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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Jonathan Sharp

The National Museum at Beaulieu, Cars M-Z

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Actor, wit, car nut and raconteur Peter Ustinov once owned this 1928 Supercharged Mercedes 36/220 S Type. One of only 146 examples built of this very successful Ferdinand Porsche-designed vehicle which has recently been restored by the Museum. This model was one of the first to appear after the amalgamation of Daimler and Benz in 1926.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

This is the third part of Jonathan Sharp’s visit to the National Museum at Beaulieu and there will be one more segment devoted to Land Speed Record Cars. There is just so much at the Museum to see; we have just scratched the surface and there is much more waiting for the museum visitor. [Read more…] about The National Museum at Beaulieu, Cars M-Z

The National Museum at Beaulieu: Cars A-L

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This 1903 single cylinder De Dion Bouton is still a regular entrant in the annual London to Brighton Veteran car run. The car was purchased by the Montagu family from a tenant on their estate in 1913 and was one of the five original cars that launched the Montagu Motor Museum in 1952 when the cars were displayed in the entrance hall of the family home.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

Last week we mentioned that we would discuss the founder of the National Motor Museum, Lord Montagu. Here then, Jonathan Sharp does so as a prefix to Part 2 of the National Museum articles which will cover cars from A-L. Part 3 will show cars from L-Z and motorcycles. Part 4 will deal with the Land Speed Record Cars at the Museum. Ed.

Let’s get the elephant in the corner out of the room. In 1953 Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, together with two other gentlemen, was convicted of the then crime of a homosexual act with two other consenting adults, who turned Queen’s evidence. Lord Montagu served 8 months in prison. Such was the public’s disquiet as what was perceived to be the unfair victimization of a public figure and the criminality of sexual acts between consenting adults, that a public inquiry was finally set up which ultimately led to the law on homosexuality being reformed. Ok that’s out of the way. [Read more…] about The National Museum at Beaulieu: Cars A-L

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu Part 1

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Come on in, we are going to show you the neatest Museum in all of the UK.

Come on in, we are going to show you the neatest Museum in all of the British Isles.

Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp

It’s funny; I have driven, and flown hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles to visit various car museums, shows and race meetings around the world, and yet I had not visited the National Motor Museum (also known as the Beaulieu) less than two hours west of my home on England South Coast, for nearly 20 years.

The National Motor Museum is located in Beaulieu Hampshire deep in heart of the New Forest. The museum was founded by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu in 1952; I will tell you a little bit more about Lord Montagu in part two. I have dim memories of visiting Beaulieu with my parents during the late 1960s before holidaying on the nearby Isle of Wight. Those memories are rather less about the cars then on display and more of the monorail built around the grounds and the replica veteran London bus that one could take a ride on, both of which are still part of the Museum today. [Read more…] about The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu Part 1

London to Brighton 2016

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R. Stephens in Clevedon, Somerset made bicycles and between 1898 and 1900 built a few motor cars with the drive being transmitted by belts to a countershaft with chains to the rear wheels.

R. Stephens in Clevedon, Somerset made bicycles and between 1898 and 1900 built a few motor cars with the drive being transmitted by belts to a countershaft with chains to the rear wheels. Driver is urging it on.

Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp

November 6, 2016 – History dictates that the annual London to Brighton Veteran car run happens in November rather than a much warmer month, and this year it was very cold but sunny. [Read more…] about London to Brighton 2016

Firle Hillclimb Revival, U.K.

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Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

On the Sunday following the Goodwood Revival rather than taking a rest or perhaps cutting the lawn, my pals and I took a trip just down the road from our respective homes to the Firle Hill Climb Revival, being run for the second year by the Bo Peep Drivers Club.

The first Firle Hill climb took place in 1949, run by the Bentley Drivers Club. The climb was 600 yards in length and quite steep, running up Bo Peep Lane to the top of the Sussex Downs. [Read more…] about Firle Hillclimb Revival, U.K.

Salon Prive 2016

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Entered by Bruce Lavachek and David Cottingham, this Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa chassis 0614 MDTR played a major part in the Nassau and Cuban Sports Car races of the 1950s. The Ferrari won the Best of Show award.

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

September 8th 2016
Just back from Woodstock; no not the pop festival Woodstock but Woodstock in Oxfordshire, the location for Blenheim Palace which has been the home of Salon Prive event for the past two years. John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, had led his troops to victory against the French in the battle of Blenheim, a major battle in the war of Spanish succession on the 13th August 1704. To celebrate his victory, Queen Ann and a grateful nation gifted the 1st Duke the ruined Woodstock Manor and surrounding parkland together with £240,000 (about £36 million today) to build a palace. Blenheim Palace was designed by Sir John Vanburgh with construction commencing in 1705 and completed in 1733. The most notable date in the history of Blenheim Palace was the 30th November 1874, the birth date of Sir Winston Churchill. The estate itself extends to over 2000 acres. [Read more…] about Salon Prive 2016

The Last Refuge of the Enthusiast

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Yep, this one has correct hose clamps on the radiator…

Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp

Let us make no mistake: the upper end of the classic car hobby has always been for the very wealthy. But at one time there was a discrete middle class who could afford to own the lower end of the upper end, perhaps a Dino 246 GT or a Maserati 3500 or a Lancia Aurelia in good shape. But eventually even the lower end sports cars became ultra-expensive, out of the reach of the normal enthusiast. Those days are gone and probably gone forever. So what is left for the real car enthusiast who has a family, a mortgage and a moderate income?

Between his coverage of Goodwood, Salon Prive and Windsor Castle, Jonathan Sharp took the time to attend a down- to-earth-event at a golf course near Silverstone. Ed. [Read more…] about The Last Refuge of the Enthusiast

Silver Flag Hillclimb, Vernasca, Italy

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Louis Frey’s 1950 Ferrari 340 America departs for the 8.5 km climb to 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. So for the second year straight, on the weekend of June 17-19 we flew from London to Milan for this unusual event.

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Voyage to Wilton House

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Wilton House 2016: I liked the Maserati 4200; my wife was more interested in the ceanothus.

From: Jonathan Sharp

Dear Pete,

Jose and I managed to grab two days away over the weekend, May 21-22 and saw a recently restored world famous steam engine, the Flying Scotsman, in full steam; Stonehenge, the Salisbury Cathedral and a low-key event at Wilton House for Italian and French cars called “The Wilton Wake Up.” [Read more…] about Voyage to Wilton House

Jonathan Sharp at Goodwood

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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
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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

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