The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
See below for more information about this exhibit.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Prior to planning our trip to the Lake Como Concours last May, I read that Fiat had transformed the roof top of the old Lingotto site into a garden. We decided to travel from the UK to the concours events via Turin, staying at the Lingotto Hotel for a chance to view the art and garden displays.
A very popular exhibit on the ‘Le Man Classic’ stand, the Ferrari 312P chassis 0872.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Pilgrimage to Paris
This year my pals and I thought we would attend Retromobile much earlier in the week as we are all mostly retired. Whilst the first full day of the show is on Wednesday, we decided it would be nice to also attend the preview Tuesday evening, assuming that it would be nice and quiet.
Martin Otto Lambert Heukeshoven’s simply amazing ISO Grifo/Berliet lorry barn find model.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Pilgrimage to Paris continued
I hate the sound of a mobile phone alarm in the morning. But it allowed time for a quick breakfast and rather too many coffees, then off to the show, ready for the 10am opening. Ah lovely; Wednesday being a working day, the halls were not too crowded and the aisles much easier to navigate.
1933 Duesenberg Single Seater
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
I have just bought a new camera! Not that there was anything wrong with my old one, it’s just that technology has moved on in the 10 plus years I have been using it, and when shooting indoors, unless the room is well lit, is was, to put in mildly, a bit of a pain in the butt. So a new camera, but it is early January, and I have nothing to point it at! But wait, how about The Brooklands Museum New Years Day Classic car gathering? Ideal!
On the XXVIII Coppa Toscana 2025 stand, a 1951 Ermini Tinarelli Sport, powered by an 1100cc twin cam motor producing 85 bhp.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
One might wonder why we break up these stories into four of five parts. First, download times are increased for the readers if we load up too many photos. Second, if we limit each article to 30-40 images, scroll time is reduced, enhancing the reading experience. So without further interruption, we return to and complete Jonathan Sharp’s superb coverage.
Another from the Divine a Motore display, Gina Lollobrigida’s 1952 Lancia Aurelia B52 with coachwork by Vignale. It is also believed that the car also appeared in the film ‘ La Provinciale.’
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
If you have managed to wade through the previous three reports from this years Bologna Auto e Moto d’Epoca show (well done) and were wondering ‘what, no Ferrari’s Lancia’s etc’ do not worry, there were plenty there. Here is my pick of the many gems on display. As I said before in part one, if you can make the show then you really must. It truly is an Italian car lovers paradise, and easy to get to as well. And if you can’t make it, we have given you the best we can do for those in absentia. Enjoy.
Not what I expected to see parked on a street in London in November, but it is not quite what it seems, Courtesy of Mercedes Benz W196 show car.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
There once was a time that I could hop down to the waterfront in Brighton and photograph the end of the London to Brighton Veteran Run. But for the past few years the event has become just part of a motoring extravaganza. It is now a key part of the five-day London car week, which kicks off on the Wednesday with the opening of the Royal Automobile Club’s Art of Motoring Exhibition at the Iconic Images Gallery just off of Pall Mall. The week also includes motoring lectures, two major car auctions, the St James’s Motoring Spectacular, the run itself, and the Veteran Car Club’s annual dinner at the Grand Hotel Brighton!
Probably the most famous car on the run, the 1904 Darracq two seater, 2 cylinder 10 HP ‘Genevieve’ entered by the Evert & Quirina Louwman, driven by Quirina Louwman.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
The 2024 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run included a celebration of the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Ladies Automobile Club. A special prize was awarded to Andrea Holden who was driving a 1902 Thomas specially imported from Australia for her to drive. This was indeed something special and we found a good deal of information about the Ladies Automobile Club in the event booklet, which we impart in part below.
Our favorite car not only at St. James but here finishing the London to Brighton Run, the Fiat 130 hp Grand Prix car.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the longest running motoring event, and probably the happiest judging from the smiles on the entrants faces when reaching the finishing line on Brighton’s Maderia Drive, and from the warmth and enthusiasm of the thousands of spectators who line the route all the way from London’s Hyde Park. We present the following images in hopes that you might click to enlarge them and catch the smiles on the faces of the participants.
1952 Fiat 1100E with coachwork by Monviso.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
You may not know or have forgotten that 2024 is the 125th anniversary of Fiat, so the following selection is just the Fiats on display at the show, from the main display in the atrium featuring some highlights from the forthcoming anniversary exhibition at the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile Museum Turin, to the examples on display at the various club/event stands, to the many many examples for sale from the dealers and private individuals.
