News from France

[Porschinelle]

The Mille Miglia were a very dangerous race which cost life to quite a large number of pilots and spectators
The last official race was in May 1957 when a Ferrari driven by Alfonso de Portago/Nelson left the road and killed the 2 pilots and 5 children
Sad story Alfonso de Portago (1928/1957) was a talentuous Spanish formula 1 pilot (the first Spanish pilot to drive a formula 1 before Fernando Alonso)

Alfonso de Portago was also known to be a play boy
In 1957 he finish 5th in the Argentina formula 1 GP and was due to race in the Monaco GP a week after the 1000 Miglia
He was ask by Enzo Ferrari to drive in the 1000 Miglia a race he did not liked
During a stop for refuelling, Ferrari mechanics realised that a tyre was largely worn after friction against a damaged wing after a chock
Tyres were changed but Alfonso refused to wait for the mechanics to repare the deform wing and went away
Going through Rome he stop a minute to kiss his at the time girl friend the Argentinan actress Linda Christian

[Porschinelle]

Unfortunately a few minutes after the defectuous tyre burn out
The car left the road into a ditch killing 5 children and the 2 pilots
The race was not stop and won by Pierro Taruffi on another Ferrari but was never raced again


www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bAbt2OWabc

[Porschinelle]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d4ItiBBO8c

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bAbt20Wabc

[JTR70]

Here's some not so good news from France:
http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/06/paris-bans-pre-1997-cars-from-its-streets-during-the-week/

Paris to begin ban (just the beginning I'm sure)on all pre-1997 cars during the week!
Slowly closing it down on old cars aren't they?
Gerard, are you becoming concerned?

[neilbardsley]

[quote="JTR70" post=33921]Here's some not so good news from France:
http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/06/paris-bans-pre-1997-cars-from-its-streets-during-the-week/

Paris to begin ban (just the beginning I'm sure)on all pre-1997 cars during the week!
Slowly closing it down on old cars aren't they?
Gerard, are you becoming concerned?[/quote

There goes my idea of taking Mrs B over to Paris in the 356 for a couple of days. What about the Auto Tour 2000? It starts in Paris. In fact none of the car I own were build after 1997!

[neilbardsley]

https://peterauto.peter.fr/en/galerie/detail/id/157/nom/Tour+Auto+Optic+2000

Porschinelle, do you know anything about the 159 356 in the Auto Tour 2000 images? Looks like a 55/56?

[Porschinelle]

[Porschinelle]

[Porschinelle]

Neil

Now regarding the Paris mayor decision starting from July 1st to forbid Paris to cars built before 1997, this decision do not apply to historical cars (in France all vehicles older than 30 years with a special VIN called "carte grise de collection" in opposition to the standard Vin called "carte grise")
So your 356, even with a GB plate will be assimilated to a French historical car So do not hesitate to compe Paris with your 356 (and of course Mrs
When you know the date please tell me
I will be pleased to share a drink with you

[Jbrooks]

Geez. Just as the Peking to Paris race is getting ready to start, they ban the cars from driving to the Finish in Paris this July. The French mayors must be following the Mayor of Seattle in trying to our do each other with stupid stiff. Next Paris will do away with on street parking, so they can have bicycle lanes, with curbs and potted shrubs to separate the bike traffic from the classic cars.

[Porschinelle]

Hi John

No worry
The 2016 Pekin to Paris rallye is due to arrive in Paris Sunday July 17th
The new law to ban cars manufactured before 1997 from Paris only apply from Monday morning to Friday evening
Furthermore as I already say "classics cars" ie cars older than 30 years who in France benefit from a special VIN called "carte grise collection" will have a derogation to this law which mean that ALL the events dedicated to "classics" will continue to be allowed to start from Paris
The actual war against cars in Paris come by the fact that the Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo is a socialist who had to make allowance with the "green ecologists" to win the majority
As a car lover I am of course against this decision but I have to admit that inside Paris is a relatively small town with less than 3 millions inhabitants
The problem is that if the heart of Paris is small the Pa

[Porschinelle]

I continue
If the heart of Paris is small the Paris suburbs are huge with more than 20 millions inhabitants
The law is against these 20 millions who live far from Paris and take their cars to drive to work into Paris
Paris inhabitants benefit from
The better metro in the world
Very good buses running in special lines where cars are not allowed to go (bicycle may)
Several thousands of bicycles called "Velib" and several hundred of electrical cars called "autolib" accessible to everybody for a very small amount of money
On the contrary
Parking spaces have been considerably reduced
Parking dues mutiplied by 5
Fines multiplied by 3

[neilbardsley]

Now you mention the owners name I think I have seen this car at Classic Le Man but with a different colour bonnet? Maybe this one?



Perhaps this is the same owner but a different car?

[Porschinelle]

[Porschinelle]