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brandes elitch

Brandes, Stan, and the Big Snow

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Brandes and Stan in warmer times. Stan was adopted from a local animal rescue organization in Sacramento called “Hearts For Paws”

Brandes Elitch needs no introduction here. But you may not know that he lives in Yuba county California, in a rather remote town. Last week, when the big storm hit California, he was in the path of the historic snow. On Friday March 3 I emailed him to ask how he was doing. Of course we had heard about the snow, but didn’t realize how devastating it was until Brandes emailed me with this response. Ed.

By Brandes Elitch

Saturday, March 4, 10:50 P.M. You have probably heard about the famous film “Lost Weekend,” but since I have given up drinking, this is not about a Lost Weekend in that sense.

It is about the fact that I had no internet last Saturday, February 25, all day and finally by 7 PM I was so frustrated that I just went to bed. Immediately thereafter, the power went out. We were without power Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and it finally came back on Friday, around 3 PM. [Read more…] about Brandes, Stan, and the Big Snow

Nino’s P4 takes your breath away….

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John and Debbie Nino with the 412 P at the Quail where Elitch first saw the car.

By Brandes Elitch
Photos courtesy John Nino

“When it does not exist, design it,” Henry Royce

At Monterey Car Week you would rightfully expect to be surprised and delighted by some of the things you will see, both on the show field and in the streets. After all, between the three major shows (Quail Lodge, Pebble Beach, and the Concorso Italiano), not to mention the Historics at the Laguna Seca racetrack, there will be over a thousand show cars on display, many of them quite fantastic. This year was no exception, an embarrassment of riches, so to speak. It can be quite overwhelming. You have to pace yourself, and from time to time just have a sit down and catch your breath, because some of these experiences can take your breath away. [Read more…] about Nino’s P4 takes your breath away….

Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Cattaneo/Riva

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The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Cattaneo/Riva at Pebble Beach, 2022. Photo by Brandes Elitch

Story by Pete Vack

Earlier this year, Brandes Elitch returned from Pebble Beach with photos of one of the most significant and interesting Alfas we have encountered recently, igniting our curiosity. From a variety of sources, VeloceToday uncovered letters from the designer himself, Count “Johnny” Lurani, a description of how the car was found by an American Alfa enthusiast, original drawings of the tubular chassis, a Touring drawing of a proposed body for the chassis, a rare Colli bodied sister car, and a few photos of other cars bodied by the Riva brothers of Merate, Italy. And that’s just for starters! [Read more…] about Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Cattaneo/Riva

Velocity Invitational at Weathertech Raceway, Laguna Seca

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Goodwood, anyone?

Story by Brandes Elitch, Photos by Dale LaFollette

As of October 14-16, 2022, there is a new star in the small firmament of international historic racecar events: The Velocity Invitational at Weathertech Raceway, Laguna Seca. The creator and organizer, Jeff O’Neill, saw an opportunity to create something new: he reached out to owners of famous and iconic historic racecars that in many cases are seldom raced because of their skyrocketing value. As he said, “All of the great cars are staying in their garages!”

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Art and Cars at Hershey

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Art by Dan McCrary

Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Guy Towle
Art by Dan McCrary

Brandes has been a busy guy lately, covering a variety of west coast events and yet traveling from California to Pennsylvania, determined not to miss his annual and traditional jaunt to Hershey. This is brief but well said. – Ed.

When you go to

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Pebble Beach and the Grand Sports

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Duesenberg Figoni:Best of Show

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch

The history of the “Contest of Elegance” dates back to 17th century France, when aristocrats paraded their horse-drawn carriages in Parisian parks during summer weekends and holidays. Today the oldest Concours is the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, first held in 1929. The first Concours in North America was in 1950 at Pebble Beach. [Read more…] about Pebble Beach and the Grand Sports

Fiat through OSCA at Concorso

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What car?

Photos by Brandes Elitch

Last week we brought you a report from Concorso Italiano, but only published half of the photos supplied by Brandes Elitch. This week we present photos of the Fiats through OSCA and beyond.

And like last week there are a few that are either not identified or incorrectly identified. As Elitch wrote last week, “Because of the informal nature of this show, the cars on display do not have placards that show who the owner is or where they live. This is why we are not able to show the owner’s name in the accompanying pictures.” And which is why we need your help. [Read more…] about Fiat through OSCA at Concorso

Concorso Italiano 2022

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Maserati T151

Story and photos by Brandes Elitch
Scroll down for Alfa to Ferrari photo gallery

The third week in August is known on the California Monterey Peninsula as “Car Week.” The population of the small town (1.06 square miles) of Carmel-by-the Sea has about 4000 residents, but during car week they will see an additional 85,000 visitors, according to the Monterey County Visitors Bureau. This is primarily a four-day event, but there is even a “Pre-Historics” the week before at the Laguna Seca racetrack. Car week now spans ten days and stretches from Seaside to Carmel Valley to Big Sur. Aside from the three major shows, there are another dozen or so smaller events, spread out all over the Monterey Peninsula. The pandemic put the brakes on some Car Week events for the last two years, but now, “It’s all right here!” [Read more…] about Concorso Italiano 2022

Why Are Italian Cars Beautiful?

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Marque et modele: Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Touring “Flying Star.” Chassis number 10814341

Story by Brandes Elitch
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt

About thirty years ago, someone gave me a copy of a book titled Touring Superleggera, by Carlo Felice Anderloni. It was published in 1983. I started to go through it and was overwhelmed by the staggering beauty of Mr. Anderloni’s creations. Even though I had been observing automobile design for many years previously, I had never seen anything like this before. At some point, I had to physically put the book down and take a deep breath. I had to revise my conceptions of automotive design.

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The Quail Motorcycle Gathering Part 2

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1965 Moto Morini, red number 65, 175 cc racer, owned by Joey Shimoda

Story and Photos by Brandes Elitch

There are many high-end car shows, which are typically called a Concours d‘Elegance. Two of the most extraordinary are right in this area, the Pebble Beach show and The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, right on the same field as this show. I have been to many shows of this type in the last fifty years, but I am quite sure that the Quail motorcycle show is in a class by itself, and is likely to remain that way for a while.

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The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2022

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1967 Italjet Vampire (competition off road category) owned by Marc Crocetti who volunteered to help with this article. His bikes all have number 71.

Story and Photos by Brandes Elitch

The 12th Annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering was held at the Quail Lodge resort in Carmel Valley, California on May 14, 2022. Because of the pandemic, it could not be held for the two previous years. It was good to be back. This is a world-class motorcycle event, likely THE world-class motorcycle event. [Read more…] about The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2022

Lancia Owners Requesting Loramo Book

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This afternoon, I’m likely the only person you know, delivering charity bake sale boxes out of the back of my car in 11F degree Wisconsin winter to benefit the local farm animal rescue sanctuary! Who is he and what is the car?

Almost hidden in the text of our article about Brandes Elitch and Cars Yea was an unusual offer: Send Brandes a photo of a Lancia you owned or still own and he’ll send you a copy of his book “Lancia Loraymo.”

It’s a good thing we didn’t do more to bring attention to the offer, as Brandes immediately began to receive emails and photos, and though he has a few copies left, they are going fast.

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