How They Built Cars When Beauty Was All That Mattered

[Thom]

This was a time when Western societies were not dictated by a somewhat sickening securitarian agenda.

[blueline]

This was a time when Western societies were not dictated by a somewhat sickening securitarian agenda.

Very true. But eventually the drivers themselves began to resist the carnage and death surrounding them and started their quest for some common sense improvements. That was good as I don't think the sport would have survived society's (and governments') condemnation - the bad looks were becoming overwhelming. Unfortunately however, and as usual, intentions of this nature often get carried too far.

I look at old race footage such as the 1970 Brands Hatch race featuring a rain-soaked battle between Elford and Rodriguez in their 917k's finishing 1 - 2 (Carpokes topic link below), and I'm amazed at not only the drivers' skills driving their cars in what seems like next to impossible ways, but also the pit crews, race officials and spectators who seemingly feared nothing. That was how it was.

Rodriguez' brother had been killed racing many years before, yet Pedro continued drive like a man possessed, piloting cars with almost indescribable power. If I'm not mistaken, the 917k's had magnesium frames and maybe other magnesium parts that, once burning, were impossible to extinguish.

I cannot imagine the skill and nerve it must have taken to drive cars like that. Pedro himself was killed a year later racing a Ferrari on a Nuremberg street course.

viewtopic.php?t=1626

[blueline]

Eight previous 2022 Best of Show winners at the world's most prestigious Concours (Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, Villa D'Este, Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille, among others) vied for the prize of the Best of the Best award from The Peninsula Classics.

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a4482 ... d568259d8a


The winner: 1938 Delage Type D8-120S Cabriolet. All eight automobiles are stunning beauties!

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[blueline]

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Long-Tail Special Roadster Wins 2023 Pebble Beach Concours.

"The strongest field ever assembled made picking a winner even more difficult than usual."

Autoweek: https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a4486 ... d568259d8a

Impressive car with an impressive history.

"The car was originally ordered from Mercedes by the Shah of Afghanistan, then was hidden away in the French embassy during WWII before making its way to the U.S. in 1953."

Mercedes - 1934 540 Long-Tail Pebble Beach 2023 winner 2023-08-21.jpg (242 KiB) Viewed 1565 times

(MattoLiza Productions/Autoweek)

[blueline]

Found out about this museum by chance, Mullin Automotive Museum that's in Oxnard, CA. Anyone been there for some of their exhibits?

This car certainly qualifies for a "Wow"!

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1939 Bugatti Delahaye I think.

[RDMcG]

Been there and will post some pics when I get to my desk

[blueline]

That would be fantastic!

[RDMcG]

The Mullin Museum concentrates on French cars of the Art Deco era and Peter Mullin has built a beautiful museum to house them. A bug selection fo coach built Delehayes, , Delages , Bugattis and others. I was there about 15 years ago and had a chance to wander round when the museum was closed.

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[RDMcG]

The most beautiful car for me is the Bugatti Atlntique, originally delivered to Lord Victor Rothschild in England in 1937

[RDMcG]

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I had seen the car pre-restoration in Meadowrook in about 1998: