Month: October 2010

Categories
Vintage Racing Advertising

The Most Exacting Requirements of the Motoring Enthusiast


From the Lotus Eleven Sales Brochure:

Lotus Eleven Le Mans. Lotus Eleven Club. Lotus Eleven Sports.
THE LOTUS ELEVEN is a sports-racing car designed to meet the most exacting requirements of the motoring enthusiast. It combines a maximum speed well over 130 m.p.h. (209 k.p.h.) with a rate of acceleration not equaled by any production sports car, yet it can compete favourably with the smallest cars for economy, achieving 65 m.p.g. (4.4 litres per 100 km.) at moderate speeds. The Lotus Eleven is designed entirely for an unrivalled standard of all round performance; its road holding qualities and braking abilities have been proved time after time under racing conditions.
LOW WEIGHT and low drag, mechanical and structural refinement contribute to this paradox of performance. A programme of race development has been pursued over the years following the principles of simplicity and efficiency. The result is a roomy sports two-seater with a performance unequalled anywhere else in the world.
PARTICIPATION with success in such strenous events at the Le Mans 24 hours, the TT, the Sebring 12 hours and literally hundreds of minor events has produced the stamina essential for any successful high performance car. The Lotus offers the essence of motoring sport in all its aspects. Service and spares are readily available throughout a world-wide network of distributors and dealers.
THE LOTUS ELEVEN is available in three versions: the Le Mans model attains the highest standards of performance and is recommended for international competition; it is powered by the Coventry Climax engine has has disc brakes and a de Dion final drive. The Club model is basically similar, having the same engine driving a live axle; it has drum brakes. It is recognized by the S.C.C.A. as a productions sports car. The Sports model has a similar specification to the Club model but it is powered by a Ford 100E 1172 cc. engine. It is eligible as a series production sports car for the Autosport Championship.
In accordance with the company’s progressive policy, the right to alter specifications without notice is reserved.
Hard Top available on all models.
Lotus Engineering Co. Ltd.
Tottenham Lane, London, N.8
Telephone: Mountview 8363 and 4044

via

Categories
Classic Sportscar

That Doesn’t Look So Hard

E-Type V12

When you leave the electrics out of the picture, this Jaguar E-Type V12 looks like a very enjoyable project.
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Categories
Ferrari

1956 Visit to the Ferrari Factory

Ferrari Factory 1956

I think this probably isn’t the main assembly area. The windows look different from other period photos I’ve seen of the workshop. Anyone recognize this location? Is it indeed the main factory?

Via Google’s Life Magazine Archive.

Categories
Lost Track Video

Meadowdale’s First Race

It’s short. It’s hard to make out. But it’s precious.

The first race at Meadowdale was both a triumph and a disaster. The track was completed within only a few short months. So there was much to celebrate for this inaugural running in September of 1958. It was a difficult day for the participants (and the viewers of this video), however, because the earth moving to construct the track left huge swaths of open land; open land that was left as bare dirt. The resulting dust storm was an unhappy occurrence for opening day.

An inauspicious start to a much loved playground.

EDIT: I hate when videos go offline.

Categories
Lost Track Racing Ephemera

How to Still Race Meadowdale

Meadowdale may be gone (well, for motorized vehicles anyway), but thanks to this early 60’s slot car article, it’s still possible to sort of race it. It even looks like fun at 1:32 scale. Just add a paper towel tube as the iconic silo in the Greg’s Corkscrew complex and you’re ready to race!

Categories
Racing Ephemera

Fishing for Chaparrals

Targa Florio Comic

“Believe me, my friends, nowhere else in the world you can find a crowd more informed, enthusiastic, and sporting than we have today here in sunny Sicily.”

Categories
Ferrari For Sale Racing Ephemera

For All Your Wooden Ferrari Performance Needs

This Australian ebay seller has a 1:1 scale wood Ferrari 365 V12 up on the auction block. Twin Barrel Webers included! Tifosi syndrome causes people to do some unusual things. “Buy it now” at AUD $6,000.

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Categories
Historic Racing Photos Racing Ephemera

Racing Has its Rewards

The work: Register Now for the Madison All-American Soap Box Derby!

The glory: The winner will receive a kiss from a former Lufthansa stewardess.

Something tells me that 1957 derby champion, Van Steiner, still thinks about that stewardess.
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Categories
Porsche Racing Ephemera

Pinstripes and Porsches

While it may lack the enthusiasm and exuberance of our last look at fashion shoots with racing cars, I have to give Visvim credit for pairing this Carrera RS and 910 with their Spring collection which clearly draws inspiration from the era. The styling and fits are a little dainty for my tastes (I’d like to see these fellows try and climb into the 910 in pants this tight!), but the overall shoot is very nicely done—if a bit sterile. I don’t know when art directors decided that modernity and beauty were best illustrated through disaffected boredom.The 1967 Vogue drag strip shoot is all the more exciting and fun because it captures an atmosphere, it captures excitement, and it captures emotion.

That said, the collection itself has some very nice pieces that jibe well with the vintage racing aesthetic. Their take on a racing jacket meets Baracuta is quite nice in this photo. The highlight of the collection, for me, is the racing boot. It’s surprisingly difficult to find a driving shoe that isn’t in brash colors and heavily logoed, but still looks like a competition boot rather than a driving moccasin. I’d like them even more if they were a true driving shoe, what’s with this little heel and lack of tread on the heel?

The 1967 Vogue drag strip shoot is all the more exciting and fun because it captures an atmosphere, it captures excitement, and it captures emotion.
That said, the collection itself has some very nice pieces that jibe well with the vintage racing aesthetic. Their take on a racing jacket meets Baracuta is quite nice in this photo. The highlight of the collection, for me, is the racing boot. It’s surprisingly difficult to find a driving shoe that isn’t in brash colors and heavily logoed, but still looks like a competition boot rather than a driving moccasin. I’d like them even more if they were a true driving shoe, what’s with this little heel and lack of tread on the heel?

More images from this shoot at CadmusFamily.

Categories
Video

1952 Targa Florio

Ok. I like old track maps as much as the next guy—ok, probably much more than the next guy—but they only do so much to tell the story of a race. Here’s another look at the ’52 Targa.