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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Robert Young

Tripoli 1939: Italian Job That Mis-fired

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The late Clyde Berryman’s diorama of the Mellaha pits and timing tower.

Story by Robert Young

The fabulous ‘golden era of motor sport’ of the 1930s was dominated by the silver German Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union racers. The Italian challengers in their brave red Maseratis and Alfa Romeos were outgunned in a motor sporting equivalent of the blitzkrieg. From 1934, when the German teams came on the scene, to 1937, the European Championship ‘750kg’ formula for Grand Prix cars saw engine capacities of up to 6 liters employed, but in 1938 this was reduced to 3 liters and once again the silver cars ruled the roost, with the ‘titans’ driving the Mercedes V12 W154.

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And How! VeloceToday’s Most Valuable Assets

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In addition to our comments section below each article, VeloceToday often gets very nice compliments, sent via email or included in a note with a subscription check. These comments rarely get published, but are meant as recognition of the work done by our contributors, who create the content that makes VeloceToday what it is. Magazines are nothing without good content, and therefore contributors are our greatest and most valuable assets.

They are historians, authors, editors, photographers, columnists, journalists, judges, drivers, restorers, artisans, collectors and constructors. They hail from the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, France, Belgium and Italy. Here are the names of thirty-three whose contributions made the year 2024 one to remember.

Jeff Allison, Gary Axon, Giles Chapman, Bob Cullinan, Rodney Diggens, Joseph Duray, Brandes Elitch, Graham Gauld, Greg Glassner, Bob Harrington, Joe Hurwich, Stefan Ivanov, Vince Johnson, Jackie Jouret, Allen R. Kuhn, Dale LaFollette, James Lanoway, Frederic Levaux, Bernard Linck, Roberto Motta, Herb Miska, Chris Nugent, Willem Oosthoek, Paul Sable, Charley Seavey, Jonathan Sharp, Jim Sitz, Roy Smith, Sean Smith, Pete Vack, Hugues Vanhoolandt, Paul Wilson, Robert Young

The Incredible F1 Alfa powered Racecars P2

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1962 Westmead ‘120’ – the first win for an LDS. Serrurier leads van der Vyver’s Lotus 21 Climax. (Photo: Tony de Wijn).

Story by Robert Young

Read Part 1

The 1962 South African Grand Prix season would also be see successful Alfa powered racecars. Ernest Pieterse, a proprietor of an Alfa Romeo dealership engaged Peter de Klerk to assist with the fitting of Alfa power to his championship winning Heron.

The South Africans were adept at building ‘specials’ and Doug Serrurier of LDS fame, a close friend of van der Vyver and de Klerk, used Alfa power in his early constructions. “Pure racing parts were hard and expensive to come by and I remember that to make larger valves Doug modified Model T Ford valves in his engine,” recalled Lew Baker.

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The Incredible F1 Alfa powered Racecars

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Bruce Johnstone inspects the motor. (Photo: Tony de Wijn)

Story by Robert Young

In the late 1950s, after years of austerity following WW2, as motor racing became more ‘professional’ in South Africa and factory-built racing chassis began to take their place on the grids and displace the ingenious ‘specials,’ the drivers sought the cheapest and most efficient engine power.

The 1½-liter South African Formula One Championship from 1960 to 1965 up to the adoption of the 3-liter formula was notable for the use of Alfa Romeo power for many of the contenders. Contrary to popular opinion these engines were not imported racing motors but were self-modified by the resourceful locals.

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Jackie Stewart’s First F1 Drive

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Stewart and the author, the Rand Grand Prix poster.

Story by Robert Young

Some time back I was in a lonely corner of the Goodwood paddock admiring a race car when I sensed someone close by.
I looked up and instinctively said “Hello” to which a dapper fellow wearing a tartan cap replied “Hello”.

Stunned for something to say I stuttered “I saw your first ever Formula One race.”

Sir Jackie Stewart smiled and recalled “…it was the 1964 Rand Grand Prix in South Africa and I drove the Lotus.” He proceeded to tell me a little about the event.

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