In a message dated 02/18/2004 9:28:52 AM Central Standard Time,
jerryvv@alltel.net writes:
> , I don't have any idea but this whole subject is the focus of some
> humor done by Peter Ustinov way back in 1958 when he recorded his "Grand
> Prix of Gibraltar" spoof. The whole recording is done by Peter using his
> voice only, making engine sounds, using the accents of teams from all over
> the world. The German Team was particularly aware of weight distribution and
> had their drivers sit in the cars with one leg forward and the other
> backwards in a Cheerleader's split all for weight distribution.
> If you or any of the other FOTers haven't heard this recording you should
> get it. Great humor still today nearly 50 years later.
> It's available in CD format. "Peter Ustinov, The Grand Prix of Gibraltar"
> A friend got it as a Christmas gift and I have just finished listening to it
> for the first time. It's very funny and pokes fun at all nationalities.
>
Amen to that. Bob Wismer gave me a pristine copy of this rare 33 1/3 rpm
album for Christmas this year. Now all I have to do is find a turn table to
play
it on. But not to worry. The Beady Eye VINTAGE TRIUMPH Racing Team has long
carried cassette copies of this classic for listening to on long tows. Hell,
we can damn near recite it from memory.
Peter Ustinov is an avid vintage motorsports enthusiast. He really knows his
stuff. The VSCDA was interested in getting him as an Honorary Grand Marshall
for an event featuring Pre WWII cars, but we couldn't connect. It is my
understanding that this recording was originally done for 'friends' on a living
room 'record cutter'. It turned out so well, that later a commercial version
was issued. It was very limited, and good copies today are prized possessions.
I love it.
Bill Dentinger
|