The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
“Scalino” sounds so much nicer than step nose, 1968 1600cc Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
We continue with the London Concours whilst Jonathan is off to yet another event in the UK. [Read more…] about London Concours 2026 Part 2
Betty Skelton, much more than a pretty face. Photo by Glen Glendenning
We received many correct answers on this one…And we thank all who responded. Seems that a lot of people remember Betty Skelton, and the first two readers to respond were John Dinkel and Bill Warner. Warner also recalled that her married name was Don Frankman.
1,300 mph against say 50 mph, only at Brooklands could you get a Fiat Gamine and Concorde in the same shot.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
I certainly cannot be accused of being elitist, having only just returned from Rome and the amazing and exotic Anantara Concorso, it was time for a trip up to Brooklands in Surrey on May 2nd for their annual Italian Car day with Auto Italia magazine. Such a contrast to Rome but just as fantastic. The event attracts lots of exotics so plenty of shouty Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but it is the more everyday stuff which you used to see all the time but now rarely do that piqued my interest. Well, perhaps one or two exotics sneaked into my selection.
Now that is my kind of coffee shop. Maserati Tipo 26 located in the coffee shop at the Anantara Palazzo Naiada Hotel, the base hotel for the whole event.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
This is a continuation of the start of the Giro d’ Anantara on April 17th. I was so blown away by the cars I saw outside the Anantara hotel I had not realized that there was another selection waiting for the start of the tour across the square, I am so glad that somebody told me as it would have been a shame to have missed them. So I hurriedly photographed as many cars as I could as they snaked their way through the streets. This was a rare event in Rome, and apparently no one minded being a little late for work.
We will report on the actual Anantara Concorso Roma next week. [Read more…] about Giro d’ Anantara…catching up with the rest…
Just to prove the event was in London, the rear end of the R33 and a London Double Decker Bus, also known as the Boris bus, so named after Boris Johnson, the then Mayor of London.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
I was unable to make the London edition of Salon Prive, but as luck would have it the organizers decided to do a small preview under the title of ‘The Sloane Street Concours’ on April 11th. For those not familiar with London shopping streets, Sloane Street and the surrounding environs is home to some very upmarket shops, as you will see from looking at the background. Great if you like shopping (yuk) and have a Gold card.
Sud Super sorta sums it all up.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
After the perceived glamour of Retromobile Paris, it was time for a trip up the M40 to the NEC in Birmingham for the ‘Practical Classics Magazine’s Classic Car and Restoration Show’, an event that is more boiler suits than Armani suits but just as enjoyable. Unlike other classic car shows such as Retro, at the Practical Classics show the attendees manning the club stands are welding spanners rather than just drinking tea and chatting, while in Paris they sip wine; it is all very hands on and grass roots.
Winner of best in show, Mr Sascha Baggli’s 1951 Bentley Mark VI Cresta II by Facel Metallon. This unique vehicle was commissioned by Jean Daninos as a gift for his wife.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
In the lull between Retromobile and the proper start of the 2026 season I thought you might indulge me by allowing me to show you an event that we did not have a chance to publish in 2025 – the Cartier Style et Luxe concours which is an integral part of the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed.
You can always rely on the Cartier team to come up with a great selection of classes and last year was no exception.
Construction of a Bandit
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
As a previous Lancia owner (Fulvia, Gamma Coupe, HPE VX, and Thema Turbo) the chance to tour the restoration facilities of renowned Lancia specialist Thornley Kelham was a chance I was not going to miss, even though it meant an early start and a long drive from Brighton to South Cerney in Gloucestershire. [Read more…] about Thornley Kelham, the home of the Lancia Bandit
Ian Morgan’s 1915 Ford Model T Speedster (right).
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
Shuttleworth is an event I have been meaning to attend for some years but never seem to get around to it, the Shuttleworth Collection’s ‘Race Day Air Show’ which this year was held on Sunday the 5th October. Early start for me as it is about 100 plus miles from my home to Old Warden in Bedfordshire, the home of the Shuttleworth Collection. I had not been to Old Warden for at least 15 years, and it dawned on me whilst driving to the event that I had not actually attended an airshow since witnessing the tragic events at the Shoreham Air Show in 2015 when a Hawker Hunter T7 warbird crashed onto a main road during an aerial display killing 11 people and injuring 16 others.
