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ARTIST SHOWS US WHY FERRARIS ARE RED

Back when the demands of commerce had yet to mar the beauty of Grand Prix racing, it was a tradition that team cars must appear in their national colours. Thus the Ferraris would be red, which we've come to permanently associate with the Italian marque. It was this that inspired Canadian artist Paul Chenard, in a new painting for a Colorado collector, to portray the Ferrari team as it appeared prior to the 1956 Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Interestingly, these cars were not "pure" Ferraris, for the Lancia racing team, lacking the finance to continue, had been absorbed by its Italian competitor at the end of the 1955 season. Its promising D50 then became the basis for the 1956 Ferrari, initially rebadged as the Lancia-Ferrari D50, and then simply the Ferrari D50. Several of designer Vittorio Jano’s innovations were removed, but not the lightweight four-overhead-cam V-8 engine, which was shorter than the straight six or eight engines used by Maserati and Mercedes-Benz.

The twin panniers located between the front and rear wheels were another distinctive feature. They contained the fuel and oil tanks. Normally located in a large tank at the rear, the fuel load could affect a car's handling as it decreased, whereas the central location helped maintain balance through the corners. The panniers also had aerodynamic benefits.

The 1956 Monza GP was a race of good luck, generosity, and plenty of drama. The great Juan Manuel Fangio, driving a Ferrari and with an eight-point lead in the world championship, was forced to pit with a broken steering arm. When team-mate Luigi Musso refused to turn over his car to Fangio (they did that in those days) Peter Collins relinquished his Ferrari seat, giving up his own chances of becoming champion. Meanwhile a young Stirling Moss, in a Maserati, ran out of fuel while in the lead with just five laps to go.

Stirling recalls “I spotted (Luigi) Piotti, the Italian Maserati privateer, coming up behind and gestured frantically for him to use his car to push me to the pits”. Luckily for Stirling he understood and the Maserati’s proceeded to the pits nose to tail, with Stirling’s 250F receiving what would be in modern terms, a splash and dash. Moss won the race and Fangio, in his red Ferrari, won the championship.

Artwork © Paul Chenard

TOUR OF A LIFETIME FOR ITALIAN CAR ENTHUSIASTS

If you admire Italian sports cars (and who doesn't?) here's one event you won't want to miss. It's the annual Car Guy Tour, which kicks off on the beautiful shores of Lake Como and runs for ten days, beginning May 6th and ending May 16th, 2012. Organised each year by Frank Mandarano and sponsored by Keith Martin's Sports Car Graphic, the Car Guy Tour visits the great styling centers, including Italdesign, Pininfarina, Zagato and Bertone. It will also visit world-class restoration shops and major collections.

As if that were not enough, the Tour will take you to legendary companies such as Maserati, the Maserati Collection, Lamborghini, Borrani, Pagani, Schedoni and the Alfa Romeo Collection. Is Ferrari included? You bet it is. Participants will spend one complete day in Maranello visiting all that is Ferrari: including the Ferrari Galleria, the first official Ferrari Store, a Ferrari F1 warm up, with time for shopping and lunch at the famous Cavallino Ristorante.

According to the Car Guy Tour's car guys "May is one of the most beautiful months to be in Italy; the sidewalk cafes are bustling, the flowers are in full bloom, and the number of tourists are at a lower level." Having been there in May, for an entire month, I couldn't agree more. I would also go along with the suggestion that you come early and enjoy Lake Como. Take the fast boat to Bellagio for lunch or the slow boat for a leisurely tour of the lake, getting off to explore the little villages and coffee bars. And keep an eye for those gorgeous wood-hulled Riva speedboats, the Ferraris of the boating world.

The Tour will officially end in Modena, the "automotive and gastronomic capital of the world." But you might want to allow yourself a little more time and take in the Historic Monaco Grand Prix on the weekend of May 12th and 13th. This will be the perfect time to experience beautiful Monte Carlo and the period European racing cars on the circuit and at speed.

The price may seem a little steep if you don't have deep pockets but to be honest I think it's quite reasonable considering all that's included. Tickets for a person traveling alone are $6,000; for a double they're $8,200 ($4,100 per person). Air fare is extra but if you act now you should be able to find a discount. In fact, if the Car Guy Tour appeals, I'd suggest signing on soon, for seats are limited. More information is available from the Car Guy Tour Website, by e-mailing to frank@carguytour.com, or by calling Frank Mandarano direct at (206) 310-8380.

FERRARI F40 ONCE OWNED BY LEE IACOCCA, ON STAGE AT SCOTTSDALE AUCTION

Having worked with a few, and met or known a few, I'm well aware that auto executives at the top don't always limit their garages to vehicles made by the company that employs them. That's especially true of designers (all of whom are enthusiasts) along with those rare execs who get off on cars as much as they do rising sales numbers. Lee Iacocca was one of those, both during his Mustang days at Ford and his later tenures at Chrysler. So we shouldn't be surprised to find a Ferrari F40 originally owned and loved by Iacocca, on the RM auction block this weekend.

Built to celebrate Ferrari's fortieth anniversary, the F40 was the fastest street Ferrari when it was produced and the last one built under the guidance of founder Enzo Ferrari. It was originally meant for a production run of just 400 but popular demand led to over 1300 examples being made. Oddly, just 213 were built for the North American market, including Iacocca's car which, no doubt, received special attention before it left the factory. There were two subsequent owners but over twenty-one years the three owners managed to put just 480 kilometers on the odometer. One wonders what they actually did with the car. Was it just a toy to be possessed?

The F40 featured a 2,936 cc mid-mounted V-8 engine with dual overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, four valves per cylinder, Weber-Marelli engine management, port fuel injection, twin IHI turbochargers, and Behr air-to-air intercoolers. It delivered its 471 bhp through a five-speed manual gearbox in a rear transaxle. Suspension was independent all-round, using  unequal-length A-arms, coil springs and anti-roll bar. Four-wheel ventilated hydraulic disc brakes brought it to a very quick stop. An enduring supercar icon, Iacocca's F40 is expected to sell for $650,000-$750,000 US.

NEW ON YOUR SHELF: 1:18 SCALE 1963 ALFA ROMEO TZ

Our friends at Wilkinson's Automobilia in Vancouver always have a fine selection of models and especially like to feature great racing cars of the past. To kick off the new year they're offering a wonderful 1963 Alfa Romeo TZ coupe in my favorite 1:18 scale. The manufacturer, Auto Art, is known for its precision and attention to detail. The TZ was a lightweight coupe by Zagato, intended primarily for racing, though it was also built in street trim. It featured a 1570 cc twin-cam engine, 5-speed transmission, tubular spaceframe chassis, all-aluminum bodywork, disc brakes and 4-wheel independent suspension. The result was a lightweight coupé of only 1,400 lb, with a top speed of 134 miles per hour.

Of particular note is the Kammback tail, called "coda tronca" in Italian, meaning "short tail." Research by Dr. Wunibald Kamm proved that the short, vertical rear end actually improved aerodynamics (an argument I've used for decades in trying to persuade people of the hatchback's advantages). The TZ made its racing debut at the 1963 FISA Monza Cup, where TZs took the first four places in the prototype category. Later, after it was homologated (more than 100 copies made), Alfa's impressive coupe took class wins in races all over Europe. Much coveted for vintage races and rallys, Alfa Romeo TZ coupes now sell for $150,000-200,000 US. Which makes this model, at $168.95 Canadian, quite the bargain.

To order, e-mail Wilkinson's at info@eautomobilia.com or call (604) 873-6242. Tell them you saw it on marque1.com.

CHRISTMAS MORNING BRINGS A TICKET TO SCOTTSDALE

Each year, when Christmas arrives, I find myself wishing I was a child again. Believing there really is a Santa Claus; the excitement of opening all those gifts; the joy of a delicious turkey dinner (hot mince pie for desert, topped by hard sauce made by my grandfather): such was a magic that all too soon disappeared with the cynicism of adulthood. Now, for an aging car writer living thousands of miles apart from family, Christmas has become just another day. Still, if I were to hang a stocking by the end of my bed, I'd go to sleep on Christmas Eve hoping that when I awoke I'd find a round-trip air ticket from Vancouver to Phoenix plus a week's accommodation during January's Scottsdale auction week.

Note that I didn't ask for the cash to bid on two superb classics being offered by Gooding & Co. I'm not that delusional. But it would be a pleasure just to get up close before they go on the block. The 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider seen above is nothing short of exquisite. It features 4-wheel disc brakes, a competition-inspired cold air box with velocity stacks and what many believe to be the most attractive Scaglietti coachwork. Of course the matching-numbers Spider features Ferrari Classiche certification and has, according to Gooding, "excellent provenance with more than four decades of elite ownership among great Ferrari connoisseurs."

Just fanciful copywriting, of course, but I like the added comment: "In a sea of red Ferraris, this white over navy example turns heads for more reasons than one." A sea of red Ferraris, indeed! Gooding estimates a selling price of $3.4 – $3.8 million. Sorry, Mr. Claus doesn't deal in such numbers. Why, I remember last year when he tried auctioning one of his old sleighs and the best offer was a mere $9,000 from a used car dealer in Minnesota.

I may already have seen the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SL shown above. A "best of show" winner at the Kirkland Concours d'Elegance, it has been restored to perfection by 300 SL specialist Rudi Koniczek, whose exclusive shop is a mere 20 miles from my home and where I've been a privileged guest. The matching-numbers 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is one of only 29 lightweight, alloy-bodied versions built for owners who had racing in mind, though this rare beauty was never raced.

In addition to lighter weight, the alloy Gullwings were equipped with a high-performance NSL motor, Rudge wheels, and stiffer suspension. Gooding & Company says it will be the first time in nearly five years that an alloy Gullwing has surfaced for public auction. The auctioneers estimate it will sell for between $2.5 and $3.5 million. Which certainly beats the price of a hot mince pie with hard sauce. Ah, to be a kid again!

[Photos courtesy Gooding & Company. Photographer: Pawel Litwinski.]

AUCTIONS RACE TO SELL FERRARIS AT RECORD PRICES

Recently, while perusing the high-end auctions in America, I've come away with the impression that companies like RM, Gooding, and Bonhams are in a race to see who can sell the most Ferraris at the highest prices. From a marketing and business point-of-view that may seem logical but it ignores the fact that Ferraris, regardless of age and history, are just cars, albeit with a different purpose than your average family sedan. The more they get placed on the pedestal of greatness, the more inaccessible they become to those of us without fortunes to spend, and that's a shame.

Take the upcoming Scottsdale auctions, for example. Both RM and Gooding are highlighting Ferraris as a primary attraction. Each has a "star" car intended to draw the crowds with big pockets. For example, RM's 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica, seen in the photo at top. It was built for longtime Ferrari patron, Dottore Enrico Wax of the Genoa firm Wax & Vitale, best known as importers of Johnny Walker Scotch and Connolly leather. It features a brushed stainless steel roof and fins, polished and vented rocker panels and side grille, and open headlights. Of special significance is that it was the first new Ferrari road car to be bodied by Scaglietti, who passed away a few days ago.

RM has several other "special" Ferraris on offer, as has Gooding and Company. The "star car" in this instance is a 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa (above), raced by John von Nuemann, Bruce Kessler, and Richie Ginther. It was a 57 Lime Rock and Laguna Seca winner and like the Superamerica, features coachwork by Scaglietti. The brilliant Italian designer was Enzo Ferrari's favorite during that period. Gooding is also offering a 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast built for Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and Pierre Bardinon, with coachwork by Pininfarina, and a 1991 Ferrari F40 with less than 300 original miles and originally owned by Lee Iacocca.

You can take what you want from this comment and rest assured I admire (and covet) Italian sports and racing cars as much as anyone. But it bothers me when cars, even those as desirable as Ferraris, become commodities to be traded like shares on the financial markets. And we all know what the markets can do to the world economy, don't we?

COULD THIS BE THE GREATEST PEBBLE BEACH EVER?

It seems absurdly early to be writing about the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Roughly nine months as I write this. But there are two reasons why I'm willing to promote the event for the benefit of our viewers. First, because securing affordable accommodation is all but impossible if you wait until summer. One could even say that "securing affordable accommodation" can't be done at any time but perhaps, with advance planning, you might get lucky.

The second reason is that, having read the list of planned features and classes, I'd say that the 2012 concours is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular  in Pebble Beach history. The featured marques will include Maharaja Cars, plus the marques of Mercer and Fiat. Special classes will recognize Saoutchik Coachwork, AC and AC Cobra, Sport Customs, and German motorcycles.

I'm not sure how the organisers plan to find enough "Maharaja Cars" for the show, even allowing for the fact that more than a few Indian maharajas ordered customised luxury cars from the likes of Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza, Isotta-Fraschini, and others. A few years ago I wrote a piece for another Web site about a maharaja who had a collection of some thirty rare classics, all of which were kept in perfect running order. He was in the habit of sipping his morning coffee from a balcony while a chauffeur would perform drive-pasts in whatever cars the master chose for his entertainment. One wonders if he still does this and if any of the cars will make it to California.

More realistically, it happens that over the years several maharajah cars have been sold or auctioned to private owners outside India (no longer allowed as the country takes steps to keep its treasures), and it is probably from that group that Pebble Beach expects to attract entrants.

But if the cars of India aren't enough to entice you, the class for Saoutchik Coachwork should do it. Saoutchik was one of the most creative and most flamboyant of prewar designer-builders, whose bodies were often stunningly beautiful. To see just one is an experience. To see multiple examples will have you shaking your head in amazement.

I'll be looking forward to the AC and AC Cobra class, for even though Cobras are frequently seen at concours, the AC cars from which they were derived are not and I think show goers will be surprised at the variety of sporting cars that came from this small UK company, which dates back to 1911. Along with some older examples we may see the sleek Greyhound sedan, the Aceca coupe version of the Ace roadster (the latter including three different inline 6-cylinder engines), perhaps a 1971 AC Frua and, who knows, maybe even one of the 3-wheeled "invalid" cars it produced so handicapped folks could keep mobile. Somehow I doubt that any of the twenty-eight streamlined Southend railway cars it produced in 1949 will make it to Pebble Beach.

Add to this the classes for Fiat and Mercer and you have the potential for an unforgettable Pebble Beach experience. If you own a car that fits the above you should get in touch with the organisers now. If you're intimidated by those Monterey room prices, now's the time to look for deals. If you find one, let me know.

WHERE YOUR FERRARI MODELS ALWAYS BELONGED

Let's say that your model car collection includes racing Ferraris from the 1950s and early 1960s. You'd like to display them in a more interesting way than just sitting on a shelf gathering dust. Here's your ideal solution, being offered by Wilkinson's Automobilia of Vancouver, BC. It's a 1:18 scale Ferrari Race Car Transporter, officially known as Fiat Type 642 RN 2 Bartoletti, from 1957. As you can tell from the photo, the model is twice as long as typical 1:18 scale cars.

Our friends at Wilkinsons are ecstatic about the number of details, which include a mirror-like finish of the original two-tone red paintwork from the 1950s and the original Ferrari decals. Here's what Wilkinsons tell us: "The highly-detailed and functional auto hoist can be moved up and down manually. The rails are made of authentic checker-pattern metal plate. There's a removable spare wheel and spare-wheel bracket, with a functional spring clip-lock. The replication of the Trilex wheel system is authentic. Rear wheels, obviously, are dual twin-tires."

But wait. As they say, "there's more!" This Ferrari race car transporter replica is assembled from 3,115 single parts! All of them superbly detailed. It measures 19" in length (50 cm) so imagine this in your den or even your living room (yes, it's worthy of display anywhere) with two or three of your existing Ferrari models on the carrier, ready to race at the 'Ring or Monte Carlo. Like most good things in this world the Transporter is not cheap, and yet at $894.95 the limited number coming to the store will soon be gone. My advice? Reserve yours soon.

IT'S A VAN. IT'S A WAGON. IT'S A FIAT. IT'S AFFORDABLE

Don't laugh. The Fiat Multipla was serious transportation for many Italians from 1956 to 1965. It's a serious collector car and for the asking price of $15,900 in Hemmings.com it is seriously affordable.

You have to put things in perspective as you consider the Multipla. In the year of the car's creation many Italians were still riding motor scooters and most citizens who could afford four wheels were driving tiny (by our standards) autos with 500 c.c. or 600 c.c. engines. The Multipla was a combination of one-box van and station wagon, a mere 19.7 inches longer than the original Mini. Yet it could carry up to seven passengers on two front bucket seats plus one or two rear bench seats. The seats could be arranged to provide a flat floor suitable for luggage, thus making an ideal taxi.

Of course the Multipla was a bit of a slug when it came to performance but that was of no importance in the cities and towns for which it was designed. The rear-mounted, 4-cylinder engine, in its 767 c.c. guise, produced a mere 29 hp, for a top speed of 60 mph. Fuel economy was recorded as 38.4 Imperial mpg. If you were a farmer, a factory worker with four kids, or a taxi owner, such mileage would have been impressive.

This 1960 Fiat Multipla, currently for sale on Hemmings.com, lives in Costa Mesa, California. The owner claims a mileage of just 28,000. Hemmings' reporter suggests there's a missing "1" in front of that but I'm inclined to think it may be genuine; Italians did not clock the gargantuan miles that we do, and a collector would not have used it for lengthy journeys. The original seat belts and interior appear to confirm this. The car comes with the sunroof cover and clean title and appears to be in excellent condition, making the price quite a bargain.

Would I buy it if I had the available cash? Absolutely. And in case you're wondering, though I've never driven a Multipla, I've been a passenger, in Milan, back in 1969. Was I impressed with the carrying capacity and nimbleness in traffic? Yes. And so was the lady-of-the-evening who propositioned me in front of my friends when I stepped out. No, I didn't. Honest!

CARS OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY COMBINE FOR A VAN DUSEN DAY

It was one of those weekends when things didn't quite go as intended. My mission was to report on Vancouver's inaugural Luxury + Supercar Weekend at VanDusen Botanical Garden. The journey began well enough, with perfect temperatures and a sun-filled sky making the hour-and-a-half trip across Georgia Strait on BC Ferries a pleasant enough journey. But when Paul Enock and I arrived for media day I was the only automobile journalist on the lawns. A slight misunderstanding and nobody's fault. Unfortunately Paul wasn't available to chauffeur me around on Saturday and Sunday so I missed seeing the show in all its glory.

Nevertheless many of the cars were in place on Friday, which meant that one could take photos without the usual crowds getting in the way. Obviously I was attracted to the classics but couldn't help but be drawn to the supercars. In spite of the Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis and Bugattis in attendance the star of the show was surely the McLaren MP4-12C (above). It is one of only three in the world, so Vancouver was among the privileged. That Volcanic Orange paint job is even more spectacular in person and the styling is perfect, thanks to something most such cars lack: it's called restraint.

Turning to the classics, we were privileged to see an extremely rare 1938 Peugeot Darl’mat coupe. Taking note of its unusual design you might find the styling rather extreme but look at it this way: The Darl’mat was a supercar of its era, just like the McLaren is now. Here's a summary of what Nigel Matthews wrote in his Vancouver Province article: "Emile Darl’mat was one of Peugeot’s most successful dealers during the 1930s... his dealership was located in Paris and is still there today. Darl’mat spent a lot of time tinkering and tuning Peugeot engines in his quest to obtain additional horsepower. In 1938 he teamed with coachbuilder Marcel Pourtout to produce a custom Peugeot. Paulin’s design featured a very slim and low body with separate front and rear fenders. Art Deco side vents were fitted to both sides of the engine compartment. Other features include its long radiator grille and heart-shaped rear license plate frame and cats-eye back windows."

Decades later Volvo, in its second attempt at producing a sports car, gave us the exquisite P1800 coupe. Irv Gordon has driven his (not the car in the photo) close to 3-million miles with no major repairs, proving that if you take care of an automobile and treat it as though she was your mistress, there's no limit to how far you can go. Frankly I can't imagine driving a million miles in any vehicle but my long ago memories of the P1800 involve, as a car magazine editor, a test drive in which I loved the car though not the notchy gearchange.

Parked almost unnoticed on Friday was this exquisite Alfa Romeo Montreal coupe. I hadn't seen one since it was a concept car at Expo 67 in Montreal. The first production car was shown at the 1970 Geneva Show and was quite different from the original, using a 2593 cc 90° dry-sump V-8 engine with fuel injection that produced around 197 hp, coupled to a five-speed ZF gearbox and a limited-slip differential.

Any classic Rolls-Royce is enough to get your attention but four, lined up in order of model year? The car closest to the camera is also the oldest Rolls-Royce in Canada, a 1911 Silver Ghost. Surrounded as they were by cars that could easily exceed twice or even three-times the speed limit, these classics may have been mere curiosities for most of the spectators. Not so for anyone who appreciates automobile history. The organisers should be applauded for bringing us this extraordinary collection.

The day after I began writing this blog I received an e-mail from Nigel, telling me how successful the public days were and leaving me even more regretful that I'd missed out on the fun. He also sent the photos you see below. Come next year...

Not one, but two 1930 Lagondas. The two-tone car is a V-12 Rapide with the LeMans Engine

Maserati showed both new and old, including a 1961 3500 GT and a 1974 Bora

The $2.2 million (before taxes!) Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport

Choose your Ferrari. You can have any colour you want as long as it's red

A 1912 Detroit Electric, the second-oldest vehicle on display, symbolic of both the past and the future and a car I find absolutely fascinating. I'd love to drive one...

Toyota made just 337 2000 GT Coupes. The white convertible we admired in a James Bond movie was even rarer, for it was one-of-a-kind. Apparently Sean Connery was too tall for the coupe so they chopped the roof, making it possible for him to hop in and out easily.

For an in-depth look at the show and the class winners, simply click on this link.