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The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

roberto motta

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

Ferrari 312 P V12: Much Praise, No Wins

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Story by Roberto Motta
Photos Centro Documentazione Storica Ferrari e Archivio Automobile Club Milano

From the VeloceToday Archives, January 2019

The 312 P powered by the V12 engine is a beautiful but unfortunate car, and never won a victory during its brief racing career. However, it is one of the most aesthetically satisfying cars ever made in the Ferrari workshops, and is the last prototype made before the agreement the agreement between the ‘prancing horse’ brand and FIAT.

The story begins when, after boycotting sports car racing in 1968 season to protest a rule change that banned their 4-litre 330 P4, Ferrari built a 3000cc prototype for the 1969 season, based on the existing F1 Ferrari 312 with a 60 degree V12. It was presented to the press on December 14th 1968 at the Fini Hotel in Modena. During the meeting, Enzo Ferrari announced his intention to participate in the 1969 Manufacturers World Championship with the car, called the 312 P for prototype. [Read more…] about Ferrari 312 P V12: Much Praise, No Wins

Alfa Romeo Museum circa 2016: Fantastic!

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A sight one does not normally see in other museums.

A sight one does not normally see in other museums.

Story and photos by Roberto Motta

It’s Hoods Up at the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo for the 40th Anniversary
From the VeloceToday Archives, January, 2017

Wander through the many automobile museums of the world (or just follow VeloceToday!) and you will quickly note that they all have one thing in common; the hoods are usually closed and if not, one can’t get close enough to study the mechanicals. This is unfortunate, for unlike today’s plastic-covered engines, many powerplants of the 20th century were hi tech engineering, awesome to look at, art in and of themselves, and designed to be easy to work on. Yet they are so often hidden under the hoods of museum pieces. Not so in Milan however!

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Driving the Lancia Zero

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Striking in 1971, and no less effective today. Driving it was unworldly.

Story and Photos by Roberto Motta

[Fourteen years ago, in 2008, our Italian correspondent Roberto Motta had a chance to drive the Stratos Zero. It is doubtful the same opportunities will be offered again. Below is his report on driving the magnificent show car, which we republished in 2016, eight years after the original version. In light of the recent activity accorded the Zero, we think it appropriate to present Motta’s engaging article once again. In an earlier article, Motta also explains how the Zero came to the attention of the powers that be at Lancia: Italian UFOs and the Stratos Ed.]

In February 1971, Beppe Panicco drove the Stratos Zero through the streets of Milan and stopped on the square of the “Duomo”, the cathedral of Milan. Panicco had to stop as there were so many people crowding around the car to get a glimpse of that strange object. Many thought there was a UFO in Milan! The Stratos tied up traffic in every direction, the police arrived, and Panicco finally succeeded in driving between the legs of the onlookers.

Would it be half as fun for us, more than 35 years later?

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On the Block: The Bertone Collection, 2011

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By Roberto Motta, Pete Vack and RM Auctions
Photos courtesy Sotheby/RM Auctions

From our Archives, April 2011

As a consequence of the financial reorganization of Bertone, the liquidators of the Bertone Museum offered six of the most original, thought provoking and classic Italian concept cars ever made. These wonderful cars were auctioned by RM at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy, 21st May, 2011.

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Andretti’s Hero…at Indy!

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Rare color image of Ascari at the Brickyard in 1952, courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

From the VeloceToday Archives, May, 2012

During the month of May and the Indy 500, it’s appropriate to think about two events, Monaco and the Indy 500. Most of us are probably very aware of the appearance at Indy of Alberto Ascari in 1952 and the broken wheel which ended his drive. However, more obscure are the other Ferrari entries that continued for some years after the 1952 event. Below Roberto Motta puts it all together in two parts with the help of images from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. [Ed.]

By Roberto Motta
Photos courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Ferrari’s attempts at “The Brickyard” began in 1952, but continued in subsequent years until 1956, with the last Ferrari Bardahl Experimental car. The results were never encouraging, partly because of a lack of preparation and commitment. Perhaps Ferrari did not take the unique and difficult requirements racing at the Indy 500 as seriously as was warranted. [Read more…] about Andretti’s Hero…at Indy!

Scarabeos Three

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One of three Alfa Scarabeo constructed. It was the forerunner of the T33 series.

By Roberto Motta
Photo: Centro Documentazione Storica Alfa Romeo and Roberto Motta

The world is changing and we are experiencing a tough time. I live in Milano, and respect for the rules is essential; like many others, I live pretty much in self quarantine. Like most people, I have some moments of a little anguish so, to think of something more pleasant, I decided to reorder my archive.

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The Alfa Museum, Under the Hood

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A sight one does not normally see in other museums.

When the Alfa Museum was open and hoods were up.

Story and photos by Roberto Motta
From the Archives, January 2017

Wander through the many automobile museums of the world (or just follow VeloceToday!) and you will quickly note that they all have one thing in common; the hoods are usually closed and if not, one can’t get close enough to study the mechanicals. This is unfortunate, for unlike today’s plastic-covered engines, many powerplants of the 20th century were hi tech engineering, awesome to look at, art in and of themselves, and designed to be easy to work on. Yet they are so often hidden under the hoods of museum pieces. Not so in Milan however!

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And How! On the 312P and Serenissima

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We received a number of nice comments last week along with a few images relevant to the articles on the Ferrari 312P and the Serenissima F1 by Roberto Motta, and thought it might be a good idea to add a few of them to an And How! feature…

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Ferrari 312 P V12

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Story by Roberto Motta
Photos Centro Documentazione Storica Ferrari e Archivio Automobile Club Milano

The 312 P powered by the V12 engine is a beautiful but unfortunate car, and never won a victory during its brief racing career. However, it is one of the most aesthetically satisfying cars ever made in the Ferrari workshops, and is the last prototype made before the agreement the agreement between the ‘prancing horse’ brand and FIAT.

The story begins when, after boycotting sports car racing in 1968 season to protest a rule change that banned their 4-litre 330 P4, Ferrari built a 3000cc prototype for the 1969 season, based on the existing F1 Ferrari 312 with a 60 degree V12. It was presented to the press on December 14th 1968 at the Fini Hotel in Modena. During the meeting, Enzo Ferrari announced his intention to participate in the 1969 Manufacturers World Championship with the car, called the 312 P for prototype.

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Serenissima McLaren F1

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From the archives, December 12th, 2007

Story and photography by Roberto Motta

In the early 1960s, Scuderia Serenissima, founded by the Venetian Count Giovanni Volpi di Misurata, was very active in motor racing, entering major events with Porsches, a Lotus-Cooper, Maseratis, and Ferraris driven by Nino Vaccarella, Graham Hill, Umberto Maglioli, Joakim Bonnier, Jo Siffert, Lodovico Scarfiotti and Giancarlo Baghetti.

Scuderia Serenissima entered Formula 1 events in 1961 with a Cooper-Maserati driven by Maurice Trintignant. For the French GP, the team used a De Tomaso chassis powered by an OSCA engine, which was shared by Giorgio Scarlatti and Nino Vaccarella. However, the De Tomaso OSCAs were not competitive.

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The Bertone Auction of 2011

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By Roberto Motta, Pete Vack and RM Auctions
Photos courtesy Sotheby/RM Auctions

Updated from our archives, April 2011

As a consequence of the financial reorganization of Bertone, the liquidators of the Bertone Museum offered six of the most original, thought provoking and classic Italian concept cars ever made. These wonderful cars were auctioned by RM at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy, 21st May, 2011. [Read more…] about The Bertone Auction of 2011

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