Auto Italia at Gaydon – September 2011

The Auto Italia event at Gaydon in September tends to indicate that the summer season of events is drawing to a close, and although there was quite a lot of blue sky during the day, the keen wind certainly gave the 2011 event a less than summery feel. Maybe the forecast for rather worse weather than transpired kept the crowds away, as this was definitely not a busy event. The main car parking area in front of the museum was very far from full, and there seemed to be relatively few visitors who were not actually also displaying their cars. Not only that, but there were few rare or unusual cars, and by 2pm half the attendees had departed. Even so, I enjoyed my day, and there are plenty of photos to give everyone else an impression of what they missed.

ABARTH

As well as a dealer display from Research of Nuneaton, there was a very strong showing from Abarthisti, as expected, with a variety of 500, 500C, Grande Punto and Punto Evo among the 26 cars that made their appearance. It was good to get the chance to catch up with my many friends from that site during the day.

This car was orphaned from the main display, as it was intended to showcase a range of optional parts that could create a customised 500. Decide for yourselves what you think!

Several classic Abarths were on show, too. All bar the red 600 are event stalwarts, so need little further comment. The 600 turned out to be sporting a Lotus engine mounted longditudinally in the back, thus necessitating the open engine cover simply because the engine was far bigger than the space available. The owner was interviewed during the day, and it emerged that he had owned this car in 1974 and had raced it, and had many incidents which required it to be rebuilt several times, and then had sold it. Years later he bought it back, added a lot of Abarth parts to it, and has enjoyed it even more.

ALFA ROMEO

Oldest Alfa at the event was this, a gorgeous Giulietta Sprint that only arrived during the mid afternoon after most other cars had gone.

From the Giulia range was an Italian plated Berlina along with several GTVs, and a few Spiders.

Three Montreals, in red, green and grey.

Two 33s were at the event. ARO7F, a red model, and an inveterate attendee appears to have eluded my camera, but I did photograph this facelifted car.

There were a couple of the replacement for that car, the 145, one in a very period yellow hue.

A few 75s

There were several 155s, including one painted up in the same yellow as has been seen on a 164 that is now on taxi duty. It was not clear if the same new life awaits this one.

A pair of Series 3 Alfasuds, a Ti and a Gold Cloverleaf, both in fine condition, were complemented by an early Alfasud Sprint.

Lots of the 916 series GTVs and Spiders

Among the prettiest volume cars of recent years are the 156 and Alfa GT and there were a few of each on show

There were a number of other recent cars too, including these

After a slightly slow start, the MiTo seems to have gained entry into AROC events like all other Alfas, and there were a few of this entry level car at the event today.

The new Giulietta is now quite a common sighting on our roads, and there were several at the event.

DINOThis Dino 206 was one of the stars of the day.

FERRARIJust 7 Ferraris made this event: a pair of Dino 308 GT4s, a pair of 360/430 cars, a 308 GTB Qv and a rather nice 330 GT 2+2.

The seventh, though, was rather special. A 250 GT SWB, which was probably worth more than the entire rest of the event.

FIATThe Fiat Coupe used to be one of the most prolific cars at Italian car events, but in 2011 the numbers appear to have diminished more than somewhat. All told, there were 10 cars present at this event, which is way down on the 30 – 40 that were here a couple of years ago.

Oldest Fiat on show was this 600.

Three 124 Spiders arrived during the day.

There were three 128 based cars, a saloon, the two door coupe and its replacement, the 3P.

I had a long chat with the owner of this 130 Coupe. He has had it since 1979, and is a real enthusiast. Although it needed quite a lot of attention when he first got it, he has had to undertake a fairly limited amount of replacement and restoration work ever since, and the car is in very fine fettle indeed.

One lone X1/9

The only 131 was this Volumetrico, a supercharged car which was never sold in the UK.

Although the Uno has all but disappeared from our roads, there were a good number attending this event, with examples of the original style and the facelifted cars, and engines from the entry level 903cc engined 45 to the 70SX.