The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Ricardo Rodriguez in the NART-entered Ferrari Dino 196S [chassis 0776] that he co-drove with brother Pedro. The car ran well for the first five hours, occupying 5th overall. Then it began dropping back, to retire with clutch failure after 126 laps.
By Willem Oosthoek
All photos by Bob Jackson [Willem Oosthoek Collection], unless stated otherwise.
Behold the art of Jim Sitz, an 18-year-old Californian who was already steeped in racing knowledge and an expert photographer when arrived in Europe in the summer of that magical, epochal, dangerous year of 1957. Sitz was not wealthy, but worked and saved for two years in order to afford the trip that would change his life forever. And after 67 years his photographs and memories are still enriching our lives.
We have assembled a portrait gallery of fourteen of the greatest race drivers of the era, adding Jim’s personal recollections including his first-hand report of Fangio’s German Grand Prix. Also herein are Jean Behra, Mike Hawthorn, Luigi Musso, Stirling Moss, Peter Collins, Oliver Gendebien, Ron Flockhart, Archie Scott Brown, Masten Gregory, Wolfgang von Trips, Phil Hill, Harry Schell and Ken Miles.
Story and photos by Jim Sitz
Lead Photo: Masten Gregory (29 February 1932 – 8 November 1985) sitting in the Testa Rossa prototype before the 1957 Swedish 6 Hour on August 11 where the car was retired with gearbox failure. A week earlier at the Nurburgring I joked with him, saying he’d should be very careful and that I’d seen him spin his C type Jag at March Field in 1953. “Oh God, you mean you were there?” he replied. [Read more…] about Jim Sitz: Faces ’57
Sir Stirling’s widow, Lady Susie Moss died recently at the age of 69. Photo of Jackie Stewart and Ladie Moss by Jonathan Sharp.
Diane Brandon is a specialist in Bentley and Rolls-Royce motorcars, Diane Brandon consults with prospective and current owners of the two marques, and frequently researches these cars for car-related publications, brokers and auction houses. She has been a member of the Rolls-Royce and Bentley judging team for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for over 30 years.
Sir Stirling Moss and Lady Susie were truly a delightful couple, and were simply crazy about each other. He had two brief marriages early on, but when he married Susie in 1980, he had obviously found his soul mate. I used to see them at the Pebble Beach Concours every year because Sir Stirling was a honorary judge for years.
It took a while for the organizers to realize that Carroll Shelby was leading the race in his Maserati Tipo 61.
By Willem Oosthoek
Photos by Bob Bellows and Dave Nicholas (Willem Oosthoek Collection)
Links to all previous chapters below
So how did the Nassau Trophy exactly unfold in 1959? With such a diverse field and some drivers making faster getaways than others, it always takes a few laps before everything is sorted out, However, reading what the motorsport journalists in period, and some of the subsequent book authors, tell us about this feature race, a rather vague picture emerges.
Story and photos by Allen R. Kuhn
In the lead photo above, Bill Dixon in his #711 Maserati 300S tries to perfect his NASCAR bump draft technique on the rear end of Jack Nethercutt’s Ferrari 250 TR 59/60 at Pomona on January 8, 1961. Nethercutt finished 6th OA and 3rd in DM where as Mr. Dixon was able to get around Jack for 5th OA and 2nd in DM. This race was won by Bill Krause in a Maserati Birdcage Tipo 61, a follow-up to his win at Riverside on October 16, 1960, in the same car. Below are a few photos from 1959 to 1960 in chronological order.
Exuberance personified, Moss three wheels the Vanwall at Melling Crossing, Aintree, 1957 (Gauld Photo)
Story and photos by Graham Gauld
1952. It is remarkably 68 years since I first wrote about and photographed Stirling Moss when I was a trainee journalist with an Edinburgh newspaper. In a remarkable bit of chutzpah, I had talked the Sports Editor into letting me take over the motoring and motor racing correspondents role at the age of 17!
Susie and Stirling Moss, Goodwood 2010.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
“Who do you think you are, Stirling Moss?” was an oft-used phrase by British Bobbies when pulling over speeding motorists in the mid-twentieth century. So well-known in fact, that Renault used the line during the 1970s for a Renault 20 television advertisement. If I recall correctly, the scene starts with the Renault stopped on a country road with a Bobby on a bicycle next to the car. The driver’s front window then comes down electrically, and the Bobby looks at the driver in the car whilst saying the immortal line. As the camera pulls away, we see Stirling Moss at the wheel. [Read more…] about Sir Stirling Moss, Mr Goodwood
Paul Stewart drove one of the Mercedes. But here, his gear in repose.
Twenty four frames from the camera of Hugues Vanhoolandt.
The five Auto-Unions in the Swiss GP replica pits.
A line up of pre-war Mercedes and Auto Unions like this hasn't happened before and may not again, so enjoy.
Jean Alesi, happy to drive one of the GTOs.
Twenty images from the camera of Jonathan Sharp.
Moss has a few words with Surtees.
Merzario enjoying the crowds and the Rolls-Royce.
Ken Brack set to drive the Mickey Thompson special.
Gurney and Lord March.
International champions spellbound by their hero, Rene Dreyfus (in blue sportscoat), at the 1976 Long Beach Vintage Grand Prix.
Heroes
Joel Finn had been my host for nearly a week. We were assembling the pieces for his soon to be produced history of Ferrari’s 250 Testa Rossa. As I prepared my luggage for a next-day departure, he suggested I leave a little earlier the next morning to have time to stop in Manhattan for lunch at Le Chanteclair Restaurant and Bar on 18 East 49th, the legend-filled necessary stop for every one in the world of motor sport. [Read more…] about A Car Life, by Larry Crane