What happened to the Mulholland "King of the Hill" RSR?

[Banning]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

I'm glad it provided a laugh, but I wasn't trying to be funny... maybe there's something I haven't read (or forgot) that makes it funny.

Is it because of the current condition of the surface on Mulholland?

Sounds like you're set with those Konis, though. I was just wondering because it had been so long.

Good point John, it's been a long time since they have "worked out", so to speak.

I found the question of shocks humorous because (you're right), Mulholland is in very bad shape and I can't help but be synical with a sarcastic sense about it. If it was repaired, a new Le Mans would appear called Mulholland Drive, so they won't fix it properly.

Also my car was set up for Mulholland Drive with it's bumps and potholes. They existed even way back then. So I love the bumps, maybe not the potholes so much.

[flatspot]

Hey kids,
Anyone up for a truckstop meeting this week? I'm free so any time is good.
Happy motoring, Kiley

[slodave]

Originally Posted by flatspot

Hey kids,
Anyone up for a truckstop meeting this week? I'm free so any time is good.
Happy motoring, Kiley

Um, I hate to be the one the tells you this... but.... It's the end of the week dude.

[flatspot]

See,thats what I get for sleeping in ;>)

[flatspot]

By the way, I noticed that nobody has mentioned the passing of Phil Hill last week.
At the begining of his career Phil worked as a mechanic for some of the local speed shops,
including if I'm not mistaken, the late great Max (old yaller) Balkowsky.
From what I understand old Phil was not above taking a spirited jaunt across the hill
now and again. Indeed, Americas first world champion and the only man to win the
F1 world chapionship and the 24 hours of Le Mans in the same year was one of us.
In fact, from what I hear, during the 50's they might as well have renamed it Phil's hill.
RIP Phil, you'll be missed.

[slodave]

I'm up for a meeting next week. Any night works for me. Don't sleep in this time!

[Heel n Toe]

There was/is a thread honoring the passing of Phil Hill... it's probably a page or two off the front page of the forum now, though.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by flatspot

By the way, I noticed that nobody has mentioned the passing of Phil Hill last week.
At the begining of his career Phil worked as a mechanic for some of the local speed shops,
including if I'm not mistaken, the late great Max (old yaller) Balkowsky.
From what I understand old Phil was not above taking a spirited jaunt across the hill
now and again. Indeed, Americas first world champion and the only man to win the
F1 world chapionship and the 24 hours of Le Mans in the same year was one of us.
In fact, from what I hear, during the 50's they might as well have renamed it Phil's hill.
RIP Phil, you'll be missed.

Somewhere in my piles of old R&T, there is a "Salon" article by Phil Hill. In it, he talks about one of his favorite cars, his old Alfa 8C 2900. He owned it back when he worked as a wrench at (I think) Continental Motors. He definitely talked about Mullholand runs, I remember it clearly. I'll have to dig that out. Phil Hill was a great writer.

[Banning]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

There was/is a thread honoring the passing of Phil Hill... it's probably a page or two off the front page of the forum now, though.

Here is the information on the passing of Phil Hill.

MONTEREY, Calif. - Phil Hill, the only American-born Formula One champion, died Thursday of complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 81.

The 1961 Formula Open champion and a three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Hill died at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, said friend John Lamm, a noted automotive photographer and editor-at-large with Road & Track magazine.

"He raced at a time when racing was extremely dangerous and got through it all without a serious injury," Lamm said. "He had an extraordinary mechanical sense. He was very much in tune with the car."

Hill won the 1961 Formula One title by a point over Wolfgang von Trips, the Ferrari teammate who was killed in the team's final race of the year. Hill won three F1 races, taking the Italian Grand Prix in 1960 and 1961 and the Belgian Grand Prix in 1961.

"I, as well as all employees of Ferrari are extremely saddened by the news of the passing of Phil Hill, a man and a champion who gave so much to Ferrari," Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said. "Phil and I have always kept in touch throughout the years and I know I will miss his passion and love for Ferrari very much."

Mario Andretti is the only other American F1 champion. He was born in Italy.

After retiring as a driver in 1967, Hill worked as a racing commentator for ABC and a contributing editor for Road & Track magazine, and devoted time to classic cars and auto restoration.

"His knowledge of automobiles was almost spooky," Lamm said. "And he knew it off the top of his head. ... He was extremely intelligent and well-rounded. He was an opera expert and very well-read. He was very sophisticated."

Hill, also a three-time winner of the Sebring 12-hour race, was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991.

"Phil was a very special guy and had a love for the automotive age," said Dan Gurney, a teammate with Ferrari. "He was always a potential winner when he sat in a race car. He was both a competitor and a close friend and a fellow I could look up to."

Hill, born in Miami on April 20, 1927, grew up in Santa Monica and attended the University of Southern California.

He's survived by wife Alma, son Derek, daughter Vanessa Rogers, stepdaughter Jennifer Delaney and four grandchildren.

Phil was an honorary member of the Ferrari Owners Club and a fellow Trojan, and I have spoken with him on several occasions. Phil was a wonderful man who truly loved both racing and restoring cars and never tired of relating his experiences to others. Our most heartfelt condolences to Phil’s family and friends; and Phil had many, many friends. This true American legend will be sorely missed.

[Banning]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Somewhere in my piles of old R&T, there is a "Salon" article by Phil Hill. In it, he talks about one of his favorite cars, his old Alfa 8C 2900. He owned it back when he worked as a wrench at (I think) Continental Motors. He definitely talked about Mullholand runs, I remember it clearly. I'll have to dig that out. Phil Hill was a great writer.

Please dig that out. I spoke to Phil Hill while writing The Mulholland Experience and asked him if he ever raced on Mulholland. He flatly said "No, Never".

My mother went to high school with Phil Hill and was friends with his brother Jerry. She lived nearby and would go to parties at the Hill house. After I called Mr. Hill to ask him about Mulholland, my mom got on the phone and reminiced about old times at Santa Monica High School and old friends that they knew. They had a good time talking about old times. I thought that it was nice that Mr. Hill still lived in the same house that he did when he was a boy. He seemed like a nice man and will be greatly missed.



We are sorry to report that Phil Hill, America's first World Champion driver, died last night.

Appreciation

Maranello, August 28, 2008 – As soon as he got word of Phil Hill’s passing, Ferrari’s president Luca di Montezemolo declared:

I, as well as all employees of Ferrari are extremely saddened by the news of the passing of Phil Hill, a man and a champion who gave so much to Ferrari and who has always greatly represented the company’s values inside and outside the racing track.

Phil Hill raced and won many competitions both with prototype cars, like the 24 hour of Le Mans, as well as with production race cars. With our car, Phil won the Formula One Championship title in 1961 as the first American-born to reach this result.

Phil and I have always kept in touch throughout the years and I know I will miss his passion and love for Ferrari very much.

My deepest sympathies are with his wife Alma and son Derek in this sad moment.

[Heel n Toe]

A relative unknown willing to get involved in politics could bring improvements to Mulholland Drive sooner than previously thought.

http://www.news3online.com/index.php?code=557sHH06Zds38Rf0Do48

[slodave]

[Banning]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

A relative unknown willing to get involved in politics could bring improvements to Mulholland Drive sooner than previously thought.

http://www.news3online.com/index.php?code=557sHH06Zds38Rf0Do48

Now that's funny John, thanks! Especially since my days of Politics (Ferrari Club Politics) are over.

[Heel n Toe]

Oh, man... club politics can be hairy at times, huh?

I could tell you some stories... of the Radio Controlled Car club I belonged to in the mid-80's... but I won't... talk about small-minded pettiness. Ugh.

On a positive note, prior to that, when I belonged to the local sports car club, it was basically a model of what a club should be like.

[Banning]

I sent the videos of the Carrera pulling out and the one of it running and got this response below from Larry O'Rourke. Larry used to live above the sweeper and he is the one who has sent me those great photos that have I posted on this thread from car shows, etc.


OUTSTANDING !!!!!!! That car is absolutely phenominal ! Incredible ! Yes, I remember seeing this car going westbound on Mulholland from Coldwater, I'll never forget it. You really had somthing revolutionary when you built this originally. The chopped top & the fender flares really give the car that incredibly aggresive stance. This is the car that everyone wanted or wanted to build back in the day. Your insite into thios was really at the cutting edge back then & evern today.
Its really great that you put this back together. Is the white 911S or 911T next to the RSR the one mentioned in your book?
The first video is great, the music, the whole thing. For those of us who remember the old days on Mulholland, this is definately somthing that harkens back to the glory days of racing up there.
Thanks for sending, let me know when I can see this?

On another note, what year was your testarossa? How many miles where on it & did you finally sell it?

I am going to the Ferrari factory in Marenello one week from today. Then, onto the F1 race at Monza next Sat/Sun. Set your SPEED Channel to watch the race.

Be well, talk soon, & thank you for sharing this with me.
Larry
bye

To: Larry O'Rourke
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 8:43 PM
Subject: Re: YouTube - Ferrari Testarossa around deadmans


Hi Larry,
Here is the newest progress on the Carrera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m03KYn_vgTM


and check this newest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvherGoKsww



Talk to you soon and best regards,
Chris

[lfot]

Originally Posted by slodave

Excellent.

[nameisbauer]

Nice!

[Jeremy Cottrell]

Hey is anyone going to be at Bob's tonight??

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Cottrell

Hey is anyone going to be at Bob's tonight??

No, sorry.

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Cottrell

Hey is anyone going to be at Bob's tonight??

Eventually but probably later than usual.