jon shirley

Against All Odds

January 30, 2018 By pete

Story by Peter Darnall

We all know that Nuvolari won the 1935 German Grand Prix. What most of us didn’t know is that Tazio did it with a two speeed gearbox! Peter Darnall explains…

The Grosser Preis von Deutschland of 1935 was more than a motor race. The Nürburgring would be the setting for the German Grand Prix, the richest and most prestigious event of 1935 on the European racing calendar. Nationalistic fervor ran high as the Nazi government subsidized Silver Arrows faced off against a mixed field; the stage was set for a German victory on their home ground. [Read more…] about Against All Odds

Ferrari Ends Pre-war Domination of Pebble’s Best of Show

August 26, 2014 By pete

Jon Shirley and the Ferrari brave the traditional confetti shower as they pull over the ramp to take Best of Show at Pebble Beach. Credit: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

By Michael T. Lynch

The biggest story of the week of automotive events on the Monterey Peninsula was Jon Shirley’s 375 MM Scaglietti Coupe winning Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It was the first ever win for a Ferrari.

In 1955, Phil Hill won Best of Show with a 1931 Pierce-Arrow 41 LeBaron Convertible Town Cabriolet he had restored. (Hill also won the race with a Ferrari 750 Monza.) The Pierce began a string of pre-World War II Pebble Beach winners that continued until this year, the lone exception being a Maserati Mistral in 1968. [Read more…] about Ferrari Ends Pre-war Domination of Pebble’s Best of Show

Concorso Italiano–Opening Shots

August 18, 2010 By Brandy

Rare stars often appear at Concorso Italiano. This Bizzarrini Manta, for example--

By Brandes Elitch
Photos by Petya Elitch

Twenty five years ago, Francis “Frank” Mandarano began what has become known as the “Concorso Italiano.” Mandarano had previously started a club for Maserati owners, and a company to sell Maserati parts, and even a restoration shop, located outside of Seattle. [Read more…] about Concorso Italiano–Opening Shots

Jon Shirley on Kids and the Nuvolari P3

September 29, 2009 By Pat

Interview with Jon Shirley, owner of the Nuvolari P3.

Jon and Mary Shirley at Pebble Beach 2008.
Photo by Hugues Vanhoolandt.

Jon Shirley developed an interest in cars when he was nine, driving an old truck on a farm. Later when in college, he attended races at Watkins Glen, Thompson and Lime Rock. Naturally he developed an interest in sports cars and racing–one that would last until the present time. [Read more…] about Jon Shirley on Kids and the Nuvolari P3