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roberto motta

Premium Subscription Article: From Showcar to Turbine

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This interview with Gilda’s owner Scott Grundfor is the first in a series of Premium articles about Gilda, the car, the legend and the designer.

By Roberto Motta

Scott Grundfor, left, confers with another turbine enthusiast Jay Leno.

Scott Grundfor is the CEO of Scott Grundfor Company, a firm devoted to the conservation, restoration and sales of classic cars. Located in Arroyo Grande, California, Grundfor has garnered 34 Best in Show awards, primarily with Mercedes Benz automobiles. In the past five years, he acquired several Ghia showcars, among them the 1955 Ghia “Gilda” showcar which is our feature.

Roberto Motta has been involved researching turbine powered cars and was very interested in the installation and drivability of the Gilda turbine project. He conducted this interview with Scott Grundfor in 2010 for VeloceToday.

Tell us about how you found the car.
I was offered Gilda (Chassis 9969 Carrozzeria Ghia) in 2005 when the car left the Blackhawk Museum. I wanted it because of its important history in automobile design and because I think it is beautiful. Gilda was offered to me by a broker, Mike Fairbairn, from RM Classic in Chattam Canada, who knew I had an interest in these special show cars.

1955 Brochure with surprisingly similar greenhouse to the Alfa B.A.T.s

We understand you have an interesting collection.
Cars of interest to VeloceToday readers include a 1965 Citroen ID 19; 1973 Ford Ghia Mini Max Concept; 1979 Ford (Ghia) Probe I Concept; 1982 Ghia Brezza Concept; 1982 Ghia Barchetta Concept; 1984 Ghia Pockar Concept; 1985 Ghia Shuttler Concept; 1985 Ford (Ghia) Probe V Concept.

In what condition was the car when you purchased it and did it have the OSCA engine at that time? [Read more…] about Premium Subscription Article: From Showcar to Turbine

Celebrating Fifty Years of the Renault R4

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1963, going to the Opera

by Roberto Motta

Photos: Renault communication- RENAULT INTERNAL/PRESS

You may think this sad, funny, or just a sign of the times. If you Google “Renault R4”, there will be more results than if you Googled “Brigit Bardot”. [ PS: Brigitte, you have been redeemed. Reader Matthew Boyer says, “That’s only because you spelled Brigitte Bardot wrong. 1.5M hits for Renault R4 vs. 2.3M for BB.” Our faith in lechery has been restored–Ed.]

But the old R4 and its familiar French silhouette still turn heads like Bardot did in the early sixties. Not the most curvaceous of bodies, a half-century since its introduction in 1961, its fans still love the R4, like a favorite pair of blue jeans. And the R4 is the object of obsession for many collectors. Rare in the U.S.—it was never imported here—it was at least famous for its performance in the movie “Romancing the Stone” with Michael Douglas and Danny Devito.

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Italian Historic Cup at Monza

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Abarth Osella PA1 owned and driven by Grant Tromans of Monte Carlo.

Story and photos by Roberto Motta

“58th Coppa Intereuropa Autostoriche”

On June 4-6th the “58th Coppa Intereuropa Autostoriche” was held at the historic circuit of Monza. The “Intereurope Cup” is the main Italian event for historic cars and this year had competition events for over 350 racing cars: From Tourism classes to Formula 1 and sports prototype, the Autostoriche featured the cars of the classes that participated in the classic “1000 km of Monza”. In addition, the weekend had parades, rallies, shows and a marketplace, all strictly reserved for cars that wrote the racing history.
[Read more…] about Italian Historic Cup at Monza

The History of the March-Alfa Romeo Indy Cars

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May 19th, 1990. the March-Alfa Romeo 90CA-003 during qualifying driven by Roberto Guerrero. Photo courtesy IMS Photo.

By Roberto Motta

The History of the Indy 500 March-Alfa Romeos

By Roberto Motta

Twenty years ago this month, Alfa Romeo made its last appearance at the Indianapolis 500 with a promising effort put forth by the Patrick Team of Chip Ganassi. In this exclusive report, Roberto Motta tracks the history of the March-Alfa Romeos and describes the recent restoration of the car driven by Roberto Guerrero at Indy.

The Indy 500 race has always captured the attention of millions fans and the interest of the European car manufacturers including Alfa Romeo. Rex Mays entered the 1937 event with the Type 8C (see Alfa’s Pre War Titans) and a Type 308 ended a successful and long run with an 8th place in 1948. But there would be no more Alfas at the Brickyard for another forty two years. [Read more…] about The History of the March-Alfa Romeo Indy Cars

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