Alfa Romeo - Giulia V6 Biturbo - Brochure - 2019 - 2019

ALFA ● FIAT ● LANCIA ● FERRARI ● LAMBORGHINI ● MASERATI Issue 276 February 2019 £4.99 ZAGATO’S TUBULAR TRIUMPH PUNTO POWER! THREE GENERATIONS OF FEISTY FIATS ALFA 156 V6 Sportwagon from Japan FERRARI 330 GT Vignale’s final estate FROM DINO TO ABARTH Racing set SECRET SERENISSIMA: FROM COUNT’S CASTLE TO FREEDOM www.auto-italia.net III ALFA ROMEO TZ Alfa Giulia V6 Biturbo Quadrifoglio Red Calipers, carbon fibre steering wheel inserts, 2950 miles. Price: £63,975 £55,900 Alfa Romeo 159 V6 Jts Lusso 69,799 miles. Black with tan leather upholstery Very good service history. Price: £8,995 Alfa Romeo Giulia Tb 16V Black and grey cloth. Alloy wheels, air conditioning, 8,676 miles. Price: £23,995 £22,495 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Tb Sport 145 miles. White with cloth. 18 inch Alloy wheels, Price: £23,069 £17,295 Alfa Romeo Mito TB TwinAir Sprint Alfa Romeo 159 Jtdm Ti 124,500 miles Silver with black leather upholstery. refurbished Alloys, Price: £4,495 18,488 miles. Ametista black. Air con, Alloys, E/W. Price: £6,995 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Tb Sport 137 miles. Alfa red with cloth. Air conditioning. Price: £22,544 £16,995 Fiat Tipo Easy Plus 11,792 miles. Silver with black cloth upholstery. Air con. Alloy wheels. Price: £9,495 * No 1 out of 165 Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Chrysler Jeep dealers for customer satisfaction in the UK, Jan - Mar 2018 * No.1 out of 49 dealers for service in Alfa Romeo’s customer satisfaction survey, carried out by JD Power, July - Sept ’11 * No.1 out of 48 dealers for service in Alfa Romeo’s customer satisfaction survey, carried out by JD Power, May - June ‘11 *No.1 out of 63 dealers for service in Alfa Romeo’s customer satisfaction survey, carried out by JD Power, Jan - Mar’08 WELCOME www.auto-italia.net Editor Chris Rees [email protected] Photographic Editor Michael Ward [email protected] Events Director Phil Ward [email protected] Editor at Large Peter Collins Contributors Keith Bluemel, Peter Collins, Richard Heseltine, Richard Bremner, Andy Heywood, Martin Buckley, Peter Nunn, Simon Park, Simon Charlesworth, Mike Rysiecki, Tim Pitt, Richard Dredge and Phil Ward Art Editor Michael Ward Back Issues Tel: 01462 811115 Subscriptions www.auto-italia.net Managing Director Michael Ward General Manager Claire Prior [email protected] Advertisement Managers David Lerpiniere [email protected] Simon Hyland [email protected] Tel: 01732 445325 I taly in the 1960s was a glorious melting pot of precocious engineering and design talent. A brief look at the ‘ones that got away’ in the 1960s confirms this – and this month we have a feature on one of the most glorious lost causes of all. Classifieds email [email protected] Printed in England The MANSON Group Limited, Hertfordshire. Worldwide Retail Distribution Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT The re-emergence of three cars from the collection of an Italian aristocrat – Count Volpi – after half a century hidden away in his castle is a truly joyous moment. The Count had designs on challenging Enzo Ferrari, creating both the ATS and Serenissima marques, and it’s three of his Serenissima sports cars that have resurfaced after 50 years of not turning a wheel. They’re due to be auctioned in February 2019, and you can read the whole fascinating tale on page 20. Meanwhile, in hot-off-the-press news, we have the first indications of the fresh direction in which new Fiat Chrysler boss, UK-born Michael Manley, is taking the company. His ‘Italian Plan’ marks the first major changes to the five-year programme elucidated by his predecessor, Sergio Marchionne, just before his tragic death. Auto Italia® is published twelve times a year by: Ginger Beer Promotions Ltd, Enterprise House, Building 52, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HS Email: [email protected] ISSN 1357 - 4515 While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this publication Ginger Beer Promotions Ltd cannot accept liability for any statement or error contained herein. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part, without written permission, is prohibited. © Ginger Beer Promotions Ltd, 2018 We now know that, when the all-new Fiat 500 is launched in early 2020, there will be a fully electric model. There will also be hybrid versions of the Fiat 500X and Panda; the Alfa Giulia, Stelvio, Giulietta, and Alfa’s new compact SUV (due in 2020); and the Maserati Levante, Ghibli and Quattroporte. What we don’t know, at the time of going to press, is what’s happening with all those exciting new models that Marchionne announced – and which are notably absent from Manley’s plan. What about the Alfa Romeo GTV (Giulia two-door coupe)? Or the Alfa 8C supercar? And Alfa’s new large SUV? No news. Could that mean delays, or even cancellation? No doubt we will hear more soon. I hope so, because we really need reassurance that Alfa Romeo is to be treated with the respect it deserves. Chris Rees Editor CONTRIBUTORS [email protected] Auto Italia is brought to you by a group of journalists and photographers united by a passion for Italian cars. Contributors to this issue include: Chris Rees Michael Ward Phil Ward Peter Collins Tim Pitt Mike Rysiecki Elvio Deganello Richard Heseltine auto italia 3 CONTENTS ISSUE 276 FEBRUARY 2019 FEATURES 14 20 28 14 36 44 54 60 68 72 74 20 76 LAMBORGHINI URUS First UK drive – on and off road SERENISSIMA Three forgotten GTs resurface after 50 years ALFA ROMEO TZ Tubular chassis triumph from Zagato THE BEST COLLECTION Racer and designer Tony Best’s cars FIAT PUNTO GROUP TEST Hot Puntos: Mk1 GT, Mk2 HGT & Mk3 Abarth SPORTY FIATS AROUND THE GLOBE Little-known hot Fiats, from Brazil to India FERRARI 330 GT 2+2 SHOOTING BRAKE The very last Ferrari rebodied by Vignale PADOVA AUTO E MOTO D’EPOCA Highlights of Italy’s largest classic car show AUTUMN MOTORSPORT FESTIVAL All the action from Brooklands ZANDVOORT HISTORIC GRAND PRIX Classic F1 and GT racing in Holland ALFA ROMEO 156 V6 SPORTWAGON We import a rare Alfa from Japan SUBSCRIPTIONS SAVE OVER £10.00 SEE PAGE 66 FOR DETAILS REGULARS 06 86 92 36 28 98 NEWS Fiat reveals its electrification programme BACK ISSUES Discover every car we’ve ever featured CLASSIFIEDS Find your perfect Italian car here OBSCURATI Gio Ponti’s futuristic 1953 car is finally realised 60 44 auto italia 5 ITALIAN CAR NEWS MANLEY’S ‘ITALIAN PLAN’: YES TO ELECTRIC FIAT 500, ALFA GTV IN DOUBT F iat is accelerating its electrification programme under new plans set out by Michael Manley, FCA’s UK-born CEO (pictured below). The plan marks the first big changes to Sergio Marchionne’s June 2018 five-year plan since he died in July and Manley took over. The next-generation Fiat 500, due for launch in early 2020, will be based on FCA’s first dedicated Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platform. But no mention was made in the new plan of the previously announced Giardiniera estate version of the electric 500, leading to speculation that this may have been shelved. The latest announcements come in FCA’s ‘Italian Plan’ detailing the company’s production future in Italy, with more than €5 billion to be invested at home. Manley has committed to launching 13 all- 6 auto italia new or restyled models between 2019 and 2021, many of them electric hybrids. As well as the 500 BEV, both the Fiat 500X and Panda will be offered as mild hybrids. As for Alfa Romeo, the facelifted Giulietta will also be made in mild hybrid form. When they are facelifted, both the Giulia and Stelvio will be offered in long-wheelbase and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) forms. Meanwhile at Maserati, the Levante, Ghibli and Quattroporte will also be made as PHEVs. Alfa’s new small compact SUV will arrive in 2020, in both conventional and PHEV guises, but the big news is that it will not be based on a shortened Stelvio platform, as previously thought, but on that of the Jeep Compass. That means that the new SUV could be front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive – but definitely not rear-drive. Several other Alfa Romeos in Marchionne’s plan are not mentioned in the latest statement. There’s no news on the GTV (the Giulia-based two-door coupe) or the 8C supercar, leading to speculation that they may have been delayed. Nor is there any news on Alfa’s third SUV model, slotting in above the Stelvio. Another change is scrapping FCA’s plan to ditch diesel power from 2022 – diesel will now continue beyond that date. FERRARI’S SP3JC ONE-OFF Hot on the heels of its 812 Superfast-based Monza SP1/SP2 limited production supercar, Ferrari has revealed a new open-topped V12 supercar. The SP3JC is a one-off designed around the F12tdf. Designed in-house by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the SP3JC was commissioned by Ferrari dealer/collector, John Collins of Talacrest, who asked for a “pure, uncompromising roadster”. The project took over two years to complete. The SP3JC features a more muscular stance, dynamically sculpted flanks, a distinctive front air intake, and a restyled rear end with horizontal slashes. The graphics are inspired by Pop Art and the paint scheme – blue (Azzurro Met), yellow (Giallo Modena) and white (Bianco Italia) – recalls that of a famous 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. The seats are trimmed in blue leather with white inserts, the blue leather theme extending to the lower dashboard. The F12tdf has lost its roof in the transformation, with two carbonfibre roll hoops and rear buttresses taking its place. Glass inserts in the bonnet show off the F12tdf’s 780hp V12 engine, and there’s a brushed aluminium fuel filler cap. FERRARI BREADVAN ‘HOMMAGE’ IN BUILD A new car inspired by the Ferrari 250 GT ‘Breadvan’ is under construction in the UK. The London-based coachbuilder, Niels van Roij Design, is behind the Ferrari Breadvan Hommage one-off. Like the 1962 car – which was based on a Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competition – the new car will have a frontengined V12 with manual transmission, but is being built on a Ferrari 550 Maranello. The entire bodywork and interior of the 550 will be replaced, leaving only the tubular steel space frame, V12 engine and rear transaxle/sixspeed manual gearbox from the original car. “It is a complex task to translate the essence of the legendary original into a contemporary design,” says Van Roij. “We intend to be inspired by the original, but will ensure we are not limited by it in our creativity.” The ongoing project is being documented on the company’s website (nielsvanroij.com) and its social media channels. auto italia 7 NEWS URUS TO RACE IN 2020 Lamborghini Squadra Corse has unveiled the Urus ST-X Concept, previewing a new singlemake championship in 2020. The series will combine circuit racing and off-roading on FIAapproved circuits in Europe and the Middle East, with an ‘arrive and drive’ formula. The Urus ST-X is mechanically uprated compared to the road car and gets a steel roll cage, fire extinguishers and racing fuel tank. It’s 25 per cent lighter than the production Urus, has a raised ride height and is torsionally stiffer. It also adds larger air intakes, a big rear wing, hexagonal-shape racing exhausts and 21in alloy wheels. The concept car is painted matt green Verde Mantis with a plain carbonfibre bonnet. ALFAHOLICS SHIPS 18TH GTA-R 290 ITALDESIGN GT-R50 GETS GREEN LIGHT The Italdesign GT-R50 – a reshaped version of Nissan’s GT-R – has been confirmed for production. Pricing of the Nismo-tuned 720hp ‘GT-R by Italdesign’ starts at 990,000 euros excluding taxes. While the prototype – unveiled at Goodwood in 2018 – was painted grey and gold, customers can specify their own choices. Only 50 cars will be built, with deliveries starting later in 2019. Visit GT-R50.nissan for more information. ABARTH 124 WINS R-GT CUP In only its second racing season, the Abarth 124 Rally has won the 2018 R-GT class, recording more than 40 class victories in 12 national championships. Team Milano Racing’s 124, driven by Frenchmen Raphael Astier and Frédéric Vauclare, secured the FIA R-GT Cup by winning four out of five races. They topped a table dominated by Abarth 124s, with an amazing six drivers in the top six places. Meanwhile, Simone Tempestini won the European Championship with victories in Poland and Latvia. 8 auto italia Somerset-based specialist Alfaholics has delivered its 18th GTA-R 290 to a customer in the USA. The GTA-R 290 is a ‘restomod’ version of the classic Alfa Romeo Giulia GT (as featured in Auto Italia March 2017). The 18th example has a fully seam-welded body with carbonfibre doors, bonnet and boot. The glasswork is lightweight and there’s an aluminium fuel tank. A 2.3-litre Alfa Twin Spark engine boasts 240hp thanks to MoTeC ECU, ITB injection, sports exhaust and uprated cooling. A lightweight GTA close-ratio gearbox is joined by a limited-slip differential and lightweight propshaft. The suspension has titanium wishbones, titanium billet geometry, adjustable gas dampers, adjustable ride height, aluminium T-bar and lightweight trailing arms. The wheels are 7x15 GTA Superleggera alloys with 195/55 R15 tyres. Brakes are Superleggera billet aluminium with 300mm vented front discs and 267mm rears, plus an adjustable aluminium pedal box. Inside are leather Recaro seats with inflatable lumbar support, Alcantara-and-leather dashboard, T45 rollcage with Alcantara trim, aluminium pedals and Momo steering wheel, while air conditioning is also fitted. For more info, contact Alfaholics: tel 01275 349 449, www.alfaholics.com NEWS STRATOSFERICA: ALFA 4C MEETS LANCIA STRATOS Italian car specialist Giampaolo Boldrin has revealed a new Lancia Stratos rally car-inspired bodykit – the Stratosferica – for the Alfa Romeo 4C. Launched at the recent Milan AutoClassica show, it comes eight years after Boldrin first presented his Beta Montecarlo-based Lancia Rally 037 bodykit. The Stratosferica is a 21st century take on the iconic Bertone-styled Lancia Stratos of the mid-1970s. It follows in the tyre tracks of the modern-era MAT New Stratos and several self-build kit car replicas. Unlike other Stratos interpretations, Boldrin Auto’s new Stratosferica is an interchangeable glassfibreand-carbon bodykit that’s built around the Alfa Romeo 4C. The bodykit replaces the mid-engined two-seater’s front and rear body panels with Stratos-insired bolt-on replacement items. The nose cone includes retractable headlights, as per Lancia’s original, with integrated LEDs. Also offered are alloy wheels in the style of the original Lancia’s distinctive Campagnolo ‘coffin-spoke’ wheels. Boldrin Auto’s Alfa 4C transformation has been unveiled in rally-inspired form, including auxiliary front driving lamps and Alitalia-style livery, made famous by the original rallying Stratos in the hands of gifted Lancia Works drivers such as Sandro Munari and Björn Waldegård. A limited number of Boldrin Stratosferica customisable bodykit conversions will be made, at prices from around £20,000. More details are available at www.boldrinauto.it – Gary Axon MILLTEK’S GIULIA VELOCE EXHAUST UK-based exhaust manufacturer Milltek Sport has added a new full exhaust system for the Giulia Veloce, joining its existing Quadrifoglio offering. A variety of cat-back configurations is available, including resonated and nonresonated, the latter boasting “thunderstorm” noises, says Milltek. The pipe is 3in (76.2mm) in diameter, offering improved gas flow properties. Electronic active valve options include an ‘Active Valve’ button, which allows the exhaust to be run in fully-open position, or ‘Stealth’ mode. Milltek claims power and torque gains and an improved engine note. Prices start from £965 plus VAT for a cat-back, non-valved system. Contact www.millteksport.com FORGE 500 PIPE Forge Motorsport has launched a new silicone intake hose for the Fiat 500 and Abarth 500/595/695. Designed for the 1.4T-Jet petrol engine, the hose is based on the standard Fiat/Abarth hard pipe, but with the size and flow maximised for improved performance. The intake pipe bore is increased from 70mm to 89mm, and Forge claims power improvements of up to 10hp. The price is £100.63 including VAT – more info from www.forgemotorsport.co.uk 10 auto italia NEWS FERRARI 290 MM MAKES £17M RM Sotheby’s has sold a 1956 Ferrari 290 MM – as featured in Auto Italia January 2019 – for $22 million (approx £17m). The ex-Fangio, Collins, Gendebien, Castellotti and Moss racer was subject to a fierce bidding war between three collectors. Other highlights from the December 2018 sale included a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV for $2,205,000 (approx £1.7m) and a low-mileage 1989 Ferrari F40 for $1,545,000 (approx £1.2m). ALFA SPIDER REACHES £47K A 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider has reached a remarkable £47,300 at auction. The price was fetched at the recent sale by Classic Car Auctions (CCA), where there was a bidding battle for the rare, right-hand drive example. Reportedly in excellent restored condition, it came with a hardtop, and the final sale price of £47,300 was almost double the lower estimate. CCA’s next sale will take place at the Classic Car & Restoration Show at the NEC, Birmingham on 23-24 March 2019. FERRARI-THEMED AUCTION ANNOUNCED Silverstone Auctions has announced a new dedicated Ferrari sale. The Dallas Burston Polo Club will host a supercar weekend with Ferraris being auctioned in association with the Ferrari Owners’ Club GB. The date is Saturday 21 September. In the meantime, Silverstone Auctions is selling a rare 1970 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 – one of just 52 right-hand drive examples made, pictured above – that featured in Auto Italia’s August 2018 issue. It’s for sale at Autosport International on 12 January at the NEC, Birmingham, with an estimate of £190,000 to £220,000. More information at silverstoneauctions.com TRANSAXLE TUNING PARTS Alfetta owners have some new tuning options now that Richard Melivin, Chris Snowdon and EB Spares have come together to offer track-tested upgrades for the Alfetta and 75. Listed among the goodies are: Front upper ball joints with extended pin Clutch housings for GTV6/75 racers Race top arms with ball joint extensions EB SPARES ALFA PARTS GTV6 AND ALFA 75 V6 CLUTCH PLATES EB Spares are now stocking centre plates for both the early twin-plate and later single-plate units. 12V CAM BELT TENSIONER REPAIR KITS Bearing repair kit for the oil fed cam belt tensioner, as well as a gasket and seal kit. ALFETTA RACE PARTS Reproduction of the Autodelta adjustable torsion bar bridge which allows easy ride height adjustment. Suitable for early cars with removable bridge. For more info Tel 01373 823856 or www.ebspares.co.uk 12 auto italia URUS: ABSURD? Named after a prehistoric ox, is the Urus a beast of burden or a raging bull? We drive Lamborghini’s hyper-powered SUV on and off road – and discover it’s a bit of both Words: Chris Rees Images: Michael Ward 14 auto italia A bsurd! A Scandinavian flick, a tail-out kick and we’re sliding around our off-road course in Bedfordshire like a pukka rally car. Close your eyes and you could well believe you’re on a 1980s Group B rally stage. Open them, however, and what you see is the lap of luxury. Driving the extraordinary Lamborghini Urus around the Millbrook test facility – Alpine hill circuit, milelong straight, 130mph bowl and off-road course – simply amplifies the absurdities with each experience. Let’s get this straight: here is a car weighing fully 2197kg that can do 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds – quicker than your average Caterham. And with its throbbingly potent 650hp engine, it won’t let go until you’ve reached 189mph; small wonder that Lamborghini claims it’s the fastest SUV ever built. And let’s not forget that it’s a full-fat, five-seat family function machine. Lamborghini must surely have been tempted to make the Urus a giant among SUVs, rather like the LM002 of the 1980s was. In fact, it’s the least 4x4-looking SUV I can think of. Lamborghini has managed to bestow upon it a low, squat, coupe-like stance, almost like someone’s taken a square-shaped SUV and given it a shove at the back to squash the roofline, at the same time pushing the cab forward (the front end overhang is quite substantial, by the way). The styling manages to keep true to modern Lambo aesthetics, a kaleidoscope of trapezoidal volumes and sharp edges. I have to say you can’t really see any of the LM002 in the Urus, which is a blessed relief since the LM was a gawky Tonka tractor by comparison. I really like the rear door handles hidden on the bulging rear wheelarches – what other car has those, huh? – and the frameless doors which enhance the coupe look. auto italia 15 The choice of test cars in front of me is white, blue, grey and the searingly bright Giallo Auge yellow (a colour that I think really suits the car; I’m probably in the minority here). I concede that the subtle Blu Astraeus (dark blue) is probably the best colour for the Urus. I haven’t seen one in dialled-down dark green or brown, but these might be right for the country set, perhaps. For the more stereotypically ostentatious owner – that’s what Lambo is about, right? – the company hints that a significantly brighter colour palette may well be launched in the near future. There’s no getting away from the sheer size of this thing. It’s among the largest hunks of machinery on the road. Despite not being terribly tall, you still need to climb up to get into the driver’s seat; a useful but ugly side step is optional. Once inside, things are about as plush as they come: surfaces in piano black, brushed aluminium and leather, all customisable with Alcantara, carbonfibre and wood. It doesn’t really feel like any other Lamborghini, though, with its upright dashboard dominated by a big touchscreen that comes straight from the Audi parts bin. This is a bit clunky to operate, I must say, and rather prone to ugly finger print marks. You actually sit quite low down by SUV standards but there’s loads of space inside, even for six-footers, both front and rear. Speaking of rear passengers, you can opt for two- or three-seat versions; the two-seat option (just over £3000) includes splendidly supportive, adjustable individual seats. However, you can’t fold them down as you can with the bench seat version, and there’s an obstructive bulkhead behind them. In the five-seat version, the boot can be expanded from a huge 616 litres to an antiques dealer-sized 1596 litres with the seats down. Enough stats and foreplay. Let’s fire this baby – no, this beast – up. This is a big moment: can the new 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine do justice to Lambo’s loud pedal reputation? It doesn’t begin well: it’s disappointingly quiet with the mode settings in ‘Strada’. It gets fruitier in ‘Sport’ mode, but more is still happening in the bass register than at upper hertz levels. Switching to ‘Corsa’ elevates the exhaust note to a much more appealing, cracklingly enticing sound, even though some of the cabin noise is artificially piped, and I really miss any popping noise on gearshifts. Overall, it’s no Huracán V10; it’s rather less antisocial than that… Left in full auto mode, the eight-speed automatic gearbox’s very short lower gear ratios help to boost acceleration off the line. It feels every bit as quick as its 0-62mph claim of 3.6 seconds, but perhaps the 16 auto italia more impressive stat is 0-124mph in 12.8 seconds. That is very, very fast. The gear changes are smooth, making full use of the fact that 627lb ft (850Nm) of torque is available from just 2250rpm. For the record, peak power of 650hp arrives at 6000rpm. Using the paddles behind the steering wheel is effective and fun for manual-minded drivers, too. Unlike Sant’Agata’s supercars, this is a very refined cruising machine. At 90mph around Millbrook’s highspeed bowl, the cabin is all but silent. Wind noise only becomes an issue (from the door mirrors, mainly) at speeds well above 100mph. The ride is also excellent – one of the main reasons for buying an SUV, really – even though you can’t hide the weight of the huge wheels, with the occasional rattle over bumps. Selecting Corsa or Sport mode lowers the ride height from 173mm to 158mm, reducing body roll, and shaving some of the electronic driver assistance off. The steering feel is always chunky, sharp and confidenceinspiring, if not entirely natural in feel. Another surprise: for a car that measures a monster 5112mm long and 2016mm wide, the Urus is wieldy in traffic, thanks to its four-wheel steering system. All four wheels are driven all the time, with 60 per cent rear drive in most situations. A Torsen centre diff can transfer up to 70 per cent to the front, and up to 87 per cent to the rear. There's also a torquevectoring rear diff to apportion 75 per cent of torque to either rear wheel. With adaptive air suspension and active roll stabilisation also in the mix, it all helps the sense that the Urus feels like a much smaller car. Yes, the body does roll, but far less than you’d expect of such a huge SUV, partly thanks to the low-set engine keeping the car’s centre of gravity down. You certainly do feel the car’s heft in corners, with handling precision suffering at speed, but there’s a sense of inherent balance front to rear. Benign understeer awaits if you overcook a corner, although on slippery surfaces we did manage to get the tail out to a lairy angle. As I said, somewhat absurd! The brakes are massively powerful, as I discover during a halt test on Millbrook’s mile straight from virtually maximum speed: it takes the Urus just 150 metres to stop from 170mph. Wow! I guess I should have expected this from standard carbon ceramic discs that are fully 440mm across up front and have 10-piston callipers. Discs of such a size require wheels of a minimum 21 inches across to fit. You can select 22in and 23in options, too, the latter being the biggest of any SUV currently on sale. The best choice overall for ride and dynamics is 22 inches, but it’d be hard not to tick the 23in option box and Urus makes a surprisingly strong case for itself off-road. Over rough stuff, it feels like a Group B rally car LAMBORGHINI URUS surfaces, we managed to get the tail “ Onoutslippery to a lairy angle – somewhat absurdly ” auto italia 17 impress your size-obsessed mates. If you want All Season tyres, though, you’ll need to go smaller: only PZeros fit the 23in wheels. The reason for fitting two turbochargers (for the first time ever in Lamborghini’s history, incidentally) is that it offers the torque required for low-rev offroading. And that’s exactly what I’m about to do now. Before you scoff, there is genuine interest in the Urus from the ‘let’s off-road!’ community, with British farmers among those already placing orders. Oh, and you can tow 3.5 tons with it… On all-weather tyres, there’s certainly no lack of grip on the rough stuff. As standard, there’s a Neve (snow) drive mode but you can order an optional Off-Road Package that adds two extra modes – Terra (off-road) and Sabbia (sand) – as well as reinforced bumpers and extra underfloor protection. These modes raise the ride height by 40mm to 213mm, or as high as 248mm at crawling pace. Standard Hill Descent Control works just like a serious off-roader, keeping the car utterly stable down steep, slippery hills. As I mentioned at the start, on our TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS LAMBORGHINI URUS ENGINE: POWER: TORQUE: TRANSMISSION: BRAKES: TYRES: DIMENSIONS: WEIGHT: FUEL CONSUMPTION: CO2: MAX SPEED: 0-62MPH: PRICE: 18 auto italia 3996cc V8 twin-turbo 650hp at 6000rpm 627lb ft (850Nm) at 2250-4500rpm 8-speed automatic, four-wheel drive Carbon ceramic discs, 440x40mm front, 370x30mm rear 285/45 R21 to 285/35 R23 (front), 315/40 R21 to 325/30 R23 (rear) 5112mm (L), 2016mm (W), 1638mm (H) 2197kg 22.9mpg 279g/km 189mph 3.6sec £165,000 gravelly/sandy/muddy test track, the Urus feels like a Group B rally car: potent yet supremely agile. Few owners may ever experience it, but it’s genuinely great off road. VERDICT The Urus is absurd. Absurdly fast – faster than many a Porsche 911, both in a straight line and around a track. Absurdly luxurious. Absurdly large and heavy. But also absurdly good fun, and in its own way, every inch a raging bull. Controversial it may be, but the Urus is definitely not the most conspicuously outrageous SUV on sale (step forward, Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan). But it is certainly striking a chord with buyers. There’s already a year-long waiting list, and it will likely double Lamborghini’s annual production, with 3500 set to be made in 2019. Which at the very least means Lamborghini will have a budget for making ever more extreme supercars. In the meantime, for a select clientele, it’s fast and furious; lithe and luxurious; chic and capacious. The car that has everything? Could be. III Hexagonal design theme is very Lamborghini ,but there’s less of a fighter cockpit feel to it all Serene Triplets Three beautiful and unique Serenissima sports cars, conjured up by Count Volpi in the 1960s, have been unearthed from a 50-year incarceration in his castle. Their story is curious but captivating Story by Richard Heseltine Images by Artcurial 20 auto italia I n a roundabout way, the wonderfully esoteric Serenissima marque provided a link between a palace coup that once threatened to devastate Ferrari, and the first faltering steps that helped establish McLaren as a superpower in Formula 1. Throw in a Venetian nobleman, Stirling Moss’ racing mechanic and an American-born designer, and the story becomes even more compelling. To most punters, even those who love the strange stuff, mention of Serenissima generally fails to register even trace elements of recognition, but then it isn’t as though the marque showered itself in glory. There was barely even a trickle, but the three cars gathered here – all set to go under the hammer at Artcurial’s Rétromobile sale in February 2019 – captivate because they are so, well, enigmatic. The story kicks off with an argument, or rather several. By the end of the 1950s, Enzo Ferrari had been royally upstaged by garagistes from Surbiton with their mid/rearengined ‘beetles’. Il Commendatore bridled at the concept of following Cooper’s lead and “putting the horse behind the cart” but he relented in time for Phil Hill to scoop the 1961 F1 drivers’ title aboard a 156 ‘Sharknose’. Then it all began to unravel. British upstarts fought back a year later and the Scuderia – still using the same car – quickly became an also-ran. Cue frank exchanges of views, many relating to Enzo’s wife Laura, who apparently wanted a say in everything, followed by a mass walk-out that included Hill and engineers Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini, among others. Expecting a contrite Ferrari to come a begging, they were disappointed. Chiti (and briefly Bizzarrini) didn’t go far, however. With backing from Tuscan industrialist, Giorgio Billi, and wealthy French-born tin mining heir, Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, a new company was formed in Bologna under the alias Societa per Azioni Automobili Turismo Sport Serenissima. This was a bit of a mouthful, even for Italians so it soon became ATS (Automobili Turismo e Sport). Late to the table was Count Volpi di Misurato of Veneto, who took a 20 per cent stake in the firm. The nobleman, whose father had been a close ally of Benito Mussolini and who also founded the Venice Film Festival, inherited a sizable fortune in his mid-20s and spent much of it going motor racing, most memorably with the Drogobodied Ferrari 250 ‘Breadvan’. Chiti was charged with simultaneously developing a Grand Prix chassis and an engine, in addition to a road car. Unwanted distractions from warring paymasters threatened to derail his efforts from the outset. And it would only get worse. When the ATS Tipo 100 finally appeared at Spa for the 1963 Belgian GP, it proved an unmitigated disaster. Lead driver Hill failed to register a single World Championship point that season, appalling reliability hobbling the American’s efforts (he only finished one race). The ATS 2500 GT car, meanwhile, broke cover at the 1963 Geneva Salon but, for all the positive ink, only 11 or so of these gorgeous Franco Scaglione-styled machines were made before the firm turned turtle in 1964. Then matters took a turn for the tortuous. Alf Francis, Stirling Moss’ former spanner man, had tried working his magic on the ATS GP car with the help of his business partner, gearbox king Valerio Colotti. With a new, shorter spaceframe and fresh body, the renamed Derrington-Francis appeared at the 1964 Italian GP where Portuguese charger Mário Cabral qualified last before auto italia 21 Agena road car featured a Serenissima mid-mounted V8 engine and pretty aluminium bodywork retiring the car from the race with ignition problems. The car then disappeared into the ether but the connection led to Volpi returning to car manufacture as Automobili Serenissima, after what was left of the ATS sports car construction arm moved to Francis’ Modena facility. From a new factory in Formigine, chief engineer Alberto Massimino modified the existing ATS chassis for the new strain, while also developing the ‘Tipo 358V’ 3.0litre V8 - with 22 auto italia twin overhead cams per bank - from scratch. Period figures quoted 307hp at 8000rpm, Massimino also designing the gearbox while he was at it. Former Pininfarina artiste Francesco Salomone (who has retrospectively been credited with shaping the Ferrari 275 GTB) penned a sleek form to clothe the frame, the aluminium bodywork being crafted by Carrozzeria Gransport. The resultant prototype made its bow at the Aerautodromo SERENISSIMA Ghia’s Tom Tjaarda designed this 1968 GT for Count Volpi but sadly no production run ensued di Modena on 20 December 1964. After being evaluated by journalist and Le Mans winner Paul Frère, chassis 001 then underwent a redesign (finished in April 1965) with a revised chassis and new Salamone-styled body. In October of that year, the reminted 003 was presented as the Serenissima Jet. But not before it made an appearance at the Le Mans trials. Two cars had been provisionally entered for the 1965 24-hour endurance classic, via Rob Walker, although both entries were quickly scrubbed. Louis Corberto lapped the Jet – now with the engine enlarged to 3.5 litres - to a best time of 4min 18.6sec, the fastest runners being almost 50sec quicker. For the race proper, a new car – the Fantuzzi-bodied Torpedo, as pictured here (in non-running condition) – was driven by Jean-Claude Sauer and 50-something businessman Jean de Montemart at an even slower pace, only to retire after 40 laps when the gearbox ran out of cogs. Serenissima meandered along thereafter, scrabbling to find a foothold. Then matters took a turn for the interesting. In May 1966, Bruce McLaren approached Volpi with a view to adopting Serenissima’s engine for his fledgling F1 team in place of the troublesome Ford IndyCar-based unit. The engine was then taken out of the Jet and installed in the rear of a McLaren M2B-2. Reverted back to 3.0 litres, and running on Weber 42IDM carbs, it produced a relatively humble 280hp. The relationship got off to a bad start at Spa-Francorchamps after the V8 let go in qualifying; it then did the same at the following meeting at Zandvoort. Fortunately, the engine held together long enough to propel the Kiwi to sixth place in the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, scoring his team’s first-ever World Championship point – and a small piece of motor sport history – in the process. Not that Serenissima would feature in F1 to the end of the 1966 season. Volpi changed tack and initiated a mid-engined road car project. The Agena featured Tipo 358V power and an aluminium body, although there remains a degree of confusion as which carrozzeria actually bodied it. According to Volpi: “Originally, we fitted louvred lights. Then the mechanics modified the front to include four lights but, auto italia 23 as this was less elegant, we redesigned it to improve its appearance. The end result, with covered lights and a more discreet lower air intake, was more harmonious. At some stage, a rear spoiler was fitted, but this was later removed.” It would be fair to say that the Agena pictured here was very much a prototype, with all that entails, the interior being awash with exposed screwheads and signs of modifications. The eight-track Philips audio set-up is oh so groovy, though. Then there’s mysteriously-named Ghia GT Coupé – confusingly also referred to as Agena in period – just to heap confusion onto future historians. The car was originally fitted with a ‘Massimino’ V8 engine, but this was quickly replaced in 1969 with an Alf Francisdesigned, 3470cc ‘M-167’ engine, which it retains today. Boasting twin overhead camshafts and three valves per cylinder (two intake and one exhaust), and equipped with four gurgling Weber 40 DCN14 carburettors, it was purportedly good for 320hp at 7500 rpm. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed Serenissima/Francis gearbox, complete with limited-slip differential. The late, great Tom Tjaarda styled this car. He told the author in 2012: “I was first Show in 1968 where it received a rather bland coverage by the media. After that, de Tomaso tried to convince Count Volpi to invest in production. Volpi was a rather strange individual; very courteous and elegant but also quite introverted. He didn’t discuss much about the car while I was designing it, or when the prototype was being made. I think I saw him only a couple of times. The design and execution of the car was done very quickly as de Tomaso wanted to get paid quickly. I was never satisfied with the design myself. It seemed a bit too Mangusta-like and the proportions were not to my liking. It was rushed through and there wasn’t the time to make changes or perfect certain areas of the car. “I do remember de Tomaso attempting to convince Volpi that he should fish up the money to pay for tooling-up a production programme. It seems that the projected Count Volpi was a rather strange individual; very “ courteous and elegant but also quite introverted ” 24 auto italia involved with Serenissima just after I entered Carrozzeria Ghia in December 1967. Actually, the Count was, I gather, a friend of [Ghia boss] Alessandro de Tomaso [having entered an OSCA-powered de Tomaso for the 1961 French GP where it was shared by Nino Vaccarella and Giorgio Scarlatti]. After a few short months at Ghia, de Tomaso handed me this project, asking me to design a sports car using the same basic chassis of the de Tomaso Mangusta. “The car was displayed at the Turin Auto SERENISSIMA Agena was an early example of a mid-engined supercar, produced just one year after the Miura auto italia 25 cost scared the Count away and no one ever saw him again around Ghia. The prototype and he just vanished and the project was never talked about again. I think Volpi made the right decision to walk away, as it was an easy way to make a large fortune a very small one.” Serenissima limped on to the end of the 1960s, taking delivery of a McLaren Can-Am sports-racer chassis in 1968, with one of its 3.0-litre V8s substituting the usual Chevrolet item. Former works Ferrari driver Jonathan Williams picked up a few minor placings along the way (including a second place at EnnaPergusa), while a single-seater Formula Libre car amounted to little. Then in 1970 Volpi called it quits. Rights to the name were sold Fabulous Fantuzzi-bodied ‘Torpedo’ made an appearance at the Le Mans 24 Hours race 26 auto italia to Moreno Baldi but nothing was heard of the marque subsequently. The three cars pictured here were retained by the Count and stored at his castle and have not turned a wheel since the 1960s. Accordingly, because they – and Volpi – were never seen at motoring events thereafter, Serenissima was – and remains – a marque draped in mystery and clouded in half-truths. In many ways, that only adds to the sense of wonder. Once sold at auction, expect to see these cars appearing at a high-end concours in, say, two or three years’ time. While Serenissima failed to set the world alight, it did establish a connection between some of the greatest names in motor sport history, becoming an attention-grabbing footnote that arguably deserved more. No doubt that isn’t what Count Volpi was after, but at least it’s something. III How to Buy These Cars... All three cars will be auctioned at Artcurial’s Paris Rétromobile sale on Friday 8 February 2019 – full details at artcurial.com 1966 Serenissima Fantuzzi-bodied Torpedo – estimate: €1.3 to €1.8 million 1967 Serenissima Agena – estimate: €400,000 to €600,000 1968 Serenissima GT Ghia – estimate: €400,000 to €600,000 Taking The Tube Alfa’s glorious tubular-chassis TZ won many races. The victories might have been even more numerous, had the TZ started competing earlier Story Elvio Deganello Photography by Michael Ward 28 auto italia A n Alfa Romeo with a tubular chassis, perfect for racing – an utterly enticing prospect when it was first suggested back in 1958. But Alfa Romeo’s management was divided. Some did not want the factory to be directly involved in racing, partly because of the risk of failure, but also because it would divert energy away from mass production. Other managers, meanwhile, believed that racing was in Alfa’s DNA and they wanted to make a comeback with a proper competition car. A compromise was reached and, in 1958, Alfa Romeo made an agreement with Carlo Abarth. The proposed agreement was that Abarth would build the car and make it competitive. Alfa Romeo sent Mario Colucci to Abarth’s facilities in Turin, where he designed a strong and light (50kg) tubular frame and installed an engine derived from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Bertone built the bodywork and the Alfa-Abarth 1000 Coupe debuted at the Turin Motor Show in November 1958 (pic below). auto italia 29 ABOVE: Alfa Romeo 105.10 and 105.11 Spider prototypes on test in 1961 LEFT & BELOW: Early GTZ sketches by Ercole Spada However, this model never reached production. According to Giuseppe Busso, technical director of Alfa Romeo at the time, the reason was that it would have cost too much to build. In 2005, Busso told me: “With the cancellation of the Alfa-Abarth 1000 programme, everyone lost something – Alfa Romeo, Abarth and Bertone. The only person who gained was Mario Colucci who was hired by Abarth, where he had a brilliant career.” 30 auto italia I think this is only partly true. As it happened, Alfa Romeo did eventually benefit because in 1960 Busso adapted Colucci’s Alfa-Abarth chassis to instigate the 105.10 project for a Sport 1300. The chassis was fitted with a modified Giulietta engine with a dry sump, roller bearing crankshaft and twin ignition. It was also uprated with disc brakes, independent rear suspension and an improvised open body. For the final bodywork, Zagato's Ercole Spada was asked to do a new design. ALFA ROMEO GIULIA TZ ABOVE: The GTZ prototype had gained a hardtop by the winter of 1961 RIGHT: Spada’s early thoughts on the TZ coupe BELOW: The Giulia TZ, as presented in late 1962, suggested production was imminent. Sadly it wasn’t! In October 1961, the Sport 105.10 was ready. Fitted with a 1600cc engine adapted to fit in a strengthened chassis, the new model acquired the code 105.11. However, track tests revealed that the lap times remained the same as the old Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ and the lack of performance was attributed to poor aerodynamics. An improvised hardtop made the car immediately faster. A lesson was learned and Ercole Spada sketched a coupe very similar to the TZ that we know, but with different headlights and tail. Spada recalls that the prototype had round headlights and teardrop-shaped indicators, while Busso preferred rectangular headlights (which were fitted to the prototype exhibited at the 1962 Turin Motor Show). Before the TZ entered production, however, the rectangular headlights were discarded with great pleasure by Ercole Spada. He also changed the tail ‘lip’ that was turned inside because tester Guido Moroni had verified that turning the ‘lip’ to the outside improved maximum speed and stability. The 105.11 coupé exhibited at the Turin Motor Show in November 1962 under the title Giulia TZ suggested that production was near. In reality, it had not even been decided who would build the car. The situation was resolved during a dinner between current and former Alfa Romeo employees, plus Carlo Chiti who was now at ATS in Bologna. Also present was Ludovico Chizzola (now an Innocenti dealer in Feletto Umberto, Udine) and his brother Gianni (now at Alfa Romeo). The latter expressed his disappointment at the continuing uncertainty over project 105.11, inspiring Chiti to stand up and announce triumphantly: “Let's do the TZ!” Alfa Romeo management agreed. Chiti suggested the ATS factory as a suitable production location, while Ludovico Chizzola offered a workshop at his Innocenti dealership. On 4 March 1963, Chiti and Chizzola established the company Auto-Delta, where the triangular shape of the Greek letter ‘delta’ symbolised the triangle between Bologna (Chiti's main workplace), Feletto Umberto (home of the newly formed company) and Milan (home of Alfa Romeo). The Dipre Espe (Design Department and Experiences) workshops at Alfa Romeo built the first Giulia TZ. AutoDelta would build almost all the TZs, sourcing the chassis from SAI Ambrosini of Passignano sul Trasimeno. The engines, gearboxes and other mechanical parts came from Alfa Romeo, the bodies from Zagato and details in electron (aluminium and magnesium light alloy) from Moto Gilera. The brakes and dampers were obtained from foreign suppliers. auto italia 31 Everything was then assembled by craftsmen at Feletto Umberto. Production took place at a rate of five cars per week in order to complete the 100 examples required for homologation in the GT category by 1963. In anticipation of the homologation, two Giulia TZs were registered in the Prototype category and debuted in the Tour de Corse on 10 November 1963, but they both withdrew due to an accident. Two weeks later at the Monza circuit, Giulia TZs driven by Lorenzo Bandini (chassis 750025), Roberto Bussinello (750022), Giancarlo Baghetti (750001) and Consalvo Sanesi (750007) were classified in the first four places in the Monza, the Giulia TZ won again with Sivio Moser (chassis 750010), and also in the Tour de France came a class win for Jean Rolland and Gabriel Augias (750015). Finally, on 11 October 1964, Silvio Moser and Karl Foitek won their class in the 1000km of Paris with chassis 750010. In effect, the Giulia TZ won all the races in the World Championship in which it participated. Furthermore, in the hands of private customers, it won numerous other rallies, track races and hillclimbs. After such initial success, Alfa Romeo’s management decided to boost racing activity. General Manager, Orazio Satta Puliga, hired Giorgio Valentini as head of Homologation rule changes meant 1965 was the TZ’s “final racing season. It was crowned with successes ” Sport Prototype category of the FISA Cup. However, it must be said that the TZs’ only competitor was an Innocenti-Morris IM3 – hardly a great threat! On 13 January 1964, the FIA homologated the Giulia TZ in the GT category and a week later it made its debut in the World Championship at Sebring. The class winner was a TZ (chassis 750052) driven by Jim Kaser and Chuck Stoddard. Giulia TZs then appeared in other championship races. In April 1964, a TZ (chassis 750031) came third overall and first in class in the Targa Florio with Roberto Bussinello and Nino Todaro. There was a victory for TZ 750028 crewed by Giampiero Biscaldi and Ernst Furtmayr in May’s Nürburgring 1000km, and a second victory for Roberto Bussinello and Bruno Deserti in June’s 24 Hours of Le Mans (chassis 750011). In September 1964, at the Inter Europe Cup at 32 auto italia sports activities for Dipre Espe. Unfortunately, however, there was immediate conflict with Giuseppe Busso. “If the newcomer is allowed to express his opinion,” said Busso during a meeting, “I resign!” Immediately after this, Valentini was displaced at Auto-Delta where, all by himself and almost secretly, he developed the changes that gave rise to the Giulia TZ2 in just three days. According to Valentini, the TZ was too high so he worked to lower it. First he moved the steering column from beneath the upper chassis cross-member to above it. He then moved the exhaust pipes to the side to lower the driver's seat, fitted 13inch rims in place the 15-inch originals and adapted the suspension to suit. The new lowered chassis was fitted to six Giulia TZs (chassis 750102, 750103, 750105, 750107, 750108 and 750109), three of which were bodied in glassfibre by ABOVE: The 1964 Le Mans Giulia TZ #750006 piloted by Giampiero Biscaldi and Giancarlo Sala ALFA ROMEO GIULIA TZ ABOVE: The Bianchi-Rolland TZ #750108 in full flow at the 1965 Targa Florio BELOW: Beguiling TZ2 Balzaretti & Modigliani. Bertone created the Canguro show car on chassis 750101, while Pininfarina built the Giulia Sport show car on chassis 750114. Finally, nine chassis were used for the TZ2 (chassis 750104, 750106, 750110, 750111, 750112, 750113, 750115, 750116 and 750117). All nine benefited from other important improvements such as a dry-sump engine, Campagnolo wheels and bodywork that was lower, lighter and more dynamic. The aluminium-bodied TZ2 chassis 750104 served as the ‘master’ for the other bodies realised in glassfibre. In 1964, Auto-Delta was transformed into Autodelta SpA (a joint stock company). It was also decided to relocate the workshop from Feletto Umberto to Settimo Milanese, while competition management was appointed in 1965. Unfortunately, the FIA announced that new sporting regulations for 1966 required the production of at least 500 examples to obtain homologation in the GT category. This would mean that the Giulia TZ would have to run in the Sport category in 1966, up against cars designed specifically for this class, in which it would simply not be competitive. 1965 would therefore be the TZ’s final official season. It was crowned by successes, such as victory auto italia 33 in March 27 in the 12 Hours of Sebring by Jean Rolland and Bernard Consten. There was also victory on April 25 for the debutant TZ2 (chassis 750106) of Roberto Bussinello and Andrea De Adamich in the 1000km of Monza. May 1965 saw a lowered-chassis TZ (750108) take a win with Lucien Bianchi and Jean Rolland in the Targa Florio. Other victories included Boley Pittard in the 500km of Spa and the TZ2 of Giacomo ‘Geki’ Russo and Andrea de Adamich in the Nürburgring 1000km. By 1966, Autodelta’s attention was focused on the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA, conceived to dominate in the Turismo category. The glorious TZ continued to be raced successfully in the hands of privateers for many years with significant results in national racing championships and hillclimbs. SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT The TZs were all hand-built, and were never exactly the same. Theoretically they can be divided into ‘street’ and ‘race’ types. The former have bumpers, sloping windows, bright profiles under the doors and the bonnet locks controlled from the inside. The ‘race’ types have no bumpers or profiles, and had sliding windows and external bonnet handles, plus some mechanical details in electron. In reality, there was a mix and match of components, in particular the windows. Some race examples had wheels with Rudge Whitworth central fastenings to speed up pit operations in long-distance races, as well as a quickopening filler cap. The 13-inch rims of the TZ2 have round holes like the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33, either 7J or 7½J width. The unique Bertone Canguro (pic above) and Pininfarina Giulia Sport (pic below), both built on ‘Tubolare’ chassis, are completely different. Among the TZ cars built by Zagato, chassis 750061 is unique because it has a ‘double bubble’ roof requested by its customer, Dimitri Nabokow. Today the differences between TZs have tended to merge because it is almost impossible to find bumpers and other spare parts for the street version. As a result, most TZs are restored as race models. III ABOVE: TZs regularly appear at both the Silver Flag hillclimb and Goodwood Revival events 34 auto italia Personal Best Racing driver and designer Tony Best chose his collection of Italian competition cars based not so much on sporting prowess – though they all undoubtedly have that – as on aesthetic appeal Story by Mike Rysiecki Photography by Michael Ward I f you were drawing up a list of the people you’d want to keep you company on a road trip to Italy, Tony Best would be right up at the top. His contagious enthusiasm for Italian sports cars would keep your spirits high, and his proven record behind the wheel of some tricky-handling vehicles would let you rest peacefully when it was your turn in the passenger seat. Tony’s journey to building one of the most appealing multi-discipline collections of Italian cars, all with sound pedigrees, began not in Maranello, Milan or Turin, but with a much ‘safer’ starter set of air-cooled VWs. Offering little clue to his future car collecting intentions, early examples of a Type 2, in this case a split-screen campervan and an early ovalwindow Beetle, form the core of his Wolfsburg heritage group. But it is a Karmann Ghia which provides the link across his two favourite genres. More of that air-cooled-Italian-designed 2+2 thread will come later as we work our way through the delights of Tony’s ‘garage of Italian grace’. Since Tony is a successful industrial designer, aesthetics feature strongly in his life, and the rationale for his Italian collection is easy to grasp. It has been populated with, as he says, “things I like, that are just good to look at”. However, there is an additional twist to that seemingly simple foundation; all of the examples are specialist competition cars from different motorsport disciplines. For someone who has, since boyhood, always 36 auto italia auto italia 37 38 auto italia THE BEST COLLECTION LEFT: 246 Dino is the only example currently racing. THIS PAGE: This superb Ferrari 212 Inter won the 1953 Coppa InterEuropa wanted to race, Tony took an almighty leap straight into historic single-seater racing when he acquired his first Italian car, and one of the last of the frontengined Grand Prix cars. His Ferrari 246 Dino was built in the early 1970s and is one of three recreations built from the remains of the 1950s originals which were, as was often the case back in the day, broken up and destroyed. The 246 Dino was the very last front-engined car to win a Grand Prix, though the format persisted in Formula 2 in Italy. Late-1950s Grand Prix racing was dominated by rear-engined cars from Cooper, Brabham and Lotus but when British teams boycotted the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1960, a Ferrari 246 Dino scored the final win for a front-engined car. Tony’s is the only 246 Dino currently racing, and he campaigns it in the HGPCA for cars manufactured between 1930 and 1966. Getting the car to where it would run reliably and be competitive in historic racing was a long, laborious process. Tony first saw the car race on track at the 2011 Goodwood Revival where Rick Hall, of renowned Lincolnshire classic racing specialist Hall & Hall, raced the car for its previous owner and qualified the car on the front row of the grid. The Dino engine was renowned for two things in its day: the smooth delivery of power, and its fragile reliability. At the Revival, the car displayed both characteristics, but Tony was not put off. Over the next four years, Tony admits to having moments of doubt while the engine was being rebuilt and all he had was an empty but beautiful rolling chassis in his garage. You don’t just go out and buy new parts for these engines, so having new heads cast took time and patience. When the day finally came, in 2016, Tony accompanied Rob Hall to Donington Park for a test session. The long wait was immediately forgotten as Tony got his first experience of the Dino’s power. He describes the car as having a “deep and completely different sound to other period Grand Prix cars. The power delivery is especially even which, with such easy gear-changes, makes for smooth acceleration, while the exhaust sound just gets louder and louder. The car is easy to drive with nice spacing between the pedals. Unlike some earlier cars, you sit lower down in the Dino and feel quite surrounded and safe. I was immediately able to go fairly quickly.” Tony is proud of the look of the Dino and praises the complete and thorough attention to detail that Hall & Hall give to his car. “Very fast cars like this can be auto italia 39 dangerous, so everything has to be fully sorted. They seem to love it as much as I do and make sure that all the details, right down to the proper grey-painted spokes on the chrome rimmed Borrani wire wheels and the hand painted numbers, are done properly.” Tony recently scored double podium finishes at the 2018 Silverstone Classic. In the Goodwood Revival 2018 Richmond and Gordon Trophies race for 1952-1960 2.5litre Grand Prix cars, he finished third in the front- era of ‘race on Sunday, sell on Monday’ for major manufacturers and a 212 Inter was allegedly bought by Ford in Michigan to examine in preparation for building its original Thunderbird. Tony’s is a Vignale-bodied example, but others had coachwork by Touring, Pininfarina, Ghia and Farina. The 212 Inter sold particularly well in North America after Piero Taruffi and Luigi Chinetti won the 1951 Carrera Panamerica in a Vignale 212 coupe. the Alfa RL home, I quickly had to get used to the “ Driving centre-pedal throttle and external lever brake ” engined class after making up five places in one of the most hotly contested races of the festival weekend. With the Dino now fully sorted, Tony is enjoying the car and making the most of it. His first outing for 2019 will likely be the VSCC Spring Start at Silverstone. Two years after buying the Dino racer, Tony added another very special Ferrari, also with a significant competition history, to his stable. The Ferrari 212 Inter is a 1952 car with early racing history in the hands of Franco Cornacchia, a Milanese Ferrari dealer, who won the 1953 Coppa InterEuropa in this car. This was the 40 auto italia Given its competition history with Scuderia Guastalla, which was Cornacchia’s racing team, it is no surprise that, when Tony acquired the car, the hand-formed nose section was no longer as originally created. It has since been reformed and is now faithful to the original design. Those with the sharpest eyes will also notice another quirk of hand-built cars: at the rear end, the left and right-hand wings are ever so slightly different in profile. During its early life, this car returned to the Ferrari factory to have the later 2.7-litre Colombo V12 engine upgrade fitted, which technically could make THE BEST COLLECTION Tony’s 1923 Alfa Romeo RL has been rebodied as a Targa Florio car. He’s raced it but it’s more at home as a summer tourer this car a 212/225. A subsequent return to Maranello designated the car as one of the very first ‘Classiche’ Ferraris to receive the prized ‘Certificato di Authenticita’. The car’s competition history is far from over, as it has completed nine classic Mille Miglias and has also raced at Goodwood. Next to join Tony’s collection was a 1923 Alfa Romeo RL, a car dating from the time when Enzo Ferrari was driving for Alfa’s racing team. First developed by Giuseppe Merosi in 1920, the Tipo RL proved itself at the Targo Florio in 1923 when RLs finished first and second. Like many sports cars of this era, Tony’s has been rebodied, in this case by Neil Twyman, as a Targa Florio car. It’s another Hall & Hall-influenced car, which is in the collection simply because Tony “has always liked preWW2 cars and the RL Targa Florio looks great. Pre-war cars aren’t always great to drive or reliable, but with the help of Rick Hall and Carol Corliss [pre-war registrar of the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club], I was introduced to this car’s owner. Prior to purchase, Rick drove the car and was reassuring in his evaluation. I got to drive the car back to its home and quickly had to get used to the centre-pedal throttle and external lever brake.” The RL was Alfa’s first sports model of the interwar period and has been added to the collection for participation in historic rallies. It has a 3.0-litre six- cylinder early crossflow engine which develops plenty of torque. Allegedly, its crankshaft weighs in at over 44kg! Race gearing makes it a 110mph car, although the all-round drum brakes demand a bit of planning and anticipation when open roads turn to urban streets. Tony says the brakes are “just enough for this heavy car”. The Alfa has appeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Salon Privé with its previous owner, and Tony raced the car in the 2016 Goodwood Members’ Meeting SF Edge Trophy. “Although I had never contemplated racing this car, it felt very solid and secure enough to enjoy the torque and speed on the race track. I’d do it again, but this really is a car for tootling around the Cotswolds and going to a country pub in the summer.” He is planning on taking the RL to the Leggenda di Bassano rally in Italy in June 2019. “I’m really just starting to enjoy this car and plan to try and use it more. It’s coming up to 100 years old but doesn’t feel it. It’s a very civilised car to drive which, back in its day, must have been way ahead of its time. It always starts and with its very smooth engine, it always goes well.” Now can we turn our attention back to the aircooled section of Tony’s Italian vehicles. For completeness, it’s probably best to mention the immaculate Lambretta Li 125 at this point – a late auto italia 41 1959 Series 2 which once served as an inspirational design piece in Tony’s studio. But to make a link back to the Karmann Ghia and the VW collection, we need to consider his 1967 Abarth 595. The story of Carlo Abarth and his pioneering tuning house is well documented. As Phil Ward recounts in his 2007 book Great Small Fiats, “A standard 500 wheezes out around 18hp, giving the standard version a top speed of 58mph. This does not sound like the basis for anything remotely satisfying.” Carlo Abarth bored the engine out to 594cc, added a larger carburettor, sports exhaust, camshaft and alloy oil sump. The enlarged engine now boasted 27hp at 5000 rpm. As Phil Ward comments: “This is hardly gut-wrenching, horsepower, but when you start with just 18hp, a 50 per cent power increase is significant. The top speed went up to 75mph (a 39 per cent increase) and the acceleration was hugely improved. The 595 engines were further developed [and later cars, like Tony’s, produced 34hp at 5000rpm] still utilising the standard Fiat crankshaft. This resulted in a Fiat 500 capable of over 80 mph!” This 1967 595 is a fully-documented, matching- 42 auto italia numbers, Abarth-factory assembled car. Correctly designated as an ‘Abarth 105’, it was originally built in the Fiat Mirafiori plant and first sold to a customer in Treviso. This is Tony’s favourite “souped-up hot pocketrocket” which he much prefers over a classic MiniCooper. He comments: “The Abarth is always ‘on the edge’ and the engine never sounds quite ‘settled’ – so you just have to rev it!” There are a few sympathetic custom additions to this car, made by a previous owner who did some racing in the 1980s. Cars like this one rarely escape additional aftermarket improvements, so it’s no surprise to find the wide arches filled with period-correct magnesium alloy wheels, a pair of stylish door mirrors and an authentic fixed hard top panel, which replaced the original folding canvas sunroof. With the story now having neatly closed the loop back to an iconic Italian design with an air-cooled engine, we look forward to trying out some of Tony Best’s Italian collection. Look out for a future issue of Auto Italia when we will feature a performance demonstration and track test of Tony’s fabulous cars. III Tony’s 1967 Fiat-Abarth 595 is a genuine Abarth example with some evocative period extras HOT POINTS We salute the now-departed Fiat Punto with a last blast in the three hottest versions from each generation: Mk1 GT Turbo, Mk2 HGT and Mk3 Abarth Scorpione Story by Tim Pitt Photos by Michael Ward 44 auto italia T he passing of the Fiat Punto in Europe in 2018 was not marked with fanfare or flowers. After 25 years in production and over nine million sales, Fiat’s erstwhile Bsegment hatchback slipped away quietly across European markets last summer. No direct replacement is planned. At Auto Italia, we think that’s a shame. After all, the Punto was part of a hatchback heritage that stretches back (via the Uno and 127) to 1971. It lived through three generations, the merger with Chrysler and a joint venture with General Motors. It also won the European Car of the Year award in 1995 and even surpassed the Volkswagen Golf to become Europe’s best seller in 1997. The factors that killed off the Punto (‘Point’ in Italian) included lack of investment, the rise of the SUV and tougher safety legislation. But we’re here to celebrate the car, not apportion blame. And what better way than by gathering the three generations of Punto in their hottest, most exciting forms? Representing the Mk1 Punto is the turbocharged – and tweaked – GT owned by Jason Earl. Our nearstandard Mk2 HGT, meanwhile, is Leigh Rose’s daily driver, while the Mk3 Abarth Evo Scorpione is the pride and joy of Lance Litherland. Amazingly, all three men own at least one other Punto, with Leigh boasting no fewer than four. Clearly, there’s something about this small car… If you’re keen to take the plunge with a Punto, they are remarkably cheap to buy and – according to our owners – very reliable. However, the number of GT and HGT survivors is dwindling fast, so don’t delay. Jason recommends the Punto GT Owners’ Club for parts and advice, while Lance runs the Abarth Punto Collective group on Facebook, with help from friend Steve Miller. auto italia 45 MK1:฀FIAT฀PUNTO฀GT Giorgetto Giugiaro certainly penned some handsome hatchbacks; his CV includes the Alfasud, Lancia Delta and original Fiat Panda. The Mk1 Punto is one of his less celebrated efforts, yet its 25 year-old design has The range-topping Punto GT – often referred to as the ‘GT Turbo’ – upped the visual drama with front fog lamps, shapely side skirts and 14-inch alloy wheels. Its boosted 1.4-litre engine was a development of the Mk2 Uno Turbo motor, developing 136hp and 150lb ft of The Mk1’s 25-year old design has scarcely aged a day: “ pert, pretty and refreshingly free of contrived cuteness ” scarcely aged a day. Pert, pretty and refreshingly free of contrived cuteness, it was a fitting follow-up to the hugely popular Uno (another Giugiaro effort). Its large tail lamps, incorporated into the C-pillars, were emulated by the first Ford Focus, among others. 46 auto italia torque. Zero to 62mph took under eight seconds, with its top speed quoted as 124mph. The 1997 Punto ‘GT3’ seen here is the third and final evolution of the Mk1, with slightly less power as standard (131hp), but a smaller turbo for quicker Turbocharged GT offers plenty of driving fun. Owner Jason Earl spent 16 years fettling it to his ideal spec FIAT PUNTO GROUP TEST TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FIAT PUNTO GT ENGINE: POWER: TORQUE: TRANSMISSION: TYRES: DIMENSIONS: WEIGHT: TOP SPEED: 0-62MPH: response. We say ‘as standard’ because Jason Earl’s car is anything but. A 16-year labour of love, it shares his garage with two other Punto GTs: a yellow GT2 and a stripped-out GT3 racer with a roll cage. “It will be putting out 300hp by the time I’m finished,” grins Jason. This Punto is his ‘show’ car, finished in beautiful Rialto Blue – a colour only offered on the GT for a single model year. Eibach lowering springs (-30mm) and 16-inch OZ Ultraleggera alloys provide a sportier stance, while an Ultra Racing strut brace stiffens the chassis. Cosmetic upgrades include a louvred bonnet and Heko wind deflectors. Inside, Jason’s fitted an upgraded stereo and a custom pod on the A-pillar to house turbo boost and oil pressure gauges. There are more mods beneath the skin, with EBC 1372cc 4-cyl turbo 131hp at 5600rpm 148lb ft (200Nm) at 3000rpm 5-speed manual 185/55x14 3770mm (L), 1625mm (W), 1440mm (H) 1000kg 124mph 7.9sec brake discs and pads, a Viper carbon induction kit, Samco hoses and a Blue Flame stainless steel exhaust. Power is up to 151hp: plenty in a car that weighs less than a metric tonne. “You can drive it sensibly, but it’s also really responsive and fast enough to be fun,” Jason explains. The GT’s power curve is a little flat until the turbo wakes up, then rockets eagerly from 3000rpm to the redline, dump valve whooshing with every upshift. The five-speed manual ’box needs deliberation – doubly so when selecting reverse – but its steering is swift and full of feedback. Bigger rims and shorter springs mean Jason’s Punto feels jittery at low speeds, yet commendably planted in the corners. It’s an analogue hot hatch of the old school, and all the better for that. auto italia 47 MK2:฀FIAT฀PUNTO฀HGT By the late 1990s, hot hatchbacks had fallen from fashion. Spoilers and go-faster stripes were out, subtle street sleepers were in, and the 1999 ‘Nuova’ Punto HGT chimed perfectly with the times. Indeed, the fullfat 130hp HGT was now supplemented by a semiskimmed 80hp Sporting, and available with five doors. Unless you chose the optional Abarth bodykit, it was almost indistinguishable from the standard car. For diehard Fiat fan Leigh Rose, you sense the HGT’s anonymity is part of its appeal. “They’re so affordable to buy,” he says, “but there are less than 200 on UK roads now”. Leigh’s daily driver is standard apart from a stainless steel exhaust and aftermarket radio. He also owns another HGT for spares, a Punto Sporting, a Bravo HGT and a Stilo Schumacher – oh, and another Mk2 Punto for his wife to drive. With a 16-valve 1.8-litre non-turbo four beneath its stubby snout, the HGT packs a big cubic capacity for a small car. Performance is brisk, too: 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds and nudging 130mph flat-out. Maximum power arrives at 6300rpm, with peak torque of 121lb ft at 4300rpm. Incidentally, the same engine also saw service in the Fiat Barchetta and, in Twin Spark guise, the Alfa Romeo 156. The Mk2 Punto’s crisp contours still look contemporary. Its jewel-like headlights were ahead of their time, while the return of Fiat’s round ‘laurel wreath’ badge was a pleasing nod to the past. Inside, the plasticky cabin has dated, but – tiny door mirrors aside – the ergonomics are hard to fault and Leigh’s car wears its 84,000 miles well. There are no squeaks or rattles on the move either, despite the HGT’s rather firm ride. As I soon learned on the banked bends of our test track, it also has a propensity for body roll, an issue exacerbated by flat, unsupportive seats. Nonetheless, the Punto is fun to hustle along, aided by all-wheel disc brakes, a lively throttle and responsive power steering – the latter 48 auto italia with a switchable super-light City mode for parking. That motor is the main attraction, though: peppy and brimming with mid-range punch that negates the need for the Sporting’s six-speed gearbox (the HGT has a five-speeder). Leigh encourages me to push it to the 7200rpm redline and I oblige, enjoying the busy bluster of the motor and zingy rasp from the tailpipe. As we arrive back at the car park, Leigh is smiling. “I fall in love with cars and sometimes regret buying them,” he says, “Not this one.” 1.8 HGT is now a rare sight. Drives very differently to the turbo cars. Owner Leigh Rose is delighted with his FIAT PUNTO GROUP TEST TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FIAT PUNTO HGT ENGINE: POWER: TORQUE: TRANSMISSION: TYRES: DIMENSIONS: WEIGHT: TOP SPEED: 0-62MPH: 1747cc 4-cyl 130hp at 6300rpm 121lb ft (164Nm) at 4300rpm 5-speed manual 185/55x15 (195/45x15 optional) 3800mm (L), 1660mm (W), 1480mm (H) 1040kg 127mph 8.6sec auto italia 49 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ABARTH PUNTO EVO SCORPIONE ENGINE: POWER: TORQUE: TRANSMISSION: TYRES: DIMENSIONS: WEIGHT: TOP SPEED: 0-62MPH: 50 auto italia 1368cc 4-cyl turbo 180hp at 5750rpm 199b ft at 2500rpm 6-speed manual 215/45x17 4065mm (L), 1967mm (W), 1478mm (H) 1185kg 137mph 7.5sec FIAT PUNTO GROUP TEST MK3:฀ABARTH฀PUNTO฀EVO฀SCORPIONE The Abarth Scorpione is the last word in Punto performance – quite literally, given the model’s recent demise. Just 199 examples of this edition were made, sold via special order from the factory, just 10 of them right-hand drive. It’s the only Punto eligible for the Abarth register, for ‘cars of historical significance or Punto Assetto Corsa as my daily driver. It’s surprising how different the cars feel; the Scorpione is much stiffer and sportier, with a torquier engine and better brakes. I’ve owned it for two-and-a-half years now and I don’t plan to sell it.” I’m itching to get behind the wheel, but let’s start with the spec. The Scorpione was only available in black, with a full Essesse bodykit and painted matt The Scorpione is much stiffer and sportier, “with a torquier engine and better brakes ” Ultra-rare Scorpione is one of only 10 made in RHD. Lance Litherland uses his for special occasions only interest to collectors’. Several 695s, including the Biposto and Tributo Ferrari, also make the grade. So the Scorpione is a bit special, and owner Lance Litherland treats it as such. “This is my special occasion car,” he explains, “I have an Abarth Grande black stripes (versus the stick-on stripes of lesser Abarths). Gloss-black 18-inch alloys fill out the wheelarches, while lowered Essesse springs and Koni FSD shocks sort the stance. Its engine is treated to remap, sports air filter and freer-flowing exhaust, with auto italia 51 braking handled by 302mm floating front discs and Brembo four-pot callipers. Inside, there are bespoke Sabelt Corsa seats, with stitched Abarth logos on the front and red release levers that resemble racing cut-out switches on the back. Subtle red and yellow stitching abounds, and I also spot the unique Scorpione floor mats – “a nightmare to get hold of,” sighs Lance. Beneath the handbrake, a metal plaque proclaims: “1 of only 10”. This car sounds much meatier than standard, thanks to a custom titanium exhaust that Lance ordered from Italy. Incredibly, it weighs just 6kg (“I weighed it”), compared with 18kg for the Abarth system, but its boisterous bark is the most palpable benefit. The 1.4litre engine, fortified by a Garrett turbocharger, develops 180hp at 5750rpm and 199lb ft at just 2500rpm. In terms of straight-line speed, expect 062mph in 7.5 seconds and over 135mph. Heading for the track, the Scorpione immediately passes the ‘50-metre test’: its controls nicely weighted, its damping measured and supple. The lack of reach adjustment for the steering wheel means I’m forced to adopt a ‘short arms, long legs’ driving position (the 52 auto italia opposite of the Italian car stereotype), but the car turns in keenly, hunkering down into corners then using its ample torque to blast along the straights. Modernity is on its side, of course, but as a driving machine, the Scorpione leaves our other Puntos in the shade. III 180hp engine is to full Essesse spec. This one has a custom titanium exhaust fitted and sounds fabulous Feisty Foreign Fiats From all around the world, there have been a surprising number of feisty Fiats that you’ve probably never heard of. Here’s our round-up of little-known global sporting Fiats Story by Chris Rees 54 auto italia W e all know our sporting Fiats. From the humblest Cinquecento Sporting to the fieriest Fiat-Abarths, from Rally-badged 1970s specials to 21st century HGTs, Fiat has produced a whole string of high performance models. But as we also all know, Fiat is a global car maker, with factories in all corners of the world. While most of these foreign plants are used to churn out basic A-to-B transport, they’ve also been responsible for some pretty tempting sporting machinery, too. Stuff that has seldom, if ever, been seen in Europe, and has a touch of the exotic for that reason. From Brazil to Argentina, from Turkey to India, here are some of Fiat’s hidden sporty treasures – covert coupes, secret spiders, tucked-away turbos and hidden hot hatchbacks. FIAT 770/800 COUPE & SPIDER (ARGENTINA) This smart coupe and convertible could have remained – as with so many such cars – just another minor product of the Italian coachbuilder craft. Having built a few hundred of its special bodied Fiat 600s from 1959 onwards, Carrozzeria Vignale was all ready to ditch its designs. But Fiat’s Argentinian factory had other ideas, and acquired the rights to mass produce Vignale’s 600s locally in 1965. In fact, this model had already – from 1961 – been licence-built in Germany as the Fiat Neckar Riviera 770. Fiat Concord basically made it in Argentina under the name Fiat 770 Coupé, powered by a 767cc Fiat 600D engine with 23.6hp. It was renamed 800 in 1966, when Vignale’s a convertible version was also launched. Manufacture of coupe went on until 1969, while the Spider soldiered on until 1970. FIAT 1500 COUPE, 1600 SPORT & 125 SPORT (ARGENTINA) Following its Fiat 600-based special bodies, Vignale sold its Michelotti-designed Fiat 1500-based coupe to Fiat Argentina, having concluded making some 150 examples in Italy from 1963 to 1966. The Argentinian version was basically the same as the Italian one except for minor details like its locally-made Sandrini steering wheel and different centre console. Initially it was powered by Fiat’s 1481cc 81hp engine, raised in 1969 to 1625cc and 92hp, in both cases with fourspeed manual transmission. auto italia 55 After some 5228 examples had been manufactured, it was redesigned in 1970 with a fastback roof – very successfully, in fact, echoing the look of the Fiat Dino – and was renamed 1600 Sport. When its engine was swapped again in 1972 for a Fiat 125 twin cam (with 100hp, then 110hp and finally 125hp), it was renamed 125 Sport. It continued in production until 1978, latterly with an outlandish rear spoiler, and even enjoyed some racing success locally. FIAT 128 IAVA (ARGENTINA) IAVA (Industria Argentina de Vehículos de Avanzada) was created by a group of Fiat dealers in Argentina in 1971, a bit like a South American version of Abarth. It took the Fiat 128 and made a string of tuned models from 1971 to 1982. Initially the 1.1-litre engine was tuned to 71hp, then IAVA produced 1.3-litre models with between 88hp and 103hp. Interior accessories and aerodynamic add-ons were also offered – as well as a tuned Fiat 133! FIAT 147 RALLYE, RACING & SPAZIO TR (BRAZIL) Fiat’s Brazilian wing launched its own development of the 127 – the 147 – in 1976. It took only until 1977 for its sporty 147 Rallye model to be launched, distinguishable by its front spoiler and bonnet vent. It was fitted with a 1.3-litre twin-choke carb engine with 56 auto italia 72hp, usefully more powerful than the Italian-made 127 Sport with its 1050cc powerplant. In 1982, the Rallye was renamed Racing and later still the Spazio TR. Emerson Fittipaldi even offered his own special version with a black grille, alloy wheels and spoilers, plus reworked manifolds and twin carbs for 75hp. FIAT 147 SORPASSO (ARGENTINA) The South American development of Fiat’s 127, the 147, was made in Argentina from 1981. The following year, a sporty version called the 147 Sorpasso was launched by IAVA with a larger 1.3-litre engine developing 90hp (some 30hp more than the standard 1049cc model). It also got alloy wheels, fog lights and a spoiler. With a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds and a 101mph top speed, this was the fastest car made in Argentina at the time, and the world’s fastest 127 derivative. It’s rare though: just 405 Sorpassos were built from 1981 to 1984. FIAT OGGI CSS (BRAZIL) The Fiat Oggi was a unique-toBrazil two-door salon version of the Fiat 147 sold between 1983 and 1985. Mostly it was a sensible runaround but in 1984 Fiat launched a racy model called the CSS with a beefy 1415cc engine. The CSS was also used in Brazilian racing but only around 300 units were sold. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: 1500 Coupe, 147 Sorpasso, Oggi CSS, 147 Racing, 128 IAVA, 1600 Sport SPORTY FIATS FROM AROUND THE WORLD FIAT 131 2000 RACING (SOUTH AFRICA) In the 1970s, Fiat in South Africa sold a 131 Rally model with a 1.6-litre 98hp pushrod engine. Then in 1978, it produced a much more interesting version: the 131 2000 Racing. Built to homologate the 131 for Group N racing locally, it had a 2.0-litre 130hp engine with twin downdraught carbs, and was tested by Car magazine from 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds. Some 200 needed to be built for homologation but only 16 in fact were. FIAT TEMPRA COUPE & TURBO (BRAZIL) Never heard of the Tempra Coupe? No surprise: it was only ever offered in Brazil. Launched in September 1992, not long after the Tempra saloon, the two-door coupe looked appealing, if undramatic. Two engines were offered. The 2.0 16V was historic because it was the first engine sold in Brazil with four valves per cylinder. With 127hp on tap, it was capable of 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds. The other engine was the 2.0 Turbo which, although it only had eight valves, kicked out 165hp thanks to its Garrett turbocharger. With a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds, it was the fastest car on sale in Brazil at the time. The Coupe lasted until 1995, by which time Fiat in Italy had launched its own Bangle-designed Coupe. FIAT UNO 1.5R/1.6R (BRAZIL) The Fiat Uno was a real Brazilian institution: made right up until December 2013, some 3.6 million were sold there. In 1987, Brazil got its first ‘hot’ Uno in the 1.5R, whose 1.5-litre engine developed 86hp. Sporty parts included red seatbelts, decals, black tailgate, fat tyres and special hubcaps. It did 0-62mph in 12.4 seconds – better than the contemporary Ford Escort XR3. In 1990, the engine was upped to 1.6 litres and 88hp (and from 1993, 92hp). FIAT UNO TURBO I.E. (BRAZIL) In Europe, we got an Uno Turbo from 1985, but it took until 1994 for Brazil to make its own version – just after the Uno was replaced by the Punto in Europe. The Brazilian Uno Turbo i.e. used the Italian-made 118hp 1.4litre turbo engine – Brazil’s first ever turbo car. It looked quite different to the European Uno Turbo, with its own bodykit and a unique clamshell bonnet, designed to accommodate a spare tyre in the engine bay. It also got the Tempra’s brakes. Sold between 1994 and 1996, only 1801 Uno Turbos were produced in Brazil. FIAT PALIO/SIENA SPORTING & 1.8R (BRAZIL) Fiat’s ‘world car’, the budget-priced Palio, was anything but exciting for the most part. But from 2001 it was offered, from Turkey to South America, in ‘Sporting’ guise with a 1.6-litre 16-valve engine with 120hp – heady stuff! There was even a three-box Siena Sporting version in Brazil. Things got more knucklewhitening in 2004 when Fiat Brazil created the Palio 1.8R with a General Motors-sourced 1.8-litre engine rated at 115hp, including lowered suspension, alloy wheels and lots of sporty touches. FIAT UNO SPORTING (BRAZIL) The old Uno name was revived in 2010 for the Brazilian-built ‘Novo Uno’. While there was no resurrection of the Uno Turbo, Fiat did offer a model badged Sporting with a 1368cc engine developing auto italia 57 85hp, which in a car weighing 1004kg, gave it a 0-62mph time of 11.8 seconds. It featured sports seats and steering wheel, spoilers, side skirts, double centre-exit exhausts and black exterior details. No hot shot, then, but sporty to look at. FIAT PALIO SPORTING (BRAZIL) From 2012, Brazil’s second-generation ‘Novo Palio’ range was bolstered with a Sporting model. This didn’t get a special engine (it merely kept the existing 1.6-litre 16V E.torQ Flex engine with 115hp) but the steering was sharpened up, the car sat 10mm lower than standard, and it had bigger anti-roll bars and 195/55 tyres. It looked funky with its front spoiler, graphics and alloy wheels – made all the more so with the Interlagos special edition which added a rear spoiler, special logos and bright yellow paint. As for performance, top speed was 120mph and 0-62mph took 9.8 seconds. FIAT ARGO/CRONOS 1.8 HGT (SOUTH AMERICA) In 2017, the Fiat Argo replaced the Palio in both Brazil and Argentina. In its sportiest form, it revives the longlost HGT badge (pic above). With its 1747cc single overhead cam engine, it has 130hp, good enough for 116mph and 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds. A saloon version, the Cronos 1.8 HGT, is also available. ABARTH PUNTO (INDIA) FIAT BRAVO SPORTING (BRAZIL) The Fiat Bravo was quite an advanced model by Brazilian standards when it was launched. That was even more the case with the Sporting version (pictured above), offered between 2010 and 2014. Its 130hp 1747cc engine was good for 120mph and 0-62mph in just under 10 seconds. FIAT IDEA SPORTING (BRAZIL) Yes, the Brazilians even made a Sporting version of the Idea MPV. Offered from 2010, it used Fiat’s familiar 1.8 E.TorQ 16V engine with 130hp and could get to 62mph from rest in 10.2 seconds – with spoilers and natty alloys to help it on its way. FIAT STRADA SPORTING (BRAZIL) Is it possible to be ‘Sporting’ in a pick-up? In Brazil, absolutely yes. The Strada’s design was inspired by the Fiat Grande Punto but it shared many elements with the Fiat Palio. The Strada Sporting model was genuinely sporty, too, with a 1.8-litre 130hp engine, firmed-up suspension and fat rubber on alloy wheels. It even got an aero bodykit and red seatbelts! But it wasn’t very popular: the Sporting was only offered for three years before being dropped with the 2013 facelift. 58 auto italia Did you know that there’s a five-door Abarth Punto? Well there is – in India (pic left). Launched in 2015 and still available today, it’s based on the Punto that’s now defunct in Europe. It uses a 1368cc 16-valve T-Jet engine with 145hp – enough for Abarth to claim it’s the first hatchback ever made in India with a sub-10 second 0-62mph time (8.8 seconds in fact). Its spec includes disc brakes, “track-tuned” suspension, alloy wheels, body graphics and side skirts. III Limited Edition Martini Magic ring bound wall calendar. Only a few left (21 x 28 cm) For details: [email protected] Price: £9.95 + P&P. ‘Braking’ The Mould Ferrari never built an estate car but that didn’t stop Vignale making this 330 GT-based ‘shooting brake’ for the US Ferrari importer. We investigate the last Ferrari ever rebodied by Vignale Story by Richard Heseltine Images by Erik Fuller/RM Sotheby’s 60 auto italia I t looks as though it wandered off the set of a 1960s sci-fi flick; the sort of film that came free with a mop-top hero, a beautiful playmate with big hair and little clothing, and a soundtrack to die for. The 4.0-litre, V12-engined 330 GT 2+2 shooting brake featured here hasn’t lost the power to shock, that’s for sure. Conceived by the American Ferrari importer, Luigi Chinetti Jr, styled in part by the renowned illustrator Bob Peak, and bodied by Alfredo Vignale’s eponymous carrozzeria, it was – and remains – one of the most controversial Ferraris ever to turn a wheel. By the time you read this, chassis number 07963 will have gone under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s endof-year sale at the Petersen Automotive Museum, 50 years after it first broke cover at the 1968 Turin Motor Show. The new custodian will own the last Ferrari ever clothed by Vignale, and one which has enjoyed something of a critical re-evaluation of late (witness several appearances in blue-chip concours events). It wasn’t always thus. There was a time when this car routinely topped website listicles; ‘Top 10 Ugliest Ferraris’ and so on. While the car’s outline continues to divide opinion, the passing of time has seemingly brought more people around to the ‘like’ camp. For some of us, it isn’t even the least attractive Vignale Ferrari; it isn’t even the fifth least attractive Vignale Ferrari. For most of the 1950s, Ferrari’s road car production consisted of small-series runs, production of which often didn’t reach double figures. The Maranello firm was a boutique enterprise, one patronised by royalty, playboys, movie stars and your common-or-garden beautiful people. If you wanted a one-off, no problem. Ferrari typically sold cars as rolling chassis to be clothed by an outside coachbuilder. During the firm’s embryonic years, this tended to be Alfredo Vignale’s tiny body shop. The son of a car painter, and the fifth of seven brothers, Alfredo took his first tentative steps into coachbuilding in 1924 on commencing his apprenticeship with Ferrero & Morandi of Turin. He was just 11 years old. Six years later, he caught the eye of Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina under whom he would complete his training. Aged 24, he was then poached Vignale’s burgeoning reputation, it rapidly became Ferrari’s couturier of choice. A bewildering array of coachbuilt offerings would follow. If there was one common characteristic, it’s that Vignale offerings were bold and often startlingly modern-looking. This symbiotic relationship would, however, last only a few years. While notoriously impassionate about his road-going wares, Enzo Ferrari was astute enough to realise that having them completed with an endless array of body styles resulted in a degree of uncertainty as to how they would turn out. He wanted greater uniformity. He needed a partner, a carrozzeria of choice, and it wasn’t Vignale. It is widely held that around 150 Ferraris were bodied by the Turin concern from 1950 to 1955, before Pinin Farina assumed the mantle. There wouldn’t be another Vignale Ferrari until 1968 – this one. A fair amount of bovine do-do has been excreted about this car in print and on the internet. The truth is this: the donor car was imported into the USA in 1965 by Luigi Chinetti Motors of Greenwich, Connecticut and sold to a Mr Desy. It was originally red with a beige interior. Two years later, the 330 GT 2+2 returned to the dealership and Chinetti Jr – or ‘Coco’ as he was then universally known – was tasked with selling it. “Man, that was tough!” he recalls. “Nobody wanted them new, and I couldn’t give it away as a used car. I was interested in design, and sketched out my ideas, and that car seemed like the perfect basis for what I had in mind. Bob Peak was a good friend and an excellent artist who lived just up the street from me. Man, it was tough selling 330 GT 2+2s. Nobody wanted “ them new. It seemed like the perfect basis for my design ” by Giovanni Farina - brother of Battista and owner of Stablimenti Farina - to be his workshop foreman. Nonetheless, Vignale dreamed of being his own boss, only for World War 2 to interrupt his plans. He would have to wait until 1947 before establishing his own body shop. Operating out of a former sawmill, his small business became a moderately sized one after Vignale landed a contract to make refrigerated storage containers. The first car to be wear his own badge was a rebodied second-hand Fiat Topolino. What’s more, he had by now embarked on what would prove a long and fruitful relationship with fellow Stablimenti Farina alumnus, Giovanni Michelotti. The two friends became regular collaborators, Michelotti producing renderings which Vignale turned into threedimensional reality. Such was Carrozzeria auto italia 61 He did a lot of famous movie posters, including those for West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Apocalypse Now and some of the James Bond movies. He also illustrated the cover of Time magazine a whole bunch of times, and did a ton of car advertisement and brochure illustrations. Bob also loved cars and we just hit it off.” Their first collaboration was a gullwingdoored device based on a 275 P sportsprototype that was damaged in a race at St Jovite with Chinetti Jr at the wheel. They followed this Michelotti-constructed confection with something a bit more 62 auto italia practical. “I always liked the concept of the ‘shooting brake’,” Chinetti muses. “There was something uniquely British about something sporting but also elegant and practical. I wanted to do something similar. In America, they’re called ‘station wagons’, but I always referred to this car, and the Daytona rebody we did later, as ‘Extended Coupes’. Anyway, I sketched out a few ideas and then Bob took them and worked in his own.” There was then the small matter of finding someone to fashion their starry-eyed vision. “I went to see Alfredo Vignale and he couldn’t have been nicer. You know, back then guys like Vignale and Michelotti were true artists. They wouldn’t stick their noses in the air around guys like me. There wasn’t one panel on that car that was shared with the original 330 GT 2+2, other than part of the doors, and I really liked the way it turned out. You have to remember, we didn’t do a scale model beforehand or anything like that. If I had to do it over again knowing what I know now, I would have had a windshield made, rather than using the one from the 330. Something less curved would have looked better. Overall, though, I thought it looked pretty nifty. I still do.” FERRARI 330GT 2+2 VIGNALE THE OTHER FERRARI ESTATE CARS Ferrari 212/340 ‘Sicilian Cart’ The Carretto SicIliano was dreamed up by the famous (if only in Ferrari lore) Marzotto brothers, and constructed by Carrozzeria Fontana of Padova on a 212 Export chassis. The shooting brake-style body was subsequently removed to make way for an open Vignale outline. The Fontana shell was then placed on a 340 America frame; that, too, was later reconfigured back to a Spider. Felber Croisette Willy Felber had form when it came to modifying (some might say ruining) Ferraris. The Swiss car dealer collaborated with Michelotti on the construction of a 365 GTC/4-based beach car that broke cover in 1974. It subsequently gained doors and an estate car-like roof, before being converted back into a beach car. Felber followed through by commissioning the construction of the 365 GT4-based Croisette. Michelotti has retrospectively been accredited with building this one-off ‘combi-coupé which was first seen at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show. Unveiled at the 1968 Turin Motor Show, the Ferrari ‘wagon’ was met with both muted praise and derision. Some arbiters of beauty admitted to liking the concealed headlights and other details, if not necessarily the overall outline. Then there was Cyril Posthumus. In his six-page review of new cars and concepts at the Turin Motor Show for Road & Track magazine, the Briton well and truly got his knickers in a twist. Having erroneously described the car as being based on a 365 GTC chassis, he labelled it ‘deplorable’ before adding: “In effect, they’ve taken a 2+2 fastback and added a glazed NART/Panther ‘Extended Coupe’ The only NART Ferrari not fashioned in Italy, this one-off 365 GTB/4-based machine was styled, for the most part, by Gene Garfinkle. It was commissioned by enthusiast Bob Gittleman in 1974 and built by Panther Westwinds of Surrey. The arrangement made sense, given that Luigi Chinetti Jr of NART was also Panther’s US concessionaire. The conversion, which included gullwing-style rear Perspex panels, was carried out in the winter of 1975-76. However, contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t equipped with twin turbos. Pininfarina Ferrari 456 GT Venice Pininfarina produced seven specially modified 456s for Prince Jefri Bokiah which included four-door saloons and five-door estate cars. The build of these cars was shrouded in mystery, and it later transpired that the notorious playboy paid around $1.5m per car, but didn’t take delivery of one example, which was sold to a British collector. auto italia 63 rear extension, leaving a triangular filled area, the lot finished in dismal two-tone brown and suggestive of a semi-detached hearse.” Writing for Sports Car World, Jerry Sloniger commented: “Vignale should do well with their ’68 offerings... [The] most intriguing (not to be confused with most tasteful) offering was a yellow and off-brown station wagon with imitation yellow fur rug in the luggage compartment, parcel rail on the roof and air conditioning. Coco Chinetti and Bob Peak expect to sell several dozen a year.” Forgoing the fact that both men couldn’t even agree on what colour the car was, it should be pointed out that the NART-Vignale offering was always going to be a one-off, despite several mentions of a mooted limited run in period articles. “There was no intention of making more than one,” Chinetti insists. “I Panther Daytona ‘wagon’ and Touring Lamborghini Flying Star II). By the time he bought it, it was finished in gold over metallic green. More recently, it passed though the hands of purveyor of wine bar funk, Jay Kay. It has since undergone yet another change of hue to the current (and rather fetching) metallic bronze. The last word has to go to Chinetti. “You know, I caught some crap for some of the NART Ferrari rebodies, but they made sense financially. Vignale charged us $4000 to do the body for the 330 GT 2+2. I sold it for $12,000, so who’s the dummy?” He has a point. III The NART-Vignale Ferrari was always going to be a “one-off, despite several mentions of a limited run ” 64 auto italia sold the car before it was even built.” The 330 ‘wagon’ was initially finished in metallic gold on metallic brown, and enjoyed a somewhat cosmopolitan existence. In 1977, the car was advertised Stateside for $29,500. Some time later, it was acquired by Frenchman Jean-Claude Paturau (aka ‘Patch’), an authority on watches and a collector of shooting brakes (he also owned the NART- STYLISH DELIVERY... SUBSCRIBE TODAY SAVE ! SAVE ! SAVE ! 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Auto Italia Magazine, Enterprise House, Building 52, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HS CLUB ITALIA REPORTS ON NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS AND ITALIAN CAR CLUBS Padova Passion Italy’s biggest classic car show lived up to its billing with some stunning displays and delightful rarities Story & images by Chris Rees T here’s always a moment when I arrive at Padova’s Auto e Moto d’Epoca. Will it live up to its past glories as Italy’s biggest and best classic car show? Will there be those never-seen-before rarities that make Padova such a delight? I needn’t have worried. My moment of relief in October 2018 was seeing a six-door minibus that Bertone built for Fiat to ferry its VIPs around factories. 68 auto italia The 1975 vintage Bertone 850 VIP was one of only eight ever made. Six passengers could see everything thanks to a see-through roof and huge windows. It was originally green and yellow, but has been repainted blue. Apparently, it sold at the show for 150,000 euros – quite some sum for a Fiat 850 T-based machine with Idroconvert transmission that needed restoration! But actually less than the Fiat factory runabout we saw last year, which reputedly went for 170,000 euros… ABOVE: Siata Daina Bertone OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP LEFT CLOCKWISE: Lombardi GP, Bertone minibus, Volugrafo & Volpe microcars, Abarth 207A, ‘volanti’, Bertone Runabout, Alfa 2 diesel Parked next to the Bertone bus were my two other stars, and easily the cutest cars of the show – if you can call them cars: the gloriously named Volugrafo Bimbo and Volpe. The Bimbo was designed by a racing driver called Belmondo and looks like a dodgem car – and it was certainly dodgem-sized at only 238cm long and weighing 125kg. The Volpe, meanwhile, is one of just two examples made in 1947. It’s an aesthetically appealing attempt to recreate big car styling on a miniature level – and it certainly was miniature at only 250cm long. Despite having no engine, it sold for 35,000 euros. Padova is a bewilderingly huge show. The stats bear this out: 11 halls and acres of outdoor areas. Over 4000 cars on sale. More than 600 autojumble stands (the largest of any European show). 120,000 visitors. Over 700 journalists. The organisers reported a big increase in the number of cars priced at over £200,000, but most sales activity was in the £20,000 to £100,000 zone, including many modern classics. Overall, though, I have to say there didn’t seem to be quite so many ‘venduta’ signs on cars this year. Jaw-dropping rarities continued inside the halls. Another Bertone star was the 1969 Runabout concept, nestling on the Fiat X1/9 Club stand because this wacky sci-fi car inspired the development of the X1/9. It’s badged as an Autobianchi, despite having a Fiat 128 engine mounted amidships. There were so many cars I’d never seen before, just fabulous. How about a 1955 Abarth 207A Boano Spider, Abarth's very first production race car and one of 10 made? Or a very pretty 1952 Siata Daina 140S by Bertone (one of three made), plus a less-pretty 1950 Fiat 1100 Derby by Bertone. Other ‘etceterini’ that caught my attention included a unique 1957 Ermini Swaab, a very rare 1949 Gilco 205MM Zagato, a 1938 auto italia 69 Siata 636 Gran Sport, a 1950 Giannini Sport 750 Siluro, a Stanguellini 1100S and two 1961 Coriasco Fiat Multiplas (pick-up and van). Yet another surprise: a three-wheel drive Moto Guzzi trike. Built for military use in the mountains between 1959 and 1963, just 129 examples were made. It looked fabulous! Equally fabulous was the sight of Zagato’s new ‘Sanction Lost’ Porsche 356 Carrera Coupe – a recreation of a car that never existed in period but was designed at the time. The ‘lost’ 356 archive dates from 1959 – and goodness, does the 2018 evocation look superb. Alfa Romeo vans have very much been ‘discovered’ of late, and there were several at Padova, my favourite being a fantastic 1959 example. Discovered abandoned in the Egyptian desert, having been used as a camera vehicle for movies, it’s been beautifully restored using ultra-rare parts. It’s very rare survivor with a – wait for this – two-cylinder, two-stroke supercharged diesel engine! I also loved a very rare surviving Lancia Aprilia ambulance, as well as a slew of classic Lamborghini tractors and Maserati’s famous Eldorado racer. Beauties abounded, like a 1956 Fantuzzi-bodied Maserati 300 S, one of only 26 made, which had been raced by both Fangio and Moss. A 1968 Ferrari 330 GTC presented in ‘Viola’ purple paint – the only survivor of two made, it seems – looked stunning, as did an exMille Miglia 1953 Ferrari 250 by Pininfarina. What was apparently a unique De Tomaso Pantera Group 5 prototype featured a bizarre set of appendages front and rear, presumably for downforce – yours for 185,000 euros. Other surprising prices included a Fiat 131 Supermirafiori Abarth Volumetrico for 23,000 euros, a stunningly well restored Lombardi 850 Grand Prix for 60k and an unregistered Fiat Ritmo Abarth (price not divulged but evidently very high). A parade of 16 rally cars in a special Rally Italy Experience exhibition featured the likes of an Alfetta GTV 2000 Gr2 and a Fiat 131 Abarth Gr4. Evidence that electric classics are becoming more popular was provided by a battery-powered Fiat 600 on show. FCA was present officially, with the debut of Alfa Romeo’s latest restoration – a 1955 Giulietta Sprint owned by Italian rock singer Piero Pelù, who did the 70 auto italia PADOVA AUTO E MOTO D’EPOCA OPPOSITE PAGE: Zagato Porsche 356, Lambo tractors, Gilco 205MM Zagato, Maserati A6G THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bertone 1100 Derby, Miki Biasion with Delta, Alfa GTV6 Group A, Piaggio Apes, De Tomaso Pantera Group 5 prototype 2018 Mille Miglia in this car. As for resorted Fiats, a 1967 Fiat 124 Sport Spider and 1982 Pininfarina Spidereuropa were both on sale in FCA’s ‘Reloaded by Creators’ programme. Also on show were a 1988 IMSA Alfa 75 Turbo Evoluzione, 1908 Fiat S 61 Corsa and 1988 Lancia Delta HF integrale Safari. Padova also saw the launch of Alfa’s new ‘Instant Classic’ service that certifies ‘modern collectable’ models such as the Quadrifoglio NRING special editions. So Padova 2018 didn’t disappoint; indeed, we felt it was truly a vintage year. If you’ve never been to the show, make a date in your diary for next year: Auto e Moto d’Epoca returns on 24 to 27 October 2019. III BONHAMS AUCTION RESULTS The UK auction house Bonhams returned to Padova for the second time, selling over £2 million worth of cars, easily the most valuable being a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT. "We are very happy,” said Gregor Wenner of Bonhams. “It was a great pleasure to see the room so crowded. The best lots went for some serious money, confirming the consolidation of the market.” ALFA ROMEO-ENGINED 'MAREA' POWERBOAT (1948) £46,681 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA SPIDER WITH HARDTOP (1957) £66,977 ALFA ROMEO 2000 SPIDER TOURING (1960) £91,333 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER 1300 JUNIOR (1973) £14,207 DE TOMASO PANTERA L (1972) £81,185 FERRARI 250 GT SERIES II (1960) £448,458 FERRARI 348 SPIDER (1995) £52,770 FERRARI 308 GTS TARGA (1978) £45,666 FIAT 1500 CABRIOLET VIOTTI (1937) £63,933 FIAT ABARTH ALLEMANO SPIDER (1958) £50,740 FIAT 500L (1969) £5581 FIAT 500 JOLLY REPLICA (1970) £19,281 FIAT 124 ABARTH RALLY STRADALE (1976) £51,755 LANCIA FULVIA ZAGATO (1971) £34,503 auto italia 71 Autumn Motorsport Day Rain certainly didn’t stop play at Auto Italia’s annual motorsport event at Brooklands, with a full entry of fine cars taking to the track over at Mercedes-Benz World Story by Phil Ward Photography by Michael Ward 2019 BROOKLANDS EVENT DATES ITALIAN CAR DAY – SATURDAY 4 MAY SUPERCAR SUNDAY – SUNDAY 14 JULY AUTUMN MOTORSPORT FESTIVAL – SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER 72 auto italia G iven the weather conditions, there was an impressive grid of open racing cars – notably the museum’s own Napier Railton, driven enthusiastically by Allan Wynn. The sheer power of the 24-litre W12 aero engine made sure that the Brooklands lap record holder (143.44mph in 1935) was right behind the Ferrari 812 Superfast pace car that I was piloting. The view of the beast filling the rear-view mirror was just awesome – if a little disconcerting. Of course, the rain was of little consequence to the rally car drivers who revel in such conditions. Mick Wood put in a fine performance is his much-campaigned Fiat 124 Abarth, taking time off from the ground-up restoration of his fabulous exworks example. Other Abarths taking to the track included a Scorpione and 1000 OT, both owned by enthusiast Tim Milnes, accompanied by Claudio Doto’s immaculate 130 TC. Equally at home in the wet were the big-engined off-roaders. Big bangers included Bob Searles in his Aston Martin V8 and one brave NASCAR driver who ventured out on slicks, and still managed to put in some quick, if slippery, laps. Cream of the Italian entry, and both recently subjects of Auto Italia features, were Ian Sterling in his superb Ferrari 348 Challenge and Tim Luscombe in his Ferrari 250 GT ‘Bow Tie’. Entrusted to driver Bo Williams, the ‘Bow Tie’ was something of a surprise for spectators: if they were expecting the traditional sound of a Ferrari V12, the car’s rumbling 5.4-litre American V8 came as a shock. While the weather was tolerable for the track demonstration, the rain poured down during the afternoon, which left the organisers no choice but to cancel the test hill ascents on safety grounds. In our long history of events at Brooklands, this was the first time we’ve endured such poor weather. Fortunately, one of the benefits of holding events at this historic venue is the many indoor attractions. The motoring collections and recently opened Aircraft Factory exhibition were an excellent diversion for the hundreds of spectators. Our thanks to all our readers who supported Auto Italia’s events this year, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2019. The Italian Car Day on 4 May already has some very special entries, so make a note in your diary now! auto italia 73 Zandvoort Historic Grand Prix The Dutch track hosted historic F1 racers and some spectacular sports cars Story & images by Peter Baker 74 auto italia Z andvoort, nestling as it does among the sand dunes of the Dutch coast, not only ranks alongside Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring in terms of character and reputation, but because it’s within easy reach of the UK and just a short distance from Amsterdam, it’s an ideal opportunity to combine serious historic motorsport enjoyment with plenty of interesting extra-curricular activity. The 4.2km track is well known to fans of Formula 1 as home to the Dutch Grand Prix between 1952-1985. Some exciting news: circuit upgrades in a bid to bring F1 back to Holland within four years have been finalised. In the meantime, the oldtimers meeting in 2018 attracted the very best in historic motorsport, including two rounds of the FIA Masters Historic Formula 1 Championship, supported by the FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars Championship, and a round of the FIA Formula 3 European Cup. In all, the event featured a 17-race programme, with everything from Pre-1966 Touring Cars to classic Formula 3 (500). Some 65,000 spectators enjoyed three days of racing in unbroken sunshine. Perhaps the most exciting 90 minutes of the weekend was the 42-car Masters Gentlemen Drivers race, where the Ferrari 250 GTO of Nicky Pastorelli (pic above) set fastest time and led from the start, beating off challenge after challenge, until, within sight of the chequered flag, its gearbox cried enough, allowing Andy Wolfe’s AC Cobra to squeeze past and take a well-deserved victory. Nicky Pastorelli also appeared in the NK GTTC race where he again set fastest time driving a Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona (pic left), but he was eventually beaten by Daniel Schrey’s Porsche 935 K3. The Masters Historic Formula 1, with its close racing and sheer noise (remember when F1 spectators needed earplugs), was a real crowd pleaser; two times 20 minutes of pure nostalgia. A nice touch was the use of an Alfa Romeo 4C as the Official Course Car. The track display of two Ferrari ‘sharknose’ 156 replicas (pic below), circulating at different times throughout the weekend as a tribute to the late Phil Hill, was another treat. Philip Toll Hill Junior drove for Enzo Ferrari between 1959 and 1962 and won here at Zandvoort before becoming the 1961 World Champion, at the same time giving Ferrari its first Constructors’ Championship. Hill also raced at Le Mans seven times for the Scuderia, being part of the winning team three times. It is hoped that the two 156 cars built by Jan Biekens and Jason Wright will continue to appear at all tracks where the originals enjoyed success. auto italia 75 Banzai Q-Car We’ve imported an Alfa Romeo 156 V6 Sportwagon Q-System from Japan. We think you should too – why? Story by Phil Ward Photography by Michael Ward H ave you ever owned a favourite car that, when the time came to replace it, production had ended and you couldn’t find a really good, low-mileage, wellmaintained example? Well, there is a solution to this problem. I have owned a string of Alfa Romeo 156s, mainly Sportwagons, from a 1.9JTD to a 2.4JTD ti to several 2.5 V6s. In my opinion, the combination of the 2.5 V6 and six-speed manual gearbox is a near-perfect specification. For my tastes, the shape and size of the Sportwagon is ideal and still attractive, especially the desirable post-2003 facelifted version. The UK market never received the V6 facelift so I became resigned to the fact that my ideal car was unobtainable. 76 auto italia Smitten by the fabulous Busso V6, I looked around for alternative models that shared this power unit. The obvious one is the 156 GTA Sportwagon, which has become highly collectable and priced accordingly. Many examples are now high-mileage, many have been driven hard, and under-body corrosion is an issue. Quite why Alfa Romeo opted not to facelift the GTA is also anathema to me, however I have seen and driven examples that have been retro-fitted with the facelift and they do look superb. My other options were the 147 GTA and the GT 3.2. I discounted the 147 for similar reasons to the 156 GTA, plus I have never got on with the ‘frisky’ handling and hard ride. So I opted for a GT on the basis that there were still good low-mileage cars around at reasonable prices. Being based on a 156 chassis, I was expecting a similar driving experience but with more power. In reality, I found the GT’s handling ponderous by comparison, and gearchange less than sprightly. The 3.2 engine was certainly more powerful, but not as exciting as the 156’s revvy 2.5. Another minor irritation was wind noise from the frameless side windows. All in all, my GT 3.2 was not a car that I bonded with. What to do next? I took to trawling auction sites for low-mileage facelift V6 156s, a fruitless search considering that the specification I wanted had never been available in the UK, although I have heard rumours of one in Ireland. I even considered building my own car by fitting a late facelift 1.6 or 1.8 with a V6, a project quickly dismissed on cost grounds, and the fact that these undertakings never turn out the way you expect them to be. Research revealed that there were righthand drive facelifted V6s elsewhere in the world, notably South Africa and Japan. The South African websites turned up a few cars but they were highmileage and not particularly attractive. Japan, however, was a revelation. Japanese owners are fastidious about their cars and enthusiastic about Alfa Romeos, Abarths and Lancias. Numerous websites offer cars for export and it became evident that some Japanese-market models were never available in Europe, in particular the high-spec 156 ti fitted with a V6 engine and manual gearbox. I found that the apparently automated responses in contrived English from Japanese websites did not inspire me with confidence. The prospect of buying a car sight unseen in Japan left me feeling very nervous. I needed advice. Regular readers will know that the Ward family has owned a number of Fiat Coupes, most of them attended to by John Cartlidge at Midlands Car Services. John has imported numerous superb Coupes from Japan, some versions never available in the UK market. Given John’s no-nonsense approach and undoubted engineering expertise, I knew I would receive reliable information. Taking advice from someone who has in-depth knowledge of the import system is essential. There are many pitfalls and unexpected costs for the unwary. Japanese websites are stocked with cars that have already been through auctions, or at least appear so. In reality, the tasty 2005 156 V6 Sportwagon in Misano Blue is only on the website to entice you. An enquiry about purchasing that car will likely reveal that, “It has already been sold but we have a similar one in stock.” A deposit is taken and the company goes off to auction to buy your dream car. Given that it can take six to eight weeks for a car to reach the UK, it has been known for deposits and/or cars to evaporate. There are auto italia 77 rogues in Japan, too. The sale price on Japanese websites includes a quote for the car to be delivered to a UK port but they don’t indicate the costs of UK import duty, VAT, port expenses or delivery – costs that can easily double the sale price. John Cartlidge has successfully imported around 40 cars from Japan, not all of them Italian. He employs an agent in Japan who arranges to purchase cars at auction and arrange the shipping. A website-based company would be more expensive to deal with, as it has to put its mark-up on the purchase, while an agent works on commission and is more reliable. Based on previous auction sale values, John offers an all-in cost for the cars he locates. This includes all the duties and delivery – and he guarantees the condition of the car. No deposit is required and you pay on collection. You can’t get much fairer than that. I decided to go ahead and set my criteria for a lowmileage 2005 2.5 V6 156 Sportwagon in red or blue. John set a price, which I agreed, and then I waited for a suitable car to come up. As it happened, I didn’t have to wait long. In a matter of days, I was emailed pictures of an immaculate red one-owner example showing just 56,000km (35k miles), with Q-System automatic transmission fitted. The time difference meant that John had to set an alarm for 3am to bid on the car. He was successful. The agent sent detailed pictures of the car post-auction and it did indeed look superb. Now I had an eight-week wait. I received a call from John to say that the car had arrived at Midland Car Services, along with two yellow Fiat 20v Turbo Coupes in the same shipment. He reported that the lip on the front bumper had been cracked in transit and agreed to repaint it and also put the car through an MOT inspection. In the meantime, 78 auto italia the DVLA provided an age-related 05 plate and a low rate of VED was calculated because the car had already been registered in another country. The day came to pick up the 156 and I was astonished at the quality. The paintwork was nearperfect, apart from the rear bumper that had been repainted at some point by the previous owner in the wrong shade of red. The seats looked like they had never been sat on. Given that the paintwork was not ‘pink’ and that the car had covered less that 2000 miles a year since 2005, it had obviously been little used and carefully stored. In common with any Italian car that has been stored for an extended period, the re-awakening process comes with a compilation of issues. The engine thermostat had seized, the air conditioning didn’t work, the fuel gauge was erratic and there were creaks coming from the suspension. The Japanese sat nav was unfathomable and, annoyingly, so was the service history. The car was immediately booked in to AlfaWorkshop for a full service and it was revealed that spanners had rarely been anywhere near the engine, although the oil was clean. Jamie Porter’s troops went through the list and changed the belts, front discs, suspension wishbones (dry joints), engine top mount, radiator and thermostat. Although immaculate, the chassis was devoid of underseal (I’ve seen the lack of protection on other facelift 156s, sometimes only one side is covered!), so an overdue coat was applied. One issue did take some time to rectify: the air con. The fault was hard to trace and quite bizarre. Apparently the air con fuse is shared with the cigarette lighter and it transpired that a small metal piece from an accessory plug was found in the bottom of the After a period of storage, many items needed to be fettled, including belts, rad, thermostat, air con, brakes and suspension ALFA ROMEO 156 V6 SPORTWAGON Q-SYSTEM auto italia 79 OUR PREVIOUSLY OWNED 156 ALFAS Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon 2.5 24V 2000 Alfa Romeo 156 ti Sportwagon 2.4 JTDm 2005 Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon 1.9 JTDm 2004 Alfa Romeo 156 Saloon 2.5 24V 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon 2.5 24V 2003 80 auto italia lighter socket, causing a short. The lack of air con in Japanese heat and the mounting list of servicing issues is probably a clue as to why the 156 came up for auction in the first place. All attempts to make sense out of the Japanese sat nav failed miserably. The voice that appeared to be directing me to an obscure location 6000 miles away in Japan became irritating. A standard UK stereo was installed and the fitter explained why the 156’s windows were festooned with aerials, the sat nav unit also had satellite TV! I had not experienced a Q-System 156 since we roadtested one back in 1999 (issue 34). I was not into automatics back then, but given my advancing years and modern stop-start driving conditions, I now see the point. Having lived with my Japanese 156 for a while, I have grown to like the Q-System. The bulletproof Japanese-made Aisin transmission offers three automatic driving modes ('ice, 'city' and 'sport'), plus a manual mode, selectable by shifting the gear lever to the left-hand sector, which has four ratios in an 'H' arrangement. In ‘ice’ mode, the car starts off in second gear to avoid wheelspin. 'City' changes up gear at around 3500rpm, while 'Sport' allows the revs to go to 5500rpm. The clutchless ‘manual’ gear lever function allows high revs in each ratio and provides engine braking during deceleration. I use ‘city’ mode most of the time and find the gear changes to be really smooth, in fact almost imperceptible. On the road, the spacing of the four ratios can be limiting, especially when exiting a fast roundabout. Having said that, in this situation my previous six-speed manual Sportwagon didn’t like to pull third gear on exits, and was a bit hectic using second. There is a kickdown function on the Q-System for some extra oomph but I find that hitting the ‘Sport’ switch provides a more immediate response and that satisfying V6 soundtrack at high revs. So while you are searching for that low-mileage 156 V6, in Japan or elsewhere, don’t dismiss the Q-System. III CONTACT: Midlands Car Servicing/ John Cartlidge, Shepshed, Leicestershire. Tel: 07905 143 578. midlandscarservicing.co.uk BOOK SHELF Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/1967 By Patrick Dasse & Martin Übelher Dingwort Verlag ISBN: 978-3871-661-167 79 euros Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/1967 is a new book from Dingwort Verlag, a German publisher that has been making big waves recently, not least for its launch of five bumper volumes on 105 Series Alfas. Now it’s the turn of the Tipo 33. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever made, the 33 enjoyed a highly successful racing career. The focus of this book is pretty tight: the development of the Alfa 33 and its racing record in the year of launch (1967). The publishers decided that the wealth of material they had accumulated on the 33 merited a separate volume for each racing 82 auto italia year; a second volume covering the 1968 season is planned for 2019. It had long been thought that much of the documentation concerning Autodelta, the company behind the Tipo 33, had been lost. But with the help of Alfa Romeo’s Arese-based archivist, Marco Fazio, a huge tranche of records has been unearthed, containing detailed reports of Autodelta’s racing activities. These helped build a reliable record of the works cars that raced during 1967 – even if the full story is frustratingly still not quite complete. This beautifully produced hardback has fully 312 pages. While there is detailed text – in both English and German – on both the car’s development and races, words definitely take second place to the photographs (all 338 of them), which are exclusively period shots. The evocativeness of these images is very striking: early tests at Alfa’s Balocco track; drivers preparing for Le Mans; cars at full tilt in events like the Sebring 12 Hours, Targa Florio and Nürburgring 1000km. In addition to racing, the road-going 33 Stradale and OSI Scarabeo are also included. For the die-hard Tipo 33 fan, this book is an absolutely essential work. Luckily for all of us, it’s meticulously put together – not just a superb reference work, but also a joyous addition to the bookshelf. Martin's Cars: Pensieri in Tre Dimensioni By Paolo Martin ASI ISBN: 978-8898-344-499 £25 Paolo Martin is not perhaps a very well known name outside Italy, but he truly deserves to be. His work as a car designer put him at the forefront of one of Pininfarina’s golden eras – the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was the design genius behind such greats as the Ferrari 512 Modulo concept car and the 1967 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta Competizione. Perhaps his most celebrated designs are the Fiat 130 Coupe, Rolls-Royce Camargue, Peugeot 104 and Lancia Beta Montecarlo. He also designed the BMC 1800 and 1100 Aerodinamica concepts, which inspired Citroen’s GS and CX. This book is written by the designer himself, and his memories, stories and anecdotes of a long career are utterly fascinating. He started his apprenticeship at Michelotti, then spent a short time at Bertone, before settling at Pininfarina. As an independent from 1976, he had input on designs for companies like Stutz, Piaggio, Savio and Maggiora. There are some fascinating chapters on rarely seen projects. One example is a four-door Lotus he designed for Colin Chapman. Another is the curious Bugatti PM1 supercar proposal from 1985, the wooden buck for which we recently saw at the Turin National Motor Museum. Martin’s book is subtitled Pensieri in Tre Dimensioni (‘Thoughts in Three Dimensions’), which seems fitting for such a gorgeous publication. It’s definitely worth searching out. The text is in both Italian and English, and within its 304 pages are hundreds of superbly reproduced photographs and original sketches. This is a soft-bound book but don’t let that put you off: the quality is excellent throughout. One last recommendation: it’s very keenly priced. MIDDLE BARTON GARAGE F I AT A N D A B A R T H S P E C I A L I S T S ESTABLISHED 1987 Spares and Workshop - Servicing Repairs - Restoration E-COMMERCE WEBSITE FOR ALL FIATS 1955 - 1985 ESPECIALLY MODELS IN THIS ISSUE Middle Barton Garage, Troy, Ardley Road, Somerton, OX256NG Tel ++44 (0)1869 345766 ● Fax ++ 44(0)869 346581 www.middlebartongarage.com eMAILBOX WRITE TO THE EDITOR AT: AUTO ITALIA, GINGER BEER PROMOTIONS LTD, ENTERPRISE HOUSE, BUILDING 52, WREST PARK, SILSOE, BEDFORDSHIRE, MK45 4HS OR EMAIL [email protected] DISAPPEARING CLASSICS The magazine is tremendous and it amazes me how you find all these rare cars. What a brilliant car the Alfa Romeo 155 GTA is (Auto Italia September 2018). Such a shame it never went into production. I am in the middle of doing a ‘to new’ build of an Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Sportpack. The spares situation is dire. Very soon the 1990s and early 2000s models will disappear, due to there being no parts left. It took a full day to source a new engine mount for the 155, I eventually 84 auto italia located one in Switzerland – you couldn’t write it! Here are some photos of my three Lancia Beta VXs – I don’t think there is anywhere you would easily find this number together. The three Beta VX coupes are likely to be the only ones I can do to new, again because of the parts nightmare. It turns out that across Europe I bought the few remaining parts available, as when I went back to the suppliers for more they said I’d got the last they had! If this were a German car, parts would be easy. In October 2018, Alfa Romeo registrations in Europe were over 3800. In the first 10 months of the year, Alfa Romeo registered almost 74,900 cars in in Europe, 3.2% more than in 2017. Meanwhile, Lancia registered almost 4500 cars in October, up 33.2 percent compared to September. In the first 10 months of 2018, Lancia has registered about 40,000 cars. Isn’t that news incredible! No small Alfa any more and no Lancia replacement due? Seems crazy, as the small Alfas were a great way to get the younger generations into the brand. My son William has a MiTo TwinAir, which is a super car. I love driving it! Keep up the great work with the magazine. Patrick Hurst FUTURE LANCIAS Many thanks for the Lancia Futurista feature (Auto Italia January 2019). It’s an amazing car, not really my cup of tea but a real work of art. One questions I have, though, is how can a car that’s 30 years old by called ‘Futurista’? I understand the whole ‘future vintage’ thing but the Delta is very much yesterday’s car. I also found it very exciting to read in your piece on the Zagato Lancia Hyena that Lancia itself was, at one stage, going to make it as a regular production car. How amazing would that have been? That’s the true ‘Futurista’ model in my book. If Lancia had given the green light to that project, the brand might be in a very different position than it is today. Indeed, it might actually have had a bright future – seems like Lancia’s prospects are looking pretty bleak, I must say. James Crane NEXT MONTH COMING SOON ISSUE 277 ON SALE 6 FEBRUARY 2019 FERRARI TESTAROSSA & 512 TR FULL COLLECTORS’ GUIDE Some features may appear in a later issue If you are having trouble finding your favourite magazine, call us on 01462 811115. Auto Italia is available at If you cannot find the magazine remember that you can reserve your copy under the Just Ask! scheme so, well, just ask! auto italia 85 BACK ISSUES Check our new updated back issues index for the magazine featuring your car of choice. To order just email us or phone 01462 811115. £5.00 (UK) – £6.00 Europe – £7.50 Rest of World Special package prices for any 3 issues £12 UK – £15 Europe – £18 Rest of World ABARTH Allemano 2400 and 2200 19 Abarths at Monza 1998 19 Abarths at Silver Flag 85 Radbourne Abarth 1300 21 595SS 118 600s 29 600s 82 750 Zagato Dubble Bubble. 60 750 Zagato Record Monza. 196 750 Zagato Record Monza + 750 Zagato Dubble Bubble. 258 850 Allemano Spider 50 Abarth 1000 SP 37 Abarth 2000 SP 165/250 Abarth Osella PA1 30 Abarth Osella PA2 89 Abarth Osella PA2 Nordschleife 144 Abarth 1300 OT 43 Abarth OT 1300 93 Abarth Simca 1050 Corsa. 222 Abarth Simca 1300 119 Abarth Simca 1300 OT 143 204A Cisitalia Abarth 199 205A 220 207A Boano 48 1000 Bialbero 50 1000 TCR 106 1000 TC 145/264 1000 TC v 600 Modified 238 Abarth Tipo 139 197 Abarth Tipo 140 201 1500S 217 2200 Allemano Spider 147 850, 1000 OTR 55 1000 Berlina Corsa /Abarth Simca 2000 / 500 Esse Esse 167 750 GT Zagato / 500 Trofeo / 124 Stadale / 1000TC (VBH) 168 850TC Nürburgring 103 850 Allemano 58 OT 1600 (rep) 235 Scorpione Corsa Prototipo 141 Lombardi Grand Prix 265 Abarths at Monza 58 Autobianchi A112 75/270/217 Ritmo (Alitalia) 90 Ritmo Group 2 229 Formula Italia 90 Formula Abarth 033 138 124 Abarth Rally 67 124 Abarth Grp 4 Rally x2 73 124 Abarths x3 145 124 Abarth Rally 196 124 Abarth Rally Group 4 214 124 Abarth Rally Targa Florio 257 124 Abarth/Fulvia/Alpine 32 Polish/124 Group 4 Abarth 38 San Remo Rally 124 Abarth 47 131 Abarths x3 178 131 Abarth Stradale 43 131 Abarth 53 131 Abarth/Integrale/Coupe 58 131 Abarth Alitalia 68 131 Abarth (San Remo) 81 131 Prototypes 215 131 Abarth Diesel 231 131 Stradale v Group 2 251 131 Alitalia v Stratos v Fulvia. 273 X1/9 Prototipo 130 Abarth Rally Range 2004 Panda/Stilo/S1600 96 Panda Rally EVO 2007 136 Stilo WRGB 2005 101 Stilo WRGB 2006 129 Stilo Trofeo Abarth 193 Grande Punto S1600 183 Grande Punto S2000 134/253 Grande Punto Italy launch 138 Grande Punto Abarth Sanremo. 141 Grande Punto Abarth Belgium. 143 Grande Punto Abarth SS UK. 149 86 auto italia Grande Punto Abarth SS. 162 Grande Punto Abarth v 130TC. 158 Grande Punto Abarth v Mito. 171 Grande Punto Abarth v Mito CL. 177 Grande Punto Abarth EVO. 173 Grande Punto Abarth Guide. 267 500C Abarth 173 500C Abarth/Punto Abarth EVO. 175 Abarth Grande Punto EVO. 197 Abarth Punto EVO Scorpione. 224 500 Abarth 2008 Italy launch. 148 500 Abarth 2008 UK launch. 156 500 Abarth Trofeo Brands (VBH). 166 500 Abarth Trofeo Cadwell. 170 500 Abarth Trofeo GB Race 1. 171 500 Abarth Trofeo GB (CBH). 175 500 Abarth Trofeo GB Roundup. 181 500 Abarth (Forge) 179 500 Abarth SS Hillclimb UK 182 500 Abarth ‘Polizia’ 204 500 Buyers’ Guide 218 500 595 695 Buyers’ Guide 271 Abarth 595 by Oakley Design. 213 Abarth 595 by Oakley/TMC. 218 Abarth 595 New V Old. 216 Abarth 695 Biposto. 229 Abarth 695 New V Old. 251 Abarth 695 Rivale. 273 Abarth Classics at Franciacorte. 181 Abarth Classics at Franciacorte. 191 Abarths 124 MY2017 248 Abarths 124 R-GT v Ex-works 124 Group 4 259 Abarth Classiche 255 Abarth MY2017 range test 257 Abarth 124 Spider 265 Abarth 124 GT 268 ALFA ROMEO 100 Years of Alfa Romeo. Pt1 167 100 Years of Alfa Romeo. Pt2. 168 100 Years of Alfa Romeo. Pt3. 169 100 Years of Alfa Romeo. Pt4. 170 Autodelta 209 Autodelta at 50 GTA/TZ1 test 214 Alfa Romeo prototypes (TZ3) 171 Alfa Romeo Commercials 192 Alfa Romeo at Balocco P3/1300GTA /155DTM/Disco Volante 173 SE048 (Group C racer) 106 G1 264 RLSS 49 RL 213 6C 1750 38 6C 1750SS 117 6C 1750SS (1929 Mille Miglia). 226 6C 1750 189 6C 1750 225 6C 2300 Replica 75 6C 2300 Aerospider 201 6C 2300 Mussolini 127 6C 2500 Freccia d’Oro 50 6C 2500 by Castanga 134 6C 2500B Mille Miglia 155 6C 2500S 156/229 6C 2500SS 187 6C 2500 Competizione 243 Nardi-Danese 6C2500 31 8C 2300 Tim Birkin 27 8C 2300 (Spitzley) 56 8C 2300 244 2900A 83 8C 2900B 25 8C 2900B Le Mans 267 8C 2900B Spider 248 8C 2600 at Spa 114 8C 2600 Simon Moore 142 8C Tipo B/Montreal/8C Comp 149 8C 2300 v 8C Competizione. 163 8C Engine Feature 151 8C Tipo B ‘P3’ 253 Alfetta 159 meets Maserati 8CL 14 Alfetta 159 24 Alfetta 159 Track Test 87 Alfetta 12C 101 Bimotore 95 Clemar Bucci 2500SS 19 1900CSS 15 Tipo 33 Stradale 40 Tipo 33 Stradale 164 Tipo 33/3 56 Tipo 33/3 111 Tipo 33/3 188 Tipo 33/2 194 Tipo 33 Daytona 109 Tipo 33 TT12 113 Tipo 33 TT12 258 Tipo 33 Concepts 124 Tipo 33 Elvio Deganello 204 1900SS Ghia Coupe 22 1900 SSZ 80 1900 SSZ ‘Lopresto’ 217 1900 Golden Oldie 115 1900 C SS 15 1900 C SS BOANO 1955 266 1900 SS 176 1900 Ti (Pininfarina) 202 1900 Disco Volante 64 1900 Disco Volante 230 1900 Pinin Farina x 2 236 1900 Berlina 272 2000 Sportiva 125 2000 Sprint 212 Alfa Twincam engine feature. 137 Alfa Twinspark engine feature. 145 1750 GT Prototipo 132 Giulia Sprint Veloce Zagato 36 Giulia Sprint Veloce Zagato 195 Giulietta Sprint Veloce ‘Goccia” 94 Giulietta Sprint Veloce v GT Q2 147 Giulietta Sprint Barn Finds. 223 Giulietta Sprint Bertone. 228 Giulietta Sprint Zagato 50 Giulietta Spider 28 Giulietta 50th Birthday 97 Giulietta Ti 233 SZ Coda Tronca 268 LDS Formula One 69 Giulietta Sprint Speciale 205 Giulietta Sprint Speciale 274 Giulia SS 18/140 Giulia Spider (B&W) 167 Giulia Spider (Concours) 253 Giulia Spider Veloce Racer. 259 Giulia or Giulietta? 24 2600 Sprint 16 2600 Spiders 51 2600 Spider v Lancia Flaminia. 255 2600 SZ 56 TI Supers 38 Disco Volante 2012 198 Canguro 205 TZ2 1966 43 TZ1&1/2 62 TZ1 179 TZ2 135 TZ3 185 Montreal v Dino v Citroen SM 14 Montreals 47 Montreal (Modified) 81 Montreal v Dino V Biturbo. 159 Montreal Buyers’ Guide. 174 Montreal V8 Engine Feature. 187 Montreal Group 4 Autodelta. 263 1900 Matta Jeep 47 1900 Matta Jeep 126 1900 Matta Jeep ‘AR51’ 246 2300 RIO 106 Alfa 90 and Alfa 6 62 Alfa 90 and Alfa 6 162 Alfa 6 97 Alfa 90 102 Junior Zagato 128/271 B.A.T 11 Bertone 146 Gransport Quattroruote 241 Berlinas 48 Alfa Saloons: Giulietta, Giulia Super, 90, Alfetta, 2000 Berlina 16 Giulia Super Dutch Trofeo 35 Giulia Super “Carabinieri” 129 Giulia Ti Super Racer 98 Giulia Super 34 Giulia Super,TI & Nuova Super 76 Giulia TI Super (Factory car) 196 Giulia Coupes 82 Giulia Dossier (105) 235 Bertone GTV 36 Giulia Sprint GT Tripletest 65 Giulia 105 Series 3 car test 208 Giulia (105) GTC 53 GTAm/BMW 2002 Replicas 25 GTAm 1750 39 GTAm Turbo (Giordanelli) 44 GTAm 1300 Peter Crutch 55 GTA (Track Test) 70 GTA vs Lotus Cortina 77 GTA (Tipler) 159 GTA 105 through to 155 197 GTA 105 Giulia Sprint GT 203 GTA-R 290 (Alfaholics) 252 GT Junior/Fulvia/124 Coupe 147 GT Junior with 75 Engine 247 Spider Duetto/ S3 vs Fiat 124. 116 Junior Zagato 45 Spider Duetto 272 Giulia Spider (105 Prototype) 121 Alfa Spider 105 (Time Machine) 193 Alfa Spider 105 series 11 Alfa Spider Group test 79 Alfa Spider Group test S4/916/Brera Spider 186 Alfa Spider (Unleaded conv) 25 Alfa F1 179 vs Tornado etc 28 Alfa INDY car 207 Alfasuds 42/72 Alfasud (Golden Oldie) 110 Alfasud V6 Alitalia (Colvil) 150 Alfasud 7 car test 151 Alfasud Engine Feature 177 Alfasud Trofeo 219 Alfasud 1.2 Ti 226 Alfasud Buyers’ Guide 259 Alfasud - Giugiaro 265 Sudsprint (Time Machine) 185 Sudsprint Buyers’ Guide 37 Sudsprint Racer (Lewis) 86 Sudsprint 3 car test 138 33 Buyers’ Guide 28 33 AKK Motorsport 38 33 Turbo Alfa Aid 41 33 Buyers’ Guide 111 33 P4 (Time Machine) 173 Classic Saloons: Giulia Super 1.6 / 2000 Berlina / Alfetta 1.8 / Giulietta 2.0 188 Giulietta Turbo 123 Giulietta (Time Machine) 171 Alfetta 2.0 Saloon 231 Alfetta GTV 2.0 Racer 115 Alfetta GT/GTVs 14 Alfetta GT/GTVs 41 Alfetta GT 3 car test 95 Alfetta GT Racers 3 car test 266 Alfetta GTV6 + integrale ‘Ring 101 Alfetta Turbodelta 107 Alfetta GTV6 (Ron Simons) 135 Alfetta Review 232 Giulietta, Giulia Super, 2000 Berlina, Alfetta, Alfa 90 16 Alfetta / Autodelta 198 Alfetta Turbodelta v 75 Turbo EVO v 155 Q4 237 Alfetta GTS 270 Alfetta Buyers’ Guide ‘72-’84 266 GTV6 Readers View 31 GTV6 “Rare” 550bhp 52 GTV6 (Lindsay) 66 GTV6 South Africa 126 GTV6 /33/156 Club Racers 133 GTV6 2.5 V6 (Time Machine) 176 GTV6 Buyers’ Guide 178 GTV6 3 car test (Jupe) 210 GTV6 v SZ v GTV (916) 238 GTV6 3.0 V6 249 75 Driver’s Choice 2 75 Owners View x 2 19 75 ‘Progetto Cinque’ 22 75 1.8, Tipo, Dedra 25 75 Turbo Evo Presley’s Car 36 75 AROC Enzo’s car “Rare” 48 75 Turbo Humphrey’s car 58 75 Turbo Road car 58 75 Classic Choice 84 75 At the ‘Ring (Ron Simons) 93 75 3.0 V6 twin test (EMC) 139 75 3.0 V6 vs 3.5 GTV6 157 75 Buyers’ Guide 167 75 Turbo IMSA (Arese) 175 75 V6 Twin Test (Jupe) 219 75 3 car Test 239 75 3.0 v Giulietta V6(Jupe) 262 75 VS GTV 3.0 VS Giulietta 266 75 3.2 24V Track Day (Porter) 266 75 LE 273 Alfa SZ + Zagato Story 13 Alfa RZ vs 3.0 Spider 26 Alfa SZ/RZ Guide 41 Alfa SZ 3 car test 100 Alfa SZ 24v Supercharged 136 Alfa SZ Buyers’ Guide 167 Alfa SZ (Time Machine) 191 Alfa SZ vs Stelvio (Zagato). 198 Alfa SZ VS RZ 266 Alfa SZ v K Coupe v Shamal 274 145 1.7 16v 2 145 CL vs BMW 318Ti 12 145 1.8TS 19 146 145 Team Cars 116 146 + 145 Buyers’ Guide 103 145 Cloverleaf/Bravo HGT 42 145 Cloverleaf/Bravo HGT 180 145 CL Fleet report 54 145 vs 33 vs Mito 160 145 Buyers’ Guide 198 145 Turbo by Autodelta 249 146 1.6 Junior 32 146 Ti vs Audi A3 30 146 2.0 Racer 76 147 Pre-launch test 51 147 Italy launch 55 147 5-door + 2.0 Manual 59 147 Selespeed vs BMW 316 63 147 5-door 1.6 + 2.0 68 147 GTA 76 147 GTA Road Test 79 147 GTA Road Test (Steve Berry) 87 147 GTA x 2 Autodelta 102 147 GTA Cup Track Test 92 147 GTA Modified 253 147 GTA/Integrale/Coupe 20vT 164 147 / 156 Monza Sport 70 147 1.6 Turbo (Autodelta) 78 147 Rally Car SS1600 86 147 1.9 jtd 16v 90 147 Range test 2005 101 147 Facelift 2005 105 147 Buyers’ Guide (Soper) 114 147 + GT Q2 127 147 JTD 24hr racer 131 147 Collezione 132 147 Collezione + GT Blackline 145 147 Sport + GT Q2 137 147 JTD-M by Janspeed 149 147 Buyers’ Guide 150 147 5 car group test 184 155 ITC 11 155 ITC (Arese) 143 155 2.5 V6 ti (Martini) 213 155 Buyers’ Guide 24/68/201 155 Q4/Dedra Integrale 32 155 4 car group test 150 155 / 156 / 159 Saloons 183 155 BTCC 231 155 DTM Drive at Goodwood 260 155 GTA 271 164 3.0 V6 v Thema 16v Turbo 17 164 Twin Spark 22 164 Guide 49 164 Racer (Soper) 78 164 Buyers’ Guide (Soper) 105 164 bimotore 107 164 Procar 142 164 v Croma v Thema v Saab. 153 164 (Time Machine) 188 GTVs Modified (Autodelta 1997) 17 GTV 2.0 16v J10 (Autodelta) 22 GTV 3.0 20 3.0 GTV Spider vs RZ 26 24v V6 GTV 14/29 24v GTV vs Lotus Elise 43 Spiders New & Old 35 Spider Duetto vs 939 152 Spider 2.0 TS Fleet Report. 209 Spider 105 S4/916 2.0/939 JTS. 221 Spider group test 916 256 V6 Coupes Alfetta/916/Brera. 153 V6 Engine Feature. 153 GTV Cup 39 GTV Cup (Road Car) 65 GTV Cup v Fiat 20v Turbo 224 GTV (Autodelta) 50 GTV LMA/AROC Racers 85 GTV6 LMA Racer (Soper) 112 GTV6 3.2 V6 in Italy 90 GTV6 (916 V6 + 2.0TS facelift) 92 GTV (916 Buying Advice). 96 GTV (916 Buying Advice). 143 GTV (916 3.0 Team Cars) 119 GTV (3.0 Supercharged) 122 GTV6 3.2 Buyers’ Guide 152 GTV6 v integrale v Coupe 20vT 155 GTV6 916 Series Group Test 244 155 2.0 + V6 SZ & 33 20 156 Supercharged (Engstler) 23 156 Launch 18 156 in Spain 20 BACK ISSUES INDEX - DOWNLOAD AT WWW.AUTO-ITALIA.CO.UK 156 Hormann 25 156 Superturismo 25 156 ETCC track tect 91 The Range 164 / 75 & GTV 26 156 2.5 27 156 JTD vs 156 1.8TS 28 156 Group N 29 156 Group N (Powermods) 69 156 Selespeed 33 156 2.0 Selespeed (SW) 70 156 vs Audi A4 Quattro 33 156 Q system/Selespeed 34 156 1.9 JTD 41 156 2.4 JTD 67 156 Buyers’ Guide 44 156 Buyers’ Guide (Soper) 138 156 Sportwagon 45 156 Corsa 46 156 Sportwagon JTD 47 156 Sportwagon JTD 16v 175 156 Sportwagon 48 156 Group N Racer 49 156 Superturismo Track Test 81 156 + GTV (Autodelta) 50 156 Sportwagon 1.6 53 156 Tarox & Zender 52 156 Red Dot brake test 53 156 / 147 Monza Sport 70 156 GTA Launch 69 156 GTA Sportwagon 71 156 GTA Saloon 79 156 GTA Bridgestone tyres 82 156 GTA Monzasport 112 156 GTA Buyers’ Guide 160 156 JTS Sportwagon (Selespeed) 73 156 JTS S/Charged Autodelta 124 156 V6 vs 2.4 JTD (OBD tuning) 82 156 2.0 JTS (2002) 83 156 Giugiaro Facelifted (1.9jtd) 84 156 Drivedata remaps 89 156 20v M-Jet (2003) 93 156 2.4 M-Jet (Tunit) 97 156 GTA AM (Autodelta) 100 156 Buyers’ Guide 102 156 2.0 TS HBE Suspension 103 156 3.7 South Africa 128 156 GTA/TSpark/V6 24v/JTD 172 156 GTA 4 car test 199 156 GTA 3.7 by Autodelta 215 156/166/147/GT Range 2005 103 156 Ti Buyers’ Guide 182 156 Buyers’ Guide Twinsparks 203 156 Auto / GT /156 GTA 240 166 News pages 24 166 International Launch 27 166 UK Launch 32 166 3.0 V6 24v 37 166 2.0 Twin Spark 49/71 166 Let’s go to Italy 52 166 3.0 24v V6 Super 54 166 Germany Launch 88 166 TI (2.0 TS Lusso) 94 166 Supercharged by Autodelta 134 166 Buyers’ Guide 148 166 Dossier 251 V6 Saloons 164/166/159. 158 V6 Saloons Group Test 155/156/164/166/159. 218 1997 Scighera 33 Science Museum Exhibition 67 Gippo Salvetti (Blue Team) 72 New Alfa Imports 81 GT (2004) 89 GT (2004) JTS 94 GT (2004) 1.9 jtd 16v 95 GT 3.2 V6 Novitec 110 GT Novitecrosso 1.9 16v M-jet 99 GT 3.2 V6 (Autodelta) 106 GT 1.9 jtd 16v Novitec 141 GT Q2 v Giulietta Sprint Veloce. 147 GT Cloverleaf + 147 Ducati. 150 GT 3 car test. 168 GT Buyers’ Guide. 176 GT 3.7 v 3.2. 233 GT 3.2 v GTV v Coupe v 3200 265 Brera (Ital Design Concept) 91 Brera Italian launch 2005 113 Brera / GT / 159 JTD-M 120 Brera UK Launch 2006 119 Brera Spider Launch Italy. 123 Brera Spider Launch Morocco. 132 Brera Spider J6 by Autodelta. 144 Brera V6 Q4. 124 Brera 2.2 at MBW. 130 Brera Q Tronic. 133 Brera S Prodrive. 146 Brera S Buyers’ Guide. 165 Brera 3.2 V6 Vs GTV6 3.2. 181 Brera 3 car group test. 227 159 (John Simister) 105 159 V6 (John Simister) 108 159 V6 Range Test 109 159 2.4 JTD-M 2.2 JTS 117 159 Sportwagon Italy Launch 118 159 Sportwagon 2.2 V6 Q4 122 159 Ti 139 159 V6 Q4 (Nordschleife) 141 159 2.2 J4 Supercharged 153 159 2.0 JTD-M 166 159 1750 TBi 167 159 1750 TBi SW 182 159 5 car group test 190 Brera S Supercharged /GT 3.7/159 3.2. Autodelta (UK) 166 8c Competizione 139 8c Competizione Spider 161 8c Disco Volante Spyder 248 Alfa Range Test 2008 140 4x4 33,155,159,164,Brera. 256 Alfa Cloverleaf 5 car test 178 MiTo Italian launch 147 MiTo UK launch 155 MiTo M430 by Marangoni 155 MiTo Multiair 164 MiTo Multiair Cloverleaf 171 MiTo 1.4 TB vs Abarth Punto 171 Mito CL vs Grande Punto Abarth. 177 Mito Buyers’ Guide. 189 Mito Carbonio (Monzasport). 191 Mito 5 car group test. 193/257 Mito TwinAir. 200 Alfa Giulietta Italian Launch. 170 Alfa Giulietta UK Launch. 175 Alfa Giulietta + Mito MY2014. 215 Giulietta Marangoni G430 183 Giulietta TCT Launch 194 Giulietta TCT 196 Giulietta 3 car group test 197 Giulietta Buyers’ Guide 216 Giulietta + Mito QV 223/229 Giulietta Sprint New and Old 227 Giulietta 4 car test (mod) 263 4C 184/211/214/220 4C (Jamie Porter) 230 4C Modified (Jamie Porter) 246 4C v 8C 223 4C SBK 236 4C Spider (News) 229 4C Spider 234 4C Spider RHD 241 4C Spider Buyers’ Guide 265 Club Racers 2012 200 Club Racers 2015 234 Alfa Museum Revival 2014. 229 Alfa Museum Visit 2017. 262 Alfa Buyers’ Guide Special Issue. Giulietta, Mito, Brera, 159Ti, 147, GT, 156 GTA, 156 Ti, GTV 3.2, 166, SZ. 229 Alfa Buyers’ Guide Classics Special Issue. 1750 GTV, Montreal, GTV6, 75, 155, GTV 916, 147 GTA, 156 GTA, 242 Giulia Special. 101/750 Series, 105 Berlina, SS, 105 Bertone, GTA, TZ1, TZ2, MY2017 Giulia QV 254 Giulia 2015 Museum Launch 235 Giulia 2015 Balocco Test 245 Giulia Super 248 Giulia 2016 UK Drive 255 Giulia 2017 Veloce 259 Giulia 2017 QV by Celtic Tuning 260 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce RHD 261 Stelvio Italian Pre-Launch. 254 Stelvio Italian Launch. 256 Stelvio UK Launch. 262 Stelvio on the Stelvio. 272 Stelvio Quadrifolgio. 264 Stelvio Quadrifoglio. 268 Police Cars last 60 years. 258 Alfa Romeo F12 van 261 Alfa Romeo F1 group test 270 FERRARI Auto Avio 815 125 S Ferrari V12 Engine Feature Supersqualo Ferrari 246 vs 250F 196S (rep) 195 + 196 195S Coupe by Ghia 156 F1 Sharknose 166 Fangio’s first 166 F2/FL 166 Mille Miglia 208 266 150 24 172 91 21 143 93 51 240 153 166 Mille Miglia Ch.0066 180 166 Mille Miglia Ch.0314M. 183 166 MM Fontana Ch.024. 255 212 Export Mille Miglia 2010. 169 212 Inter Coupe. Ch.0257 219 212 Inter Coupe. Ch.0137E 229 212 F1. 216 340 America 10 340 America 45 340 America 158 340 / 375 MM Ch.0320 207 335 S Ch.0674 241 500 Mondial 12 500 Mondial 239 250 California/Mistral 30 250 California Guide 47 250 California Spyder 128 250 California Spyder x 2 148 250 California Concours Winner 215 250 GT Boano 34 250 GT Boano x 3 243 250 GT prototypes 2 250 GT/GTO 92 250 Europa Ch.0313 238 Dino 246 Tasman 174 Dino 246S 60 Dino 246S Ch.0784 144 250 GT Pininfarina Coupe 38 250 GT Pininfarina (Bowtie) 270 250 GT Pininfarina Collectors’ Guide 255 250 GT Cabriolet 220 250 GT Drogo 69 250 GT Nembo Spider. 137 250 GTE 101 250 GTE Collectors’ Guide 263 250 MM Mille Miglia 2010 174 250 SWB replica 52 250 SWB Stirling Moss 56 250 SWB at Spa 104 250 SWB Ch.2335 238 250 GT Sperimentale Ch.2653 20 250 GT TDF Ch.1309 14 250 GT TDF 151 250 GT TDF Ch.0585 (Disney). 227 250 GT Lusso (Fyshe) 42 250 GT Lusso 94 250 GT Lusso 97 250 GT Lusso (4.0) 121 250 GT Lusso Concours Winner 193 250 GT Lusso Ch.4713 264 250 Testarossa/206 SP (Fiorano) 90 250 Testarossa Ch.0714 161 250 Testarossa Ch.0738 173 250 Testarossa 237 206 SP Track test 133 206 SP Maranello 197 206 P Berlinetta Ch.0834 251 206 Spider 220 290 MM Ch.0626 170 290 MM Ch.0626 (News) 239 410 S 32 410 Superamerica Ch.0671S 193 410 Carrera Messicana Ch.0594 199 268 SP Ch.0798 17 330 P 124 330 P Ch.0818 230 330 LMB track test 24 330 LMB 232 330 GTO at Monza 67 250 GTO/Daytona Replicas 12 250 GTO (#3505GT) 16 250 GTO vs Jag E-Type 37 250 GTO vs 250 LM (Nord) 102 250 GTO Goodwood Revival ‘09 165 250 GTO Ch.4675 169 250 GTO x 2 200 250 GTO (#3505GT) 231 250 GTO (#3387GT) 252 250 LM 27 250 LM 84 250 LM 110 250 LM Ch.6045 195 250 MM Ch.0344MM 22 250 MM Ch.0352MM 184 250 MM Ch.0276 268 250 Monza Ch.0432M 23 500 MD/TR 101 500 TRC 137 500 F2 139 500 Mondial / Mille Miglia ‘08 160 625 TRC Ch.0680 196 750 Monza Ch.0552 20 750 Monza (ice racer) 89 750 Monza Ch.0492M 187 750 Monza 234 212E Montagna (Hillclimber) 73 Dino Formula 2 Ralt 79 275 GTS vs Nanchang 43 275 GTS/Aston Martin DB6 49 275 GTB/C Ch.09079 227 275 GTB/C 44 275 GTB (Celebration) 98 275 Tour 100 275 GTB/4 130 275 GTB/4 134 275 GTB/4 (Ex McQueen) 223 275 GTB/4C 235 275 GTB/4C Ch.06885 260 275 ‘NART Spyder’ 145 275 GTS/4 ‘NART Spyder’ 211 275 GTB Collectors’ Guide 258 275 GTS Collectors’ Guide 272 365P 64 375 Plus Ch.0384 105 375 Plus 218 375 Ch.0388 181 375 MM Ch.0490 182 375 S Ch.0030 232 375 S Ch.0030 232 330 P 273 330 & 365GTC 31 330 GTS & 330 GTC 140 330 GTC 231 330 GTC Collectors’ Guide 253 365 GTS 85 365 GT 2+2 Bora vs Jensen 35 365 GT 2+2 Collectors’ Guide 270 365 GTC4 vs Espada 36 365 GTC/4 274 Pinin (Four door) 144 Daytona Spider 36 Daytona Spider by Straman 250 Daytona Group 5 107 Daytona by Michelotti 146 Daytona vs Ferrari 599 150 Daytona ‘Pozzi’ V Road Car. 236 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona 261 NART Panther. 256 246 Racer (Goodwood T Dron) 88 246 GT/GTS 11 246 GT 48 246 GT vs Stratos 81 246 GT Buyers’ Guide 163 246 GT Buyers’ Guide 238 246 GT Classiche Feature 205 246 GT/GTS Collectors’ Guide. 252 246 GT/GTS 237 Dino V6 Engine Feature 180 246 Dino vs Urraco vs Merak. 190 246 Dino vs Lancia Stratos. 265 246 Dino vs 308 GTB 50th. 273 312 P 63 312 F1 30 312 T5 66 312 T3 80 312 B3 “Spazzaneve” 129 312 B2 F1 149 330 P4 Can Am 161 330 P4 Ch.0858 218 P3/4 54 P3 at Spa 118 712 Can-AM 76 712 Can-AM 254 512 M ‘Sunoco’ 13 512 M ‘Tergal’ Ch.1002 246 512 S 55 512 S/M 712 228 512 S vs Porsche 917 163 512 BBLM 40 512 BBLM 155 365 Boxer vs Bora 4.7 78 512 Boxer 23/114/254 512 BBi Buyers’ Guide 62 512 BB Buyers’ Guide 236 512 BBi v Pantera v Bora. 154 500 Superfast 228 365 GT4 BB Buyers’ Guide 179 365 GT4 BB 512 BB Testarossa 180 365 GT4 GT4 Targa (Eastwood) 267 512 Testarossa Reader’s Car 209 Ferrari V8 Engine Feature 157 308 GT4 18/26 308 GT4 vs Merak SS 50 308 GT4 vs Urraco vs Merak 149 308 GT4 LM (NART) 194 308 Buyers’ Guide 43 308 GT4 Buyers’ Guide. 219/234 308 GTB/GTS Buyers’ Guide. 241 308 GTB 126 308 GTB Michelotto 181 308 GTB Michelotto (Olio Fiat). 187 308 IMSA Track Test 87 308 Carma FF 201 308 GTS vs Urraco 65 308 GTS vs Jalpa. 162 308 4 car test. 171 308 Collectors’ Guide 266 328 GTS v Porsche 911 19 328 and 348 Buyers’ Guide 46 328 Buyers’ Guide 147/231 328, 348, 355, 360 82 348 GTC/GTS 32 348 Spider/Mondial 58 348 tb+ts Buyers’ Guide 243 348 + 348 Challenge 274 400 Buyers’ Guide 39 400 Buyers’ Guide (Hackett). 112 400 Cabrio by Straman. 138 412 Buyers’ Guide. 190 400/412 Buyers’ Guide. 233 412 Reader’s Car 206 Mondial 3.2/3.4 29 Mondial Buyers’ Guide 197/235 Testarossa/Pantera (Racers) 26 Testarossa vs Countach 33 Testarossa Buyers’ Guide 244 288 GTO Evoluzione 2 288 GTO Evoluzione (Nord) 89 288 GTO Evoluzione Track Test 105 288 GTO Evoluzione 233 288 GTO v Porsche 959 18 288 GTO (Simon Park) 95 288 GTO V 488 GTB 257 F40LM vs Bugatti EB110SS vs Diablo SV Roadster 176 F40 vs Bugatti EB110SS 15 F40 vs Porsche 959 34 F40 vs Ducati 996SP 41 F40 Michelotto 76/214 F40 LM 189 F40 Buyers’ Guide 247 F40 at 30 262 355 vs Cobra vs 200NSX 26 355/Diablo/ AR F1/Tornado 28 355 Spider F1 29 355 Challenge car 54 355 Challenge (Rockingham) 70 355 + 360 by Imola Racing 90 355 / 360 / 430 V8s 115 355 Buyers’ Guide 154/232 F355 Collectors’ Guide 268 365 Iding (355) 20 456 GTA 14 456 M GT 25 456 Estate/Spider/FX 58 456 M GT vs Daytona 66 456 M GTA Buyers’ Guide 183 456 M GTA Buyers’ Guide 230 456 M Racer 195 F50 10 F50 Track Test (Donington) 28 F50 Track Test (Rockingham) 68 550 Maranello 11 550 Maranello vs Vantage 22 550 Maranello vs Aircraft 40 550 Maranello (Prodrive) 75 550 Maranello Buyers’ Guide. 209 550 Maranello Buyers’ Guide. 237 550 Barchetta (News) 54 550 Barchetta Track Test 65 575M (John Simister) 70 575M Manual (Steve Berry) 86 575M Novitec 112 575GTC 98 575GTZ 133 612 Scaglietti 88/97 612 Scaglietti (John Simister) 93 612 Scaglietti/456/400 111 612 Scaglietti Road Trip 123 612 Scaglietti HGTC 129 612 Scaglietti Buyers’ Guide. 246 Ferrari V12 Buyers’ Guide. 260 Ferrari by Alcan 30 Ferrari at Le Mans 18/26 Ferrari at Le Mans (Historic) 80 Ferrari at Imola 32 Ferrari at Monza 69 Ferrari at Shelsley Walsh 78 Ferrari at Fiorano 113 Ferrari Supercars at Mugello 115 Ferrari F1 13 Ferrari F1 18 Ferrari F1 47 Ferrari F1 2000 78 Ferrari F1 126C4 Track test. 168 F1 Ferrari/Minardi Test 27 F1 Today and Tomorrow 32 F1 Season Round-up 53 Maranello Concessionaires 49 50 years of Ferrari Poster 38 Coys Historic Festival 41 333 SP (Derek Bell) 15 333 SP 45 auto italia 87 360 Modena 37 360 Spider 45/52 360 Spider (Digitec) 75 360 Club Fiorano Test 59 360 Spider (Hamann) 63 360 Challenge Stradale 85 360 Manual vs Ducati 999 88 360 Bi-Kompressor (Novitec) 96/100 360 Racers x 2 104 360 Modena (Manual v Gallardo) 182 360 Modena Buyers’ Guide 240 F430 99 F430 Spider 106/119 F430 by Novitec 116 F430 Vs Gallardo SE 122 F430 Challenge Corse Clienti 125 F430 Whisky Trail 128 F430 Bi-Kompressor (Novitec). 132 F430 Scuderia 138/153 F430 Scuderia 16M. 164 F430 GTC Team Modena. 156 F430 Vicki Butler Henderson. 165 F430/360/355/348/328. 205 F430 Buyers’ Guide. 242 Enzo 83/101 Enzo vs Maserati MC12 158 Ferrari/FIA GT Championship 03 87 Ferrari Club Racers 208/355/360 94 599 GTB Fiorano 120/142 599 vs Daytona 150 599 Drive Story 156 599 HGTE 159/166 599 Hybrid 172 599 GTO 178 599 Tribute Mille Miglia 188 599 XX 217 599 Buyers’ Guide 245 Ferrari Technology (Dron) 139 California GT 2008 151 California GT 2010 177 California HS 197 California T 223/242 California T HS 244 Ferrari at Palm Beach 2009. 157 Ferrari at Le Mans 1998. 18 Ferrari at Le Mans 2009. 160 458 Italian Launch. 167 458 Italia Sebring 12h. 187 458 ISpa 24h (2015). 238 458 by Oakley Design. 184 458 vs Gallardo Superleggera 186 458 Spider 191 458 Italia (EVO 2) 192 458 Italia Buyers’ Guide 248 458 Spider vs Gallardo Spyder 204 458 Speciale 216 458 Speciale on Silverflag ‘14. 225 458 Speciale v 430 Scuderia v 360 Challange Stradale 237 Ferrari Finales 2005 Monza 103 Ferrari 60th at Silverstone 135 Ferrari Racing days Silverstone 264 Ferrari 60th at Fiorano 136 Ferrari Superamerica 109 Ferrari Tribute Mille Miglia 2010. 176 Maranello Rosso Collection 182 Ferrari Mondiali at Mugello 219 Ferrari by Pininfarina 60 years 203 Ferrari by Bertone 221 Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari 196 Maranello Concessioniares 244 FF 183/202 FF by Oakley Design 219 F12 Berlinetta 201/212/222 F12 TDF 241 LaFerrari 207/221 LaFerrari vs Bugatti Veyron vs F35 Lightning 249 488 GTB 237 488 GTB v Huracán 247 488 Spider 239 488 Spider 251 488 Pista 268 488 Pista 270 GTC4 Lusso 247 GTC4 Lusso 267 GTC4 Lusso T 256 GTC4 Lusso T 271 70 Years of Ferrari A-Z Pt1 256 70 Years of Ferrari A-Z Pt2 257 70 Years of Ferrari Top Racers 260 812 Superfast 259 812 Superfast 273 Under 50k Buyers’ Guide 271 V8 Buyers’ Guide: 308GT4/GTB/328/348/ Mondial/355/360 Modena 259 Ferrari Portofino Italy Launch 266 88 auto italia FIAT Mephistopheles 186 1899-1999 4hp 42 1905 60hp 226 1906 Fiat Heavyweights 16 803 Corsa 44 501 86 503 Spider 188 505 46 509 140 510S 173 521C 98 525SS 273 514 Spider 133 8V 37/157/239 2800 State Phaeton 115 1800 120 1900 Granluce 195 2300 117 2300S Coupe 235 Balilla 508S 26 Balilla Taxi 131 Topolino (Hotrod) 75 Topolino Variations (Sparrow) 69 Topolinos 80 Topolino 500B 106 Topolino Mare 204 500 (Modified) 27 500 (Sparrow) 58 500 Variations (Sparrow) 62 500 Jolly (Sparrow) 66 500 50th Birthday 134 500 Coccinella 136 500 Engine Feature 156 500 Buyer’s Guide 173 500 Based Spada Zanzara. 212 500 L. Readers’ Car 217 500 The Coachbuilt cars 243 500 Sixty Years 257 500 Ferves Ranger 259 600 (Modified) 18 600s 29 600s (Modified) 82 600GT (Tornado Lotus engine) 193 600 Prototype 205 600 234 600 Jolly 246 Fiat 1100S Millecento 52 Fiat 1100S Millecento MM. 162 Fiat 1100D Millecento 123 Fiat 1100 EZ Millecento 198 1100 TV 128 1100 103 TV 225 1100 Padmini 119 1200+1500 Cabriolets. 233 Formula Juniors 28 1500L 176 1600S Coupe 96 OSCA 1500S Coupe 41 1400B Junior 215 850 Buyers’ Guide 53 850 Bertone Race Team 221 850 Coupe v Spider 245 Dino Coupe vs Spider 118 Dino Coupe vs Spider 250 Dino Spider / Biturbo/Montreal 159 Dino 2400 Buyers’ Guide 175 Dino 2400 Buyers’ Guide 239 Dino Coupe (Fuel Injected) 264 124 Saloons 215 124 Special 252 Fiat Twin Cam Engine Feature. 149 124 Spider vs Barchetta 18 124 Spiders 50 124 Spider vs Fiat Barchetta 148 124 Spider vs Alfa Duetto 116 124 Spider Buyers’ Guide 164 124 Spider + Tom Tjaada 203 124 Coupes 52 124 Coupe/GT Junior/Fulvia 1.3 147 124 AC Coupe / 124 Spider 222 Fiat 124 Sport Coupé AC/BC/CC 261 125 49/95/220 125 S 161 125 Group 1 211 125 Samantha 105 125 Samantha Ireland 210 Superchargers 124 and Argenta 30 Fiat the Seat Years 35 Seat Rally Years 42 127 Sport 1050cc 76 127 Group Test 129 Fiat 127 ‘Stradale’ (Restomod) 266 Fiat 127 Rustica (Obscurati) 268 128 Racer (Giovanni’s) 22 128 1100 CL Fleet report 45 128 Golden Oldie 109 128 Rally (Michael Ward) 110 128 Rally 227 128 Fleet report (Michael Ward) 209 128 5 car test 163 128 3P Buyers’ Guide 177 128 3P Montecarlo Historic 195 128 MK1 4 door Restoration 248 130 (Steve Berry) 108 130 vs Gamma 151 131 Mirafiori 15 131 Sport (Golden Oldie) 118 131 Mirafiori (Abarth by RSD) 227 132 + Argenta VX 127 132 Flares by Michelotti 81 The Collectors 124/500/128 39 X1/9 12/23 X1/9 Best Buy 33 X1/9 Buyers’ Guide (Soper) 106 X1/9 (Modified) 41 X1/9 x 2 (Modified) 150 X1/9 Dallara (Val Saviore) 103 X1/9 Abarth Prototipo (Rep) 104 X1/9 Club Racer 115 X1/9 Buyers’ Guide 157 X1/9 (Time Machine) 181 X1/9 VX (Modified) 202 X1/9 219 X1/9 2 car test (Modified) 226 Strada 130TC vs Beta VX 35 Strada 130TC/105TC 26 Strada 130TC/105TC 132 130TC v Grande Punto Abarth 158 Strada 130TC 187 Strada/Ritmo 40 years 267 330bhp Strada Cabrio 34 BMW V8 Strada Cabrio 63 Strada (Time Machine) 197 Modified Pandas (MK1) 20 Panda Buyers’ Guide 75 Panda MK1 (Time Machine) 172 Panda Nuova (launch) 86 Panda 2004 91 Panda in Dozza 94 Panda 1.2 97 Panda 4x4 MK1 Buyers’ Guide 185 Panda 4x4 (2004) 99 Panda 4x4 (2005) 104 Panda 4x4 Cross 224 Panda 4x4 Cross (UK) 226 Panda MK1 (Time Machine) 172 Panda MK1 4x4 (Time Machine) 192 Panda MK1 4x4 v MK v MK3 262 Panda Cross 4x4 / Monster 129 Panda 100hp Italy Launch 126 Panda 100hp UK 136 Panda 100hp 3 car test 213 Panda 100hp v 500S 232 Panda Buyer’s Guide 149 Panda Group Test 179 Panda 160hp (Turbo) 184 Panda MK3 Italian Launch 193 Panda MK3 UK Launch 195 Panda MK3 4x4 Italy 202 Panda TwinAir Rally Phil Young 205 Panda MK3 4x4 UK 206 Uno 10 Uno 45 (Time Machine) 179 Uno Racer (Bailey) 29 Uno Racer (Neil Smith) 79 Uno Turbo MKII 23 Uno Turbo MKI vs MKII 125 Uno Turbo MKI vs Croma Turbo 224 Uno Turbo MKI vs MKII 247 Uno Turbo Buyers’ Guide 274 Tipo, Alfa 75 1.8, and Dedra 25 Tipo 2.0 16v 54 Tempra (Best Buys) 31 Croma IE Turbo(Time Machine) 178 Cinquecento Sporting 2 Cinquecento Abarth 12 Cinquecentos (Modified) 17 Cinquecento Buyer’s Guide 26 Cinq Sporting Buyer’s Guide 187 Cinquecento Sporting 41 Cinquecento Sport x2 Modified. 258 Cinquecento Trofeo 120bhp 66 Hormann Cinquecento SX 42 Seicento (Launch) 23 Seicento Turbo (Novitec) 30 Seicento Sporting 44 Seicento Sporting and S 56 Seicento (UAD Motorsport) 70 Punto Sporting MK1 (Launch) 16 Punto Sporting MK1 21 Punto (Buyers’ Guide) 56 Punto 1.2, 1.9 JTD, HGT 82 Punto MK2 Group test 120 Maggiore - Puntograle 31 Modified Punto GT Turbos 39 Modified Punto GT Turbos 64 Punto Mk2 - Turin launch 37 Punto LS design 46 Punto - Sicily launch 40 Punto Rally Super 1600 42 Punto Rally Super 1600 56 Punto Rally Super 1600 (Test) 78 Punto HGT 45 Punto HGT (jtd) 2004 98 Punto HGT 2005 104 Punto HGT Buyers’ Guide 166 Punto HGT Fleet report (M.Ward) 210 Punto Speedgear Launch 47/60 Punto JTD 51 Punto 1.9 JTD 67 Punto Sporting Turbo R&A 59 Punto/Seicento Abarth 60 Punto Facelifted 83 Punto Facelifted Driven (Berry) 85 Grande Punto Launch 112 Grande Punto UK Launch 116 Grande Punto Sporting (1.9). 117 Grande Punto Sporting Novitec 125 Grande Punto 120 Eleganza 123 Grande Punto T-Jet 141 Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet + 1.9. 146 Grande Punto EVO. 165 Grande Punto EVO. (VBH) 168 Grande Punto Buyer’s Guide 184 Grande Punto Buyer’s Guide 221 Grande Punto TwinAir 195 Grande Punto 3 car group test 201 Coupe 20v/Turbo 13 Coupe 20v/Punto ELX 25 Coupe 20v Turbo LE 28 Coupe 16v Buyers’ Guide 30 Coupe 16v vs Integrale 68 Coupe 16v Turbo Prototype 259 Coupe/Honda/Pug 306 31 Coupe 20v 39 Coupe 20v Turbo (Modified) 40 Coupe 20v Turbo Plus 43 Coupe 20v Fleet report 45 Coupe 20v Fleet report 143 Coupe 20v Turbo Fleet report. 209 Coupe Buyers’ Guide 48 Coupe Buyers’ Guide (Soper) 109 Coupe Buyers’ Guide 137 Coupe x 3 Modified 126 Coupe 20v Turbo 185bhp 55 Coupe 20v Turbo Buyers’ Guide 153 Coupe 20vT/GTV6/integrale 155 Coupe 20v Turbo 3 x modified 200 Coupe 20v Turbo v GTV Cup 224 Coupe 20v Turbo 3 car test 242 Postert Fiats 13 Coupe + Barchetta by Novitec 19 Coupe v 3200 v GT 3.2 v GTV 265 Flying Fiats (Irish Racers) 113 Barchetta Buyers’ Guide 22/71 Stola Monotipo/Barchetta 25 Barchetta (Auto Haven) 25 Barchetta/Alfa 156/GTV 27 Barchetta/Punto (Modified) 31 Barchetta Turbo (Novitec) 33 Barchetta (Revisited) 54 Barchetta Facelift 97 Fiat Barchetta vs 124 Spider 148 Fiat Barchetta Buyers’ Guide 151 Fiat Barchetta Buyers’ Guide 254 Bravo/Brava 10 Bravo/Brava/Marea 59 Bravo/Brava Buyers’ Guide 69 Bravo SX 34 Bravo HGT & Marea 15 Bravo HGT 17 Bravo HGT 36 Bravo HGT DC Cook 41 Bravo HGT vs Alfa 145 CL 42 Bravo HGT vs Alfa 145 CL 180 Brava 105 JTD 41 Brava 100 16v 53 Bravo 1.4 T-Jet (Launch 2007) 130 Bravo (UK Launch 2007) 135 Bravo 1.4 T-Jet (Launch 2008) 140 Bravo ECO 148 Bravo 1.4 T-Jet + 1.6 M-Jet 202 Bravo Buyers’ Guide 207 Ulysse 10/80 500 2007 Launch 135 500 2007 1.3 Diesel 139 500 2007 1.3 Diesel (remap) 144 500 2008 1.4 Lounge 140 500 2008 UK launch 142 500 2008 1.4 Sport 159 500C 161 500 TwinAir 174/178 500 3 car test 174 500 Buyers’ Guide 181 500 3 car test 214 500 4 car test 192 500L Launch (Turin) 198 500L Launch 207 500L Trekking 211 500L Trekking 212 500L MY2017 258 500L MY2018 265 500 + 500L MY’14 Range Test 219 500x Italian Launch 228 500x Vs Renegade on Snow 232 500x Vs Renegade 249 500x UK 233 500x MY2018 273 500 MY2015 236/237 500 Anniversario 260 Multipla + Vignale Gamine 130 Multipla 36/44 Multipla Eco versions 45 Multipla 1.9 JTD 50/66 Multipla 1.9 JTD (Modified) 79 Multipla Facelift 2004 96 Multipla Facelift 2006 127 Multipla Buyer’s Guide 113 Multipla Buyer’s Guide 202 Doblo MPV and Van 62 Doblo and Iveco Truck 63 Doblo 1.9 JTD MPV 73 Doblo Italian Launch 2006 114 Doblo Family MY2009 171 Ducato 160 Multijet 121 Ducato MY14 223 Marea HLX 17 Marea 20v Weekend 42 Marea Weekend 2.4 Team Cars 124 Marea Buyers’ Guide 115 Importing Italian Cars 40 Ecobasic (News) 49 Stilo (Launch) 62/67 Stilo Multiwagon (Launch) 80 Stilo 1.8 16v 71 Stilo 1.9 JTD 72 Stilo 1.9 JTD (Modified) 79 Stilo 2.4 Abarth 92 Stilo Schumacher 108 Stilo Schumacher Buyers’ Guide 208 Stilo Buyers’ Guide 145 Idea Launch 88 Idea (Steve Berry) 93 Idea Fleet report 107 MPV multitest Doblo/Idea/ Multipla/Ulysse 102 Croma Turbo vs Uno Turbo MKI 224 Croma (2005) 107 Croma (UK Steve Berry) 111 Croma in Ireland 118 Croma 2.4 20v Multijet 122 Croma Buyers’ Guide 210 Sedici 4x4 Italy Launch 115 Sedici 4x4 UK Launch 120 Sedici 4x4 1.9 Multijet 131 Scudo 129 Fiorino 142 Linea 144 Qubo 151/157 Dualogic Panda/Punto/500 186 Freemont 4x4 197 Freemont 4x4 Cross 224 Freemont 4x4 Cross 231 124 Spider MY2016 240 124 Spider MY2016 246 124 Spider MY2016 UK 250 124 Spider Spa Road Trip 270 Tipo / Spider MY2016 245 Tipo / Spider MY2016 UK 250 Fullback 257 Fullback Cross 273 Million Sellers 272 LAMBORGHINI Miura V12 Engine Feature 147 Miura S (Twiggy) 18 Miura (Shah of Iran) 39 Miura (Giordanelli Rebuild) 106 Miura (3 car test) 111 Miura Jota (Piet Pulford) 120 Miura P400 145 350 GT 152 400 GT 11 400 GT Monza 113 Espada vs Ferrari 365GTC4 36 Espada 119 Espada Restoration Parts 1-7 197/199/200/201/203/206/210 Espada 3 car test 239 Silhouette 13 BACK ISSUES INDEX - DOWNLOAD AT WWW.AUTO-ITALIA.CO.UK Jarama GTS 141 Jalpa 35 Islero 96 Islero S 177 Urraco vs Ferrari 308 GTS 65 Urraco vs Merak vs 308GT4 149 Urraco vs Merak vs 246 Dino 190 Urraco vs Gallardo Balboni vs Huracán Spyder 262 LM002 133/264 Countach LP400 17 Countach LP400 v LP560-4. 156 Countach vs Testarossa 33 Countach Pagani’s own car 271 Diablo SV 24 Diablo/355/F1/ Tornado 28 Diablo SVR Track Test 14 Diablo GT/SV/SE30 42 Diablo GT 46 Diablo 6.0 VT 50 Diablo GTR (Reiter Eng) 137 Murcielago 63 Murcielago 64 Murcielago (Road Test) 72 Murcielago (Track Test) 83 Murcielago Vs Porsche 996 86 Murcielago Roadster 106 Murcielago Roadster (Batman). 117 Murcielago LP640 121 Murcielago LP640 vs Typhoon. 136 Murcielago R-GT (GT1 racer) 129 Murcielago R-GT (GT1 racer) 142 Murcielago LP670-SV 165 Gallardo 81 Gallardo (Track Test) 84 Gallardo (Road Test Italy) 93 Gallardo Police Car 108 Gallardo Spyder 116 Gallardo By Hamann 118 Gallardo By IMSA 126 Gallardo GT3 by Reiter Eng. 130 Gallardo by Reiter Eng. 139 Gallardo GT3 Adria Track test. 145 Gallardo Superleggera 132 Gallardo Superleggera 143 Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera 171 Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera 199 Gallardo Superleggera v 458. 186 Gallardo LP560-4 146 Gallardo LP560-4 v Countach. 156 Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder. 162 Gallardo Super Trofeo. 159 Gallardo Super Trofeo. 166 Gallardo Balboni. 163 Gallardo Spyder Performante. 194 Gallardo 5-95 by Zagato. 263 40 years of Lamborghini 83 Countach/Diablo/ Murcielago. 135 4 car test: Urraco/Silhouette/ Jalpa/Gallardo 94 Jalpa vs Ferrari 308 GTS 162 Aventador 185 Aventador 195 Aventador + Typhoon 225 Aventador/Murcielago/Diablo 198 Aventador LP760-2 by Oakley 200 Aventador vs Abarth 595 by Oakley Design 213 Aventador LP750-4 SV 235 Aventador S 256 Aventador Roadster 207 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 274 Huracán LP610-4 222 Huracán LP610-4 236 Huracán HM680-4 (Oakley) 230 Huracán Spyder 242 Huracán Performante 258 Urus 264/266/272 LANCIA Lancia Collection K Sport Lancia Reunion (Miki Biasion) Lancia Theta 35hp Lancia Tipo 55 Corsa Lancia D25 Lancia D50 (Track Test) Lancia D50 90 Years of Lancia Lambda Lambda Airway Lambda Lambda 7th Series Torpedo Lambda 73 car test Dilambda S2 Carlton DHC Dilambda S2 Offord Cabriolet Lancia/Alfa Ghia Coupes Lancia Commercials Augusta 175 180 102 78 242 71 240 12 11 32 53 186 211 143 184 22 66 240 Ardea 96 Appia 36 Appia Vignale 63 Appia meets Ypsilon 113 Appia Zagato 138 Appia Furgoncino 180 Appia Convertible 194 Lancia Appia S1,2,3 261 Aurelia V6 Engine Feature 148 Aurelia 43 Aurelia B20 Series 1 107 Aurelia B20 Pichon Parat 125 Aurelia B20 (S2+S3) 200 Aurelia B20 Irish Racer 213 Aurelia B20 ‘Outlaw’ TK 242 Aurelia B24S 23 Aurelia B24 Spider 46 Aurelia B24 Spider 127 Aurelia B24 Spider + B52 Rosa d’Oro 154 Aurelia B24S Convertible 87 Aurelia GT 2500 Spider 190 Aurelia B24 Spider + Flavia. 249 Aprilia + Aurelia 100 Aurelia B50 Cabriolet Farina 274 Aprilia Langenthal 108 Aprilia 166 Aprilia (Fred Gallagher) 188 Astura 88 Astura by Pinin Farina 185 Astura by Castanga (Villa D’este) 95 Astura + Appia 111 Astura MM Sport 203 Astura 241 Flaminia 39 Flaminia Sport 42 Flaminia GTL 76 Flaminia 3 car test 172 Flaminia 2.5 3C Zagato. 258 Flaminia 3c Speciale (Lopresto). 218 Lancia Flaminia Cinvertible vs Alfa 2600 Spider. 255 Flavia Coupe 17 Flavia Coupe (Golden Oldie). 123 Flavia Zagato + Convertible 170 Fulvia Zagato x 2 19 Fulvia Zagato Historic racer 60 Fulvia Zagato twin test 213 Fulvia/Abarth/124/Alpine 32 Fulvia Spotters’ Guide 33 Fulvia Classic Choice 83 Fulvia F&M Specials 90/232 Fulvia 1.6 HF 92 Fulvia S05 98 Fulvia 2C (racer) 103 Fulvia Zagato Club Racer 115 Fulvia 1600 HF (Simister) 121 Fulvia V4 Engine Feature 146 Fulvia 1.3/124 Coupe/GT Junior 147 Fulvia Marlboro (Munari) 192 Fulvia 1.6 HF Fanalone + integrale Fulvia 1600 HF Fulvia 50th Anniversary 212 Fulvia v 131 Alitalia v Stratos 273 Competizione Prototype 204 Final Edition 181 Gamma 101 Gamma vs Fiat 130 151 Gamma 4 car test 189 Gamma Coupe (Time Machine). 206 Sibilo by Bertone 206 Stratos Alitalia/Prototype 2 Stratos Replicas vs Original 10 Stratos (San Remo 1974) 47 Stratos GTO/GT car 51 Stratos vs Dino 246 GT 81 Stratos vs Dino 246 GT 265 Stratos – 30 years of 85 Stratos World Meeting 2007. 140 Stratos Stradale + Group 4. 117 Stratos Prototype. 152 Stratos (Heseltine). 233 Stratos Chequered Flag Story. 243 Stratos Group 4 x 2 244 Stratos Group 4 Track Test 249 Stratos – 2005 103 Stratos New 2010 179 Rally multi car feature 99 Rally multi car feature 255 Betas Modified 32 Beta 13 Beta Historic racer 60 Betas Coupe/HPE/Saloon 55 Beta VX vs Strada Abarth 35 Beta Coupe/Saloon/Montecarlo. 139 Beta Coupe Alitalia (Colvil) 150 Beta HPE (Time Machine) 177 Beta Volumex x 2 260 Trevi Bimotore 237 Montecarlo 16 Montecarlo V6 Alfa engine 34 Montecarlo Buyers’ Guide 161 Montecarlo Turbo (Martini) 206 Martini LC1 207 Martini LC2 208 Martini 48pg special (Campion) 272 LC2 Track Test 96 037 Rally Stradale 67 037 Rally Stradale 245 037 Rally Martini (Volta) 62 037 Rally Olio Fiat (Grifone) 144 037 Rally Olio Fiat (Grifone) 199 037 Rally Wurth 230 Delta HF Turbo 29 Delta S4 31 Delta S4 Cesare Fiorio’s 72 Delta S4 ride (Val Saviore) 78 Delta S4 ECV1 179 Delta S4 Martini 210 Delta S4 Stradale 222 Delta 40th Anniversary 161 Delta 4HF 4WD 169 Delta Integrale 8v Team Cars 198 Integrale Special Editions 21 Integrale v Escort Cosworth 15 Integrale 8v/Nissan Skyline 23 Integrale vs Caterham 44 Integrale Buyers’ Guide 49 Integrale/Coupe/131 Abarth 58 Integrale Evos (Modified) 63 Integrale vs Coupe 16v 68 Integrale 8v, 16v, EVO 93 Integrale Track test (Drivedata) 95 Integrale Repsol Group A 105 Integrale 5 car test (Modded) 127 Integrale/Coupe 20vT/147 GTA 164 Integrale Buyers’ Guide 156 Integrale/Coupe 20vT/GTV6 155 Integrale Group A Martini 182 Integrale Group A Martini 228 Integrale Martini 212 Integrale Martini Safari 272 Integrale 500bhp (Walkers) 217 Integrale 3 car test 226 Integrale 30th-48 page Special 262 Hyena 64 Magia “Concept” 22 Dedra/Alfa 75/Fiat Tipo 25 Dedra 27 Dedra Integrale/Alfa Q4 32 Thema 8.32 12 Thema 16v Turbo vs 164 3.0 17 Thema 8.32 vs 16v Turbo 35 Thema 8.32 220 Thema 8.32 Buyers’ Guide 247 Thema Buyers’ Guide 110 Thema v Saab v Croma v 164. 153 Thema Plus 240 Delta HPE HF Turbo 37 Delta HPE Evo 500 54 Delta HPE Turbo Buyers’ Guide 169 Delta HPE Turbo (Imports) 71 Delta (New) 2008 147 Delta vs Ypsilon 174 Delta vs Ypsilon (Chrysler) 190 Ypsilon 24 Ypsilon 2004 1.4 89 Ypsilon 2011 185 HPE & Y 11 Y10 (Time Machine) 175 Y10 + Turbo 223 Lybra 38 Lybra 2.4 JTD SW 65 Kappa 20 Kappa Coupe 54 Kappa 3.0 Saloon 58 Kappa Coupe v Shamal v SZ 274 Thesis (Launch) 65 Thesis 2.4 JTD (San Remo) 80 Musa 1.9 105 Centenary Celebrations 126 Centenary Celebrations (Collins) 127 Thema / Chrysler 300C 199 Kennedy Collection 263 MASERATI 250F 250F (CM9) 250F (CM5) 250F (Fangio’s Car) 250F vs Ferrari 246 Cooper Maserati 8CL 8CM + 6CM 8CM 4CS 11 63 215 73 172 72 24 82 222 54 Bugatti-Maserati (1937) 245 V4 Sport 229 Eldorado 29 Alfieri Collection (pre Panini) 16 Heritage 450S 26 150S + Maria Luisa IV Boat 234 150 GT Spyder 267 300S (Spa) 110 300S 209 450S (Recreation) 84 450S (Spa) 91 Tipo 63 36 Tipo 63 (Panini) 102 Tipo 61 89 Tipo 61 Birdcage Ch.2461 211 A6GCM 47 A6G2000 Zagato 34 A6GCS Pininfarina Coupe 49 A6GCS 245 A6G 2000 by Frua 49 A6G Frua Coupe 72 A6 1500 63 A6GCS (Blue) 132 A6GCS (2053) 211 A6G 54 Zagato 202 A6G 54 Frua 203 A6G 54 Coupe by Frua 230 A6G 2000 (Baillon) 270 Race Transporter 112 Cegga (Hillclimber) 48 Mistral/250 California Spider 30 Mistral vs AC 428 56 Mistral Coupe 70 Mistral 3.7 Spyder 144 Mistral + Speedboat 210 Mistral Collectors’ Guide 264 Sebring 45 3500GT 43 3500GT Special Body 58 3500GT Replica Body 75 3500GT Spyder Vignale 80 3500GT Spyder Vignale 167 3500GT Spyder Vignale Collectors’ Guide 254 3500GT 59 3500GT 99 3500GT (Giordanelli) 201 3500GT (25CLO) 249 5000GT 48 5000GT (Variations) 81 5000GT (Frua) 85 5000GT (Allemano) 93 5000GT (Joe Walsh) 191 Cooper Maserati T61P 154 Khamsin 41 Khamsin Collectors’ Guide. 257 124 GT Prototype 60 Simun Prototype 60 Ghibli SS 52 Ghibli SS 200 Ghibli v Ferrari Daytona 127 Ghibli 3 car test new v old 222 Ghibli Collectors’ Guide. 261 Bora 12 V8 Engine Feature 152 Bora 4.7 35 Bora 4.7 vs 365 Boxer 78 Bora v 512 BBi v Pantera. 154 Bora v 4.7. 194 Merak 33 Merak vs Ferrari 308GT4 50 Merak vs 308GT4 vs Urraco 149 Merak Turbo Prototype 67 Merak vs 246 Dino vs Urraco. 190 Kyalami vs Longchamp 64 Karif 90 Indy 68 Biturbo Spyder 76 Biturbo Spyder 225 Biturbo (Heywood) 107 Biturbo V8 Engine Feature 171 Biturbo (Time Machine) 190 Biturbo Buyers’ Guide 251 Ghibli Cup GT racer 34 Ghibli GTvs BMW M3 13 Ghibli Cup 40 Ghibli Buyers’ Guide 51 Ghibli Primatist 65 Barchetta + Parmisan 38 Barchetta (Bone) 42 Barchetta (Bone) 217 Shamal 18/238 Shamal v Alfa SZ v K Coupe 274 Quattroporte Series I (Antas) 134 Quattroporte Series I 66 Quattroporte Series I 121 Quattroporte by Frua 233 Quattroporte by Frua Aga Khan 271 Quattroporte Series II 122 Quattroporte Series II v SM 265 Quattroporte Series III 46 Quattroporte Series III 123 Quattroporte Series IV v BMW 21 Quattroporte Series IV Evo 38 Quattroporte Series IV 124 Quattroporte Series V 91 Quattroporte Series V (2004) 96 Quattroporte Series V (Yellow) 103 Quattroporte V Sport GT 119 Quattroporte V Sport GT 125 Quattroporte V Auto 2007. 130 Quattroporte V GTS Auto 2008. 140 Quattroporte V + P1 Boats. 142 Quattroporte V v QP IV. 256 Quattroporte S. 149 Quattroporte Sport GT S 156 Quattroporte Sport GT S 172 Quattroporte Bellagio Touring 196 Quattroporte Evo Superstar. 196 Quattroporte VI Launch 204 Quattroporte VI GTS in Venice 214 Quattroporte VI S 241 Quattroporte VI MY2018 247 3200GT 27/36 3200GT vs Porsche C4 48 3200GT 53 3200GT Club Fiorano 59 3200GT vs Aston Zagato 62 3200GT Buyers’ Guide Heywood 140 3200GT/Gransport Spyder/GT 157 3200GT Buyers’ Guide Heywood 162 3200GT Buyers’ Guide Heywood 250 3200GT vs 4200 Gransport 240 Spyder 64/69 4200 Coupe 66/71 4200 Gransport 100/108/126/220 Coupe/Spyder Cambiocorsa 79 Coupe/Spyder Ice Driving 105 Spyder Cambiocorsa 94 Spyder (Jodie Kidd) 86 Coupe Trofeo 84 Coupe Trofeo (Monza) 106 Coupe Trofeo (Silverstone) 111 Gransport Trofeo (Silverstone). 120 GS Zagato. 133 GT Masterclass 2003 88 GT Masterclass 2008 154 90 Years of Maserati 102 Maserati at Silverflag 2005 104 MC12 Stradale 105 MC12 Corse 141 Maserati MC12 vs Enzo 158 GranTurismo Italy Launch 137 GranTurismo (Giordanelli) 144 GranTurismo S 146/177 GranTurismo S Auto 160 GranTurismo MC 161 GranTurismo MC Trofeo 172 GranTurismo MC Trofeo 177 GranTurismo MC Trofeo (Donington 2011 race) Giordanelli 188 GranTurismo MC Trofeo (Silverstone 2015 race) Giordanelli 230 GranTurismo Trofeo/Stradale 176 GranTurismo 189 GranTurismo Whisky Tour 195 GranTurismo Sport 198 GranTurismo Sport / GranCabrio Sport + Monaco Yacht 203 GranTurismo Buyers’ Guide 249 Grand Tour with QP5 S & GT 150 MC Stradale 183/221 MC Stradale (Lago d’Iseo) 224 GranCabrio 169 GranCabrio 180 GranCabrio Sport 188 GranCabrio Sport 194 GranCabrio Sport + Yacht 198 GranCabrio/GranTurismo S/ Quattroporte GTS 175 GranCabrio/GranTurismo/MY18 260 GranCabrio/GranTurismo S MC Sportline / GranTurismo S Auto 186 Maserati Museum (100years) 224 Maserati Centennial 227 Maserati Ice Driving 193 Maserati Trofeo 2013 209 Maserati Trofeo World Series 212 Ghibli MY2013 211 Ghibli MY2014 Group Test 217 Ghibli MY2017 253 Ghibli S MY2018 264 Levante 243/252/272 Levante Q4 Ice Dr1ving 255 Levante S in Dubai 263 Levante S + Granturismo MY18 265 auto italia 89 EVENTS CLUBS Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club www.aroc-uk.com Alfaowner.com Club www.alfaowner.com Alfa Romeo Association of California www.alfaromeoassociation.org Alfa Romeo Club Quadrifoglio Belgium www.clubquadrifoglio.be Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club of Canada www.alfabb.com Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club Australia Victoria Division. The most active and passionate owners in Australia. www.alfaclubvic.org.au Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club Australia (South Australian Division) www.alfaclubsa.org.au Malcolm Ebel [email protected] Abarthisti www.abarthisti.co.uk www.abarthforum.co.uk Abarth Owners Club On-line club for owners, fans and enthusiasts of the Abarth brand www.abarthownersclub.com De Tomaso UK Drivers’ Club www.detomasodc.co.uk Ferrari Owners’ Club Cavallino House, 2 Church Way, Whittlebury, Northamptonshire, NN12 8XS [email protected] www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk Fiat Motor Club GB The original UK club for owners of all Fiat models. [email protected]; [email protected]; press-officer is [email protected] chairman is [email protected] www.fiatmotorclubgb.co.uk Fiat Club America www.fiatclubamerica.com Fiat Club Africa www.fiatclub.co.za Fiat Club of New South Wales www.fiatclub.com.au Fiat Club of Victoria www.fiatclub.org.au Fiat & Lancia Club of Western Australia www.fiatlancia.org.au Fiat 500 Club www.fiat500club.org.uk DIARY DATES 2019 Fiat 500 Enthusiasts Club GB www.fiat500enthusiasts.co.uk Sporting Fiats Club www.sportingfiatsclub.com Fiat Barchetta UK Owners’ Club www.fiatbarchetta.com Fiat Forum www.fiatforum.com Fiat Multipla Owners’ Club www.multiplaowners.co.uk Fiat Cinquecento & Seicento www.clubcento.co.uk Fiat X1/9 Owners’ Club www.x1-9ownersclub.org.uk Fiat 127 Forum www.fiat127.com Fiat 131 Mirafiori Forum www.131mirafiori.com The Fiat Coupe Club UK www.fccuk.org Fiat Punto Forum www.puntosports.co.uk The Other Dino (Fiat) [email protected] Fiat Scotland Scotland’s dedicated Fiat community www.fiat-scotland.com Lamborghini Club UK [email protected] www.lamborghiniclub.co.uk Lancia Motor Club GB Contact: Sarah Heath-Brook 31 Creffield Road, Colchester, CO3 3HY [email protected] Lancia Montecarlo Consortium www.montecarlo.org.uk International Association of Lancia Clubs www.viva-lancia.com Club LanciaSport www.lanciasport.com Stratos Enthusiasts Club www.stratosec.com Maserati Club Dave Smith [email protected] www.maseraticlub.co.uk Sports Maserati Club Matthew Yates www.sportsmaserati.com Northern Ireland Italian Motor Club www.niimc.net Italian AutoMoto Club www.italianAutoMotoClub.co.uk Italian Made Cars Club www.italianmadecarsclub.org.au Scuderia Italian Car Club South Australia www.scuderiaitaliancarclub.asn.au January 10-13 III May 15-18 Autosport International Mille Miglia NEC Birmingham Brescia-Padova-Rome-Parma- www.autosportinternational.com Brescia III January 31-February 3 www.1000miglia.eu Automotoretrò III May 24-26 Lingotto, Turin Concorso d’Eleganza www.automotoretro.it Villa d’Este III February 6-10 Lake Como, Italy Rétromobile concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com Porte de Versailles, Paris May 31 – June 2 www.retromobile.com Sliding Pillar Rally (Lancia Motor February 14-17 Club) London Classic Car Show ExCeL Dinant, Ardennes London www.lancia.myzen.co.uk www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk June 1 February 22-24 Alton Italian Car Breakfast Race Retro The Departure Lounge Cafe, Hants Stoneleigh Park, Warks GU34 4BH www.raceretro.com thedepartureloungecafe.co.uk July 4-7 Goodwood Festival of Speed Chichester, Sussex www.goodwood.com July 14 Supercar Sunday Brooklands Museum, Surrey www.auto-italia.net March 22-24. Restoration & Classic Car Show NEC Birmingham www.necrestorationshow.com April 6 July 26-28 Alton Italian Car Breakfast Silverstone Classic The Departure Lounge Cafe, Silverstone Circuit Hants GU34 4BH www.silverstoneclassic.com thedepartureloungecafe.co.uk August 3 April 6-7 Alton Italian Car Breakfast Goodwood Members Meeting The Departure Lounge Cafe, Hants Goodwood Circuit, Sussex GU34 4BH www.goodwood.com thedepartureloungecafe.co.uk April 10-14 September 13-15 Techno-Classica Essen Goodwood Revival Essen, Germany Chichester, Sussex www.siha.de www.goodwood.com April 14 September (date TBA) Spring Alfa Day (AROC) 50 in Five National Motor Museum, Beaulieu 50 Alpine passes in five days www.aroc-uk.com 50infive.strikingly.com April 19-22 October 5 Horsham Piazza Italia Alton Italian Car Breakfast Horsham, Sussex The Departure Lounge Cafe, Hants www.horsham.gov.uk GU34 4BH May 4 thedepartureloungecafe.co.uk Auto Italia Italian Car Day October 13 Brooklands Museum, Surrey Autumn Motorsport Fesitval www.auto-italia.net Brooklands Museum, Surrey May 12 www.auto-italia.net Classics at the Villa III October 24-27 Villa Scalabrini Auto e Moto d’Epoca 2018 Shenley, WD7 9BB Padova, Italy www.classicsatthevilla.com autoemotodepoca.com auto italia 91 AUTO ITALIA CLASSIFIEDS SELLING YOUR ITALIAN CAR? FREE SERVICE TO READERS. EMAIL [email protected] CLASSIFIEDS ITALIAN CARS FOR SALE III ALFA ROMEO Alfa Romeo 105 Spider 2.0. 1987, 54,000 miles, Ivory, superb condition, garaged all year, summer use only, full MOT and history, new hood, 2 owners, £13,500 ono, AROC member for 16 years. Tel: Bryan Pooley, 01883 342483. Email: [email protected]. A276/025 Alfa Romeo 33 Turbo. 1700 16 valve with Turbo dynamics ball bearing water cooled turbo, dry sump etc etc, 280 bhp at 7500 rpm. AHM race transmission, strengthened case, limited slip diff AP competition clutch and concentric slave. Bodyshell seam welded, welded in cage linked to suspension, false floor, lightened and strengthened extended wheel arches and side skirts, dry sump tank in rear plumbed in armoured hose. Tilton adjustable bias pedal box. Stack dash system and lap timer, JRZ 3 way adjustable suspension with remote reservoirs. Tubular rose jointed suspension. OZ racing wheels. AP racing brakes. This car was built and maintained regardless of cost, when recommissioned would again be a formidable race car. Tel: Dave Thomas, 07818 410009. A276/005 Alfa Romeo Giulietta TI. Desirable Series 2 but with rhd and floor change, Limoncello, the well known Don Sanders car, that has reliably completed multiple European long distance trips, including a Monte Historique. Sorted with good handling and performance for a single carb 1300 with standard cams etc. Recently spruced up and retrimmed by Tony Ives so she now looks as well as she goes. Series 3 front seats with recline, fitted with harmonised trim but with original uncomfortable bench seat available if you insist. On alloys but steels available, range of spares available to taste, seeking £27,500. For full details please call Jon Dooley on 07885 636745. Email: [email protected]. A276/010 Alfa Romeo 145 TS 1750. 2000, Rosso Red, unfinished project, the car is complete, in my ownership for 16 years, offers invited. Tel: 01477 500607. A276/024 Classifieds are free! Just email [email protected] 92 auto italia 1953 1900 RHD Alfa Farina Coupe. Red, completely restored in the 1990s by Symbolic Motors with a later 1955 larger engine with twin sand-cast Solexes. Many concours awards over the years, the car was refreshed with new paint approximately a year ago, Peter Marshall knows the history on this automobile. Many photos at Bob Schnittger’s ‘1900 Companion’ website. Tel: Tim Gallagher, 828 778 2732. Email: [email protected] (North Carolina, USA). A276/016 Fisher Alfa 1965 racing car. Full restoration, professional set-up ‘on the button’, 2000cc high torque fresh engine (Jim Evans input), rebuilt Hewland, complete with spares and box trailer, 400kg, suitable Italian and French hillclimbs, £44,500. Tel: Peter, 01229 716016 (Cumbria). A276/017 Alfa Romeo Spider 105 2000. 1971, 96,200 miles, yellow, fully photographed frame off restoration and in the same family since 1989. Needs minor cosmetic work, such as interior and paint chips, choke cable needs correct knob. Full current MOT and MOT history, always garaged, taken for short drives every few weeks, hood in good order with small crease on rear window, underside cleaned and treated, included in sale are spare centre console, rear light cluster, rear bumper, engine block, £9000 ono. Tel: 01727 812992. Email: [email protected] (N.Yorkshire). A276/020 1977 Alfa Spider 105 2000 Veloce. 47,400 miles, blue, genuine RHD UK car, owned since 2002, restored over the last 3 years, recent full respray in 2 pack, new water pump, alternator, petrol pump, petrol tank. Brakes completely refurbished with new cylinders, seals and servos, new windscreen, carpet and mohair hood. Many other new small items as well, it is in excellent condition, only sign of wear driver’s door card. Being very critical, the only obvious external fault is the rear bumper which has a slight bump, £12,500 ono. Tel: 07980 184480. Email: [email protected]. A276/015 Alfa Romeo S4 Spider. 1990, RHD, Rosso Red, 2 litre injection, power steering, 5 speed, alloy wheels, Alcantara/leather seats, electric windows, no rust, desirable reg number, MOT to April 2019, garaged/covered, summer use only, £12,500 ono. Tel: 020 8997 2039 (West London). A276/018 Alfa Romeo 105 Giulia. My very special silver Bertone Junior is up for sale, it attracts a lot of admirers and has 2 characters, one is a performance Classic road car sitting on period GTA Corsa wheels, the other allows the owner to take part in Classic hill climbs, sprints and continental speed events. It complies with MSA scrutineering requirements, a well known car in AROC circles. This is an excellent car which is maintained regardless of cost and is in top mechanical condition, it was originally restored in 2000 and altered to the GTA style together with Harvey Bailey fast road suspension, GTA exhaust system, Monza fuel cap and GTA Corsa wheels. The 1300 engine was rebuilt as a 1962cc Nord engine (original engine). This is an exciting car to drive on the road or track with the instant response from the lively engine and the great intuitive feedback from the suspension set up, a car which is fettled and ready to use, £29,500 ovno. Email: [email protected]. A276/011 1984 Alfasud Ti 105 Green Cloverleaf. 54,650 miles, silver, in good condition and garaged since 1990, I have had her since 1988. Well maintained and serviced: new clutch, discs all round plus new front calipers, new rad and Koni sport shocks, has clean interior, (little split in gear gaiter rubber/leatherette and small worn patch on driver’s seat), I put in rear belts. Drives beautifully and sounds great, recent service and MOT this August, £7700. Tel: Marek, 07879 448289 (London). A276/019 CLASSIFIEDS Alfetta GTV. Silver, only 15,000 miles from new, excellent original condition, only 2 owners, owned by me since 1989. Tel: 01606 888470 (Cheshire). A271/026 Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon. Diesel, 2004,123,000 miles, MOT’d till September 2019. Spare set of Alfa alloy wheels with tyres will come with the car, new radiator, thermostat, EGR valve, boot liner included, £1500. Tel: 07749 522251 (Fife). A276/021 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA V6. In Miro Red with black and light tan upholstery. Reg Oct ‘02, MOT’d to 06/06/19 and mileage of 113,526, full service history file available and also paperwork covering paintwork, interior, wheels and exhaust, the car is further enhanced with a Bose sound system. The vehicle has been maintained to a very high standard, viewing by appointment, genuine enquires only as the vehicle is being sold due to the sudden passing of its owner. For further info tel: Paul, 07712 777853. Email: [email protected]. A276/014 Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark. 85,000 miles, owned by us since first registered on 5 June 1998, regularly serviced and cared for by Alfa specialist garage. Cosmo blue bodywork, navy velour seats etc, leather steering wheel, bodywork, interior trim, engine, gearbox etc, all in good condition. Recently failed MOT due to rust in sills but could be restoration project or source of parts, £150 or offer. Tel: 07775 851362 (located in Wiltshire). A276/026 auto italia 93 III ITALIAN CARS FOR SALE CLASSIFIEDS Alfa Romeo 33 1.5 IE non-cat. 1992, 51,000 miles, gold, FSH and tons of bills from day one, in near mint condition with excellent bodywork and very tidy underneath, MOT April 2019. I bought the car from Phil Parfitt (Alfa Craft) in London three years ago, loads of work carried out since 2012 including rebuilt heads, new clutch, radiator, shocks, cam belts this year, full brake overhaul and gearbox overhaul, contact me for a full list. Original, unmolested, unmodified, £2500. Tel: Mark, 01935 882689. Email: [email protected] (Chiselborough, Somerset). A276/023 Alfa 146 Ti. Lovely original 146 Ti, owned for over 9 years, one previous owner, always garaged. Great to drive with lovely exhaust note, it’s done 123K miles but these cars like to be used as long as they are properly maintained. Mark at Alfa Lusso in Cowfold has looked after it for many years and kept it in top condition, recent full service, belts, wheels, tyres, battery, wipers and various other bits and is MOT’d to September 2019. Rarely for these it’s never been welded, bodywise it’s in great condition and it gets lot of nice attention, it’s still bright red all over. The interior is also excellent, there are newish Alfa logo mats which match the ti style seats, the glove box is now too small for all the history. Along with the original Alfa wallet and book pack, there’s a stamped up service book, old MOTs, invoices, original bill of sale, spare and master keys etc. This is not your average 146 as you can probably tell and there aren’t many left now, you are more than welcome to come and have a look, £2495. Tel: 07809 221500. Email: [email protected] (near Brighton). A276/022 2003 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA. Just turned 70K miles in the classic red with black leather interior. The teledials in stunning shadow chrome help to set the car apart from the crowd, the private number plate is included in the sale. The car has the mandatory Q2 fitted, Autodelta intake, Scorpion stainless steel exhaust, colour coded strut brace and 330mm Brembo brakes. The engine is beautifully detailed and the cambelt and water pump has been done, this car is also in the lower car tax bracket, £8995. Tel: Jamie Porter, 01763 244441. A276/012 CLASSIFIEDS ITALIAN CARS FOR SALE III FERRARI Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD 20V Ti. 2005, genuine Ti spec, rare 156, only 27 left. Gunmetal Grey, 98,000 miles, owned 7 years, thousands spent, vgc all round. Ti’s have unique badging, interior, lower than standard suspension, quicker steering rack and wider wheels, ride is firm ,goes round corners like she is on rails, 0-60mph in low 8 second and lots of torque make this a great driver’s car. Needs new cam and aux belt/water pump, reflected in the price (can be done for £420), £2495 ono, open to sensible offers, ring for more details. Tel: 07531 136178 (east Devon). A276/054 1999 GTV Lusso 3.2 24v. c80,000 miles, Gunmetal Grey/red leather, once much loved, but now not used for several years due to family. Needs work and tlc, clutch slips if revved hard, needs good service, crack in windscreen, few other bits. Great opportunity to have the best colour combo with the big engine if you have some time to spend, love to see someone get this back on the road, £2500. Tel: Chris, 07796 337839. A276/056 2004 Alfa Romeo GTV 916 3.0 V6 coupe. Cup variant which is number 122 of only 155 limited edition cars in the UK, legendary Busso V6 engine which sounds absolutely fantastic, body is styled by Pininfarina. New cambelt kit just done, Alfa Romeo GT 18-inch jetfin alloys with Pirelli Rosso PZero tyres, I do have the original 17-inch teledial alloys which are in excellent condition and included in the price, Momo half leather seats and Momo steering wheel, Q2 limited slip differential, stainless steel Raggazon exhaust with one silencer,BMC air filter, Powerflex bushes with Koni dampers fitted, Brembo brakes with drilled and grooved front discs, paint recently refreshed, replacement engine was fitted at 146,000 miles, FSH, great condition, £12,000 ovno. Tel: 07411 262957. A276/013 94 auto italia Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6. 2001, Alfa Rosso, stunning GTV 3.0 owned by AROC member last 15 years. New MOT and service, low mileage 87,800, huge history file and FSH, £6500 ono. Tel: 07743 864373 (Devon). A276/058 Alfa Romeo Spider Twin Spark Lusso. Pearlescent blue, 2000, W-reg, 55,000 miles, 2 owners from new, in present ownership for last 15 years, regularly maintained by specialist garage, no expense spared, new hood and clutch, ill health forces sale, £3950. Zender, anti-roll bars fitted from new, breathable cover. Tel: Ian, 01202 744028 or 07740 780905 (Dorset). A276/057 Alfa Romeo Spider Twin Spark Lusso. 1997 2.0L CF1, 78,912 miles, red, black leather, a/c, serviced annually, new parts in my ownership: front wishbones and bearings, rear wishbone bearings, radiator, cambelt, water pump, variator, all drive belts, thermostat, exhaust, new tyres, discs and pads, FSH. MOT 12/11/19, all bills and documents are available + set of original wheels, £2850 ono. Tel: 01302 772140 (South Yorks). A276/009 2004 Alfa Romeo 916 Spider. Silver, bodywork in very good condition, less than 49,000 miles, good service history with invoices, all the usual refinements including electric hood. MOT till January 2019, £5500 ono, can be seen in Parkgate Cheshire, or Birkenhead. Tel: Alan, 07867 617839. A276/055 2002 Ferrari 360 Spider. Manual in Grigio Alloy with crema leather piped with blue seats, blue leather dashboard and crema roll hoops giving a striking alternative to the more common red! £6000 extras when new, document pack, keys, fitted Ferrari car cover etc are with the car, always garaged and summer use only – no track day use. In my care for 13 years, £70,000, 3 years with full Ferrari dealer history every year, belts changed this year. Email: [email protected] (Northamptonshire). A276/059 Ferrari Mondial 3.4T Cabriolet. 40K miles and full Ferrari service history, very original car, all handbooks, keys and tools present, £52,950. Tel: 07816 310683. A276/027 Ferrari 308 GT4. Very early GT4 registered 1/1/75 to Toleman Ltd, was originally metallic Viola which I believe maybe unique in a UK RHD car, now red. Cloth interior, comes with the incredibly rare leather Dino wallet and service book, needs complete and total restoration but could be an amazing project, 95% complete, £25K. Tel: Nick Record, 07836 573204. A276/028 Ferrari 308GTS QV. Very rare Azzurro metallic blue Ferrari 308 GTS QV with contrasting Crème leather c/w blue piping. Huge history file going right back to the original order made with Ferrari, including front and rear spoilers, air conditioning, toolkit, service book and manuals. Last service included new belts, etc in March 2018, long-term FOC member, inspection and/or demonstration can be arranged. Email: [email protected]. A276/062 Ferrari 328 GTS. 1987, 21K mls, Rosso Red and Crema, with a/c and colour coded roof aerofoil, I bought this from a main dealer approx 1990. Excellent service history, just had a major belt service and complete suspension and brake refurbishment, all invoices and MOTs present, original jack, tools, leather service wallet pack and mapreading lamp. Original NCT spare tyre has never been used, 328 private number subject to negotiation, in impeccable condition, totally standard and unmolested, £99,995. Tel: 07801 659093. A276/073 Ferrari 360 Modena. Rosso Corsa with Crema leather, F1 gearbox, 2000/W, RHD, 41,500 miles. Excellent condition inside and out with full service history, new brake discs and pads front and rear, new cambelts and Hill Engineering tensioners. Challenge rear grille and front grilles, 6 CD changer, original books and manuals in leather pouch, Ferrari tool kit, 2 keys, 3 alarm fobs. Owned past 8 years, always garaged, £69,950. Tel: 0844 3302026. Email: [email protected] (London). A276/060 Ferrari 458 Spider. Purchased from Meridien Modena in Feb 2018, 3250 miles, one previous owner, Ferrari power warranty to Feb 2020, free servicing to Aug 2020, recently MOT’d and serviced, all stamps present. Perfect specification, Corsa Red, red carpets, black carbon sports seats, carbon driver zone, centre console, carbon kick plates and carbon rear tailgate, grey alloys with yellow calipers. This is a reluctant sale with genuine reasons to pass on this wonderful machine, £194,995 ono, strictly no canvassers. Email: [email protected]. A276/063 1987 Ferrari 328 GTB race car. Campaigned in the Ferrari Owners’ Club Classic race series over the years as a front running car, this is a very well known car, modified to group 4 specification, for more information please contact Robert, 07802 638618. A276/029 Ferrari 348TB. LHD, 1993, 38,500km, Rosso with tan, one previous owner, full history, belts 2016, just serviced October ‘18, always garaged and used by me in the south of France, now in UK, needs to be seen, really is superb, call or whatsapp, £45,750. Tel: 07768 028400. Email: [email protected] for full update and full photo specification (FOClub member). A276/030 Ferrari 328 GTS. 1989, Rosso/Crema, 56,830 miles, FSH, original tools, books etc, stunning perfect car, welcome to any test or inspection. Recent service and new MOT, this car is as good as it’s going to get! Email: [email protected] for more pics and info, or phone FOC member Anthony, 07779 726845. A276/061 CLASSIFIEDS SITUATIONS VACANT This fast growing, single marque, specialist garage in Hertfordshire, has two full time vacancies for experienced classic car Mechanic/Restorers. This renowned workshop has a field leading reputation and attracts customers from all over the world so the successful candidate should be able to demonstrate that they can deliver against high expectations. AVANTI MOTORSPORT ABARTH / ALFA / FIAT / LANCIA 1000s of used parts in stock Performance Engine Parts Engine & Gearbox Rebuilds 5 & 6 Speed Close Ratio Gearkits LSD Units, Final Drives Tel.: 01458 446517 Email: [email protected] Both roles are full time jobs, working 40 hours/week Monday to Friday. Salary dependent on experience. Product knowledge training will be given. Basic IT skills using Microsoft Office (word, outlook, excel) is essential. Full UK driving licence. Overall, the applicant should be able to demonstrate a steady career, a passion for the subject, attention to detail and a desire to meet the high standards set by our discerning customers. Please contact Elspeth Heywood on [email protected] McGrath Maserati, Unit 8, Claggy Road, Kimpton, Herts, SG4 8QB, UK Phone: 00 44 (0) 1438 832161 auto italia 95 III THE DIRECTORY SPECIALIST SERVICES • One vacancy is as a Mechanic on the ‘modern classics’, cars from the 1980’s through to current day. An ability to work against an estimate and to deadline is essential. The job requires ‘old school’ as well as modern, computerised diagnostics • The second vacancy is as a Restorer, working on classic cars from the 1950’s to 1970’s. A knowledge of older technologies is essential including electrical, mechanical and engineering. Project management skills would be a distinct advantage on the longer term projects CLASSIFIEDS ITALIAN CARS FOR SALE III MASERATI Maserati 4200 Spyder. Available now, a beautiful 4200 Spyder maintained throughout my ownership by McGrath, exterior and interior professionally detailed and sealed for life (no more polishing!), garaged with 78,000 miles. Well known car in the club and cherished for the last decade by former Trident editor, great opportunity to acquire a fully sorted and very pretty car, £18,250. Tel: 01406 490087. Email: [email protected]. A276/004 FIAT Fiat Abarth 1.4 M/A T-Jet Competizione. Reg 27/11/18, 8000 miles, Abarth Red, paddle shift, Supersport wheels, Celtic tuning, 205bhp, 210lb/ft (0-60 5.5 sec, 150mph est), auto/manual, recent service, immaculate condition, £17,000. Tel: 01668 283462 (Northumberland). A276/064 1995 Fiat Coupe 16V N/A. 81,500 miles, long MOT to 15.08.19, cambelt and tensioners replaced August 2014 at 72,000 miles, exhaust replaced from the cat in August 2014, exhaust front downpipe replaced in August 2017, recent two front Dunlop tyres, cloth interior in good condition, history file, drives very well, call for further details, £750. Tel: 07854 932595 (Orpington area). A276/065 Fiat Uno 45S. Black, 1984, 140,000 miles, price: open to offers, one owner car, in need of MOT and more TLC, phone for details. Tel: 07710 486059 or 01992 465304 or 01992 476300 (Herts). A276/007 LANCIA Fiat 130 Coupe. Rare manual ZF gearbox model, one of just 900 hand built by Pininfarina at their Cambiano facility from the total production of 4,491 cars. Original Bianco paint, and orange velour interior, paint is excellent, the interior is good with the exception of the front seats which show some wear and would benefit from some attention (I have been quoted £600 to repair both front seats), there are a set of tailored seat covers on the front seats, so the interior does look very acceptable. Vehicle is showing an Indicated 35,000 kms from new with 2 Italian and 2 UK owners, full 12 months’ MOT and registered as Historic Vehicle, so road fund licence is free. These cars, especially the rare ZF manual versions, are being talked up by journalists such as Quentin Willson, who feel that they will increase in value rapidly in the future. A comfortable and sure footed mile eater that looks great and should handsomely repay your investment, £10,950 or offers, would part exchange anything, ancient or modern, cash either way. Tel: 07831 290806. Email: [email protected]. A276/001 96 auto italia 2007 Maserati Quattroporte 4.2 Sport GT ZF auto. As owned by Auto Italia editor, Chris Rees, and featured in this magazine (June 2017). 400hp V8 engine with ZF six-speed paddle-shift auto - much nicer to drive than the Duo Select transmission and more reliable. Dark grey with red-and-black duo-tone leather upholstery. Full spec including ‘Sport’ driving mode, front and rear climate control, sat nav, Bose audio, CD changer, electric rear sun blind, Xenon lights, cruise, parking sensors, heated seats, 20-inch alloys, piano black trim. Private plate ‘V88 MSR’ included. Fully stamped service book. New battery, two new Michelin Pilot Sport rear tyres. Excellent condition inside and out, 46,350 miles, MOT to November 2019, £16,900. Tel: 07721 913282. Email: [email protected]. A276/070 PARTS Lancia Kappa Coupe. 1999, 88,550 miles (142,426km), 2.44cc 5cyl with VIS. As featured in the December issue of this magazine. Two owners from new, the first was a Lancia main dealer in Karlsruhe, Germany, who kept it for his own use until I bought it in 2012. The car is in very good condition with Poltrona Frau leather, auto climate control, heated and electric seats, stereo radio with 6CD changer. Cam belt changed at 58,500 miles. MOT until April 2019. The car is quite rare, as not many were built. A car in similar top condition in Germany would fetch about 11,000 euros. The insured value is £7500 and would be increased at next renewal. The current registration is T450 SAA. I am looking for offers around £7600. Tel: 07739 897477 or 01962 715817 (Winchester). A276/006 Ferrari 355 wheels. 1 set of genuine Speedline wheels to fit a Ferrari 355 for sale, with Prelli P Rosso tyres, 295/680/18 and 235/645/18, all in good condition, £2700. Tel: Robert, 07802 638618. A276/031 Marchal spotlights. Pair of spotlights, believed ex California Spyder, £650, contact John Lewis for photos and spec. Email: [email protected]. A276/032 365GT2+2 parts. 365GT2+2 plastic perspex headlight covers, £500; handbrake cable, £150; and oil filter, £10. Tel: 07836 239377 (Haslemere). A276/033 Alfa Romeo GTV 916 speedo and rev counter console, black, good working order, £50 ono. Tel: 01564 772714 (West Midlands). A276/034 Ferrari 612 rear exhaust. Rear exhaust system for sale, £500. Tel: 07836 239377 (Haslemere). A276/035 Ferrari F430 Spider exhausts and headers. I have replaced the exhaust and headers on my F430 Spider and these parts are available for purchase. Car had done around 20K on the exhausts and as far as I know the headers are the MkIIs which were fine and were replaced because I wanted the louder sound of the aftermarket ones. Available for collection from Bromsgrove, any questions please ask, open to sensible offers. Email: [email protected] (West Midlands). A276/036 Fiat Stilo Abarth parts. Rear hatch with glass and spoiler, set of wheels, side skirts, rear lights, mirrors and parcel shelf, £150 job lot. Tel: 07541 310419. A276/037 Ferrari 348 genuine rear window seal. New boxed 348 rear window seal, I am told these are over £400 and no longer available, £150. Tel: 07787 52813. A276/038 MISCELLANEOUS 330/365 Borrani alloy wheel. Ferrari 330/365 Borrani alloy wheel with new tyre, £500. Tel: 07836 239377 (Haslemere). A276/067 Genuine Ferrari 458 indoor car cover. Email: [email protected]. A276/069 CLASSIFIEDS Alfa Romeo Alfetta Haynes workshop manual, all models 1973-1981, clean condition, £10 ono. Tel: 01564 772714 (West Midlands). A276/039 Ferrari F430 Coupe custom indoor cover. Complete with storage bag, this cover has never been used. Soft liner to protect paintwork, breathable fabric, originally purchased from Classic Additions. Colour red with yellow piping and yellow mirror pockets, Ferrari badge on bonnet, £250. Email: [email protected]. A276/040 Enzo magazine issue 1. Brand new. Email: [email protected]. A276/041 Ferrari 458 Spider luggage. Full set in very new condition, sensible offers considered. Email: [email protected]. A276/042 Meguiars G220 polishing machine. No longer needed and still boxed and very light use. With some pads – some are new and unused, plus a range of chemicals for polishing, all included, £100 collected from SW London. Email: [email protected]. A276/043 ‘250M’. Registration for sale, Ferrari member. Email: [email protected]. A276/044 Hand made 3D A.T.S emblem wall art. Measuring 500mm diameter, all wood construction, £85 plus shipping. Tel: 07564 637636. A276/002 C ‘Ferrari World’ magazine. I have 14 editions of Ferrari World magazine for sale including 4 year books 2010/2011/2012/2013. I’m open to offers as I want them out of the way, they are all immaculate, never been read. Email: bi.electricalsolutions@ gmail.com. A276/071 olour photographs are free for PRIVATE advertisers! You can include approximately 30 words. Advertisements can be submitted by email, or posted using this form. Send your advert to: Auto Italia Magazine, c/o Ginger Beer Promotions, Enterprise House, Building 52, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire MK45 4HS, United Kingdom, (email: [email protected]) to arrive no later than 17th January for inclusion in the March issue. April issue deadline: 14th February. All adverts received after the deadline will be inserted in the following issue. Private adverts cannot be submitted by telephone. For TRADE RATES please email: [email protected] or call: 01732 445325. PLEASE฀USE฀BLOCK฀CAPITALS NAME: ADDRESS: POSTCODE: EMAIL: TEL฀NO: WORDING฀FOR฀ADVERT: TICK฀AS฀APPLICABLE฀฀฀฀฀฀PICTURE฀ENC:฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀ ฀฀฀฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀฀ ฀ TRADE฀IDENTIFICATION: HOW฀DO฀I฀SEND฀A฀PHOTO฀TO฀GO฀WITH฀MY฀ADVERT? 1.฀Email฀a฀jpeg฀file฀to฀[email protected] 2.฀Send฀a฀good฀quality฀photographic฀print฀(non-returnable).฀Post฀to฀above฀address YOU฀CAN฀INCLUDE฀A฀PHOTOGRAPH฀WITH฀YOUR฀ADVERT FREE฀OF฀CHARGE! Adverts฀received฀before฀17th฀January฀will฀go฀into฀March฀issue APRIL฀DEADLINE:฀14th฀FEBRUARY The฀publishers฀accept฀no฀responsibility฀for฀the฀quality฀of฀goods฀sold฀through฀these฀pages฀although฀the฀greatest฀care฀will฀be฀taken to฀ensure฀that฀advertisements฀accepted฀are฀bona฀fide.฀Advertisers฀should฀take฀note฀of฀the฀requirements฀of฀the฀TRADE DESCRIPTIONS฀ACT฀1968 when฀preparing฀their฀advertisements฀for฀publication. For your vintage garage. 7 tin petrol sign, 8x12 inches, £45 post free. Tel: 020 8399 7541 (Surrey). A276/008 ‘SPY 16M’. 430 Ferrari Scuderia 16M Spider, the number plate looks perfect on the car. Tel: 07483 940688. A276/045 Ferrari books/brochures/prints. Moving house so looking to sell various Ferrari related items: automobilia books, various models 412/456/550/360/ 430/612; ltd edition Clarkson on Ferrari silk bound book; brochures 412/456/ 575/FF/California; large Pininfarina sketch prints 456/360 (obtained from Marenello Egham) currently framed but frames tatty; 11” x 8” plastic Scuderia shield, ideal for garage; limited edition no 28/50 signed David Wilson Schumacher F1 cars 97-03, all 7 cars, please email for prices. Email: [email protected]. A276/046 ‘430 WOW’. It’s what bystanders will say when you drive past in your beautiful 430. Tel: 07770 880958. A276/047 ‘ENZ 123’. Ideal dateless plate for an Enzo model, £7500. Tel: 07773 078074. Email: [email protected]. A276/048 ‘EFF 488’. On retention, £5K ono. Email: [email protected]. A276/049 ‘GTC4’. Great registration for your GTC4 Lusso. Tel: 07770 880958. A276/050 ‘F360 GTO’. Currently on retention certificate, £3500. Tel: 07773 078074. Email: [email protected]. A276/051 Ferrari 275 GTB and GTS original owner’s handbook. 1965, first edition, small amount of water damage to a few corners, cover loose on spine, sensible offers. Email: [email protected] (N.Wales). A276/052 3 Ferrari books. Enzo Ferrari, Yates; Enzo, Richard Williams; Ferrari Testarossa, £60 lot. Tel: 07968 659967 (Kent). A276/066 Ferrari handbooks. I have a collection of genuine Ferrari handbooks in mint condition that I wish to sell. They are for the following models, Dino 246 GT, 308 GT 4, 308 GTB, 365 GTC 4, 400 I, 330 GT (Mopar reprint), brochure 308 GTB/GTS and finally a 308 QV, 328 GTB/GTS workshop manual, POA. Tel: Martin, 07897 352555. Email: [email protected]. A276/072 ‘F430 BOY’. Great reg for your F430, offers around £5K. Tel: Paul, 07974 595056. A276/053 WANTED Wanted Alfa 166 ‘04 on: any info, workshop manual, brochures etc. Tel: 07960 538909 (Leics). A276/003 auto italia 97 III ITALIAN CARS FOR SALE CLASSIFIEDS Sell฀your฀Italian฀car, bike฀or฀spares฀here FREE฀OF฀CHARGE! Ferrari F1 model. Schumacher 1/6th scale, £5000. Tel: 07836 239377 (Haslemere). A276/068 OBSCURATI CURIOSITIES FROM THE AMAZING WORLD OF ITALIAN CARS GIO PONTI’S ‘LINEA DIAMANTE’ 65 YEARS IN THE MAKING, GIO PONTI’S ADVANCED SALOON WAS, IN 1953, THE RIGHT IDEA AT THE WRONG TIME. IT’S FINALLY BEEN BUILT – AND IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT Story by Gary Axon T he gestation period for a new car transitioning from concept to production reality can often be a painfully slow and arduous one. Italy has had its fair share of long-lead production waits, including the Lamborghini Countach and current Fiat 500, both of which appeared in production form three years after their initial concepts were first shown to test the water and whet the public’s appetite. But the record for a car being conceived to finally being built must go to the ‘Linea Diamante’. This was first revealed in 1953, but only became a physical reality 65 years later, in 2018. The Linea Diamante (Diamond Line) was created by the influential Italian architect and industrial designer, Giò Ponti (1891-1979), the creator of the iconic 32-storey Pirelli Tower in Milan – acknowledged as one of the world’s most ‘elegant’ 98 auto italia skyscrapers – and the famous Superleggera chair. He was also the co-founder of the respected design and architecture magazine Domus in 1928. A key reason why it took 65 years to for Ponti’s Linea Diamante pass from a forwardthinking paper-only prototype to a full scale vehicle – it debuted at the recent Grand Basel car exhibition in Switzerland – was that his 1953 vision was simply too advanced and radical for its time. In an era when car design was characterised by large, swollen shapes, small windows and dark, claustrophobic interiors (the contemporary bulbous Fiat 1400 and Standard Vanguard, for instance), the sharpedged Linea Diamante began with an aerodynamic teardrop shape and soon developed into the more angular and futuristic Diamond Line with flat-form body panels and a generous glass area to flood the cabin with light. The car’s dimensions allowed a generously-proportioned interior and a spacious, pioneering ‘hatchback’ boot. Its profile was perhaps mimicked by Pininfarina’s influential BMC 1800based Aerodinamica concept almost 15 years later, a car that sired the Citroen GS and CX. Ponti also added innovated allround rubber bumpers, in collaboration with the Pirelli tyre company, just like the early Fiat Panda, with spring-mounted ‘buffers’ front and rear. Ponti’s original drawings and 1:10 scale models show that he’d planned his Linea Diamante to be built on an Alfa Romeo 1900 Berlina chassis. He sought a production partnership with Milan-based Carrozzeria Touring, which was rebuffed, so then turned to Fiat for production of a subcompact model, which was also refused. 65 years on, this fascinating car was finally brought to life for the inaugural 2018 Grand Basel, with a full-sized model created by a team of experts, led by FCA Heritage director and father of the current Fiat 500, Roberto Giolito. He collaborated with Pirelli and Editoriale Domus, reflecting their historic connections with Giò Ponti‘s farsighted concept. Pirelli even provided period early 1950s tyres to the correct Alfa Romeo 1900 specification as a fitting tribute to this remarkably advanced car. If Ponti’s ‘right idea at the wrong time’ automotive vision had been accepted and built in the early 1950s, imagine what the cars we are driving today might have looked like…