Climb to the Clouds
Written by Keith Fudge

Last year, Dennis Gage and the crew from My Classic Car traveled to Mount Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire to attend the Climb to the Clouds Vintage Automotive Weekend.  This event features a vintage car exhibition, scenic driving tours, and a vintage car race up Mount Washington, the highest point in the Northeast!  This event began more than a century ago.  According to the event website: “The first Climb to the Clouds was held over July 11-12, 1904 with an auto race up a mountain.  The mountain was New Hampshire's Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast and the grandest of the Presidential Mountains at 6,288 feet above sea level. The "racecourse" was the 8-mile Mt. Washington Carriage Road (now known as the Mt. Washington Auto Road).  Opened in 1861, the Carriage Road was the world's first mountain toll road and other than hiking by foot, the only way to the summit was in horse drawn "mountain wagons." The Climb to the Clouds was held seven years before the first 500-mile race at Indianapolis and 12 years prior to the inaugural Pikes Peak Hillclimb in Colorado” (www.climbtothecoulds.com).  Other historic moments of this event include the first automotive climb in 1899 by Leland O. Stanley, inventor of the Stanley Steamer, and the participation of such legendary auto racers such as Cannonball Baker and Carroll Shelby in this event.  One interesting note is that after the Climb had established itself as a “worthy” event, many early automakers used the race as a proving ground for their vehicles!  Perhaps they figured if their cars could pass this test on a mountain with a 12% grade, they were a cinch to withstand the everyday driving on the open roads!  Consequently, this historic event has hosted generations of automotive performance and monumental changes in design.

Today, the event is sponsored through the efforts of three organizations: the Mount Washington Auto Road, the Vintage Sports Car Club of America, and the Granite Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America.  Working together, these fine groups ensure that folks have a memorable experience where everyone celebrates automotive history and the significance of this event.  While Dennis was there, he had a chance to visit with some of the participants that day.  Although the weather was not what one would call ideal in terms of a mountain climb road race, everyone’s spirits and cars were in top shape!  In addition, at some points when one of these vintage cars began its quest to run the mountain, it was like turning back the clock to the golden era of automobiles.

First, Dennis found George Holman and his 1929 Stutz Blackhawk.  Painted black, this vintage racer featured a 322 cubic inch, double overhead cam, straight 8 engine.  Fuel is pumped through four Wingfield carburetors.  George told Dennis that he has been competing in vintage racing for 20 years and that even though the roads here are rough and slick, it is truly exciting.  George’s son drove this Stutz today while he drove another car, and at that moment he held the fourth-fastest time of 5:51.  Next, Dennis discovered a “rookie” participant in John Auerbach and his red 1952 Lazarino.  Weighing in at a mere 2,100 pounds, this car was built in Argentina and was designed to compete against Ferrari and Maserati on the track.  Constructed with an all-steel body and originally powered by a Ford Flathead, John said that this car was discovered in a barn!  Now the car is powered by a Chrysler Slant Six and features Holley carburetors.  There is a touch of Europe here in this South American rocket.  John also points out the wheels which show a Bugatti design.  Last, Dennis met Jim Donick who was on hand with his Blue 1951 Allard.  This car was originally built in England and features an all-aluminum body.  When new, it was equipped with a Ford Flathead V-8, but it now sports a Cadillac motor.  This car was truly brought back to life as Jim told Dennis that the car was found in a basement in Long Island, New York!  The car’s body had been cut into eight pieces and it was in Jim’s words, “completely dead.”  Jim said that today’s run up the mountain was scary and that his tire pressure was initially too high.  After making some adjustments, he turned in the fastest time of the day at that point!  Congrats!

The Climb to the Clouds is an outstanding event, especially considering the history behind the race and the breathtaking scenery that surrounds it.  If you would like to learn more about the event itself, give a visit on the web to www.climbtotheclouds.com.  We had a great time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and we just bet that you would too!  So until our next trip, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”