The popular theme-d evenings at the iconic Ace Cafe continue right throughout they year, but attendance inevitably tails off somewhat during the winter months, as although the food and drink on offer is just as tasty, year round, those who want to see the cars brought along tend to be disappointed by their relative paucity and the fact that they are only get a glimpse under the car park lighting. I will admit that I don’t tend to make the same efforts to attend between November and February, but by March, there is at least a bit of daylight and by April, spring should be well in evidence. Or so I thought, as I set up about washing my car in readiness for the April Italian Night. Within minutes of completing the task, it started to rain, and the following morning, I had a very rain soaked journey down the M4, with the inevitable consequence that the car ended up far dirtier than it had been 24 hours previously. However, the forecast did promise that by mid afternoon, it would dry up and the sun might even shine. Accordingly, I left the office optimistic of a good and varied turn out. Certainly, the quantity of cars was well down on the more popular months, but as ever there was a good mix of familiar cars (and drivers) along with a few that had not been seen before, and one which was definitely making its first ever appearance at a UK event.

ABARTH

When I arrived at 5:30pm, there was already a line of Abarths parked up in the “usual” spot, though I was a little surprised to note that Lloyd Hartley’s car was not among them, as despite the fact that he lives in Doncaster, he is an inveterate attendee. Clearly the unpromising weather had discouraged him from coming. All told we ended up with 7 cars, a mix of 500s and Puntos, and a mix of white and black cars, with mine being the only red one. It was good to meet a new member and to catch up with several friends during the evening.

ALFA ROMEO

Surprisingly few Alfas this months, with a trio of Brera/Spider models joined by a 105 series GTV and a 155.

FIAT

Mike Kason brought along his lovely 500 Belvedere, a car which recently featured in Classic Cars magazine. He told me that he had been on one of the Tues Classic Car evenings when one of their reporters had cornered him and set up the story. He also told me he is on the trail of a rare Abarth 1000TC in Belgium at present, to join his fleet, which was recently depleted when someone made him an insanely generous offer for the ex Ferrari F1 team Fiat 900T van which I have seen at many events. He won’t be at Brooklands Auto Italia with any of his lovely cars, though, as instead he will be racing his Abarth X1/9 at Brands Hatch. Definitely someone who has things well sorted out!

A trio of Coupes arrived during the evening, before it got to dark to do photos, which sadly was not the case for the Uno 70SX which I only spotted long after dusk.

ISO

This Rivolta Coupe paid a fleeting visit to the venue. It still had Illinois plates, and I noticed that there were Texas inspection stickers in the windscreen. The car left before I got the chance to talk to the owner to get any more of the history.

LANCIA

First Lancia to arrive was an early Beta Spider, I don’t think I’ve seen this particular car before.

Even more intriguing was this Gamma Berlina which arrived soon after. An S plate suggested 1978 which would have made it one of the very first UK market cars. However, it turned out to have a more interesting history than that. I should have guessed, but the driver turned out to be Andy Collins, stalwart of the Lancia Motor Club, and he told me that this is actually a Belgian car, registered in late 1977, but ordered in right hand drive, six months before such cars were on sale in the UK. It has the very rare factory options of air conditioning and leather seats. Despite being 35 years old, it has done just 24,000km, and although the body work is not immaculate, the car is in great condition. Further discussion elicited that Andy thinks there are 12 Gamma Berlina in the UK, 9 of them in Wiltshire, and no, he does not own them all! He has now found a gearbox for the one that he has got which has covered just 78 miles though, so is hoping to get that on the road during the year.

Third Lancia was the very nice Series 2 Beta Berlina which is quite a regular at this event. The guy who owns this has a 1300 Berlina as well, and he said it has had major rebuild work on the engine during the winter, so he his hoping to get it on the road during the year. I look forward to seeing it.

MASERATI

Just the one, a 3200GT.

So, not a particularly busy gathering, but some interesting cars, and a great opportunity to catch up with my fellow Abarthisti, the friendly Lancia guys and the Ace Cafe staff themselves. Here’s hoping for a really sunny May meeting and a bumper display of cars.