Day 2 involved some planned activities organised on our behalf by our Italian and Turin based member Effe131 (Michele). Actually it is important not to understate the part played by Michele in helping arrange the various events in Turin and 3MA09 was infinitely richer because of his involvement.
The day began with the visiting cars assembling outside the hotel where they were joined by Michele and some other 131/Fiat owning friends. Michele's car is in simply stunning condition in a very rare Grey/Blue colour (Grigio Chiaro).
Next step was to leave in a convoy of approx 10/12 cars heading for the Fiat manufacturing plant known as Mirafiori. This was easier said than done in Turin's rush hour traffic but we eventually arrived at the gates and after being granted access by security, this sight awaited us.
This is the factory test track which is 2 straights linked by banked corners (30 and 45 degrees) at each end. All of the cars lined up for photographs after which the group split in two. The first boarded a bus for a short ride to the shop floor to witness Fiat Ideas, Lancia Musas and Alfa Romeo Mitas being assembled. Photographs from within the site were not permitted so there is nothing to show from this. It was a very interesting experience for anyone not on a factory visit before.
Once complete it was back to the test track for 3 circuits in convoy shephered by 2 Mitos, at the front and back. On the last circuit I hung back to open up a space to build up some speed on the banking which enlivened the experience for me and the driver of the rear Mito who got a bit excited with his flashing lights. Apparently our "minders" were a little bit nervous of a mishap and had a fire engine and ambulance on standby. I have to say that the Fiat people were exceptionally courteous and helpful and despite them probably wondering who were these mad people driving around in out of date cars, they indulged what was for most of us a memorable event.
We then moved our cars one by one to the banked section for some more interesting photographs as well as testing the efficiency of 131 handbrakes. Again our minders were a little bit nervous of permitting this change of location but having explained that we had travelled from "Irlanda" to take this picture they relented.?
This part of 3MA09 represented the maximum number of 131s together at any point of the event and totalled 14. There were a few non 131s in attendance - More about them later.
Next stop was lunch at the Mirafiori village. This is effectively a flagship showroom facility for Fiat, Lancia and AR and includes fabulous dining facilities. In fact to me, the food here was the best of the trip - The ?9 euro buffet had a bewildering array of choices.
We had special treatment again being allowed to park the cars on a new car display area. It was interesting to note (for the anoraks amongst us) that the "mirafiori" name emblazoned everywhere has retained the same script at least since the days when the Fiat 131 was manufactured....maybe from before..?
We were to roam about this facility until we felt like departing which we did around 3pm. Jacquie was flying out to join us for the second half of the event and duly arrived later that afternoon. She flew because she could not face the prospect of driving such long distances in both directions but in fact she acclimatised quite quickly to the car and endured 9 hour driving stints on the way home without complaint - A tribute to the great design of the car we love.?
I mentioned above that we had 14 131s on this day. I tried to remember everyon's name and here goes for some of the them - Enrico, Nico, Angelo, Valentino, Paolo, Bruno...in fact it looked as if most Italian male names ends with an "o" so we made up a few more...Albertino, Eugenio, Theo?
and Simoninio!?
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