musician Herbie Hancock, flushed with money from his hit, “Watermelon Man” walked into Kriesler’s auto showroom in Manhattan, eyed the white and red sports car on the floor, and said, “I’d like to buy the Cobra.” It was Hancock’s first car. “I had only driven an old Dodge my father had bought me for college.” The price was $5,825 plus taxes and license. [Read more…] about Cobra MK I Chassis History, Vol. 1 Reviewed
By Pete Vack
As we have reported earlier, Daniel Cabart and Gautam Sen have created the Ballot Bible, documenting the founder, the engineers, the heritage, the races and the cars. It is a huge work, with much new information, and in our three reports, we have barely scratched the surface. In this report we will describe the Ballot 2LS from Volume 1, and describe the scope of Volume 2. [Read more…] about Ballot Discussion Part 3
By Pete Vack
A significant portion of the new book, Ballot, is comprised of chapters by Karl Ludvigsen. In “The Technology of the Ballot Grand Prix Engines,” and probably for the first time in text, he provides a history of the early development of the racing straight eight engines (while acknowledging the importance of William M. Gardner’s Encyclopedia of Eights). [Read more…] about Ballot Discussion Part 2
Review by Pete Vack
Photos from the book with permissions, and by Jonathan Sharp
Ballot: A Review, a Discussion, an Enigma
With the publication of Ballot by Daniel Cabart and Gautam Sen, this obscure French marque is now honored with a classic, beautifully luxurious, extraordinarily illustrated, well-documented two-volume set that casts a great deal of light on Ernest Ballot, his company, and his cars. [Read more…] about Ballot Book Review