Automobiliac Laps Lime Rock!

Just got back from what I might describe as a perfect day, without a trace of exaggeration.  My buddy Drew (of Motoring Con Brio fame) and I went up to Lime Rock Park for a most enjoyable track day.  I had never run my Alfa on the track before, so I was really worrying something would break, but I'm happy to report that despite its 28 years of age, my car held its own gallantly, even keeping up with some badly-driven modern machinery!  Much to my pleasure there was another GTV6 present at the event, and the owner and I became fast friends.  I think we both defended the honor of the marque with our efforts, and with the lack of any mechanical failures! His car is in the foreground, and mine is behind with the hood open.

I was paired with a really great instructor named Carmine, who gave a lot of insightful feedback and encouragement, and I had an absolute blast.  Below are 2 of my better laps from the final session of the day. 

This is the same lap, seen from Drew's Golf GTI, which was tailing me!

This next clip is a drive-by showing how a badly-driven M5 can be tailed by an underpowered old Italian heap being driven hard! Of course, with his 400+ bhp he pulled away on the straights...

My all-weather tires were not the best shoes for the track, and my stock brake pads didn't hold up so great after hard driving, but all in all I feel blessed to have had an incident-free and exciting day in my car. After I left the track, the trusty GTV6 got me all the way back to the metropolis without so much as a hiccup. Che bella macchina! The drive home, through beautiful Connecticut back roads, was just a slice of heaven. See the whole gallery HERE! and Drew also took some fantastic shots (much better than mine!) that can be seen HERE

Allez les Bleus

First, let me apologize for going a week with no new posts! Things have been busy over in Automobiliac HQ, but I have some very exciting new posts in the works, including a Greenwich Concours gallery, as well as some Alfa GTV6 track day video!  So stay tuned for more!

And of course, Le Mans is right around the corner, so I thought I would show my bias towards the French by posting a photo of what has to be the prettiest prototype racing car of the 90s, and which marked Peugeot's return to La Sarthe. The 905 did eventually win the race, but with a less elegant body than the early version pictured here.  The new Audi looks totally sweet, but I am a total sucker for French victory at Le Mans!

Elf Scan 19: Matra MS 11

Revealed at the 1968 Monaco Grand Prix, the MS11 was the first F1 car to be 100% Matra-developed, from its chassis to its 3L V-12 engine.  The MS11 was a complete monocoque, but it was slightly behind the leading edge set by Lotus in the previous season, as the engine did not play a structural role in the chassis, unlike the Ford-powered MS10, which was designed after the Lotus.  Jean-Pierre Beltoise piloted the car to 2nd in the Dutch Grand Prix that year, also beating the lap record.  The Matra V-12 was a magnificient engine, but Matra decided it needed more development before it could be a winner, and the political pressure to win was too great.  Therefore a Ford Cosworth DFV, rather than a French engine, would power Matra to the championship in 1969.

Swing Low Sweet Cadillac

The 1971 Eldorado has a surprising level of presence and refinement, particularly the chamfered tail treatment.  This particular example was really stunning.  I need to stop posting pics of Cadillacs, I know.

When one just isn't enough...

Many Alfisti can't help themselves.  You need a GTV6, then an Alfetta GT, and an Alfetta track car as well.  Naturally.  Best part is, you could have all 3 of these cars for well under 20 grand.  Talk about a bargain!