Tags: Corvette Sting Ray / Ferrari / Fuelie / Jaguar / Mike Matune / St Michaels Concours / Sunbeam Tiger / tanker / Woodies

ST. MICHAELS CONCOURS: ELEGANCE ON CHESAPEAKE BAY!

- Senin, 06 Oktober 2014 No Comments

Mike Matune captures rare pre-war classics, wood-bodied cars & boats and significant sports cars at the Eighth Annual Concours.

For the eighth year, George Walish, Chairman & Founder, welcomed all to the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina for the St Michaels Concours d’Elegance. Nestled on the Eastern Shore in Cambridge Maryland, the show occupied a manicured fairway, top, at the River Marsh Golf Club. The Concours benefits the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. 

Early automotive history is littered with long gone distinctive automobile manufacturers. Among them was the Spanish/French nameplate of Hispano-Suiza. The North Collection reminded us of the marque’s contributions with their ‘27 H6B Wood-Bodied Skiff, above. It represents a high point of styling, engineering and performance.

The show featured a collection of rare and classic cars of the highest caliber as shown by Byron Alsop’s ‘29 Cadillac 341-B V-8 Dual Cowl Phaeton and Lewis Frame’s ‘30 Packard Model 740 Custom 8 Dual Cowl Phaeton.

James Lindner showed his 1965 Sunbeam Tiger MK l, powered by a 260-inch Ford small-block. It was hard to believe it was an older restoration and is driven regularly, but sparingly.  It’s a very early car, completed in the first month of production in June 1964.

You may not feel Corvettes are all that uncommon, but closer inspection uncovers the rarity of L. Cranston’s recently restored ‘64 Sting Ray. Among its options are fuel-injected 327/375 horsepower small-block engine and 36-gallon gas tank, engineered for endurance racing. Only 38 ’64 Corvettes were built with big tanks in 1964 model year

A Concours is supposed to celebrate the art of the automobile and there is probably no more fitting example of such than the BHA Automotive Museum’s ‘64 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta. It’s beautiful and fast!

When Jaguar launched the XK120, it created a sensation. Its combination of style and performance had been previously available only in much higher priced cars. Ronald Gaertner’s ‘53 XK120 Fixed Head Coupe is the higher horsepower SE version.

Ronald Rosner’s ‘49 alloy roadster is one of a handful built for competition and saw early action at the hands of its original owner, sports car pioneer, M. R. J. “Doc” Wyllie. Its engine features a C-Type Competition head, upping the output of the DOHC straight Six.

Wood was a common material in early automobiles. But as time progressed, its use diminished. Wood paneling really sets off Todd Librandi’s ‘47 Chrysler Town & Country convertible.

Jim Elliot’s ‘03 Cadillac Model A Rear Entry Tonneau was the oldest car on the St. Michaels show field. Not far removed from its apparent carriage roots, it represented a novelty at the time. Car is a study in detail, from flowing fenders to wicker baskets, striping and brass trim.

Bill Alley’s ‘14 Locomobile Model 38 Five-Passenger Berline with body by Kellner uses paint to set off its lines. The cylinders on the front suspension were early shock absorbers manufactured by Westinghouse. The car portrayed substantial yet elegant construction, featuring lamps by Tiffany with doors that closed like bank vaults.

As mainstay on the Eastern Shore’s event calendar, St Michaels can’t help but pay homage to the area’s marine heritage by including boats on the show field. To the left is Tracey Colman’s 16-foot race boat “Renegade” featuring a hot-rodded Ford Flathead. Alongside it rests James Holler’s 19-foot Ventnor, “Hurry Home”. The name was given to it by its first owners who sent pictures of it to their son serving with the Army in Germany.

Does anything portray 1950s-era styling any better than the pairing of Barbara & Rob VanDewoestine’s ‘60 Plymouth Fury convertible with Mindy Hickman’s 19-foot ‘59 Chris-Craft Silver Arrow “Murphy’s Law”? Both featured tailfins, two-tone paint and chrome trim to convey a sense of exuberance.



Words & photos:  M. M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more information about the Concours, please visit http://www.smcde.org/

For judging results, please check http://www.smcde.org/2014results.html

Tags: Allard / Boss 429 / Cobra Daytona Coupe / Facel Vega / Larry Shinoda / Maserati / Mike Matune / Panoz / Radnor Hunt Concours / Sunbeam Tiger / Zagato

THE 100 MOTORCARS OF RADNOR HUNT: CONCOURS!

- Minggu, 28 September 2014 No Comments

One of the highest-quality and most eclectic shows in the country celebrates its 18th year. Mike & Maureen Matune bring us highlights.

This year’s Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance, benefitting the Thorncroft Equestrian Center, featured a field of select Concours grade automobiles along with motorcycles and featured groups. Best in Show honors went to Margie & Bill Cassini’s ’33 Chrysler CL Imperial five-passenger Phaeton, top. Originally purchased by LeBaron designer Ralph Roberts for his wife, it features fender skirts, disc wheels, lowered headlights and rear mounted twin spares.

No show of Ford racing is complete without examples of Flathead power. Henry’s V-8 would go on to power everything including Salt Flats competitors, drag racers, sports cars and boulevard cruisers of every description. Representing those times is Larry Shinoda’s “Chopsticks Special,” above. Shinoda spent time in a Japanese Internment Camp in California before going on to become a noted designer at GM (Corvette Sting Ray) and Ford (Mustang Boss 302 graphics). Today the car resides in Beth & Ross Myers’ 3 Dog Garage collection.

Best of Show Sport win went to Oscar Davis’ ‘54 Maserati A6G-2000 Zagato Spider. Juan Perone saw it at the Geneva Auto Show in 1955 and had it shipped to Argentina. After its return to Zagato, it was again shown at the Paris Auto Show. In addition to its striking styling, it is powered by a twin-plug DOHC Maserati straight six

Among the featured groups this year was a class titled simply “Powered by Ford.” It allowed the viewer to trace the history of Ford racecar development and involvement in the sport starting with Kathy and Joe Heisler’s ‘29 Wroton Big Car, the “Blue Seal Special.” Powered by a four-cylinder 55 horsepower Model A engine, it was raced on dirt tracks throughout the Pennsylvania/New Jersey area. It rests on altered 1920s Chevy suspension and frame rails.

Although David Markel’s ‘53 Allard J2X began life Cadillac powered, it was converted to a 289 Ford and four-speed in the 1960s. The J2X was a successful racer in the early years of sports car racing immediately following WW ll. Many were imported without engines and fitted here with a variety of GM, Ford and Chrysler powerplants. Markel went home with the Chairman’s Award for Sporting Excellence.

Let’s move forward into the ‘60’s and the Ford “Total Performance” program which saw the Blue Oval race and triumph in a number of racing venues all over the world. The racing program resulted in countless storied products. One example is Leland Cross’ ‘69 Boss 429 Mustang. Cross’ example has covered just 120 miles and is a true time capsule. Small wonder it captured the Historic Vehicle Association’s Most Well Preserved Vehicle Award.

“Total Performance” wasn’t restricted to this side of the Atlantic. Ford’s UK subsidiary enlisted the help of no less than Lotus engineering and racing ace Colin Chapman to turn its plebeian Cortina into an all conquering sedan racer. The Lotus Cortina enjoyed success in sedan racing wherever it was entered. The cars featured a Lotus designed dual overhead cam head, Weber carbs, suspension upgrades and lightweight body panels.

No discussion of “Total Performance” would be complete without a discussion of Carroll Shelby’s Cobra. His winning racecars propelled Ford to the forefront of international competition. While James Shacklett had his Cobra repainted, he was careful to preserve its engine, undercarriage and interior.

Designed by Peter Brock, the Daytona Cobra Coupe was a successful attempt to streamline the Cobra roadster. It worked and helped Shelby American win the 1965 FIA GT World Championship. The Simeone Foundation Museum’s example was the first of the six coupes constructed. It also set numerous FIA/USAC speed records at Bonneville.

Combining European chassis and American engines is an oft-played concept. Among its practitioners was the Rootes Group that needed a way to upgrade the performance of their Alpine roadster. They chose to equip the car with a Ford V-8 and call the result “Tiger” after their 1920s LSR car. Rob Barnes’ car is a well-equipped street example.

Let’s not leave the concept of Ford-powered European chassis just yet. Walter Eisenstrak exhibited this ‘74 DeTomaso Longchamp with a 351 Ford under its hood. This DeTomaso’s journey began in an Italian factory and moved to Lebanon before coming to the U.S. While its numbers are few, Eisenstark quipped that at about 400 built, it was nearly a mass produced car by coachbuilder standards!

Another Italian builder who sought to capitalize on the “Power by Ford” concept was Intermeccanica. Between 1968 and 1972 they built approximately 400 Spyders; marketing them under Torino and Italia. Its lines were so clean and eye-catching; John Redmond’s 1971 version would leave with the Artist’s Award for representing the epitome of design and style; as well as a Hagerty Junior Judges Choice Award.

Here’s another example of a vehicle with a lightweight chassis and Ford power: Panoz AIV (Aluminum Intensive Vehicle) Roadster. Built in Braselton, GA by Panoz Auto Development, they combined a Ford four-cam Mustang Cobra V-8 with a minimalist body. Dr. Jonathon Schraf bought this one new and showed it beautifully at Radnor Hunt, taking home the People’s Choice Award for his efforts.

To keep this from becoming too Ford Centric we had to include Ken Swanstrom’s ‘62 Facel Vega Facel II Coupe. These were French made and in the same vein as the other European Chassis/American engine cars as shown here, but with a twist, Chrysler power. In this case it is a 413-inch, twin four-barrel Chrysler wedge. Less than 200 were produced.

You never know what you are going to come across at a Concours. Check out this Studebaker ramp truck full of pedal cars. These ranged all the way from pristine, highly restored to  Preservation class examples. These brought smiles all around and doubtlessly conjured up many a childhood memory.

 In addition to a show field full of interesting cars, Radnor Hunt also features motorcycles. To illustrate, we have John Illenye’s ‘28 TRW Triumph Nuremberg. Not only is the bike a rare model featuring a German-built single-cylinder engine, but also it sports a sidecar produced by the Hindenburg Metal Works.



Words & Photos: Maureen K. Matune & M. M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more information about the Concours and Thorncraft Equestrian Center, please visit http://radnorconcours.org/

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Tags: Can-Am Racing / Derek Hill / Dick Guldstrand / FIA Cobra / IROC Camaro / Maserati / Mike Matune / Monterey Historics / Mustang Trans-Am / Racing Corvettes / Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion / Roush racing / Sunbeam Tiger

ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION: LAGUNA SECA!

- Kamis, 21 Agustus 2014 No Comments

‘When it comes to experiencing vintage racing greatness, the Reunion has few equals,’ blogs Mike Matune.

Mid-August brings us what is lovingly referred to as Monterey Hell Week and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca. The Reunion is what vintage racing aspires to be, a collection of truly important cars and drivers competing head to head. Eddie Lawson, top, climbs the Rahal Straight towards the “Corkscrew” in Racing Commonwealth’s Osella PA 3/5. 



I have been attending the vintage races at Laguna Seca off and on since 1990. In that time, two things have become Monterey traditions for me. One is the damp, cool early morning fog; the second is Ed Archer’s ‘15 Ford Roadster, OLD NO. 4, above, contesting the Pre-War

racing group. The period uniformed Archer with his distinctive handle bar mustache

drives his car to and from the event.

The concept of the International Race of Champions (IROC) was simple, combine some of the world’s best drivers in identically prepared cars and set them loose on a collection of oval and road courses. Leon Desimone brought out his Camaro, which competed in three seasons of

IROC racing with drivers as varied as Indy Car’s Foyt & Rutherford; NASCAR’s Pearson and Formula One’s Hunt and Schecter.

This year’s featured Marque was Maserati, celebrating their 100th year. Among the many representatives of the Trident was Lawrence Auriana’s Tipo 151 driven by Derek Hill, son of the late World Champion Phil Hill. Built at the behest of Briggs Cunningham to assault Le Mans,

the cars were less than successful. Later one of this car’s sister vehicles would be involved

in Marvin Panch’s devastating crash at Daytona. The ensuing actions resulted in

Carnegie Hero medals for the five who rescued Panch.

Mike Eddy brought his ‘64 Falcon to compete in the Historic Trans-Am group, little knowing he would leave with The Spirit of Monterey Award for best displaying the spirit of the weekend. Eddy’s Falcon was a pioneering racer in SCCA’s fledgling Sedan classes. Later it would compete in the inaugural Trans-Am season’s final race at Carroll Shelby’s request to keep points from rival Chrysler’s effort.

Greg Johnson’s ‘60 Corvette has been a racer since ordered with all the factory goodies over 50 years ago. Along the way it competed at legendary East Coast venues against the best SCCA racers of the day, achieving a remarkable track record. Records indicate Johnson’s Corvette was a Championship winner at the Regional level and earned a “Three-Peat” in the Pennsylvania Hill Climb Series.  Constantly evolving, it would serve time on the street.

As Cobra prices soar, an unfortunate consequence is that you no longer see many driven in anger on the track. Things at Monterey are a little different as shown by Steve (97) and Tim (16) Park in Lynn Park’s genuine 289 cars. Steve’s car is an early example (10th built) and was a factory racer. Tim’s was one of the initial group of Cobras sent to Europe to compete in FIA sanctioned events.

Chris Liebenberg of the 3 Dog Garage pushes Ross Myers’ 1982 Mustang through Turn 3. In period, the car was driven by Milt Minter, Gary Pratt and John Bauer and contested GTO in IMSA competition. In addition, it won an FIA event at the Fuji Circuit, Japan that year.

While Ford would end its factory involvement in the Trans-Am after clinching the 1970 championship, Bud Moore continued as an independent. He fielded entries for the likes of Peter Gregg. Here Ken Epsman hugs the apex in Turn 5 in Jim Hague’s car.

To get as much racing in as they do at Monterey requires a certain level of precision. As Ron Cressey’s #59 Corvette passes the pits on the front straight, you can already see the next group forming for their race. Cressey’s car is a long time vintage racer that has achieved multiple victories at Monterey.

Among the nearly 550 cars competing at this year’s Reunion were a number of Sunbeam Tigers. Each was interesting, but the history of Steve Sorenson’s example was intriguing. Originally converted to a racecar when new by Lew Spenser, it was later sold to Art Firmes. On the front fender is the name of Corvette racer, Dick Guldstrand. He and Firmes were friends and Guldstrand maintained the car, adding such touches as a frame modified as Guldstrand did with early Corvettes and ‘63 Sting Ray exhaust pipe bezels used as front brake scoops.

One cannot possibly fault the lines of Jaguar’s E-Type as exemplified by Michael Doyle’s 1962 coupe. From new, the car was converted to a racer with extensive modifications to its engine, suspension, brakes and bodywork. It would compete on the West Coast until 1972 before being laid up. Doyle has done all of us a favor by returning this very distinctive car to the track.

By 1974, the final year of the once proud Can-Am series would fizzle out after but five of a scheduled eight races. The one bright spot that year was Don Nichols’ Shadow Team with Jackie Oliver and George Follmer driving. It was just too little, too late for Shadow and the Can-Am as a whole. But Michigander Craig Bennett gave us a taste of that bygone era, wringing the best from his ‘74 515-inch Shadow DN4 to clinch Group 3B for Can-Am and USRRC cars.

In 1991 Robby Gordon drove his Roush prepared Mustang to three victories and second in the series point chase. The car marked the first time a Roush car would use a rear-mounted transaxle and the last time a turbo engine would be employed. After residing in a museum for over ten years, Steve Schuler is racing it again.

Amelia Island Concours founder Bill Warner brought his two-time championship winning TR6 to Monterey as part of “Team Amelia.” Bob Tullius and Paul Newman had owned the car. Here Warner endures something of a traffic jam in Turn 11, as he turns onto the front straight. Warner would be awarded The President’s Cup for having the car with the most significance to Laguna Seca, returning 40 years after last appearing here.



Words & photos: M. M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more information about Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, please visit http://www.mazdaraceway.com/