Now in its 26th year, the Brooklands Auto Italia event has grown to be the largest and most popular gathering of Italian cars in the country. In previous years, almost every corner of the historic Brooklands site has been crammed with just about every different model type that has been made by an Italian manufacturer over the past 50 years, so much so that in 2011 the display flowed over into an adjoining office parking area, accessible by a rather make-shift collection of plates and planks that did not seem to be able to withstand the weight and traction of any car going over it. Noting that the Abarths were going to have to negotiate this access route again and also that display cars would be accepted on site from 8:30am, it seemed prudent to make a rather early start from Bristol, which ended up with an easy drive straight into the venue at 7:50am, and pole parking position before every area started to fill up. Even before 8am, there were quite a few cars to see, and the event just got busier and busier, keeping the photographers active until exhibitors started to depart in the mid afternoon. Although a vast number of photos are included in this report, there are still some cars which eluded us, either because they did not stay long, or were crowded out and we never got back to them. Even so, there is plenty to enjoy, so please drool over some fabulous Italian machinery.
ABARTH
As ever, there was very strong showing from Abarthisti with plenty of examples of all the modern Abarths on show, with the exception of the rare 695 Tributo Ferrari. Over 35 cars on show may not be a record, but it is still a great effort.
Thames, the local dealer had a representative range of the current models on show, too.
There were a number of classic Abarths on show, too, ranging from the little 595 through the larger 1300TC to the Simca 2 litre car, and also featuring this one, the Tornado, which has a Lotus Elan engine as nearly in the back of it as will fit!
This particularly wild looking device has been seen at many shows over the years and always draws the crowds.
ACThe Italian connection here is the Zagato styling. The AC 378 is based on the Perana Concept and should enter production “soon”. Another real crowd puller.
ALFA ROMEO
No pre-war Alfas today, as perhaps the weather had warned the drivers off, so the earliest cars were from the 1950s and the very pretty Giulietta Sprint range.
There were a couple of the equally lovely Spider models.
There was just one of the early 1960s large Alfas, a 2600 Spider.
There were, however, plenty of the smaller 105 series Giulias, with Berlinas and the coupe GT and GTV cars on show
There were several of the popular Spider, as you might expect.
There was but a single Montreal
AlfaSud Berlina was joined by a few of the Sprint cars.
No Alfetta Berlina, but there were several GTVs
There weren’t many 33s, either, though ARO7F, the immaculate Veloce model was there, as was another red car which looked like it had not received anything like the same level of care for its paintwork.
There were none of the 116 series Giuliettas, but a couple of that model’s replacement, the 75, were on show.
There were more 164s than is often the case at events like this. Even so, there were only a few, and they were all later cars, mostly Supers with the bigger bumpers.
There were also only a couple of 155s on display.
There was a pristine low mileage SZ on sale, yours for £50,000. Rather more “used” were this pair.
916 series GTVs and Spiders are still ludicrously cheap, with one far from tatty car advertised at just £650. There were lots on show, including several of the limited edition Cup model.
147 GTA
There were plenty of 156s, with an especially strong showing of the GTA model, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
166
Out of production now for a couple of years, it is not hard to predict classic status for the very pretty GT Lots were on show.
The 159, Brera and Spider are also now consigned to history, and these elegant designs are also likely to retain popularity for years to come.
From the current range, there were a few examples of the latest Giulietta and the MiTo on show.
Final Alfa was the fabulous 8C Competizione. Stunning!
AUTECHWithout question, this has to be the rarest car of the day, as it is unique in Europe. A small number of these cars, designed by Zagato, were made for the Japanese market in 1991. Based on Nissan componentry, it has, erm, distinctive styling. They were fearsomely expensive new, retailing for around £120,000. The owner bought this car in Japan a few years ago and brought it over here.
DE TOMASOJust two cars, a Mangusta and a Pantera. Both lovely.
FERRARI
There are always a lot of Ferraris at this event, and whilst they did not quite fill all the space allocated to them, there were representatives of almost all model types made, certainly in the last 40 years, and a couple of cars that were older than that.Oldest was this 1960 250 GT car, one of the later Series 2 cars, it was nice to see another example of this elegant coupe, having been treated to the sight of one in Bristol the previous weekend.
Newest model is the FF, and this black example was creating a lot of interest. Although the car has been available in the UK for a few months, it seems to have slipped onto the market almost unheralded, and they are still a rare sight on the roads.
The 458 is becoming more common, and there were a few of these cars on show.
Nice though the 458 is, no question that the most desirable Ferrari for me at least was this 288 GTO. Just fabulous.
I am also a fan of the Daytona, and one of these arrived later in the day.
No sign of an F50 or an Enzo, but there were a couple of F40s.
Two 250GT Lussos were a real treat, as these are supremely elegant cars from the early 1960s.
A couple of the Dino 246GTs.
There were a couple of the legendary Berlinetta Boxer models.
A couple of Mondials.
Several 308/328 model, as ever.
Also, a good number of 348/355s, reflecting the fact that it was with these cars that sales of Ferrari gradually increased.
There were also a good number of 360 and 430 cars, showing the many different versions in which this design was offered over the years.
Among the larger cars, there was a lone 400i, an elegant car still looking for real popularity.
As well as the “regular” 550 and 575 models there was a rather nice 575 SuperAmerica car in the main enclosure.
There were 3 of the recently superceded 599 models on show, one of which was a GTO.
FIAT
This 500-based Castagna is a modern interpretation of the Beach Car popularised by vehicles like the Jolly in the 1960s.
My favourite Fiat of the day has to be this 130 Berlina, which looked absolutely immaculate. Although the Coupes are seen from time to time, Berlinas are very rare indeed, with only half a dozen or so thought to be in the UK.
It does have a rival, though, in the Dino. There was just one, a Spider at the event this time.
Oldest Fiat at the event, indeed oldest car on display was this 500C Belvedere along with the “regular” model.
There were plenty of the Nuova 500s on show, including the rare Giardiniera.
Never quite achieving the same level of affection was the successor, the 126, and there were several of these to see, too.
This was a different 850 Coupe from the ones that starred in Bristol the previous weekend.There was also an 850 Spider.
This 125 is a rare survivor of the upmarket brother to the once familiar 124.
There was a 124 Berlina, but it made a very early exit, so the photos are confined to the now more commonly seen Spider models
There were a couple of 127s, one of which was pristine, and one of which was anything but.
The 133 is very rare even in its native Spain, so seeing this one was something of a surprise.
This 128 3P is an event regular, but something has happened, as it now lacks a rear bumper, has a dented rear wing, the front bumper is going rusty. I know it was up for sale last year, but it looks like its new owner, if it has one, is letting it decay very rapidly. Shame.
There was a 128 saloon, in Abarth-style recreation format.
Lots of X1/9s, from one of the first numbered edition cars to some of the last, sold in 1988.
The Stradas on show were all from the top end of the range, with a couple of 105TCs and a 130TC Abarth
Lone Tipo was the Sedicivalvole.
Nice to see several Unos, as these cars have all but vanished from all roads in Europe now.
This Punto Cabrio was an automatic, making it particularly rare.
The Fiat Coupe was popular in some very bold colours, so a display of a large number of these cars, as was the case at this event, is always a feast of colour as well as those sharp Bangle lines.
There were quite a few recent Fiats, too, ranging from the Cinquecento and Seicento to Puntos to Brava, Marea, Idea, Panda and the current 500.
INNOCENTIIf any Innocenti at all is to be found at a UK event, it is more usual for it to be one of the Austin-Healey Sprite based IM3 sports cars, but in fact Innocenti did produce a number of BMC’s other cars during the 1960s and early 1970s, making a few modifications to suit the demands of the local Italian market. The Mini was among the cars that they built, eventually replacing it with the very stylish hatchback Bertone 90/120 cars. This is an Innocenti Mini, and as well as the different grille and badging, the interior quality was a definite cut above was being produced in Longbridge and Cowley.
ISOAn early arrival was this stunning Grifo 7 litre The rumbling sound made by its engine was at least as appealing as its stylish lines. A lovely car.
In the afternoon, this Rivolta Coupe arrived.
A third Iso was the ex John Lennon owned Fidia saloon model which is a frequent attendee at UK Italian Car events .LAMBORGHINI
There are still only a few of Lamborghini’s latest supercar, the Aventador, in the UK, so I can imagine that any owner thought he might have the only example of the car on show, but in fact there were 5 at the event. Two of them were even in the same rather bright lime green colour.
There were examples of almost all the different model types that Lamborghini have made in their near 50 year history. Perhaps the rarest cars to encounter in the UK are the LM002 models, and we were treated to the sight of 2 of them. The black one is currently undergoing a meticulous restoration. The bodywork and mechanicals have been done, with just the interior to complete. Talking to the representative from Lamborghini High Wycombe, he told us that there are about 20 of these cars in the UK, from the 300 that were built, and he looks after 5 of them. This particular car has had the same Texan (but UK resident some of the time) owner for a long period of time who was persuaded to have it restored. The body is made from glassfibre and with many of the mechanicals based on ZF components for which parts availability is good, it has not been as hard as for some cars. He also said that consideration is being given to entering this vehicle for Pebble Beach.
Oldest Lamborghini was this fantastic Miura, which looks ever so small, low and dainty now compared to the modern supercars.
The Jarama was a 4 seater (just about!) Lamborghini offered in the very early 1970s. It has never had quite the same appeal as other Raging Bull cars.
Despite being a 40 year old design, the Countach is still a dramatic looking car that always attract a lot of attention.
There was one example of each of the Uracco and later Silhouette.
Diablo
Murcielago
Plenty of Gallardos, with models including the Superleggera and the Performante.
LANCIA There was a particularly varied display of Lancias on show, again with almost every model type made in the last 50 years represented.
Oldest Lancias was this Aurelia B50 Cabrio.
Next oldest were the Appias, There was a Series 3 Berlina and the Fourgone that came to the UK a couple of years ago was making another appearance.
From the Flavia range was this Zagato Coupe and the very lovely Pininfarina 2000 Coupe
In the smaller Fulvia range, there was again a Berlina and some of the very pretty Coupe models, both the regular cars and the Zagato models.
From the Flaminia range were a couple of the very lovely Coupe models.
A full range of Betas on show went from a very early Berlina, to a Series 2 Berlina, Coupe and HPE cars.
There were also a fair few MonteCarlos
Just one Gamma Coupe and no Berlina models this year
There were several Stratos cars, though.
There was a particularly strong showing of Delta HF and Integrale cars.
By contrast there was a lone Prisma, represented by the Symbol limited edition car
There was just one Y10, too.
Kappa
As well as couple of Thema saloons, there was an example of the rare Thema Estate. Never officially sold in the UK these were made in small quantities from 1986.
MASERATIThis car is a tribute to the 250F, but made road legal with tiny indicators, splash guards and all the other necessaries. Considering the weather, top marks to the driver who brought this to the event!
Oldest conventional road car was this nice 3500GT which looked like it had come straight from the restoration shop. Almost too shiny!
The Mistrale was offered in the mid 1960s and this is a very convertible version.
Maserati’s supercar of the 1970s was the Bora.
Closely related to the Bora, but cheaper and slower, was the Merak
The Khamsin celebrates its 40th birthday this year and in honour of that, one was on show.
The Biturbo generation was represented with a variety of models including the coupe, convertible and saloon, as well as the later Ghibli and the very nice Shamal.
Modern Maseratis included several 3200/4200 cars, a few Quattroportes and the latest Granturismo and Grancabrio.
Something a little unusual: this is a 1959 Maserati 50/T2/SS
MONTEVERDIThis 375L High Speed is a regular at the event, and whilst technically it is a Swiss car, no-one gets terribly upset at whether it should participate or not.
NOVAThe Alfa based Nova kit car, a regular at events like this was once again on display.
THE TEST HILLNot as easy at it looks, not least because it is very steep towards the top, and with a sharp right angled bend meaning that the driver needs to slow down on nearing the summit, about 30 different cars made a couple of ascents of the famous Test Hill. Every vehicle completed the climb, though a couple did case the commentator to wonder if they would make it.
TRACK ACTIONHalf way through the day some of the cars were invited to stretch their legs on the Mercedes-Benz World track.
AND OTHERS
Despite the drizzle and the biting wind, this was still a good event. Not quite as busy or quite as many cars to see as in previous years, perhaps, but still an excellent day out.
2012-05-07 09:39:54
