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Charles Addams Series
Charles Addams and his Cars 1948-1960
Charles Addams was a world famous cartoonist. Less well know was the fact that Addams had what he called a “long collection of rather good vintage cars,” which included two Bugattis, a 1933 Aston Martin, a supercharged Mercedes S, an Amilcar and the Castagna-bodied Alfa 2300. It was no passing fad; an interest sparked in 1948 at Indianapolis lasted forty years until his death at age 76 in 1988.
Charles Addams and his Bugattis
In 1960, Charles Addams was beginning the most lucrative years of his career as a cartoonist. His income had almost tripled as the Addams Family was just making its TV debut. Finally, he would be now able to enjoy his Bugattis, to the distress of his neighbors. He competed with the Bugatti at VSCCA events at the old Bridgehampton racetrack near his home.
Charles Addams CAR toons
A consummate car enthusiast and creator of the “Addams Family”, Charles Addams could not resist putting cars into his cartoons. Here, with exclusive permissions from the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation, are some of Addams’ most interesting artwork incorporating his favorite hobby. The Charles Addams series can only be found in the pages of VeloceToday!
Renault’s Shooting Star
Renault’s Shooting Star Part I
The Bonneville Salt Flats, normally the home of monster records cars and big V-8 hot rods, played host to a tiny Renault streamliner in 1956. The car was small but established a big record of 190 miles per hour. Roberto Motta recounts the story of this remarkable turbine-powered car that won the hearts of Americans and international records at the same time.
Renault’s Shooting Star Part II
Once the engineers at Renault figured out how to shoehorn the turbine into a tiny one man chassis, they shipped the Renault Shooting Star off to America and the lonely Salts Flats in Utah. Roberto Motta, using rare factory color images, relates the record runs and wraps it up with the demonstrations at Montlhéry where Berhard Cahier drove the Shooting Star.
The Nardi Bisiluro Series
Nardi at Le Mans
The French Panhards and Renaults were dominating the small car classes at Le Mans in the post war era. Italians Enrico Nardi and Mario Damonte set about to challenge the French. Nardi created a new car with a Crosley engine and Motto body and trailered it to France. But it was just the opening act of Nardi at Le Mans. Here is the full story of the amazing Nardis at Le Mans.
The Nardi Bisiluro
Undaunted by their 1954 experience at Le Mans, Nardi and Damonte brought in an eccentric artist and architect by the name of Carlo Mollino to design a streamlined body to compete at Le Mans. The results were startling. With the driver on one side and the engine on the other, the Bisiluro was one of the strangest cars ever to compete at Le Mans. Roberto Motta recounts the story.
OSCA 1600GT at Le Mans Series
OSCA 1600GT at Le Mans Part I
Part I deals with the team of John Gordon and John Bentley, whose exploits and successes at Le Mans and Sebring in a 750 cc OSCA led to the drive of an official OSCA factory entry at Le Mans. Their mount was the only flat-topped Zagato coupe, with a twin plug head and live rear axle. Co authored by Sebring Index winner John Gordon himself. Now available to all premium members.
OSCA 1600GT at Le Mans Part II
There were two OSCA 1600GT entries at Le Mans in 1962, s/n 0036, driven by Gordon and Bentley, and 007, entered by N.A.R.T. for Arents/Behra. Yet 007 appeared to be a very stock GT2 model, with IRS and a 108 hp single plug engine. We investigate these mysteries; relate what happened to the cars at Le Mans, and where they are now. Co authored by John Gordon.
The Saga of Giovanni Savonuzzi
From Showcar to Turbine
This first premium article deals with the Ghia Gilda, its history and restoration with full details of the installation of the turbine by as seen by Scott Grundfor in this exclusive interview. Written by Roberto Motta, the article includes rare diagrams, photos and inside views of the famous Ghia Gilda, designed by the great Giovanni Savonuzzi. “Gilda” sets the pace for the entire series on Savonuzzi.
Gilda, the Movie, the Star, the Inspiration
The second premium article, written by editor Pete Vack, explains the connection between the Ghia studios, the American movie of 1946 directed by Charles Vidor, and the impact of Rita Hayworth as the protagonist Gilda on both the movie and the designers of the era.
And did Savonuzzi really name his streamlined wonder Gilda? Find out.
The Cars of Giovanni Savonuzzi
In a stunning color portfolio by Hugues Vanhoolandt, we explore the Savonuzzi enigma: how does one man create the Cisitalia 202, most beautiful, iconic and legendary Italian car ever, and yet was also responsible for one of the most outrageous Prancing Horses ever built, the flying finned Ferrari 410 Superamerica. Along the way we highlight the Cisitalia Ford, the Nuvolari Spider, Nibbio II and much more.
Savonuzzi, the Designer, Part I
Giovanni Savonuzzi was a genius with the ability to be a superb stylist as well as an engineer. He was responsible for the Cisitalia Spider Nuvolari, the Cisitalia 202, the Ford 808XF project, the Ghia Gilda and record breaking motorboat engines. In Part 1, with the help of his daughter Alberta, we document his work at Cisitalia and SVA and why Pinin Farina got the credit for the Cisitalia 202.
Savonuzzi, the Designer, Part II
In Part II of Savonuzzi, the Designer takes us from Ghia to Chrysler, then on to Fiat. Never-before published documents and photos illustrate Savonuzzi’s role in the Ghia Chrysler Turbine and his fascinating American adventure. Written with the help of his daughter Alberta, Savonuzzi, the Designer describes his accomplishments and frustrations while at Chrysler.
Alfa Berlina Series
Alfa Giulietta Berlina Portfolio
Alfa’s 1300 Berlina is rarely seen outside the borders of Italy. In this portfolio, we’ve gathered up the best of show and factory images to present a variety of the Berlina station wagons, limos, special bodies and the standard sedans from the 1300 to the T.I. This is just one part of a series of four articles that cover the Berlina like never before. Only in VeloceToday!
Alfa’s Giulietta Berlina
The Alfa Giulietta Berlina should have been the greatest sedan of the 1950s. We kick off a multi-part look at the semisweet success of Alfa’s first Giulietta, the Berlina, with a fascinating original brochure reproduced at 300 dpi. This is followed by a owners’ manual already available. Coming soon, the full history of the 1300 Berlina, variants, competition history and much more.
Alfa Berlina, Italian Style
VeloceToday’s Italian Editor Roberto Motta explains how the Alfa Giulietta Berlina won the hearts of Italians. “It was a car with a dual personality. Compact, aggressive and peaceful at the same time, the new family sedan was the ideal vehicle to transport children to school, while at the same time engage in competition on the weekends on track all over the world.” Written from the Italian perspective.
Alfa Giulietta Berlina Manual
Part of an in-depth series of Premium articles about the much-neglected Alfa Giulietta Berlina, this segment offers a rare look at a Alfa 1300 Berlina owner’s manual. The series also includes factory brochures, a full history, variants, and much more, all dedicated to what should have been the most advanced sporting saloon of the 1950s.