by Bernard Martin

A testament to the adaptability of the Fiat 500 platform, this apparently homebuilt homage to coachbuilder Giannini’s Camioncino (translation: pickup truck) is itself based on the Fiat 500K Giardiniera (wagon). As in the Giardiniera, the rear mounted, air-cooled engine is laid down under the bed to allow for aflat load floor.

​Many of Giannini’s trucks were put into service as city service vehicles throughout Italy. Original Camioncinos had slatted sides surrounding the bed to maximize cargo capacity. Our replica has a snap-on cover to conceal the up to 400kg (880 pound) payload.

Little is known about French inventor Hippolyte Delimal. But in 1936 he attempted to create the world's smallest car, which reached a speed of 24 mph and touted fuel economy of 118 mpg. He affectionately named it Le Carabe, or the “Ground Beetle”.

His vision and enthusiasm could be seen in a completely intact, hand-written, hand-drawn, 63 page manuscript he left behind. The found booklet details his trials and tribulations of building the car. Most remarkably, it contains detailed instructions, complete with dimensional schematics that rival anything out of Popular Mechanics from years past. This is fitting because, according to this arduous account, Delimal stated what he wanted most was for the everyday person to build and drive his Le Carabe. In neat penmanship, he wrote the vehicle was, “…designed specifically for amateur construction. No special tools or machines.”

In materials alone, Le Crarabe could be built for around 450 Francs (about 4% the cost of a new car at the time). He repurposed a Motobécane 175cc single cylinder two-stroke engine of the time and coupled it with a light wooden body. “Plywood is the sheetmetal of the carpenter.

​The body should be light and very strong.” For steering, he fitted old bicycle handlebars and a telescopic fork. He also reused bicycle sprockets and rear hubs, motorcycle drum brakes, and he even suggests filling the empty space of the body sides with cotton to keep the feet warm during the cold winter.

The First Annual Amelia Island Coastal Motoring Tour hosted several unique cars including this very special, 2002 Panoz Esperante GTLM Coupe that was custom built for Patrick Dempsey when he was just starting his racing career.

Wayne Long talks to the new owner, Dr. Brad Warden, during the Coastal Motoring Tour final destination at the Grand Motoring Tour Hanger night.

This Panoz Esperante was 1 of only 500 hand built the cars just north of Atlanta, Georgia at the Panoz factory. It has an Aluminum Chassis as well as aluminum body panels. The body panels are non-structural.

​The Chassis is modular, build in 5 sections. It is is a mid-engine, front engine car with almost a 50/50 weight distribution. It is powered by a 32 valve Ford SVT supercharged motor with a Tremec 56 6 speed transmission.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Bernard Martin

MORGANTOWN, WV. - Concours LLC is excited to announce the launch of a new ongoing series of videos entitled "Through the Gears". The video series captures the history and backstories of people and cars in the Concours, Car Show and Racing Communities.

"Wayne's spot on," says Bernard Martin, "and then the idea evolved,  Given what we do, we are often privy to some wonderful stories and anecdotes that later become the stuff of legend. Ferrari's adoption of the Cavallino Rampante is a great example:  Many are familiar with the story of how Ferrari was given the emblem of the fighter ace but few know the connection it has to Porsche. In this series we're not going to just talk cars, we're going to take a page out of James Burke's "Connections" series from the 1970's."

On "Through the Gears" your hosts will  talk about the stuff that most others forget to ask or don't think it's important to talk about. How did you family become involved in the industry? What where your influences? How did this come about? Why did you do this? The series will also take a deep dive into some iconic collector cars and the people who own them.  And , yes, of course we will still talk about cars!!

Look for these up coming shows:

• Kelly Telfer: The Artist Evolution - From an illegal drivers license and t-shirt design to the poster artist for the Werks Reunion and a special preview of his oil on canvas that he and Bill Warner are presenting to Lyn St. James at the 2021 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Video Link: Kelly Telfer: Automotive Artist Evolution
• Coastal Motoring Tour 2021- A wonderful video short from the first annual Concours LLC tour starting at The Brumos Collection museum, a ferry crossing and the evening at the Grand Motoring Hangar Night. Video Link: ​Coastal Motoring Tour 2021 Highlights
• Doris & Ralph Gilles: Early Influences to EV Design - The early influences of Ralph from Formula 1 and Revell models to meeting Doris because of her Eagle Talon and "civilizing" their track days. It finishes with a discussion about the sound design of electric vehicles. Video Link: Doris & Ralph Gilles: From early Influences to EV Design
• Mark Hyman, Erica Hyman & Brooke Hyman: A Family of Automotive Culture. - Mark discusses his family history, how he became a collector and how his daughter growing up in the automotive collector industry influenced them professionally. Video Link: A Family of Automotive Culture with Mark Hyman, Erica Hyman, Brooke Hyman
• Paul Ianuario: Collector, Concours & Museum Creator - From his physics, mathematics and mechanical & electrical engineering degrees to his time at Michelin to the design of the the BMW Museum, projects at the Peterson, LeMay and museums in Europe, Paul is much more than just a Concours founder and chief judge.
• Tom Bungay: The Model T at the The Brumos Collection - Tom talks about some local Jacksonville History and one of the original cars built at the Ford plant on display at The Brumos Collection Museum. Video Link: The Model T at the The Brumos Collection with Tom Bungay
• Sharon Spurlin: The Founding of Automobilia Resource Magazine - Sharon talks about the subject matter experts that her magazine has for each aspect of automobilia collecting: model cars, posters, books, petroliana, and shows examples of the automobilia on display at the 2021 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

ABOUT CONCOURS LLC
Concours LLC provides a level professionalism and best practices to those people and organizations seeking to create a successful automotive event. ​We offer our clients a wide range of services from Strategy and Planning to complete marketing, design and management of the event for you. From creating and managing every aspect of a Concours to developing a touring series, we have a product specialist at our disposal that brings years of experience to the effort.