The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Photo Gallery by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Up early and stay late; every year Hugues Vanhoolandt does this during the Pebble Beach Concours to find a way to avoid the constant congestion of people who quite naturally get in the way of a good photo. Can’t blame the crowds, after all, they want to see the cars up close as well! His long hours and hard work resulted in the photos below. [Ed.] [Read more…] about Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Photos
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
July 26-29
This year’s Blancpain GT 24 hours at Spa was won by Tom Blomqvist, Christian Krognes, Philipp Eng in the Walkenhorst Motorsport BMW M6 GT3. Alexander Sims, Jens Klingmann, Nicky Catsburg, Rowe Racing, BMW M6 GT3 took second and Kelvin van der Linde, Sheldon van der Linde, Jeffrey Schmidt, Montaplast by Land-Motorsport Audi R8 LMS finished third. But the race has a long, 70 year tradition of 24 hour motor racing that was featured at this year’s event.
The Spa 24 Hour race, which has now become the greatest endurance race for GT cars, was born in 1924, one year after the birth of the Le Mans 24 Hours. During a period from 1924 to 1953, the same type of cars were entered in both Le Mans and Spa, and wins were shared among manufacturers like Chenard et Walcker, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin and even Ferrari. [Read more…] about Spa Francorchamps 24 Hour Blancpain GT
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Every two years, Peter Auto, organizer of the Paris Rétromobile Show, of the Tour Auto, of Spa Classic and many other events, invites all the Le Mans lovers to the famous Sarthe circuit for a celebration of the history of the Le Mans 24 hours. [Read more…] about Le Mans Classic, July 6-8 by Vanhoolandt
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Enzo Ferrari once reportedly called the reenactment of the Mille Miglia “the travelling museum that is unique in the world.” And it is remarkable that since the event was reconstituted in 1977, it is still going strong after 35 editions. This year, some 450 cars of 73 different manufacturers were due to cross 7 regions of Italy and over 200 locations of art and culture, from Brescia to Rome and back.
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
The Cité de l’Automobile National Museum-Schlumpf Collection is a fascinating institution. But have you ever wondered if the Schlumpf is allowed to sell any of their cars? Do they purchase new additions for the collection? If so, what are their standards? What cars are chosen for restoration? What are the criteria for restoration? Do they restore cars for others? What cars are in the reserve collection? Now, Hugues Vanhoolandt interviews Richard Keller, chief curator of the collection, who answers those questions while giving Vanhoolandt an exclusive look into the 200-car reserve collection. Ed.
In 1977, the Schlumpf collection consisted of almost 500 cars stocked in a woolen mill (which is today the museum) and some 80 others that were garaged on the Schlumpf’s private property. After the death of Fritz Schlumpf, these 80 cars were in the ownership of his widow, Arlette, until her passing in 2008 when most were then purchased by U.S. collector Peter Mullin. [Read more…] about The Schlumpf Reserve and Restoration
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
One of the highlights of the 2018 Retromobile show in Paris was the display of some 20 cars from the Abarth collection of Swiss Engelbert Möll. The collection of Mr. Möll, who is a former Abarth works racing driver, includes more than 40 Abarths as well as some engines that were also displayed in Paris.
This gathering was an opportunity to rediscover the extraordinary variety of the Abarth production as well as the ingenuity of this make to achieve great performances with small displacement engines.
It is interesting to note that the Abarth name is so famous that it was exhumed ten years ago by Fiat, like Renault did recently with the Alpine brand.
It is comforting to see that the great names never die.
Story by Pete Vack
Photos of 8CM Maseratis by Hugues Vanhoolandt
From the archives April 25 2013
The Maserati 8CM
The Maserati brothers built race cars with four, six, V16 and V8 configurations, but began in 1926 with the 1500 cc straight eight Type 26. The eights evolved, the 26B was a 2 liter, the Tipo 8C-1100 of 1929 were linered down Type 26 2 liters and was followed by the more refined 8C1500 and the 8C2500 and the hybrid 8C 3000.This wealth of experience culminated in the 8CM, first produced in 1933. It was Maserati’s first true Grand Prix car, designed with the new 750 kg formula in mind. A 69 mm x 100mm bore and stroke, 2992cc displacement, 260 hp at 5800 rpm via a supercharger produced a maximum speed of about 144 mph. [Read more…] about Maserati 8CM: A Portfolio
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
The Zoute Grand Prix, on the Belgian coast, has become one the most important European events featuring collector’s cars and dream cars. The amount of spectators increased from 7,000 in 2010 to 200,000 in 2016.
Five events are organized over four days: the Zoute Sale by Bonhams, the Zoute GT Tour for modern supercars, the Zoute Top Marques which presents in the streets of Knokke the newest models of 19 premium marques, the Zoute Concours d’Elegance and the Zoute Rally which is a regularity rally.
We will concentrate on these last two events. [Read more…] about Belgian’s Most Important Car Show
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Born in 2014, the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Concours, held in the gardens of the Chantilly Domain, has already become one of the main events of the classic car world. [Read more…] about Chantilly Arts & Elegance Concours
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Ten years after my first visit, my enthusiasm is still at the highest point when comes to the Goodwood Revival. This event remains unique as it combines the thrill of racing on an old style circuit with a stylish atmosphere thanks to the period dress code.
Story and photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
For its 67th Concours d’Elegance, the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links was celebrating Isotta Fraschini and Carrozzeria Castagna.
Another interesting class was for the ‘California Specials that Raced at the Pebble Beach Road Races’ between 1950 and 1956, that led to the opening of the Laguna Seca Raceway in 1957. [Read more…] about Pebble Beach Portfolio by Vanhoolandt
Story and Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
This year was a very special year for Laguna Seca as it celebrated the 60th anniversary of its creation. The ‘Racing Through the Decades’ display provided a walk down memory lane of some of the most famous cars that have raced here since 1957, including the first and the last cars to win professionally at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. [Read more…] about 2017 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion