1st Annual Palm Springs Vintage Grand Prix

From Moss Motoring 1986

By Robert Goldman

Racing in the streets. My images of sports car racing come from picture books and tales recounted by the likes of my father. November 29 to December 1, 1985 the images become real at the Springs Vintage Grand Prix.

The cars, now pampered collectors items, returned to do battle in the streets. It was gratifying to see so many British cars being driven competitively. Race winners included a Jaguar XK120, an Austin Healey3000, a Morgan and a Bugeye Sprite which outran an MGB in one race and a Siata V8 in another.

My father worked tech inspection at the last Palm Springs race in 1965. Now I return as a spectator to enjoy a bit of automotive history. Al Moss summed it up for the competitors, ‘I had a smile on my face from the moment I got on the track.’ So did the people watching.