My grandfather took some Ferrari pics at Lemans......in 1959 | FerrariChat
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My grandfather took some Ferrari pics at Lemans......in 1959

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by RacerX_GTO, Mar 1, 2005.

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  1. RacerX_GTO

    RacerX_GTO F1 World Champ
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    Gabe V.
    #1 RacerX_GTO, Mar 1, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My grandfather had passed away about a year ago and the family had been slowly but surely going through his personal belongings. My grandmother came across some photographs that my grandfater took while he was in Lemans France and sent these particular ones to me. (Now, those of us in the family can't verify it, but it's rumored that he rolled a Ferrari while in France. According to my grandfather, the owner just wrote the car off and acquired another.)
    My grandfather's name was Thomas Mitcham who in the US Air Force as an airframe mechanic. Additionaly he loved cars with a great passion. When he retired from the Air Force near the early 70's, he joined up with this little known air filter company in Riverside California called K&N Engineering. While at K&N, he managed to meet many famous people in the racing sport at Riverside raceway and Pamona. I guess that went with the territory at K&N ?!
    He was responsible for introducing me to Ferrari cars when I was little when he took me over to see one of his buddy's Ferrari, a 308GTS. He seemed very excited to show me the engine, he popped the rear deck to show me the K&N airfilter on his Ferrari. I didn't realize it then, because I was little, but K&N NEVER made air cleaners for Ferrari 308 AT THAT TIME. My grandfather custom machined the molds for his friend's Ferrari as a personal favor. Amazing!

    So here's the pics, though I cannot pinpoint which Fcars these are, anyone having some info on them, please feel free..... enjoy !
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  2. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 Texas Forever, Mar 2, 2005
    WOW!
     
  3. Cicero

    Cicero Formula 3

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    #3 Cicero, Mar 2, 2005
    that's really cool and sounds like great memories and i love the amateur photos much better than professional ones.
     
  4. s_eric09

    s_eric09 Formula Junior

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    #4 s_eric09, Mar 2, 2005
    You know as the years go by, the passion never changes.

    looking at these picture and the ones taken by people at car shows, there is not much difference. (specially the pictuer of the ferrari emblem)

    what a great piece of history.

    Thank you for sharing.


    George.
     
  5. Bertus

    Bertus Formula 3

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    #5 Bertus, Mar 2, 2005
    Great pics !
    Thanks for sharing !
     
  6. roccapalumbo

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    #6 roccapalumbo, Mar 2, 2005
    Very Cool, Thanks.
     
  7. chenshan

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    #7 chenshan, Mar 2, 2005
    So good, so cool!
     
  8. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 dm_n_stuff, Mar 2, 2005
    MORE MORE MORE !!!!!

    They are extremely cool.

    How about some high res scans to share???

    If you need a spot to host them, I'll be happy to do that, but, 300 DPI scans that could be blown up a bit would really be neat.

    DM
     
  9. Gman

    Gman Formula Junior
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    #9 Gman, Mar 2, 2005
    Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures and the memories that come with them. What a great way to keep your grandfather's spirit alive by sharing his passion and these pictures with all of us in this community.
     
  10. MrApex

    MrApex Formula 3

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    #10 MrApex, Mar 2, 2005
    Gabe,

    Thanks for sharing these pics with us. Please post more if you have them.
     
  11. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    #11 snj5, Mar 2, 2005
    simply wonderful - both photos and story. What a great guy.
    Many thanks - I'll actually never look at my Ferrari K&N the same without thinking of this story...
    best
    rt
     
  12. funshipone

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    #12 funshipone, Mar 2, 2005
    Thank you very much your Grandfather would be proud of you. The passion lives on.
     
  13. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

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    #13 judge4re, Mar 2, 2005
    Wonderful stuff. Thanks for sharing.
     
  14. Fan512bbi

    Fan512bbi Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 Fan512bbi, Mar 2, 2005
    Excellent photos, car no 42 in the first photo is that a Lotus Elite??
     
  15. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 Napolis, Mar 2, 2005
    Fantastic!
     
  16. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    #16 El Wayne, Mar 2, 2005
    The car in the second and third photos is either a 375 America or 250 Europa. Give me time and I'll try to narrow it down by chassis number.

    Anyone have a period photo of 0305EU? Boudewijn?
     
  17. Yquem

    Yquem Formula 3

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    #17 Yquem, Mar 2, 2005
    Magnifique!
    What's nicer then such great pictures with a good anecdote??

    Merci,
    Joren REMANS
     
  18. Bryanp

    Bryanp F1 Rookie

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    #18 Bryanp, Mar 2, 2005
    that would be the original Lotus Elan

    thanks so much for sharing the pics! got more?
    I agree about the anecdotes - the older guys need to write this stuff down. I will never forget the stories I've been able to hear in person from my dad, Richard Merritt and Sergio Scaglietti (thru his interpreter).
     
  19. Boudewijn

    Boudewijn F1 Rookie
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    #19 Boudewijn, Mar 2, 2005
    Wonderful pics!
     
  20. Scuderia CC

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    #20 Scuderia CC, Mar 2, 2005
    Great pics, bravo and thanks for sharing.

    Merci.

    Best regards
     
  21. macca

    macca Formula Junior

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    #21 macca, Mar 2, 2005
    Beautiful pictures and very atmospheric, thanks for sharing them.

    In the first picture are three of the then-new Lotus Elites (Type 14); #42 is a works 1216cc car driven by Sir John Whitmore/Jim Clark (both early in their careers), #41 is a works 1216cc driven by Lumsden and Riley, and #38 is a works-supported car entered by 'Jabby' Crombac (journalist and French Lotus importer) for Videlles/Malle. ( one of Team Lotus's other cars, a 15, was driven by Graham Hill/Pete Jolly [USA] but DNF)

    See:
    http://www.formula2.net/1959.htm

    Paul M
     
  22. Bryanp

    Bryanp F1 Rookie

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    #22 Bryanp, Mar 2, 2005
    wow, I totally blew that one - thanks for the correction, Paul . . .
     
  23. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #23 amenasce, Mar 2, 2005
    I love period pics !!! WOW !! Thks !
     
  24. Boudewijn

    Boudewijn F1 Rookie
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    #24 Boudewijn, Mar 2, 2005
    With S/N's 1038 (no.42), 1016P (no.41) and 1007 (no.38)

    (LOL)
     
  25. Horsefly

    Horsefly F1 Veteran

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    #25 Horsefly, Mar 2, 2005
    Just curious, the parking lot Ferraris were left hand drive; the racing cars were right hand drive. Any particular reason? (And be sure to check out the old Buick in the 4th photo. Anybody know its serial number?)
     
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