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Jonathan Sharp

Enemies of The Drake

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Earlier this year, Jonathan Sharp had a chance to visit the Museo Nazionale Dell’Automobile in Turin and photographed this remarkable exhibition devoted to British Formula One teams that made life miserable for Ferrari in the 1960s through the 1980s. Per the Museo, “Enzo Ferrari used to call them, somewhat dismissively, ‘garagistes,’ the British teams that challenged Ferrari’s dominance.”

Titled “The Drake’s Enemies: Enzo Ferrari and the British Teams,” the exhibit opened on April 2 and will run until October 11, 2026. [Read more…] about Enemies of The Drake

Brooklands GP100, Moderns

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This brings back some memories. 1976 Surtees TS19, complete with its controversial livery courtesy of the London Rubber Company, so controversial that the BBC and ITV considered it unacceptable for daytime viewing. If I recall correctly, the advertising strapline at the time was ‘The small family car’.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

The August 7th Brooklands GP100 attracted a field of racing cars from the 1920s to a 1991 McClaren MP4/6. While far from complete, the selection did allow the sold-out crowd to experience the sights and sounds of the cars at Brooklands…something one can’t do at a museum or concours. [Read more…] about Brooklands GP100, Moderns

Royal Automobile Club Concours 2026

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From a private collection, 1937 Lancia Aprilia

This is part 2 of the recent Royal Automobile Club Concours. But let me pause for a moment to reflect upon the achievements of our truly intrepid British correspondent, Jonathan Sharp. I need not use words: just think about the following events Sharp has covered for us just since January. All were multiple features; Retro itself had four parts. I have included links to the articles just in case you don’t believe what you are seeing. Our sincere thanks to Jonathan and his wife Jose for the remarkable turn of events! –Ed.

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2026 Royal Automobile Club Concours

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Margaret Hocking’s 1964 Abarth Simca 2000 Corsa, extensively campaigned in period at various Italian Hill climbs, and also contested the 1967 Targa Florio in the hands of Alfonso Vella and Alfonso Merendino, retiring after six laps.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

July seems to be the month for Concours events staged at the stately homes of England. This time it was supposed to be but a short drive up to Surrey to the country estate of the Royal Automobile Club on July 8 for the second edition of their Concours. But due to an accident on the southbound carriageway of the M23, the journey took twice as long, and these delays seem to be a theme starting here.

The RAC country estate, Woodcote Park, is up on the Surrey Downs just over the road from the Epsom horse racing track and it was yet another blooming hot day. Fantastic setting though, with parking on the golf course and then a short walk downhill to the main house passing a line of Supercars along the way.

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Heveningham Concours, 2026

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Nick Mason is a strong supporter of this event as evidenced by his 1962 Ferrari GTO chassis 3757GT gracing the terraces.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

Just back from the Heveningham Hall Concours, (July 4-5) lovely show but boy was it hot. Decided to travel to the event the day before and stay in a hotel so I could be at the gates bright and early. What should have been a two hour journey ended up taking over 4 hours; Friday afternoon in the South of England and the roads cannot cope. Anyway, arrived at the hotel at about 7pm with the outside temperature gauge on the Giulietta showing 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 F) and I thought, no that cannot be right, then I opened the car door…phew it was right… it was like opening an oven door.

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Wilton House Part 2

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1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 ‘Testa Fissa’ meaning fixed head in this instance refers to the engine in that the block and cylinder head are all of a piece. Purchased new by British racing driver Sir Ronald Stewart and then raced at Brooklands by Land Speed Record holder Captain George Eyston, who it is believed designed the Leadbetter Coachworks-built aerodynamic body. Sold abroad, the bodywork became separated from the chassis but survived, allowing it to be reunited with the original chassis many years later.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

I thought, as it features quite heavily in the background of some of the photos, that I should perhaps give you a bit of history about Wilton House itself before we delve into what’s in the driveway and on the grass.

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Wilton House Concours 2026

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Wilton House

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

I have to say that I was feeling just a bit jaded as it has been so very busy this season, but I decided that I really should attend the first running of the ‘Concours des Legendes’ being held in the grounds of Wilton House just outside Salisbury Wiltshire, the ancestral home for more than 400 years of the Earl of Pembroke, and boy was I glad I did.

As the Earl says in his welcome message in the event daily newspaper “The concept behind this event has been a vision of mine for over a decade. I’ve always felt that the greatest cars deserve more than to be admired simply for their aesthetic. They deserve to have their stories told.”

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And How!

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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.

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Brooklands Italian Car Day P1

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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.

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