Volpini

[ColinMarr]

While looking through some old photos I found these of a Volpini. They were taken in September/ October 1997 at the LMC AGM, which that year was at Cirencester. I think the Volpini was part of an impressive display put on by Omicron.

Colin

[Richard Fridd]

Very interesting. Any more from the display? Also anyone got any pics etc of another Lancia engined racing car the name of which is 'Branca' (circa 1974) ? A '72 version  here

[fay66]

Can't remember exactly what this one is but photos were taken at Goodwood RRC Members day 2005. and looks very much like the 1997 Volpini.
Brian
8227

[fay66]

Not a Volpini but another single seater, Dagrada that crashed at the 2003 Goodwood Revival after something on the front suspension broke.

Brian
8227

[DavidLaver]

There's a self published book about that car.

http://www.blurb.com/b/3446260-dagrada-formula-junior

...and this...

http://www.viva-lancia.com/dagrada/index.htm

As for "the others" this is the best list I've seen with Cammarota and Cooper being the surprises:

http://www.formula2.net/FJ_Cars1.htm

Anyone got more information on the Volpini?

David

[DavidLaver]

Yet to watch these but looking forward to them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zr5eIEJ5Kc

https://www.youtube.com/user/aureliaspider/videos

[mikeC]

The Degrada is up for sale -  anyone with deep pockets?

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/lancia/dagrada-formula-junior/1959/292664/

[aureliaspider]

DavidLaver: 

The first video - it seems slow now when you look at it - but by far the scariest thing I have ever done.

Most particularly 4:48 to 5:15 - the camera is mounted on the opposite side from the wall.

I barely made that corner. The left rear was 1 1/2 inches perhaps from the barrier.

It should be noted that I am obviously far from being a racing driver - but I made a quite conscious decision not to double clutch the car due to the pedal arrangement, basic lack of anything resembling "brakes", and a profusion of looming iron walls.

[JohnMillham]

The Degrada is up for sale -  anyone with deep pockets?

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/lancia/dagrada-formula-junior/1959/292664/





[/quote. I don't think the car for sale is the same as the one in these photographs, but the one I photographed last year in California.
Regards, John

[aureliaspider]

JohnMillham:

That is the same car, it is chassis 001. The car emerged in Italy in the mid 1970s and was restored by Dagrada himself. It is debatable whether the current "spec" at all resembles the original car, or whether Dagrada up-rated various components to later spec during the restoration. For example none of the early cars ever ran Amadori wheels in the period. Also if you look at images of 001, which changed body style apparently many times in 1958/1959, the is little resemblance and certainly a much lower build quality of the body at that time. Any claims that this is the "Monza" car are also extremely debatable - more likely it was chassis 002, which until now is still "lost" - unless you believe it is the car in a museum in Sicily, however they will not comment on the origins of their car, nor reveal its serial number.

All of the 9 (possibly 10) front-engined Dagrada juniors were unique - no two cars are identical. They drew chalk lines on the floor to weld up each chassis, and each body was a unique creation. It is therefore fairly easy to distinguish between the cars in person or in photographs.

The 001 car passed through a series of Italian owners, it was first raced in the modern era at Goodwood in 2003, but was crashed on the first lap due to a suspension failure (photographs of the result widely available online). The car then passed to a Dutch owner who did a meticulous restoration. It moved to California last year, and the new owner is currently offering it for sale.

[fay66]

Ade,
No need to look on line for photos, there are two Photos that I took at the time after the accident when it was back in the paddock, halfway up this page, I also spoke to the driver who said the front suspension had partially failed.

Brian
8227

[aureliaspider]

There was some thought that Dagrada restored this as a museum car - it was the mid 1970s after all and very little vintage racing at that time.

The Amadori wheels with the Dunlop 550/14 tires are probably twice as wide as the Pirelli tires used when 001 was raced originally (see the early photos of Dagrada team cars).

I was wondering if the increased load encouraged the suspension failure.

I believe the previous Dutch owner did significant work to resolve this as a potential issue.

[fay66]

There was some thought that Dagrada restored this as a museum car - it was the mid 1970s after all and very little vintage racing at that time.

The Amadori wheels with the Dunlop 550/14 tires are probably twice as wide as the Pirelli tires used when 001 was raced originally (see the early photos of Dagrada team cars).

I was wondering if the increased load encouraged the suspension failure.

I believe the previous Dutch owner did significant work to resolve this as a potential issue.

Certainly seems probable if the suspension wasn't uprated as the tyres are of rather large section.

Brian
8227