{"id":131645,"date":"2025-02-13T08:21:15","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T13:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/revsinstitute.org\/?p=131645"},"modified":"2025-02-13T08:21:15","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T13:21:15","slug":"historic-race-cars-from-revs-institute-to-be-tested-at-targa-66","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/revsinstitute.org\/blog\/historic-race-cars-from-revs-institute-to-be-tested-at-targa-66","title":{"rendered":"Historic Race Cars from Revs Institute to be Tested Targa 66"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row row_height_percent=”85″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”5″ bottom_padding=”5″ back_image=”131646″ overlay_alpha=”74″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ top_divider=”gradient” content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”137071″ overlay_color_type=”uncode-gradient” overlay_color_gradient=”{“css“:“background: linear-gradient(to bottom , rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04) 25% , rgb(0, 0, 0) 90%);“,“sliders“:`{`{“color“:“rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04)“,“position“:25},{“color“:“rgb(0, 0, 0)“,“position“:90}`}`,“type“:“linear“,“direction“:“top“}”][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”bottom” gutter_size=”2″ style=”dark” overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”733118″][vc_custom_heading text_font=”font-200283″ text_size=”fontsize-208146″ text_weight=”800″ uncode_shortcode_id=”813296″]SET UP, SHAKE DOWN[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_custom_heading text_color=”color-xsdn” heading_semantic=”h3″ text_font=”font-700868″ text_size=”h3″ text_weight=”400″ text_italic=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”104552″ text_color_type=”uncode-palette”]<\/p>\n

Historic Race Cars from Revs Institute to be Tested at Brian Redman’s Targa 66<\/h5>\n

[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”4″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”213248″][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ inverted_device_order=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”847393″][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ override_padding=”yes” column_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”273161″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h3″ text_font=”font-920691″ text_size=”h3″ text_weight=”400″ uncode_shortcode_id=”111953″]<\/p>\n

This February, Homestead-Miami Speedway will once again roar with the sounds of Targa 66, a high-speed gathering of some of the most fabulous cars from past and present. In 1991, legendary driver Brian Redman began organizing track weekends for owners of historic and modern high-performance cars. Held for many years at the now-defunct Palm Beach International Raceway, Targa 66 has now moved to HMS. The warm welcome from Brian and his son James is matched by the friendly atmosphere of the paddock. Spectators, too, come to HMS to enjoy the track action: these cars may not be\u00a0racing<\/em>, but they are certainly not going\u00a0slowly.<\/em><\/h5>\n

[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image media=”131648″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ media_ratio=”one-one” alignment=”center” lbox_connected=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”175033″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image media=”131647″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ media_ratio=”one-one” alignment=”center” lbox_connected=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”455416″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”3″ bottom_padding=”4″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”812131″][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h4″ text_font=”font-200283″ text_size=”h4″ text_weight=”600″ uncode_shortcode_id=”130326″]Targa 66 members run a diverse group of cars, from open wheel formula single seaters to priceless historics to late model supercars.[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”178310″]Revs Institute, which is home to the automobiles of the world-famous Miles Collier Collections, will exercise five historic race cars to this year\u2019s event: the 1964 Abarth Simca 2 Mila Corsa, the 1958 Porsche 356 GT Speedster, the 1958 Scarab Sports Racer, the 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, and the 1955 Lancia D50. Some cars are due for their annual exercise, while some are being tested for races later in the season.\u00a0The Sports Racer is one of only eight Scarabs ever built, only 3 of which were front engine sports cars.\u00a0The 904 Carrera has noteworthy provenance: legendary driver, constructor, and team owner Briggs Cunningham drove it at Sebring. The D50, one of the most storied cars in Grand Prix racing, is preparing for a whirlwind of events this year in honor of Formula One\u2019s 75th<\/sup>\u00a0Anniversary. In particular, our workshop technicians will ensure that the Abarth Simca is running properly after recent repairs and conservation work.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_single_image media=”131649″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ lbox_connected=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”201845″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h4″ text_font=”font-200283″ text_size=”h4″ text_weight=”600″ uncode_shortcode_id=”161258″]Revs Institute\u2019s guiding philosophy is that automobiles are \u201cactive matter.\u201d[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”201026″]Like musical instruments and clocks, cars must be operated on a regular basis. This not only prevents the mechanicals from seizing, but it also keeps the car alive in the world. Targa 66 is an opportunity to exercise historic race cars at speed without the risks of racing: it also gives spectators the chance to hear and see the cars as they existed \u201cin period.\u201d To keep a race car working as it did 30, 50, or 70 years ago is no mean feat!<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to remember that race cars were built as tools for winning. The relentless development of engineering (and the rulebook) means that each design iteration had only a limited window of competitiveness. As a result, race cars were built for short-term performance, not longevity. Historic race cars therefore require specialist care and expert testing if they are to remain alive in the world.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_single_image media=”131650″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ lbox_connected=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”101059″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”446741″]Each car that Revs Institute brings to Targa receives thorough preparation in our workshop. The car is serviced and configured to run as well as it did in its competitive heyday, but with no performance modifications to make it run \u2018better.\u2019 However, modern driver safety features are fitted as part of track preparation (most often a multi-point harness and a fire suppression system). <\/strong>These elements are removed after track testing during a post on-track service and preservation checklist,\u00a0<\/strong>before the car goes back on display in the museum.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_single_image media=”131651″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ lbox_connected=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”315500″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”784541″]A skilled driver is important for both the operation and preservation of collection cars. The driver\u2019s honed sensibilities mean that he or she may feel something while operating the car at speed, something that wouldn\u2019t be obvious while the car is stationary in the workshop. At an event like Targa 66, the workshop technicians will collaborate with the driver to adjust the car\u2019s setup; that is to say, they make changes to the systems that can impact the car\u2019s\u00a0performance\u00a0and handling. While most issues can be corrected this way, there are instances of feedback from the car\u2014such as unusual vibrations or unpredictable responses to driver input\u2014that\u00a0can indicate something more serious. An experienced driver can tell the difference between what\u2019s typical of a period car and what needs a closer look,\u00a0stat<\/em>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_single_image media=”131652″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ lbox_connected=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”151622″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”120873″]Such was the case of the Abarth Simca, which was diagnosed with an issue at the 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion. Driver Gunnar Jeannette had piloted the car with great success early in the weekend but noted a sudden drop-off in handling through the corners during a race. The safest course of action for all participants (and the car itself!) was to return to the paddock immediately. The Revs team discovered that a previous repair to the left rear control arm, a repair made in the 1960s, had begun showing early signs of failure. The upcoming Targa 66 provides an opportunity to test the recent repair work on the control arm and ensure the entire car is now performing and handling as it should. Gunnar Jeannette will return to the driver\u2019s seat. Later this year, the car will participate in the Goodwood Revival. Revs Institute will release a video covering the efforts to preserve the Abarth Simca, so be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_single_image media=”131653″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ lbox_connected=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”833706″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”3″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”162719″]<\/p>\n

The 2025 edition of Targa 66 at Homestead Miami Speedway is happening February 14 through 16. Spectator tickets available at\u00a0gorace.com. Want to get closer to the action? Follow Revs Institute on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for a behind-the-scenes look.<\/h4>\n

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