By Roger Boylan
In November 2009, Autosavant published a short piece of mine entitled “Dmitri Nabokov, Car Guy” about the cars in the life of Dmitri, son of the great writer Vladimir Nabokov, and himself a man of letters, noted car buff, and former racing driver. For the article I used mostly generic photographs, obtained online, of the models of cars referred to in accounts by him and various interviewers. Then, shortly thereafter, I entered into correspondence with Mr. Nabokov on this and other subjects, and he sent me what amounts to a family album of the cars of his life: a gesture typical of the generosity that has characterized his part in my dealings with him.
I have included his photographs in this short addendum to the previous piece. They and their captions are Dmitri Nabokov’s; the bracketed insertions, mine.
My very first car, a pedal-powered Mercedes
1959, Triumph TR-3A (my first race, in Monza)
My dear mother [Véra Nabokov] with the Bizzarrini Strada
My Alfa GTZ at the Parabolica curve, Monza
My turquoise 1957 MGA
Four of my cars in Switzerland: Ferrari 348 TB, Ferrari 456 GT, Viper, my second Ferrari 308 (GTBi Quattrovalvole)
My first red Viper RT-10
The Triumph again, in San Remo, with my parents [Véra and Vladimir Nabokov], aunt, and cousin
The last of my four Vipers, a rare GT2, of which 100 were built to celebrate Viper’s GT championship
The 308 GTBi with radio-controlled helicopter on the roof
The 348 TB near my place in Montreux
The first of my two MG TCs
My mother with my first Ferrari 308
My last Ferrari 308 (GTBi Quattrovalvole)
Quite the automotive history here; much more interesting than my list of Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Hondas, Nissans, Toyotas, Saturns, and Cadillacs.
All these Ferraris, and no Dodge Ram or Jeep Grand Cherokee. For shame.
The Bizzarrini Strada seems as fine an example of the Grand Turismo styling that was ever rendered.
All the more impressive that it was fitted with a Chevy 327.
Dear Roger,
Is there any chance to get more info, like chassis number, on the Bizzarrini Mr. Nabukov had?
Many thanks in advance,
Jack
The history of life is written in the art we admire. Cars are art.
What a well-written article! Very interesting subject matter and a fascinating read?