The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Shelby, Maserati 300S, Palm Springs, April 7, 1957.
Story and photos by Allen Kuhn
Segment One How I met Jon Shirley
It was still early in my career, and I had no photo pass yet when I attended the races at Palm Springs on April 7, 1957. Once I found a good spot, next to the dreaded snow fence, I had a tendency to just settle in there. This sedentary occupation, however, resulted in these four Shelby images.
By Pete Vack
Photos by Graham Gauld
The story of Archie Scott Brown is incredible, unbelievable, astonishing, inspiring, heart rendering and finally, tragic; and in today’s world, such accomplishments would be totally impossible.
He was born on Friday the 13th of May, 1927 in Glasgow, Scotland, with no proper right forearm, “merely and elementary thumb and palm, which started below the elbow.” His tiny legs lacked a shinbone, and the legs were “radically twisted and bowed, and the club-feet were tiny, with no discernible toes.” The right foot was twisted outwards about 90 degrees, the left foot almost 180 degrees. Of the limbs, only the left arm and hand were normal. His mother had the German measles (rubella) during her pregnancy.*
The car that caught my eye was this monster French Hotchkiss. Photo by Jonathan Sharp.
Story by Graham Gauld
You would think that after spending three and a half days at the Silverstone Classic, I would come up with a host of stories. But this year, I must confess, it was tough. This is not because there were no interesting cars; but I had arranged in advance various meetings with people who had written asking for help with books or articles they are writing, plus the usual problem of getting round the paddock without someone diverting my attention.