Ok. Actually it’s a postcard; but I’m willing to consider it a track map if you are. Come to think of it, I don’t recall ever seeing a Targa Florio track map. One the one hand, it seems almost senseless for the spectators to have a map describing every corner when there’s 72km of racing course to describe consisting of hundreds of corners (thousands?). On the other hand, a track map of sorts is as close as your nearest road map of Sicily.
This postcard, from the 36a Targa Florio of 1952, is much more about the entirety of the Palermo province than it is about the Circuito Modenie. It certainly wouldn’t have been much use to Felice Bonetto as he piloted his Lancia Aurelia B20 around 8 laps in 7 hours, 11 minutes on the way to his victory. As is so often the case, however, what this map lacks in accuracy it more than makes up for in other aesthetic virtues. The illustration style of the figures enjoying themselves on the island is marvelous. I particularly like the hiker and skier in the Modenie mountains.
Felix sent in these shots he captured at this year’s Oulton Park Gold Cup race a few weeks ago. I’m constantly taking photos when I attend historic races and I’m always disappointed when I see what shots from a proper photographer like Felix turn out like. There’s something about the color, a sort of cool softness to the shots that make the atmosphere feel so much more refined and important than I’m ever able to capture.
Naturally, I’m going to continue to blame my equipment. Head on over to Felix’s F1 Imagery blog for the rest of the set. Thanks Felix!
It’s been far too long since I added an item to the Chicane Shop. Today I’m thrilled to announce the newest shirt in the lineup—our tribute to the golden era in Formula 1 racing.
Maybe your favorite champion is on this list. Maybe he isn’t. But together this era in motorsport was as impassioned and as fierce as in any age of competition. Individually, these are giants. Together, they represent the reasons I—and I’m guessing that many of us—fell in love with historic racing. Together, they represent the pinnacle of motorsport.
Is that Phil or Graham? You choose!
Made and printed in the USA. Available today in The Chicane Shop.
For the design nerds among you: Helvetica Bold on Black American Apparel. With a secondary tribute to Experimental Jetset’s oft homaged Beatles shirt.
StirlingMoss.com is offering this meticulous reproduction of Dennis Jenkinson’s innovative roller map that helped revolutionize rally navigation and secure victory for the team in the 1955 Mille Miglia.
I happened upon a photo of Jenks’ roller map and wondered what became of the original artifact, imagining it was the star attraction in an automobilia auction. A few moments of Googling later I realized that this replica is a far better investment. While it would be worth a trip to see the original roller map in a museum, that pesky layer of plexiglass between me and it would preclude me from using it to take the greatest road trip. With the replica, you can strap yourself behind the wheel, make your way to Brescia, and be off!
From the 1905 Catalog, Distinctive Automobile Garments & Requisites: Exclusive Imported and Domestic Models for Men, Women and Children via Mister Crew.
I know there’s no way to please everyone with this sort out countdown. But there’s a lot they got wrong. Where’s the Cunningham team? Where are the Targa Florio 908s? Where are the Chapparals? Perhaps I’ve given too much away already…
Master restorers Hall & Hall have this gem of an etceterini among their current stock. It’s a remarkable little machine. I’m particularly drawn to these early Italian sporting models that so wonderfully combine the best in American hot rod aesthetic with the small sporty stance and maneuverability of European racers. It’s a combination that has long been neglected, and deserves a reexamination. Somewhere along the way, American hot rodders decided that straight-line speed and horsepower was the goal, and the road-racing hot rod has virtually become a thing of the past.
The Danese was built around an Alfa-Romeo sourced 2500 6-cylinder. Nardi, as always, worked his engine tuning magic to up the 6C’s output to 150hp. Fitting the engine and transmission low in the frame rails, the car was a light handling, but relatively powerful little machine. The low mounting of the engine also allowed coachbuilder Rocco Motto to wrap the Danese in this lovely aluminum body that accentuates the low, lean silhouette of the bonnet despite the relative bulk and height of the engine.
This example, chassis 948-11 has race history on both sides of the Atlantic. Delivered to Count Felice Trossi, the car competed in the Mille Miglia piloted by Francesco Beneventano in the Targa Florio and Mille Miglia in 1948 and 1949. The ’49 Mille had Nardi’s business partner—and the car’s namesake—Renato Danese in the passenger seat!
After some time spent in Argentina, the car found it’s way to California and into the hands of Gordon Cooper. Cooper bored out the engine, upping the horsepower to 200. Additional modifications, including these distinctive twin grilles for the oil cooler, made 948-11 a competitive machine on the West Coast. It was during Cooper’s time with the car that Motor Trend tested her. Shortly thereafter, the car made its way into Luigi Chinetti’s collection, who held the car for more than 20 years.
Today, Hall & Hall offers the car in remarkably good shape. The car has been restored it’s original configuration. Cooper himself provided the original grille, having swapped it for a more open grille to provide better breathing during his time with the car. More information on 948-11 on Hall&Hall’s stock detail page
The daughter of Gordon Cooper, Danese (named for the car!), has collected a selection of photos of her parents’ adventures with 948-11 during their time racing the car in the 50′s. Click on over to her Flickr for more. Outstanding!
This postcard, from the 36a Targa Florio of 1952, is much more about the entirety of the Palermo province than it is about the Circuito Modenie. It certainly wouldn’t have been much use to Felice Bonetto as he piloted his Lancia Aurelia B20 around 8 laps in 7 hours, 11 minutes on the way to his victory. As is so often the case, however, what this map lacks in accuracy it more than makes up for in other aesthetic virtues. The illustration style of the figures enjoying themselves on the island is marvelous. I particularly like the hiker and skier in the Modenie mountains. 
The Danese was built around an Alfa-Romeo sourced 2500 6-cylinder. Nardi, as always, worked his engine tuning magic to up the 6C’s output to 150hp. Fitting the engine and transmission low in the frame rails, the car was a light handling, but relatively powerful little machine. The low mounting of the engine also allowed coachbuilder Rocco Motto to wrap the Danese in this lovely aluminum body that accentuates the low, lean silhouette of the bonnet despite the relative bulk and height of the engine.
After some time spent in Argentina, the car found it’s way to California and into the hands of Gordon Cooper. Cooper bored out the engine, upping the horsepower to 200. Additional modifications, including these distinctive twin grilles for the oil cooler, made 948-11 a competitive machine on the West Coast. It was during Cooper’s time with the car that Motor Trend tested her. Shortly thereafter, the car made its way into Luigi Chinetti’s collection, who held the car for more than 20 years. 
The daughter of Gordon Cooper, Danese (named for the car!), has collected a 
