Healeys come home
THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY of the Healey Silverstone is set to be one of the highlights of Silverstone Festival on 23-25 August. Launched by Donald Healey in 1949 as an agile road and track weapon, only just over 100 of the model were produced and organisers predict a bumper turn-out from the 87 survivors for displays and parades.
‘This a very big year for the Healey Silverstone and we are delighted to be celebrating its 75th birthday at Silverstone Festival,’ said event director Nick Wigley. ‘Donald Healey was a major player at a time when British sports cars ruled the world, and his shrewd decision to name his first roadster after Silverstone was typically inspired. Though it had hosted its first Grand Prix a year earlier, back then Silverstone was far from the global motorsport centre it is today.’
The festival is awash with celebrations, as well as countless racing grids. Milestones being honoured include 110 years of Maserati; 75 years of Abarth; 70 years of the Mercedes SL; 65 years of Marcos; 60 years of the Ford Mustang; 50 years of VW Golf, Lancia Stratos and Triumph TR7; 40 years of MG Metro 6R4 and Toyota MR2; 25 years of the Ferrari 360.
For info and tickets see silverstone.co.uk/events/silverstone-festival.
New V12 hypercar
This month’s new hypercar brand is Nilu27, founded by Sasha and Inna Selipanov, the former’s credits including Lamborghinis, Bugattis, and Koenigseggs. The company is launching with a V12 hypercar, which will make its public debut at Pebble Beach during August.
Hispano takes big win
Tha Audrain Collections’ 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Roadster was Best of Show at the Lugano Elegance concours in Switzerland on 17-20 May. Chassis 1175 was commissioned by silent movie star Rudolph Valentino and was first shown at the 1926 New York Auto Salon.
Restomods go south
Latest in the flood of restomods is an Alfasud Sprint-based car from Portugal. Built by renowned restorer Rafael Soares’s company Alma, the car is inspired by the never-raced Alfa Romeo 6c and packs a 160bhp 1.8 boxer in a composite body.
Concorso Italiano changes
Popular Monterey Week event Concorso Italiano is under new ownership and has ambitious plans for 2024 and beyond. Taking place on 17 August at the Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Course, it promises to become ‘The Pre-eminent Italian Lifestyle Event’ outside Italy over the next five years. As well as hosting the US debut of a new Pininfarina
