Ferrari 512S Scuderia Filipinetti gathers speed.
Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Jonathan Sharp continues his photographic coverage of the 74th Goodwood Member’s Meeting. For more info read Part 1.
Jonathan Sharp
A Moving Experience in London
A superbly restored Alfa Duetto.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
This year’s London Classic Car Show,now in its second year, has to my mind two unusual selling points. Firstly it is the only indoor show that I know of where some of the cars are actually driven during the event. [Read more…] about A Moving Experience in London
Jonathan Sharp at Goodwood
Race drivers always get the attention from the ladies. Christian Carrozzo’s Ferrari 340MM enters the assembly area prior to the Lavant cup.
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Click to ENLARGE
Goodwood sights and sounds
Race meeting programs normally have a picture of a racing car on the front cover. No racing cars on the cover for this year’s Goodwood Revival Meeting program. This year’s cover? Frozen Fish Fingers. Frozen Fish Fingers! Why? I will explain in a sentence or two. [Read more…] about Jonathan Sharp at Goodwood
Ah, Vernasca, Saturday in the Paddock
Lovely Vernasca
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
The Silver Flag Hillclimb is a relatively new classic racing venue, held in the small and charming town of Vernasca, in the Province of Piacenza in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna. The affair sounded like our kind of event, so on the weekend of June 19-21, we flew from London to Milan, rented a car from Malpensa, a Skoda Yeti which of course quickly got the nickname “Spaghetti Yeti.”
We drove about 120km south down the Autostrada Del Sole and we stayed at an Agriturismo place called Casa Dell Abbondanza (the house of abundance) which was about a mile and a half from the main road. The farm was about 6kms from the event but there was no sound of humanity, just deafening bird songs and dozens of fireflies at night. Organic breakfast was served with products made on the farm each day.
In town we ate at the local Trattoria Da Liugi which served good hearty local fair at very reasonable prices. Lunch of freshly sliced salami, Gnocchi for dinner, and Gutturnio Classico Superiore red wine to wash it down – ah, Vernasca.
Saturday morning we walked the paddocks. Abarths, GTs, GTAMs, TZ1s and 2s, 8Vs, Oscas, Morettis, Gianni, Giaur, Griffo, Oselli plus of course Alfa, Fiat, Lancia, Maserati and a smattering of Ferrari for good measure. We spent the afternoon up on the hill enjoying the feeling that this could be the Targa Florio or the Mille Miglia.
This was just a warmup for the main events which took place on Sunday. In the next two segments, we’ve arranged the cars as photographed in action at the hillclimb by alphabetical order.
For more on this event:
Abarth to Ferrari
Lancia to Serenissima
Abarth Monomille GT.
Vernasca, Abarth to Ferrari
Rappi-designed Fiat 8V running the hill at the Vernasca Silver Flag Hillclimb.
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Sunday morning we went back to the hill to view a different corner. Sunday lunch was a Pannini stuffed with freshly sliced prosciutto and a birra alla spina in the village square of Vernasca, surrounded by the competitor’s cars. While we ate, we contemplated the near perfectly circle front wheel arches on the Pininfarina-penned P4/5 in front of us.
One off PF Ferrari P 4/5.
The current event at Vernasca is based on a series of 17 hillclimbs sponsored by the Automobile Club of Piancenza, held between 1953 and 1972. This means the event is open to cars built up to 1972, so the turnout is more varied than that of the Mille Miglia. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to accept or deny an application, but here are the qualifiers for entry: 1) Racing history of the car in its heyday 2) Rarity 3) Race results in historic cars events 4) Arrival date of entry form.
In this segment we present the cars in alphabetical order from Alfa to Ferrari. Note that not all the cars entered were photographed and owner’s names are not always supplied or known.
For more on this event:
Vernasca overview
Lancia to Serenissima
Philip Van Looy’s 1966 Abarth OT 1300 Periscopio.
Vernasca: Lancia through Serenissima
Kai Desinger’s 1960 Lancia Flaminia Sport Zagato.
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
A little about the history of this fascinating event: The Vernasca Hillclimb was originally sanctioned by the Automobile Club Piacenza between 1953 and 1972. The 1953 event attracted 40 entries, and was won by Alfa factory driver Consalvo Sanesi with a 3000CM. The race continued to grow, with 90 cars entered by 1955, when Massimo Leto de Priolo took first overall.
A Stanguellini Formula Junior achieved the fastest time in 1960, and by 1961 Odoarado Govoni took a Birdcage Maserati to win. The cars were getting bigger and faster as Govoni’s competition was Nando Pagliarini with a Ferrari SWB. Pagliarini returned in 1962 with the Ferrari to win. Abarth 1000s, Porsche 904s and Alfa TZs were popular entries in the 1960s, followed by the bigger, faster Abarth 2000s. In the early 1970s Lualdi brought the Ferrari 212 E hillclimb car to compete with the Porsche 908s. The last edition of Castell’Arquato-Vernasca was held May 14, 1972.
This segment reflects the cars at the event from Giannini to the one-off Serenissima. All in all, the 20th Vernasca Silver Flag Hill Climb was my sort of weekend. If you go next year, and as we understand, the event is already approved, you won’t be disappointed.
Vernasca overview
Abarth to Ferrari
John Skibiki’s original Group 2 650 Giannini.
Italian Car Day at Brooklands, 2015
Probably the most appropriate Fiat for Brooklands Italian Car Day. This is billed as a 1905 Fiat with an Isotta Fraschini 250 hp engine. Apparently Fiat drew plans to create record car in 1905 but aborted the effort. The drawings were picked up by Mike Vardy who recreated the monster using a Gar Wood supplied I-F aero engine.
Story and 40 Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Having just returned from the annual Italian Car Day at Brooklands in Surrey (May 2-3 2015) I think they will need to come up with a new cliché to fit the event. It’s still the right crowd but as to crowding, I do not think I have seen the old place so full…Italian cars everywhere. Lamborghini’s under Concordes, Fiat 500s around the Vickers Vanguard, Alfas not just in their main display area but also spilling out along the old banking as well.
Note the chain drive which is an unusual reverse drive set up. Whichever direction, one does not wish to have the chain break at speed, which is limited to 120 mph though no doubt would go faster with a brave man.
I think I have mentioned before but this event is not just about the exotics, of which there are plenty. It’s the stuff you just do not see any more. Immaculate Mk1 Fiat Pandas rub shoulders with 850 Coupes. Fulvias behind a line of Fiat X19s. New Giuliettas next to the original models. Abarths old and new. I felt like a kid in a sweet shop, these were the cars I wanted to own back in the 1980s but could not afford them then, and with certain cars still can’t.
Brooklands is also about aircraft, so you will see some photos of significant WWII aircraft interspersed with the Fiats; we hope you don’t mind. In fact, we’ll begin with a Loch Ness Legend…
Vickers 290 Wellington MK1A N2980 R. 11,461 Vickers Wellingtons were built, 2515 of which were constructed at Brooklands. Only two Wellingtons remain and this is the only Brooklands-built example. First flown on the 16th November 1939 by Vickers chief test Pilot Mutt Summers the aircraft was then issued to 149 Squadron based at RAF Mildenhall. The aircraft took part in the infamous Heligoland Bight raid on the 18th December 1939. 22 Wellingtons took part, 11 returned. During a training flight on the 31st December 1940 she developed engine trouble and the pilot was forced ditched into Loch Ness. All of the crew managed to escape but alas the rear gunner was killed when his parachute failed to deploy. In 1976 a group of American divers searching for the Loch Ness Monster found her and she was finally returned to the surface on the 21st September 1985. After 45 years under the water she had remained in a remarkable state of preservation-even the tail lights worked when connected to a new battery.
The annual Italian car day at Brooklands just seems to make people smile!
Amelia Roadside Attractions
Bill Warner catches a ride with Sir Stirling in the 300SLR.
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Dear Pete,
Up like a lark for a crack of dawn start this morning. The general consensus among other photographers who have covered the event before was to get there before first light, so I did. Not sure why though! Had a problem finding the car park; I knew where it was as I had parked in it yesterday but could not see the entrance to it due to the flashing red and blue lights from all the local Police patrol cars all crowded around the entrance to the Ritz Carlton controlling the traffic, of which, at that hour, I was the sum total of it.
Then walking across the damp grass of the greens it would have been but the work of a moment to fall into the lake having been dazzled by the spotlights set up to light the way. It was good fun however to watch the buildup and to see the cars arriving. Most of my fellow photographers seemed to spend the time enjoying the free breakfast. Perhaps that is why they suggested getting there early.
I was not sure what cars to expect. I had made an effort since picking up the program on Friday to not look at the entry list so I was rather pleasantly surprised as the field filled up. Variety was very evident throughout the field with special classes this year for Stutz, the Porsche 914, Classic Hot Rods, Orphan Concept Cars and probably the strangest yet most fun class of all, Cars of the Cowboys!
'And I learned this from old man Farina..'
Four Guys at Retro: Sharp on Art
From the Baillon barn find, a Facel Vega interior.
Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Click on pics to enlarge
It was whilst sitting in the comfort of a Eurostar train returning from the fortieth edition of what is arguably the best classic car show in the world that my pal and I got to reminiscing about our first trip to Retromobile around about 34 years ago.
In those days, circa 1981, we could not afford to take time off from work; we decided we would leave home on the Saturday evening to attend the show on the Sunday. No Eurostar or channel tunnel in those days, no Internet, and no great plan as to how we were going to actually get there. 6 pm arrives and we piled into my pal’s company Nissan Sunny and departed for Dover for the ferry. We parked the car on the top floor of the multi story car park, (I cannot remember why it was the top floor), and found out the time of the next ferry. We must have waited some time as the ferry crossing only took an hour and we arrived in France at about 2am. The next train to Paris did leave until 4am. It was not a high speed train unlike nowadays but a normal suburban train with bolt upright seats covered in vinyl and it seemed to stop at every station. I also think we had to change trains as I do recall being stuck on a cold dark French railway station in the middle of nowhere for an hour or so.
Anyway we finally pull into Gard Du Nord in Paris and work out how to use the Metro. As none of us spoke anything more than schoolboy French, this was quite a feat. The Metro is crowded and my pal nearly lost his wallet to a pick pocket but we finally arrive at the show. We must have been impressed with what we saw but all I can now recall is that I bought a model kit of the Ferrari Pinin which I must get round to building one day. At the shows end it was time to take the same journey in reverse. By the time we arrive in England my Nissan Sunny-driving pal is having to be kept awake by the combined efforts of the rest of us. I recall putting the key in my front door at 6am. Then it was back to work for 9am Monday morning.
This year it’s an easy one hour drive to Ebbslfleet station and then a comfortable train seat for a few hours to Paris. A great show, an excellent dinner and a comfortable hotel for the night. Another morning at the show, lovely lunch. Then the same journey in reverse but this time it does have the added excitement of a bomb scare and controlled explosion at Gare Du Nord. Much improved, however, and easier on much older enthusiast.
I hope you will enjoy my look at the Art of Retro.
No comment necessary.
Grand Prix models
NEC Classic Show, Birmingham, UK
Bugatti T51. Mechanical artistry is evident in this Bugatti T51 engine courtesy of Ivan Dutton
This year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show was held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, U.K., from November 14-16. It is fast becoming one of the UK’s best classic car venues; VeloceToday has reported on it for three years running now. [Read more…] about NEC Classic Show, Birmingham, UK
Alfas and Ferraris at the Enzo Ferrari Museum
The Alfa Bimotore is on display in a quiet, beautiful, chapel-like setting.
Last week Jonathan Sharp wrote a report on the Maserati 100th anniversary celebration at the Enzo Ferari Museum. But he didn’t forget about the Ferraris, engines, and Alfas also on display, many in the new engine room–plus a replica of Enzo Ferrari’s office. We saved that part of the story for this week.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp Clic on pics to enlarge
Nestling, as if being protected, in the curve of the new display hall is the original workshop of Enzo Ferrari’s father Alfredo. A long and narrow building lit by many large arched shaped windows. The building was built during the latter half of the 19th century and would not have benefited from electric lighting hence the many windows. At the far end of the hall, roughly where the “Enzo” is now displayed, was, along with the machine tools that Alfredo used to shape metal, a stable which housed the horses used to draw the sulkies (2 wheeled trotting rig) and carts of the time. [Read more…] about Alfas and Ferraris at the Enzo Ferrari Museum
Goodwood Revival: Places and Faces
We combine the unique photographic talents of Hugues Vanhoolandt (who took the photo above, left) and Jonathan Sharp (who captured a laughing Brian Redman, above right) to bring our readers a taste of the faces and places seen at this year’s Goodwood Revival. Below, their photos are alternated. Click on the images to see them twice as large. .
Vanhoolandt: Maserati girls
Sharp: Derek Bell
Vanhoolandt: Hispano HA1112 Buchon (See Note 1 for more info)
Sharp: Spitfire
Vanhoolandt: Sgt. Pepper's Regulars
Sharp: Settrington Grand Prix (See Note 2)
Vanhoolandt: British bowlers
Sharp: Rowan Atkinson, Mr. Bean and others.
Vanhoolandt: Hooper and co.
Sharp: KGB Racing
Vanhoolandt: Picnic
Sharp: Webber and Jackie
Vanhoolandt: No picnic
Sharp: Dickie Attwood
Vanhoolandt: Dad's Army Re enactment (See Note 3)
Sharp: Monza at Goodwoood
Vanhoolandt: Just a good shot
Sharp: Crumpet chasing Moss
Vanhoolandt: Why do they wave? (St Trininan's girls)
Sharp: Mark Blundell, Danny Sullivan
Vanhoolandt: De Haviland DH82a Tiger Moth
Sharp: Mass and ?
Vanhoolandt: Everyone must have a bobby
Sharp: Soper and J. Oliver
Vanhoolandt: Didn't forget the girls
Sharp: Avro Lancaster Bombers (See note 4)
Note 1 Have you ever seen the 1969 film The Battle of Britain ?. The aircraft featured flew in the film and wears the markings that she carried during the filming? The enemy aircraft used in the film came from the Spanish Air Force. The Spanish had initially changed their minds about letting the production company use the HE111 Bombers which had also been re-engined with Merlins. Hamish Mahaddie, who worked for the production company then, spoke to Rolls Royce, who the spoke to the Spanish ambassador in London informing him that if the Spanish refused the request for the aircraft then Rolls Royce would have to think long and hard about supplying spares for the Merlins. He111s at the time were their front line aircraft. The Spanish then agreed! (Jonathan Sharp)
Note 2 A two part race for Austin J40 pedal cars of a type that raced between 1949 and 1966. The racers started the race in the style of Le Mans. They then pedaled for 7 laps (just kidding). They then pedaled from just after the chicane to just in front of the old control building have passed through various chicanes made up of foam.
Austin pedal cars were made in the specially constructed Austin Junior Car Factory at Bargoed in South Wales, which opened on 5 July 1949. It was paid for by Government funds and was run on a not-for-profit basis and purely for the employment of disabled coal miners suffering from the lung disease, pneumoconiosis. They were re-trained and benefited from in-house medical care. (Jonathan Sharp)
Note 3 These are the Dads Army re-enactment group. Dads Army was a hugely successful BBC comedy series filmed in the 1970s. Dads Army was the nickname of the Home Guard, a force set up to defend England early in the war and was made up of those too old to join the regular army. The show is repeated to this day in fact I watched an episode on Saturday night on the BBC and it is still very funny and has not dated. (Jonathan Sharp)
Note 4 7377 Avro Lancaster Bombers were built between 1941 and early 1946, some 3500 were lost during operations. Only two remain in air worthy condition. These are the two. The RAFs Battle of Britain memorial flight’s (BBMF) example PA474 which was built a Broughton in Cheshire in 1945, and the Canadian War Plane Heritage’s Lancaster Mark X which was built at Victory Aircraft in Malton Canada. They are joined by three of the fighters of the BBMF. Hurricane MK11c PZ865. Known as the last of the many, of the 14533 built this was the last. The two Spitfire’s are TE311 a low back Mark LF XVIE and P7350. MKIIa which is the oldest airworthy Spitfire in the World