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And How! Closing the Roundel

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By Pete Vack

This week we begin a multi-part series on Italian designers and BMW, researched and written by BMW Roundel columnist Jackie Jouret. These exclusive articles for VeloceToday are the result of some interesting connections and coincidences.

Although I’ve owned a lot of Alfas, my first new car was not an Alfa but a 1971 BMW 2002, chosen over an Alfa Berlina 1750. It will long be remembered, perhaps mostly because we kept the window sticker. It was in the days before the great inflationary spiral of the 1970s, and the cost off the showroom floor was only $3706. That’s three thousand, seven hundred six dollars. [Read more…] about And How! Closing the Roundel

Zagato Mia

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The author in 1960, pondering an Abarth 750 GT Zagato. Same car as below? We’ll never know. Photo by Donald Vack

Story and Photos by Pete Vack unless otherwise noted

From the VeloceToday Archives, 2009

The name sounded odd–Fiat Derivazione Abarth 750 GT Zagato–and did not easily roll off American tongues. But once seen, the car was not easily forgotten, while the long, strange name was quickly replaced by the nickname “Double Bubble.” Not only did it refer to the unique top, but “Dubble Bubble” is also the name of the original chewing bubble gum, which was very popular at the time, that being 1958-59.

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Meet the Author

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By the Editor

One of the many joys that VT brings to its editor is experienced when a long-lost acquaintance sends an email, which is nice enough, but often it is accompanied by a photo or story idea. Some of these singular but digital reunions harken from long ago. For example, Jim Cohn and I were only 19 when we organized rallies for the local sports car club back in 1966. Because of VeloceToday, Jim emailed me from Hawaii in 2006, 40 years later, with rare OSCA photos. We are still in touch. Last year, Jackie Jouret, my old editor at Forza made contact with me after 20 years, which resulted in the Merritt Interview story we ran earlier this year.

Recently, we received an email (and a story idea) from one Greg Glassner. Now that was a name I recalled but couldn’t quite nail it. He wrote, “You may remember me from my days in Norfolk. I was editor of the newsletter for the short-lived Tidewater Drivers Club and I believe you contributed several stories before going on to bigger and better things. We shared an interest in Italian cars. I am retired after 40-some years in newspapers.” [Read more…] about Meet the Author

Brandes Elitch, Cars Yeah, and Lancia Loraymo

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Story by Pete Vack

Last week Brandes Elitch, our longtime contributor/columnist, had his say on Mark Greene’s Cars Yeah. And what a good performance it was! Despite knowing him digitally for fifteen years, (meaning we have never met in person) hearing him on Mark’s excellent series added much depth and humanity to the subject of one Brandes Elitch. [Read more…] about Brandes Elitch, Cars Yeah, and Lancia Loraymo

Driving the Alfa Romeo RLSS

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From the VeloceToday archives, June, 2010

By Pete Vack
Photos by Harry Hurst

Thanks to the kind offices of the Simeone Foundation, VeloceToday was recently given the opportunity to drive two rare pre-war Alfa Romeos. While driving the “Legendary” 2.3 Castagna was a dream come true, it was perhaps even more fortunate to have been able to sample an even rarer Alfa–a 1925 RLSS, “Merosi’s Masterpiece” as some have called the breed. Rare, did we say? How about 392 ever produced, of which perhaps a dozen are left, scattered across the globe. To see one is an event; to drive one is to experience motoring’s Shangri-La.

Being able to drive both the 8C 2300 and the RLSS meant that we were given the even rarer opportunity to drive the work of both Giuseppe Merosi and Vittorio Jano. We’ll tell you which was more fun an bit down.

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Recent Comments from our Readers

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Ford v Ferrari

(Photo copyright Merrick Morton, 20th Century Fox)

Ford v Ferrari is a fantastic old fashion movie movie, well written, well directed and cut, wonderful cast, nice relationships and just enough “truth” to suggest the major themes. You want great entertainment in a movie, do not miss FvF. It’s no documentary, but it’s a great ride – for anyone. You want history, the real rather than reel story? Read a book. I could make a suggestion? (Twice Around the Clock, Yanks at Le Mans https://www.yanksatlemans.com/about.html, per the Editor)
Tim Considine

That was an excellent review for which, thanks. I think I agree in large or small part with each of the comments too. Overall, I enjoyed it as a movie (it’s arrived here in Australia), but wearied of so many clank/bang downshifts and malevolent Bandini portrayal. Pity the Shelby character wasn’t half a foot taller but he did the job well. An era of great style and bravery, wasn’t it!
John Waterhouse [Read more…] about Recent Comments from our Readers

A Bit About VeloceToday’s Editor

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Photo by Lisa Cummings

This article appeared in “Next Door Neighbor” magazine, published in Williamsburg, Virginia. Perhaps our readers would like to know a little about VeloceToday’s Editor.

Story by Narielle Living

“To do what you love doing while making people happy is extremely gratifying.” – Pete Vack

For Pete Vack, publisher of VeloceToday, an online magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts, the above quote embodies his approach to life and business. Pete’s unique skill set and experience with both cars and publishing made him the perfect choice to manage the magazine. “Since 1970, I was involved in the purchase, restoration and racing of classic cars, even working for Ferrari of Washington for a while as a mechanic. My experience with classic cars, racing and mechanics plus my knowledge of the Digital revolution, computers, writing and publishing, gave me the tools I needed to publish and edit VeloceToday,” he says. [Read more…] about A Bit About VeloceToday’s Editor

Experiencing Zagato’s Alfas

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Richard Stafferton's (RIP) TZ and John Winter's Coda Tronca and one of my Coda Tondas taken in Richards driveway in Toronto

Richard Stafferton’s TZ1 S/N 084 and John Winter’s Coda Tronca s/n 00195 and Oliver Collin’s round tail, s/n 00147, taken in Richard’s driveway in Toronto, 1978. See how many Alfas you can identify in Richard’s yard. Photo Oliver Collins collection.

By Pete Vack *

As early as the late 1960s, the Alfa enthusiast instinctively knew that of all the post war Alfas semi production cars, the Zagatos were the most desirable. Alfa Zagatos exemplified the era of the relatively inexpensive, coachbuilt GT car, as did the special bodied Ferraris, Maseratis, and Lancias.

They were also, for most part, aluminum, which beat the ever present rust problem associated with steel bodied cars of the era. Unlike the competition, Alfas were more numerous, less expensive and in general more reliable. They had mechanicals that could be understood, repaired and there were ample parts available. Another part of the lure of Alfas was that the 1300/1600 cars were a joy to drive; some, yes, underpowered, but all were fun and easy to drive. They were small, light, responsive and eager. Many were raced successfully at Le Mans, Sebring, and the Targa Florio.

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CarsYeah: Interviews With People You Know

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By Pete Vack

Carsyeah gave the editor a chance to chat about Mary, whose photos enabled him to get his articles published. Photo by Jesse Alexander

Mark Greene has got a good thing going. After spending the last 20+ years at Griot’s Garage where he helped the founder build up the business from the start, four months ago he started a new website, www.CarsYeah.com. [Read more…] about CarsYeah: Interviews With People You Know

This is What John Surtees Said

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John Surtees, age 74, Goodwood, September 17th, 2010

Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt taken at the Goodwood Revival, 2010

This year Goodwood celebrated the life and career of John Surtees. Born in 1934, his racing career spanned 22 years from 1950 to 1972, winning world championship driving titles for MV Agusta four times and once for Ferrari in 1964, then going off on his own to create a series of Formula cars which met with mixed success. Few have experienced a more varied and successful life in motorsports than John Surtees.

In an exclusive interview granted in 2001 with VeloceToday Editor Pete Vack, the only Champion on two wheels and four tells it like it was…
[Read more…] about This is What John Surtees Said

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