Author Archives: accini

Delorean Trifecta Part One: “Fitz and Van do it all”

Pontiac_Grand_Prix_Coupe_1962_by_AF-VKThere’s a theme running through the next three posts we’re bringing you, namely Mr John Z Delorean.

First up here’s the story of the fabulous artists Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman who were employed by Pontiac to create beautiful, aspirational images for ads and brochures. In the sixties most car companies were turning to photography to promote their wares, but Pontiac bucked the trend and used the prodigiously talented pair to conjure up sumptuous images the old fashioned way; with a paint brush. Continue reading

Just Before we Move on from Lancia Sedans

We just have to show you the little Fulvia Berlina. This car is the absolute exemplification of the term jewel-like. This is the automotive equivalent of an Officine Panerai watch with its precise engineering, delicate detailing and understated class – oh what class.

Here’s a tip for any emerging Hollywood starlet. Buy a Fulvia Berlina and swan around Beverly Hills in it. The kudos would be deafening.

Lancia Fulvia Berlina Rally

Lancia Fulvia Berlina Rally

Lancia Fulvia Berlina

Lancia Fulvia Berlina

 

 

And the Winner is…

Thanks to everyone who entered our competition. I am pleased to say that we have a winner.

The answer to the question, what was Lauda’s road car as shown in the Rush movie trailer is………a fantastic Lancia 2000 Berlina. This has got our juices flowing and I feel a Flavia/2000 post come up very soon.

1st Black Steelies Competition: What is Lauda’s Road Car?

The tantalising clip of the forthcoming Ron Howard movie Rush has been doing the rounds on all kinds of motoring blogs lately. It looks like a massive CGI-a-thon but we’re still excited, especially as the clip shows the true star of the film: Niki Lauda’s road car of choice. Did you spot it? To be honest if the rest of Rush is lousy it’ll be a hit with us because of this truly inspired piece of car casting.


So all you have to do is send us a comment with the make and model of Niki’s car and we will pick one lucky winner who’ll receive a copy of a rare, out of print book: La Collection – Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Book

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Book

When Henry Went Rallying: Falcon Sprint

Back in 1963 Ford US decided it wanted to get involved in international rallying. I guess the reason for this was the old “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” theory that claims motorsport victories translate into sales. But it’s odd that Ford didn’t leave European rallies up to the Europeans, I mean a Cortina is surely more of a potential rally weapon than Detroit iron, albeit a compact like the Falcon.

1963 Ford Falcon Sprint

1963 Ford Falcon Sprint

1963 was the test run and Ford were sufficiently encouraged to up the ante in 1964, sending a bunch of Falcon Sprint V8s across the pond. By all accounts the Falcons proved very capable on the tight stages of the Monte, and it was only sneaky rules changes that favoured the tiddlers that kept them off the podium.

Check out these great photos taken from the same spot on the final stage.

1964 Ford Falcon Sprint

1964 Ford Falcon Sprint