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We push Pete Thelander’s 1934 MG NE Magnette out into the sunlight. Its red paintwork gleams and dazzles. The car is bright red because it was built for none other than Tazio Nuvolari— who some would say was the greatest race driver of all time— to drive in the Ulster...
“Cats” from Bristol-the cars of the Stars By Royce Rumsey Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, Peter Sellers, Jerry Hall, Tom Petty, Frank Sinatra and most famously, Clark Gable and Steve McQueen, were all Jaguar owners and fans. Jaguar was one the most highly desired marques among Hollywood’s A-Listers. Their coveting of...
Like many British automobile companies, Jensen Motors Limited began in the 1920s, advancing the dreams of brothers Alan and Richard Jensen first as autobody builders contracted to larger companies, and eventually as manufacturers of their own sports and GT cars. Though business was brisk, and progress included commercial vehicles which...
On a trip through Italy in the summer of 2024, we were fortunate enough to be granted a last look at the Umberto Panini Motor Museum Collection. It was a last look because the magnificent collection was to be relocated to a new building, which at the time of our...
Photography by Chuck Andersen. The 2024 HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour, Pistons & Props, delivered an adrenaline-packed weekend of firsts, fierce competition, and photo-finish drama at Sebring International Raceway. With nine hours of racing on Saturday and three more on Sunday, this homage to the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring...
This is the tale of a wonderful old racing machine, now fast approaching its 100th birthday but still enjoying an active competition life in the hands of vintage racing enthusiast and collector Andrew Larson. No Subscription? You’re missing out Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content. Get Started...
Bearer of a degree in Industrial Engineering at the Turin Polytechnic, Savonuzzi honed his skill on Fiat aero engines during World War 2 and later at Cisitalia. In Italy, a country that’s home to numerous small, specialized companies making exotic sports and racing cars, few can compete with SVA in...
For the burgeoning Formula Two category for 1½-liter cars, French star driver Jean Behra based a new racing car of his own on Porsche components. In 1959, it showed its class by beating the factory Porsches in the year’s biggest F2 race. Built in Modena, Italy, in 1959, for French...
Fed up with seeing their major races won by the Germans in the 1930s, the Italians allowed only 1½-liter entries in their 1939 races to eliminate their opposition. They reckoned without the astonishing skills of the Daimler-Benz Racing Department. The most glamorous Grand Prix race of the 1930s was not...
While gathering for our family Thanksgiving this year, I showed a photo of an average American muscle car to my older daughter. “That’s nice Dad, but what is THAT?” she proclaimed pointing to the headlight and front fender of a Ferrari 275 GTB/4 peeking out in the distance. “That’s a...
An image of Reid Railton with his parents depicted the engineer at the time of his decision, supported by Henry Spurrier III, to design and produce an automobile of his own conception. In the midst of Britain’s post-war turmoil engineer Reid Railton was freshly out of a job at the...
Before the ad offering it for sale was published in February 1982, ALP 598 was mine. “One of the prettiest of all the famous Le Mans cars,” it was called, “in superb restored condition. Finished in Prussian Blue with grey hide upholstery and black weather equipment.” That’s the way Coys...
In 1977, Porsche’s “improvised” Type 936/77 took on the full-court press of four Renaults at Le Mans. Retirements and technical troubles suggested that winning was out of the question. But neither its drivers nor Porsche number 4 believed that. Against strong opposition from Alpine-Renault and Alfa Romeo, Porsche took the...
As time progresses, the concept of historic racing naturally pushes forwards. Etched into our individual psyche, we all have a notion of what constitutes historic. A dawning realization that the classes of motorsport which predate our own existence are indeed historic, but those race cars we grew up idolizing, are...
Unusual marques are often seen at the major Concours d’Elegance, but what is the chance of seeing a little-known marque at a car show established by a local museum in a relatively small town in Georgia? That’s exactly what happened at “The Gathering,” a car show arranged by the Savoy...
If you had to choose the worst decade of automobile design, it would be hard to surpass the period spanning 1972 – 1982. Rapidly changing regulations, government interventions resulting in enormous bumper protrusions, proportional oddities resulting from shrinking formerly large cars to oddly proportioned small cars in a mad rush...
My wife made an offer on a house in New Zealand while vacationing there with her family a few years ago. She is a realtor, and not an impulsive person, so I did not object, especially after she mentioned that it had a four-car garage. I was a bit apprehensive...
“Who painted this D-Type red?” was my thought when I first laid eyes on this legendary machine. Most of the Jaguar competition cars are BRG— British Racing Green—a livery thought by many to be “proper” for a car of this ilk. Sure a few black, blue, or even white cars...
Editor’s Note: Check out Sean Smith’s review of the Nissan Z Performance in 2023 for an in-depth read. I went back to the Mt. Equinox Hillclimb this year. The drive from New York takes you through beautiful countryside with wonderful winding roads. If you are not competing on the hill...
Written by: Glen Smale. Images by: Glen Smale & National Motor Museum, Beaulieu No Subscription? You’re missing out Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content. Get Started Already a Member? Sign in to your account here....
The 5th Annual Velocity Invitational, held at Sonoma Raceway from October 4-6, 2024, was a spectacular gathering of automotive excellence and star-powered performances. This three-day motorsports and lifestyle event brought together an incredible mix of rare and historic cars, alongside a diverse roster of drivers from various racing disciplines. No...
A tiny red car is mixing it up at the Monterey Historic Races with 356 Porsches, Morgans, Corvettes, Lotuses and Alfas on the track. “What is that thing?” a fellow racer with a Ferrari on the pre-grid says. The same question has been asked at different racing events around the globe...
Founded in 1906, Lancia is one of the foremost Italian automobile manufacturers and a world leader in engineering. Over the past 100+ years, they have continually delivered innovation and superlative engineering. Always ahead of the competition with advanced suspensions, clever engine designs, and distinctive body designs, Lancia pioneered numerous concepts,...
Before After. Rear cover of Paul Skilleter’s book on Jaguar saloons. Jim and Lisa Hendrix are committed fans of all things Jaguar. Nearly everything automotive inside and outside their garage is a Jaguar, with the notable exception of the Sunbeam motorcycle, but it has a Swallow sidecar mounted. The Hendrix...
During the late ’50s and early ’60s American racers were doing battle in a wide variety of homebuilt racecars and Specials. Taking production car engines and chassis and creating their own unique take on a competition car. They may have been quick, but many had a look only a mother...
If I were to ask you to name an innovative, Italian sports car manufacturer, chances are good you would instinctively reply, Ferrari. If I were to then ask you to name one of the oldest Italian automobile manufacturers in continuous production, you very well might answer either Fiat or Alfa...
In a world where time-travel is still far from reality, the next best solution can be found on the South coast of England in early September. As the curtains draw to a close on the English Summer, one last hurrah exists in the most evocative and atmospheric racing event on...
The 1950s was one of the most prolific periods of automobile design. Aircraft technology developed during the war, aerodynamics, and new engine technology were influencing automobile designs all over the world. In addition to the growing technology, communication between countries also expanded as new ventures and fledgling start-up companies combined...
The now customary late summer date on the calendar for the Silverstone Festival marks the largest historic racing event in the UK. A colossal 20 race program over the course of the weekend, which saw no less than 30 hours of on-track action throughout the three day program, with race...
Large and imposing, this Pierce-Arrow Model 48 commanded attention when it arrived back in 1916, and still does today over a century later. A chance to see one of these magnificent machines does not come along often. The chance to ride in one is even rarer. No Subscription? You’re missing...
If you’ve not heard of the Concours d’Lemons, it’s a tongue-in-cheek car show that takes place during Monterey Car Week. They see me rollin’! This unique event celebrates the “oddities, the mundane, and the truly awful” of the automotive world. No Subscription? You’re missing out Get immediate ad-free access to...
The Porsche Werks Reunion 2024 celebrated its 10th anniversary during Monterey Car Week along the coastal peninsula. The gathering brings together Porsche enthusiasts and showcases a stunning array of classic and modern Porsches. Hosted by the Porsche Club of America, this reunion takes place at the Monterey Pines Golf Course...
Words & Images by: Glen Smale The official Ferrari Museum website refers to the Maranello Museum, as the ‘Home of a dream’. And that’s basically what it is, the ‘home of dreams’, for every young boy around the world. It’s quite amazing, run a bunch of images of sports cars...
It’s a classic car club meet-up, a new car showcase, with a wide variety of food trucks, all surrounded by a race car track in Denmark’s capital city. Velkomst to the Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix! Copenhagen Historic GP infield 1965 MG Lenham Midget 1959 ELVA 100 (#11) The Copenhagen Historic...
Donington Park has traditionally held the Masters Historic race weekend in the early Spring, but a move to a mid-summer slot on the calendar. Hot on the heels of the announcement, alongside the already diverse grids which run in the Masters series, a new category for Group C cars which...
If you had to pick one of the most misunderstood European automotive brands imported to the United States, chances are Fiat would rise to the top. Though much of their brand name and recognition has improved in North American markets since their introduction of the new Fiat 500 (2007), back...
1958 DeSoto Adventurer The 1950s were a halcyon period for American car manufacturing. After the deprivation of the war years, the American public yearned for a little excess—bigger, faster, flashier. Catering to this new appetite, during the 1950s American manufacturers went through a rapid period of automotive development, both technically...
Road America again hosted the Weather Tech International Challenge, a midsummer staple of the vintage racing scene. With well over 400 entries, the twelve racing classes featured full fields in each one. This year, the Formula Ford was the featured marque, celebrating 55 years of training aspiring racers all the...
A weekend where it feels as if the motorsport world descends upon the airy grounds of Goodwood House. In motorsport circles, the English summer is predominantly punctuated by two dynamic, yet distinctly different events. First on the calendar is the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where Sir Lewis Hamilton against...
Pat Dennis and Lotus Chassis #39, Bud Okon’s Chassis #30. Most people know that “snake eyes” means a high risk (1 in 36), high reward (30 to 1) chance of rolling two “ones” in craps. There’s the same risk and reward to rolling two “sixes.” Rolling two “sixes” is called...
In a month which hosted three of the most prestigious endurance races, all eyes turned to the hallowed ground of the Spa Francorchamps circuit, nestled in the undulating forest of the Ardennes in Eastern Belgium. The biggest GT race in motorsport landed hot on the heels of a thoroughly entertaining...
When Porsche first unveiled the 911, we lived in steady but gently progressive times. The 1960s was a turning point in many ways. Nearly everything was changing, and cars were becoming an exciting way for middle-class enthusiasts to express their desire for both performance and style. Manufacturers were embracing new...
Photo: Pete Austin Where do we start with the story of the March 761? In true Sound of Music fashion—at the very beginning. In the late 1960s, a band of four guys, Max Mosley (a barrister), Alan Rees (a former racing driver), Grahame Coaker (engineer and racing driver) and lastly,...
The Second Annual HSR Classic 6 Hours of The Glen took place from June 6 to June 9, 2024, with a bevy of familiar faces competing for victories. 41 Todd Treffert 74 Porsche 911 RSR Baby Turbo The HSR Classic 6 Hours is a retro-tribute race to The Glen’s longstanding...
Photography by Matty White Media Just shy of a third of a million fans flocked to the Circuit de la Sarthe, expectations set sky high following the celebrated Ferrari victory in the Hypercar class the previous year. With more manufacturers throwing their hat into the ring, new entries from BMW,...
Photo: Steve Oom With just over 600 produced between 1954 and 1962 it can t be said that the Jensen 541 was built in huge numbers. In my 45-plus years of older car enthusiasm, I can say that I have seen four Jensen 541s, and with pleasure have driven two...
The Fuori Concorso…Italian for “Out of Competition”…is exactly that. It’s not a competition, it’s a showcase. An exhibition. A weekend of vehicles and villas on Lake Como. 1936 Riley Sprite Unlike the expensive, exclusive Concorso d’Eleganza up the road at the Villa d’Este, the Fuori Concorso is an event meant...
Photo: James Beckett Benetton’s standing in F1 Like many of today’s Formula One teams, the Benetton outfit morphed from an existing team, Toleman, then itself became Renault and today it is operating under the banner of Lotus F1. Benetton first began competing in its own right beginning in 1986 with...
The annual exhibition of rare, classic, and contemporary cars along the shore of Lake Como never disappoints. If there were a theme to this year’s Concorso, it would be “original”…original designs, original condition, and an original overall winner. Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 1957 Ferrari 335 S 1957 Ferrari 335 S...
Photo credits courtesy of Fantasy Junction Automotive history offers a bounty of well-made sportscars. Tracing back to the earliest years of motoring, the sports car figured early in development as enthusiasts demanded more from their cars than simply efficient transport. Decades of research, refinement, and market growth fueled 20th century...
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