Automotive Nostalgia

[Rusty]

Those who think 'old cars' are neat, may find pleasure in some of these pictures.

Nurburgring was the site of the German Grand Prix from 1925 until into the 1970s when drivers threatened to boycott the race. The cars were so powerful, the old track was just too dangerous.

I had the opportunity to attend the 1962 race. It rained all day long so I had to resort to stock photos from the web for the first image:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1g2XLgNYn9yxTy3WMHoRo3vuPtUfh1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1g2XLgNYn9yxTy3WMHoRo3vuPtUfh1)

The rest are Kodachromes; I only had a 50mm rangefinder camera in those days so some detail is lost in the crops...

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1mi6xHpP9fgHP76qOvUtp7GcHEQ3K1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1mi6xHpP9fgHP76qOvUtp7GcHEQ3K1)

Just about to start...

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1N7zxJk2bGSLBHmn2K3uw4a8v5qax1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1N7zxJk2bGSLBHmn2K3uw4a8v5qax1)


Rusty

[Rusty]

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1LxlpaMvU8eepUV8YlJCONPe8vUJS0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1LxlpaMvU8eepUV8YlJCONPe8vUJS0)

I think it's really nice to see a race with hand made, open wheel racers, on the same track with cars that, at least externally, look like production models.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1FQTpGAPw7JUAN1oaO8E7PfOvC1RNQ0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1FQTpGAPw7JUAN1oaO8E7PfOvC1RNQ0)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1RKz5xsOQrnWryVN1R6NW9bJ0OB1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1RKz5xsOQrnWryVN1R6NW9bJ0OB1)

Graham Hill was the winner; this was a day when BRM was not British Racing Misery

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1QlbCjob7FXzzOlhWHsU1dkA9U00_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1QlbCjob7FXzzOlhWHsU1dkA9U00)

I hope you enjoyed looking as much as I enjoyed seeing them again.

Rusty

[TonyW]

Rusty - thanks for those nostalgic memories. I never did go to a Grand Prix there but I did take a tour round the circuit in a bus in the early 60's. The German bus driver fancied himself as a race car driver and it was a spectacular ride :). And I'll be watching the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

Tony

[Cmcburnett]

Rusty, interesting pictures. I enjoyed looking at them. Thanks for posting.;)

[hukari]

Rusty, thanks for the pics. It must have been a nice trip into the past for you. It makes me want to go home and get all those family pictures out too and digitalize them.

The cars are wonderful, but I especially loved the old billboards!

Were you there on vacation or on duty?

[EJB]

I lived in Germany from 1959 to '80 and used to follow all the GPs throughout Europe. Your images brought back so many memories. I have been round the 'ring in very many vehicles both fast and slow.
I have virtually no photographs except one of a white Japanese Formula 1 car at the 'ring driven by an American:) The debut race of Japan into Formula 1 with Honda:)
I must look for that image:cool:

[BonzoDog]

Thanks for the nostalhic pics. I remember the times and drivers well. Many of the Group you photographed helped in the making of the film Grand Prix. The sports Ferrari's are the GTO, I believe, known as the breadvan, now one of the most sought after and expensive old-timers.
My German father-in-law was a race driver and he took me aorund the old Nurburgring circuit a few times in one of his racing Porsches. The straight line speed of 260kph (about 160 mph) was impressive but taking corners at not much less than this was equally impressive. The new circuit is much safer but like most modern circuits, somewhat boring.

[Rusty]

Well, from comments I'm not the only person here with memories of der 'ring.

Another thing I find interesting in pictures from that era ... all of the "car pictures" were taken on the straight running past the start/finish line; speeds in that day of about 140 mph on that part of the track prior to slowing for a hairpin. Look at the people standing and walking alongside the track - a foot or so off the raceway.

Not many places will still allow that.

Rusty