The top image is a representation of the 1955 Belgian Grand Prix start, as evidenced by 1) the two Mercedes 196’s in the front of the field driven by Fangio and Moss, 2) the uphill sweeping curve seen at a distance that characterized the track just past the starting point, and 3) the number 28 Maserati 250F driven by Louie Rosier.
In the lower image the composer apparently took some artistic liberty as there is no number 5 car in the record.
For the 1954 race there are no 196’s in the record. Maestro and Moss both drove 250F’s, Fangio taking the top spot at the finish. Fangio switched from Maserati to Mercedes after the start of the season, driving the streamlined version of the 196. But the guy did not care for the car. Mercedes adapted quickly and replaced the streamliner with a more traditional open wheel configuration that was a stunning success.
I have often wondered if the Mercedes streamliner ‘inspired’ Chapman Root to build the Sumar Special streamliner that Jimmy Daywalt drove at Indy in 1955. Like Fangio, Daywalt didn’t like the car as he could not see tire wear and insisted the side panels with their wheel coverings be removed for the race. This would be the same car Marshall Teague died in at Daytona, attempting a closed course speed record...with the side panels and cockpit bubble in place.
And speaking of Indy streamliners, Howard Keck had commissioned one to be built for Bill Vukovich for the 1955 race, but the car was not ready for the big show. Keck released Vuke from his contractual obligation and Vukie signed on with Lindsey Hopkins. We know how that turned out.
You amaze me with the amount of information you access from memory.... are you a writer or something? No joke, I'm curious because you astonish me with the comments you've made.
No, never been a ‘writer.’ I’m just an old worn out, beat up train dispatcher.
Long ago my father took me to the Milwaukee Mile. I’m thinking it would have been 1947 when I was six. It was a champ car race as they called them then. The hook had been set. From the time I was able to navigate the streets alone I was at the Mile for every race on the schedule...literally. Thursday nights it was the modified cars on the inside quarter mile track, two AAA sanctioned stock car races on the Mile dirt each summer, and two champ car races. Midgets were always there as well. In 1955 they built an infield road course and added sports cars. The Mile was a busy place in the 50s.
Most of what I recall is from reading about the enterprise. I always had the most recent issue of “Speed Age,” the last word on open wheel racing at the time. And of course I read “Hot Rod,” particularly the April issue which featured what was new in the way of Indy iron for the year. Not only did I read that kind of stuff, I studied it. At length. And books. “Gentlemen Start Your Engines” comes to mind, Wilbur Shaw’s autobiography. And Floyd Cylmer’s books. Rich stuff they were, cheap and abundant. But I won’t get into that endless subject. So most of the stuff I speak to is based on what I’ve read, and will frequently firm it up a bit by checking. The internet makes that very easy. For instance, the overhead you posted of the Alfa BAT 7 recently, I recognized it as a BAT Alfa, but didn’t remember which one. So a little search clarified the issue. (I should have done the same with the 59 Dodge wagon that I identified as a 57.) At any rate I have to thank you for your kind comments, and for your diligence and faithfulness in bringing a little spark of joy each day to those of us who really do love cool things on wheels. Thanks so much.
This has been very educational,and I have to agree with 'rik's' compliments for you. I was going to say,"Just wait until you see the Mulsanne Strait..." ;-)
that would've taken a lot of time to do.
ReplyDeleteThe top image is a representation of the 1955 Belgian Grand Prix start, as evidenced by 1) the two Mercedes 196’s in the front of the field driven by Fangio and Moss, 2) the uphill sweeping curve seen at a distance that characterized the track just past the starting point, and 3) the number 28 Maserati 250F driven by Louie Rosier.
ReplyDeleteIn the lower image the composer apparently took some artistic liberty as there is no number 5 car in the record.
For the 1954 race there are no 196’s in the record. Maestro and Moss both drove 250F’s, Fangio taking the top spot at the finish. Fangio switched from Maserati to Mercedes after the start of the season, driving the streamlined version of the 196. But the guy did not care for the car. Mercedes adapted quickly and replaced the streamliner with a more traditional open wheel configuration that was a stunning success.
I have often wondered if the Mercedes streamliner ‘inspired’ Chapman Root to build the Sumar Special streamliner that Jimmy Daywalt drove at Indy in 1955. Like Fangio, Daywalt didn’t like the car as he could not see tire wear and insisted the side panels with their wheel coverings be removed for the race. This would be the same car Marshall Teague died in at Daytona, attempting a closed course speed record...with the side panels and cockpit bubble in place.
And speaking of Indy streamliners, Howard Keck had commissioned one to be built for Bill Vukovich for the 1955 race, but the car was not ready for the big show. Keck released Vuke from his contractual obligation and Vukie signed on with Lindsey Hopkins. We know how that turned out.
You amaze me with the amount of information you access from memory.... are you a writer or something? No joke, I'm curious because you astonish me with the comments you've made.
DeleteNo, never been a ‘writer.’ I’m just an old worn out, beat up train dispatcher.
DeleteLong ago my father took me to the Milwaukee Mile. I’m thinking it would have been 1947 when I was six. It was a champ car race as they called them then. The hook had been set. From the time I was able to navigate the streets alone I was at the Mile for every race on the schedule...literally. Thursday nights it was the modified cars on the inside quarter mile track, two AAA sanctioned stock car races on the Mile dirt each summer, and two champ car races. Midgets were always there as well. In 1955 they built an infield road course and added sports cars. The Mile was a busy place in the 50s.
Most of what I recall is from reading about the enterprise. I always had the most recent issue of “Speed Age,” the last word on open wheel racing at the time. And of course I read “Hot Rod,” particularly the April issue which featured what was new in the way of Indy iron for the year. Not only did I read that kind of stuff, I studied it. At length. And books. “Gentlemen Start Your Engines” comes to mind, Wilbur Shaw’s autobiography. And Floyd Cylmer’s books. Rich stuff they were, cheap and abundant. But I won’t get into that endless subject. So most of the stuff I speak to is based on what I’ve read, and will frequently firm it up a bit by checking. The internet makes that very easy. For instance, the overhead you posted of the Alfa BAT 7 recently, I recognized it as a BAT Alfa, but didn’t remember which one. So a little search clarified the issue. (I should have done the same with the 59 Dodge wagon that I identified as a 57.) At any rate I have to thank you for your kind comments, and for your diligence and faithfulness in bringing a little spark of joy each day to those of us who really do love cool things on wheels. Thanks so much.
This has been very educational,and I have to agree with 'rik's' compliments for you.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say,"Just wait until you see the Mulsanne Strait..." ;-)
That should read- Mulsanne Straight.
ReplyDelete