More on XKD.517 at Coventry Racers.
Category: Historic Racing Photos
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Targa Florio ’66 in Photos
The Baghetti/Guichet Ferrari Dino Coupe would finish 2nd, 9 minutes behind the winning 906. 
I always assumed that the D-Type was never a full production model. I know they made a few dozen of them, but assumed they were fairly coachbuilt one-offs. This picture sure seems to indicate otherwise.
The panels were supplied by Abbey Panels of Coventry and shipped over to the factory itself to be assembled in the factory alongside XK140s and MK VIII sedans. These shots are from late ’55/early ’56 shortly before the factory was nearly flattened by fire in 1957, so this is indeed a rare view of the Coventry facility.
Just look at them all. This could easily be described as a D-Type assembly line; albeit a non-mechanized one. Fantastic.
Where’s my time machine? I’d sure love some of these prices on ragtop 356s that were offered at Hollywood Way VW-Porsche.
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Airborne Bugatti
Anyone know how to say, “Yee-Ha!” in French?
Here’s a Bugatti T59 being chased hard by Dudley Froy’s Bernatto-Hassan at Brooklands. F1-GrandPrixHistory.net has more harrowing photos of Brooklands’ early days here.
Marlboro Speedway, southeast of Washington DC hosted a variety of SCCA events in the mid 60s. It may have never achieved the fame of Lime Rock or Road America or the Glen, but it looks like it was a fun venue, as these photos document. This is from a 12 hour endurance held in the Summer of ’66, but I’m not able to find much additional information on this specific race. Thankfully, these photos from Cliff Rullman highlight the race in wonderful Kodachrome. I love seeing VW Bugs mix it up with Cortinas and Alfas.
See the complete series of 50 photos here.
Along with the map and video from earlier today, here are some photos from the 1966 or 67 road races held on the temporary street circuit along the beach in Tijuana. There’s some street action with the Formula Vees entering turn one at the end of the long beachside straight, the drivers in the production class lining up for their LeMans start, and some track shots of some MGAs and Sprites. Excellent stuff here.
Now that looks like a happy bunch of drivers.
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Monaco 1959 in Pictures
I stumbled across some photos recently of the 1959 Monaco Grand Prix. I’m always struck when I see these how close to the action people were. On balance, of course, I’m glad that spectator safety has improved in the decades since these photos were shot. Today though, and in terms of seeing the event, you’re much better off watching a race on television than attending. Of course there’s always the excitement of a live event, and the people and atmosphere are always half the show.
The last Grand Prix I attended — the ill-fated 2005 USGP — I found myself wandering the field during what became a Ferrari practice session and could get no closer to the track than 30 or more feet. That was a spot to watch one turn through three fences and over the tope of a tire barrier; so I could see the top third of each car. I suppose it beats getting hit with debris from a crash, but neither is really a solution.
Well my friends, The 2009 Goodwood Revival is already in the books. We spent an inordinate amount of time blasting you with every bit of minutia we could a few weeks back for the Monterey Historics. Sadly, the truth is very likely that the world’s greatest classic motorsport festival doesn’t take place on American soil at some desert track. It doesn’t even take place at my beloved Road America. It is almost certainly on the disused service roads surrounding the decommissioned airfield on the country estate of Lord March.
The beauty of the event, as I’ve said many times before, isn’t the tremendous quality of its racing cars and motorcycles, it isn’t the period-appropriate track itself, it’s not even the vintage aircraft that share the spotlight. The sheer enthusiasm of the period-attired participants and spectators for this event are the reason she so outshines her peers.
Enough of my jealousy of having missed Goodwood yet again, on to the booty! Videos and photos have been flooding the interwebs in the past week. Here are links to some favorites:
These Flickr streams were the sources of the photos above and offer many many more lovely captures from the weekend:
simmoB44, Bernie Condon, Eduard Mossinkoff, richebets, jobeywan, Natasha Baille, andAston-Phillips.
Of course, Octane is also on top of it with galleries from Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
I first saw Tim Scott’s photography as I browsed the always exciting inventory of classic and competition autos at London dealer, Fiskens, web site. While it should be the norm, a fair bit of dealer photography is no better than the average eBay listing. Fiskens, however, invests in beautiful photography of their inventory, usually shot in interesting locations that accentuate the subject. It wasn’t until recently that I learned that we have Tim Scott to thank for that. His portfolio site is well worth a visit for fans of everything from vintage racecars to Bonneville specials to classic cycles and Italian motor scooters. Here are a few of my favorites, definitely visit his site for the complete breadth of stunning work.
Bizzarrini 
The Green Grenade 
Lambretta SX200
