Blurry photo. Poorly reproduced. Beautiful.
No level of crystal clear photography and high resolution printing could improve upon this shot of Raymond Sommer drifting his Ferrari 125 at the 1950 Pau GP.
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Imperfect
Japan’s Motorhead Magazine visited the Porsche museum and they’ve let us tag along.
Now I know you’re going to be tempted to read these subtitles. I understand how difficult it is to try overcome the urge. It just compels the viewer to glance down at that text; wrestling with your brain and your eyes.
It’s ok. Don’t fight it. Go ahead and read along. Then start the video over and lose yourself in those slow, luxurious pans over these breathtaking machines.
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For All Models
Stirling Moss and Francis Beart fit and recommend Hepolite products.
(Stirling Moss driving Francis Beart’s Cooper Mark 7A car fitted with Hepolite products)
Some famous successes…
Silverstone · May · 1st
Nurburgring · May · 1st
Aintree · May · 1st
Silverstong G.P. · July · 1st
Brands Hatch · August · 2nd
Oulton Park · August · 1st
Goodwood · September · 2nd
Aintree · October · 1st
For all models…
Hepolite
Pistons · Pins · Rings · Liners
Hepworth & Grandage, LTD., St. John’s Works, Bradford 4
Seems to me they had it all figured out for the 1963 Sebring 12 Hours.
via Nigel Smuckatelli.
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Young Spirits
Man. Getting more high-definition cameras in more hands has sure given us more beautiful looks at vintage racing in every flavor. If only spectators that were attending these TT races 30 and 40 years ago had such imagery to leave us.
Let’s ride shotgun as the Ferrari specialists at DK Engineering that Sir Stirling Moss’ old Ferrari 250 GT SWB (#2119) for a quick trip to Goodwood; her ancestral home.
Advertisers! Abandon this concept. It makes exactly zero people want the new one.
Alfonso de Portago’s Ferrari 857S
I adore this “sketch” by automotive designer Mike Kim. Bringing the movement and shake and blur that has always been a favorite element of great racing photography to illustration… Now that’s something. Shows you how great it can be when automotive designers take a break from sketching cars of the future and take up their Prismacolors to doodle the machines of the past.
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Factories at Work: Building the Spyders
I make no bones about the fact that the Porsche 550 Spyder is my all-time favorite racing car. I’ve been collecting photos and pouring over reproduction shops’ brochures for this sexy little thing since I was 15 years old. With that in mind, it’s hard to believe that I’ve never showcased the Spyder’s build in our “Factories at Work” series. Partly this is due to the complexity of coachbuilt construction. It’s difficult enough to find photos of just one workshop hammering out the bodies for historic sports and racing cars. With the 550, there were 8 prototypes built in various locations. Truthfully, I don’t know which of these images are Zuffenhausen, which are Wiedenhausen Karosserie and which are Wendler. They all had a hand in early 550 builds.
It’s always a bit jarring to see these machines under construction. Particularly seeing the rear half of the Spyder frame. A bit like the Birdcage, it’s striking how delicate and fragile she looks. Imagining the 4-cam type 547 engine revving high, fighting to break free from the motor mounts that buckle her in place. It’s almost difficult to believe that this little box of toothpicks can hold it in there. Racing bicycle frames have thicker tubes than this. Even so, it’s that delicate nature of her that is part of the allure; the danger that it hints at and the grace that it seems to lend to her movements.
Of course it’s also just a treat to see this many of ’em in a room together.
Most images via Type550.com, where Andrew has put together an extensive list of the particular Spyder builds, with information for several specific chassis. Fantastic as always.