Lance Reventlow was the son of Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton. As most aficionados know, he was active in motorsport during...
Sports car racing in the U.S. during the ’50s was unique. It was very different from the American circle-track or...
There were a number of outstanding road-race weekends during the fifties. Phil Hill’s win at the first Pebble Beach comes to mind as well as Carroll Shelby’s at the last. In Southern California, one of the best-loved venues was Palm Springs. It had everything: a famous resort, wonderful winter weather,...
I remember that the Reader’s Digest used to have a series of articles titled some-thing like “The Most Unforgettable Character...
As everyone knows, after the 1960 racing season, Carroll Shelby retired as a driver and became even better known for...
Some of our California sports car races during the fabulous ‘50s were not just for current vehicles. At some SCCA events, there were races for pre-WWI racecars! We called them the “old crocks.” Just one man owned all of the cars: Lindley Bothwell. Lindley was one of the most interesting,...
For two consecutive years—1969 and 1970—Porsche won the World Manufacturers Championship. Brian Redman was an important part of the teams,...
Carroll Shelby once remarked, “There are only two people I can think of who could sit down, take a welding...
By 1963, Cobras were doing very well in Sports Car Club of America races. Cars driven by Shelby American drivers won the SCCA A Production National Championship. In addition, they won the SCCA Production-Class U.S. Road Racing Championship. Carroll Shelby, however, wanted to enter and win the unlimited USAC Sports...
In the February 2010 edition of Vintage Racecar, editor Casey Annis reported that a concours d’provenance had been held in...
During the Fifties, a number of women were involved in the sports car craze. This was during a time when...
On August 4, 2007, an icon of American racing and my dear friend, John Fitch, turned 90 years old! In...
I’ve always been fascinated with the Goodwood Revival concept of “a magical step back in time.” For some time, I’ve...
Automobile racing started soon after the appearance of autos themselves. Those first events, on public highways and byways, went from one town to another. Thus “road racing” was born. After WWI, racing continued on roads, except in the U.S., where competitions were mainly of the “circle-track” variety on ovals. Due...
Quite a few younger folk seek me out and want to hear about how wonderful sports car racing was during...
Jack was born on April 2, 1926, and I think it’s appropriate that we all wish him a happy birthday....
During the ’50s, I raced XK120s. The first one was a ’52, the second a ’54. Albeit, I’m not mechanically inclined. I don’t know the difference between a Whitworth Wench and a Lucas Hug. In those days, Jaguars were so good, you could race them with virtually no preparation other...
Art Evans Fifty years ago, the world-famous Laguna Seca race course was created by a tree. It’s interesting as well...
I don’t remember when I first met Lance Reventlow, but it must have been through my buddy, Bruce Kessler, who...
I had just been discharged from the Army and was pursuing my education with the help of the GI Bill. My Uncle Phil, who had just bought a new Austin Healey 100, invited me to go with him to a sports car race at Palm Springs. I didn’t know what...
My first car after leaving active duty in the Army in 1953 was a 1948 Buick convertible that I sort...
For the last 20 years or so of his life, Rodger Ward and I were friends. Even though I had...
Whether or not most of us realize it, a most unusual man is among us. Until the late ’50s, he was one of the very few Americans of international road racing caliber. As you read this, John Fitch is 88 years old. His life is the stuff of legend. Fitch...
During the Fifties and Sixties, one of the most popular sports car racing venues in the West was Palm Springs....
Those looking for vintage photographs frequently contact me. During the fifties, my partner, Dick Sherwin, and I published a short-lived...
As old age creeps up, I think of things that are a must for me and perhaps also for readers of this magazine. I assume you are not only an automobile enthusiast and racing fan, but also have more than a passing interest in car history and the personalities involved....
There is a man who is not only unknown to the general public but also to much of the racing...
During the fifties, I not only had a business relationship with Bill Devin, but we were also friends. We saw...
I’m writing this column during the waning days of 2006. Fifty years is traditionally a significant anniversary. What I remember most about 1956 was that we lost Ernie McAfee during the last race held on the Del Monte Properties at Pebble Beach. Ernie was a dear friend and a wonderful...
