11 replies to this topic

[irvine99]

I have some questions:

1. How many numbers were issued? The last number i own is No. 105 (covers GP Belgium + Canada 1986).

2. Are there any differences between the German and English issues? (pictures, contents...)

3. Was this magazin issued between 1979 and 1986? Is that right?

Thanks!

irvine99

[Marcel Visbeen]

There was already a thread about GPI:
http://forums.atlasf...&threadid=59698

In that thread I posted this:

The [Grand Prix International] magazine started out in 1979. First issue after the Argentinian GP. I think it was published in English, French and German. From the Dutch grand prix of 1980 onwards it also had an edition in Dutch. From numbers 1 untill 72 (the end of the 1983 season) each issue came out after a grand prix and a review at the end of the season. There were also two special editions in 1982 dealing with endurance racing and Le Mans. In 1983 there were five of those special issues.

From the start of the 1984 season the format of the magazine changed. It was no longer exclusively covering formula one, but also endurance, rally, american racing and even speedboat racing. It had also become a monthly magazine. The French, German and Dutch editions were shut down and the magazine was only issued in English.

The magazine lasted untill mid-season 1986, issue number 105, but by then it was nothing resembling wat it once had been: the first magazine solely dealing with formula one.

So for the record:
Grand Prix International had 105 normal issues between 1979 and 1986,
seven special issues on endurance racing in 1982 and 1983,
(in 1985 there was a 'special Ferrari' but that wasn't really a magazine as it was 11 'posters' with a stapple put through them)
and then there was the issue on the Spanish Grand Prix of 1980 which never got a proper magazine number because the race was never officially acknowledged as well.

Since then I also learned about a seperate special issue about the South African Grand Prix of 1981. But I think this info is still quite correct (or almost...)

As far as I know the only difference between the different language versions are some advertisements.

[Marcel Visbeen]

Strangely enough the search on "Grand Prix International" didn't seem to work indeed, I had to dig real deep to find it!

[Carlo]

@ irvine99,


I bought the Grand Prix International originally in 1979.
I have the German issues. After the issue of the Italian GP which was #12 the mag wasn't availiable anymore.
I can remember that very well. I thought that this happened because Jodi became Champ and the battle for the title was decided.
I never saw the mag again in German!

24 years later I found a German copy of issue #13 about the GP USA and Canada at ebay and got it for a bargain. So I got 1979 complete.

Were further issues also availiable in German? I just saw English and French ones?

Ciao Carlo

[Arjan de Roos]

Yep GPI really was a supermag. Especially the first version.

With superb pictures and you were fully updated the day before practice of the next GP started (with a 2 wk interval).

Marcel I also have a poster edition with several Peugeot 205 Rally posters. This was also issued near the end of the 3rd version.

Also I found at a jumble an official six issue bound edition in french. Sometimes you may find a complete colection being offered or parts of it. Grab while you can.

[St.Hubbins]

Originally posted by Marcel Visbeen
Since then I also learned about a seperate special issue about the South African Grand Prix of 1981. But I think this info is still quite correct (or almost...)

Indeed, with a portrait photograph of Carlos Reutemann on the front cover, looking rather glum. I just had a quick look through this edition and came across a rather amusing spoof letter (postcard) article which I thought I would share.


Dear Commendatore ,

We were all really sorry that you weren't able to be with us in Kyalami. It wasn't just the pressmen like us who missed you, either. There are so many racing fans, right around the world, to whom you mean so much. You have always enjoyed the passionate, heartfelt admiration of us all, spectators and professionals alike.

Yes, we really missed having you with us this time, because we are returning from South Africa with some memorable tales to tell, despite the efforts of some bluenosed characters whom we don't propose to mention in this card. What we saw taking place at Kyalami was a truly grand Grand Prix, with all your old friends taking part. We had the Guv'nor from Lotus, Uncle Ken, little Bernie's Brabhams, Frank Williams and the McLaren men.

Emerson was there with his boys from Brazil (he's retired from driving, you know), there were the Arrows, cars from ATS, Ensign and Theodore: why, even March brought along two cars after four years away.

Perhaps there was a tinge of sadness, maybe even bitterness, among the faithful gathered together on Saturday afternoon. But they were delighted with the courage and initiative which the organisers and competitors had shown in forgetting grubby politics, at least for a few happy days, in order to concentrate for once on some genuine racing. It was everything that a Grand Prix should be, thrilling all those racing fans, your fans, Mr Ferrari.

Fevruary 7th 1981 will go down in the books as the day when a great victory was won by the men of decision, bold men with worthy aims. We toast their victory and congratulate all those who took part, the teams, the drivers, the mechanics, the organisers, and - yes - the spectators who didn't lose faith in the sports ability to survive all setbacks.

Nevertheless, dear Commendatore, there was something lacking and we could not help but feel a bit sad. If only you had been there!

Yes indeed, we really missed you...

[baggish]

Originally posted by Marcel Visbeen
So for the record:
Grand Prix International had 105 normal issues between 1979 and 1986,
seven special issues on endurance racing in 1982 and 1983,
(in 1985 there was a 'special Ferrari' but that wasn't really a magazine as it was 11 'posters' with a stapple put through them)
and then there was the issue on the Spanish Grand Prix of 1980 which never got a proper magazine number because the race was never officially acknowledged as well.

I believe the 1980 Spanish GP issue is issue no 20. If I remember correctly, when the race was run it was probable that it would not count for the championship, but the final confirmation did not come straightaway.

One thing that perhaps someone can confirm: my feeling is that there was never an issue 73. The 'old style' ended with no 72 and the 'new style' seems to begin with no 74. There is no gap in coverage that could be filled by a no 73.

Jon

[Marcel Visbeen]

Originally posted by baggish


I believe the 1980 Spanish GP issue is issue no 20. If I remember correctly, when the race was run it was probable that it would not count for the championship, but the final confirmation did not come straightaway.

You are correct, I just checked and issue No.20 is indeed about the Spanish GP 1980 (with Ecclestone and Balestre on the cover).

Originally posted by baggish

One thing that perhaps someone can confirm: my feeling is that there was never an issue 73. The 'old style' ended with no 72 and the 'new style' seems to begin with no 74. There is no gap in coverage that could be filled by a no 73.

Gee, that would explain why I never ever saw No.73!
And it surely makes sense. I always assumed that No.73 would be a season review of 1983, but that review allready appeared in Special Issue No.7 (december 1983). Before that the special issues dealt exclusively with endurance racing, but SI no.7 also covers formula 1 and rallying and is thus a kind of preview to the new format.

[eldougo]

While where talking about GPI did you notice that No3 is not printed on the front cover !!!!

[ensign14]

Originally posted by baggish

One thing that perhaps someone can confirm: my feeling is that there was never an issue 73. The 'old style' ended with no 72 and the 'new style' seems to begin with no 74. There is no gap in coverage that could be filled by a no 73.

Jon

The December 1983 issue is styled 'Special Edition no 7', but I wonder if this was meant to be 73 as well? The publisher details include GPI and GPI Endurance and that particular issue covered both.

BTW, that single edition is perhaps the best magazine ever published - F1 review, sportscar review packed to the gunwales with photos of unusual machinery, detailed race reports with results going all the way in Group C (even the DNQs)...the GPIs that followed were brilliant with CART added to boot but I guess far too expensive as a bi-weekly.

[eldougo]

: I guess we will hear from you next month ?? you got some good reading in front of you.

[Rob Ryder]

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...item=3579536891
The start of a new collection for me?