Category: Racing Ephemera

Categories
Ferrari Racing Ephemera

Your Small Piece of Old Number 2, or a GTO

Most of us will never own a Bugatti Type 35, or a Ferrari GTO, and certainly not the “Old Number 2” Bentley. Each of these models has something in common, examples of each have undergone restoration and had parts replaced. These original parts provide the raw materials for a series of accessories from TMB Art Metal. Thanks to them, we can at least own a small part of these magnificent automobiles.

From Bentley’s famous 1930 Speed Six “Old Number Two”—one of the famous racing cars of all time and part of Bentley’s 1-2 finish in the ’30 LeMans—come these cufflinks. Beautifully sculpted renditions of Old Number 2’s radiator grille and her wheel spinners, these marvelous little cufflinks are actually made of aluminum and bronze melted-down from parts removed from the car during Richard Moss’ 2-year restoration.

Similarly, TMB offers cufflinks made from the melted body panels and other components of a Ferrari GTO, an Aston Martin DB4GT, and a Bugatti 35.

Additionally, this wallet made of leather sourced from the upholstery of a GTO is fantastic. Each one a unique piece of art exhibiting the patina of 40 years of use. Some examples show the diamond pattern found in the under-hood batten, or the smooth pebble texture of the seats; but all have a small representation of the GTO formed from a melted body panel.

I may never be able to sit in a Ferrari GTO, but with this wallet, I can sit on one.

Categories
Racing Ephemera Video

Your Own Private Florio

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dreamt of having my own private racetrack. A few dozen acres in the countryside that my friends and I could spend years circling around. Sadly, it is but a pleasant fantasy. I can see now that there’s nothing standing in the way of my dream, I just have to reduce scale.

Slot Car Forum member JMSWMS has assembled a truly remarkable 1:32 scale digital slot car track that evokes the spirit of the Sicilian country roads that make up the Targa Florio. His attention to detail is absolutely incredible, everything from the texture of the cliffs that made the Targa so fantastic/dangerous, to the types of vegetation that dot the Sicilian countryside, to the stone abutments that mark the way; this is an impressive work of art.

Take for example, this representation of the Church at Campofelice. This section through town has long been a popular spot for photographers to show the immediacy of racing cars rocketing through the villages of Sicily. JMSWMS captures the spirit of the landmark perfectly. Of course, liberties have to be taken when recreating the Targa—even at the 1:32 scale that slot cars use, the 45 mile Circuit di Palermo would be nearly 1.5 miles! But this ring around the fountain square and away from the church makes the track feel like the Targa, which is even more important.

Take a moment to dig into this thread at the Slot Forum, in which JMSWMS records his inspiration, research, and build process for a bit of insight into this amazing piece of work. This really has me inspired to create my own scenic slot car track.

Categories
Racing Ephemera

Have You Been Good This Year?

Auto Union Pedal Car
Tretauto Auto Union Type C

You’ll have to have been mighty good to find this under your tree in a couple of weeks. Audi has created an incredibly well realized pedal car version of the Auto Union Type C. The Silver Arrows were unparalleled in their innovation, Grand Prix success, and—in the opinion of this blogger—aesthetic virtue. Although the ferocious anticipation over the Auto Union Type D offered, and subsequently pulled, from last years Salon Rétromobile auction has died down. Don’t fret, you can still park an Auto Union of sorts in your garage; and it’s (almost) affordable.

The aluminum body is outfitted with leather upholstery and steering wheel, hydraulic disc brakes, and a 7 speed transmission. The chain drive of course means it won’t be matching the 1936 Type C’s record of 10 Grand Prix wins, but at 1:2 scale, it still makes quite an impression. Having been release last year with a run of only 999 examples, it’s likely that you’ll have a very difficult time finding one—although surely easier than finding an authentic Type C.

Categories
Audio Grand Prix Racing Ephemera

Exciting Racing Sounds Finale: Brands Hatch

It’s finally time for the final cut from the Exciting Racing Sounds of Grand Prix album. In this final track, Phil Hill visits Brands Hatch, and while I’d like to say that this final cut is the climax of the lp, it’s a bit more like ‘in with a bang, out with a whimper’. The visit to Brands is precious short on racing action, starting with audio from the Red Arrows fighter jet squadron flyover and finishing with the military band. It is nice to hear the podium celebration for Jack Brabham as the band plays “Waltzing Mathilda”.

There you have it friends, your Exciting Racing Sounds of Grand Prix album is complete… now just flip back side A and enjoy.

Categories
Historic Racing Photos Racing Ephemera

Take Me to the Track: the Joy of Transporters

Thanks to the photos that have popped up of the complete RAI team and transporter at this years’ Pebble Beach, there’s been quite a lot of interest in transporters lately. The Scarab transporter is exceedingly lovely, and re-sparked my interest in the cars that carry our racing cars to the track. Here’s a handful of the better that I’ve seen lately..
First, the Fiat-made Scarab team transporter.

Next, the iconic Porsche Team transporter, a converted Mercedes city bus used by the team from 1968-1969.

I don’t know the team, but this photo is just magic.

And I absolutely LOVE the idea of these brave souls and their VW Transporter Transporters. It’s a brave heart that trusts their Lotus 49 to the homemade brackets welded onto the back of the bed of this one; Peter Lovely, my hat is off to you, sir.

Here’s another in the VW vein. excellent canvas hoop-topper for the bed here.

    for more Transporters on the web:

  • the mighty Bring a Trailer caught a few shots of the Scarab transporter pulling into the Monterey Historics.
  • Ultimate Car Pages has a couple of shots of the Scarab team as well.
  • There’s a HUGE discussion of historic transporters and hundreds of photos in a thread at the Atlast F1 Forums.