At the end of August 1961, John Whitmore had been racing in Denmark at the Roskilde Ring, doing battle with the work’s Saabs. He and Eoin Young then hurried down motorways to arrive in Germany at Adenau, performing a handbrake turn in the car park to celebrate a non-stop marathon. John and I were to …
I had no idea that the young girls of the post-World War II era dreamed of becoming racecar drivers. Certainly a pony might appear in their hopeful plans for the future, and many of them took part very successfully in show jumping and cross-country events—Pat Moss included. But driving ambitions came as naturally to many of …
Enjoy this look back, thanks to the BBC. “Golden Ages” are myths and reflections. They are a highlights reel. Yes, they’re still wonderful to reminisce, but don’t let films tell you the best is by us! The cars are with us, beautiful and, in many cases, better than ever before. We have the lessons of decades …
The Legacy of Yesterday’s Mountain Climbers I sometimes wonder if the British cars that we collect, restore and love so much still carry with them the legacy of the rallies and races in the 1950s and sixties. Back in those Golden Days of motor sport, the cars not only had to look the same as …
The classified add read: “FOR SALE: ’61 Sprite, partially race-prepared, Engine rebuilt – $300. SW 4-1622 days till 7:00 pm.” We drove to Tom’s ABC Auto Service and there it was, a Cherry Red, H Production Bugeye Sprite with roll-bar, open exhaust, no windshield or front bumper. Too boot, it was a “Sebring Sprite” with …
A couple summers ago I took a drive in my father’s ’48 MG TC. It had been 10-15 years since our last encounter, but the deep exhaust tone and supercharger whine were exactly as I remember. You see, Moss Motors’ founder, Al Moss, started selling aftermarket supercharger kits back in the mid 50s, and my …
Nine short years is what Carroll Shelby spent as a race car driver. During his abbreviated driving career, one cut short by a heart condition that would partially confine his career, but never define him, Carroll Shelby raced heads up against some of the most prominent and preeminent drivers of the 1950s. Sterling Moss, Juan …
Whether you’re referring to the racing or the weather, The Mitty, held at Road Atlanta from April 27-29 had plenty of hot to go around. Lovers of on track performance were greeted by both originals, and recreations of famous race cars from the heyday of Triumph sports car racing. If famous people are more your …
I was devastated to learn of the closing of the Abingdon factory. The date was October 22, 1980, which, just my luck, happened to be my birthday. My friend Peter Franklin who was Public Relations Manager at the time, called to tell me the news. Management closed the doors two days early to avoid any …
The thought of hurling across the salt lakes of Utah at 200 mph is terrifying to most. There was a time when land speed record holders were kings and those speeds were not for people with weak bladders. Heroes like these were living out the dreams of little boys who plowed their toy cars through …
