As noted, the turnout was massive, and there was virtually no free space within the bounds of the museum
complex, with the cars arranged predominantly by marque or model. One always comes across some
interesting specimens, maybe sometimes not because they are particularly valuable or exotic, but because
they were once common sights on the road, which are now rarities due to the ravages of time and rust.
Examples of these in attendance were Fiat 128s, in coupé, saloon and station wagon variants, an immaculate
orange 127 Sport and an Alfasud race car. Then there were the wild and wacky, like the Fiat 600 Dragster and
the 500 on steroids, together with a pair of Dino 246 GT models that were not “as the maker intended”.
The first was a 206 S sports racing lookalike based on an original 246 GT, chassis # 01508, but fitted
with a longitudinally mounted 2 litre V6 engine, whilst the other was a 246 GTS that sported numerous
modifications. These were predominantly to the mechanical components, notably the fitment of a Ferrari V8
engine with fuel injection, together with upgraded suspension and brakes. This is registered as chassis #
07680, but also carries chassis # 06364 on the plaque on the steering column, so maybe an amalgam
of two cars.
The cars that the majority of attendees go to see are the supercars, and they certainly weren’t in short
supply. Lanchester of Colchester had a large contingent of client’s cars in attendance, including Ferraris,
Lamborghinis and Maseratis, whilst the Lamborghini Club UK had an expansive display of predominantly
modern examples, although there was also a Countach, Diablos in the form of a VT Roadster and a rare GT
example of which only 80 examples were produced, plus a Jarama S, a Silhouette and a pair of Espadas.
Ferrari were not to be outdone by their rivals from Sant’ Agata, and there was on paddock full of, again like
Lamborghini, predominantly modern examples, with another grassed area between the museum buildings
also featuring further examples and the delta wings of Concord provided shelter to even more of them. Other
Italian rarities included De Tomasos in the form of a Mangusta, Pantera and a Deauville, together with an Iso
Rivolta and Lele, whilst among “the minnows” were a pair of Abarth Grand Prix models together with a number
of Fiat based examples, and if you wanted cute, how about a salmon pink Fiat 500 Vignale “Noddy car”.
Variety was certainly the spice of life at the Italian Car Day!
Keith Bluemel
05/2019
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