1949 Gordini 23S Anyone who has ever listened to Peter Ustinov’s fabulous motor racing spoof of the 1950s, “The Grand Prix of Gibraltar” already is familiar with Amédée Gordini. Ustinov’s parody of the Franco-Italian, Monsieur Orgini, and “eez funny leetle blue Orgini cars” was not only hysterical but drew strongly on Ustinov’s knowledge of the then GP scene. The Orgini team was penniless, inclined to give up in existential despair and sit around smoking Gauloise, even while fueling the cars….

1949 Gordini 23S. Photo: Peter Collins