Fine Sports Cars - Partners and Associates
• Norman Dewis - Fine Sports Cars Consulting Engineer
• Giotto Bizzarrini - Fine Sports Cars Consulting Engineer
• Alfredo Zanellato Vignale
   Fine Sports Cars Consulting Designer and Engineer
• Grifo Group - Specializing in Vintage Italian Automobiles
• IRESA - Rare European Classic Cars and Race Support
• Scuderia Vignale - Creating State-of-the-Art Custom Prototype Sportscars
• Concorso Italiano® - a true Celebration of Italian Style™
• Keith Martin
   Publisher, Writer, Television Commentator, and Sports Car Enthusiast
• Mille Miglia Museum - Brescia, Italy
• Vintage Motorsport Magazine
 

 
Norman Dewis is one of the true legends of the British motoring industry. Now in his ninth decade, he remains a passionate and eloquent advocate for Jaguar sports racing cars and British engineering brilliance.
 

During the course of almost 70 years in the motorsport industry, 33 years of them as Jaguar's chief test engineer, Norman was responsible for the development of some of the most fantastic British cars ever to grace both road and track.
 

 
As Jaguar’s Test Development Engineer, Norman Dewis tested and developed a remarkable series of historic Jaguar cars, including: the C-Type, D-Type, XK140/150, MkII Saloons, Mk VII/VIIM, E-Type, XJ13, XJ/XJS, and XJ40.
 

 
His remarkable career includes setting the 1953 production car record speed in an XK120; driving with Sterling Moss in the 1952 Mille Miglia; driving a works D-Type at the 1955 Le Mans; driving the famous '77RW' E-Type roadster from Coventry to the 1960 Geneva Auto Show; being the last to drive the original prototype XJ13; and playing a crucial role in the development of the Dunlop disc brake system.
 

 
Fine Sports Cars is very proud to be working in association with Jaguar’s chief test engineer and competition driver, Norman Dewis, to sanction a limited continuation of Jaguar’s most famous competition and road cars.
 

 
Michael Prior, Fine Sports Cars Director, with Norman Dewis next to the first prototype D-Type. Norman Dewis will work in association with Ashton Marshall, Fine Sports Cars' Chief Engineer, to produce the Norman Dewis
D-Type. Each car will be hand-crafted to original specifications.

 
Norman Dewis Sanctioned Cars:
Norman Dewis Santioned D-Type

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Following a life of test driving, engineering and ultimately car making, Giotto Bizzarrini is one of the greatest men to have ever stepped into the automotive racing world. After starting work at Alfa Romeo, Giotto joined Ferrari in 1957. Together with his friend Chiti, he worked on the Testa Rossa V12’s and on the 250 SWB. After this he did the same to the 250 GT SWB California Spyder and the 250 GT.
 

 
Enzo Ferrari then gave Giotto Bizzarrini direct responsibility for the development of the whole 250 GT line, and responsibiity to build a new competizione Berlinetta. Not even Chiti and Scaglietti were to be informed about this project. The project became the 250 GTO.
 

After leaving Ferrari, Bizzarrini was contracted to design the V12 engine for the Lamborghini 350 GTV, and then detuned it afterwards to fit the 350 GT. However, Lamborghini refused him the opportunity to build a race car. After parting ways with Lamborghini and then ISO, Bizzarrini went onto start his own company and build his own mid-engine car to race at Le Mans, that car became the P538. Giotti Bizzarini’s passion was to build race cars and win at Le Mans.
 

 
Fine Sports Cars are proud to be working with Giotto Bizzarrini as the Consulting Engineer for our Bizzarrini and Ferrrai sports racing cars.
 

 
Giotto Bizzarrini Sanctioned Cars:
Grifo A3/C Corsa
Grifo P538
5300 GT Spyder
5300 GT Strada
250 GTO Prototype

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Alfredo Zanellato Vignale carries on the Vignale family tradition of excellence in design and the family's historic association with sports racing cars. He has fond memories of going to see and work at his family’s coach building workshops and has recently released a book on the history of Carrozzeria Vignale. Alfredo is recognized for his classic approach to design and art in multiple areas.
 

 
Fine Sports Cars is very proud to be working with Alfredo Vignale as our consulting designer and engineer. Together with Alfredo Vignale, Fine Sports Cars will offer a limited edition of the Carrozzeria Vignale bodied 340MM and the 375 America.
 

 
We are also working with Alfredo Vignale and ASI to design a modern continuation of the famous 340MM car, that won the Mille Miglia, to compete in a future global historic challenge series.

Carrozzeria Vignale - History
In 1948 Alfredo Vignale establish his own 'Carrozzeria Vignale'. International recognition came soon. After a few victories in various races, including the 1953 Mille Miglia, the already famous Ferrari replaced Touring by Vignale as the coach builder of their choice. Vignale's name and reputation was set. The result was that orders came pouring in. Many special orders were placed, not only from Italy but others also found their way to Vignale. Bodies were always produced by hand.
 

Sheets were rolled and hammered into forms, and also the finer shaping was done by skilled metal workers, judging by eye without a dummy buck.

 
In August 1961, the carrozzeria moved to their new premises in Grugliasco, just outside Torino. Here, production really started. The last Lancia Appias, the Flavia, the Maserati 3500 GTV and Sebring. The economic forces of the late sixties were in the end too strong for small coachbuilders like Vignale. The relatively small scale production - labor intensive even for that time - made Vignale cars too expensive to attract the large production needed to survive. Alfredo Vignale sold the firm to De Tomaso who used the premises to accommodate Ghia's production of the Pantera.
 

 
1953
Mille Miglia winner

Ferrari 340MM
Vignale #547
 

 
Alfredo Zanellato Vignale Sanctioned Cars:
340MM Barchetta
375 America

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The Grifo Group, is a multi-faceted automotive company focused on the preservation and sales of classic Italian sports cars, and the promotion of motorsport events in Europe. The group’s head office is based in Monaco, with a showroom in Monte Carlo, and showrooms, restoration and coach building workshops located throughout Northern Italy.
 

 
The Grifo Group coordinates the designers, engineers, and coach builders who work with us to produce our remanufactured automobiles. All of these individuals and craftsmen have many years of experience working for, and in association with, all of the famous Italian sports and racing car companies.
 

 
Those interested in a constructing a sports racing car are encouraged to visit our workshops. This will provide the ideal opportunity to view our current projects and discuss the fine technical and design details of their own unique automobile with our engineers and designers.
 

 
Our goal is to bring to life the world’s most famous Italian Sports Racing Cars to once again grace the famous race tracks of the world.
 

 
Concorso Elegance in 2011
The prestigious and historic location of the Castle Grinzane Cavour is the location for the first Concorso Elegance in 2011. The Grifo Group in association with the owners of Castle Grinzane Cavour and the Piedmont Region are working together to bring this special motorsport event to the international stage in 2011.
 

 
For further details and information about the Concorso Elegance in 2011 please contact Michael Prior at Fine Sports Cars.
 

 
This year the Grifo Group was invited as a special guest of the World International Truffle Auction and the Cavour Piedmontese Regional Enoteca in association with the Piedmont Region and the town of Alba. The auction has made its mark as an international event recognized throughout the world. The event also serves to help those less fortunate through research and financial support.
 

 
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In partnership with Fine Sports Cars to offer classic car and race services to our respective clients.
 

IRESA's Beginnings
In 1970, Manuel de Miguel decided to start his automotive company in Spain. It was probably too soon for the Spanish market at that time, but he preferred to be the first to offer these services than start the business too late. At this time the FIA decided that all racing cars should have a rollover bar and almost no one had one, this was the first item produced by IRESA. Manuel also wanted to get involved with and develop more “technical” products for racing cars. The opportunity came when the Simca Competition Dept. Manager asked IRESA to produce a racing exhaust manifold and an inlet manifold for fitting 2 Weber carburettors to the SIMCA 1000 Rally and Renault Alpines. During the seventies IRESA continued to develop its range of new products and services for our clients.

1974 was an exciting year. IRESA produced a small batch of 6 cars called “Barqueta IRESA”. These cars were 2 seater sports cars with a space frame chassis, fibreglass body, and Hewland gearbox. The engine was either a Fiat Twin Cam or a 1600 Cosworth. The cars were very light (450 Kgs.) and were used for hill climb events. At this time IRESA also added Weber carburettors to complement their range of special inlet manifolds which were also gradually being expanded.
 

At the beginning of the eighties, Fiat Spain competition manager asked IRESA to develop the Autobianchi A112 Abarth and adapt it for racing use in the newly launched A112 Challenge. IRESA developed and built many of these kits. Some years later, when Fiat Spain decided to create a championship for new single-seater race car powered by the new Fiat Fire engine, IRESA was once again asked to be in charge of developing and manufacturing these new cars. In the eighties IRESA added a new service: finding racing and classic cars for their clients and importing them in Spain (not an easy task).
 

 
IRESA's Expansive Network and Classic Car Services
“Thanks to the many contacts we made during these years, we now have a large network of contacts and can find the right car at the right price. Due to the current economic situation in 2010, we are now also exporting many interesting cars from Spain to other countries.”

With the expansion of the company and the many new aspect of the business, Manuel’s two sons, Bernard and Eric have now joined the company. All three family members are active classic cars drivers on rallies as well as on the race track. They all race and rally a wide range of cars from the SEAT (Spanish Fiat) 124 /2000 Gr 4, Peugeot 306 Gr N, Ferrari 275, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and others.
 

 
Racing classic cars themselves provides hands-on experience and enables IRESA to provide expert input and advise as well as the right approach to the many questions asked by clients.
 

 
IRESA sources rare sports and racing cars in Europe for Fine Sports Cars to sell in the North American market.

Photo: IRESA at the Historic Monte Carlo Rally.

 
IRESA provides full race support services to race and rally teams racing in Europe. They can also supply full technical and race track support for GT car racing on European circuits for Porsche, Ferrari, etc.

Fine Sports Cars provides rare remanufactured and sanctioned sports racing cars for IRESA to offer to its clients on the European market.

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Alfredo Zanellato Vignale, renowned engineer, designer, and nephew of Alfredo Vignale, has always wanted to follow the footsteps his family’s Carrozzeria business. The opportunity presented itself in 2009. In a casual meeting between Fine Sports Cars, the Grifo Group, and Vignale, the discussion centered on his family’s most famous automobile creations. Unfortunately, his family’s original timeless hand-built cars were produced in very limited numbers. All agreed, that there were too few of the original Vignale bodied cars created and most are now only found in museums or private collections throughout the world, rarely seen in public, and never reach the open market for sale.
 

 
Only five original 340MM cars were bodied by Vignale -
too few to satisfy the world's sports racing car enthusiasts. Vignale’s design was successful from the start, winning the 1953 Mille Miglia and the Daily Express race at Silverstone.
 

 
Alfredo recounted admiring each of the Vignale special cars with his uncle at Carrozzeria Vignale. His dream has always been to see his family’s creations grace the road and track again and for him to carry on the family’s rich tradition of designing limited production sports racing cars...and so the plan was set, the three partners would work together to make Alfredo’s dream a reality. Each partner brings to Scuderia Vignale over 50 years of experience in designing and constructing sports racing cars.
 

 
Scuderia Vignale was established to continue the Vignale tradition of creating designer sports racing cars. Scuderia Vignale partners - Marina Caselli, Grifo Group; Dr. Michael Prior, Fine Sports Cars; and Alfredo Zanellato Vignale.
 

 
Scuderia Vignale’s vision is to produce custom prototype automobiles for those enthusiasts who wish to design and own their own ultimate “one-off” sports car, Gran Tourisimo, or sports racing car.

Each August, the Monterey Peninsula attracts 40,000 automotive enthusiasts...
 

...to celebrate their passion for vintage, classic and exotic automobiles and their iconic designers. The opening event for this memorable weekend is Concorso Italiano® - a true Celebration of Italian Style™.
 

 
Founded in 1985, Concorso Italiano® is a gathering of all things Italian, especially Italian cars.
 

 
Concorso Italiano® has evolved into a must-attend convergence of sophistication, taste and affluence and embraces all the cultural elements of Italian style, including music, cuisine, fashion, and travel. The event is centered around as many as 1,200 collectible Italian automobiles, motorcycles, and boats. Non-Italian exotic and classic automobiles are also welcomed and represent a significant contingency as well. The Concorso emphasizes display and appreciation over competition and although the cars are truly magnificent, this event is not just about cars; it's about people too; widely recognized as a fun yet sophisticated event where you can really enjoy yourself!
 

 
Fine Sports Cars with our partners the Grifo Group are pleased to support and participate in the Concorso Italiano® celebration. We will see you in Monterey, California in August.
 

 
Publisher, writer, television commentator, and enthusiast Keith Martin has been immersed in the collector car hobby for more than 30 years and is widely regarded as a noted expert in the field. He is the publisher of Sports Car Market, which is acknowledged to be the “Insider’s Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values and Trends.” Keith Martin also publishes the Corvette Market magazine. He has written columns for Automobile, AutoWeek, and other automotive publications, and has reviewed new cars and written about classic cars for the New York Times.
 

 
Martin was a regular commentator on SPEED Channel, has hosted numerous specials on collector cars, and served as co-host of the live coverage of the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction for the past nine years. He also serves as the Master of Ceremonies for Concorso Italiano and has appeared as a collector car expert on MSNBC, CNN, and the NBC Nightly News.
 

 
Mille Miglia Museum opened to the public on the 10th of November 2004. It was conceived to preserve the history of the Mille Miglia, Brescia’s legendary car race.

www.museomillemiglia.it

 
Along with our partners the Grifo Group, Fine Sports Cars is working on several exciting projects with the museum management to bring special events to enthusiasts in 2011. We are currently accepting consignment cars for display within the museum.

Shown left:
Mille Miglia Museum Director Sig. Ferrari winner of the 2009 Mille Miglia driving a Bugatti Type 37, pictured here with Fine Sports Cars Director, Michael Prior.

Fine Sports Cars is proud to be associated with Vintage Motorsport Magazine.

 
The Vintage Motorsport Journal of Motor Racing History is a bi-monthly magazine for the vintage car enthusiast, featuring in-depth histories on the significant men, machines and events of racing's storied past, as well as coverage of the contemporary vintage and historic racing scene both in America and abroad.
  

 
Regular features in Vintage Motorsport Magazine include columns by Tony Dron and Brian Redman, plus focuses on automotive art, miniatures, book and video reviews, as well as auction and concourse coverage. Vintage Motorsport has been the first choice of participants, fans, insiders, professionals and serious vintage car enthusiasts for more than 27 years. It contains more pages, stories, driver profiles, and photos than ever before.
 

 
Plus, every subscription now includes the Annual - a photo yearbook - for FREE, which is a $24.95 (USD) value. Now Available for Delivery WorldWide!

Online Store • Phone 800-626-9937 • Email info@vintagemotorsport.com
 

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