VINTAGE RACING STYLE | Legendary Drivers Crushing It On & Off The Track

An autographed photo given by the great Formula 1 driver Juan Fangio to Harold Cole of New Smyrna Beach, Fl when Fangio made a visit to the Daytona Speedway in 1979. Love the crazy printed shirts, especially the incredible equestrian horse-bit motif on the left– very vintage Hermes chic.

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Sometimes you just strike gold– like this amazing photo series of incredibly stylish race car drivers from back in the day when the world had class.  I wish guys still had enough knowledge of the classics, and confidence in themselves to dress like– well, men.  There’s definitely an equestrian tie-in going on with these two pics– check out driver Peter Gregg (below) wearing classic horse-bit Gucci loafers with his race garb.  Even better still if he actually drove in them. A very ironic, yet fitting homage to horsy equestrianism by masters of raw manmade horsepower.  Gotta love it.

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Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood drove a Porsche 911S in the 1972 12 hours of Sebring. They finished 5th place in the race, and 1st place (in my book) for personal style. via Louis Galanos

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Andrea de Adamich was one of the few professional drivers in major events to wear glasses. Here he is at the 1972 Sebring 12 Hour Race where he drove for Alfa Romeo– looking like a handsome and young Andy Kauffman on the left and a few lbs. leaner and more svelte on the right. via Louis Galanos

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Hurley Haywood is considered one of the best to ever race at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Along with his co-driver Peter Greg they were almost unbeatable in the 1970’s. via Louis Galanos

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Sam Posey feeling very comfortable with his bad self in a printed neckerchief-- 1969.

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Peter Gregg again (in the shot on the left) in his Gucci Loafers.  Shot on the right–Ronnie Bucknum (left) and Sam Posey (right) at the 24 Hours of Daytona.  Neckerchief, footwear– bring it.  via Louis Galanos

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Mark Donohue seen here rockin’ a great suede coat over his gear at the driver’s meeting prior to the start of the 24 Hours of Daytona. He was very popular with fans and race workers alike. He is remembered for driving the Penske 917/30 Porsche in the Can-Am races but he could literally drive anything. He died in 1975 while practicing for a F1 race.

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The legendary Peter Revson (left) and Helmut Marko drove for Alfa Romeo at the 1972 6-Hour Continental at Daytona. Helmut Marko and Vic Elford drove the #5 Alfa Romeo 33TT3 to a third place finish while Peter Revson (on right) and his co-driver Rolf Stommelen did not finish in their 33TT3. Right pic–Peter Revson getting into the Alfa Romeo 33TT3 team car at the 1972 Daytona 6 Hour Continental. via Louis Galanos

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Legendary Corvette driver John Greenwood seen here (looking so 70s it could be sold as a Halloween kit) at the 1976 24 Hours of Daytona. When the 1970’s energy crisis almost put an end to the 1975 Sebring Race he came up with the sponsorship to save the race.  via Louis Galanos

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Derek Bell seen talking to legendary sports announcer Chris Economackie at the 1971 Sebring 12 Hour Race. Bell co-drove with Jo Siffert in a Porsche 917K. They finished 5th with Bell getting 1st in the Rod Stewart lookalike contest.  via Louis Galanos

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Just for kicks– that’s Sam Posey on the ground and the late Peter Revson pummeling Sam. It seems that Peter had a difference of opinion on what happened on the track at Riverside Raceway in 1970. Does Peter Revson have a short fuse? Well at Sebring in 1972 he got thrown out of the race because he got black flagged for passing under the yellow. He pulled into the pits and proceeded to threaten a race official. He got tossed soon after. The guy trying to break up the fight is Carroll Smith of the Shelby Team. Pete Biro took the photo. Strangely enough Posey and Revson became good friends after this incident.  via Louis Galanos

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Juan Manuel Fangio known as El Maestro or The Master.

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Argentine auto racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio sitting at wheel of race car at Las Mans -- 1967.

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Racing sweaters? Holy hand-knits, Batman! Steve McQueen & co. goofin' & relaxin' off-track in cozy sweaters. Outta sight.

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Australian Driver Jack Brabham also in a sweater -- 1961.

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Just a cool shot– Milt Minter’s eye catching helmet at the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring. His car finished 6th.  via Louis Galanos

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Legendary Race Car Drivers from the 60s & 70s

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