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The 1974 Porsche 914 2.0 apparently was a welcome
upgrade to the model's pedigree. Photo by Jeff Koch. (Image source:
hemmings.com)
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As Peter Gregg and his early racing partner,
the great Hurley Haywood, ultimately became America's preeminent winning Sports
Car Duo aboard various Porsche marques in the famous Brumos Racing livery,
beginning with the Porsche 914-6 GT.
Also, as I noted in last year's nod to thee
Isle's annual Concours de Elegance,
whenever I hear thou name Amelia Island, for reasons unknown, I always
Flashback to Sir Stirling Moss being interviewed live from the Concourse de
Elegance Thar on Ye B-I-G' Windbag Dave Despain's dearly missed Wind Tunnel
show on SPEED. As Holy Rolex Timepieces Batman! How can it be nearly a decade
ago I witnessed that?
And I suppose since Father Time's always
nearby, I found myself ponderin' whom else had the recently departed Dan Gurney
competed against in Formula 1 some six decades ago?
Since I knew that Sir Stirling was in the mix
then, along with Tony Brooks. But had forgotten about Uncle Bernaughty's brief
fling with becoming a professional Gran Primo Pilote.
As how many of Y'all know that F1's Grand Pooh-Bah,
nee Messer Bernard Charles Ecclestone tried qualifying for his Formula 1 debut
as a driver at the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix behind the wheel of a Connaught.
Which
led me down another entertaining Wabbithole'. as in when's a racing driver truly
not a Formula 1 Racing Driver? As I don't think I've ever heard of the main Bruce
Kessler.
Ironically,
Mr. Kessler, who was a Lance Reventlow Scarab Team
Driver, attempted racing in his one and only Grand Prix also at thee
Principality, nee Monte Carlo that same weekend of '58, entered in a privateer Connaught
owned by none other than Mr. E.
And
Kessler as some dubious fame, as he and his Pal Reventlow,
reputedly were the last persons to see the famous actor James Dean and his
mechanic alive! After having met up for lunch.
"Along came a Spyder
Picked up a Rider
Took him down the road to Eternity"
VIDEO: The Eagles - James Dean Song
Since we all know that was aboard a Porsche 550
Spyder, but that's another story for a different time...
Partial Song lyrics from: The Eagles
Song: James Dean
Album: On the Border
Year: 1974