The Spirit of Competition
By Frederick a. Simeone, M.d.
Dr. Simeone began collecting cars before he could drive, because his father gave him, as his first car, an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 in dire need of restoration. He figured the job would deter his son’s driving days for at least a while, but what it also did was plant in young Frederick a seed that has blossomed into a collection of more than four dozen machines that illustrate the evolution of the automobile as dictated by competitive considerations.
Simeone sees this as an emulation of humanity’s own progression through natural selection, and this book not only catalogs his Philadelphia-based collection, but also espouses his philosophy that the often ragged authenticity of originality can easily outweigh the polished perfection of restoration. A prime example is the prototype Cobra Daytona Coupe, CSX2287, the one that caught fire at Daytona. It is wrinkled and has its rough spots, but these only add to its import and impact.
Illustrated mainly with Michael Furman photographs, this is an excellent volume for either the serious aficionado or the casual observer, for at its heart is an appreciation for the personalities of these historic automobiles.
The standard 384-page hardbound edition is available for $185—along with a further pair of autographed, leather-bound limited editions—from: www.simeonemuseum.org
