Italian cars may have received very mixed reviews from the British press for many years, but there can be little doubt that the automotive offerings from that country do engender lots of love and affection, as evidenced by the considerable number of themed events that take place up and down the country every year. None are bigger or better supported than the one held at Brooklands, organised by Auto Italia magazine, and which has been running now for 27 years. I’ve attended every year since 2008, and always enjoyed it a lot, so it is a top priority in my events calendar for the year, even though there is plenty of competition for other things taking place on the same weekend. In 2012 the weather was particularly cold, and this kept both some crowds and display cars away, but the days leading up to the 2013 event had all been perfect sunshine, so I was hopeful for a bumper turn out. The vagaries of the British weather meant that a band of cloud and rain was forecast to interrupt the spring sunshine, and indeed it proved not only damp in the morning but far colder than my clothing was designed for, but that failed to deter not only me, but also hundreds of other owners, who came en masse, ensuring that there was a lot to see. During the day the sun did finally burn through the clouds, leaving a bright end to proceedings, and not a few people with slightly tender looking faces and arms. Reminder to self – sun tan lotion and a hat are a Good Idea, despite what the forecasters may tell you! That apart,, there was so much to enjoy, as is evidenced by the record number of photos I took during the day. Over 600. Enjoy!
ABARTH
Nearly five years since the relaunch of the Abarth brand, and with about 5000 cars sold in the UK, it should be no surprise that the number of Abarths at the event continues to grow year on year and there were far more present this time than in 2012. As well in the area dedicated to the marque, some were parked up with the classic 500s, and others with the Fiats, so I don’t think anyone counted them all, but I would guess that there were at least 60 cars present, with all just about all variants on show.
Thames Slough, the local dealer, had a display which included the familiar 500, the more recent 595 versions, a 695 Tributo Ferrari, an Assetto Corse car, and a Punto Supersport
There were several “classic” Abarths, too, including 595, 695 and OT1000 models.
AC
The 378 Zagato model was making another appearance.
ALFA ROMEO
Numerically, I would estimate that there were more Alfa Romeo on show than anything else, but with strong showings from other marques, their dominance is perhaps coming under challenge. There were no pre-war cars, sadly, so the oldest model on show was Robbie Savage’s lovely 1900 SS Touring Coupe, a stalwart of many Italian car events, and a lovely machine indeed.
From the same era of the 1950s was this fantastic 1900C Barchetta.
The pretty 2600 Spider used to languish somewhat unloved, but no longer. Prices are on the rise.
There were plenty of the 105 series Giulia cars, with Berlina and the pretty GT/GTV Coupes both well represented and a Junior Zagato.
Other variants included the Giulia Spider and the SS model
Giulia Sprint Veloce
There were also lots of the Spider models based on the Giulia chassis, with examples from all four different versions of the long-running model on show.
A couple of Montreals showed up.
There were more Alfasud than you sometimes get at events like this, but as usual, most of the cars were Ti models or the pretty Sprint coupes.
The larger Alfetta GTV was particularly well represented this year, with a couple of the South African market 3 litre cars on show, and a further model which bore 3.5 litre badges on its tailgate.
There were a small number of 33s, with one example of the very rare estate version, called the Sport Wagon, being of particular interest.
Most of the 164s present were Cloverleaf models, and whilst I still don’t think the body kit was anything other than unfortunate, all of them were in a nice condition, and good to see, as these cars tend not to appear in quantity any more.
The were more 75s, with examples of the model showing how it evolved from 1986 until its demise in 1992.
It was replaced by the 155, and although this car was not terribly well regarded when new, these days there are a dedicated and quite sizeable number of enthusiasts for the car.
That is even more true for the zany SZ, a couple of which were on display.
There were not many 145 and 146 cars this year.
916 series GTV/Spider
156
There were examples of both the initial 166 design and the facelifted version
Not many 147, with the GTA in short supply this year
By contrast, there were several of the elegant GT coupe cars
159
Brera/Spider
MiTo
The current Giulietta has already acquired a devoted following, and rightly so too.
Final Alfa was an 8C Competizione, a truly gorgeous looking car with an engine noise to die for.
BIZZARRINI
DE TOMASO
It would seem that there are always a few cars that make their maiden appearance at any significant UK event, and to prove the point, this rather splendid Mangusta was doing just that. Something was clearly awry mechanically, judging by the screeching noise it made when moving (as well as the glorious rumble from its Ford V8 engine. It looked absolutely fantastic, though.
There were also three Pantera on show, ranging from an early car with the slim bumpers and moderate wheel arches to two later models which showed how the model evolved.
Final De Tomaso was a late model Longchamp.
FERRARI
There were plenty of Ferrari on show, with a concentration of more recent models, though some lovely 1960s machines were also on display The most unusual was this. No, it’s not a full size GTO, but a beautifully created model designed for children. Top speed was cited at 15 mph, and you would need to be quite small to get in it.
250 GTE
330 GT
365 GTC
246 GT Dino
308 GT4 Dino
365 GTC/4
A mix of 308 and 328 in both GTB and GTS guises
400i
512 BBi
Mondial
Testarossa and 512TR
288 GTO
No sign of the later F50 and Enzo models, but there were several F40s.
348/f355
Among the various 550/575 Maranello was a 575 SuperAmerica
456 GT
360/430 Modena
Among the 599GTB cars were a couple of HGTEs with the Handling Pack fitted and two GTO’s
A couple of California
There were only a couple of 458 Italia, one of which was the Spider model.
FF
FIAT
There were lots of the Nuova 500, including a few of the Giardiniera version.
The larger 600 always seems to be in the shadow of the 500, so it was good to see a couple of them here, including a Serbian assembled Zastava version
The 850 replaced the 600 and as well as the regular saloon model, there was a very pretty Coupe, of which a couple were on show
This 1200 Grand Luce is a very elegant convertible from the early 1960s
Among the 124s on show were a couple of Coupes and several Spiders
There was a lone example of the 125
This 130 Berlina is one of my favourite Fiats of the era
Even more desirable in my opinion is the Dino. Sadly there was just one present, a Coupe model.
A lone 126
Three 128 3Ps were on show, with a couple of them sporting the rather distinctive stripes which were applied as a limited edition towards the end of the model’s life
The X1/9 owners put on a good show with a dozen cars, ranging from some of the early factory spec cars sold in the UK, through the limited edition Lido to plenty of the later 1500 cars.
A quartet of 131 Mirafiori
Now with a new owners, Mike Kitson having been made an offer he could not refuse, the charming 900T van was once used by the Ferrari F1 racing team, and it was rescued from “round the back” at Maranello.
Just a couple of Unos
The Strada was equally limited in its number present.
Despite its galvanised body which held the dread rust at bay, the Tipo has all but disappeared from our roads. This is a Sedicivalvole model, the hot model offered late in the car’s life
The Cinquecento and Seicento were well represented.
Lots of Punto from all three generations
Barchetta
Bravo
Marea
A couple of years ago it looked as if Coupe numbers were dwindling, perhaps as expensive maintenance tasks came onto the agenda, but judging by the number on show at this event, you would never believe it, as there were examples in just about every available colour
The five door Stilo has already sunk almost without trace, but the three door models have some appeal, and this Michael Schumacher edition certainly looks good.
Among the Panda on show was the very car which recently broke the record for driving from Cape Town, across Africa and to London in just 10 days. It was joined by further examples of the latest third generation car as well as a few of the second generation model.
Current Fiats included not just the popular 500 and Puntos, but Bravo, Qubo and Doblo.
INNOCENTI
This delightful 950 Spider is a particularly pretty small sports car, based on Austin-Healey Sprite mechanicals. The current owner, who also has a trio of the C coupe models in red, white and green, is selling all four of them. Mechanical parts should present no problem, given the underpinnings, so with decent bodywork a starting point, they are quite a tempting proposition.
ISO
A silver Lele had only a short stay at the event, and so escaped my camera, but the ex John Lennon Fifia was there for longer and thus you can see my photos of that car.
LAMBORGHINI
The area where the Lamborghinis were parked, nice and centrally, was pretty crowded when we got to it, and I despaired of getting clear shots of the cars, but then the black clouds that had suddenly appeared in the sky helped me out, and as the rain started to fall quite seriously, people all dived for cover behind the twin line of cars, leaving my view pretty unobstructed. There are worse places to stand when it is raining that where you can gaze upon two lines of this much loved marque, which celebrates its fiftieth birthday in a few week’s time! There were examples of most of the different models that have been produced in that time, though sadly, no Miura was present.
Espada
Jarama
Uracco
Countach
Diablo
Murcielago
Gallardo
Aventador
LANCIA
Oldest car at the event, I think, was this fabulous Lambda
Augusta
Aprilia
Aurelia GT Coupe
There were a couple of Appia, a Berlina and a Convertible
Flaminia Coupe
Flavia Coupe and Convertible
Among the Fulvia were Berlina, Convertible and the ever so pretty Coupe models, as well as the Zagato Coupe cars.
The stunning red Series 2 Beta Berlina which I had first seen in Bristol a couple of weeks ago was making another appearance. There were also Coupe and Spider models on show as well as the Montecarlo sports car .
The Delta were all the high performance HF and Integrale cars
Prisma
Dedra
Thema
Gamma Coupe
Kappa
Thesis
MASERATI
Two of the nicest Maserati were the oldest examples of the marque on show, and regrettably, I don’t seem to have a picture of either. I did however photograph this 6CM1500,
This Mistral Spider was very nice indeed.
Will the news that the Ghibli nameplate is being revived mean that there is more interest in the older models? Not sure, but when they look as good as this, it certainly should.
From the Citroen era were a trio of lovely cars: Merak, Bora and Khamsin
There were not many cars from the Biburbo generation on display, though I was delighted to see not one, but two Shamals present. There were also a number of the second car to bear the Ghibli name
The 3200/4200GT cars probably saved Maserati from extinction, and these elegant machines are deservedly popular. There were lots on show.
There were a number of Quattroporte, too, with a fourth generation model sporting “for sale” signs and a tempting price tag of just £5600. Probably for the brave, though. The fifth generation car still looks just superb to my eyes.
From the current range there were also some GranTurismo and GranCabrio cars
MONTEVERDI
A regular at this event, and even though Monteverdi was Swiss, and the cars were made in Biningen, a suburb of Basel, the styling was done by Pietro Frua, a well known Italian design house, and when the result is as elegant as this, who could deny this car, a 375L High Speed, a place at the show?
MOTORBIKES
There weren’t just fast Italian cars at the show, there were also some very fast Italian bikes too. Mostly Ducatis 916, rare 916 ‘Senna’ and 1198 Panigale versions, but there was also a late model MV Augusta F4R
SUNBEAM
Sunbeam is not Italian, you may well cry, and indeed it is not. However, this Rapier-based Venzia sports a body built by Carrozzeria Touring and so I guess it sort of qualifies, especially with only just over 200 of these cars built, it has always been rare. This particular one dates from 1964
VIGNALE
Without question, this was the rarest car of the day. Indeed, although I have read the occasional article in magazines on it, I am pretty sure I have never ever seen one. It is called the Samanatha, and is based on a Fiat 125. Launched in 1967, this car was from a period when Vignale made a number of Fiat based models sold under their own name. There was a rather ambitious plan to sell a large quantity of these in the UK, which is why the car attending was a right hand drive model. Needless to say, 1960s “volume” coachbuilding had its challenges and the cars were poorly put together and expensive, and hence almost impossible to sell when new. It is believed that only 2 remain in the UK, both currently resident in Northern Ireland.
AND A COUPLE OF RANDOMS!
MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD
We were greeted in the foyer by a fully liveried Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren ‘Stirling Moss’. The first one I had seen. It’s quite a sight, the driver sits almost impossibly far back right over the rear wheels with no protection from the elements
The SLR’s successor is the SLS was on show is a rather nice matt blue finish, although the odd fake aluminium look throughout the interior and engine bay was a little odd
There is always a good display of classics from Mercedes’ past
There were also a number of classic AMG versions, one of just 14 C36 convertibles made (this one had the even rarer hardtop), an E60 (one of 126 made for the Japanese market) and an S70 with a 7.0L V12 that was later used in the Pagani Zonda!
Currently AMG cars were on display in C, CLS, CL and SL and SLS roadster guises
There was also an SLS GT3 racer
All current road cars were on display, but I only took pics of the latest CLS Shooting Brake and the brand new (and huge) GL
Only concept car on show was the F200 Imagination from a few years ago
Just a few of the models on show representing Mercedes cars throughout the years
The car park is always worth wondering around
Despite the weather, which was disappointing (and plain chilly) in the morning, this was an excellent event. In many ways, I would say it was the “best” of these Brooklands events that I have attended (and I have been every year since 2008). I look forward to what 2014 will bring.
