Tag Archives: Formula 1

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SCUDERIA FERRARI FROM SILVERSTONE TO MONACO | LIFE MAGAZINE, MAY 1956

The 1956 Formula One Ferrari’s were truly modified Lancia D50’s.  The D50 debuted at the tail-end of the ’54 Formula One season, placed in the capable hands of Italy’s two-time and reigning World Champion, Alberto Ascari. He took both pole position in qualifying and fastest race lap in the D50’s very first event. On May 26th, 1955, Alberto Ascari was in Monza to watch friend and fellow driver Eugenio Castellotti test out the Ferrari 750 Monza, which they were to race together in the Supercortemaggiore 1000. About to go home for lunch with his wife, and dressed only in a simple shirt and trousers, Ascari decided to throw on Castellotti’s helmet and try out the new Ferrari. While coming out of a curve on the third lap he lost control– the Monza violently skidded, turned on its nose and somersaulted into the air. Ascari was ejected and thrown onto the track and died on the scene. After the death of their star driver, Lancia fell on hard times and sold to Scuderia Ferrari. Ferrari modified the D50, removing many of designer Vittorio Jano’s innovations. It was rebadged as the Lancia-Ferrari D50, and then simply the Ferrari D50. Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1956 World Championship of Drivers with the Ferrari modified D50. During its competitive run, the D50 raced in 14 Formula One Grands Prix, winning five of them.

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JAMES “HUNT THE SHUNT” | THE 1970’s HIGH-FLYIN’ LOTHARIO RUSH OF FORMULA 1

May 11, 1975– James Hunt, driver for Hesketh-Ford (and Suzy Miller, who was his wife for a short time), at the Monaco Grand Prix. –Image by © Schlegelmilch/Corbis.  Love the patch– “Sex is a high performance thing.”  While many athletes abstain from sex before competing, Hunt was physically insatiable– often having, eh-hem, relations just minutes before hopping behind the wheel to race.

The tales of James Hunt are the stuff of legends– on and off the track.  “Hunt the Shunt” was widely known for his wild indulgence in sex, drugs, booze, women– which redlined in Tokyo the two weeks leading up to his famous battle with Niki Lauda for the 1976 Formula One championship.  Hunt’s favorite hedonistic haunt in those days was the Tokyo Hilton, where he and buddy Barry Sheene (world motorcycle champion that year), settled in to party.  Like clockwork, every morning British Airways stewardesses were delivered to the hotel’s door for a 24-hour stopover.  Hunt would charm them as they checked in, and invited them up to his suite for a party — they always said yes.  Allegedly, James Hunt went on quite a run during this two week binge (33 BA stewardesses).  But, as Stirling Moss, who used to carouse with Hunt in Monte Carlo before he was married, said: “If you looked like James Hunt, what would you have done?”  via

1975, Nurburg, Germany– Hesketh-Ford Formula One racecar driver James Hunt flies during the European Grand Prix. –Image by © Schlegelmilch/Corbis.  Many of Hunt’s early races ended in disaster. Once his Formula Ford crashed and sank in the middle of a lake. He would have drowned– had he been able to afford seat belts.  His skills improved, but he never conquered his fears. In the garage before a race, it often caused him to vomit– and on the grid he’d shake so violently that his car vibrated. This potent cocktail of adrenaline and testosterone made him a fierce competitor on the track. via

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OLD SCHOOL HURST GIRLS GONE WILD | GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES

linda-vaughn-hurst-lug-nutsLinda Vaughn, the legendary “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter”

Linda Vaughn, the lovely, leggy, legend of the auto racing scene from the 60’s through the early 80’s was better known as– Miss Hurst Golden Shifter. She was a trophy queen whose voluptuous looks and charm often stole the show at auto racing events she attended– SCCA, NASCAR, Indy & Formula One, among others.  Linda has been knocked by many for setting Women’s Lib back with her busty displays, but her passion for the sport ran deep and she had a major impact– not just in promoting the sponsors, but also in advancing women’s racing.  Vaughn earned her SCCA competition license at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving and then got behind the wheel and raced.

Linda Vaughn, the legendary “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter”

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STEVE McQUEEN | LE MANS & BEYOND GRATUITOUS 1970s RACING GOODNESS

Steve McQueen at the legendary 1970 12 Hours of Sebring Race where McQueen (partnered with co-driver Peter Revson) raced with a broken left foot in a cast against racing great, Mario Andretti.  McQueen is sporting his iconic ’67 Rolex Submariner that went for $234,000 at auction in 2009.  BTW – Anyone else feeling the “Brian Johnson AC/DC ” vibe here with the black leather 8-panel cap?

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Steve McQueen’s 1971 epic, Le Mans, is the racecar film that is widely hailed as the gold standard for which all such films are measured– now, and certainly well into the future.  It was filmed largely live at the actual 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans, without the benefit of computer generated imagery and modern day trickery that we rely on today.  It feels raw because it is raw.  McQueen had originally planned to enter the #26 Porsche 917K with co-driver Jackie Stewart.  Fate had other ideas–  their entry car was rejected, and McQueen was unable to get insurance for the race.  As such, Jo Siffert and Brian Redman were now given driving duties.  While it was never a commercial success, it is long on guts, and is a sensory feast when it comes to the sounds and sights of what racing is all about.  Looking back at this incredible era, it’s hard not to be struck between the eyes by the strong graphic elements of the cars, logos, racing gear,  and attitude on display at every turn.

In preparation for the filming of the movie “Le Mans”, Steve McQueen went to the 1969 race to scout filming spots around the Le Mans course. When they returned in 1970 with all their camera equipment they knew all the best camera locations for the footage they would need for the movie “Le Mans.” I wonder who has all that film footage that they took in 1969? –Nigel Smuckatelli

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1970 — Steve McQueen at Sebring hanging out with Carroll Shelby.

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1970 — Steve McQueen at Sebring

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JACKIE STEWART | THE FLYING SCOT’S OLD SCHOOL FORMULA ONE STYLE

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1971, Montjuich, Spain — Chris Amon, driving for Matra, and Jackie Stewart, driving for Tyrrell-Ford, celebrate their 3rd and 1st place finishes at the 1971 Spanish Grand Prix. — Image by © Schlegelmilch/ Corbis

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From the desk of Contributing Editor, Eli M. Getson–

When I am having a rough one at work, I sit back in my chair, sigh deeply, close my eyes and pretend I am in swinging London in the Sixties, driving on the Formula One circuit, beautiful women and a magnum of Dom waiting for me in the winner’s circle, and I am always driving the Tyrrell 03 Cosworth Elf Car like my idol Sir John Young Stewart, otherwise known as Jackie.

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1971, Zeltweg, Austria — Jo Siffert in the BRM (No. 14), pole position, took the lead at the start of the 1971 Austrian Grand Prix. Beside him Jackie Stewart in the Tyrrell Ford-Cosworth. Behind them Francois Cevert in the 2nd Tyrrell and Clay Regazzoni in the Ferrari. — Image by © Schlegelmilch/Corbis

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VINTAGE RACING STYLE | Legendary Drivers Crushing It On & Off The Track

An autographed photo given by the great Formula 1 driver Juan Fangio to Harold Cole of New Smyrna Beach, Fl when Fangio made a visit to the Daytona Speedway in 1979. Love the crazy printed shirts, especially the incredible equestrian horse-bit motif on the left-- very Hermes chic.

An autographed photo given by the great Formula 1 driver Juan Fangio to Harold Cole of New Smyrna Beach, Fl when Fangio made a visit to the Daytona Speedway in 1979. Love the crazy printed shirts, especially the incredible equestrian horse-bit motif on the left– very vintage Hermes chic.

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Sometimes you just strike gold– like this amazing photo series of incredibly stylish race car drivers from back in the day when the world had class.  I wish guys still had enough knowledge of the classics, and confidence in themselves to dress like– well, men.  There’s definitely an equestrian tie-in going on with these two pics– check out driver Peter Gregg (below) wearing classic horse-bit Gucci loafers with his race garb.  Even better still if he actually drove in them. A very ironic, yet fitting homage to horsy equestrianism by masters of raw manmade horsepower.  Gotta love it.

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Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood drove a Porsche 911S in the 1972 12 hours of Sebring. They finished 5th.

Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood drove a Porsche 911S in the 1972 12 hours of Sebring. They finished 5th place in the race, and 1st place (in my book) for personal style. via Louis Galanos

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1970 12 HOURS OF SEBRING RACE | STEVE McQUEEN’S BRUSH WITH VICTORY

Steve McQueen at the 1970 Sebring 12 Hour Race drove with his left foot in a cast due to a motorcycle accident. He had to have the foot wrapped in asbestos cloth because the plaster cast was transferring too much engine heat to his foot. His crew is re-wrapping his foot making final adjustments to make it as comfortable as possible.

“Steve McQueen at the 1970 Sebring 12 Hour Race drove with his left foot in a cast due to a motorcycle accident. He had to have the foot wrapped in asbestos cloth because the plaster cast was transferring too much engine heat to his foot. His crew is re-wrapping his foot making final adjustments to make it as comfortable as possible.” –Louis Galanos

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I’ll be the first to admit that any reference to Steve McQueen these days can seem pretty freakin’ cliche. So what.  Seriously though– the fact that McQueen (partnered with Peter Revson) raced with a broken left foot in a cast and came in 2nd to Mario Andretti is pretty amazing in my book.  Throw in some pretty cool insider commentary by the photographer Louis Galanos, and remembrances from others at the race, and you’ve got an amazing trip back in time that combines the best of vintage Hollywood and racing history.

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Steve McQueen screwing around before the Sebring, Florida 12-Hour Race (Tri-X). You can clearly see that his left foot is in a cast.

Steve McQueen screwing around on a scooter before the Sebring, Florida 12-Hour Race (Tri-X). You can clearly see that his left foot is in a cast. ©Al Satterwhite

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