The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Paul Wilson explains the Regal.
Paul Wilson on Video
In the pages of VeloceToday, Paul Wilson has written and photographed the design and construction of his two Alfa 6C 2500 Alfas and a B.A.T. recreation as a step-by-step process that works well with text and photos. But there is no better medium than a good video when presenting a single collector car on and off the road. [Read more…] about And How! Paul Wilson, Team Roosevelt
Sebring earlier in the week. Scrutineering has started, with the Count Giovanni Volpi Ferraris lined up. Both his Scuderia Serenissima entries were allowed to run in the GT class, the #16 California [assigned to Giorgio Scarlatti/Fabrizio Serena] due to its steel body, while #15 [for Carlo Abate/Giovanni Balzarini] because it was an older 250GT Tour de France model, already homologated in the U.S. The Lotus Elites were entered by Jay Chamberlain, the Lotus importer based in North Hollywood.
By Willem Oosthoek
All photos taken by Bob Jackson [Willem Oosthoek Collection]
After the two support races on Friday, it was time for the 12 Hours itself. Unlike the wet 1959 event, Saturday’s weather promised to be warm and clear. But two things had changed for this year’s endurance race. The FIA had mandated new rules for the sportsracers, forcing them to meet the same requirements as the GT entries. This meant they had to feature a 25 cm high windshield, 30 cm high doors, a separate compartment for a suitcase measuring 20 x 40 x 65 cm, a ground clearance of 12 cm and a “useful” top. Many of the especially smaller and lower entries needed last-minute body modifications to comply with the new rules.
Race number 7 was part of three Turner works entries. This 750 cc car was driven by Fred Woodhead and Harold Krech.
By Willem Oosthoek
All photos taken by Bob Jackson [Willem Oosthoek Collection]
After the Formula Junior support race on Friday morning, March 25, 1960, everybody convened for lunch. On the program for the rest of the day was a 4-hour race for the International Trophy, limited to GT cars under-1-liter. In addition to the four Turners, the entry list showed eight Fiat-Abarths [750 cc], six DB-Panhards [almost 1 liter], six Austin-Healey Sprites [almost 1 liter], and a few oddities, such as a just under 1 liter Ford Anglia for Richard Toland and a 750 cc Saab for Jack Sheppard. Four of the Fiat-Abarths were entered by Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr, son of the former President. [Read more…] about Sebring 1960: Under 1 liter GT Race
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.