The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
The author next to the 1798cc Ford Escort RS 1600 MkI, which had just won the 1972 East Africa Safari Rally. BOAC 1000KM, Brands Hatch, England, April 16, 1972-dick-lees
Story and photos by Jeff Allison unless otherwise noted
Read Part 1
Part 2 continues “Head Shots” taken by Jeff Allison at races in the U. S., England and Monaco. [Read more…] about Jeff Allison: Head Shots Part 2
Once again, I bring pixels to the screen with the hope that these images or text will tweak some memories from your bygone youth and bring a smile to your face. “I was there” is a favorite one I like to hear. Any idea of which track this is? I’ll give you a hint, it’s at Turn 5. The parties behind the wheels are: #69 Dan Gurney Ferrari 375 Plus, #59 Bob Oker Aston Martin, and #21 Hal Dolden Sparks-Bonney Special. Dan won and Bob was second. But, where?
Story and photographs by Allen R. Kuhn
In the next few months I will chronicle some of the 13 race tracks where I photographed the world of sports car racing in Southern California from 1955 to 1965. In this issue, I am featuring the wonderful world of the Paramount Ranch Race Track itself, my favorite shooting gallery. I will try and capture some of the topography of the landscape there in the following images. [Read more…] about Making Tracks: My Love Affair with the California Circuits of the ’50s
S.Scott Callan’s website is one of the most unusual and well written we’ve ever encountered. The history is accurate, the photos are fantastic, and he uses a format that allows his work to be elegantly displayed. It is always worth a visit and a long surf. Here is a excerpt from his latest adventure. [Ed.]
Story and Photos by S. Scott Callan
This year at the WeatherTech International Challenge at Road America was quite different. Two Historic Race Circuits (HRC) members had made a special effort to have this year’s focus on Dan Gurney and his Eagles. The Collier brought the Spa winning F1 car. The selection of Indy cars was significant, not only in their exploration of aero effects, but also in their array of engines which were experimentally impressive, ingenious in configuration, and sometimes outright amusing.
The Editor and the photographer apologize for this photo, which was the result of the sun being at the wrong end of the lens. However, it is well balanced and says a lot. Read on.
Marilyn Fox Halder, as interviewed by Allen R. Kuhn
Photos by Allen R. Kuhn unless otherwise noted.
Marilyn Fox loved dancing growing up, and was very attractive. She would follow a career making commercials and become a professional dancer finding work at the Sahara in Las Vegas. This led her to appear at the Millionaire’s Club in Los Angeles, CA. While there, she was introduced to Peter and Harry Rothschild, who owned Powerine Oil Company. They wanted to get the contract to supply fuel for the race tracks in Southern California and asked Marilyn if she would be interested in becoming a promoter of their products at races and other activities. With her natural beauty and love of automobiles, she thought it might be a fun thing to do and get paid.
Carroll Shelby in John Edgar’s Ferrari 410S leads Dan Gurney in Frank Arciero’s Ferrari 375 Plus at Palm Springs on April 13, 1958. One of the many photos I shared with the Ferrari Archivist.
Story and Photos by Allen R. Kuhn
I would like to start this series of short stories – they are not Galleries as before – by telling a true story about Graham Gauld, and how he saved our skin when we were in Italy/France in 2006 for our seven-week tour of the Continent. The story really began in Maranello, so bear with me….
1961 Belgian GP (Spa) – Phil Hill (Ferrari-Dino 156) Artist: Sergio Tidel
THE GREATEST AMERICAN F1 GRAND PRIX DRIVER?
It may not be who you think….
By Clyde Berryman
In motor racing, the great ‘schism’ between the ‘Old World’ (Europe) and the ‘New World’ (America) was pretty much settled by the end of the 1950’s. Racing in Europe began on open public roads as epitomized by the turn of the 19th-20th century city-to-city races before danger led to closed-circuit road racing where designated public roads were temporarily closed off for a race.
Ford vs. Ferrari 101: The ‘60s battle, in a nutshell for our younger readers. It was, after all, a half century ago.
By Wallace Wyss
Historic Images courtesy of Ford Motor Company
It started only after Henry Ford II, who wanted to impress his beautiful Italian wife by buying an Italian automaker, got the door slammed on his face by Enzo Ferrari.
Embarrassed by the failed offer, he vowed to set his minions to work making an all new endurance racer that could win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Europe’s most important race and defeat Ferrari in the process. It is a remarkable story of American will-power, teamwork (and of course money). [Read more…] about Ford at Le Mans: Hows and Whys
Jonathan Sharp photo, Goodwood 2012
By Michael T. Lynch
Dan Gurney (April 13, 1931 – January 14, 2018) has left us, and we have lost one of the most charismatic American race drivers of any era. As the son of an opera singer on Long Island, he got the racing bug early, watching the midgets at Freeport Stadium. His hero of the day was midget driver Ted Tappet, whose real name was Phil Walters. Walters would go on to be the first great American postwar road racer, putting America on the international racing map with Briggs Cunningham’s cars. [Read more…] about Michael T. Lynch: Goodbye Dan Gurney
Dave Wolin goes back a long way; he got a bank loan to buy a used Porsche 550 Spyder for $2000 (that was a long time ago!) Today he is recording and preserving racing history and helping retired race drivers.
By Brandes Elitch
All photos courtesy Dave Wolin
You will not be surprised to learn that there is no pension plan for retired race car drivers like there is in the movie industry; they often depend on the kindness of strangers During the Monterey Historics this year, there will be a new and very special event, called “Tribute to the CanAm – 50th Anniversary.” Proceeds benefit the Racing History Project, (www.racinghistoryproject.com) and specifically two drivers: Charlie Hayes and Tony Adamowicz. [Read more…] about Dave Wolin: The Kindness of Strangers
Paul Stewart drove one of the Mercedes. But here, his gear in repose.
Twenty four frames from the camera of Hugues Vanhoolandt.
The five Auto-Unions in the Swiss GP replica pits.
A line up of pre-war Mercedes and Auto Unions like this hasn't happened before and may not again, so enjoy.
Jean Alesi, happy to drive one of the GTOs.
Twenty images from the camera of Jonathan Sharp.
Moss has a few words with Surtees.
Merzario enjoying the crowds and the Rolls-Royce.
Ken Brack set to drive the Mickey Thompson special.
Gurney and Lord March.
Michael T. and Vicki Lynch enjoy the hospitality of Evi and Dan Gurney at the Gurney's champagne reception Saturday at the track. Credit: Robert C. Peters
By Michael T. Lynch
Insider’s insights into this year’s Monterey Week of Cars.
[Read more…] about Lynch Assesses Holy Week