Will the Gaisberg become an iceberg?

Daniel Reinhard
05/31/2013

Porsche 910 am Gaisbergrennen 2013 (© Daniel Reinhard)

The weather is going crazy all over Europe. The rainiest and sunniest May since meteorological records began is apparently coming to an end.

How could it be better in Salzburg, where the Gaisberg Race - traditionally heralded by the City Grand Prix - has been taking place since yesterday.

Schneesicher dank Winterrausrüstung - VW Käfer am Giasbergrennen 2013 (© Daniel Reinhard)

The very cautious have already mounted skis on their cars to ensure that they can make progress on the Gaisberg, which has been transformed into an iceberg, in an emergency, as nobody knows how low the snow line will fall today. With the expected amount of precipitation, it could quickly happen that only the winter equipment will allow us to get down.

Stadt-GP des Gaisbergrennens - Regen und Schirme dominieren (© Daniel Reinhard)

As with the start of the Mille Miglia, yesterday's first day of the Gaisbergrennen was dominated by rain. Completely soaked and chilled by the almost wintry temperatures, the fans braved the nasty weather at the side of the track with umbrellas and winter jackets. The passing classic car rarities provided warmth in their hearts and joy in their eyes, and most visitors stayed at the track until the end of the City Grand Prix.

Alter Morgan mit Schirm am Gaisbergrennen 2013 (© Daniel Reinhard)

We will report on the entire Gaisberg race in the form of a detailed photo report.

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Bridge the time until the start of summer with our convertible guessing game ...

Bruno von Rotz
05/31/2013

Quiz 17 - Cabriolets

The convertible has always been a desirable automobile for sunbathers and fresh air lovers. Usually with a sporty touch, the open-top versions of popular and rare vehicles have also delighted fans of tasteful design.

To increase the anticipation of the (hopefully soon) coming summer, we have pulled out some rare convertibles/roadsters/spiders/barchettas from our archive for our new quiz, which you now have to guess. Each vehicle comes from a different manufacturer, and eight nationalities are represented.

There's nothing to win, it's all about the fun of guessing . Click here for the quiz.

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Design as art and lifeblood - in Turin 35 years ago

Bruno von Rotz
05/30/2013

Ferrari BB von 1972 - Drahtgitter als Ausstellungsobjekt an der Designschau Cultura e Progetto in Turin im Jahr 1978

From April 18 to May 18 , 1978, the "Cultura e Progetto" exhibition was held at the "Palazzo della Promotrice delle belle arti" in Turin to celebrate the "Carrozzeria Italiana". For the first time ever, this important branch of industry, which was already threatened with extinction in 1978, gave an account of its work.

The list of greats of Italian coachbuilding who were present and eager to provide information at the exhibition's press conference reads like a "Who's Who": Giovanni Michelotti, Feiice Cornacchia, Nuccio Bertone, Dante Giacosa (exhibition president), Carlo Bianchi Anderloni, Giorgio Giugiaro. Sergio Pininfarina.

Some of the most beautiful designs ever were on display, including the Cisitalia 202 from 1947 ...

Cisitalia 202 1947 - gezeigt an der Ausstellung "Cultura e Progetto" in Turin im Jahr 1978

... , the Lamborghini Miura from 1966 ...

Lamborghini Miura von 1966 an der Ausstellung Cultura e Progetto in Turin im Jahr 1978

... ... , the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer from 1972 (as a wire skeleton, see picture above), but also modern and bulky designs such as the Bertone Cababo from 1966 ...

Bertone Carabo von 1968 an der Ausstellung Cultura e Progetto in Turin im Jahr 1978

... or the Ferrari Modulo by Pininfarina.

Ferrari Modulo von 1970 an der Ausstellung "Cultura e Progetto" in Turin im Jahr 1978

Also on display were the Isotta Fraschini 8A with bodywork by Sala, the Lancia Flaminia limousine, the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S Touring, but also the Alfa Romeo cab project by Giugiaro, along with many other exhibits. The catalog alone was well worth a visit to Turin.

The interdisciplinary working methods of Italian designers, some of whom conceived entire cars single-handedly, as Luigi Fabio Rapi had shown with the Isotta Fraschini Monterosa, were particularly emphasized.

A comprehensive report on the exhibition, which ended 35 years ago, was published in issue 22/1978 of Automobil Revue. The pictures shown here can of course also be found in larger resolution in the Zwischengas picture archive .

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Our personal favorites from Villa d'Este

Bruno von Rotz
05/29/2013

Maserati A6G/54 Spider Zagato 1955

Now that our colleagues from Classic Driver have picked out their favorites, we want to show our colors and present six vehicles that we particularly liked.

Firstly, there is the Maserati A6G/54 Spider by Zagato from 1955, which even today still looks extremely appealing and almost timeless. We also liked the two Frua models, and the choice of the Zagato version should be seen as "primus inter pares" after the Ferrari took the prizes in this class.

Lamborghini 350 GTV 1963

For us, it was an extraordinary experience to see the first Lamborghini ever built, the 350 GTV from 1963, in the flesh. That's why it should not be missing from our list of favorites.

Isotta-Fraschini 8A Castagna 1930

Isotta-Fraschinivehicles are rare and always classy and beautiful. Castagna's 1930 car is no exception, which is why it also belongs on our list.

Lagonda LG45 Rapide Open Tourer 1937

We have a soft spot for Lagondas and when we saw the curved exhaust pipes of the 1937 LG45 Rapide Open Tourer, it was also on our list of personal favorites.

Talbot-Lago T14 LS 1956

The small Talbot-Lago T14 from 1956 looks very elegant and dynamic at the same time, offering interesting curves and details, a very harmonious design with balanced proportions.

Bandini 750 Siluro Barchetta 1955

And since we have a weakness for compact sports cars and have always liked the Bandini creations , the Bandini 750 Siluro from 1955 naturally also belongs in our selection.

Ferrari 250 LM Pininfarina 1964

And because we can't count, an additional car slips onto our list of favorites. It's the Ferrari 250 LM from 1964. Our photos are too beautiful, this Pininfarina design is too breathtaking.

Only when you try to select a few cars yourself do you realize how difficult it is to eliminate beautiful and magnificent vehicles. The jury's work was not easy this year in Cernobbio either ...

A comprehensive report on the Corso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este has been published, which of course also contains the large-format pictures of the vehicles presented here.

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The qualities of a Rolls-Royce

Bruno von Rotz
05/28/2013

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Austrian Alpine Contest Car 1912

The qualities of a Rolls-Royce could not be presented in a more impressive and convincing way. At the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost from 1912, now over 100 years old, was also a guest - not in the beauty contest, but in the supporting program, so to speak.

Nevertheless, the owner drove his car through the guard of honor, just as the Concorso participants had done. He had come on the road, the elderly gentleman behind the wheel whispered into the microphone. He went on to say that he now intended to drive over all the Alpine passes that his car had passed in 1913 on the occasion of the Austrian Alpine Rally, which he won at the time. And then he would return home again, taking detours, so that in the end he would have covered a distance of around 6,000 km.

What hundred-year-old car would be expected to make such a long journey if not a Rolls-Royce? The owners of most cars this old are already worried if a journey takes a few hundred kilometers, and very few of them have the confidence to drive over steep Alpine passes. This shows what Rolls-Royces were made of back then. And accordingly, they can proudly stretch their radiator grille into the wind, even if it is a very special and lustful version like this Silver Ghost bodyworked by James Radley, whose chassis cost 800 pounds including extras in April 1912.

Besondere Kühlerfigur des Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Austrian Alpine Contest Car 1912

A comprehensive report on the Corso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este has been published, which of course also shows the large-format pictures of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

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The Italian Job and the Persuaders at the Concorso in the Villa d'Este

Bruno von Rotz
05/27/2013

Aston Martin DB4 Convertible fon 1962 - der Wagen, den Charlie Croker im Film "The Italian Job" von 1969 fuhr

Film and television series fans will immediately nod their heads when the names Charlie Croker and Brett Sinclair are mentioned. For many visitors to the Concorso d'Eleganze Villa d'Este, however, the backgrounds of two of the Aston Martins on display had to be explained first.

There was the Aston Martin DB 4 Convertible from 1962, elegant and naturally sought after as a classic. However, the example on display had once served Sir Michael Caine as Charlie Croker in the movie" The Italian Job" . Incidentally, Charlie Croker was the leader of a gang in the film who seized a gold delivery intended for Fiat in Turin and fled with three Mini Coopers and the gold bars by staging a traffic collapse using computer manipulation (in 1969!).

Brett Sinclairs Aston Martin DBS, der für die Fernsehserie "Die Zwei" ("The Persuaders") auf V8 aufgepeppt wurde

And there was an orange-colored - the color is actually called "Bahama Yellow", to be exact - 1970 Aston Martin DBS, which was used in the TV series" The Persuaders" (in the German dubbing the series was called "Die Zwei") as the vehicle of Brett Sinclair alias Roger Moore.

Because they wanted to advertise the new V8 but didn't have one in stock, they simply changed the model names and the wheels on the car. The "BS 1" license plate used in the series was also refurbished by the Aston Martin factory during the restoration.

Brett Sinclairs Nummernschild "BS 1" gehört auch heute noch zum Aston Martin DBS

A detailed report on the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este will follow soon.

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Symbiosis in Cernobbio

Bruno von Rotz
05/26/2013

Bugatti 57SC Atlantic 1938 am Concorso d'Eleganza von Villa d'Este 2013

In Amelia Island and Pebble Beach, it has long been customary to organize an auction around the Concours d'Elegance. In 2011 and now again in 2013, this is also organized in Cernobbio, where the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este takes place. And it seems that everyone benefits.

Ralph Lauren nimmt den Publikumspreis Coppa d'Oro vor der Villa d'Este entgegen

So while Ralph Lauren received the Coppa d'Oro for his Bugatti 57SC Atlantic from 1938 in the park of the Villa d'Este on Saturday afternoon and visitors admired the many beautiful classic cars, in the evening at RM Auctions, wealthy bidders auctioned off potential candidates for future Concorsi. And there were quite a few of them and they were obviously in demand.

Ferrari 340/375 MM für 8,8 Millionen versteigert an der RM Auction Villa Erba

For the Ferrari 340/375 MM from 1953, which took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans almost exactly 60 years ago (but did not win, as the Jaguar C-Type was unbeatable), the hammer only fell at 8.8 million euros after around 20 minutes of bidding.

Other possible Villa d'Este participants, such as the Ferrari 400 Superamerica, also clearly exceeded the million mark, and a Merdedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster was only just below it at 995,000 euros. And last year's Concorso participant, a Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta from 1953, also did remarkably well at 120,000 euros and will certainly be seen again soon at a beauty contest. But in Cernobbio, because a car can only appear once at the Villa d'Este.

Detailed reports on the Concorso d'Eleganza and the auction will follow shortly.

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Nostalgia adorns the world champion helmet

Daniel Reinhard
05/25/2013

Sebastian Vettels Helm von Monaco 2013 zeigt Motive aus den Sechzigerjahren

Three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel changes his helmet design from race to race. When helmet design began tentatively in the early sixties (Ricardo Rodriguez drove with the Ferrari horse on his yellow shell in 1961 and Count Berghe von Trips always wore the Scuderia Colonia crest), drivers usually remained faithful to one helmet design throughout their entire career.

The classic helmet designs of Siffert, Hill, Stewart, Fittipaldi, Pace, Villeneuve etc. are legendary! Even today, they are instantly recognizable in every photo.

With the drivers of the modern era, this recognition is becoming increasingly difficult. The starting numbers on the cars are getting smaller and smaller and are giving way to large sponsor inscriptions. In just a few years, you will have to do intensive research to be able to identify a particular driver.

And for generations to come, guessing drivers' names could even become a "bet that" number. And perhaps only a fan with exceptional talent will be able to correctly identify the helmets of the drivers in the new millennium.

At least Vettel will be reviving nostalgia with his helmet next Sunday and showing various motifs from the 1960 Monaco GP, when Stirling Moss won the race in the Lotus 18, as he did the following year.

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Stolen Porsche 356 from 1955

Werner Bartholai
05/24/2013

Gestohlenes Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupé von 1955

While many collectors and owners of classic car rarities are rubbing their hands in glee at the steady increase in value, the rising prices of classic cars are also having a negative impact. The theft of expensive automotive rarities is becoming a lucrative business. And unfortunately, the old cars have little to offer against well-equipped gangs of thieves.

On May 17/18, 2013 (shortly after midnight), brazen criminals stole a 1955 Porsche 356 right in front of the entrance to the Steigenberger Hotel in Bad Neuenahr by first breaking open the passenger door and then simply towing the car away in a limousine. The whole operation took place in just a few minutes, so obviously no one was able to intervene.

The unfortunate owner is now looking for clues to the perpetrators and the whereabouts of his vehicle (chassis 54146, engine P61327, license plate MG-PK 356H). He has even set up a special website for this purpose . We wish him luck if the car could be found again.

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Alpine ride or Alpine race?

Bruno von Rotz
05/23/2013

Lancia auf der Alpenfahrt im Jahr 1931

In the first half of the 20th century (or even a little beyond), Alpine drives were popular events to prove the qualities of the ever-improving automobile and to offer drivers sporting challenges. These were no "coffee runs", as some of them had to cover long distances in a short time and the road network 60 or 80 years ago was of course not of the same quality as it is today.

An example of this is the 1928 Reichsfahrt and Alpenfahrt organized by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club. "A total of 2839 kilometers had to be covered on the 6 days of the drive, which corresponds to an average of 473 kilometers per day," wrote the Automobil Revue at the time, pointing out the enormous challenges for the participants, who had to drive almost day and night to cover the required distances.

The joys of the high speeds required for victory were not undivided and the Automobil Revue complained " loudly" on the front page of issue 61/1928 about the sometimes reckless driving, which showed no consideration for speed limits, which at that time were still 12 km/h or even 8 km/h in some cases, or for other road users.

However, the resisting local authorities, farmers and other affected parties in Switzerland did not make it easy for the German speeders and Alpine conquerors either, as a report in the German motorsport newspaper proved:

"It has happened that vehicles have been pelted with stones by local residents, people in the canton of Glarus have used road construction equipment in the hollow lane near Küssnacht - loosely based on Tell! - In the canton of Glarus, boulders were rolled down the embankment in the hollow alley near Küssnacht using road construction equipment so that the roof of a limousine was almost smashed in, herds of cows, pigs and goats were deliberately driven onto the roads - especially in Graubünden - for the obvious purpose of obstructing passage, and when this no longer helped because the vehicles were forcibly forcing their way through, ambulances with old people were placed across the roads to force them to stop. In the canton of Glarus, carts filled with sand were placed across the road behind bends in the road to cause accidents, fire hoses were stretched across the road, and so on. But the police also helped, vehicles were stopped and demanded large sums of money as 'fines' with reference to alleged speeding, front wheels were locked with chains until payment was made, in one special case payment of a large sum of francs was extorted at gunpoint (!)."

Yes, the fighting was tough back then, on both sides. And if today we sometimes get upset about the lack of tolerance and incomprehension of motorsport opponents, this example shows that the world was not always better many years ago.

MG TD auf der Internationalen Alpenfahrt 1951

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