GAYDON AUTO ITALIA

[Andy c]

anita says she prefers yello

good to see you chaps again

[Thotos]

Here's some other cars I particularly enjoyed seeing:

[Thotos]

I've always had a soft-spot for the Alfasud (must be the flat-four engine, just like the Gamma  ) and this was an exceptionally good example:

[simon131]

Theo, I too share your love of the Fiat Dino and these two cars were exceptionally fine I've wanted a Dino Spider since I did the Norwich Union Classic Run in 1989 in the 124 AS Spider I owned at the time. The car behind me all the way was a beautiful blue 2400 Spider - and the sound of the quad cams and triple twin choke carbs stirred something deep inside me - totally wonderful.

I think at the time the car was owned by a guy called Mark Cooper, an advertising exec with a stunning young lady as co-pilot (I was looking at the car honest Wendy!).?

There is something truely unique about the 2.0 and 2.4 6 cylinder Dino engine - whether it be in a FIAT or a Ferrari, but I've heard some terrible stories about the chains snapping causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to the engine. This is what has always put me off owning one.

I also noticed the Sud at Gaydon. Not many about these days as they suffered terribly from poor electrics and the British weather. I think the in-board brakes weren't exactly the best either Great fun to drive though. My very first Boss back in 1985 had a 1982 Sud Tii in virtually the same colour brown as Theo's Gumma, and the car flew It was truly cool, but I only had eyes for my 131 Sport at the time!

[kev131]

You UK based guys seem to have a wealth of Italian outings to choose from....

I wonder should we try to organise an Irish expedition of Fiat/Italian fans for one of the events for next year...? Any interest from the Emeral Isle based members? Something to look forward to after 3MA09? 

[Thotos]

Welcome back Kev!?

Some of our forum's Irish members made it to the Brooklands Auto Italia day earlier this year. It's very easy to attend such events if you fly in and out of the UK (although budget airlines are bound to be increasing their prices in an attempt to keep flying rather than going bust as some already have). But it would be much better to get a convoy of Irish Italian cars arriving to one of these events.

[kev131]

Thanks Theo - Actually I should have been clearer - A convoy (of Italian classics) is what I implied!  If we get the weather....

[jasonh131]

There was always a dutch convoy to bromley pagent nearly every year as it was
the biggest 1 day classic car show in europe with nearly 3000  cars
 

[Gremlino]

1982 Sud Tii in virtually the same colour brown as Theo's Gumma

No way.......they couldn't have made 2 cars that shade of Braaaaaan 

The Sud and the Dino were and still are very underrated cars. 

[Thotos]

....they couldn't have made 2 cars that shade of Braaaaaan?
?

I don't know about two cars in that brown but I can confirm there are several shades of  "that Braaaaaan" because my car has at least four shades of it even though all that brown came out of the same tin! 

[Gremlino]

Does that mean the paint reacted to itself when it was sprayed on.....

Joking aside.....I have seen colour set differently on the same car... sprayed with the same gun, using the same activator and applied by the same guy 

Sometimes paint makes no sense 

[Gremlino]

Courtesy of Octane magazines article on A.I Gaydon......

[Gremlino]

Is Simon smiling coz he's about to run over the photographers toes? 

[simon131]

I haven't seen this pic before now. Sorry.

Looks good doesn't it? I must admit that when the guy stepped out in front of me I wondered what the heck he was doing, as I was sure I'd driven past him before he was able to take the pic.

I could do with a copy of this. Where can I get one Gremino? Is Octane on line?

[kev131]

Cool photo - Good exposure for those 3MA stickers as well!