Categories
Restoration Video

A Berkeley Reborn

It’s never surprising when a new no-expenses-spared restoration of a Ferrari is unveiled. Or a Gullwing Merc. Or a Barracuda. What I love so much about Ohio restoration shop Pete’s Custom Coachbuilding is that they often lavish the same level of affection on lesser known and quirkier models. Their restorations of Issetas and a Lambretta Lambro trike and a King Midget are enough to let you rest easy that these marvelous jewels are in good hands.

Their recent restoration of a Berkeley SE492 is no exception. The level of care in reconditioning parts that aren’t available or ensuring that every fastener was period-appropriate is admirable. It’s details like this that usually puts this type of restoration in the realm of not financially viable. But let’s face it, we didn’t get into vintage racing cars because we’re sane people. It always makes me glad to see there’s other crazies out there.

More photos of the restoration at Pete’s site. Oh—and check out the Gurney Eagle Pete’s did as well!

Categories
Video

Tiger Sharpens Its Claws

Sunbeam at the ’64 Geneva Rally with bonus LeMans clips.

Categories
Video

Early 70s Vees at Holtville

Clementeski, the YouTube uploader, says, “this is from the old HAIR (aerodrome) days. Not sure of the exact date, but it was probably the winter series ’73 or ’74.”
It never hurts to watch Formula Vee. It’s one of my favorite series for tight battles.

There’s always a lot of passing and repassing in one of the few series that actually managed to keep cars pretty balanced. Keeping the cars evenly matched is a great opportunity to see some serious development of driver skill. Even in today’s vintage runs, they keep together well and don’t become a parade. Hell, NASCAR drivers could learn about drafting from these dudes. Plus, it’s nice to see a clip from the disused WWII era bomber training strip at Holtville, CA in her racing prime.

Categories
Porsche Video

The Magnus Walker Collection

Clothing entrepreneur and car guy par excellence Magnus Walker has the early Porsche 911 bug. Bad. Real Bad. Thankfully, he’s created a pair of threads on the Early 911S Registry and on Pelican Parts as a sort of support group for the rest of us afflicted with this dreaded obsession to help him through it. If you’re a fan of early 911s—and why wouldn’t you be?—head on over to both threads and marvel in the glory.

Edit: Hmm.. it looks like the video has been pulled from Vimeo. Alas. I’m leaving the include here in case it resurfaces.

Edit 2: The video is back online! Re-embedded for your viewing driving pleasure.

Categories
Automotive Art Racing Ephemera Video

World’s Smallest V12

In case you didn’t already have a tremendous level of respect for home machinists. Just watching him turn that crankshaft is crazy, but then when he shows the valves… my brain melted.

Two cubic centimeters of displacement. 11.3mm cylinder bore. 10mm stroke. Stainless steel, aluminum, and bronze construction. Powered by compressed air.

Ready to drop in to Barbie’s Ferrari.

Categories
Video

Formulas Vee, B, and Ford at the 1998 Meadowbrook Historics

Speaking of the Meadowbrook Historic Races, here’s some video from the 1998 running of the event. The shooter here must have been there to support #55 and has a bit of a wandering camera but it’s still a fun artifact from an event that is precious to me. I grew up not far from this track and spent many Sundays in the bleachers at Hilltop Turn, hot dog and soda in hand, falling in love with vintage racing.

Categories
Classic Sportscar Video

Let’s Take a Drive in a Meticulously Restored Jaguar D-Type

The bare essentials aligned in order and inspected.

Harvington Motor Co. must have been equally excited and nervous to handle the mechanical restoration of the 1956 Mike Hawthorn D-Type. It always impresses the hell out of me when restoration and race shops routinely tear into a priceless machine (or in this case, valued at about £7 Million). That sort of confidence is what separates top-shelf vintage racing technicians from garage tinkerers like me.

More info and progress photos on Harvington’s project page.

Categories
Lost Track Video

Brynfan Tyddn on Film

I know, I know. Another Giant’s Despair/Brynfan Tyddn post… But when Cliff uncovered this glorious clip of the 1955 running, there was no way I couldn’t share it.

Results from the hillclimb at Etceterini.

Previously: A one, and-a two, and-a three.

Categories
Historic Racing Photos Video

Cobra Pits at the 1964 Targa Florio

Cobra garage at the '64 Targa Florio
The #142 Hill/Bondurant Cobra in the pits at the '64 Targa Florio

Ok, so I’m going a bit Targa Florio crazy today everyday.

More photos of the ’64 effort at the Shelby American Forum.

Categories
Video

Targa Florio 1966

I can’t understand a word, but it is glorious. Who needs HD?