La meccanica delle emozioni: Alfa Romeo

1925 Alfa Romeo RLSS driven by Kevin Kelly. Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. Philadelphia, PA

Perhaps the greatest and most successful sports racing cars of all time were made by Alfa Romeo, particularly if one takes history back to the 1920s: 1925 Alfa Romeo RLSS:These cars became popular luxury sporting models for individuals like Benito Mussolini who indicated that his car had a “magnificent engine” and the Aga Kahn said… Continue reading La meccanica delle emozioni: Alfa Romeo

Giant Killers: Light vs. Might

1934 MG K3 Magnette driven by Kevin Kelly. Giant Killers: Light vs. Might. Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. Philadelphia, PA

It is not always the biggest engine or the fastest car that wins the race. Certain cars regularly beat the bigger models because of their maneuverability and balance in road races. The Simeone Museum demonstrated a quartet of cars that did surprisingly well against their larger competitors: 1913 Mercer Raceabout, with a  relatively small 4.9 liter engine.… Continue reading Giant Killers: Light vs. Might

Behind Each Great Car is a Great Driver: The Cars of Caracciola, Nuvolari, Moss and Ruby

Kevin Kelly driving the 1967 Ford MK IV. Great Drivers Demo Day. Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. Philadelphia, PA

  Celebrating Caracciola, Nuvolari, Moss, Ruby and their cars: 1934 MG K3 Magnette, which “drivers found a magnificent car to handle while viewers marveled at its grace. It was certainly the high point for the marque car known to make voiturettes rather than take-all-comers racer.” 1956 Maserati 300S, with “a spotty racing history that was however superior to… Continue reading Behind Each Great Car is a Great Driver: The Cars of Caracciola, Nuvolari, Moss and Ruby

The French Revolution

Kevin Kelly driving the 1937 Bugatti Type 57G Tank. Simeone Museum Demo Day: French Revolution. Philadelphia, PA

From the mid-1930s to mid-1950s, the French passion for sports car racing led to the development of some landmark sports cars which were successful during their short history of dominance. The three French cars presented here represent the only victories for French cars in their greatest race: Le Mans! 1937 Bugatti Type 57G Tank 1936/48… Continue reading The French Revolution

The Art Of The Sports Car, With Michael Furman

1933 Squire Roadster + 1966 Ferrari 365p Tre Posti Berlinetta Speciale. Simeone Museum Demo Day: The Art Of The Sports Car, With Michael Furman. Philadelphia, PA

Certain cars stood out because they revolutionized conventional styling & design. Each of the following Simeone Museum cars was a remarkable demonstration of this fact: 1933 Squire Roadster, a masterpiece of beautiful design complimented by technical advances which made it unparalleled in its day. 1935 Auburn 851 Boat Tail Speedster, an interesting phenomenon embodied in callipygian shapes obviously… Continue reading The Art Of The Sports Car, With Michael Furman